Leaked screenshot of Android N show new notifications shade and quick settings panel

The notifications shade is no stranger to change, and it seems to undergo tweaks and modifications with just about every major update to Android. In a leaked image discovered by Android Police, we get our first glimpse at what changes it can expect when Android N rolls around. As you can see, the notifications shade looks like it’ll provide quite a bit more info per notifications, and the height of each notification has been stretched to accommodate this. In Lollipop, notifications on the shade have a card-like feel with gaps of negative space between each one. N looks like it’s filling up these gaps. While both have a very sleek, Material Design look, N opts for a lengthy sheet of contiguous paper over the card layout. We assume they will still be swipe-able. See also: (Update: no app drawer) Android N features: everything confirmed, rumored and expected155 Moreover, the quick settings panel seems to be one tap quicker than it is on Lollipop. What appear to be quick toggle buttons ride atop the shade so that major tools and services, like wifi connectivity and your flashlight, can be accessed immediately rather than in a larger pull-down menu. It seems that the full quick options menu is available if you pull down once more, but this is a way to provide valuable utility to a part of the screen that wasn’t used this efficiently before.Granted, this is a very early shot of Android N, and we wouldn’t be surprised at all to see this tossed out, revamped, or overhauled completely by the time the Android version officially starts hitting devices. Nevertheless, it’s a tasty peek into what Google is currently cooking up with the operating system’s ongoing evolution.What do you think of N’s new notifications shade and quick settings panel? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below! See also: Android N settings will add hamburger menu for easier navigation between sub-menus38

Leaked screenshot of Android N show new notifications shade and quick settings panel

Android celebrates device diversity with Rock, Paper, Scissors ad

What sets the Android ecosystem apart from the iOS is, among other things, the sheer diversity of devices running the operating system. It’s true that this can lead to problems, like the ever-increasing fragmentation of the Android ecosystem, and there are clearly merits to Apple’s methodology that Google is looking to adopt for their operating system. Nevertheless, the fact that different manufacturers with wildly different device designs can all run the same operating system means that users have a broad array of options to choose from if they want to pick a device that’s just right for them.In the spirit of this individualism linking hand in hand with community, Google has been running a marketing campaign under the slogan, “Be together, not the same.” That last part is something of a jab at iPhones. The latest addition to this marketing parade is pretty cute little commercial that involves a googly-eye adorned scrap of paper attempting to find its place in a school full of scissors. See also: Cats and Wrestlers advertise Google Photos4 Although the piece of paper initially attempts to fit in with a paper niche, it soon finds a real friend in a pair of scissors. To the tune of the classic eighties power anthem “St. Elmo’s Fire,” the two go on to save a down-on-his-luck rock from a band of stony ruffians, and the piece of paper undergoes a full character arc in the span of sixty seconds. Ultimately, the group’s strength comes from their diversity, which enables them to tackle any obstacles they meet.It’s one of those metaphors that doesn’t really hold up well if you push on it too hard, but it’s adorable and uplifting nevertheless and definitely worth a watch. After viewing, let us know what you think of Android’s newest advertising boost in the comments below! See also: Best Android phones (February 2016)442

Android celebrates device diversity with Rock, Paper, Scissors ad

Check out the Galaxy S7 filming 240fps slow motion video

One of the new features packed into Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S7 is a new rear camera unit and it seems that the new sensor also works pretty well for slow motion video capture, as the video above from EuroTech attests to. The five minute video was captured at 720p and 240fps, which has been slowed down to a more standard frame rate to create a slow motion effect. Impressively, the video was captured without the use of a tripod and still manages to look very steady. The Galaxy S7 camera’s optical image stabilization certainly looks like it works pretty well. Colors pop nicely, the image brightness holds up well and everything appears nice and crisp, which isn’t always the case when capturing video at very fast frame rates.The Samsung Galaxy S7 is capable of recording video at various quality levels and frame rates. 4K UHD capture is possible at 30fps, 1080p at up to 60fps, and there is a 720p optios which can be toggled to 240fps for smooth slow motion playback. All of these options are complete with HDR contrast enhancements too. See also: Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Lens Cover quick look19 It would certainly be interesting to see what could be accomplished using Samsung’s Lens Cover attachments too. What do you think about the video quality?

Check out the Galaxy S7 filming 240fps slow motion video

DEAL: Moto G (3rd Gen) 16GB Drops to $199 at Motorola for Limited Time

The Moto G (3rd gen), a phone that at its price point is almost impossible to beat, is now cheaper than ever, thanks to a short-term deal over at Motorola’s store. From today through March 7, you can buy the Moto G (3rd gen) for $199 without a contract. The deal includes the 16GB version that has 2GB RAM and normally carriers a price of $220. So yeah, you get a $20 discount.

We reviewed the 3rd gen G and told you to run to Motorola’s site as fast as your little virtual legs can go and buy it if your budget is $200. It’s a heck of a value that features top notch performance, excellent battery life, and custom options through Moto Maker. Even after almost a year, it still should be a solid budget option, unless you have another $70 or so to push towards a Nexus 5X. Ooh, decisions. 

Motorola Link

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DEAL: Moto G (3rd Gen) 16GB Drops to $199 at Motorola for Limited Time is a post from: Droid Life

DEAL: Moto G (3rd Gen) 16GB Drops to $199 at Motorola for Limited Time

LG Stylus 2 hands-on

The flagship G5 may have dominated the news cycles during MWC 2016, but LG brought quite a few other smartphones to showcase at the trade show as well, in an attempt to bolster their mid-range and entry-level device portfolios. One such device was the latest addition to LG’s series of mid-range stylus-toting smartphones, and we go to spend some time with it. Here’s our hands-on and first impressions with the LG Stylus 2! See also: LG Stylus 2 announced ahead of MWC 201611 Taking a quick look at the specifications, the LG Stylus 2 is powered by a 1.2GHz quad-core processor with 1.5GB RAM. 16GB is the only option for on-board storage that is available, but you do get expandable storage via microSD card to help alleviate any memory concerns. The device featues a 5.7-inch display with a 720p resolution, which provides pretty decent colors. A 13MP primary camera and 8MP front-facing unit is available, and keeping everything chugging along is a 3,000mAh battery.On the design front, the LG Stylus 2 retains the general design language of its predecessor, albeit with curves that aren’t as accentuated this time around. The design is in fact quite reminiscent of the LG G Pro series, and the unique button layout on the rear returns here. This is particularly nice to see given how that is no longer found with LG’s current flagship. The device does feel really nice in the hand with its textured back plate, and with its large overall footprint, the phone is quite substantial. However, with a 5.7-inch display, the 720p resolution is a touch disappointing.Of course, the main aspect of this device has to do with the stylus experience. While previous generations of the device haven’t really offered a whole lot when it comes to utilizing the stylus on the software side, things are different this time. A nice feature that is available, and something you may find familiar from other devices, is called Pen Pop. This is a shortcut menu that opens when the stylus is removed from its slot, and you have the option to add a few user-defined app shortcuts as well. There is also Pen Keeper, which notifies you if you are walking away from your stylus by detecting motion when the stylus isn’t in place.Apart from the added stylus capabilities, the LG Stylus 2 also comes with a new software package on top of Android 6.0 Marshmallow, which, like its flagship sibling, does not come with an app drawer. The general aesthetics and feature set of the software experience has been toned down significantly as well.So there you have it for this quick look at the LG Stylus 2! This device certainly offers a lot more in terms of stylus capabilities than its predecessors, and if you’re looking for an affordable device with a stylus experience, this remains your best bet.

LG Stylus 2 hands-on

LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5

The Samsung Galaxy Note 5 served as a significant design departure for the Galaxy line, with the “phablet” embracing less than flagship specs in favor of increased stylus functionality and camera quality. This year at MWC, LG has released the polarizing G5, which boasts a modular capability that allows users to swap out not only batteries but also take advantage of unique hardware features like an advanced camera module or improved speakers. Given that both of these devices have adopted an approach that favors adaptability over raw power, we thought it would be interesting to see how they stack up in spite of the generational divide.DesignDesign-wise, the Samsung Galaxy Note 5 knocks the concept of “premium feel” out of the park. It continued the tradition of the Galaxy S flagships of 2015 by bringing a metal and glass construction to the table. The smartphone’s casing essentially two glass panels bound with a metallic frame.The LG G5, on the other hand, sports an entirely metal chassis that trumps the trope that metal bodies can’t have removable batteries. The device has received some criticism regarding its aesthetic which, while not yawn-inducing, isn’t particularly striking. With the G5, LG seems to have embraced a philosophy of function over form, but at least the lack of a back glass plating means it won’t be getting as fingerprint smudged as the Note 5.See also: LG G5 hands-on: will LG’s big gamble pay off?137 DisplaySome were puzzled when the LG G5 was initially unveiled because the device takes a step backwards in terms of display size. While both the G3 and the G4 rocked 5.5-inch screen, the G5 has been trimmed back to 5.3 inches. Nevertheless, we’re still looking at an IPS Quantum Display with a resolution of 25600 x 1440 and a pixel density of 554 ppi. It is an LCD display, which some would have rather seen as an AMOLED, but it’s very nice nonetheless.The Galaxy Note 5, on the other hand, boasts a simply massive5.7-inch Super AMOLED display that also has a resolution of 2560 x 1440. Naturally, the pixel density is slightly less at 518 ppi, but the colors are crisp and video playback is sharp. Some may be turned off by this phablet’s size, but the real decision to make between these two is whether your prefer AMOLED over LCD.HardwareHardware is the category that both of these phones have banked on the hardest. Naturally, the LG G5’s brand new Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor blows the Note 5’s octa-core Exynos 7420 out of the water, but both of these high-end devices are still lightning fast with snappy interfaces. Both devices have 4GB of RAM and look to be strong multitaskers, but the real eye-catchers aren’t necessarily in what these smartphones have under the hood.Both have fingerprint scanners, with the Note 5’s located on the front and G5’s tucked into the back center and serving as the power button as well. These scanners are both very responsive, but we’ll need a little more time with the G5 before we make a judgement on this one.The Note 5 was designed with the S-Pen in mind and sought to be the ideal phone for stylus users. The S-Pen tucks neatly away into the bottom of the device and snaps flush with the body. It’s ready at a moment’s notice to jot down notes or sketches or to take advantage of the Note 5’s S-Pen specific software like Screen Write and Smart Select, but we’ll get to that in a moment.The LG G5, however, has an entirely different angle. This device wants to bring modularity back to the forefront of the Android ecosystem. The bottom of the G5 can be removed, and the battery comes right out with it. That means if you’re not satisfied with the 2,800mAh battery, you can swap it out for one you like better. With the Note 5, you’re stuck with the 3,000mAh battery for good.However, battery swapping isn’t the only trick the LG G5 has up its sleeve. Using the same removeable piece, you can attach a variety of modules, or ‘Friends’ as they’re called, to the smartphone. The CAM Plus, for instance, adds not only extra battery life to the device, but it also brings you physical camera buttons that photographers are going to love. Alternatively, the Hi-Fi Plus module serves as a dedicated amplifier and has a 32-bit Digital-to-Analog Converter, effectively transforming your phone into a micro boombox. Right now there aren’t very many ‘Friends’ on the market, but LG is opening up their design to third party manufacturers, so we’re sure to see some creative new modules come out for the G5 later this year. See also: LG G5 feature focus: modules and peripherals32 CamerasOnce again, LG is pushing the envelope in terms of hardware by including an additional camera on the rear of the device. The 8MP wide-angle lens compliments the primary 16MP lens, and the stock camera software makes swapping between them a snap. The Note 5 also boasts a 16 MP rear camera, and although shots come out lush and gorgeous on it’s giant screen, the stock camera app is a little bit clunky. Nevertheless, this can easily be fixed by grabbing a third party camera app like Camera FV-5.It’s difficult for us to make too much of a comparison between the G5 and the Note 5 in terms of camera experience because we’ve only had our hands on the G5 for a few days. However, even if the images come out comparable, that additional camera sensor and the possibility of grabbing a CAM Plus module for physical camera buttons means that the G5 will likely eke out the win. See also: LG G5 feature focus: camera40 SoftwareRight now, most Galaxy Note 5 users are still running Lollipop, but Samsung has started rolling out Marshmallow to the device just this month. Since the LG G5 runs Marshmallow right out of the box, it definitely has a serious edge in terms of OS – yet another advantage of it being a newer generation smartphone. Both of these devices run relatively vanilla-feeling versions of Android. The G5 clearly benefits from LG’s recent efforts to make the interface feel more streamlined. The G5 ditches the Q Slide and dual window from LG’s software overlay, and the settings menu seems much better organized.In a perhaps controversial move, the G5 also gets rid of the app drawer. This is a move shared by Samsung this year, as both the Galaxy S7 and the S7 edge give the user the option to do away with it as well. The design choice seems to be in anticipation of Google formally removing the app drawer in Android N, but if you’re a big fan of the organization control that the app drawer provides, the you might want to stick with the Galaxy Note 5.The magic that the Note 5 pulls off software-wise is the version of TouchWiz it’s running, which strips away a handful of features to focus more heavily on what the S-Pen can do. Smart Select, Screen Write, and memo creation all become second nature after just a few days of use. The Screen-Off Memo functionality means having the Note 5 on your person is like always having a pen and pad of paper handy. Moreover, notes and doodles can be pinned to the homescreen. The S-Pen used to feel like a nice perk, but the software and screen size of this device truly turned the stylus into an indispensable tool.Conclusion so farIt’s hard to make a hard call between these two devices with so little time with the LG G5. Since both of these devices are somewhat specialized, which one is right for you hinges on what you want to use your device for. If you’re a photography nut, it looks like the LG G5 is the clear winner for you. However, if you’re a constant note-taker and memo scribbler, the Note 5 leaves the LG G5 in the dust. If you want bleeding edge hardware, then you would have to go with the G5 since the Note 5 is a generation behind and even made some hardware compromises to focus more on the S-Pen.We’ll be comparing these devices more thoroughly once we’ve had some more time with the G5, so stay tuned to Android Authority to see where we ultimately land. In the meantime, what’s your pick between these two devices? Thrilled by the modularity LG is playing with, or does Samsung’s flexible phablet more appealing? Let us know your call in the comments!More LG G5 Coverage:LG G5 vs Motorola Moto X StyleLG G5 hands-on and first impressionsSamsung Galaxy S7 vs LG G5 quick lookLG G5 vs Nexus 6P quick lookLG G5 vs LG G4 quick lookLG G5 vs LG V10 quick lookLG G5 feature focus: UXLG G5 camera module demonstration

LG G5 vs Samsung Galaxy Note 5

No Snapdragon 820 powered LG G5 for Latin America, packs a Snapdragon 652 instead

After paying less interest in bleeding edge performance with its G4, the LG G5 marks the company’s return to the very highest performance segment of the mobile market, with the inclusion of a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor. However this now won’t be the case across the entire globe. Cristián Correa, LG’s sales manager for Chile, has stated that there will be a slightly different LG G5 model heading out to customers in the Latin American markets, which packs a Snapdragon 652 SoC instead.Consumers shouldn’t be too alarmed by the misleadingly large disparity that Qualcomm’s naming scheme hints at. The Snapdragon 652 is a big.LITTLE octa-core SoC that is built from four high performance Cortex-A72 cores and four more energy efficient Cortex-A53 cores, making it fairly comparable to last year’s high-end Snapdragon 810 chip. Consumers certainly shouldn’t have cause to complain about CPU performance, as there’s enough power here for your day to day tasks and more. The chip also retains Quick Charge 3.0, 4K video capture, and LTE-Advanced networking features, albeit at Cat 7 rather than Cat 12 speeds. See also: Qualcomm renaming Snapdragon 618 and 620 processors… but why?13 However, the Snapdragon 652 is built on a 28nm HPm manufacturing process, rather than Samsung’s power efficient 14nm FinFET technology, and the SoC features a lower performance Adreno 510 GPU that will certainly lower the handset’s gaming performance. Reference to a lower specced LG G5 variant had been spotted in benchmarks earlier in the month, and the handset will carry the LG H840 model number and 3GB rather than 4GB of RAM as well. Although this shouldn’t have too much of an impact on performance. LG G5 vs Nexus 6P Quick Look… LG G5 and LG G5 modules firs… The same announcement indicates that the new LG 360 virtual reality headset won’t be available in the region either, which seems like another blow for some customers. However, Correa states that the reason is simply down to a lack of interest in virtual reality in the region.Will the change to the processor specifications make you think twice about picking up the LG G5 in Latin America?

No Snapdragon 820 powered LG G5 for Latin America, packs a Snapdragon 652 instead

Best AT&T prepaid Android phones (February 2016)

If you’re looking for a prepaid carrier in the United States, you have a ton of options. One of the best prepaid service providers out there is AT&T’s GoPhone service. There are a handful of solid GoPhone options out there, so we’re here to point you in the right direction if you’re in the market for a new Android phone.You’ll notice that our list is a little short, as the Android phones offered by AT&T aren’t all that current or high-end. At the bottom of this post we’ll point you to a few other solid options that can still connect to AT&T’s network that aren’t offered through the carrier.Best AT&T Android phonesBest cheap Android phonesEditor’s note – We will be updating this list as more devices hit the market.Update, February 2016: We removed the Samsung Galaxy S5 from our list. See also: The best prepaid and no contract plans in the US (November 2015)180 ASUS ZenFone 2EThe ASUS ZenFone 2E is by no means the best device on the market, but it’s a solid budget option that boasts some great features. The design is minimalist, and the detachable back cover gives you access to slots for additional storage. You’ll probably want to take advantage of that too, as the ASUS ZenFone 2E only comes with 8GB of internal storage. In terms of use, the ZenFone 2E offers a generally good experience, though the device tends to lag at times in heavy use cases like gaming or multitasking.All in all, the ZenFone 2E isn’t about pushing the limits of performance. It’s about bringing a solid Android experience to a user on a budget, and this it pulls off in spades. We’ve never really seen a smartphone that offers this much punch for so little cost. If you just need a prepaid phone to make and receive calls, browse the internet, occasionally stream media, and maybe play a game or two, the ASUS ZenFone 2E is hard to beat.The ASUS ZenFone 2E is available now through AT&T GoPhone for $59.99.Specs5.0-inch IPS LCD display with 1280 x 720 resolution, 294ppi1.6GHz dual-core Intel Atom Z2560 processor1GB of RAM8GB internal storage, microSD expansion up to 64GB8MP rear camera, 2MP front cameraNon-removable 2,500mAh batteryAndroid 5.0 Lollipop148.1 x 71.4 x 10.9mm, 155.1gRead moreASUS ZenFone 2E reviewAT&T announces the ASUS ZenFone 2E for prepaid GoPhone subscribersBuy now from AmazonHTC Desire 626HTC’s lower-end smartphones happen to be pretty good, but they are not as affordable as the competition. But if you really like a good-looking, well-made affordable handset, your best bet is to go with something like the HTC Desire 626. With a 5.0-inch 720p display, Snapdragon 410 processor 16GB of storage and microSD expansion up to 32GB, this is one solid device for the money. Oh, it also comes with a solid 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front camera that should take care of all of your selfie-taking needs. The specs are modest and the phone is still made mostly of plastic, but this is HTC engineering we are talking about. The phone looks and feels great, regardless of the materials used.The HTC Desire 626 is available through AT&T GoPhone starting at $184.99.Specs 5.0-inch LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution, 294ppiQualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor1/2GB of RAM16GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB13MP rear camera, 5MP front cameraNon-removable 2000mAh batteryAndroid 5.1 Lollipop146.9 x 70.9 x 8.2mm, 140gRead more:HTC Desire 626 reviewBuy now from AT&TMotorola Moto E (2015)The original Moto E was one of the best low-cost Android smartphones around, and its successor, the Moto E (2015) brings even more value to the table, with it now being capable of high-speed internet access via 4G LTE. The latest edition of the device brings a lot of small enhancements along the way as well, including a slightly larger display, updated processing package, more built-in storage, a front-facing camera, and a larger battery that allows for extremely impressive battery life. The Motorola Moto E (2015) is currently priced at around $71 from Amazon.Specs4.5-inch display with 960 x 540 resolution, 245ppi1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 410 processor1GB of RAM8GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 32GB5MP rear camera, VGA front cameraNon-removable 2390mAh batteryAndroid 5.1 Lollipop129.8 x 66.8 x 12.2mm, 145gRead moreMoto E (2015) review7 problems with the Moto E and how to fix themBest Moto E CasesBuy now from AmazonYou’ll notice that our list is a little short – AT&T doesn’t offer a ton of notable options for its GoPhone service, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a solid device through another retail outlet and activate it on AT&T’s prepaid network. If you’re looking for a few other options, you can’t go wrong with these:Motorola Moto G (2015) review – [Buy from Amazon – $179]Google Nexus 5 review – [Buy from Amazon – $224]Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 review – [Buy from Amazon – $247]How do like our list? Is there any device you’d add or remove? Let us know your opinions in the comments!Next: Best AT&T phones of 2016

Best AT&T prepaid Android phones (February 2016)