android
Android’s Google Voice now with ICS Voicemail Integration
Google has released an update for Google Voice that is deeply integrated with Android ICS. The feature uses the ICS dialer and allows users to view and listen to their Google Voice voicemail in the basic call log. It is the first time we are seeing a visul voicemail that is based on Ice Cream Sandwich API. ICS users will also see new features like an updated user interface that resembles Google’s ICS holo theme.
Besides the UI, they will also enjoy a new menu bar at the bottom of the screen. Google has also tweaked the program to allow users to slow down or speed up message playback which will be helpful depending on the user’s needs. If you need to listen to details or the voicemail is slightly muffled you can slow down the play back and if you receive a long voicemail which is not as important, you can speedily breeze through the play back to go on through your list of voicemails you will probably want to save up so you can use this cool feature.
In order to enable the features, users will not have to exert themselves too much. Simply head over to Google Play and download the latest application. Once opened, check “voicemail display” in Google Voice settings. It seems that Google really know what they are doing when it comes to keeping their applications both inter-twined and additional to their OS, fresh and relevant. I can agree with Charles of IntoMobile when he says that most people that I know regardless of their preference of OS love Google’s VoIP network and would definitely rethink their decisions should Google suddenly decide to become a corporation, to be exact, a carrier.
The Fairphone 2 was first unveiled in June earlier this year, where this particular handset carried a modular design while featuring majority of its components that have been sourced from conflict-free mines. It seems that this particular handset that you can purchase with a clear conscience has begun to ship to those who happen to live across Europe.
Fairphone announced in a blog post, “It’s been almost two years in the making, and some of the earliest buyers have been patiently waiting since July to receive their new phones. As community manager, I want to personally welcome the new batch of Fairphone owners to our community.” The initial 1,000 units are tipped to ship this month, before the other pre-orders follow in January 2016.
In terms of hardware specifications, the Fairphone 2 will run on a Snapdragon 801 chipset, has a 5″ 1080p screen with Gorilla Glass 3 protection, 2GB of RAM, an 8MP camera, with Android 5.1 Lollipop in tow. It will be a dual SIM capable handset with a microSD memory card slot and plays nice with 4G LTE networks, retailing for approximately €525 a pop.
It looks like the upcoming flagship model from Xiaomi will feature NFC support, at least based on a document that was released by China UnionPay. Just in case you are scratching your head and wondering who China UnionPay is, they happen to be the only domestic payment gateway supplier and card organization, and hence, to see them offer detailed support concerning the newly released NFC-based payment system points to the very real possibility of the upcoming Xiaomi Mi 5 featuring NFC capability.
After all, the Xiaomi Mi 3 was also mentioned on the list, which so happens to feature NFC, and there is no mention of the Xiaomi Mi 4 which does not come with NFC. Still, such a new payment system would be the ideal tool to see the reintroduction of NFC to the flagship model.
OnePlus did make an announcement in the previous month that the Ceramic variant of the OnePlus X will be released on November 24. True to their word, they did exactly that – although only a pitiful number of units were made available, and not only that, this was through a charity auction. Thankfully for the rest of the masses who are on the lookout for this device, it has gone on sale officially already.
Needless to say, this particular variant is available only by an invitation, although do bear in mind that standard OnePlus X invites are not good here – you will still need to snag yourself a specific Ceramic variant invite before you make a purchase. OnePlus is also on the lookout to offer additional methods of picking up this smartphone, although no further details were revealed.
The OnePlus X Ceramic will be available only in select markets, where among them include Europe, India, and Hong Kong. To date, we do know that OnePlus had made only 10,000 units of the handset available. A case of the early bird getting the proverbial worm here?