Otterbox Announces their Galaxy S5 Case Offerings

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The Samsung Galaxy S5 launches this Friday, just about everywhere, in over 150 countries and on all four national carriers here in the US. So we’ll be seeing a lot of case manufacturers announcing their cases this week if they haven’t already. Otterbox is the next one to announce their Galaxy S5 case offerings, and as usual they are pretty tough. We’ve got a few new cases this year. So we’ve got the Defender and Commuter series that we’ve had for years. But Otterbox has added The Symmetry series and the Clearly Protected cases.

The Defender series is the most rugged case for the Galaxy S5. Comes with a built-in screen protector, a big holster and everything to protect your device. The Commuter is a bit slimmer, just covering the back and sides. But the Symmetry and Clearly protected cases are a bit new to us, so we’ll need to check those out. According to Otterbox the Symmetry Series:

“Slim, stylish, pocket-friendly design

Wraparound colors and graphics add seamless style

Dual-material construction absorbs shock and withstands drops

Raised beveled edge keeps your touchscreen safe

Easy installation protects and stylizes your phone”

While the Clearly protected is simply a screen protector that will work with any of these other cases. It will protect your new Galaxy S5 from getting scratches, dents, cracks, and much more. it also gives you a bit more privacy so those looking over your shoulder won’t be able to see what you’re reading, typing, etc. It’s a complete screen protector too, protecting the front, and back of your device. Which is a pretty big deal, at least in my opinion, because I’d hate to see scratches and dents anywhere on my phone.

Otterbox Commuter Series for Samsung Galaxy S5 – Frustration-Free Packaging – Black (Black/Black)

Otterbox Defender Series for Samsung Galaxy S5 – Frustration-Free Packaging – Glacier (White/Gunmetal Grey)

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HTC One M8 has the best Touch Sensitivity of all Current Flagships

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There’s a lot to love about the new HTC One M8. While many people weren’t happy with the camera, it does still take great pictures, and has some great hardware inside. Not to mention that beautiful display. But let’s talk about that beautiful display for a minute. One of the main issues we see with some devices is the touch sensitivity. Which is basically how long it takes for your finger to touch the display before the device knows that you’ve touched it. Now most people wouldn’t notice a difference, but those of us that use all of these flagships for reviews, and such, will notice it because well we use all these flagships so we notice the small stuff.

According to a new report – and graph, we love graphs – it appears that the HTC One M8 has the best touch sensitivity out of all the current flagships available right now. Which is kind of surprising, at least to me. It beat out the Samsung Galaxy Note 3, Sony Xperia Z1 Compact, Apple iPhone 5, Apple iPhone 5S, Nexus 5, LG G2, Sony Xperia Z1, and the Sony Xperia Z Ultra. As you can see from the graph down below, the HTC One M8 had a response of around 40ms. While the LG G2 came in last at around 110ms. What is really surprising is the second best touch sensitive device is the Samsung Galaxy Note 3 and the HTC One M8 cuts the Note 3′s time in half. That’s pretty crazy.

So while most of you probably won’t notice this, it’s still a great thing. Especially for those that are looking for reasons to buy the HTC One M8. We could probably give you a ton of reasons why you should buy the HTC One M8, but we’ll save that for another post. Check out the source links below for more information.

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Google is Using Android TV to Redefine Apps as We Know Them

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Android TV is real, and it’s really happening. We first heard about something called Android TV last October, but we hadn’t seen anything solid come to light until two days ago. Now it seems that Android TV is on track and well on it’s way to a release, possibly at Google I/O in June. What is Google trying to do with Android TV, though? Google TV was a failure. Chromecast is a resounding success. What’s in it for Google to take another shot in the set-top box arena? They want to redefine what we know as an app, and redefine how apps work on your television.

Right now, apps on any platform are stand-alone affairs that can’t talk to each and don’t share much data. This makes for a somewhat frustrating user experience, whether it’s on a Google TV box, Roku, Chromecast, or even an Apple TV. Google is looking to provide content providers with a platform that will integrate their app data, and make it smooth and seamless for consumers. If Google can make apps more easily accessible for consumers to use, by making it easier for content providers to share app data, that’s a win for everyone. Right? Not necessarily.

Big name content services like Hulu and Netflix want users to recognize their own brands, not Google’s. Even so, if a user were able to easily access content, any content, from any provider, that’s going to end up a win for everyone involved. But what does Google get out of all this? App data.

All of those apps would be sharing some or all of their data with each other, and with the core Android TV OS that they are running on. That means Google gets more living room data. How, and when, and where we watch what we watch is what Google is after. Android TV may even be released as an open OS, like Android Wear and Android itself. The more manufacturers using Android TV, the more data Google can get its hands on. Some content providers, and some TV manufacturers, may not be happy with this way of doing things. Who knows, it may flop the same way Google TV did. But in the end, Google is after our data.

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Chromecast No Longer Amazon’s Top Seller, thanks to Fire TV

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Last week, Amazon announced their much anticipated streaming set-top box. We’ve been hearing about this thing for quite a while and Amazon finally made it official last week and it was available the same day. The set-top box is $99, and does a whole lot more than just streaming movies and TV Shows, but it also does games – in fact it has it’s own game controller which is backordered til May 11th. Amazon has a lot of games ready for the Fire TV, and a lot more coming, including a few from their own game studio.

As pointed out by Android Authority, the Chromecast which had been Amazon’s top seller for quite a while – essentially since it came out – has dropped down to the #2 spot as the Fire TV overtook the #1 spot. Which isn’t surprising, since they are advertising the Fire TV all over their website, and well it is Amazon and their own set-top box, so you’d kinda expect it to do well on their own website, right? While these two are technically competitors, they kinda aren’t. The Chromecast does streaming as well, but that’s about it. It’s a $35 HDMI dongle for your TV that allows you to stream from your smartphone, tablet or laptop. So far there’s no real games or anything available for the Chromecast. But if you’re looking for something that won’t take up much space around your TV, the Chromecast fits that perfectly.

The Chromecast has been widely popular for Google since they released it last year. Now we’re seeing rumors about Android TV, which is their relaunch of Google TV. Since Google TV failed a few times already. Android TV leaked out over the weekend, and it looks pretty good, it’d surprise me if we don’t see it at least mentioned at Google I/O in June.

How many of you have already bought the Fire TV? Let us know in the comments below.

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Registration for Google I/O Now Delayed a Week; Will Run Tuesday through Friday Next Week

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Today, registration for this year’s Google I/O Developer Conference was supposed to open, to let people sign up and stake their claim to get tickets for the show due to be held this summer in June. However, due to some technical issues, the registration window has been put off till next week, the Google Developers page on Google+ confirms. However, this year the registration window will run four days, so you’ll have a decent amount of time to register your interest before all hell breaks loose.

It’s a shame that the registration has been delayed, but much like purchasing a brand new Nexus device, I think we can all agree we’d rather see Google get it right, then simply get it done. Detailing why the registration window has been pushed back the Developers page on Google+ reads “We’re still working to make the registration process even easier for you, and it will now be open four days starting next week (opening next Tuesday and closing Friday).” Once the four-day period has finished, applicants will be selected at random and sent through confirmation emails with further details.

With a sizable time frame for people to register their interest, it’s likely that more people will be disappointed that they’ll be unable to attend this year. However, this is to be expected every year, after all it’s not like Google I/O is some small gathering; it’s one of the biggest (if not the biggest) developer conferences held every year in the world.

For Android fans this year, some important news surrounding Android will more than likely be announced on stage. We’ve got full details of Android Wear to look forward to and as always, the possible announcement of a new version of Android. Device announcements however, shouldn’t be expected as last year, the search giant finally bought Google I/O back to being what it was always intended to be; for developers, by developers. Let us know in the comments if you’re intending to head to I/O this year!

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Robert Downey Jr Returns to Talk “Serious Design” About the HTC One (M8)

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Last year, HTC showed glimpses of getting their marketing in order when they secured the excellent Robert Downey Jr to promote the HTC One. While we’re sure it worked well for exposure of the HTC One, it’s still nowhere near close to the marketing power Samsung wields. In fact, nobody can really take on Samsung when it comes to marketing, even Apple is worried about how effective their marketing is. Now though, we have a new HTC One, the M8 and we’re seeing the first piece of advertising with Robert Downey Jr showing off the device.

In what’s a pretty big departure from the Hipster Troll Carwash ads, RDJ is simply talking serious about how much he loves his new “pre-release” HTC One (M8) and started off by saying that the 2013 model of the HTC One was given “Top Smartphone of the Year” for 2014, the second time running. Of course, that award alone doesn’t seem to have done their sales any favors. Downey Jr then goes on to say how much he loves his own unit and that he would defend it with his very life. Such a line would sound much better in an Iron Man suit, but we guess Marvel have bigger plans for their iron-clad Avenger.

It’s an interesting new ad and definitely a departure from the silliness of other adverts, but personally, this doesn’t seem to have the same effect as some of Samsung’s recent adverts. Sure, the Korean giant knows how to push people’s buttons and poke fun at the competition, but that’s definitely working. Unfortunately for nice guy marketers out there, Samsung’s attack ads are getting their message across clearer than anything else out there and despite the fact Robert Downey Jr is a revered actor the world over, we can’t see people standing to attention when watching this latest ad.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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LG Already Working on Smartwatch Number Two for This Year?

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With Android Wear hitting our wrists this Summer, it’s perhaps no surprise hat we’re starting to hear more about smartwatches from the likes of LG. In fact, this summer should be a busy time for wearables overall, with the Gear 2 line from Samsung launching soon, the Moto 360, the G Watch and more are all heading to shelves vying for attention. With LG a prominent partner of Google’s – along with Motorola – in Android Wear, this latest little rumor is definitely something to take with a pinch of salt.

According to ePrice, LG is already working on a second smartwatch for this year, and that wearable technology is to be an area LG really focuses on going forward. There’s not much to go on here – as is so often the case – but we’re thinking that LG might be creating the G Watch as a sort of Nexus-like device for Google, a more minimal affair to help Google get Android Wear off of the ground. After all, when looking at the G Watch and the Moto 360, it’s plain to see which one of these is the more exciting product. If the G Watch is to be an affordable and simple piece of hardware to get people to use Android Wear, then LG could very well follow this up with a more premium and LG-styled affair similar to the Moto 360.

The Korean giant already has another wearable in the works, with the Lifeband Touch said to hit stores later this year as well, so the idea of two smartwatches from the company doesn’t sound ridiculous to us, but you should have a salt shaker on standby. The question remains though, will Android Wear even be successful enough for LG to produce a second watch? Only time will tell and as summer approaches we should hear more details surrounding the project overall.

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