Huawei announces the gorgeous P8 and giant P8max

As we’ve remarked in the past, Huawei is “so hot right now.” They’re actually the fourth biggest smartphone manufacturer in the world right now. Today they’ve announced their latest devices, the Huawei P8 and Huawei P8max. These two devices are follow-ups to last year’s Huawei Ascend P7.

Both devices are gorgeous. They’re built from premium metal unibody construction. The P8 comes in at just 6.4mm thick. It has a 5.2-inch 1080p display and a 13MP camera that Huawei went on and on about. They claim the four-color RGBW sensor will offer higher brightness and reduce color noise in low light. The camera also has an independent image signal processor for reduced noise reduction in low light. It also has optical image stabilization.

Other specs for the P8 include 2GHz octacore processor, 8MP front camera, 2680 mAh battery, Android 5.0, and 3GB of RAM.

The P8max is the much bigger version of the P8. It has a gigantic 6.8-inch display, but still 1080p resolution. They also packed in a beefier 4360 mAh battery with the extra size and thickness. It has the same 13MP camera and processor.

The P8 will be available for 9-635 in more than 30 countries (not including the US). The P8max will be available for 1 in the same countries.

[via Huawei]

There’s a giant Android robot urinating on an Apple logo in Google Maps RIGHT NOW

Quick, before Google notices: go to this Google Maps destination (make sure you’re in Map view, not Satellite view) and tell me what you see. No, it’s not the oddest-shaped golf course you’ve ever seen — it’s a picture of an Android robot urinating on an Apple logo. You know, the one we’ve seen depicted time and time again since Android’s existence.

We’re not sure who. We’re not sure why. We’re not sure how. And we’re not sure when Google will finally notice this and take it down. But it’s something you owe it to yourself to see even if you have nothing against Apple and don’t care for the everlasting feud between the two sides.

PS: Can’t click links? You can also type the coordinates in manually. Simply enter 33°30’52.5″N 73°03’33.2″E into the search box.

[Update]: Well, we can probably explain the “how” by now. It appears this may be the work of someone using Google Map Maker, a custom map-enhancing tool that allows users to submit changes, updates and enhacnements to maps of their local area for use on the public version of Google Maps.

It’s likely that someone submitted these custom maps, and a moderator simply approved them without checking to see what, exactly, the map changes consist of. Here’s a passive plea by someone who used to same method to bring about a better review policy for custom maps:

So there you have it. Might want to get that taken care of, Google. [via]

[via Engadget]

‘Flic’ turns your world into a giant touchscreen with programmable wireless buttons

Mobile devices have made it possible to do almost anything with just a few swipes and taps. The world is completely accessible through our glass touchscreens, but what if the world itself became a sort of touchscreen? What if you could get in your car and press the “GPS” button to open Google Maps on your phone? What if you could snooze your alarm by simply pressing a button on your nightstand? Enter “Flic.”

Flic is a wireless “smart button” that can connect to your phone to perform a wide variety of tasks. It’s like taking some of the digital UI elements from your phone and transplanting them into the real world. The Flic buttons connect to your phone via Bluetooth, and with a companion app can be programmed to do a great many things.

Like what?

• Control lights


• Take a picture


• Snooze button


• Find your phone


• Play music


• Send a distress signal


• Start a timer


• Navigate


• Open your door


• Order food


• Share your location


• Send a message


• …and much more

You can also control Phillips Hue lights, Nest thermostat, August smartlock, and other home automation devices with Flic. It also integrates with apps such as IFTTT, Foursquare, Twitter, Facebook, Yo, and Tasker. Flic is currently in the process of being funded on IndieGoGo. If this sounds like something you’re interested in be sure to check it out.