Here’s how wireless charging on the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge works [VIDEO]

Any tech-obsessed being with an inkling of a pulse knows about the Samsung Galaxy S6 and Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge by now. They look awesome, they’re built with glass and metal, they’re very powerful and have cutting edge features.

One of those cutting edge features is wireless charging. It’s not new in its own, per se, but Samsung is the first to be using a new dual-mode charging technology that lets you use two of the world’s top wireless charging standards simultaneously (that being WPC’s Qi and the technology made by the now-joint AW4P and PMA). That means there’s no need to worry about whether a wireless charging pad you already own or one you see at a public venue is compatible with your phone — just drop it on and you’re likely good to go!

We tested the device out on Samsung’s Qi-based charging pad at Mobile World Congress, and it works quite well. It charges at a rate of 2 amps so it won’t take forever to get some juice, and the surface area is large enough for the phone to recognize the charging current without it having to be perfectly positioned on the charging pad.

It’s our hope that Samsung’s use of the new technology inside the Samsung Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge will inspire more companies to adopt it in their upcoming smartphones. Let’s do away with the need for special cases and back covers to equip phones with wireless charging as standard, because this all-encompassing technology wipes away the need to worry about all the pitfalls that once accompanied it. Check it out in the videos you see above.

Video calling with Facebook Messenger now works (almost) everywhere in the world

When Facebook introduced cross-platform video calling via Messenger late last month, it was only available in a handful of countries. But they promised more were on the way and keeping up with that promise, Facebook is finally updating us on the status of that global rollout.

According to their update post, video calls inside of Messenger should now be available just about everywhere, with the exception of a few countries which, unfortunately, weren’t named. They also said that if you’re experiencing poor video quality to sit tight, they’re working on improving that too.

It was only a few days ago rumors that Facebook was considering adding games into Messenger began floating around the internet. With Messenger recently becoming a full fledged platform for developers to build apps on, it only makes sense — even if we’re not too keen on the idea.

As it stands, Messenger is a solid messaging app, one we find ourselves using more and more. With video calling now available globally, Facebook could be poised to finally take on Skype.

Messenger (Playboard) | Messenger (Play Store)

[Facebook]

Samsung confirms a special ‘Iron Man’ edition Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge is in the works

This is a fan created concept render and not the actual product

Outside of a handful of Avenger style themes available in their Galaxy S6 Theme Store (and a brief Galaxy S6 cameo in the new Age of Ultron movie), Samsung hasn’t really done much with their Marvel partnership. But according to the South Korean press, Samsung could soon leverage it in new ways.

According to South Korean press, Samsung mobile marketing chief Lee Young-hee confirmed during a movie screening that they will be putting together an Iron Man edition Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge to tie-in with the movie’s release. It’s still too early to know exactly what they have in mind, but they did mention the color “red” will play a major part in the design. We can only hope they look as flashy as those fan-created renders someone put together a few weeks back.

The phone is due out sometime in June, so it’s still a ways out. Kinda odd that they waited until after the movie has been out for several weeks before jumping on this, but at least something is coming. For any comic-book nerds out there, you might wanna hold off on picking up a Galaxy S6 in the meantime. Don’t worry, the phone isn’t going anywhere.

[Korea Times]

Fallout 4 Special Edition will come with a real life Pip-Boy wearable that works with your Android phone

Fallout fans will appreciate this one. The special edition of Fallout 4 (read about the new game on Xbox One Daily) will come with a Pip-Boy arm attachment to use as a second screen accessory for the console title.

If you’re not aware, Pip-Boy was the smart watch of olden times. It’s big and clunky by today’s standards, but for those in the Fallout universe it’s a necessary tool that delivers information on your environment, enemies, your inventory and even your own vital health.

The attachment will work with your phone and show you information about the game in real time, so you can refer to it in a jiffy instead of pulling up the digital version in-game. You just drop your phone in (there will be foam inserts to customize the cradle for different smartphone sizes) and it’ll be just like the abomination you happen to find in the game.

But if you don’t plan to buy that 0 special edition you’ll be happy to know that the companion app can still be used with Fallout 4 just as it would inside the Pip-Boy. The app should be available the day the game launches (November 10th) so be sure to check Google Play for the download once it arrives.

[via TechCrunch]

Root G900VVRU1ANE9 Verizon Galaxy S5 SM-G900V OTA update, Towelroot works

Good news! For those who got a rooted Galaxy S5 SM-N900V before but now lose it after the OTA update G900VVRU1ANE9. You folks can still regain root even your Galaxy S5  now runs on G900VVRU1ANE9 4.4.2 update. Well, the very  good thing is that the previous G900VVRU1ANCG and G900VVRU1ANE9 have the same *aboot qfuse counter of “1”*,  it may sound so technical but it simply means that you can still be able to downgrade to the previous kernel version.  In addition, the root can be achieved only when you can revert back to G900VVRU1ANCG kernel version as *Geohot’s Towelroot* only covers any software build that does not exceeds on June 3rd 2014.

Our fellas at XDA-developers have confirmed that root can be achieved on G900VVRU1ANE9 4.4.2 KitKat update with just some simple workarounds. All you need is install back the older kernel version then grab the *Towelroot*, then simply flash back the new G900VVRU1ANE9 4.4.2 kernel then you can have root again on Verizon Galaxy S5. It’s so easy though, so read on.

Originally Posted by BadKarma81

Wellll… I did what was asked, took OTA update, flashed back to NCG kernel (now on ANE9 build with mar 31st kernel). Ran towelroot, rebooted. Used root checker to verify root, installed SU, updated binaries, disabled knox and rebooted… SU and root checker are still saying I’m rooted. Also ran titanium backup pro.. it works, but uh…

1. Phone is acting ‘special’, Either a) apps take 5 minutes to install, or b) take 5 minutes to download (even the TiBU pro key which is 37 KB)
2. It took TiBU 5 minutes to ask for SU privileges.
3. Wi-Fi settings are being lost upon reboot, I have to keep inputting my WPA 2 key to get back on wifi.
Definitely don’t recommend this route, and I’m afraid any patch to the stock NCG may have the same issue. This OTA also includes the “speed and stability” enhancements from the European variant G900, system RAM has decreased to 1.67 GB total. Hope this helps someone

“I attached the NE9 kernel to post#68. Flash that and you should be golden with root.”

Freaking awesome muniz… just like you said, flashed the NE9 kernel and I’m golden!
Oh, Wi-Fi, play store and root auths are all good again too

Just got home from work – read through the thread and followed muniz_ri’s instructions, and the only glitz I had was to restart the phone twice after flashing the NCG Kernel in order to get root. As FlairDevil mentioned, Towelroot “said” I had root when I didn’t. But after the second restart, it worked. Then flashed the NE9 Kernel, reinstalled (from within the app) SafeStrap and I’m good to go!
Note: After first rooted in Stock NCG, SuperSU could not kill KNOX, so I left it alone. After everything was finished, I used SuperSU to kill KNOX and it worked. So I’m also KNOX free.
Now on to getting rid of all the bloat

Thank you to
misterxtc for the back to stock (using Odin) instructions and files
muniz_ri for the NE9 Kernel and figuring out the methodology to follow
open1your1eyes0 for the NCG Kernel and other valuable input
FlairDevil for testing, which saved all the rest of us the aggravation
and everyone else who posted today

You guys made my day

The process:

1. Take the OTA update NE9.

2.) You need to install back the NCG kernel.

3.) Re-root using towelroot.

4.) Re-install back or Flash the NE9 kernel.

Just head-over at XDA-developers original thread for the step-by-step instructions.

Make sure to give thank’s to all of our XDA-Developers fellas for providing the necessary files and those who risk their devices as guinea pigs. Drop some word below if this work out for you, so others might also know.

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