iFixit’s HTC One M9 teardown shows a phone just as infuriating to repair as last year’s model

iFixit has long been a fabulous resource for definitive smartphone teardowns. You guys may remember that not too long ago, they even launched Android dedicated section on their site where regular users, such as yourself, can snap pics of any repairs you do on your device to share with others.

Now we already got a look at a sort of rough HTC One M9 teardown last week. The video was a tad overexposed and out of focus, but it got the job done. Definitely not as comprehensive as iFixit’s usual step-by-step process. The one thing last week’s video and iFixit agree on: the HTC One M9’s display is hard as balls to fix.

According to iFixit, the One M9 gets a few points for ditching a lot of the sticky tape found on the One M8, but loses even more points for continuing to use “intense” adhesives that make removing components tough and even dangerous in some cases. When it comes to replacing the display — the most common smartphone component in need of repairs — you’ll have to tunnel through the entire phone just to replace it. Not cool.

In the end, iFixit was not at all amused with HTC’s infuriating internal design and even joked that HTC should be an acronym for “Has To Change,” The HTC One M9 received a repairability score of 2 out 10. Suddenly, it makes sense why the HTC offers that amazing Uh Oh protection because, let’s be honest, ain’t no way in hell any normal person is going to be repairing their One M9 should the screen break.

[iFixit]

Last Chance Offers at AndroidArea.com: Organize your keys or win a Galaxy Tab S 8.4

A few last-chance offers are currently ticking away their final hours at AndroidArea.com. You won’t want to miss your chance to win the excellent Samsung Galaxy Tab S 8.4, especially when the cost of entry is nothing more than a few minutes of your time.

Submit your email address at AndroidArea.com and you will have a chance to take home the super slim, ultra hi-res, blazing fast Galaxy Tab S. You are limited to one entry, but you can increase your odd of winning by sharing the contest to your Twitter followers. The cutoff for entry is a little over 24 hours away, so get them in before 11:59PM on April 1st (and that’s not a joke).

As a consolation for those that don’t win we can offer up the KeySmart 2.0 Compact Key Organizer. Don’t be fooled by its name; there is absolutely nothing high-tech about it. It won’t interface with your smartphone, it won’t alert you if you lose it or track your keys via GPS. Nope, it’s just a simple keyring crafted from high quality aluminum and designed to keep you smartly organized. You have 6 more hours to get it for only .99.

 

Last chance to save over 50% on wireless feather Bluetooth earbuds from AndroidArea.com

Only two days remain to pick up a pair of featherlight wireless Bluetooth earbuds at a special discount through AndroidArea.com. This compact set of headphones doesn’t skimp on features with its tangle-free design (don’t worry, only a short chord tethers the two earbuds to each other), noise-canceling shell, and a built-in microphone for voice calls.

These earbuds make a great companion for any smartphone user. Less inherently dorky than a standard Bluetooth earpiece, they are perfect for listening to your favorite music or making a call. Optional ear hooks keep them in place and insure an effortless fit. You might just forget you are wearing them.

Normally priced at , you can pick up your own for only .99. You better act quick, though. In less than 48 hours this offer will evaporate.

Last chance to save over 75% on Anonymizer’s Universal VPN service at AndroidArea.com

Is the government spying on you? Are you paranoid about identity theft? Did you snub an elite hacker, giving them every reason to make your life miserable? Are you too cheap to afford at-home WiFi, instead opting for insecure public networks? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you might consider taking advantage of over 75% savings on an Anonymizer Universal VPN three-year subscription. The deal is available through AndroidArea.com now, but won’t be much longer.

Save on Anonymizer Universal subscription at AndroidArea.com

A VPN connection is the secure way to mask your internet activity and physical location by routing your web traffic through a remote server, in this case the secure servers of Anonymizer. They’ve been around for over 19 years, so you can trust these guys to know what they are doing. You’ll get unlimited bandwidth at high speeds. This ain’t your daddy’s slow VPN.

Anonymizer can support up to five devices at once, including your Android smartphone. When you are done browsing no record of your online activity is stored, and you can rely on Anonymizer for 24-hour, US-based support.

If this were any other day you could expect to pay 0 for such a subscription. But it’s not any other day. It’s the last day of our sale at AndroidArea.com, and you can get signed up with your own Anonymizer account for a mere . We did the math: over three years, that’s only .05 per day. You can take off the tinfoil hat now.

Googler says Android 5.1.1 rollout for the Nexus 9 is around the corner, blames last minute bugs for delay

Last night we saw Android 5.1.1 Lollipop factory images made available for the Nexus 7 WiFi (2013 and 2012) as well as Nexus 10. But strangely missing from that group was the more recently launched Nexus 9 which, as it turns out, has yet to receive even the initial 5.1 update.

While the factory image for the Nexus 9 still isn’t available quite yet, a Googler on Google+ chimed in on the holdup. Although he admits not working directly on the Nexus 9, he did say that the team found some last minute bugs and once dealt with, a rollout should commence and isn’t far out.

We know, it’s not much, but it should help give at least a little peace of mind to those of you wondering where Android 5.1.1 was for the Nexus 9. Hang in there. We’re still waiting on cellular equipped Nexus smartphones and tablets.

[Google+]

Last Chance: 3-years of VPN Unlimited for $19 at AndroidArea.com

Accessing the web via a VPN has its benefits: access to restricted or blocked sites, greater privacy and security, protection for your device when connected to a public WiFi network. The problem is such services usually don’t come cheap, especially for mobile. You might normally expect to pay up to for a three-year subscription to VPN Unlimited, one of the best VPN services for mobile. Now thanks to AndroidArea.com you can sign up for only .

VPN Unlimited lives up to its name, providing unlimited band witch via its high-spped protected network. Data is encrypted on your device to keep it safe as it is routed through one of many servers located around the world. The latest update, version 3.0, brings a new app design, downloadable servers list, and fast server switching. You can even access web surfing statistics for your device.

You can get three-years of VPN Unlimited service now for 70% off. Sign up now at AndroidArea.com.

Last minute Father’s Day gift ideas for 2015

This Sunday is Father’s Day. If you just had a “oh sh*t!” moment we’re here to help. You love your dad like crazy and want to get him something great, but time is running out and you can’t think of anything awesome for him. Fear not, Phandroid has your back: here are a bunch of great gift ideas for all different types of dads this Father’s Day (that you can order today and have by Sunday)!

Amazon Prime

If you’re going to order something online and get it before Father’s Day you’re going to need Amazon Prime. Coincidentally, Amazon Prime would also make a great gift for your dad. With Prime you can get free two-day shipping and discounted overnight shipping on most items. On top of that you get access to Amazon’s library of movies and TV shows, music, and cloud storage.

You can subscribe to Amazon Prime and share your membership with up to four “family” members. Log-in to your Amazon account and go to Manage Prime Membership. Fill out the “Invite a Household Member” form to add your dad. Now you can enjoy all the benefits of Amazon Prime and use it as a gift. Win win.

Nest

Nest’s new security camera recently went up for pre-order on Amazon and other stores, but a pre-order is a lame gift. The awesome Nest Learning Thermostat can be bought right now. With this thermostat you can bring your dad into the 21st century. The Nest thermostat can be controlled via smartphone or the web, and it automatically learns your habits. It’s surprisingly much easier to use than a standard thermostat. [Buy from Amazon]

Fitbit

Does your dad like to exercise? Should your dad be exersizing more? If yes, the perfect gift could be a fitness tracker. Fitbit is a rising company (they just had their IPO) that makes a wide range of fitness devices. With a Fitbit your dad can track his activity and see how many steps he’s taken. They come in a wide variety of sizes and colors to fit your dad. You can get the tiny Zip, the high-tech 0 Surge, or anything in between.

Android TV

If your dad is anything like mine he’s starting to get interested in Netflix and “the YouTubes.” The easiest way to put the power of internet videos in their life is with a set-top box. We happen to like Android TV around these parts, and there are a few good devices to choose from. They offer a very simple interface for watching Netflix, YouTube, sports highlights, TV shows, and much more.

The Nexus Player is a minimal device with a simple remote, and it’s only about . If your dad is into gaming you might want to check out the NVIDIA SHIELD TV, which has a gaming controller and is much more powerful all around.

Kindle Fire HD 7

Tablets have become a great thing for people who aren’t necessarily good with technology. The big screens are easy to read, and the touchscreens make them easy to navigate. If your dad is one of these people he will love the Kindle Fire HD 7. The interface is very easy to use, and since it comes from Amazon they’ll have access to tons of content to view on the device. Plus, it’s only 0, which will make you happy.

Tile Item Finder

Is your dad forgetful? Is he constantly losing things? Are you tired of finding stuff for him? Tile is the answer to both of your problems. A Tile is a small Bluetooth-enabled tracking device that can be attached to virtually anything. Keys, purses, bags, remotes, and even vehicles. With the companion smartphone app you can then track the items on a map or have the Tile make a sound. It’s really nifty, and it only costs .

Jawbone BIG JAMBOX

Dads love music. It might not be your favorite type of music, but a dad needs his tunes. The Jawbone BIG JAMBOX is a great Bluetooth speaker that will help any dad rock out to some AC/DC or relax with some chill jazz. Usually, the BIG JAMBOX goes for around 0, but right now you can snag it from Amazon for just 9.

Bose QuietComfort 25 Headphones

If you’d prefer your dad to listen to his music more privately you might want to buy some fancy headphones. The Bose QuietComfort 25 headphones offer great sound quality, but they also have the industry leading noise cancelation technology that has made Bose so popular. They’re perfect for business trips, mowing the lawn, and just trying to relax. Pick up a pair from Amazon for 9.

Canon DSLR Camera

Okay, it’s time to pull out the big guns. If you want to really knock the socks off of your dad go for the Canon EOS Rebel T5 DSLR camera. This bad boy has a 18 megapixel CMOS (APS-C) sensor with DIGIC 4 image processor, 3-inch LCD display, and can record full 1080p HD movies.It’s a beast of a camera. This camera is a sure-fire way to instantly be your dad’s favorite child.

This is a beast of a camera. If you’re trying to make up for something, or you just love your dad a lot, this is the perfect gift. Amazon has this camera on sale right now for 0, which is 0 off the regular price.

DJI Phantom 3 Drone

DLSR camera not big enough for you? Does your dad require something truly epic? Get him a freakin’ drone. The DJI Phantom 3 is one of the most popular consumer drones available today. It has a lot of built-in tech that makes it easy for beginners to fly and not constantly crash. The DJI Phantom even comes with a built-in camera. If you’ve got a grand to drop on your pops this might be the coolest thing you can buy. It’s available for ,299.

More suggestions in the comments!

We’re all in this together. If you’ve got a great last-minute gift idea share it with your fellow readers in the comments below. You might just save someone from an embarrassing Father’s Day.

OnePlus 2 rumored for a July unveiling at a price higher than last year’s model

OnePlus 2 is gearing up for a summer launch. We know this because OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei told us last year during a Reddit AMA that they were aiming for a Q2/Q3 launch for the followup to last year’s OnePlus One. But we still don’t have a specific date, despite the phone recently hitting its 1-year anniversary.

That hasn’t stopped OnePlus from getting the hype train rolling, teasing the OP 2 and early access for participants willing to jump through a few hoops (contests). Today, we’re could be getting a clearer picture of exactly when OnePlus will at least formally announce the phone, with sources out of MyDrivers pinning an official unveiling for July.

What’s more is sources claim to know the expected pricing: 1,999 Chinese Yuan, or somewhere around 2 US dollars for the base model. In other words, expect the phone to launch for a little more than last year’s OnePlus One, probably closer to 0 base. Remember, the original OnePlus One launched at 0 for the 16GB model, but also had a 64GB version for only 0. At that time, that was absolutely unheard of, especially for a device offering that much storage.

In either case, we’re certainly excited to see what OnePlus will unveil and yes, you’ll initially need an invite to pick one up. Rumors currently point to the phone coming equipped with a 5.5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 810 CPU, 3GB of RAM, 13MP camera, and a 3,300mAh battery.