Nokia Lumia 2520 review: a good Windows tablet, not the best for typing

Nokia Lumia 2520 review: a good Windows tablet, not the best for typing

The Lumia 2520 is Nokia’s first Windows tablet — and it may well be its last. By the time Nokia is ready to design a follow-up product, the Finnish firm might officially be a part of Microsoft. For now, though, the Lumia 2520 is about to go on sale worldwide under the Nokia brand, and will compete directly with Microsoft’s Surface 2, the only other Windows RT tablet available right now. Like the Surface, it’s a flagship-caliber device, with a 1080p screen and top-of-the-line processor. But whereas Microsoft sees the Surface as kind of a laptop/tablet hybrid — a real productivity device — the 2520 is, at its heart, just a tablet. The 2520 has no kickstand, no full-sized USB port — not unless you buy the optional keyboard cover, anyway.

Nokia also brought its A-game imaging wise, installing the same camera used on the Lumia 720 (hey, for a tablet that’s actually unprecedented). Additionally, there’s one other thing the 2520 has that the Surface 2 doesn’t: LTE. In fact, you can’t even get the 2520 as a WiFi-only device; you can either buy it unsubsidized for $499, or you can purchase it here in the US for $400 on-contract. So it definitely looks good on paper (and in press photos), but what’s it like to use? Turns out, it’s pretty nice.%Gallery-slideshow122333%

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Macy’s tests location-specific store discounts using Apple’s iBeacon (video)

The Bluetooth-based iBeacon feature in iOS 7 is theoretically ideal for retailers — they can offer location-sensitive deals without having to track shoppers using GPS. We’re about to find out how well it works in practice, as Macy’s has just started testing Shopkick’s iBeacon-derived ShopBeacon service in a closed beta. Stores in New York’s Herald Square and San Francisco’s Union Square now carry transmitters that send discounts and recommendations to participating iPhone users when they pass nearby. Whether or not Macy’s offers the feature to the public will depend on the success of the trial, but it may not be long before your favorite store is more than eager to greet you.

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Via: AppleInsider, GigaOM

Source: Shopkick

Google Drive for Android now lets you find and replace text

Find and replace in Google Drive for Android

Mobile writers just got a little more control over their masterpieces. An upgrade to Google Drive for Android now lets users find and replace text; they can also insert tables and named styles. A few file management tweaks are in store as well, such as a new two-column view on tablets and an option to rename scanned documents before they reach the cloud. Those eager to edit with the new Drive tools should receive the app update within the next few days.

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Via: Google Drive (Google+)

Source: Google Play

This Week On The TechCrunch Droidcast: Moto G’s Big Battery, Moto X Financing And Google Wallet Card

This week, me and Chris Velazco talk about using the Moto G for a prolonged period, Motorola trying to attract more Moto X shoppers with no-money-down deals, and Google going after shopper activity with a physical card for its digital wallet.

We have a grand old time, and for once a mid-market phone is the talk of the town, which is actually refreshing. Also Chris needed like fifteen takes just to get us started, because apparently he’s a completely ridiculous person.

We invite you to enjoy weekly Android podcasts every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern and 2:30 p.m. Pacific (generally speaking), in addition to our weekly Gadgets podcast at 3 p.m. Eastern and noon Pacific on Fridays. Subscribe to the TechCrunch Droidcast in iTunes, too, if that’s your fancy.

Intro music by Kris Keyser.

Direct download available here.

LG G Flex for Sprint reaches the FCC

LG G Flex for Sprint at the FCC

Americans pining after LG’s G Flex may not have to pick up the curvy smartphone from AT&T if and when it arrives stateside. A new FCC filing has revealed the LS995, a variant of the G Flex that’s likely destined for Sprint. In addition to sporting the same giant dimensions as the AT&T-friendly D959 model, the LS995 includes both CDMA as well as Sprint’s three native LTE bands (800MHz, 1,900MHz and 2,500MHz). It’s still not clear just when LG might release the G Flex in the US, but the rapid succession of FCC approvals suggests that the company is gearing up for a launch in the near future.

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Source: FCC

Amazon Appstore for Android joins the modern era with a slicker interface

Amazon Appstore

The Amazon Appstore has long been clunky and slow for anyone who doesn’t own a Kindle Fire tablet — even for basics like app updates. All that pain is now a distant memory, however, as Amazon has just overhauled the stand-alone Appstore for Android with a genuinely modern interface. The new client has sidebar-driven navigation that feels at home in the KitKat era, and it’s much faster when browsing titles. If you’ve been ignoring Amazon’s alternative storefront for a while, it may be worth returning for a second look.

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Via: RootzWiki

Source: Amazon

Need money for a new Moto X? Motorola’s got a financing fix for that

Google’s all about getting you to spend, spend, spend money these days. While the search giant just announced a very plastic means of dipping into your Wallet, its Motorola arm’s taking the financing route. Backed by Comenity Capital Bank, Motorola’s offering users a no money down way to buy a Moto X or any of its other mobile wares — so long as you pay it off within the promo period. Motorola Credit’s pretty much the equivalent of signing up for a credit card — just without the actual card — so be mindful there are fine print strings attached, like a 29 percent APR. You also still have to go through the requisite approval process, but once that’s cleared, you’re free to spend above your means. But really, no phone’s worth the potential debt, so think hard before you sign on the dotted line.

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Via: Droid-Life

Source: Motorola

Waze brings social GPS app to Windows Phone today

It may not have received the same amount of buzz as Instagram this morning, but social GPS app Waze is another hugely popular service that’s finally reaching the Windows Phone masses today. The free app brings over several of the same features found on other platforms, such as live routing, road alerts, the cheapest gas stations and live maps.

It’s interesting to see Waze — a navigation service acquired by Google earlier this year — now coming to Microsoft’s mobile OS. This is especially noteworthy given the choppy relationship Microsoft and Google have had in relation to services like YouTube and Exchange. While we don’t want to assume that more Google-owned products will be heading to the platform — especially given the fact that Waze was already working on a Windows Phone beta prior to acquisition — this is definitely a step in the right direction and hopefully will be followed up by other official Google services.

This post was updated to reflect the fact that Waze had a Windows Phone beta test in progress prior to the Google acquisition.

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Source: Windows Phone Store

Coin features expand as funding goal met in 40 minutes

There’s a few more pointed features appearing in the digital credit card known as Coin this week, these being shown in conjunction with a note that their initial crowd-funding goal had been met in just 40 minutes, right out the gate. Coin suggests that their funding campaign began at a cool $50,000 and was met […]

Coin eight-in-one Bluetooth credit card adds security features, boosted pre-order availability

Judging by the millions of YouTube views since it launched just last week, there’s quite a bit of interest in Coin. The Bluetooth-enabled swipeable lets you add in identifying info from up to eight individual credit, debit, membership, loyalty and gift cards, and comes along with companion Android and iOS apps that boost functionality. While the applications enable you to save detailed card info for online purchases, push additional payment methods to Coin and access the Bluetooth-powered leash that will send an alert if you walk away without your card, the device works independently as well.

The company is announcing some additional security features today that should serve to ease at least some fraud concerns. Coin will include an “alarm” that tracks the number of times the card is swiped and sends an app alert if it suspects unauthorized use. It can also be locked to just one card before you hand it over at a store or restaurant, so a clerk can’t accidentally (or deliberately) swap cards before swiping. Reps also responded to 50 questions on a new Q&A page, addressing additional security-related and function queries, including ATM compatibility (yes, it will work), photo ID storage (uh, no) and chip and pin support (not yet, but it’s in the works). The firm is also releasing additional cards for pre-order, so if you want to get in before the price jumps to $100, there’s still time to hand over 50 bucks (plus $5 shipping) at the source link below.

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Source: Coin