Download: Android 5.1 factory image for the Nexus Player

We talk a lot about Android 5.1 for phones and tablets, but what about Google’s first Android TV product? Looks like the Nexus Player is finally set to get it as the company has posted the factory image over at their website.

We aren’t sure if there are any big changes specific to TV, but we’ll certainly be looking to load this up onto our unit and check. In the meantime you can grab the factory image and flash the file through fastboot if you aren’t interested in waiting for a network OTA process.

You’ll be on version LMY47D and it figures to cost you little more than 442MB of bandwidth. Grab it from Google’s site right here to load it up and give it a go.

Watch the Galaxy S6’s image stabilization take the iPhone out to the shed [VIDEO]

If you think optical image stabilization (OIS) is a gimmick that exists merely to allow manufacturers to hype up their latest smartphone camera, you need to watch this video. A simple demo put together by Samsung demonstrates exactly what OIS does and why it is actually quite useful in helping you take the best photos possible.

We slid in an iPhone 6 for comparison. It lacks OIS altogether (you need to pony up for the iPhone 6 Plus to get that feature). We’ll let the results speak for themselves.

For more on how the cameras of the Galaxy S6 and iPhone 6 stack up, see our full comparison post.

3rd gen Moto X could have a 16 megapixel camera with optical image stabilization and 4K video

Motorola will almost certainly introduce a new Moto X this year, though it may be a bit on the early side to start thinking about what, exactly, they’ll look to do. Some early information could have given us a hint as to Motorola’s plans for its camera, though.

According to information received by STJS, the 3rd generation Moto X will be equipped with a 16 megapixel camera, and that we’ll see the return of Motorola’s ClearPixel technology which uses an RGBC pixel filter to make for a sensor that performs better in low light. The camera will also supposedly come with optical image stabilization, a feature which the 2014 Moto X can’t boast.

Other features include the ability to record at a resolution of 4K (though you’re limited to 30 frames per second) and 120 frames per second (which limits you to 1080p). There’s also the option of recording at 240 frames per second if you can stand to keep your video resolution at a mere 720p. All of that sounds like the makings of a great camera and we’re hoping Motorola can make it more of a standout feature of this year’s flagship instead of the afterthought that it was in years prior.

[via PhoneArena]

HTC One M9 now supports RAW image format thanks to latest camera update

HTC’s camera app has received a nice upgrade over at Google Play. The biggest feature in tow is for users of the HTC One M9 — HTC has enabled the RAW image format for those who prefer capturing images that way.

In case you don’t know, RAW format is the completely raw, untouched result of whichever image you’re capturing. No software or hardware-based encoding or alterations are carried out.

The benefit of shooting RAW is that the image retains 100% of the original color information, so it’s much preferred for making adjustments to color, saturation, tone, contrast and all sorts of other things. While it’s still possible to make these changes to an image encoded in JPEG, the partial loss of original color information might make it difficult to achieve the exact effect you want.

The one downside to RAW is that it typically has to be encoded to a file format suitable for sharing on the web after it has been edited. That extra step is a small price to pay for being given total control over the outcome of your image. There’s also the issue of RAW files being significantly larger in file size than JPEG images of the same resolution.

The lack of RAW format typically isn’t an issue for your everyday camera user, but professional photographers view the ability to capture in RAW as invaluable. It’s there if you need it, but if the original image format worked well enough for you then you’re just as free to continue.

Here’s a quick list of some of the other changes coming along as part of this update:

• Crop-Me-In mode, only available on the HTC One (M8 EYE) running Android 5.0 Lollipop and the HTC Desire EYE


• Adjustable divider in Split Capture mode


• Add and remove camera modes

Be sure to grab it from the Google Play Store right here if all that sounds good to you.

Download: T-Mobile’ Android 5.1.1 update and factory image for Nexus 6, WiFi Calling included

In case you missed, T-Mobile began pushing out Android 5.1.1 to the Nexus 6 this weekend. This flavor of Android — build LYZ28E — was built especially for the Nexus 6 on T-Mobile and features the long awaited WiFi Calling feature baked right in. With WiFi calling, Nexus 6 owners can make calls and send text messages even in places where they have zero bars. You gotta admit, that’s pretty handy especially if you live up in the mountains or other areas where T-Mobile’s towers have trouble reaching.

Because the update is rolling out in stages, some of you may not have gotten the update quite yet. Don’t worry, you’ll get it soon. For those that don’t feel like waiting, here’s the OTA link for manual flashing (if you’re into that sort of thing). For anyone else looking to download the full factory image — which will restore your device to its full factory settings — you can now find that on Google’s Nexus factory images page down below. This is great for those that Have at it.

[via Nexus Factory images]