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Cam Bunton

@CamBunton

Cam Bunton, Editor at NewGeekGuide – Cam has been passionate about tech since his dad bought the family’s first Commodore AMIGA back in the late 80’s. He’s been in the tech industry (writing and making videos) since 2010, and joined NewGeekGuide as the resident video producer and product reviewer in 2015. He sometimes writes news and reviews for 9to5Mac too.

You can follow Cam on Twitter, add him on Google+ and subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to watch his videos about all things Google.

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Unreleased HTC One X9 purportedly shown off in sketchy press image leak

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Update: A new leak corroborates the front design of the A9, although the back makes it look a lot like the Huawei Nexus 6P. Image at the bottom of this post.

Having recently launched the iPhone-lookalike One A9, HTC looks set to release yet another One-series phone. A leaked press image on Weibo suggests that HTC will be releasing a new phone with BoomSound speakers in tow. The One X9 poster uses typically vague strap lines like ‘pursuit of brilliance’ and ‘packed with city smarts’, right in line with what we expect from most manufacturers. Given its in English (and assuming it’s genuine) it hints at a launch in English-speaking markets…


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Moto X Style/Pure vs. Moto X Play/DROID Maxx 2 — Which is the best value? [Video]

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Motorola debuted two new phones at its event back in the summer, the Moto X Style (or Pure in the US) and the Moto X Play, which recently saw release as the DROID Maxx 2 in the States. Since I’ve already reviewed the X Play, I wanted to see if the X Pure/Style would be worth the extra money to customers looking to buy…


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HTC’s new One A9 now officially available to buy in stores and online

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HTC has announced that its latest device, the One A9, is now officially available to buy in stores and online. The phone comes in Opal Silver, Carbon Gray, Deep Garnet and Topaz Gold and can be purchased direct from HTCAT&T or Sprint, and is also available as an unlocked international version on Amazon.

The smartphone has caused a little controversy since being announced just a few weeks ago. Many think it looks too much like an iPhone and HTC did itself no favors with the 1984-inspired advertisement. Still, the phone sounds promising enough, even if it is more expensive than we’d like.

The $400 (for a limited time) handset has a full HD 5-inch AMOLED display which HTC claims is bright, even in sunlight. It’s equipped with a fast fingerprint scanner, and is coated in 2.5D edge-to-edge Gorilla Glass. Inside, there’s an octa-core Snapdragon 617 processor with 3GB and 32GB internal storage. Because it runs Marshmallow 6.0, you can use the expandable storage for more than just storing media. You can extend storage up to 2TB via MicroSD and us it to store app data too. Other key specs include a 13MP camera with sapphire cover lens, 1080p video and autofocus on the back and a front facing UltraPixel camera.

If you’re dead set on getting HTC’s latest phone, you have a few purchasing options. You can buy it from AT&T for $99 on a two-year plan, or $17.34 on the Next 30 plan. On Sprint, the phone is $0 up front and $20 per month on a two-year lease. On Amazon, there are several unlocked international models available. The 16GB phones cost $488.90, while the 32GB ones are $529. HTC’s site still lists the phone as available on pre-order for $399, but that price will be upped to $499 shortly.

Google Play Services 8.3 released, brings one-tap Google sign-in, efficient wearable sync, more

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Google has updated its Play Services to allow developers to make use of some very useful new enhancements to the overall experience of using Android. Google Play Services 8.3 includes updates to the way users sign in to apps, as well as new functionality for app invites, wearable data layer APIs and improvements to location services…


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BlackBerry PRIV to get Marshmallow update in the new year

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BlackBerry‘s long-awaited entry in to the Android market is finally here, albeit with an already-outdated version of Google’s operating system. BlackBerry PRIV goes on sale today and runs Android 5.1.1 Lollipop out of the box. Having already committed to Google’s monthly security fixes, BlackBerry has also confirmed that Marshmallow will be pushed to the new devices in 2016.

Speaking to Android Central, BlackBerry’s Global Director of Device Portfolio Planning, Gareth Hurn said that plans were to push Android 6.0 Marshmallow to the PRIV “sometime in the new year“. While those quoted words don’t give us a specific time-frame to aim for, AC’s Richard Devine was left with the impression that it would be sooner rather than later. More importantly, he was left with the clear thought that BlackBerry is serious about this foray in to the world of Android phones.

With the phone finally available for sale, it’ll be really interesting to see how the general consumer market accepts it. Will previous BlackBerry-loyalists jump onboard again now that the hardware is matched by relevant software? Or will it be the same physical QWERTY-addicted current users who use it as an excuse to jump to Android?

In the US, you can order the BlackBerry PRIV from ShopBlackBerry.com or from AT&T. In the UK, you can order on contract from Carphone Warehouse, or order direct from BlackBerry.

Google Calendar intros Trash feature on web, now lets you restore deleted events

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Google is rolling out a new feature to its web-based Calendar interface. Users who delete calendar events (accidentally or on purpose) can now access a new Trash function that lets them restore the event. From the official blog post, it seems it’ll be available immediately to both regular Gmail users and Google Apps accounts.

Ever deleted a calendar event by mistake and wanted to get it back – just like you can in Gmail and Drive? Now you can: today we’re adding Trash functionality to Google Calendar on the web, providing an easy way for users to view, permanently delete, or restore individual and recurring deleted calendar events. Trash puts calendar users in control by letting them quickly reverse any event mishaps, and limits escalations to Google Apps admins.

You can access Trash from your calendar’s drop-down menu in the “My calendars” section as well as from your calendar settings. It’ll be available to any users who have editing privileges in both primary and secondary calendars. In the case of shared calendars, or Apps accounts, admins will be able to track which events are restored or removed from Trash.

It’s a useful new feature, especially in large teams where shared calendars can be altered for more than one person. The last thing you want is an important event disappearing from a group calendar, with no way to get it back again.

Moto G gets ‘Turbo Edition’ in Mexico

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CORRECTION: Motorola got in touch with us to say that the Turbo Edition, like the regular Moto G, has a 720p screen. So, not quite as tempting for the bump in price.

Over the past few years we’ve seen a rise of affordable smartphones offering a great experience to buyers. The original Moto G was, arguably, the phone that kicked it off, right at the bottom end of the market. This year, we saw the arrival of the 3rd generation which still offers a lot of bang for your buck. In Mexico, Motorola just released an even better model. It costs a little extra, but looks like it’ll easily be worth the outlay…


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YouTube now supports VR video, app updated with Google Cardboard support

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YouTube announced today that it’s bringing two new features to its popular video-viewing service. Perhaps the most important of the two updates is that YouTube now supports VR Video. That means people can upload full virtual reality experience videos which have an added depth versus the regular two-dimensional flat video. Objects that are near look close, those further away seem far.


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BlackBerry commits to delivering monthly Android security updates to PRIV

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It seems an age has passed since the day John Chen, BlackBerry’s chief, said they’d only make an Android phone if they could make it secure. The BlackBerry PRIV is official, and is already available to pre-order. The physical QWERTY-equipped slider is the first BlackBerry to run Android and has several key features built in to ensuring that it stays secure. Security is built in to its hardware and its software. It’s no surprise then to read that the company is committed to keeping up with Google’s monthly security updates…


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HTC’s ‘Be Brilliant’ ad for One A9 is very 1984-esque [Video]

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HTC’s launch of the One A9 has caught the attention of many. The company insists that the latest mid-tier device isn’t an iPhone copy, despite the fact that — from almost every angle — it looks like one. Having spent time with it, we agree in many ways. Even if it is, the very fact it runs Android 6.0 is a big enough differentiating factor. Still, the Taiwanese manufacturer isn’t helping itself by releasing its latest advertising campaign.

The latest full length ad, named ‘Be Brilliant’ has a clear message: Be Different. Sound familiar?


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Motorola opening its first brick-and-mortar ’boutique’ retail store in Chicago this week

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Motorola is opening its very first physical retail store later this week. Moto Shop, as it’s called, is opening in downtown Chicago, the company’s hometown, on Saturday, November 7, in time for holiday shopping to begin. In its blog post, the company notes that because smartphones and wearables have made powerful technology more personal, you should be able to go and experience them fully, in real life. Moto wants to make the shopping experience as personal as it can…


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Huawei is now the second biggest Android brand in Europe

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Huawei’s global success over recent months has been well documented. In its homeland it’s just overtaken Xiaomi as the biggest smartphone vendor, and on a global scale it’s only behind Apple and Samsung in terms of shipped devices. Much of that global success, it seems, is due to its performance in Europe where it has multiple devices ranging from low to high end and is shipping them by the bucket load…


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Android 6.0 Marshmallow tip: Launch any app or URL from Quick Settings [Video]

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Last week a cool new app was launched which lets any user running Android 6.0 Marshmallow launch apps from their quick settings drop-down menu. I decided to take a look and shoot a quick video showing how to use it, and how — despite it taking a little time to set up — it can save a lot of time in your daily workflow. Check it out below…


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Nexus 6P gets a 2nd bend test, practically snaps in half right out of the box [Video]

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Last week we shared a video with you produced by YouTube channel JerryRigEverything. In it, Jerry subjected his Nexus 6P to a bunch of durability tests before trying to bend it. The phone wasn’t very scratch or heat resistant, and even less bend resistant.

At the time, we were skeptical of how ‘bendy’ the Nexus really was. Having already suffered some serious damage, including a cracked screen, we thought the Nexus 6P‘s durability was already severely compromised even before the bend test was attempted. We weren’t the only ones to think that way either, so Jerry’s back with another video. This time, he didn’t do any of the durability testing and tried to bend the phone immediately after unboxing it and setting it up….
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Report: FreedomPop to launch a sub-$200 smartphone powered by Intel

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FreedomPop is about to step in to the hardware game thanks to some cash and processor, provided by Intel and its investment arm, Intel Capital. So far, the FreedomPop brand has been used purely to launch incredibly affordable smartphone data plans in the US, and recently launched in the UK in partnership with Three. This would mark the first time the company has launched its very own hardware…


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Pushbullet gets Android 6.0 Marshmallow optimization, more in latest update

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Pushbullet, the popular multi-device notification and link-sharing tool has been updated today to take full advantage of Android 6.0 Marshmallow’s built-in improvements. The company announced that the new update uses Android 6.0‘s runtime permissions and Direct Share features to give you more fine-tuned control over which parts of your system it has access to, and give the option to share items more easily and quickly with compatible devices…


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ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser: $199 gets you 3GB RAM, octa-core chip, 13MP laser autofocus, more

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ASUS’ assault on the mid-range market looks set to continue as the company recently announced the ASUS ZenFone 2 Laser for the US market. It’s a slightly cheaper and less powerful version of the ZenFone 2, albeit one with a renewed focus on camera quality. The manufacturer confirmed the phone’s arrival in an official press release, and promises excellent performance from an affordable smartphone.

Looking at the spec sheet, there’s a lot to admire about the camera-focussed ZenFone. On the front, there’s a 5.5-inch 1080p display protected by Gorilla Glass 4. Inside, it’s powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 615 processor paired with Adreno 405 graphics and 3GB RAM. On the back, the wide-angle 13MP camera boasts an f/2.0 aperture and laser-guided autofocus to make focussing really quick.

You’ll be able to buy the phone in either 16GB or 32GB storage variants, both will be expandable up to 128GB via MicroSD and are equipped with a 3,000mAh capacity battery to offer all-day use, and then some. It also has dual SIM support for added flexibility. It’s compatible with all US GSM LTE networks, including AT&T, T-Mobile and their respective prepaid brands and MVNOs. Other notable specs include full HD video recording, a 5MP front facing camera and a front facing flash.

ZenFone 2 Laser runs Android 5.0 with ASUS’ ZenUI 2.0 custom launcher on top and will be available to order from Newegg or ASUS.com at some point this month. $199 gets you the 16GB, while $249 gets you 32GB.

Inbox app will use AI-powered Smart Reply feature to respond to Gmail messages for you

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Update: It looks like the Smart Reply feature is rolling out starting tomorrow.

Google’s Inbox app for Gmail is one of the best things to happen to personal email management since email was invented. Using Google Now’s power, it can automatically create calendar events, sort out your junk and priority emails and suggest reminders. Now it’s about to get a whole lot smarter


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Tired of those full page ‘Install this App’ Mobile web blocks? Google is doing something about it

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There’s nothing worse when browsing the web — or hitting a search result — and coming across a page completely obscured by a huge pop-up window asking you to install the site’s (or someone else’s) app. In fact, full-page interstitial ads in general are incredibly frustrating, when all you want to do is read the article. Thankfully, Google is doing something about it…


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Nexus 6P buyers get $50 discount on Huawei Watch

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Huawei has taken a leaf from Apple’s book with its latest promotion, offering discount on its wearable product when customers order a smartphone. Buyers who order the Nexus 6P direct from Huawei can get $50 off the Huawei Watch when they buy both devices at the same time. That means you’ll be able to get one of this year’s best Android Wear smartwatches for as little as $299.

This deal, of course, is more than likely being launched to counter Apple’s very similar promotion in which customers purchasing an iPhone and an Apple Watch at the same time receive $50 discount in select stores. Overall though, there’s still a huge price difference between buying the new Nexus and buying the new iPhone. Nexus 6P models start at $499, where the iPhone 6s begins at $649. Huawei Watch begins at the same price as the Apple Watch Sport, and is $200+ cheaper than the stainless Apple Watch models.

If you want to take advantage of the deal, head on over to GetHuawei.com and add the Nexus 6P and Huawei Watch to your basket. The $50 discount will be applied automatically. All in, the cheapest combination will set you back about $800, that’s only $50 more than the price of the cheapest 16GB iPhone 6s Plus on its own. That’s really not bad when you’re getting two of the best Android/Android Wear products available right now.

Wileyfox Storm unboxing: First look at the British budget flagship [Video]

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Recently, I checked out the Wileyfox Swift, it’s one of the best phones on the market in Europe at its pricepoint. This is the Wileyfox Storm, the company’s more expensive device that aims to bring flagship specs at an affordable price point. Before reviewing it at a later date, we wanted to unbox it and see what we thought of the smartphone on first impressions…


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T-Mobile announces new 4G LTE CellSpot, offering LTE signal from Wi-Fi wherever you want it

4g-lte-cellspotJohn Legere took to Twitter in a surprisingly short and subdued Tweetstorm just a short while ago to announce a new move the ‘Uncarrier’ is making this week. Ahead of its Uncarrier X event, T-Mo’s extraverted chief announced that the wireless carrier is now offering a personal 4G LTE CellSpot to any Simple Choice customer who wants one…


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Huawei to announce phablet flagship Mate 8 on November 26

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Huawei is on something a roll this year. Having recently released its first Nexus device, overtaken Xiaomi as the top smartphone vendor in China and secured the third highest number of smartphone shipments globally, it’s all going swimmingly for the Chinese manufacturer. But its year isn’t over yet. According to its official handle on Weibo, Huawei is preparing to announce another device…


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