Phandroid
Latest LG G3 leak shows off new lockscreen, black sensor on back may not be an IR blaster after all
While we already got a good look at the LG G3 yesterday in a few leaked press images, today we have a handful more to show you. What’s so great about these images? Well, now they have the phone with the display actually powered on, showing off LG G3′s new lockscreen UI (a hint of what LG has in store for the device).
What’s more is our friend @evleaks — who grabbed the new press shots — says that mystery sensor on the back? Not a mystery. It’s a laser sensor to help the camera focus quickly. It’s still not clear if it will also serve a secondary function as an IR blaster, or it that will be located on the top (or absent altogether), but we’re intrigued to say the least.
The more we look at this phone, the more it’s starting to sound like a worthy sequel to the original LG G2. All that’s left now is to see what LG has in store for the UI, an overhaul that’s long overdue. But we wont have to wait much longer to find out, LG has an event scheduled for May 27th in which your friends at Phandroid will be in attendance. Can’t wait to get our hands on this phone.
Grab your Big Android BBQ ticket right now
The day has finally come, folks — tickets for the 2014 Big Android BBQ in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas are now on sale. Taking place at the Hurst Convention Center from October 16th through October 18th, the Big Android BBQ is a meeting place for tons of Android enthusiasts looking to meet up and chat about the beloved mobile platform.
Typical festivities include panels, giveaways, parties, awesome swag, and the chance to mingle with some of the Android community’s coolest users and developers. Oh, and BBQ, of course. Onto the tickets: here’s what you can get depending on how much you plop down:
- General Admission ($55): Access to a myriad of sessions from the world’s preeminent android developers and strategic thinkers. Open access to our expo hall that includes hands-on demonstrations and information about the latest in android devices, apps, and wearables. Access to the welcome pool party and after party with all you can eat BBQ.
- Ice Cream Sandwich ($110): Everything mentioned above PLUS — 1 reserved Keynote seat. You don’t have to arrive early or fight for the front row during the most anticipated keynote sessions of the event. PLUS — Your own line for breezing through the registration line at the beginning of the event. PLUS — 1 shot glass with the ticket package design etched on it.
- Jelly Bean ($185): Everything mentioned above PLUS –You won’t have to worry about lunch on either Friday or Saturday as we will be providing you a private lunch event on both days. What makes this tier special is that both meals are “behind-the-scenes” lunches. Meaning you will get to sit with the staff and other VIP’s that are working on the event. You will also be provided a private area in which to eat and relax so you don’t have to leave the event.
- Kit Kat ($280): Everything mentioned above PLUS — You will attend a small, private BBQ dinner Friday night cooked by Ray Walters where you will rub elbows with prominent community members, as well as Big Android BBQ staff and sponsor representatives. You will be privy to conversations about their future work as well as stuffing your face with all the delicious smoked meat and bacon explosion you can eat. To wash it all down, there will be craft and micro-brewed beers available along with water and/or soda.
- BBQ [X] ($5,327.62, not a typo): Everything mentioned above PLUS — We will book you a first class round trip flight (continental United States only) as well as a room in the Hyatt hotel. Big Android BBQ founder Aaron Kasten will meet you at the airport wearing a monocle and top hat holding a tablet displaying your name, then chauffeur you to the drive-thru restaurant of your choice followed by your hotel. Your hotel room will be ready for you with a welcome package. As an added bonus you will have golf cart service between the hotel and conference center during the event along with many other exciting and exclusive opportunities.
Sounds like one of the best times to be had in the autumn months, really. Scrounge some funds up and stamp your ticket, and don’t be too slow on it — there’s a limit to these things, you know. Get yours before they’re all sold out!
[via BABBQ]
Google Play Store now accepts PayPal
Whooooa, nelly. This nugget of news should please some of you who aren’t down with credit cards or carrier billing. PayPal support has finally come to Google Play, giving you an easy and secure buffer for paying for apps, games, books, movies, music and more. Note that this doesn’t include devices or accessories sold on Google Play.
Simply select the PayPal option when checking out, sign in with your credentials, and voila. The integration is quite seamless, and you shouldn’t have any problems getting going with it if that’s the route you want to take. PayPal support is limited to just 13 countries at the time. Here’s the list in case you’re curious:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Canada
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Ireland
- Italy
- Netherlands
- Spai
- United States
- United Kingdom
It’s a rather short list, though we have no doubt Google will look to be adding more in a reasonable amount of time. In related news, Google also added support for carrier billing for seven more countries, and thirteen new countries have been added to the list of places developers can sell apps for some coin. You can find the full breakdown of payment options by country right here. Now hook that PayPal up to your Google Play account and start buying some apps!
[via Google]
Phan Favs: What is the best music app? [VOTE]
Phan Favs is a recurring feature that turns the tables and asks you, the readers, about the best apps and games. It’s your turn to drop some knowledge on us! Read more.
We’re back with another edition of Phan Favs! This time we are asking you about music apps. Listening to music is one of the most common uses for a mobile device. MP3 players made this popular back in the day, but now with always-connected devices and more storage options we can do so much more.
Everyone in the world enjoys some type of music. It has been often called the “universal language.” So it’s no surprise that there are hundreds of music apps trying to get a piece of that pie. Some apps simply play your local files while others stream from popular music services. There are plenty of ways to hear a song on your phone, but we want to know your favorite.
How to vote
- Upvote the comment that mentions your pick.
- If no one has mentioned your pick write your own comment.
It’s as simple as that. Next Thursday (May 22nd) we will compile the results and release the top five apps according to your votes. In order to get a good sample size we need your help in sharing this poll. Click right here to tweet about it, and also alert your favorite developers so they can vote! Let the voting begin!
Samsung CEO JK Shin admits Galaxy S5′s lack of “eye-popping” tech
Earlier this week, we learned the Samsung Galaxy S5 may have joined Samsung’s illustrious 10 million sales club in as little as 25 days. Bickering about shipped vs sold aside, it’s an impressive feat. But the news wasn’t really official — rather, it was simply a report from one of South Korea’s publications.
Samsung CEO JK Shin was eager to confirm the news today, though, saying that they’ve actually reached 11 million shipments by now. Thus, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is selling 10% faster than its predecessor did, and it’s only just getting started.
Shin says to expect increased profit margins and smartphone market share on the quarter, though anyone with half a brain could have guessed that would be the result of this feat.
JK Shin also took time to address criticisms that the Samsung Galaxy S5 didn’t quite raise the bar as high as consumers were expecting them to. He says the focus with the Samsung Galaxy S5 wasn’t to pop in as many “eye-popping” specs in as they could, but to deliver features that users would find more useful than a mere novelty.
Of course, rumors state Samsung certainly is looking to raise the bar with a new variant of the Galaxy S5. We’re supposed to be seeing the “ Samsung Galaxy S5 Prime” at some point this year, a phone rumored to come with 3GB of RAM, a 2560 x 1440 display, Samsung’s most powerful Octa-Core Exynos chipset and more. Did you grab a Galaxy S5 of your own? If so, how has it been treating you up to this point? We want to hear your thoughts in the comments below!
[via Wall Street Journal]
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