Android 5.0 Lollipop Update for Moto X 2nd Generation Now Available for US Cellular Users

We heard that the Android 5.0 Lollipop update is being pushed to the AT&T LG G3 and T-Mobile HTC One M8 owners. Now it’s time for another Android flagship to get upgraded to Lollipop. The US Cellular Moto X 2014 is now getting the Android 5.0 Lollipop update.

The US Cellular Moto X Android 5.0 Lollipop is being pushed to users in waves, which means that some of you would have to wait longer before being able to download and install the new firmware. I remind you that when as soon as the Lollipop update is ready for your terminal, you may see a system update message in the notifications bar. Just tap on it, then follow the on-screen instructions. It’s also worth checking for the update manually under Settings > About phone > System updates > Check now.

As you may already know, Lollipop is the biggest update Google’s mobile OS has received so far. Android 5.0 introduces Material Design UI, multi-user support for phones, ART (Android Runtime), lock screen notifications with the ability to set priority and privacy for each app, redesigned notifications bar and Quick Settings, security improvements, performance boosts, dynamic status bar, Smart Lock, Screen Pinning, better battery statistics, battery saver mode, and more.

The Moto X 2014 Android 5.0 Lollipop update that is being rolled out by US Cellular has a size of around 400 MB. We are recommending you to download the update file using a Wi-Fi network in order to avoid unwanted data charges. Also remember to charge your phone’s battery over 50%, so it won’t turn off during the installation procedure.

Nexus 6 Now Available in All Color and Storage Options at US Cellular

Nexus 6 is undoubtedly one of the most powerful smartphones currently on the market and since the Google Play Store supplies are not big enough to face the demand, the carriers are currently your best option. We are glad to announce you that Nexus 6 is now in stock at US Cellular.

If you live in the US you would now be able to purchase the Nexus 6 form US Cellular’s website. The massive smartphone is available with both 32 and 64 GB of internal storage. US Cellular is also selling both Nexus 6 color options: Midnight Blue and Cloud White. The 32 GB model has a price of $199.99 with a two-year contract, while the 64 GB model is $249.99 on-contract. If you don’t want to sign a two-year contract with the carrier, you would have to pay $660 for the 32 GB Nexus 6 or $730 for the 64 GB Nexus 6.

As I was mentioning above, Nexus 6 is one of the most powerful smartphones currently on the market. On top of that, is the first smartphone in the world to come pre-loaded with Android 5.0 Lollipop. The device co-developed by Google and Motorola boasts about a 5.96-inch AMOLED display with Quad HD (1440 x 2560) resolution, a pixel density of 493 ppi, and Gorilla Glass 3 protection. The processing tasks are handled by Snapdragon 805 SoC based on four Krait 450 cores clocked at 2.7 GHz and an Adreno 420 GPU. The technical specs list also includes 3 GB of RAM, 32 GB of native storage, 13 MP primary camera with optical image stabilization, dual-LED (ring) flash, and 4K video recording support, a 2 MP secondary cam, and a 3,220 mAh battery. In terms of connectivity it arrives with LTE, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 4.1 Low Energy, NFC, and microUSB 2.0. Nexus 6 is also splash proof, its 10.1 mm thin, and weighs in at 184 grams.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Release Date Teased

Samsung has a huge device on the way, the Galaxy S6, and it will be very important for the company’s future. The release date has been rumored since the initial announcement, and everyone took a guess at when it might be, but now we’ve received some hints.

According to Daum, a Korean publication, the Samsung Galaxy S6 may be launched in spring 2015, more particularly in March. This was expected, because Samsung is merely in pre-production stages for their Galaxy S6 right now. Little is known about the device, but according to most of the talk going around, Samsung is planning their Galaxy S6 device to be a total game changer in the tech industry, meant to compete with Apple’s iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus. Among the changes that the tech giant has in store for the Galaxy S6 is a dual-curve display, like that of the Note Edge but on both sides. This could be a very interesting change, especially if they combine the proper OS features with it.

Samsung Galaxy S6 is codenamed as “Project Zero”

The Galaxy S6 is currently named ‘Project Zero’ and production is set to begin in February. A specific release date still hasn’t been given for the device. What we reporting today is mere speculation and should be treated as such. Things are always bound to change, maybe in a good way, so we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Samsung’s Galaxy S6 tech specs are currently unconfirmed, but from what we know so far, the flagship is set to feature an upgraded display with a qHD resolution, 16/20MP primary shooter with Optical Image Stabilization, a 5MP secondary camera, 32/64/128GB variations of internal storage, 64-bit Exynos 7420 and Snapdragon 810 processors. The device is set to be released on all major US carriers, such as AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon.

Samsung Galaxy Note Edge: US Availability & Release

Certification tests are generally the first step towards releasing a device, and Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge just passed the FCC, confirming some rumors. With this step complete, we can expect the device to hit retail stores pretty soon, but pricing details are not known yet.

Samsung announced their Galaxy Note Edge device back in September, along with some other great devices. The gadget quickly became controversial due to its curved display, which had never been seen before on a smartphone. The curved display is supposed to be a feature of the Galaxy S6 also, except on both sides. It wasn’t far from the Note Edge’s announcement when tech enthusiasts quickly started talking about it, and the device’s popularity was boosted considerably.

Galaxy Note Edge coming to Sprint, T-mobile, US Cellular, Verizon & AT&T

Of course, the Galaxy Note Edge comes in multiple variations and some of them have already been released, with AT&T being the first retailer to feature the device ahead of its November 14th release date. The US retailer is currently accepting pre-orders, but it’s unknown when they will ship. Other carriers that are expected to put Samsung’s Galaxy Note Edge in their inventory are Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon, but release dates are unknown and vary from carrier to carrier.

The FCC reports a certification test for a device known as SM-N915R4, aka Samsung Galaxy Note Edge. FCC tests are a primary requirement before a device can actually be released on American markets, and the Note Edge has just passed its certification test successfully. We know that the device is set to be released in multiple countries, such as the United Kingdom, Russia, India, Australia, Portugal, Nordic countries, France, Poland, Switzerland, Italy, Spain, Luxembourg, and The Netherlands. These countries are most likely going to get the Galaxy Note Edge in 2015, but there are no pricing details known at this point.

Nexus 6 Release Dates: New Information

Google’s Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 releases have been very slow so far, running into a lot of issues, mostly consisting of low stocks that can’t keep up with the huge demand. Fortunately, we’ve received some new information regarding the release of the Nexus 6, and more information is still emerging every day.

Google announced the Nexus 6 on October 15th, right after their Android 5.0 L release which has been the biggest one this year. Android is currently the market’s leading operating system, so any huge update to it is massive news. Taking this into consideration, we can see why the Nexus 6 demand is so high, because the Nexus line is always the first one to get any Android updates. So far, the Nexus 6 was released in some very select locations like Google’s Play Store, but stocks ran out within minutes, leaving customers empty-handed. Obviously, this was a disappointment, so everyone is trying to find out when the device will be released in other places too.

Nexus 6 release date to be Nov 12 for US carriers

US carriers are now announcing that the smartphone will soon be made available in their retail stores, and here we’re talking about Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Starting on November 12th, Google’s Nexus 6 should be available at these select carriers, and we’re hoping that the stocks will hold up. We’re also reminded that Black Friday is approaching, which is the ideal time of year to get a new gadget, especially if you’re on a budget. The only downside to Black Friday is that you have to be really quick, because stocks tend to run out in mere hours, even with huge inventories (tech companies generally tend to stock every retailer very well during Black Friday).

Verizon and U.S. Cellular have yet to confirm when the Nexus 6 will arrive in their retail stores, but that’ll most likely happen in December.

New Moto X (2014) Release Continues in the US

The new Moto X release hasn’t been as smooth as the company probably expected or wanted, with delays and shortages from Verizon and Motorola.com, but we have good news. Verizon started offering the phone late last month, and its now available this week from one more carrier in the United States.

When Motorola took the stage on September 4th and announced the new Moto X, the Moto G for 2014, and the Moto 360 release date, they only had two carriers to talk about. Confirming both Verizon and AT&T would offer the Moto X. When the phone went up for pre-order earlier this month it was only for AT&T.

However, after months of waiting and complete silence since unveiling the phone earlier this month, Verizon recently confirmed the device will launch on September 26th, and now US Cellular is up next. The new smartphone is available from two major carriers, but this is certainly good news for those who don’t use AT&T or Verizon.

For those looking to get the new Moto X 2014 model that was announced the first week of September, you only have a few options. This year the Moto X is not available from Sprint or T-Mobile, and only AT&T and Verizon are offering it in-stores. However, one more joined the party on Friday October 3rd, and that’s US Cellular.

Just like the others, the new Moto X 2014 is available from US Cellular for $99 with a new 2-year contract, or $499 outright. This is for the standard white or black variants, but US Cellular claims they’ll be offering both the customized leather and wood back options from MotoMaker.com for $149 on-contract. Meaning we can expect MotoMaker support in the near future, but not yet.

By now users probably don’t need any more details about the Moto X, as it has been available for roughly a month, even if most shipments were delayed until the end of September.

As a reminder, the Moto X for 2014 comes with a completely redesigned experience. The Moto X offers a large 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080p full HD display, a powerful quad-core processor with 2GB of RAM, 16 or 32GB of storage (no micro SD card) and an improved 13 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and a new “ringflash” for improved low-light photos.

The screen is 22% bigger than the original while the overall size is barely bigger..

Then of course we have customization. As mentioned above the device is currently only available from US Cellular, but coming later this month you’ll be able to get all the custom options as well. Those being over 18 different custom colors for the back, four genuine leather colors, and four hand-made woods. Motorola also offers accent colors, custom wallpapers, engravings, and more.

The new Moto X 2014 has the latest Android 4.4.4 KitKat, a large 2,600 mAh battery, and should receive quick and timely updates once the Android L release arrives later this fall. The original was the first to Android 4.4 KitKat, and the new Moto X will look to follow that trend.

AT&T Promoting Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0 and LG G Pad 7.0 LTE [DEAL]

The holiday season is a great time for smartphone sales for manufacturers and carriers. The largest U.S. carrier, AT&T, is gearing up to slug it out with competing carriers during the holiday season and has already come out with some great offers and deals on the hottest new smartphones and tablets.

The new promotions will be available from October 3rd on all smartphones. These include Android, iOS, Windows, and Blackberry handsets. For only $0.99, you can get an LG G Pad 7.0 LTE tablet when you buy a new smartphone from AT&T for $0 down with the AT&T Next plan. The tablet comes with a 7-inch 1280 x 800 resolution IPS display, a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 chipset, 1GB RAM, 16GB ROM with a microSD card slot, a 5MP rear camera, a 4000mAh battery, and runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat. Customers also have the option to add the G Pad to any existing Mobile Share Value plan for only $10 a month. The G Pad must be purchased on a two-year wireless agreement though, with a qualifying data plan.

AT&T is also offering a deal on Samsung Galaxy Tab 4 8.0. It can be bought for only $99.99 when buying a Galaxy smartphone. Like the G Pad, for the Tab 4 8.0 deal, you will need to purchase a new Galaxy smartphone on AT&T Next or a two-year wireless agreement with a minimum monthly plan with voice and data. This deal is valid until January 8th 2015.

AT&T is also running a promotion on new iPhones. When you buy a new iPhone for $0 down on the Next plan, you’ll get $200 off a new iPad purchase with a two-year wireless agreement. You will need to get a wireless plan for both devices though. A $40 activation or upgrade fee will also be required on the new iPad. Another $40 will be required for the two-year agreement as well.

Samsung Galaxy Note 4 U.S. Price/Release Dates: Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, Best Buy

Last month, we saw Samsung announce both the Galaxy Note 4 and the Galaxy Note Edge. There have been some rumors about when the Note 4 will be on sale, but now things are official. Let’s talk about when you’ll be able to pick up your Galaxy Note 4 in the United States and how much it will cost you.

Up until now, all we knew about the Galaxy Note 4 was that it had been released in South Korea and that Samsung was planning on launching it in 140 countries by the end of October. Today, we’ve learned that the Note 4 will be available through Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile on October 17th. This actually matches up with the rumors that we would see the device released in the middle of the month.

Pre-orders

Verizon and AT&T were the first two carriers to start accepting pre-orders for the Galaxy Note 4. Shortly after them, we saw T-Mobile publish their pre-order page, and then two days later we saw Sprint do the same. I’m not able to find a pre-order page for US Cellular, but they’ve confirmed they will have the device on October 17th. It’s possible that we will see them publish their own pre-order page in the next few days.

Best Buy

If you would rather pre-order your Galaxy Note 4 from Best Buy, then you can do so right now. Best Buy is advertising the device for AT&T, Verizon and Sprint, but it seems they won’t be selling the T-Mobile variant. Prices seem to be the same for AT&T and Verizon ($299 with a contract), but Best Buy is listing the Sprint variant for $349 with a contract. Best Buy also has a trade-in special going on where they will give you a $200 Best Buy gift card for trading-in your current smartphone.

Shocking Galaxy Note 4 Release (U.S.) Details Emerge

New Samsung Galaxy Note 4 release details arrived today for buyers in the United States and unfortunately, they’re not pretty.

In the weeks since the Samsung Galaxy Note 4 announcement on September 3rd, we’ve seen a ton of new Galaxy Note 4 release date details emerge for buyers all over the world. The past two weeks in particular have been exciting as we’ve seen release dates confirmed, Galaxy Note pre-orders start, and Galaxy Note 4 price details emerge. We’ve also seen the first Galaxy Note 4 release date emerge.

Today, Samsung released the Galaxy Note 4 in Korea, the first stop on what the device’s long journey to more than 100 different countries around the world. The Galaxy Note 4 release, according to Samsung, will hit 140 countries by the end of October. One of those initial Galaxy Note 4 release countries is the United States, a key battleground for Samsung in its fight against Apple and the iPhone 6.

Last week, AT&T and Verizon started taking pre-orders ahead of the Galaxy Note 4 release date on October 17th. That date applies to AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, U.S. Cellular, and Verizon. T-Mobile didn’t start taking pre-orders until Wednesday and today, for the first time, Sprint has begun taking pre-orders ahead of its own Galaxy Note 4 release date.

Sprint is offering up the Galaxy Note 4 in two different flavors. Buyers can purchase the Galaxy Note 4 at $0 down with the carrier’s easy pay program. This will allow buyers to pay off the price of the phone slowly with the charges working out to $30.00 for 23 payments and $30.00 for the 24th payment. Sprint’s also offering a subsidized Galaxy Note 4 price to consumers though its price is shocking given the Galaxy Note 4′s price at other, top U.S. carriers.

The Sprint Galaxy Note 4 will cost $350 on-contract. That’s $50 more than the $300 Galaxy Note 4 that’s found on both AT&T and Verizon. U.S. Cellular hasn’t announced pre-orders or a Galaxy Note 4 price though it typically charges $299.99 for the privilege of owning a Galaxy Note. From what we can tell, Sprint’s price doesn’t offer a rebate of any kind which means buyers will need to pony up $50 more for the device on a network that could get passed up by T-Mobile next year.

Of course, this isn’t anything new. Last year, Sprint charged $350 for the Galaxy Note 3, or, $50 more than its rivals. It was a decision that immediately drew the wrath of prospective Galaxy Note buyers though it appears that the complaints fell on deaf ears. Sprint never revealed why it charged $50 more for the Galaxy Note 3 and it probably won’t reveal its plans here.

With an iPhone 6 Plus starting at $299.99 and an iPhone 6 starting at $199.99, Sprint’s $350 Galaxy Note 4 certainly has its work cut out for it, impressive specs and all.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 4 is an impressive smartphone and it comes loaded with high-powered specs including its 5.7-inch Quad HD display, its brand new 16MP camera with Optical Image Stabilization, its new S Pen, its Android 4.4.4 KitKat software that’s backed by TouchWiz, its new design that comes with both plastic and metal materials, and a whole lot more. It’s a true iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus competitor and one of the more intriguing smartphones of the year.

However, it’s also one of the most expensive smartphones on the market, something that could push consumers to cheaper Android phones like the LG G3, a flagship that is loaded with top notch features but is priced much lower.

Samsung’s Galaxy Note 4 is expected to replace the current Galaxy Note 3 and it will be joined later in the year by a brand new Samsung Galaxy Edge, a high-end flagship that could cost even more than the Galaxy Note 4 on Sprint and on other U.S. carriers.

Moto X 2014: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular [US Availability]

Moto X 2014: AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular [US Availability]

Have you been waiting for more detailed information on Moto X’s availability through your carrier? Well your wait is over as two of the biggest U.S. carriers have officially confirmed its availability. AT&T and Verizon have also put up official Moto X 2014 pages on their websites.

Motorola Moto X on AT&T

T&T mentioned it will be offering the Moto X along with the Moto Hint shortly, with further availability and pricing information to be announced later. AT&T was the first carrier to partner with Motorola to bring the Moto Maker customization options with the first-generation Motorola X, and will continue to offer the service for the second-generation Moto X as well. The Moto Hint accessory offered by the carrier is a wireless ear bud with in-ear sensory and voice command technology. It can also be used as a voice-operated remote control for your Moto X.

Verizon Moto X

Verizon has set up a new signup page for interested customers where you can enter your email address and receive more information about the exact launch date and pricing as and when the information becomes available. Verizon Wireless will also be offering the Moto Maker customization option that now lets you choose between hundreds of color, wood and leather finishes for your new Moto X.

US Cellular

A smaller carrier, U.S. Cellular, has also confirmed it will be selling the Moto X starting this month. We expect the other two major carriers – T-Mobile and Sprint – to offer the device as well, and an official statement regarding this could be released later this week. The Moto X will also be available as unlocked in all major markets by the end of this month.

The new Moto X comes with a 5.2-inch 1080p AMOLED display, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 chipset, 2GB RAM, 16GB ROM, a 13MP rear camera, and a 2300mAh battery.

Moto X+1 Release Date in the US: What to Expect

Moto X+1 Release Date in the US: What to Expect

The Moto X+1 launch date is confirmed for September 4th. And with just a few days left before the new Smartphone is officially announced, we want to make a few predictions and share multiple reports and rumors surrounding the Moto X+1 release date. To be more precise, the Moto X+1 release in the United States.

Way back in February all the rumors started when Motorola tweeted that a new Moto X successor would arrive later this summer, and since then buyers and fans have been waiting patiently to see what they have in store. While the phone didn’t leak nearly as much as the original Moto X in 2013, we’ve received enough details to have a good idea of what to expect regarding the release date, and the device in general.

The past two weeks have been very telling for the manufacturer, as they’ve confirmed the September 4th launch date, and multiple rumors have shed light on specs, features, and potentially when the device will launch for the United States. Prospective buyers and Motorola fans will want to know all the details, and below we’ll rundown everything we know so far.

Earlier this month Motorola sent out a rather telling invite for a September 4th event in Chicago. The teaser image showed a new Moto X, a Moto G successor (rumored as the Moto G2) the Moto 360 smartwatch, and an accessory of some type. Basically confirming two new smartphones and some accessories will all be revealed.

At that point we knew a few new devices were coming soon, but only a few light rumors suggested a Moto G2 was coming as well. We now know they’ll have a few devices on display, and it’s only a matter of a few days before we know all the details.

Moto X+1 Launch Date

The image above is the teaser sent over by Motorola, confirming four devices will be announced on September 4th. We’re not sure what the earpiece will be, but it may offer some automatic location-aware pairing to unlock the new Moto X+1, or even add to the hands-free voice controls that made the original Moto X so popular last year.

You can clearly see the other three devices in which we outlined above in the teaser. All but confirming they’ll be announcing all three come early next month. With the launch date set, now all we need is the final details, and the official release date.

That aside, below is everything we think we now regarding the Moto X+1 (or Moto X2) release date in the United States.

Moto X+1 Release Date in the U.S.

All the rumors we’ve heard thus far are pointing to a rather fast release for the new Moto X+1. In fact, last year it was announced in August and released the same month just a few weeks later, and we’re hearing the same strategy will hold true in 2014.

Reports earlier this month “confirmed from Motorola sources” a global rollout for the new Moto X+1 and Moto G2 will begin on September 10th. That would be much faster than years prior, but we’ve seen similar launch times from HTC and Apple. AT&T had a short exclusive last year, before it arrived on the rest, and the same could hold true again this year. Another report suggest the Verizon Moto X+1 won’t arrive until September 25th. This could mean AT&T will be up first again, followed by the rest, but we’ll have to wait and see.

The image above is our first actual press photo of the new Moto X+1, thanks to@evleaks. It confirms the designs we’ve seen from other leaks, as well as at least one carrier for the US. Note that while the rumor above said September 25th for Verizon, this press image shows September 17th. One week later than the 10th date floating around.

Last year the Moto X launched in the US first, and eventually other regions around the globe, but many are expecting a global launch of the new Moto X+1 in the US, UK, and more all inside of September.

U.S. Carriers

The original Moto X is still available today from an array of carriers in the United States, and that includes small regional operators as well. At this point we’ve yet to hear from any carriers, as the device isn’t official. That being said, the image above clearly confirms Verizon, and earlier today the Moto X+1 cleared the FCC for AT&T.

Buyers can expect the new Moto X+1 to launch on AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, Verizon, US Cellular, and most likely many other small region carriers. MetroPCS, Cricket, and others all eventually offered the phone. However, only the main carriers will get the customization features from MotoMaker.com.

Specs

So what will make the Moto X+1 impressive and worth buying over the Galaxy S5, LG G3, or any other smartphones available in 2014? For one, customization. And for two, it has some pretty good specs too. At least if all the leaks we’ve seen are accurate.

Along with custom colors, engravings, accent colors, wood backs, and even leather in 2014, the phone will have pretty impressive specs to make it a quality device that should last for years to come. Here’s what we’ve heard thus far.

Moto X+1 Specs

• 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080p Full HD Display
• 2.5 GHz Snapdragon 800 quad-core with 2GB of RAM
• 16/32GB storage with micro-SD expansion included
• Android 4.4.4 KitKat
• 12 Megapixel rear and 2.1 front cameras
• Dual front-facing speakers (aimed at the HTC One M8)
• 2,900 mAh battery
• Tons of customization options

Note the processor isn’t the latest 801 or rumored 805 like the Galaxy Note 4 will employ, but the Moto X+1 should still house a powerful quad-core processor, nearly stock Android, 2GB of RAM, and have an improved camera. The other major problem last year was battery life. In 2014 the Moto X+1 will have a 2,900 mAh battery (rumored) which is bigger than both the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8 offerings, respectively.

Last but not least (pictured above) the Motorola logo on back will be a button. We’re not sure what it’s for yet, but we could see additional functions, shortcuts to launch the camera, or even a camera shutter button for selfies. The possibilities are endless.

Price

Another major factor when it comes to buying a Smartphone is the price. The Moto X was priced nearly as high as the competition, yet wasn’t as powerful of a Smartphone. Motorola eventually realized this after poor sales and lowered it to $399, which made it a pretty great price/performance purchase, especially considering all the free customization.

Currently the Moto X is $399 off-contract, and less if you sign a 2-year agreement with carriers. There has been no solid leaks revealing a price point for the Moto X+1, but a few small reports suggest it may replace the current X at the same $399 price point. If Motorola can do that while delivering a bigger, better, faster device with front facing speakers and all the options mentioned above, it should sell quite well.