Android: Phone News and Discussion Thread
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Android phones can be hacked with a simple text
Android phones can be hacked with a simple text - Jul. 27, 2015
Android phones can be hacked with a simple text - Jul. 27, 2015
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Yea just reading about that now. Wtf?
Ohh ok, so google already patched it, but device manufacturers still need to push out they update.
Ohh ok, so google already patched it, but device manufacturers still need to push out they update.
Last edited by Mizouse; Jul 27, 2015 at 03:07 PM.
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The issue now is how quickly Google will manage to fix this for everybody. While Apple can push out updates to all iPhones, Google can't.
Google is notorious for having a fractured distribution system. Several entities stand in between Google and its users, and they routinely slow down the release of new software. There's phone carriers -- like AT&T (T, Tech30) and Verizon (VZ, Tech30) -- and makers of physical devices -- like Samsung (SSNLF) -- all of which need to work together to issue software updates.
Google told CNNMoney it already sent a fix to its "partners." However, it's unclear if any of them have started pushing that out to users themselves.
Google is notorious for having a fractured distribution system. Several entities stand in between Google and its users, and they routinely slow down the release of new software. There's phone carriers -- like AT&T (T, Tech30) and Verizon (VZ, Tech30) -- and makers of physical devices -- like Samsung (SSNLF) -- all of which need to work together to issue software updates.
Google told CNNMoney it already sent a fix to its "partners." However, it's unclear if any of them have started pushing that out to users themselves.
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My Note 4 paint started chipping within a couple of weeks. I never even sat it down on it's face or scratched it against anything. Fool me once Samsung (GNex), shame on me. I'm done with them. Can't trust them to put out a great device without a bunch of asterisks. Even with the Exynos chips people report battery life problems with the S6.
The question now is, will the Note 5 have a removable battery and SD card slot?
The question now is, will the Note 5 have a removable battery and SD card slot?
Nexus 5 here and cant wait for October to roll around for the newest Nexus 5, as mine is already 2 years old.
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The caveat with Nexus devices is mediocre cameras (for a flagship) and subpar battery life. The non-removable batteries and onboard-only storage are a problem too.
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I don't mean to sound jaded or anything, I try to be as partial as possible. Can't recall the last time someone called me a fanboy of anything, on AZ anyway.
iPhones are just becoming more and more appealing. Plus they have better customer service. When I told AT&T about the chipping paint on my 2-week old Note, they told me too bad.
actually just saw the new Moto X annoucement. HMMMMM
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If the camera is markedly better, I'm getting it.
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Yeah. Good luck with that.
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Moto X Style Mobile review: Style and Substance - DxOMark
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Motorola is probably my favorite Android OEM. I worry about the non-removable battery, but their Android skin is the least intrusive. Active Display's battery saving advantages are sort of nullified by having an LCD. Should still be a great phone.
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Motorola supposedly worked on the camera from the ground up, they didn't just stuff a sensor with more megapixels in it like HTC did. DxOMark did a hands on with the camera and they gave it the same overall ranking as the Note 4. Only phone rated higher was the S6 (see sidebar)
Moto X Style Mobile review: Style and Substance - DxOMark
Moto X Style Mobile review: Style and Substance - DxOMark
I want iPhone quality.
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I couldn't find any Moto X on DxO's site besides the Style. TBH I am as amateur as a photographer gets, I just go by what my eye sees. iPhones look great. Samsungs flagships look great. My 2013 Moto X was decent. DxO Mark seems to be held in high regard when it comes to photography though.
I don't see OIS mentioned for photos, which is concerning.
According to this it's 1440p
Moto X Style
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Who is "they"?
I couldn't find any Moto X on DxO's site besides the Style. TBH I am as amateur as a photographer gets, I just go by what my eye sees. iPhones look great. Samsungs flagships look great. My 2013 Moto X was decent. DxO Mark seems to be held in high regard when it comes to photography though.
I don't see OIS mentioned for photos, which is concerning.
I couldn't find any Moto X on DxO's site besides the Style. TBH I am as amateur as a photographer gets, I just go by what my eye sees. iPhones look great. Samsungs flagships look great. My 2013 Moto X was decent. DxO Mark seems to be held in high regard when it comes to photography though.
I don't see OIS mentioned for photos, which is concerning.
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Almost all the time, you'll know the shot you took is going to be a good shot when you use an iPhone. Apple has done a great job with their algorithm in calculating the proper white balance, shutter speed, etc. to create an almost always reliable shot that is very fast. Also, they did a pretty good job with their UI despite not having all the features that Android cameras have.
The number 1 complaint I had with Android phones in the past were the slow shutter speed when taking a picture even in brightly lit environments. Ever try taking a picture of a running kid or a dog that's moving with your Android phone? Almost impossible...That is until the more recent devices like the S6 and the G4 came along. If anything, these 2 devices have already closed the gap with the current iPhone devices and have actually exceeded them in terms of a faster focus, faster shutter speed, reliability with the Auto shot (S6 > G4 but its close), and image quality. You can see these in all the reviews out there. That's not to say Apple has been sitting on their butts because you know the new iPhone is just around the corner. With that said, the new Android devices have begun to focus on the cameras (except *cough* HTC *cough*) and you'll see them become more reliable and more pleasant to use.
The Moto X is using the newest Sony IMX 230 sensors and if they got the faster focus and shutter speed down they have a good chance of keeping that momentum on the Android devices. The new Moto G has some pretty good looking shots as well from what I've seen and that phone will only be $180.
Tl;dr Android devices have great image quality. They just don't have the same reliability with Auto shots like the iPhone do with the exception of the S6 and the G4. The new Moto devices aren't looking too shabby either.
If you guys are interested, Anandtech did an awesome review on the G4 (as they always do). They benchmarked the cameras among all the devices out there and you can see the camera shot latency I was talking about above. You'll see the G4 and the S6 lead the pack with the older Android devices lagging behind:
Camera Architecture and UX - The LG G4 Review
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The Exynos 7420 is acting as the processor, which matches the Galaxy S6, but with 4 GB of RAM the Note 5 will be making as much use of the 64-bit capability of Android Lollipop as possible. It will ship with Android 5.1.1 out of the box (and I’ll be interested to see if the ‘Stagefright‘ exploit patch is included in this build of Android). Photography fans will be delighted with the 16-megapixel camera on the back, coupled with Samsung’s improved imaging processing software. The Galaxy S6 was a better camera than the iPhone 6, and I’ll be interested to see what the Note 5 can do compared to the iPhone 6S Plus and whatever updates Apple announces at its September event.
The Note 5 will also come with multiple native storage options, and that’s where the fun stops.
The multiple native storage options are being offered because the Note 5 is lacking support for extended storage through microSD cards. Whatever you can afford when you buy the handset will be the storage option that you have for the life of the device. That might be an acceptable trade-off to get a glass back panel and new styling for some, but not everyone has ready access to a desk-bound computer or the bandwidth and money to rely on cloud storage for large files.
The reason appears to be a drive to unify the styling of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge across the full range of Samsung device. That makes sense from a marketing point of view if you want to sell your handsets based on looks alone, but the Note 5 has never been targeted as a fashion-conscious handset. It’s a workhorse handset, the mighty-engined pickup truck of Samsung’s portfolio.
And it doesn’t stop at the microSD card, the fuel tank has been locked tight as well.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 01: CEO and President of Samsung JK Shin presents the new Samsung Galaxy S6 during the Mobile World Congress (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The new design language used by Samsung seals the battery inside the chassis of the handset. There’s not going to be any access to allow users to quickly switch batteries. That certainly reduces the wear and tear, on connectors and covers, and likely brings down the cost of manufacturing by a fractional amount, but again it reduces the utility of the phablet.
Samsung Electronics President and CEO JK Shin gestures during the 2015 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 1, 2015. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Both the replaceable battery and microSD card support has been a key strength of Samsung’s mobile devices for many years. The removal of them in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge raised a number of eyebrows. In some markets, notably in the US, the reaction was little more than ‘meh’, but other territories had a more visceral reaction. Many users in the BRIC countries prize the flexibility of switching out a battery or using microSD cards to share large files or simply boost memory in a more cost-effective way.
Samsung’s mobile division is in desperate need of a boost to revenue and profit. Taking away key features that have driven the adoption of its phablets does not bode well for the increased sales that recent quarterly results are hoping for.
Has Samsung been too hasty to sacrifice function for fashion?
Confirmation on these changes will only come when the Galaxy Note 5 (and the sister Galaxy S6 Edge Plus) are revealed at the Samsung Unpacked event on August 13th. Forbes’ Tech Team will be covering the news, and will bring you all the details as quickly as possible.
The Note 5 will also come with multiple native storage options, and that’s where the fun stops.
The multiple native storage options are being offered because the Note 5 is lacking support for extended storage through microSD cards. Whatever you can afford when you buy the handset will be the storage option that you have for the life of the device. That might be an acceptable trade-off to get a glass back panel and new styling for some, but not everyone has ready access to a desk-bound computer or the bandwidth and money to rely on cloud storage for large files.
The reason appears to be a drive to unify the styling of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge across the full range of Samsung device. That makes sense from a marketing point of view if you want to sell your handsets based on looks alone, but the Note 5 has never been targeted as a fashion-conscious handset. It’s a workhorse handset, the mighty-engined pickup truck of Samsung’s portfolio.
And it doesn’t stop at the microSD card, the fuel tank has been locked tight as well.
BARCELONA, SPAIN – MARCH 01: CEO and President of Samsung JK Shin presents the new Samsung Galaxy S6 during the Mobile World Congress (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)
The new design language used by Samsung seals the battery inside the chassis of the handset. There’s not going to be any access to allow users to quickly switch batteries. That certainly reduces the wear and tear, on connectors and covers, and likely brings down the cost of manufacturing by a fractional amount, but again it reduces the utility of the phablet.
Samsung Electronics President and CEO JK Shin gestures during the 2015 Mobile World Congress in Barcelona on March 1, 2015. (LLUIS GENE/AFP/Getty Images)
Both the replaceable battery and microSD card support has been a key strength of Samsung’s mobile devices for many years. The removal of them in the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge raised a number of eyebrows. In some markets, notably in the US, the reaction was little more than ‘meh’, but other territories had a more visceral reaction. Many users in the BRIC countries prize the flexibility of switching out a battery or using microSD cards to share large files or simply boost memory in a more cost-effective way.
Samsung’s mobile division is in desperate need of a boost to revenue and profit. Taking away key features that have driven the adoption of its phablets does not bode well for the increased sales that recent quarterly results are hoping for.
Has Samsung been too hasty to sacrifice function for fashion?
Confirmation on these changes will only come when the Galaxy Note 5 (and the sister Galaxy S6 Edge Plus) are revealed at the Samsung Unpacked event on August 13th. Forbes’ Tech Team will be covering the news, and will bring you all the details as quickly as possible.
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Seals the deal for me, Note 4 will likely be my last Samsung phone for the foreseeable future. Who really cares about a thinner phone? 
Fingers crossed, I saw a rumored spec sheet for the 2015 Nexus 5, not sure if legit though. Looks way too good to be true.
Fingers crossed, I saw a rumored spec sheet for the 2015 Nexus 5, not sure if legit though. Looks way too good to be true.
5.2-inch full HD 1080p P-OLED display, the new Qualcomm Snapdragon 620 (MSM8976) processor, up to 4GB of LPDDR3-1866 RAM, up to 64GB of eMMC 5.1 internal storage, a 3180mAh non-removable battery, a MediaTek MT3188 wireless charging receiver, and a Marvell Avastar 88W8897 connectivity chipset for 802.11ac Wi-Fi, NFC, and Bluetooth 4.2.
The leak also reveals that the new Nexus 5 will be equipped with front stereo speakers, a rear power button with integrated fingerprint sensor, a 13-megapixel rear camera with an IMX278 RGBW sensor, a 6-element f/1.8 aperture lens, OIS, laser autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash, a 4-megapixel front-facing camera with an OV4682 RGB-IR sensor and Iris Detection, a USB Type-C connector with QuickCharge 2.0.
Price around $300-400
The leak also reveals that the new Nexus 5 will be equipped with front stereo speakers, a rear power button with integrated fingerprint sensor, a 13-megapixel rear camera with an IMX278 RGBW sensor, a 6-element f/1.8 aperture lens, OIS, laser autofocus, and a dual-tone LED flash, a 4-megapixel front-facing camera with an OV4682 RGB-IR sensor and Iris Detection, a USB Type-C connector with QuickCharge 2.0.
Price around $300-400
it's the 620!!