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Android Authority this week


Hello Android fans, this week brought us a couple of new devices and a whole lot of leaks and teases about what’s coming at IFA! Sprint brought the amazing no-bezel Aquos Crystal to the US, HTC launched the Butterfly 2, the Moto 360 and Moto X+1 leaked in all their glory, more details surfaced about the Note 4 and the Xperia Z3, and Asus teased its smartwatch coming at IFA.
It’s been a quiet week at AA HQ, but, as always, work is going on behind the scenes.
Video
Check out Jayce’s popular weekly Android news roundup!
Join the Friday Debate
In our weekly Friday Debate feature, we pick an interesting topic from the world of mobile technology and ask our team members and readers to sound off. It’s not always a debate in the true sense of the word, because not all topics we discuss are suitable for a real debate. Plus, we find ourselves in agreement on many topics… But we think it’s nice to show you what the people that make the site work think about the issues of the moment. And we want you to participate – the more perspectives the better! Look for the Debate every Friday, and check out the archive page for a look back.
Growing pains
Our forums have more than 8,000 users now, and the vast majority of them are technology loving folks like you and me. However, like any place where people gather online, our little community has become the target of unsavory folks, who used a weakness in our defenses to flood the board with spam. We apologize for that. We’re doing our best to remove all spam threads manually, and Derek is working on finding a permanent solution to keep the bad guys out. On the flip side, I guess we’re big enough to become a target now, and we’re only going to get bigger.
Coming up next
If you followed Android Authority this past week, you probably noticed an uptick in news and rumors about the Note 4, Xperia Z3, Moto X+1, new wearables, and other awesome things coming the first week of September. It’s only going to get more interesting next week, so stay tuned. We also have a few non-IFA features in the oven, including a comprehensive mobile SoC guide by our resident chip head Robert Triggs.
In the video and review department, expect the full review of the Nvidia Shield Tablet and Josh’s first Xiaomi Mi 4 impressions. We promised a Back to School guide, and we delivered. Check it out here, and stay tuned for a best college apps roundup.
Every Sunday is Giveaway Sunday, so keep an eye out for the sweepstakes post. A Shield Tablet and Controller await their new owner, and another cool device is going up for grabs for next week.
The stuff you shouldn’t miss
Here’s some of our interesting content this week, perfect for some weekend reading:
- Roundup: Andrew Grush collected in one place all the credible leaks and rumors about Motorola’s new devices
- Feature: We talked to WattUp, a company working to realize the promise of wireless charging at a distance
- Vox populi: In our latest Friday Debate, over a hundred opinions on how to make Android even better
- Back to School: Going back to school? You may want to check out our gear recommendations
- Opinion: Read Simon Hill’s thoughtful piece on the dynamics of price vs. brand in a mature smartphone market
Top news of the week
And here are the top news in the Android world this week:
Aquos Crystal: bezels be gone
- The Aquos Crystal is the closest we can get to a bezel-less phone (for now)
- Sprint’s Aquos Crystal: aggressive bezels at an aggressive price
Moto 360 and X+1 last minute leaks
- Here’s the best Moto X+1 leak we have seen so far
- Brazilian website uncovers Moto X+1 black, bamboo and leather versions
- Moto 360 accidentally leaked at Best Buy, to cost $250
Xperia Z3 specs confirmed
Note 4 leaks and teases
- Note 4 camera details leak: OIS, possible Side Touch sensor, new shooting modes
- Note 4 Ultrasonic cover will guide the visually impaired (but it’s not something new)
- Samsung teases the handwriting capabilities of the next Note
Butterfly 2
Time has been transformed
Sound off
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Happy Sunday!