Today we got confirmation that Google sold its money-losing Motorola handset business for about $3 billion to Lenovo. Google bought Motorola for $12.5 billion a couple of years ago, then sold off the set-top box unit and now the handset division. With the sale Google retains many of the valuable Motorola patents it sought initially.
Back in October, word began to spread that Samsung was looking at integrating some type of authenticity recognition chip into all official accessories. Without this chip some advanced functions such as wireless charging, sleep/wake functions may not work on third-party accessories.
I recently purchased a new case with a bluetooth keyboard for my Nexus 7. After a while, I really started to like using the keyboard. There will be a full review of the case coming but I wondered: Could I use it to write posts here on Gear Diary? The answer is yes! However, it does have some quirks.
Technology Predictions for 2014 are here and it’s a predictable theme – new ways to offer the most popular tech. We put a lot of value in technology and media, so we don’t feel important unless we’re doing something with it…and quickly. Here are some predictions for tech trends in 2014.
Sony has answered the call for a small, high-end Android device with the Xperia Z1 Compact. Eschewing the “Mini” moniker, this new smartphone includes the speedy specifications and waterproofing of the full-size Z1.
Sony is really pushing the boundaries with the Xperia Z Ultra. Combining the latest hardware and a 6.44-inch 1080p display into a svelte package, it sets itself apart from the competition. But can it walk the line between phone and tablet? After spending a few weeks with it, I’ve found the answer.
You’ve got to hand it to my friend and fellow gadget magpie, Drew Guttadore! He knows how curious I’ve been about the new ~$6,000 Android-based Vertu Constellation; because he’s also been curious about it, he recently went hands-on with one so that he could share his initial impressions … on everything but the actual Android/Vertu experience. Curious? Read on!
My wife and I have been trying in vain to keep her dying iPhone 4S alive. Last night, 1/3 of the 4S touchscreen gave up on us, and we conceded defeat and headed to the Verizon store to get her a 5C. Getting the new phone was fun, but it was even more entertaining to listen in on the various conversations and transactions around the store!
Samsung’s Galaxy Note 3 delivers high performance and striking screen quality in a portable yet sizable display plus it works with the Samsung Galaxy Gear Smartwatch. This part phone/part tablet, or phablet, has a considerably long battery life, slim design, unique S Pen design and functions, clear call quality, fast quad-core processor, and sharp picture quality.
I love to cook. I store most of my recipes in Evernote, so when making unfamiliar dishes I always need access to a smart device. Usually I’ll walk back and forth between the kitchen countertop and dining room table where my laptop sits, checking ingredients as I work. That’s all changed since I got the Astak Neos Android Tablet.
We just looked at JOBY’s GPod Mini Magnet tripod. It is designed for use with cameras and accessories that have a standard tripod screw mount. If, however, you are shooting with a smartphone that doesn’t have a screw mount the $14.95 JOBY MPod Mini may be just the thing. It works with most smartphones. It is inexpensive and it works!
I am amazed that the Moto X on Verizon is the first non-Nexus devices to get Android 4.4, as confirmed by The Verge and Droid Life. The update should be appearing on your Moto X as of today. This update does not include the Google Experience Launcher, which is exclusive to the Nexus 5.
I like my HTC One; it has turned out to be the best Android phone I’ve ever owned or used, but I do wish that it had a larger screen and a better camera. When I heard there was an HTC One Max coming out, I couldn’t help but be intrigued. Larger screen? Better Camera? Yes and no, but …
If you love the HTC One as much as Judie, but always wished it had a bigger screen, then you are in luck. HTC One max has a 5.9” full HD1080p display, UltraPixel camera, large 3300mAh battery, and quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 600 processor. Sprint will launch HTC One max this Friday, Nov. 15 for $249.99 on contract. Learn more here.
This is like two juicy news stories in one … the first being that Microsoft has successfully leveraged its patent muscle and is earning a massive $2 billion annually from Android patent royalties across a range of handset makers, and the other is that huge operating losses from Xbox and Windows Phone consume all of that profit and more!
The Samsung GALAXY Note 3 is an engineering marvel. Packed with features, its stylus is more than a mere gimmick. Still, like far too many Samsung products, it feels cheap. That’s where the iLuv FlightFit comes in. For under $30 it promises to protect your Note 3 even as it props it up for easy viewing. Pre-order yours.
The Droid Moto X is the first smartphone ever to be designed and assembled in the U.S. after Google acquired Motorola. Users will love the handy design, considerable battery life, and light weight usability.
In the worst kept secret ever, and on the best day for a phone with an OS release codenamed for a candy bar, Google has finally released the Nexus 5. The Nexus 5 is made by LG and is pretty much the same hardware as the G2 but without the crappy software or fingerprint scanner. The Nexus 5 ships with the sweet treat that is Android 4.4, code named Kit Kat. Google has promised that this release should run great even on hardware that is not as robust as the Nexus 5. This is a treat for Sprint and T-Mobile…
The 2013 edition of the Nexus 7 has been available for a couple of months; I recently decided to make the leap from a 10″ tablet to this 7″ beauty. While there isn’t a new name, I have to say Google has done a great job refining this popular tablet. For now, I believe it is the best Android tablet available.
If you thought the gold iPhone was a bit much, then you might want to avert your eyes from the 18K shine coming off of the £2,750 Gold HTC One that is one of only five. This is the most exclusive and expensive HTC ever, and chances are you won’t ever see one in person. Good thing? See more here.
This week at Gartner Symposium/ITxpo, Google Chairman Eric Schmidt was asked a question about Android security. Rather than answer directly, he said “Not secure? It’s more secure than the iPhone.” Perhaps unsurprisingly this drew laughter from the crowd – but he was being laughed AT, not WITH. Because it comes after a report showed >1 million Android apps had malware. The report from F-Secure showed that in 2012 Android accounted for 79% of malware and malicious attacks, up from 66% in 2011. While there is certainly some impact of the platform market share, the actual numbers are way out…