OnePlus’s rift with Cyanogen has come to a head

OnePlus's rift with Cyanogen has come to a head

OnePlus and Cyanogen are parting ways, their ideals-driven partnership over.

OnePlus wanted to make affordable phones with great specs and zero bloat, and Cyanogen wanted to take Android away from Google. Both companies might still accomplish their goals, but they'll be doing it separately from now on.

Based on statements Cyanogen CEO Kurt McMaster made to PC World, it seems Cyanogen wasn't happy with OnePlus's slow growth. "OnePlus shipped reasonable volume, but nothing compared to what some of these other partners can ship," he said.

And Cyanogen CTO Steve Kondik told the site that Cyanogen's launch on the OnePlus One was "probably the last you will see from that partnership unfortunately."

Escalation

TechRadar reported in January that the two companies were having a spat over licensing in India, and that may have had something to do with this as well.

No matter the reasons, two things are clear: that Cyanogen is looking for new hardware partners, and that OnePlus had a good reason for leaning so heavily on upgrading its phones to Oxygen OS.

We reached out to OnePlus to find out if the company has anything to share about its next phone - possibly dubbed the OnePlus Two - and we'll update this article if we hear back.


Galaxy Note 5 pops up with code name ‘Project Noble’

Galaxy Note 5 pops up with code name 'Project Noble'

Samsung has never hesitated to put out as many phones as possible and see what sticks, and now two more new devices from the company have appeared.

The SM-G928S appears to be a new Galaxy S6 variant, and the SM-N920F is likely the Galaxy Note 5, according to SamMobile.

These model numbers popped up in an IMEI database. Based on Samsung's naming conventions they do point to the company's flagship and Note lines; the standard S6 has the model number SM-G920, and the Note 4 is the SM-N910.

According to the site's sources, the Note 5 is code named "Project Noble," while the S6 variant is being called "Project Zen" internally.

It's inevitable

There's nothing else to learn about the two new Samsung phones at this point, besides the inevitable fact that the smartphone industry marches ever onward.

In other words, Samsung continues to work on new phones, and they'll be revealed at some point down the road.

  • The iPhone 6 is bigger, better, sleeker, and faster







Updated: LG G4 release: how to get LG’s new leather-clad flagship phone

Updated: LG G4 release: how to get LG's new leather-clad flagship phone

LG finally announced its newest flagship, the LG G4, at dual events in New York and London.

But what do you care where it was announced? What you really want to know is where you can actually get the LG G4 for yourself.

Luckily availability for the new LG flagship is wide, and we have all the info for US residents looking to pick one up.

T-Mobile

The "un-carrier" was quick to send out a press release after LG's G4 announcement event.

T-Mobile said it will launch the G4 "this spring," but more importantly the carrier is also launching a sweepstakes that will let users get their hands on it early.

Customers can sign up on t-mobile.com for a chance to win the phone early. The carrier is giving away one a day until May 25.

In addition T-Mobile is the only US carrier selling the brown leather-backed version, according to its announcement, as well as the metallic gray version.

Sprint

Sprint highlighted the LG G4's impressive camera in its own announcement, which like T-Mobile's was light on actual release details.

Sprint was slightly more specific, though: it hopes to launch the LG G4 in June, with more details on release date and pricing "in the coming weeks."

The carrier will sell the G4 in metallic gray and black leather.

Verizon

In typical Verizon style, the carrier posted just a short tweet after LG's G4 announcement.

"#LGG4 with Advanced Calling for HD Voice and Video is coming soon to Verizon Wireless," it says, revealing little.

At least they included a fancy GIF showing various color options. You can sign up for alerts from Verizon regarding the LG G4 here.

US Cellular

US Cellular made no formal announcements regarding the LG G4, but the company did let TechRadar know that it will get its version of the handset out to customers in June.

AT&T and beyond

We haven't heard official word from AT&T yet, but we've reached out to the other biggest US carrier and we'll update this article when we hear back.








Updated: Nokia isn’t making a new Android phone after all

Updated: Nokia isn't making a new Android phone after all

UPDATE: Nokia has released a statement reaffirming "it currently has no plans to manufacture or sell consumer handsets."

The statement reads: "Nokia notes recent news reports claiming the company communicated an intention to manufacture consumer handsets out of a R&D facility in China. These reports are false, and include comments incorrectly attributed to a Nokia Networks executive.

"Nokia reiterates it currently has no plans to manufacture or sell consumer handsets."

Original article....

Nokia's pretty much been lying low since Microsoft bought its mobile business then dropped the name from its Lumia phones, but a return is now imminent.

There have been rumors since last year that Nokia would re-enter the smartphone market with a new Android phone - its first in some time - and today those rumors are confirmed.

Nokia's president in China, Mike Wang, said the company will use its Chinese factories to build new Android phones in 2016, reports G For Games.

We've asked Nokia to confirm it, but unless the site is way off-base this sounds like the real deal.

Given the focus on China Nokia could be looking to return to the Android market with some low-end or mid-tier devices, but we can only speculate on that front - Wang revealed no further details.

We'll be watching for more word, and in the meantime we'll update this article if we receive confirmation from Nokia that it's really making Android phones for 2016.

  • Which version of Android will they run? Android KitKat is still on top







Google Project Fi wireless network may launch today

Google Project Fi wireless network may launch today

Google's mobile phone network - whether it's called Project Nova, Project Fi, Google Wireless, or something else - might launch as soon as today.

As previous rumors said, Google's wireless service will let customers pay only for the data they actually use - and not a megabyte more - and take full advantage of Wi-Fi calling, reports the Wall Street Journal.

And like we've heard before, Google's mobile service will reportedly be a mobile virtual network that piggybacks off of T-Mobile's and Sprint's networks, making Google an MVNO.

Most importantly, perhaps, the site corroborates the previous claim that Google's wireless service will be exclusive to the Nexus 6 at launch.

Immediately disruptive

That might boost Nexus 6 sales, but with such a severe limitation Google Wireless probably won't be as immediately disruptive as Google Fiber has been.

Then again, it's not hard to imagine Verizon and AT&T quaking in their boots right now. Even T-Mobile and Sprint might be a bit scared, despite their involvement; the Wall Street Journal article says the decision to license their networks out to Google wasn't made "lightly," at least at Sprint.

And if the experiment works, Google could potentially expand the service outside the US - provided carriers in other countries are willing to make similar deals.

The WSJ says Google might unveil the service as early as today, so we'll definitely be keeping an eye out for any announcements.


This sound-controlled iPhone accessory makes touchscreens seem obsolete

This sound-controlled iPhone accessory makes touchscreens seem obsolete

Researchers at Disney and Carnegie Mellon University have invented a new type of accessory - for your phone and other gadgets - they call "Acoustruments."

Their official definition reads like a lawyer wrote it: "low-cost, passive, and powerless mechanisms, made from plastic, that can bring rich, tangible functionality to handheld devices."

Translation? Acoustruments turn your touch and grip gestures into sound waves that phones, toys and more devices can interpret.

The "smart case" the researchers demonstrate in the video below shows a lightweight plastic piping that extends from an iPhone's speaker, around its edges, and back to its microphone.

Touching the plastic railing alters the ultrasonic signals being sent from the speaker to the mic, alerting the phone to new variables its sensors can't pick up natively - like when you're gripping it with one hand or holding it up to take a photo.

YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=161&v=llOKDcr1gsY

In other examples the accessory extends outward from the phone's bottom, making room for new external buttons.

It's a cool idea, and the researchers also showed it being implemented in toy cars, dolls and alarm clocks. The obvious (and even cooler) idea is to implement this functionality directly into a phone's chassis to enable a whole new range of controls.

There's no guarantee that will ever happen, but it's a neat idea nonetheless.








Is Samsung Galaxy S6 already chipping at Apple’s iPhone 7 plans?

Is Samsung Galaxy S6 already chipping at Apple's iPhone 7 plans?

Apple has reportedly made a last-minute change to iPhone 7 production plans, enlisting the help of an additional chip manufacturer due to poor output from Samsung's camp.

And based on today's rumor about Galaxy S6 sales, it seems Samsung may be to blame.

Apple's main chip producer for the next iPhone has reportedly been Samsung partner GlobalFoundries, but Apple has given a chunk of that business to Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., according to KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo.

Apple has worked with TSMC before, and this could be a blow to Samsung's chip-making business and its partnership with Apple.

If so, at least it's a blow of Samsung's own making: unexpectedly high demand for the Galaxy S6 may be keeping GlobalFoundries extra busy making Exynos chips for Samsung's latest flagship.

That could explain why the manufacturer has reportedly been unable to meet Apple's supply demands for the A9 chips that the company will allegedly use in the next iPhone, although it's unclear whether the timeline for all these events matches up perfectly.

Either way, here's hoping the same thing doesn't happen to the iPhone 7's camera, which could turn out to be a real zinger - if Apple's plans don't go awry again.

  • The iPhone 6 is bigger, better, sleeker and faster







This may be LG’s first Windows phone in five years

This may be LG's first Windows phone in five years

Rumors of a new LG Windows Phone handset have persisted for years, but now it seems we've finally caught a glimpse of one.

This is LG's new Windows Phone, which will launch on Verizon in the US, according to Neowin.

There's not much to glean from the image, besides that the phone has virtual buttons and apparently runs Windows Phone 8.1, not Windows 10 for phones.

That's led to speculation that the new LG Windows Phone could arrive soon - before Windows 10's launch, at least - but nothing is certain.

The lone other clue is the filename of the image Neowin received: "Lancet." Whether that's a code name or nothing at all is unclear.

LG's last Windows Phone device, the LG Optimus 7, was quite impressive back in 2010, but the landscape has changed so much since then it's hard to know what will happen this time around.

  • The LG G4 could be seriously impressive







Updated: Google’s Project Fi: What you need to know about the network of networks

Updated: Google's Project Fi: What you need to know about the network of networks

Google Project Fi: what is it?

Google has its hands in a lot of pots, and depending on which phone you use, you may not have known that the search company has also been operating its very own wireless service since 2015.

In the US, mobile contracts are the realm of disliked-but-tolerated companies like AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint and others. But now that Google - a company notably less disliked than these carriers - has joined the fray.

Google has officially launched with Project Fi (yes, that's the name), a mobile virtual network operated on the backs of Sprint, T-Mobile, and now U.S. Cellular's LTE networks and, of course, public Wi-Fi hotspots around the country.

You probably have a lot of questions about it and as a customer of Fi myself, I'll do my best to answer them.

What is Project Fi?

Project Fi is the name of Google's network that offers mobile data directly to users, much like every other carrier that's available to choose between.

Of its many innovative aspects, the most eye-opening of Project Fi is its pricing: Google is charging $20 flat per month for talk, text, Wi-Fi tethering, and international coverage in 135+ countries, then an additional $10 per GB of data each month.

To give an example, a plan with 3GB of data costs $50 (plus tax) per month. However, if you don't use all that data, Google will only charge you for what you used. So if you only used 1.4 of your 3GB, Google says, you'll pay $16 less than you had originally set out to.

Project Fi

What's better than rollover data? Rollover cash, of course.

Being a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) means Google essentially licenses network infrastructure from other carriers. There are other companies that do this, like Straight Talk, which TechRadar explored in-depth. Straight Talk offers customers phone plans that work off of other carriers' networks.

Google is doing the same here with Project Fi, making itself the middleman between customers and carriers. So although your phone will bounce between T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular LTE services, you'll only ever have to deal with Google when it comes to support and billing.

The company says your device will automatically hop among the available networks and Wi-Fi hotspots depending on which has the best connection. Google counts over a million free, open (and growing) Wi-Fi hotspots in the US as part of its network.

Project Fi

When you're connected to Wi-Fi networks, Google encryption keeps you secure, the company says. And you'll transition seamlessly between Wi-Fi and LTE, even in the middle of a call.

Availability, supported devices and app

Google's Project Fi is in the US only for now, although Google could theoretically launch it anywhere that carriers are willing to partner with it.

Though it began as an invite-only affair, Project Fi has formally opened its doors to anyone who has a compatible device and is under their widening blanket of coverage.

Project Fi

But it seems availability is pretty wide, and there's no reason Fi shouldn't work wherever there's Sprint, T-Mobile and/or U.S. Cellular service.

Most recently, Google announced that it has partnered with Three in the UK to provide Project Fi users with 4G LTE while traveling abroad. Previously capped at 2G speeds, this could be the first step in bringing Fi to a broader audience.

What devices will support it

Google's Project Fi is currently available on its Nexus 6, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P flagship devices. Why is it available only on those devices, you ask?

According to Project Fi's FAQ, it's because the Fi SIM card, working in tandem with a specially-tuned cellular radio, is able to bounce between not just the supported networks in the US, but also with those around the world. The tech isn't available, or at least it isn't being taken advantage of, in other phones.

Nexus 6 Google

So, for those of you who are equipped with a recent Nexus devices and have another phone or tablet you'd like to setup on the network, all you'll need to do is make sure you're signed in as the same Google Hangouts account on each. Doing so will allow you to make calls and send texts from each device. Now that's pretty cool.

Project Fi app

While Project Fi deals with T-Mobile, Sprint and U.S. Cellular towers, you only deal with Google. More specifically, after the easy setup process online, you only need to refer to the Project Fi app moving forward.

If your smartphone or Nexus tablet is updated, you'll find the Project Fi app embedded within your app drawer. Inside, you can manage your account info and get a look at the amount of data you've used within the month.

Additionally, there's a widget that you can add to your main screen that shows how much data you've used in your cycle.

What it means for carriers

Google had to partner with traditional wireless carriers for this service, but it could still give those companies a run for their money by being more affordable, flexible and friendly than the services they offer individually.

That's often been Google's M.O., and although it hasn't always been successful the company has a reputation for disrupting these traditional spaces. One need only look at the positive buzz around Google Fiber, a service that's only available in a handful of US cities.

Google Fi could be better for users

Project Fi looks like it might turn out the same thanks to versatile service, easy payments and more flexibility than what any other wireless service offers.

This won't be the first time the wireless industry has been forced to step up its game to compete with a new threat - just look at all the positive changes T-Mobile's "Un-carrier" campaign has catalyzed - but with Google at the helm this could prove to be a major shake-up.

Apple’s latest buy could bring DSLR-level photos to iPhone 7

Apple's latest buy could bring DSLR-level photos to iPhone 7

Apple could be looking to up its camera game for the next iPhone with its acquisition of Israeli company LinX Computational imaging.

LinX creates tablet and smartphone cameras that use special sensor arrays and algorithms to create high-quality images that match DSLR cameras in smaller packages, according to the company.

Apple confirmed the buy, and although neither company said how much cash changed hands the number is likely around $20 million (about £13.5m, AU$26.2m), reports the Wall Street Journal.

Apple has invested heavily in Israel through multiple acquisitions and mass hires, and with 700 employees based there it's reportedly the second biggest R&D hub for the company.

We're not expecting to see the iPhone 7 any time soon, but when we do it had better have a damn nice camera.








iPhone clone Le Superphone is Le world’s first USB Type-C Android

iPhone clone Le Superphone is Le world's first USB Type-C Android

Apple wasn't the first to tout USB Type-C as the connector of the future, but the iPhone maker became its de facto champion when it made it the only jack in the new MacBook.

So it's a clear stab at Apple that Chinese company LeTV - which recently compared Apple to Hitler in an ill-advised promotional image - just introduced the world's first phones with USB Type-C.

Dubbed the LeTV "Superphones," the three handsets all feature the reversible new USB standard, which will also appear on tablets and laptops soon.

Ambitious specs

The flagship is the "Le Max," with a 6.33-inch QHD display, a 2GHz Snapdragon 810 processor, 4GB of memory, 64GB or 128GB of storage, a 3,500mAh battery, a 21-megapixel camera with optical image stabilization, and a backside fingerprint reader.

Its unibody aluminum chassis looks very much like a mix between an iPhone 6 Plus and the HTC One M9.

There's also the Le 1 Pro, with a 5.5-inch screen and 13-megapixel OIS camera, no fingerprint sensor, and less storage (32 or 64GB); and the low end Le 1, also 5.5 inches but 1080p and with a MediaTek chip.

LeTV hasn't yet finalized the price for the Le Max, which it says will be "crowdsourced," but even then it won't be available outside of China for several months at least, according to The Verge.








iOS 8.4 beta reveals complete Music app overhaul

iOS 8.4 beta reveals complete Music app overhaul

There's been lots of talk lately about what Apple plans to do with its various music offerings, including iTunes and Beats.

Will it merge iTunes and Beats and do away with Beats entirely? Or will it simply overhaul iTunes as it launches a new streaming service?

The developer beta version of iOS 8.4, which Apple released today, doesn't answer those questions, but it does seem to herald the coming changes.

New interface and more

The iOS update comes with a totally revamped version of Apple's Music app with a completely redesigned interface and "powerful new features," according to the official description.

These run the gamut. You can add custom images and descriptions to playlists, for example, and there's a new "recently added" section. There's also a new MiniPlayer that displays what's playing even as you browse your library.

And iTunes Radio has been "streamlined," perhaps a sign of things to come.

The most recent iOS update, iOS 8.3, most notably added greater emoji diversity. We've heard previously that iOS 8.4 will feature the debut of the new Beats Music service, and that may yet be unveiled.

  • The iPhone 6 is bigger, better, faster and sleeker







Microsoft’s new browser arrives for Windows 10 phones

Microsoft's new browser arrives for Windows 10 phones

The newest build of the Windows 10 for phones Technical Preview finally includes Microsoft's new browser, Project Spartan.

The Internet Explorer alternative recently became available in the latest build of Windows 10 as well, but this is the first time it's appeared publicly on phones.

Internet Explorer 11 is still the default browser, but it now exists alongside Project Spartan in Windows 10 for phones.

Project Spartan Program Manager Kyle Pflug said in a blog post that the browser on phones "has the same new rendering engine available on the desktop, with the same support for the latest standards and the same strong focus on interoperability with the modern Web."

This build of Windows 10 for phones is currently available to Windows Insider members in the "fast ring" for releases, and on a ton of new devices - the full list is laid out on the Windows Blog.

Multiple apps have been revamped as well, including the phone, messaging, mail, calendar, people, maps and app switcher apps, and a slew of bugs have been fixed.

  • The iPhone 6 is bigger, better, sleeker and faster







Yes, your iPhone may really work with Android Wear one day

Yes, your iPhone may really work with Android Wear one day

Rumors about iOS and Android Wear compatibility aren't uncommon, but a new report says the day might come soon when anyone can receive iPhone notifications on their Google-run smartwatches.

In fact, Google is "close to finishing the final technical details" needed to bridge the gap between iOS and Android Wear, reports The Verge.

The site spoke with "a source close to the development team" who revealed tons of details about the pairing.

Apparently the currently in-development version of Android Wear works with a companion app on iPhone to receive notifications from FaceTime, messages, calls and more.

It can also display info from Google Now cards, just like on Android, and may include more advanced functions for Google-made iOS apps like Gmail.

The obvious hurdle is whether Apple would let Google launch this companion app on iOS, given the imminence of the Apple Watch. But neither Google nor Apple seems to want to talk about the possibility of Android Wear and iOS playing nice together just yet, so for now all we can do is speculate.

  • Samsung's Gear S is a standalone smartwatch







iOS 8.3 brings greater diversity to your iPhone emoji

iOS 8.3 brings greater diversity to your iPhone emoji

Apple's latest iOS update arrives today for all users, bringing with it a greater diversity of emoji and other improvements.

The update, which brings the system up to version 8.3, adds more than 300 new emoji - including the universal gesture, the thumbs up - with a wider range of skin colors than before.

More countries' flags are also represented, and naturally there's a new Apple Watch emoji too.

This update also tweaks the iPhone's keyboard, expanding the space bar at the expense of some of the "." button's real estate.

CarPlay and more

The other major change is the addition of Apple CarPlay support, which lets users connect their iPhones to their cars' dashboard displays.

And the update includes additional languages for Siri and dictation, plus improvements to orientation/rotation, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth. iOS 8.3 rolls out over the air to all users beginning today.

  • iPhone 6: bigger, better, sleeker and faster