Tuesday, May 31, 2016

LG unveils Stylus 2 Plus with 5.7-inch Full HD display, 16MP camera

LG rolled out the Stylus 2 last month, and is now announcing an upgraded variant with a 5.7-inch Full HD screen and a 1.4GHz octa-core processor. The phone will also offer a 16MP camera (in select regions), as well as an 8MP front shooter. The storage has also received an upgrade to 3GB of RAM and 32GB internal memory.

Other specs include LTE, 3000mAh battery, and a fingerprint sensor. The Stylus 2 Plus runs Marshmallow out of the box, and will be making its way to Asia, South America, Europe and North America later this month.

LG STYLUS 2 PLUS DELIVERS UPGRADED FEATURES FOR IMPROVED USER EXPERIENCE

Enhanced Specifications for Better Performance, Display and Camera

SEOUL, June 1, 2016 ― The LG Stylus 2 Plus, the latest edition of its large-format Stylus series, begins its global rollout with its launch today in Taiwan. The LG Stylus 2 Plus will make its way to customers in other key markets in Asia, South America, Europe and North America in the weeks to come.

While the design remains consistent with the original LG Stylus 2, the smartphone features significantly better performance than its original cousin. At its heart is a faster 1.4GHz Octa-Core processor, a sharper 5.7-inch Full HD IPS display and higher resolution 16MP rear camera, with a flash on both sides for clearer photos and videos in low light. Other improvements include more RAM and the choice of colors: Titan, Gold and Brown.

The Stylus 2 Plus carries over the nano-coated stylus which provides the tactile feedback of a quality fountain pen when writing on the screen. Using the stylus is made even more useful with UX features such as Quick Memo and Off Memo and Pen Keeper, which displays a warning when the stylus strays too far from the phone, or vice versa.

"The LG Stylus 2 Plus offers users a spacious screen, powerful multimedia functionality and a writing experience at a competitive price," said Juno Cho, president of LG Electronics and Mobile Communications Company. "It's just another example of the constant refinements we're making to our mobile products to give LG customers a wide variety of features and designs to choose from."



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OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X heading to Amazon: UK first, US to follow

oneplus x review aa (5 of 22)

OnePlus has made quite a name for itself over the years, not just for creating reasonably high-end devices at relatively low prices, but also for some controversial marketing decisions and its uniquely frustrating invite system. In recent times, OnePlus has been able to move away from their "invite system" for all of its currently sold devices, but OnePlus' own online store remains the only place to pick up the company's handsets. This is changing soon, however, as the OnePlus 2 and OnePlus X are now on their way to Amazon UK, with Amazon US to follow in the near future.

The official listing in the UK is already posted for the OnePlus 2 and the OnePlus X is expected to go live soon as well. While it's pretty easy to get these phones directly from OnePlus, it's good that customers now have another option, particularly a source as reputed as Amazon.

OnePlus made a splash with the original OnePlus One back in 2014. Offering what OnePlus called a "flagship killer" with CyanogenMod out of the box and great specs with 3 GB of RAM, a Snapdragon 801 paired with a 5.5 inch 1080p display and a very good price at $299-$349. OnePlus then released the OnePlus 2 a year later, offering the same "flagship killer" moniker and with specs that are very respectable including a 5.5 inch 1080p display, 3 or 4 GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 16 or 64 GB of storage. The OnePlus 3 is supposed to arrive next month to take on the current flagship line up on the market. There is no word on whether or not the OnePlus 3 will get the same Amazon availability, however.

What do you guys think? Would you like to see all OnePlus phones arrive via Amazon going forward in addition to OnePlus' direct sales channel? Share your thoughts down in the comments.



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Best accessories for Nexus 5X

Take your Nexus 5X to the next level with these great accessories.

LG's Nexus 5X is a great phone that you can make even greater with the right accessories, and we are here to help you choose the right ones.

We have compiled a list of fantastic accessories to enhance your experience with your Nexus 5X.

Vinsic USB-C car charger

If you find your Nexus 5X always crying out for more battery power due to an on-the-go lifestyle, you may want to consider picking up a Vinsic USB-C car charger.

Rated at 5V 3A output, you should be able to rapid charge your Nexus 5X, meaning your battery will get a significant boost during your daily commute. Plus, this charger features over-voltage protection and short-circuit protection.

The Vinsic charger has both a USB-A and USB-C port, allowing you to plug in two devices at once.

See at Amazon


Anker USB-C to USB 3.0 Cable

If you have misplaced the cable that came with your Nexus 5X or you just want an extra one for your workplace, the Anker USB-C to USB 3.0 cable is a solid choice.

It's 3.3 feet long, which is a pretty standard size for a charging cable and it supports USB 3.0. Since the Nexus 5X supports USB 2.0 you will always get great transfer speed for data.

See at Amazon


Cambond 6.6 foot USB-C to USB-C cable

If you find yourself in need of a longer charging cable for the Nexus 5X, or in need of a cable that's a little more durable, the Cambond 6.6-foot USB-C to USB-C cable is perfect for you.

It's rated for use with 2A wall chargers, meaning you should be able to rapidly charge your 5X in less time with the right charger. It's 6.6 feet long, which is double the length of the cable that ships with the Nexus, so you aren't tethered so close to the wall every time you plug in.

The cord is well-protected and features nylon fiber wrapped around the outside of the cable, which help prevent the wire from becoming frayed.

See at Amazon


Anker USB-C to MicroUSB adapter (2 pack)

Although it seems that USB-C might become the preferred connection for phones in the future (because it is), you've probably got a lot of MicroUSB cables lying around. Good news! With the Anker USB-C to MicroUSB adapter, you don't have to let those old cords sit around collecting dust.

This simple adapter can be placed on the end of any MicroUSB cable to make it compatible with a USB-C port. The adapter is capable of receiving USB 2.0 transfer speeds and 2A charging speeds, so as long as your cable is up-to-snuff, this adapter won't feel any different than a standard USB-C cable.

See at Amazon


iCarez tempered glass screen protector

Protecting your screen is important and getting an iCarez tempered glass screen protector can go a long way to making sure your phone lasts for the long haul.

This screen protector covers the entire screen and features a dry application method meant to prevent bubbling.

See at Amazon


NXET USB-C charge dock

Keep your desk, counter, or nightstand looking neat and tidy, while charging your Nexus 5X with the NXET USB-C charge dock.

This dock will keep your Nexus completely accessible, making it super easy to swipe through the news of the day, check your calendar, or reply to messages all with one hand. The dock adjusts to three different viewing angles, which means you will always be comfortable when you are looking at it.

It's worth mentioning this dock won't allow you to charge your 5X rapidly; however, it's a good quality dock that still supports USB 2.0 transfer speeds for when you plug the dock into your computer.

See at Amazon


Anker PowerCore+

If you find your Nexus 5X is always dying on you when you aren't around outlets of any kind, you may want to consider getting a Anker PowerCore+ power bank.

With a huge capacity of 20100 mAh, the Anker PowerCore+ can fully charge your Nexus 5X seven times and still have some juice left. It has two USB-A ports and a USB-C port allowing you to charge three devices at once, meaning all your favorite electronics will always be charged and ready to go.

While this is a great power bank, the cord that it comes with is not as high quality. We recommend using a better cable to ensure your devices are properly charged and protected from damage. The Cambond cable we mentioned earlier in this list would be a perfect choice.

See at Amazon


Photos Live case

The Photos Live case is a case for your Nexus 5X that is as unique as you are. It's a one shell case that features a photo of your choosing, making it perfect for treasuring a precious moment, highlighting your favorite photo, or even using a unique print from your favorite artist.

The Photos Live case has a companion app you can download to turn your wallpaper into an entire slideshow, making it seem as though your case is integrated into your Home screen!

A cool case to make you the talk of the town, or a timeless gift for a close friend or loved one.

See at Google


Ringke Fusion clear case

If you want a case that offers your Nexus 5X some protection while keeping the beautiful natural look of the phone, the Ringke Fusion case is perfect for you.

It's a one-piece TPU sleeve that fits the 5X snuggly and doesn't block the usage of any buttons or ports. It has a dust cover over the headphone jack, so you can rest easy knowing dirt will stay out of there.

It's a little thicker around the edges of the phone to protect the phone from falling damage, and it even comes with a screen protector, so it protects the entire phone.

See at Amazon


UE Roll/UE Roll 2

The Ultimate Ears Roll is a mini Bluetooth speaker you can take with you wherever you go. It has a fantastic water-resistance rating, meaning you don't have to sing alone in the shower anymore. Plus, it also comes with a floating life preserver, meaning you can bring this speaker to a pool party and have it float along the surface.

The sound quality of this tiny guy is impressive, and you can pair two together for a stereo experience. Download the UE app to control playback so you can control it from afar.

UE has released the Roll 2, which includes all the features of the older model along with a few key improvements. The Roll 2 has better sound — both in volume and tone — while also increasing the Bluetooth range to 100 feet.

The Roll 2 costs about $99; however, you can find the original Roll on sale, and it could be worth keeping an eye on the price as time goes on.

To some people, the value of the upgraded UE Roll 2 is offset by the potential savings of the original Roll. We have links to both versions below, so you can decide between the new and the old.

See UE Roll at Amazon See UE Roll 2 at Amazon



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Xiaomi and Microsoft sign patent cross-licensing, app pre-install deal

Microsoft and Xiaomi have announced that the companies have reached an agreement that will see the companies cross-license patent portfolios, as well as pre-load Skype and Microsoft Office on future Xiaomi Android phones and tablets. Details on exactly which patents from each company are to be licensed were understandably not revealed, but we do know that apps will arrive on new phones sold starting in September 2016.

The deal, which was announced both on Twitter by Xiaomi's Hugo Barra and in a press release from Microsoft, was summed up nicely by Xiang Wang, senior vice president at Xiaomi:

We are excited to be working closely with Microsoft on a broad technology collaboration partnership. As demonstrated by this agreement with Microsoft, Xiaomi is looking to build sustainable, long-term partnerships with global technology leaders, with the ultimate goal of bringing the best user experience to our Mi fans.

Microsoft has struck plenty of app pre-load deals with other manufacturers — most notably Samsung starting with the Galaxy S6 — and has also managed to work out patent cross-licensing deals with others, particularly in lieu of payments for direct licensing of Microsoft's intellectual property.

As you'd expect, this deal seems beneficial for both parties.

Microsoft will soon have its leading apps pre-installed on phones and tablets coming out of one of the biggest phone and tablet manufacturers in the world, which is a large part of Microsoft's current strategy. At the same time, Xioami may be able to leverage this patent licensing deal to launch its devices in more regions, such as Europe and North America, where the threat of litigation is higher — the company's success, as great as it is, is currently limited primarily to Asia, India and Brazil.



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10 best new Android games of April 2016!

Android gaming is getting bigger and better every month it seems and there is always a slew of new titles coming to Google Play. Whether you're a casual gamer or you want something with a beat more meat on its bones, there's usually a game coming out to suit everyone's taste. Let's take a look at the best new Android games from the last month!


assassin's creed identity best new android games of may 2016Assassin's Creed Identity

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Assassin's Creed Identity is an action-RPG that's set in the universe of the acclaimed franchise. You'll be able to create your own character, customize them, and level them up as you see fit. It has excellent graphics and decent game play complete with various missions and quests, loot, gear, and various locations to explore. The game is pretty good, but it is new and has seen a few release day bugs that have kept people from enjoying it as much as they could be so beware of that.

Get it now on Google Play!

Bejeweled Stars best new Android games of May 2016Bejeweled Stars

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Bejeweled Stars is the latest iteration of the Bejeweled series. Like the others, this one is a puzzle board where you must match shapes in order to clear the board. Unlike previous versions, this one has a shifting game board that can either make things easier or more difficult depending on the situation. You can also get power ups and there is a set of Bejeweled themed emoji that you can unlock. It's a freemium game, but not a bad puzzle game.

Get it now on Google Play!

crashing season best new Android games of 2016Crashing Season

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Crashing Season is kind of a hybrid between an infinite runner and a survival game. Your goal is to run around, survive wave after wave of bad guys, and defeat bosses to continue on to the next level. It has some charming graphics, easy mechanics, and plenty of content to unlock. You'll be able to find various animals that you can play with and, as with most freemium games, it has boosts, power ups, and accessories that you can either find or buy. It's a good little time waster, if nothing else.

Get it now on Google Play!

orbit's odyssey best new Android games of may 2016Orbit's Odyssey

[Price: $2.99 with in-app purchases]
Orbit's Odyssey is a fun little puzzle game where you have to avoid a bunch of self-replicating robots by running around on a planet. The game includes five characters, 90 levels that get more challenging, and a star system that awards you up to 100 stars in each level. With all of that, it provides quite a bit of game play. The controls are pretty unique but only require one finger which makes it simple to play with one hand.

Get it now on Google Play!

Pokemon TCG Online best new Android games of may 2016Pokemon TCG Online

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
After a long time and a ton of imitations, we finally have a Pokemon Trading Card game on mobile. The sad news is that it's not altogether different from other trading games. You'll build a deck, duel other people, and then you'll be given more cards to expand your collection. You'll be able to build your own decks and enter into tournaments. The whole game is played online against other players and, as you may have guessed, the in-app purchases allow you to purchase more cards.

Get it now on Google Play!

Lego Bionicle best free android games with no in app purchasesSee also: 10+ best free Android games with no in app purchases19

romancing saga 2 best new Android games of may 2016Romancing SaGa 2

[Price: $17.99]
Romancing SaGa 2 was originally released in Japan on the Super Famicom and was never actually given an English release until now. The mobile version contains the entire game along with remastered graphics and a remastered soundtrack. The story goes that you're to help build up a kingdom and defeat the Seven Heroes who have returned as demons. It also includes new game play elements such as new character classes, a New Game+, and more. It's mighty expensive, but there are no in-app purchases.

Get it now on Google Play!

super phantom cat best new Android games of may 2016Super Phantom Cat

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Super Phantom Cat is an ode to the platformer games of old. It features retro style graphics and a variety of mechanics that you'll likely recognize from other games from many years ago. There is a quirky little plot that you'll follow which adds a bit of depth. Along with that, you'll have fully customizable controls, multiple characters, and plenty of levels to play through. The game has two in-app purchases, which give you energy drinks and one to unlock special characters.

Get it now on Google Play!

taichi panda heros best new Android games of may 2016Taichi Panda: Heroes

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Taichi Panda: Heroes is the spiritual successor to Taichi Panda. Both of them are MMO-style action RPGs that allows you to gather whole parties of characters, explore various locations, and complete various missions. In classic MMO style, it also allows for co-op mode where you can battle raid bosses together with friends and you can join guilds so you can play with the same people. It's a fun little adventure with some decent graphics. It has had a few release issues reported, so do beware of those.

Get it now on Google Play!

uncharted fortune hunter best new Android games of may 2016Uncharted: Fortune Hunter

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Uncharted: Fortune Hunter is a puzzle game that plays a lot like Lara Croft GO. You'll be controlling the venerable Nathan Drake as you solve puzzles, collect treasures, and avoid certain death. The game contains over 200 levels, contains over 50 treasures to collect, and the graphics are above average. The game is still new and is experience sign-in issues with PSN, but those should be ironed out over time.

Get it now on Google Play!

vector 2 best new Android games of may 2016Vector 2

[Price: Free with in-app purchases]
Vector 2 is one of the more unique platformers available right now. Much like its predecessor, it's a platformer with parkour elements where you must jump around on all sorts of obstacles to avoid being captured by the proverbial man. This iteration features gear that you can find and equip, stunts that you can perform, and more. It does run on a much more aggressive freemium system than the first game which has made some people understandably mad, but it's worth a shot.

Get it now on Google Play!

Related best app lists:

If we missed any great new Android games, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



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YouTube v11.20 Prepares To Add Sort Options To The Search Filters [APK Teardown]

youtube

Casually browsing YouTube on a mobile device is a pretty good experience, or at least it's about as good as anything we've seen on a phone or tablet so far. However, many of us aren't going to YouTube just to poke around at the latest trending videos and subscriptions, we're actually looking for something specific, and that's when the search UI comes in. Mobile search is pretty comparable to the web experience too–in fact, they are almost in feature parity–but there are still a few things missing from mobile.

Read More

YouTube v11.20 Prepares To Add Sort Options To The Search Filters [APK Teardown] was written by the awesome team at Android Police.



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10 best new Android apps of April 2016

App developers are pushing the envelope on a daily basis trying to improve and enhance our smartphone and tablet experiences. In fact, so many Android apps come out every day that it's difficult to keep track of them all. It's difficult to usurp the best of the best but if you're getting bored with what you've got and want to try something new, check out the best new Android apps from the last month!


5217 best new Android apps of may 20165217

[Price: $0.99]
5217 is an app that aims to increase your productivity. The central premise is that you can use it to time intervals where you work for 52 minutes followed by a 17 minute break. This routine is supposed to help you work better and the app will log how many cycles you went through during your work day. It's a simple app with a clean, colorful design and recent updates have added Android Wear support. It's inexpensive, which is nice, and has no in-app purchases.

Get it now on Google Play!

5217 best new android apps

Beme best new android apps of may 2016Beme

[Price: Free]
Beme is a social networking app that allows you to take video of what you're doing and post it online. Unlike most other networks that do a similar function, this one doesn't let you see or edit the video before you post it online so whatever your phone sees is what everyone else sees. It's a fun concept, and refreshing since there are no filters or editing. It's worth a shot if you're looking for something unique.

Get it now on Google Play!

Dark Sky best new android apps of may 2016Dark Sky

[Price: Free / $2.99 per year]
Dark Sky made some waves when it came out because it charged Android users a yearly subscription while iOS users only got charged once. Even so, Dark Sky is a pretty decent weather application that is a lot of fun to use. It has your basic stuff, like forecasts and weather radar. Paid users will get up to the minute weather updates along with widgets, alerts, and a daily summary about the weather. Even if you're not up for paying a yearly subscription, the free version is still good if you need something simple.

Get it now on Google Play!

Dark Sky best new android apps of may 2016

Fallout 4 Live Wallpaper best new android apps of may 2016Fallout 4 Live Wallpaper

[Price: Free]
Fallout 4 Live Wallpaper is, as you may have guessed, a live wallpaper app that is themed like Fallout 4. It's a simple wallpaper and it will display five bobble-heads that move, wobble, and sway depending on how you move your device and your home screens. There is also a camera panning effect as you scroll. The bobble-heads you can pick are customizable but overall, you can't change it all that much. It strikes a good balance between being fun, but not too flashy and it's entirely free.

Get it now on Google Play!

Fallout 4 Live Wallpaper best new android apps of may 2016

foobar2000 best new Android Apps of May 2016foobar2000

[Price: Free]
Back in the day, foobar2000 was one of the more well-known audio players on PC and it's still used by many audiophiles today. Now it's on Android and like its PC counterpart, foobar2000 employs a simple, if slightly antiquated design with a decent amount of features. It also includes support for lesser-known codecs like flac and Musepack, just in case you have a high quality music collection. The music app is completely free with no in-app purchases and it's worth a shot if you want something simple.

Get it now on Google Play!

foobar2000 best new Android apps of May 2016
samsung galaxy s7 review aa (20 of 20)See also: Best Android phones!257

Join best new Android apps of may 2016Join

[Price: $4.99]
Join is a pretty nifty little app that can do some awesome stuff. It's a service that connects your Android device to your web-enabled PC similar to how Pushbullet does it except this costs $4.99 once instead of a subscription. You can reply to messages from most services, check notifications, share your clipboard, and it even comes with Tasker integration, encryption, and file sharing. You can try it out for free with a 30-day trial before you buy it. There is a Chrome extension and a Windows 10 app.

Get it now on Google Play!

Poncho best new Android appsPoncho

[Price: Free]
Poncho is a cute little weather app that's currently in beta. The premise is simple, there is a weather cat that tells you the weather. It has a pretty basic set of features, including a twice daily forecast for your zip code, the general forecast, pollen, allergy, and humidity levels, and there's an adorable little cat that sends you funny gifs and makes comments on the weather. It's free with no in-app purchases, but you'll have to join the public beta before you can download the app.

Join the beta on Google Play!

Poncho best new Android apps of May 2016

Quik best new Android apps of may 2016Quik

[Price: Free]
Quik is a video editor and one of the few that even exist on Android. Unfortunately, it's not a hardcore video editor, but rather a video composer where you can pick video clips and images that all get warped together into a little video that you can share with your friends. It comes with filters, a simple to use interface, music that you can use, and you can re-order your various clips to make the video flow how you want. It's not on Final Cut Pro's level, but it's definitely better than most on mobile.

Get it now on Google Play!

science journal best new Android apps of May 2016Science Journal

[Price: Free]
Science Journal is an app that allows you to use the various sensors in your device to record data for use in various types of research. You can measure things like how loud something is, how much light is being produced, and more using the sensors on your device. You can also connect hardware sensors to the device and then record data that way with those. It's meant for academics more than the casual consumer, but it's still pretty nifty and it's completely free.

Get it now on Google Play!

science journal best new Android apps of May 2016

spaces best new Android apps of May 2016Spaces

[Price: Free]
Spaces is a new kind of social media platform where you can join groups and then post about various things in the group. Each post is its own thread that can generate its own discussion. Think of it like Google's version of Reddit with each Space being like a subreddit. There is no limit to the types of spaces you can create or join right now and it's a decent little way to have conversations about specific topics. It's also partially integrated with Google+ in that you can see Spaces notifications there.

Get it now on Google Play!

spaces best new Android apps of May 2016

Related best app lists:

If we missed any great new Android apps, tell us about them in the comments! To see our complete list of best app lists, click here.



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