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Sony wanted to show off how thin and light the new Xperia Z4 Android tablet is compared to the previous generation. They decided it would be fun to send their new tablet floating through the air with some helium filled balloons. They reiterate that their device is 6.1 millimeters thin, which is .3 millimeters thinner than the 6.4 millimeters of the previous generation. They also tout the tablets new svelte weight of only 389 grams, which is 50 grams lighter than the Z2 Tablet.

I'm not sure they thought this whole thing through all the way, because they could have also been inadvertently showing off how well this device handles being smashed to the ground from higher than anyone would likely drop it. Luckily everything turned out okay.

It looks like HTC is taking queues and learning from the example of Samsung's teaser videos. HTC just launched two of their own for their new HTC One M9 flagship. The first one above shows off the gorgeous design characteristics of the phone as it floats ominously through space.

The second video (in the thread below) tugs at the heart-strings by showing us our connections. It's narrated by Robert Downey Jr., which shows they still had him under contract despite those awful videos they produced previously. This second one is actually quite brilliant! Enjoy!

Ever the masters of self-promotion, Samsung is back with a new video teaser. This one purports to show off some of the best camera features for the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge. The main features shared in the demo highlight the following:

• Faster speed of the camera
• Full "Pro" manual mode
• Improved quality low-light lens
• Tracking autofocus
• Simpler UI
• Outstanding OIS

Based upon initial feedback garnered from the press during Mobile World Congress, these aren't wild boasts from Samsung, and it appears that the South Korean tech master has really taken the smartphone camera to a whole new level.

How important to you is a quality camera experience on your smartphone?

Even though the rumored HTC One M9 Plus never materialized at HTC's Mobile World Congress event this year, that doesn't mean it doesn't exist after all. According to the latest intel, HTC is still developing the device and will be launching it later this year. We even have some leaked pics to share! You can see those in the thread below, but first here's a quote with more of the details,

What do you guys think? Are there any HTC fans out there who would like to see a bigger device?

According to the latest intel from the Wall Street Journal, Google's initial rollout of their MVNO wireless carrier service might come with a drawback for a great deal of users. Supposedly, the first and ONLY device (at least initially) that will work on Google's carrier service will be the Nexus 6. Here's a quote from the WSJ with the details,

Hmmm... this seems like a pretty big limitation to start a carrier service. Of course, if you are already an owner of a Nexus 6, or you are a fan of the larger "phablet-style" smartphones, then this may not be a concern for you. It sounds like the technology will need to evolve to make future smartphones compatible with the service. What do you guys think?

If you are rooted with custom recovery on the Verizon HTC One M8 the very easiest way to update to the latest OTA update is to flash a custom rom. Developer "Roland_K" has released his build of the 5.0.1 OTA update. This is in flashable Rom form which will make the update process super easy. Features of the rom include Rooted, zipaligned, init.d, busybox, hidden FOTA apps, FOTA UI disabled, WP removed, Blocked OTA's, Bucky's kernel, Sweep2Sleep, 100% stock look, tether unlocked, cloud print removed, extra languages removed, battery tweaks, low signal tweaks, speed tweaks, smooth scrolling tweaks, Verizon Voice Mail Hidden by default, settings hidden by default, removed htc hints popups, removed persistent wifi notification, fully debloated the entire system, and too many features to list. You will need to be sure to update to the Lollipop firmware and radios prior to flashing the rom. Head to the link below to grab this rom now!

via XDA

If you are looking for a different look for your device and you are currently running CyanogenMod 12 you should probably check out the PS theme by theme developer "XDAgee". This theme is inspired by the PhotoShop logo and has material design infused. This will give your device a blue and white color scheme. Themed elements include audiofx, browser, calculator, contacts, deskclock, dialer, documentsui, framework-res, filemanager, gallery3D, keyboard, media, mms, settings, soundrecorder, systemui, themechooser, trebuchet, lockclock, and updater.

Other themed elements include Gapps such as messenger, plus, translate, search, keyboard, keep, music, talk, and youtube. You also get an alarm tone, notification tone, ring tone, customized fonts (myriad pro), custom wallpaper, and custom lockscreen. This theme is free at the link below.

via XDA

Here is the thing about Nokia they are still an awesome phone manufacturer, however they really missed the boat on Android focusing instead on their own operating system, and then Windows phone. They are only now starting to put together some Android handsets. They are so far removed from the mind of consumers thanks to the popularity of Android and IOS. Their phones are tanks and have to be some of the most well built durable devices. Just a few years prior to Android they were actually the KING of OEMs. They outsold pretty much every other phone manufacturer even after Android and IOS mainly because they were the largest producer of cheap handsets. They rode that for a while, and now they have lost that market thanks to other OEMs producing super cheap Android devices.

Cyanogen Mod CEO "Kirt McMaster" seems to think top tier OEMs like Samsung will be tomorrow's next Nokia. He states in a Business Insider interview that Samsung's path is similar to Nokias, and that they will be slaughtered in the next five years. Most of his arguments stem on the fact that Samsung has been beat out by smaller companies like Micromax in emerging...

There isn't much more annoying than when you are intently watching a video and you get an email or text notification. You really want to continue watching the video, but it is super hard to ignore a text notification or dismiss a call from a loved one or good friend. Normally you would have to just ditch the video, go check the notification, then go reload the video. Not any more. The new Xposed Mod by developer "drashko" lets you watch your videos in a "Pop Up Video". No this is not the old VHS show that adds pop up information to your favorite music videos. This is essentially a new app that allows you to multitask while watching video. If a notification comes in you no longer need to ditch your video to check them. Just do both at the same time. You need to be rooted with the Xposed Framework installed to use this mod.

Via XDA

Today the Lollipop 5.0.1 OTA update was released by Verizon! A few of you have verified today that you did indeed receive the update. If you are S-Off with custom recovery and root it may be a bit difficult for you to take the OTA update. You basically will need to return to total stock prior to accepting the OTA update. A much easier way would be to just flash a prerooted RUU. "Dottat" has already built and released his prerooted RUU of 5.0.1. Just grab the exe launch it and run through the prompts. There is even an option to install a new custom recovery during the process. Alternatively you can grab the zip, place it on your external sdcard, reboot into bootloader mode, follow the prompts once the ruu is discovered. Grab the files necessary below.

via XDA