Possible Next Gen NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Drops by FCC

Possible Next Gen NVIDIA SHIELD Tablet Drops by FCC

Thanks to the FCC, we have learned that NVIDIA is working on a new tablet (product number: P2290W), possibly a follow-up to the SHIELD Tablet and SHIELD Tablet K1. While many details remain confidential due to NVIDIA’s successful filing of the Request for Confidentiality slip, we have learned a few things by digging through the hundred plus page reports, available for all to see on the FCC website.

First, the dimensions of the tablet are 8.58? (L), 4.84? (W), 0.31? (H), it weighs 350 grams, and it featured a 5,100mAh battery at the time of testing. Furthermore, it features dual-band WiFi connectivity, and also features a microUSB port; not USB Type-C. As you could probably guess, the tablet features Bluetooth LE connectivity, too. For specs, that’s all we know at this time, with no specifics being mentioned regarding display size, processor, or amount of RAM. 

Keep in mind, FCC filings are never a sure thing, meaning it could be a while until we see this product, if ever. Two years ago, a SHIELD Portable-like controller device entered the FCC, which many thought was a SHIELD 2. Now, with it being 2016 and NVIDIA going full steam with Android TV set-top boxes, we will probably never know.

Time to share your wish list. If NVIDIA is working on a SHIELD Tablet sequel, a true sequel that is, what would you want to see from it? For me, I’d like an 8? display, Tegra X1, 4GB of RAM, Android N, and a big ol’ battery. Yup, that’s what I want.

Via: FCC | liliputing

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Google’s Project Jacquard Introduces Levi’s Trucker Jacket Arrives Next Year

Google’s Project Jacquard Introduces Levi’s Trucker Jacket Arrives Next Year

The inner geek in all of us should still be giggling at all of the fun stuff Google’s ATAP team announced on stage today at Google I/O. If you missed it, we’ll be sure to share the session once it has been uploaded.

The ATAP team not only gave us a tour of the latest in Project Ara happenings, but they showed off an amazing Project Soli smartwatch concept, and told us when to expect the first consumer clothing item with embedded Project Jacquard.

Through a partnership with Levi’s, we’ll all be able to buy a new jacket that is outfitted with Jacquard technologies within the next year. The jacket is called the Commuter Trucker jacket and it was designed for city bike commuters, or those who just want a sweet new denim jacket with some tech inside. 

Not familiar with Jacquard? It was first unveiled at Google I/O last year as a fabric that was weaved with technology, so that you could touch it or swipe gestures across it to perform tasks through a smartphone or other device. Think about swiping across your pants to change music tracks, answer a call, etc.

It took some time for them to get the weave perfected for this denim jacket, but they have reached the point where they are ready to start production, again, only a year after they first showed off the concept.

Below, you can see the dongle-esque (or “smart tag”) device that powers the weave, along with the subtle weaved pattern that you can touch. That smart tag can be removed when you are ready to wash your jacket. I don’t know that they have specifically mentioned this, but that smart tag likely has Bluetooth and a battery which connects to your phone to make the magic happen.

This is only the first of what could be many articles of clothing to adopt Jacquard. But for now, you can see how close the future is and how smart everything in our lives has become.

In these couple of clips, you will get to see how they make the denim for this jacket with Jacquard embedded and also what it could be like for a biker commuter to use the jacket during daily rides.

Making of Jacquard denim

The Commuter Trucker jacket in action

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AT T to Offer Only Two Next Payment Plans Instead of Four Starting June 9

AT T to Offer Only Two Next Payment Plans Instead of Four Starting June 9

Beginning June 9, consumers and businesses with AT&T can lower their monthly payments, thanks to changes the carrier is making on its Next program. Once June 9 rolls around, AT&T will only offer two different Next plans, down from the current offering of four plans. These two plans are the straightforward AT&T Next plan and the AT&T Next Every Year plan. 

The way both plans work is relatively simple. On AT&T Next, customers can upgrade their smartphone every 2-year cycle, based on a 30-month financing program. On a 30-month program, instead of 24-month, your device payments will become cheaper, which AT&T (and probably consumers) sees as a good thing. For AT&T Next Every Year, customers can upgrade their smartphone every year, with a 24-month financing program. While your payments will be slightly higher each month (due to the shorter financing program), the idea that you can upgrade each year when a sweet new phone is released seems like a good benefit for the added price.

Additionally, AT&T is introducing two new ways for customers to lower their monthly bills. There is a device trade-in program, as well as a down payment option. For trade-ins, AT&T will accept your current smartphone and apply its redemption value towards the price of your new phone. Once done, you will be paying for the remainder of the price, not the complete retail price. As for a down payment, it simply means you can put any money down at the time of purchase towards your total price owed, which would lead to lower monthly payments.

Again, these changes take effect on June 9, 2016.

Via: AT&T

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Report Next Galaxy Note May be the Note 7 Not Note 6

Report Next Galaxy Note May be the Note 7 Not Note 6

In the whacky world of smartphone marketing, it may seem odd to have two lineups of devices not on the same number-naming structure. At Samsung, we have the Galaxy S line, as well as the Galaxy Note line, but these lineups are not on the same number, and apparently, that’s a problem. This issue, if it even is an issue, originates from Samsung releasing the first Galaxy Note device one year later (October, 2011) than the first Galaxy S (June, 2010). Because of this time difference, it has caused the two lineups to be out of sync in the numbering structure.

Today, the latest Galaxy S on the market is the Galaxy S7, and the latest Galaxy Note is the Galaxy Note 5. Note that the next Galaxy Note, the Galaxy Note 6, is likely only a few months away from launch. Well, according to the latest overseas report that cites industry insiders, Samsung may skip the “Galaxy Note 6” name completely, and instead, will release the Galaxy Note 7 to go right alongside the popular Galaxy S7. 

Stated in the report, Samsung wants to eliminate any inconsistency it currently has with the numbering structure, so jumping ahead to the Galaxy Note 7 seems to solve that issue entirely for them. However, to my recollection, skipping a number in a series of smartphones has not been done before, by any company, so we won’t know the possible affects it has on the unbeknownst populace. Will average consumers even notice that “6” has been skipped, or will there only be a few angry bloggers?

According a reported high-ranking representative of the telecommunications industry,”When Galaxy Note 6 has its model number lower than Galaxy S7, which is the newest model, is released, it can give out a feeling that it is an outdated phone. It is known that Samsung Electronics has made the numbers same to unify a premium image.”

That is certainly an argument Samsung can make, but if you ask me, the fact that the Galaxy Note and Galaxy S line are not the same is fine by me. The company continues to sell millions of phones, so I don’t get the sense they have been losing business because of numbering. This is the first report we have seen that describes a potential name change, and as we get a bit closer to an unveiling, we will certainly keep you posted.

I guess this answers the “Why was 6 afraid of 7?” question pretty well.

Via: ET News

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Google Announces Big Project Ara Update Consumer Phone Coming Next Year

Google Announces Big Project Ara Update Consumer Phone Coming Next Year

Today during the ATAP session at Google I/O, Google provided an update on Project Ara, the modular phone concept from Google that we were starting to think might have been shelved. During the short session, Google showed off the latest prototypes, told us when to expect developer and consumer units, and maybe more importantly, showed hot swapping of modules in real-time, one of which was controlled by voice.

The full ATAP session is worth watching, once Google posts it, but for now, let’s talk about the Ara news, because it’s big. 

Google announced that developer units of Ara will be available this fall in preparation for a consumer launch next year (2017). They seem set on these dates and timelines, plus with the demos they showed today, I’m tempted to believe them.

The latest Ara prototype looks like the devices above and below. It’s simpler and more beautiful, includes six slots for swapping modules into, and is the closest we have seen to a potentially finished device. The new frame includes the phone’s CPU, GPU, antennas, sensors, battery and display, in case you were wondering.

Modules are connected to it via new latch system to help modules stay locked on securely. They connect to the phone through Google’s Greybus software, that allows instant connections of modules to immediately work with Android (and transfer data up to 11.9 Gbps). That basically means hot-swapping.

To detach, you can tell the Ara app to release a module, which then ejects it, or you can tell Google to do it with a command like, “OK, Google, eject camera module.” And seriously, they demoed this on stage today and it was pretty neat.

The new modules can be outfitted in different textures and finishes, helping you create a modular phone that is both functionality and unique.

Along with all of that news, the Ara team shared this video, which takes you on a day in the life of an Ara phone owner.

Pretty impressive stuff from ATAP and Ara. Now, let’s see if they can hit those promised timelines. To learn more, head over to the updated Ara site.

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