Microsoft Band 2

Interestingly, though, it’s slapped with a slightly higher introductory price of $249.99, up from its predecessor’s initial cost of $199.99. That’s a hefty offering considering what it’s competing against in the space, but let’s put it through the paces to see if it can win over that precious real estate on your wrist. 

n the process of giving it a more uniform body, they’ve also improved its fit and comfort around our wrist. This time around, it contours our wrist better because the new display here is now curved, offering a better ergonomic shape for it to rest on our wrist. However, if you happen to have that boney hump protruding from your wrist, the Band 2 can sometimes cause a little bit of discomfort because there’s very little leeway for it to naturally expand. Despite that, it’s still nice knowing that they’ve trimmed off a lot of the fat off this one.

Wanna know what’s most improved about the Band 2? Well, it’s none other than its design, which thankfully doesn’t look as hulky or gargantuan as last year’s model. That’s certainly a relief! Although it’s sporting the same design language as before, an adjustable rubbery band worn on the wrist, it’s comforting to see Microsoft streamlining it considerably – whereby its thickest point is now situated on the clasp. The material employed here is technically thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanite (TPSV), which has that rubbery texture feel to it.

Even with the sleeker design, the Band 2 houses all the components and sensors found with its predecessor – so that includes a 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, capacitive sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, and a microphone. Two new additions to note, however, include the new barometer that can measure changes in altitude, which is useful if you’re into step climbing, and the UV sensor embedded into the clasp that can measure the amount of ambient UV light. Of course, that’s useful for those who have stronger sensitivity to light.

Much like most other fitness trackers, the Band 2 has some degree of water resistance. As Microsoft puts it, the IP67 certified construction of the Band 2 technically ensures that it’s dust resistant and offers protection against temporary immersion in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes. In reality, however, Microsoft refrains users wearing the Band while swimming or in the shower. That’s unfortunate because we were hoping to see its water-resistance improved, but instead, we still need to be mindful of what occasions to not wear it.


And finally, when it comes to charging the Band 2, Microsoft improves the process by embedding the charging pins into the end of the clasp – where the accompanying magnetic USB charger quickly establishes the connection.

Android Security, Slow Updates Make Users Shift to iOS; Beats Pill+ App Gets Poor Reviews

Android users struggle with slow updates, poor security and carrier interference; hence, irate users lookout for a better alternative, which most of the time is the iPhone.

As smartphone markets in the West get to be immersed, the most common question that is becoming more imperative is "where do you discover new users for your mobile platform?"

Many Android users struggle with slow updates and this has driven Apple to do everything it can to make their iOS platform more appealing and user friendly for these users. Apple's aim is that when users would want to buy a new phone, Apple swoops in and takes the user away from the Android ecosystem into their own.

While Brazil, Russia, India, and China offer new users the potential for accelerating adoption numbers, there is still an immense amount of value to be found in well established territories. Users are becoming more affluent, offering more third-party revenue and better opportunities for accessories through App Stores. Aside from these, there is also an increased ancillary revenue through support and sale costs. This can only happen if you lure them to consider your platform.

iPhone, as a valid alternative, is making moves to make it more visible to Android users. The move to the iOS application allows users to transfer their address book, personal data, and even the camera roll of images. Currently, Google Play reports that there are five million users who have downloaded Apple's Android Beats Pill+ app, 9to5 Mac reported.

Apple Music, on the other hand, is going to open up the ears of Android users and have them consider Apple with its feasible use of an iCloud account for backup and synchronization. With the hope to release Apple Music before the end of the year to Google's platform, Apple continues to give Android users that subtle message.

"One day after launching the app for both iOS and Android, 40 Google Play users have posted given it five stars, while an overwhelming 60 have posted one star reviews, dripping with anger and claiming that the software gave them cancer, AIDS or causes retardation," Apple Insider reported.

THE WEEK IN APPLE NEWS: APPLE TV NOW AVAILABLE, APPLE Q4 2015 RESULTS

The new Apple TV made its debut on Friday. You can go to the Apple Store to buy one, or you can go to Best Buy. Be sure to follow our advice on the six things you need to do first with your new Apple TV. While you’re waiting for your Apple TV to set up, you can catch up on all the important Apple-related headlines here in this sideshow. Just click the link to get more information on a story.

The new Microsoft Band With More comfort, more tech & more data

• Barometer
• Optical heart rate sensor
• 3-axis accelerometer
• Gyrometer
• GPS
• Ambient light sensor
• Skin temperature sensor
• UV sensor
• Capacitive sensor
• Galvanic skin response
• Microphone                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  The new Microsoft Band is not designed as a smartwatch, but as a health tracking device. While it can serve both functions, I am pleased to see Microsoft focusing on the health aspects with the vast array of sensors present in the device.You can use the microphone to speak to Cortana, but only with a Windows Phone device. While Cortana is also present on Android, it is not supported through the Microsoft Band.

There are 11 sensors in the Microsoft Band 2. While this is very impressive and blows away the competition, 10 of these were in the first Microsoft Band as well. A barometer has been added to the new Band. The barometer adds the ability to measure elevation, which is a huge deal for me as that motivates me to take the stairs more often and over a long period of time can contribute to a healthier lifestyle

Specifications for the Microsoft Band 2 include:

• Band material: Thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanite (TPSV)
• Display type and size: 32 x 12.8 mm AMOLED at 320x128 pixels
• Battery life: 48 hours, GPS use will lessen
• Charge time: Full in less than 1.5 hours
• Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 LE
• Supported phones: iPhone, Windows Phone, Android

The new Microsoft Band offers even more than the first generation model with a more attractive, refined design that is also intended to provide a more comfortable fit. It is available for pre-order now from the Microsoft Store for $249.99 with a 30 October estimated ship date.

NOW You can get an iPhone 6s with Putin’s gold head .

Last year Caviar, a luxury Russian jewelry company, announced a ‘special edition’ of the iPhone 5s with Vladimir Putin’s face on the back.

Today, it’s updated the Putinphone to the iPhone 6s, with an all new homage to Russian leader on the back.

Luckily, Caviar isn’t offering the 16 GB model of the iPhone 6s, even though Apple still does.

If you’ve been pining after a phone with Putin’s gaze etched into the back, this is the device for you. Or, just point and laugh at the fact that there’s probably 63 people out there who will buy this thing.

For just $3193 USD, you’ll get a specially designed “anniversary” iPhone 6s, with Putin’s face encrusted in gold on the back, along with a titanium texture that reflects an apparently “strong, invincible” leader.

That price also gets you a lovely velvet wooden case, for storing your purchase and a free charger for your car. Bargain!

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL With Removable Battery

The leaked image posted on Twitter by @stagueve, a tipster, on Monday suggests the Lumia 950 XLwould sport a removable 3340mAh battery. The SIM card/ microSD card slot is placed just above the battery. It appears as if the battery would have to be removed in order to insert a SIM card or a microSD card. It the leaked image is any indication, the removable battery would be a change from the recently launched Microsoft handsets with sealed back panels.

According to a recent leak, both the Microsoft Lumia 950 XL and the Lumia 950 would feature triple-LED flash modules at the rear and will come with optional dual-SIM variants. Microsoft can be expected to only launch the dual-SIM models of the upcoming Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL in India. The live images also suggest that both the Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL will feature a rubber-like back panel. Also tipped is that the Lumia 950 will pack front-facing flash as well. Separately, a purported press render of the Lumia 550 has also been leaked on the Web

Microsoft Lumia 950 XL has once again made it into the news as it shows up in a live shot just ahead of its launch. The image shows the upcoming smartphone's battery and camera module in a unit without a back shell.

As for the leaked specifications, which have been reiterated by multiple sources over the past few months, the Lumia 950 sports a 5.2-inch QHD display and is powered by Snapdragon 808 processor coupled with 3GB of RAM and a 3000mAh battery. The Lumia 950 XL, on the other hand, is said to equip a 5.7-inch QHD display, and is powered by a Snapdragon 810 chipset coupled with 3GB of RAM. Both the handsets are reportedly going to have a 21-megapixel rear camera and a 5-megapixel selfie sensor.

Besides the three smartphones, the company is widely expected to reveal the Surface Pro 4 tablet, the successor to the Surface Pro 3 at the Tuesday event.

LG G4, LG G3 Update Appear Set to Receive Android 6.0 Marshmallow

The company has updated the support documents (first report by GforGames) on its Korean website to list information about Android 6.0 Marshmallow, suggesting an imminent release of the new Android software update.

HTC also recently listed the smartphones it would roll out the forthcoming update to. The list included HTC Desire 816, HTC Desire 820, HTC One M8, HTC One E8, and HTC One M9 among others.

Unlike Nexus and Android One handsets that receive software updates directly from Google, other smartphones have to wait for their respective Android smartphone manufacturers and carriers to approve the update and mould it to add some customised features. Usually smartphone manufacturers take months to release the latest version of Android to their handsets, but things have improved over the last two years.

LG's flagship smartphones could be among the first handsets outside Google's Nexus and Android Onedevices to receive the Android 6.0 Marshmallow software update, the latest iteration of company's Google's mobile operating system.