OnePlus is a company that’s made a name for itself by starting from the bottom and turning itself into one of the world’s premier smartphone manufacturers. The company has always thought outside the norm and hasn’t been afraid to try new things and experiment with its products. Now, the company is gearing up to release a new device that improves upon the already great OnePlus 2.

The OnePlus X has been rumored and teased, but now the company has released a teaser for the October 29 announcement of the device. The image features a lit-up X and the line, “See you October 29.” In its tweet and Facebook post, OnePlus is also using the tag line, “Powerfully Beautiful,” indicating that the OnePlus X will be a premium handset, focused on performance and design.

We’ll be sure to cover the announcement of the OnePlus X, so stay tuned.

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While the Nexus 5X and 6P went up for pre-order for a while now, people haven’t had the chance to get their hands on the devices yet. A lot of us are patiently waiting for the devices to arrive. But there are a few unboxing videos for the devices already up, and they offer insight on what comes in the box.

The Nexus 5X comes in a very simple box, which includes a (very large) wall adapter with a USB Type-C port on it. The cable that’s supplied is a Type-C to Type-C cable, identical and reversible on both ends. This does mean you’ll need a separate cable to sync the device with your computer.

The Nexus 6P comes in a very similar box, and while it also includes a dual ended Type-C cable, supplied is a Type-C to regular USB adapter so you can at least sync your phone with a computer out of the box. The extra cash does get you a bit more.

Otherwise, the packaging for the devices is nearly identical, and the devices look really nice. How many of you are waiting for your new Nexus device? Leave a comment!

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SwiftKey pioneered predictive keyboards (and still does it best, in my opinion), but the company won’t stop there. It has released experimental keyboards before, but the latest is more than just a minor experiment. It’s called SwiftKey Neural Alpha, and it’s the first keyboard to use a neural network for word predictions.

While the details are fairly complicated, neural networks don’t just learn from existing patterns, but form an understanding of words and sentences. Do you ever notice SwiftKey suggesting a word that could go after the word you just typed but simply doesn’t fit into the sentence? Neural Alpha aims to fix that.

If you want more information on the processes behind the keyboard, head over to the SwiftKey Blog to learn more! And hit the source link to give it a shot for yourself. Don’t worry, you can change the theme from purple to regular old SwiftKey carbon.

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With modular smartphones like Project Ara getting lots of attention, it was only a matter of time before a modular smartwatch hit the scene. BLOCKS is the world’s first modular smartwatch, and it looks even better than we’d expect from a modular smartwatch. BLOCKS works by having modules that all connect in a strap to a central watch, called the Core. The Core is a fully-functioning smartwatch that features a round touch screen and all of the abilities that you’d expect from a modern smartwatch, such as phone notifications, activity tracking and voice control. In the future, more Core options will be available with options such as rectangular and e-ink displays.

As for the modules, you can simply link them together as part of your smartwatch strap. As far as we can tell, there isn’t a set limit on how many can be linked together at once, although there will certainly be a practical limit based on the fact that the modules make up the strap of BLOCKS. For current modules, you can choose from an extra battery, heart rate sensor, GPS, NFC and an Adventure module that tracks altitude, pressure and temperature. There are also planned modules such as a GSM SIM card slot and fingerprint reader. The BLOCKS team gave plenty of examples for future modules and what can be done with them.

The BLOCKS team is currently working with partner companies to develop and create more modules. BLOCKS is currently available through Kickstarter and has already met its $250,000 goal. The estimated release date is May 2016, which isn’t too terribly far away. For $195, you can get a BLOCKS core and a strap. But for $285, you can get a BLOCKS core and four modules of your choice. With that pricing structure, BLOCKS actually looks to be pretty affordable and right on par with pricing of competitors.

Follow the source link for more info and backing options.

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Google recently introduced two new Nexus devices, which has accordingly sent the price of the Nexus 6 into a tailspin. The price has been dropping all over the place, but this latest sale takes it as low as we’ve seen. Guaranteecellular, an eBay seller, has priced the 32GB manufacturer refurbished Nexus 6 at just $269.99, making it a steal for anyone looking to get a great phone at a great price.

Even at a year old, the Nexus 6 is still a fantastic device, bringing in a gorgeous 6-inch QHD AMOLED display that’s perfect for consuming media on. Combine the impressive specs list with the power of Google and its speedy update process and you’ve got a killer combo that’s still got a lot of life in it. If you’re looking for a bargain, this is the one you should jump on. Follow the source link to check out the eBay listing.

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You might not come across many caricaturists in your lifetime. On vacation or in tourist spots, you can likely sit down with an artist and have them draw you in 10 minutes, but these experiences are not regular occurrences and are usually pretty expensive.

When we’ve all got thousands of photos of ourselves and our loved ones at our fingertips, why would we need to sit still in front of gathering onlookers in order to get our faces drawn? Photolamus is a caricature service that aims to bring artists and customers together in this increasingly digital world.

Using Photolamus is simple. Through the company’s Android app (as well as Web, iOS and Mac interfaces), simply submit your photo, select the desired style and receive your caricature in digital form in 1-5 days.

Prices vary based on the number of people present in the provided photo, the style chosen and the required turnaround time. Styles range from black and white pencil, to full-color digital drawings, with a broad number of themes from Vacation to Sports to Halloween to Professions or a straight-up regular caricature. All Photolamaus’s caricatures are 100% hand-drawn by artists across the globe — it isn’t simply an app that just applies gawky effects to your images. There are no computer-generated images involved — these are real caricatures from real artists.

And the results are truly excellent. You can check out some of Photolamus’s artists’ recent works at the company’s website or within the app, but if you don’t believe those, check out the Halloween themed caricatures provided of my photo below. These were returned to me within 24 hours of submitting my photo to Photolamus which is a truly impressive turnaround.

The quick turnaround makes them ideal as gifts and their digital delivery means you are not waiting (or paying) for a physical package to arrive at your door. Photolamus does not offer printed versions — if you submit your image in the Android app, you’ll receive the finished version there too — and instead provides high-res caricatures in digital form. The 4,000px by 4,0000px resultant image is owned by you and can be used in whatever form you want — from your Twitter avatar or Facebook profile pic to being self-printed on canvas (up to 100cm by 100cm without loss in quality).

The Android app itself is fairly plain in terms of design, but it makes it easy to upload your photo (by taking new, adding from the Gallery, or from Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Instagram, Flickr or VK) and place an order with your desired theme. There’s no way to preview the result and no free trial — the artist has to draw it, after all — which may disappoint some users. However, the artists — like you, no doubt — can’t work for free.

The app is translated into a slew of languages meaning it can be used all around the world and there are regular opportunities to win discounts and prizes through the app.

To coincide with the review here at Android and Me, Photolamus has dropped the prices of its caricatures to provide our readers with some sweet deals:

Pencil, Black & White — from $12.99 $9.99
Pencil, Color — from $18.99 $15.99
Digital, Color — from $24.99 $19.99

The prices are affordable and, having seen the results, are worth every penny in my opinion. Being hand-drawn, the results are unique to each order and, if you’re willing to pay a little extra, you can have the caricature back within one day which makes for a great last minute gift.

Check out Photolamus on Google Play where it can be downloaded for free.

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Remember that mysterious OnePlus smartphone that the FCC leaked last week? Well it’s back today, but this time it’s China’s TENAA agency that’s doing the leaking.

TENAA has posted a few images of an unannounced OnePlus smartphone — TENAA calls it the “One E1001” — that looks largely similar to the one leaked by the FCC last week. It’s got the same off-center rear camera, the same rear OnePlus logo, and the same switch on its left side. These photos also give us a better look at the phone’s face, on which we can faintly see what looks to be capacitive Back, Home, and Recent Apps buttons.

In addition to these images, the TENAA listing named a few of the specs of this OnePlus “One E1001.” Those include a 5-inch display, a 2450mAh battery, and measurements of 140.0 x 69.0 x 6.9mm. Last week, the FCC said that this phone packs a 1.9GHz processor, Wi-Fi, GPS, Bluetooth, LTE, and FM radios.

It’s still unclear exactly what this OnePlus device is, but it could be the affordable device that OnePlus CEO Pete Lau briefly mentioned earlier this year. Lau didn’t say much else about the phone at the time, but the smallish screen and battery that this leaked phone have suggest that it’ll be a more affordable handset. Perhaps this is the OnePlus mini/OnePlus X that’s been rumored lately?

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Every week we cover new Android apps with Fresh Meat on Wednesday, followed by Android Gaming on Thursday and Top 10 App Updates on Friday. When Monday rolls around, we look back to see which apps were the most appealing to our audience. Read on for the five most popular Android apps from last week. These apps are ones that are most likely new and haven’t appeared in the top five list more than three times.

1. Meter

App info:  This data-driven live wallpaper displays the battery level, wireless signal and number of notifications of your device in a simple visualization.

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2. ClickMe

App info: ClickMe provides a quick and easy solution to ensure that you never forget to complete any task.

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3. Blobsy

App info: In this awesome endless arcade shooter you try to hold your ground against the massive forces of the slime king. With many different monster types and endless waves you will never go bored.

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4. Cosmic-Watch

App info: COSMIC WATCH is the worlds first and most advanced interactive 3D astronomical time device in the digital age!

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5. BC Stunts FREE

App info: Stuntman and engineer in one? No problem with Bridge Constructor Stunts! Build imposing ramps and loops to reach your goal in the diverse stages.

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Note:  To ensure that all apps receive a fair chance to make the list, we will retire any app that has made the list for three consecutive weeks.

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Sometimes companies that don’t make smartphones want to launch a smartphone. It’s not hard to see why they’d want in on that market, considering smartphones are everywhere these days. And apparently they don’t mind that it’s an incredibly difficult market to crack open.

That’s not going to stop Pepsi, though. That’s right, Pepsi. The company has officially confirmed that it will indeed be launching a smartphone in the near future that features the Pepsi branding. Unfortunately, any other details about the device were kept secret.

However, we’ve got the rumor mill to help us out. Based on the information rumored about recently, the “Pepsi P1″ will feature a display that measures in at 5.5-inches and has a resolution of 1080p HD. There will be a MediaTek MT6592 processor under the hood, and it will boast a 13MP camera on the back with a 5-megapixel camera on the front. It’ll have 16GB of built-in storage and 2GB of RAM, and the battery will be measured in at 3000mAh. It will reportedly be running Android 5.2 out of the box.

One other piece of important information: Pepsi will have accessories coming down the pipeline as well. What those are, exactly, remains a mystery.

Pepsi is going to sell the phone, and apparently the accessories, in China, and there’s no word on whether or not the device will ever see the light of day officially in other markets. On top of that, Pepsi could unveil the phone next Tuesday.

What do you think of the Pepsi P1?

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TAG Heuer has been working on its smartwatch for a bit of time now, with the Android-powered wearable expected to be a huge move from the prestigious watchmaker as it enters the “smart” market.

It wasn’t too long ago that the company’s CEO confirmed that the upcoming watch will cost $1,800, but at the same time not confirming any of its hardware elements or features. The watch itself was confirmed to be coming down the pipe back in March of this year, so for anyone that’s been waiting to see what the watch will look like, the wait has been long.

Now TAG Heuer has taken to Twitter to tease the incoming wearable. Along with the caption, “Get ready to experience the next step in innovation,” and including a hashtag “#connectedtoeternity,” there’s an image of what looks to be a round watch and what could be a leather strap.

There’s a physical button on the side of the casing, so it will be interesting to see how that will come into play when the watch is officially unveiled later this year.

The tweet also includes a link to a dedicated website that TAG Heuer has launched, which includes a large countdown clock that ends on November 9, 2015.

At $1,800, would you even consider this watch?

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