The Transport Guy: Apple has a big challenge ahead if it wants to turn the Apple TV into a video game machine

Steve Kovach August 31, 2015 at 02:45PM

Just over three years ago, we thought a revolution in gaming was coming.

That's when a startup called Ouya came out of nowhere and raised $8.5 million on Kickstarter with the promise of bringing a video game console that could play Android games on the TV. It was a time when mobile gaming was just entering the mainstream and Ouya appeared to be ahead of the curve by melding traditional console gaming with mobile gaming.

But by the time Ouya launched, the luster was gone. Reviews were horrible, and the company had trouble drumming up enough interest from developers to bring games people wanted to play to the console.

Now, it sounds like Apple is going to take a stab at the same thing Ouya did. And it'll have to offer something unique unless it wants to suffer the same fate.

According to reports from Matthew Panzarino at TechCrunch and Mark Gurman at 9to5Mac, gaming will be a major component of the next Apple TV box, which Apple will formally unveil at its September 9 event in San Francisco.

With the new Apple TV, Apple will be taking on traditional gaming consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One for the first time. According to Panzarino's report, the new Apple TV remote will have motion controls similar to Nintendo's Wii remote. According to Gurman, it will also support traditional-looking game controllers that connect to the box via BlueTooth. And since the Apple TV is powered by iOS 9, the same operating system for iPhones and iPads, it should be relatively easy for developers to tweak their mobile games and bring them to the Apple TV.

But that gaming initiative puts Apple in a sticky situation. Besides Ouya, Amazon and Google have also tried to bring mobile games to the living room with their respective streaming TV boxes. All of those initiatives have failed. It's tough to convince developers to make games for a new, unproven platform, and so far no one has made a streaming TV box that doubles as a viable gaming device.

(On the other hand, the Xbox and PlayStation 4 make great game consoles that double as viable video streaming devices.)

There are reasons to think it could be different for Apple though. The company has a dedicated community of developers willing to write apps for any new gizmo Apple makes. For example, there were already 1,500 apps for the Apple Watch before the device even launched.

According to another report from Gurman, Apple doesn't plan to launch the new Apple TV until October, which should give developers some time to tweak their games for the new platform. Plus, you can bet Apple has already cherry-picked some game developers to show off what Apple TV games can do during the event next week.

But iOS games are typically aimed at casual gamers, the kind of people who are more likely to play "Candy Crush" on the subway than spend hours exploring the open world in "Grand Theft Auto V." It's not as simple as porting an iPhone game to a TV box. They're two fundamentally different genres. Apple's challenge will be to prove it can bridge the gap between mobile and console gaming.

How does it do that? Your guess is as good as mine.

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Apple has a big challenge ahead if it wants to turn the Apple TV into a video game machine from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: One shot from the new 'Star Wars' footage tells us a lot about what to expect

The Transport Guy: One shot from the new 'Star Wars' footage tells us a lot about what to expect

The Transport Guy: Apple will announce the next iPhone on September 9

Steve Kovach August 27, 2015 at 09:15AM

Apple sent out invitations for a press event where it’s expected to announce the next iPhone. The event takes place on September 9.

Much of what Apple will announce has already leaked, so don’t expect too many surprises.

Apple’s next iPhone, the so-called iPhone 6S, is expected to be nearly identical to the iPhone 6 but have a faster processor, better camera, and a new method of control called Force Touch. Force Touch was first introduced in the Apple Watch and can detect how hard a user is pressing down on the screen. It will be used to quickly access new menus and other options within apps, just like on the Apple Watch.

Apple typically doesn’t make drastic changes to its “S” series of iPhones, which come out every other year. The “S” models usually have minor improvements of the iPhone that came before it.

In addition to the new iPhone, Apple is expected to announce a new Apple TV box. According to John Paczkowski of BuzzFeed, the new Apple TV will have a redesigned remote with a touchpad, a faster processor, Siri controls, and access to the App Store. Apple hasn’t updated the Apple TV since 2012.

There was talk that Apple would have an internet TV service ready to launch with the new Apple TV, but Bloomberg recently reported that those plans were pushed back to at least 2016. The internet TV service is said to offer select cable and network channels that are distributed live over the internet for between $25 and $40 per month.

Finally, Apple will probably announce release dates for iOS 9, the next version of the operating system for iPhones and iPads, and OS X El Capitan, the new Mac Operating system. Both operating systems will be free for most iPhone, iPad, and Mac users.

Tech Insider will have live coverage from Apple’s event on September 9.

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NOW WATCH: All the incredibly useful things you didn't know your iPhone headphones could do

Apple will announce the next iPhone on September 9 from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Everything we know about the new 'Star Wars' villains

Matthew Stuart and Steve Kovach August 26, 2015 at 02:59PM

"The Force Awakens" may not hit theaters until December, but that doesn't mean we don't know who the new big baddies will be in a galaxy far, far away.

Produced by Matthew Stuart. Original reporting by Steve Kovach.

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Everything we know about the new 'Star Wars' villains from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: The villains in the next 'Star Wars' movie just got a lot more interesting

Steve Kovach August 25, 2015 at 11:49AM

There was always something strange about Kylo Ren, the new villain in the upcoming "Star Wars" movie, "The Force Awakens."

This guy:

In the first teaser trailer from last November, we see Kylo Ren ignite a unique three-blade lightsaber. Fans went nuts. So did Stephen Colbert.

But there was a problem. When Lucasfilm announced the character's name, the title "Darth" was noticeably absent. At first, most just assumed Kylo Ren was a Sith, one of the followers of the Dark Side of the Force that always has Darth in their name. For example, Darth Vader was a Sith. His Sith master, Emperor Palpatine, went by Darth Sidious.

Stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers or speculation about the next "Star Wars" movies.

Kylo Ren's character came into more focus on Tuesday in a teaser article for Empire Magazine's upcoming winter preview issue. The full version of the article will be on newsstands this Thursday.

In the article, "The Force Awakens" director JJ Abrams says Kylo Ren is not a Sith. Instead, he follows his master Supreme Leader Snoke, a villainous character played by Andy Serkis. Snoke is in charge of the First Order, a new militaristic group similar to the Galactic Empire from the original movies. Abrams describes Snoke as "a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force." But it seems like he's not a Sith either.

We haven't seen what Snoke looks like yet. All we know is that Serkis used motion capture to play the character, which means he'll probably be at least partially computer generated. If we had to guess, this likely means Snoke is some sort of alien, not a human being.

So what does all this mean?

Here's some informed speculation about the bad guys in "The Force Awakens."

In the same Empire interview, Abrams says the First Order didn't necessarily form out of the Galactic Empire, which was ruled by Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader died in the final battle in "Return of the Jedi" and apparently took the Empire with them. The First Order is not exactly the same as the Empire. It's more like an organized militaristic group that idolizes what the Empire stood for.

And if the First Order idolized the Empire, then it'll need some powerful members of the Dark Side to run things. In fact, the Empire article describes the First Order as a group that views Darth Vader as a martyr. That's where Snoke and Kylo Ren come in.

The Sith's laws say there can only be two Sith at a time: a master and an apprentice. Since both Vader and Palpatine are toast, the Sith are too. But that doesn't mean the Dark Side lost all of its followers.

In an Entertainment Weekly article from a few weeks ago, Kylo Ren is described as a "Vader obsessive" who is part of a group called the Knights of Ren. (It turns out "Ren" is a title just like "Darth.")

Kylo Ren's Vader obsession could also explain why we see Darth Vader's charred helmet in the second teaser trailer:

It sounds like the First Order echoes the same theme as the Empire. We have, what appear to be, two very powerful Dark Side followers at the top: a leader (Snoke) and his apprentice (Kylo Ren). But since the chain of Sith succession has been broken, they've formed a new Dark Side religion of sorts called the Knights of Ren. (A curious name since Jedi are called "knights" too.)

So Snoke and Kylo Ren have a big army with lots of brainwashed followers who seem to be obsessed with following people powerful in the Dark Side of the Force. Time to wreak some havoc and take over the galaxy, just like Darth Vader and Darth Sidious did with the Empire. 

Now for the bigger question: What about the Jedi?

We already know Mark Hamill will return as Luke Skywalker in "The Force Awakens." Luke was the only Jedi in the galaxy when we last saw him, but so far we have no idea what happened after he defeated Vader and Palpatine. 

Did he attempt to restore the Jedi Order? Did he find new followers and train them as Jedi? Is his sister, Princess Leia, a Jedi now? Or, as the most popular fan theory goes, did Luke go into hiding, only to return decades later when the galaxy needs him again?

So far, the only other hint we have about what's next for the Jedi is an exclusive teaser poster for "The Force Awakens" from Disney's recent D23 fan event. It shows the new character Finn holding Luke's old lightsaber.

Abrams has already said Finn is an ex-storm trooper from the First Order, and the poster implies that he had a change of heart and could start training to become a Jedi with Luke as his master.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Disney’s plans for a new ‘Star Wars’ amusement park look like nothing you’ve ever seen

The villains in the next 'Star Wars' movie just got a lot more interesting from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: The villains in the next 'Star Wars' movie just got a lot more interesting

Steve Kovach August 25, 2015 at 11:37AM

There was always something strange about Kylo Ren, the new villain in the upcoming "Star Wars" movie, "The Force Awakens."

This guy:

In the first teaser trailer from last November, we see Kylo Ren ignite a unique three-blade lightsaber. Fans went nuts. So did Stephen Colbert.

But there was a problem. When Lucasfilm announced the character's name, the title "Darth" was noticeably absent. At first, most just assumed Kylo Ren was a Sith, one of the followers of the Dark Side of the Force that always has Darth in their name. For example, Darth Vader was a Sith. His Sith master, Emperor Palpatine, went by Darth Sidious.

Stop reading now if you want to avoid spoilers or speculation about the next "Star Wars" movies.

Kylo Ren's character came into more focus on Tuesday in a teaser article for Empire Magazine's upcoming winter preview issue. The full version of the article will be on newsstands this Thursday.

In the article, "The Force Awakens" director JJ Abrams says Kylo Ren is not a Sith. Instead, he follows his master Supreme Leader Snoke, a villainous character played by Andy Serkis. Snoke is in charge of the First Order, a new militaristic group similar to the Galactic Empire from the original movies. Abrams describes Snoke as "a powerful figure on the Dark Side of the Force." But it seems like he's not a Sith either.

We haven't seen what Snoke looks like yet. All we know is that Serkis used motion capture to play the character, which means he'll probably be at least partially computer generated. If we had to guess, this likely means Snoke is some sort of alien, not a human being.

So what does all this mean?

Here's some informed speculation about the bad guys in "The Force Awakens."

In the same Empire interview, Abrams says the First Order didn't necessarily form out of the Galactic Empire, which was ruled by Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader. Emperor Palpatine and Darth Vader died in the final battle in "Return of the Jedi" and apparently took the Empire with them. The First Order is not exactly the same as the Empire. It's more like an organized militaristic group that idolizes what the Empire stood for.

And if the First Order idolized the Empire, then it'll need some powerful members of the Dark Side to run things. In fact, the Empire article describes the First Order as a group that views Darth Vader as a martyr. That's where Snoke and Kylo Ren come in.

The Sith's laws say there can only be two Sith at a time: a master and an apprentice. Since both Vader and Palpatine are toast, the Sith are too. But that doesn't mean the Dark Side lost all of its followers.

In an Entertainment Weekly article from a few weeks ago, Kylo Ren is described as a "Vader obsessive" who is part of a group called the Knights of Ren. (It turns out "Ren" is a title just like "Darth.")

Kylo Ren's Vader obsession could also explain why we see Darth Vader's charred helmet in the second teaser trailer:

It sounds like the First Order echoes the same theme as the Empire. We have, what appear to be, two very powerful Dark Side followers at the top: a leader (Snoke) and his apprentice (Kylo Ren). But since the chain of Sith succession has been broken, they've formed a new Dark Side religion of sorts called the Knights of Ren. (A curious name since Jedi are called "knights" too.)

So Snoke and Kylo Ren have a big army with lots of brainwashed followers who seem to be obsessed with following people powerful in the Dark Side of the Force. Time to wreak some havoc and take over the galaxy, just like Darth Vader and Darth Sidious did with the Empire. 

Now for the bigger question: What about the Jedi?

We already know Mark Hamill will return as Luke Skywalker in "The Force Awakens." Luke was the only Jedi in the galaxy when we last saw him, but so far we have no idea what happened after he defeated Vader and Palpatine. 

Did he attempt to restore the Jedi Order? Did he find new followers and train them as Jedi? Is his sister, Princess Leia, a Jedi now? Or, as the most popular fan theory goes, did Luke go into hiding, only to return decades later when the galaxy needs him again?

So far, the only other hint we have about what's next for the Jedi is an exclusive teaser poster for "The Force Awakens" from Disney's recent D23 fan event. It shows the new character Finn holding Luke's old lightsaber.

Abrams has already said Finn is an ex-storm trooper from the First Order, and the poster implies that he had a change of heart and could start training to become a Jedi with Luke as his master.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Disney’s plans for a new ‘Star Wars’ amusement park look like nothing you’ve ever seen

The villains in the next 'Star Wars' movie just got a lot more interesting from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Samsung's new curved-screen phone is the most beautiful device I've ever used

Steve Kovach August 22, 2015 at 05:13AM

Samsung knocked this one out of the park.

This week, it launched two excellent new phones, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Both are excellent, but my favorite is the Edge+, which I've been testing for about a week.

It’s more beautiful than the iPhone. It’s the best phone Samsung has ever made and one of the best phones, period.

The Edge+ costs about $815 for the 32GB model, but each carrier offers payment plans and other deals.

Beautiful inside and out

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a supersized version of the Galaxy S6 Edge that launched earlier this year. It has a 5.7-inch screen that slightly curves over each side. Samsung says the curve makes it easier to watch video because it creates the illusion that your phone doesn’t have a border around the screen.

I don’t buy that. Instead, the images appear to melt over the edge, slightly distorting the picture. It’s not awful, but definitely not as magical as Samsung makes it sound. Overall though, the screen is sharp and bright. I can’t stop looking at this thing. It’s nearly perfect.

On the software side, the Edge+ also has a menu that swipes over from the side that lets you store a few of your favorite contacts and apps so you can quickly access them no matter what you’re doing. (Like most phones, you’d normally have to go back to the home screen before selecting a new app.) It works well, but I wasn’t a fan of the little nub that’s always on the side of your screen when you have the feature enabled. It didn’t save me much time either, so I ended up turning the feature off after a few days.

Bottom line: The curved screen is mostly there just to look pretty, and that’s perfectly fine. The Edge+ is the best-looking phone I’ve ever used, and it doesn’t bother me at all that the curved screen doesn’t usher in some kind revolution in the way we use smartphones. It’s simply nicer to hold and look at.

And yes, I really do think it’s prettier than the iPhone. I’ve spent years praising Apple’s designs while poking fun at the flimsy plastic devices Samsung made. But Samsung outdid Apple with the Edge+. Even with the larger screen, the Edge+ has a smaller overall footprint than my iPhone 6 Plus. It’s easier to use with one hand and fits a lot better in my jeans pocket. And it just looks so good.

The camera is also one of the best I’ve ever used on a smartphone. My only complaint is that sometimes the exposure lets in too much light in outdoor shots, but overall it captures more detail than any other phone camera.

There’s another big feature coming to the Edge+ and a few other Samsung devices later next month: Samsung Pay, the mobile payments system Samsung originally announced in the spring. Samsung Pay will be available in the US on September 28 with a software update, so I haven’t been able to test it yet. But if it works as Samsung says, it has a lot of potential, and could even be bigger than Apple Pay.

The key difference: Samsung Pay will work with regular magnetic credit card readers and near-field communication (NFC) payment pads. (Apple Pay only works with NFC, which is only available at a small fraction of retailers.) In theory, you’ll be able to use Samsung Pay almost anywhere credit cards are accepted. That’s potentially game changing.

Software is good, but not ideal

Samsung has the hardware side of things locked down. The Edge+ is an incredible phone on the inside and the outside.

But my biggest complaint is the software. Android is a great operating system on its own, but Samsung and other manufacturers like to modify Android and add their own features, often to the point where the software gets clunky and confusing.

Samsung cleaned up its software this year with the Galaxy S6 that launched in the spring, and the Edge+ has essentially the same look and feel. It’s smoother and more attractive, but it’s still not as good as the “clean” version of Android that comes straight from Google. There are a lot of unnecessary and redundant Samsung apps and features that you don’t need. Still, the software is not as maddening as it was in older Samsung phones, and I doubt most people will mind it. I’m just a snoot when it comes to these things.

The problem with Samsung phones

As good as the Edge+ is, it still faces the same problem Samsung has been wrangling for the last year or so.

It’s just too expensive.

We’re starting to see several Android phones that really nice, but cost hundreds less than Samsung’s latest devices. For example, I just tested the OnePlus One, which costs $389 for the 64GB model. It’s not as attractive as the Edge+, but, for the most part, it can do just about anything Samsung’s phones can do. Motorola has another new phone called the Moto X Style launching soon that only costs $400. It’s hard to find a compelling reason to spend several hundreds more than that for an Android phone.

Conclusion

If you can stomach the price, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is an incredible phone. If you love Android and want the best of the best, this is the phone you should buy. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Samsung unveils two new phones to rival the iPhone 6 Plus — and they are gigantic

Samsung's new curved-screen phone is the most beautiful device I've ever used from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Samsung's new curved-screen phone is the most beautiful device I've ever used

Steve Kovach August 22, 2015 at 05:00AM

Samsung knocked this one out of the park.

This week, it launched two excellent new phones, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Both are excellent, but my favorite is the Edge+, which I've been testing for about a week.

It’s more beautiful than the iPhone. It’s the best phone Samsung has ever made and one of the best phones, period.

The Edge+ costs about $815 for the 32GB model, but each carrier offers payment plans and other deals.

Beautiful inside and out

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ is a supersized version of the Galaxy S6 Edge that launched earlier this year. It has a 5.7-inch screen that slightly curves over each side. Samsung says the curve makes it easier to watch video because it creates the illusion that your phone doesn’t have a border around the screen.

I don’t buy that. Instead, the images appear to melt over the edge, slightly distorting the picture. It’s not awful, but definitely not as magical as Samsung makes it sound. Overall though, the screen is sharp and bright. I can’t stop looking at this thing. It’s nearly perfect.

On the software side, the Edge+ also has a menu that swipes over from the side that lets you store a few of your favorite contacts and apps so you can quickly access them no matter what you’re doing. (Like most phones, you’d normally have to go back to the home screen before selecting a new app.) It works well, but I wasn’t a fan of the little nub that’s always on the side of your screen when you have the feature enabled. It didn’t save me much time either, so I ended up turning the feature off after a few days.

Bottom line: The curved screen is mostly there just to look pretty, and that’s perfectly fine. The Edge+ is the best-looking phone I’ve ever used, and it doesn’t bother me at all that the curved screen doesn’t usher in some kind revolution in the way we use smartphones. It’s simply nicer to hold and look at.

And yes, I really do think it’s prettier than the iPhone. I’ve spent years praising Apple’s designs while poking fun at the flimsy plastic devices Samsung made. But Samsung outdid Apple with the Edge+. Even with the larger screen, the Edge+ has a smaller overall footprint than my iPhone 6 Plus. It’s easier to use with one hand and fits a lot better in my jeans pocket. And it just looks so good.

The camera is also one of the best I’ve ever used on a smartphone. My only complaint is that sometimes the exposure lets in too much light in outdoor shots, but overall it captures more detail than any other phone camera.

There’s another big feature coming to the Edge+ and a few other Samsung devices later next month: Samsung Pay, the mobile payments system Samsung originally announced in the spring. Samsung Pay will be available in the US on September 28 with a software update, so I haven’t been able to test it yet. But if it works as Samsung says, it has a lot of potential, and could even be bigger than Apple Pay.

The key difference: Samsung Pay will work with regular magnetic credit card readers and near-field communication (NFC) payment pads. (Apple Pay only works with NFC, which is only available at a small fraction of retailers.) In theory, you’ll be able to use Samsung Pay almost anywhere credit cards are accepted. That’s potentially game changing.

Software is good, but not ideal

Samsung has the hardware side of things locked down. The Edge+ is an incredible phone on the inside and the outside.

But my biggest complaint is the software. Android is a great operating system on its own, but Samsung and other manufacturers like to modify Android and add their own features, often to the point where the software gets clunky and confusing.

Samsung cleaned up its software this year with the Galaxy S6 that launched in the spring, and the Edge+ has essentially the same look and feel. It’s smoother and more attractive, but it’s still not as good as the “clean” version of Android that comes straight from Google. There are a lot of unnecessary and redundant Samsung apps and features that you don’t need. Still, the software is not as maddening as it was in older Samsung phones, and I doubt most people will mind it. I’m just a snoot when it comes to these things.

The problem with Samsung phones

As good as the Edge+ is, it still faces the same problem Samsung has been wrangling for the last year or so.

It’s just too expensive.

We’re starting to see several Android phones that really nice, but cost hundreds less than Samsung’s latest devices. For example, I just tested the OnePlus One, which costs $389 for the 64GB model. It’s not as attractive as the Edge+, but, for the most part, it can do just about anything Samsung’s phones can do. Motorola has another new phone called the Moto X Style launching soon that only costs $400. It’s hard to find a compelling reason to spend several hundreds more than that for an Android phone.

Conclusion

If you can stomach the price, the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is an incredible phone. If you love Android and want the best of the best, this is the phone you should buy. 

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Samsung unveils two new phones to rival the iPhone 6 Plus — and they are gigantic

Samsung's new curved-screen phone is the most beautiful device I've ever used from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: This cheap Chinese phone is incredibly good

Steve Kovach August 18, 2015 at 12:54PM

Android isn’t what it used to be.

In the early days, Android makers were racing to the top by making pricey phones with high-end specs that were designed to compete against the iPhone. It helped certain brands like Samsung rise to prominence, but all the others were left duking it out for third, fourth, or even fifth place.

But today some of the best Android devices you can buy won’t cost you a fortune. You can get a lot of excellent models for a fraction of the cost of the iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy phone.

OnePlus, a Chinese startup that’s only a few years old, has one of the best examples of that with its second flagship phone, the OnePlus 2.

For $329 you get a phone with a crisp 5.5-inch screen, 16GB of storage, one of the fastest processors, a fingerprint sensor that rivals the one on the iPhone, and the next-generation connector for charging called USB-C. For an extra $60, you get the same phone with more RAM and 64GB of storage. To put that all in perspective, the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus, which also has a 5.5-inch screen, costs $749.

The downside: It’s going to be tough to find a OnePlus 2. The company only sells its phones online through an invitation system. Part of that may be a marketing ploy to juice interest (it works!), but it’s also because OnePlus is a young company that doesn’t have the same kind of manufacturing prowess Apple, Samsung, and others have. OnePlus needs to make sure it has a buyer lined up for every phone it makes.

I’ve been using the OnePlus 2 for about a week, and despite some minor limitations, I think it’s an incredible phone by any standard, not just because it’s cheap.

What is it?

Unlike most Android phones, OnePlus goes out of its way not to meddle with the basic version of Android. It runs a slightly tweaked version of the software that looks and feels like the so-called “pure” version Google makes.Since the OnePlus 2 is unlocked, you also don’t have to worry about waiting too long for software updates. Typically, carriers have to approve a software update before it can be sent to users, which slows things down and helps explain why the vast majority of Android are running outdated software loaded with a bunch of junk the carriers add. OnePlus can update its phones whenever it wants, so you get the latest and greatest features almost as soon as they’re available.

The OnePlus only has a few extras on top of the basic version of Android, including a fingerprint sensor and new menu that suggests frequently-used apps and contacts. But I think that’s a good thing. Too many Android phones come bogged down with a lot of unnecessary extras that make the devices too complicated. Pure Android is excellent on its own, and OnePlus kept its changes to a minimum. It’s Android at its best.The fingerprint sensor works flawlessly too. Until now, only Samsung and Apple have figured out how to make a fast and accurate smartphone fingerprint sensor, but the one on the OnePlus 2 is just as good if not better. I couldn’t trick it.

The OnePlus is also the first major Android phone to come with a new type of charging port called USB-C. USB-C was first introduced this year in new laptops from Apple and Google, and you can expect to start seeing it in more Android phones later this year and into next year. USB-C is the next generation of USB. It’s an all-in-one port that can charge the device, sync with accessories, and push video out to a monitor or TV. It’s also reversible, so you don’t have to fiddle around and guess which way to connect the cord to your phone.

The only major drawback is that very few gadgets are compatible with USB-C, so you’ll probably have trouble finding accessories and chargers. It’s sort of like when Apple switched its charger to the Lightning port in 2012 and everyone had to scramble for new adapters. But it won’t be long before most Android phones start using USB-C. The OnePlus 2 is just ahead of the rest.

As great as the phone is, it’s not much to look at. The OnePlus 2 is made of mostly metal and glass, but it’s basically just a plain black slab. It’s thick, heavy, and not nearly as attractive as the latest Galaxy phones from Samsung. But it still has a solid construction and doesn’t feel cheap. My biggest complaint about the design is the removeable flimsy plastic cover, which gives you access to the SIM card slot.

A few problems

There’s only one major drawback to the OnePlus 2: The camera isn’t that great. It takes decent photos, but the shutter speed is pretty slow. There’s a noticeable lag between the time you press the shutter button and the phone actually takes the photo. And the image quality is nowhere near as good as what you’d get from Samsung’s latest Galaxy phones or the iPhone 6.

The OnePlus 2 is also missing some key features premium phones have these days like a mobile payments app. But I doubt many people will miss that.

You don't need to spend a fortune on a great Android phone

But those drawbacks are minor, and they’re easy to deal with considering how much phone you get for your money.

The OnePlus 2 is just the latest in an increasing number of Android devices that pack great hardware into an affordable package. I can’t think of one compelling reason to spend much more than $400 on an Android phone, considering they all pretty much do the same things.

Unless you think spending an extra $300 or so is worth it for a better camera and slightly better design (I don’t), you’ll want to get the OnePlus 2 or one of the other cheaper Android devices coming out soon.

Join the conversation about this story »

NOW WATCH: Here's your first look at the sequel to the hottest Android phone

This cheap Chinese phone is incredibly good from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: 3 reasons why you should never sign a contract with your wireless carrier

Steve Kovach August 18, 2015 at 08:59AM

By the end of the year, three of the four major wireless carriers won't offer contracts.

That would've been unthinkable just a few years ago, but the industry is going through a big shift. T-Mobile, Verizon, and soon Sprint only offer no-contract plans. AT&T has no-contract options, but it's still the only major carrier that has contracts.

The carriers are making the right decision too. No-contract plans are better for the consumer, and could even save you some money. If your current contract is up or you're about to sign up for new service, you should choose to go off contract.

Here's why.

1.) You know where your money is going

The real cost of a smartphone is actually way more than you pay up front when you sign a two-year contract. For example, contract plans let you get an iPhone 6 for $200, even though the phone costs $650. Your carrier ends up paying the difference to Apple, and you slowly pay the carrier back over time through your monthly bill.

But the cost of your phone is baked into the bill, so you're paying more than you need to after two years if you keep your phone.

If you go off-contract, plans tend to be a little cheaper. You can pay the full price of your phone up front or sign up for a payment plan and pay it off a little at a time. Your bill may not look much different if you do a payment plan for your phone, but at least you know where your money is going. Plus, you'll save money on your monthly bill after you've paid off your phone.

2.) You can get a new phone whenever you want

When you get a phone with a two-year contract, you're usually not allowed to upgrade to a new device until your contract is up. If you don't have a contract, you can get a new phone whenever you want as long as you've already paid off your current device. It's good news for people who like to upgrade more often than their contract typically allows.

3.) You can switch carriers whenever you want

If you have a contract with your carrier, it can be tough to cancel your service and switch to another one. That's because most carriers charge an early termination fee (ETF) if you back out of your contract early. Your ETF could be several hundred dollars if you're relatively early in your contract.

With no-contract plans, you only pay month to month and can cancel and switch to another carrier if you're unhappy with your service. The only caveat is that your carrier will ask you to pay off your phone first if you're on a payment plan.

This also gives carriers a greater incentive to provide you with better service and customer support. They don't want to lose you.

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3 reasons why you should never sign a contract with your wireless carrier from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: A Chinese startup made one of the best Android phones, and it's a fraction of the price of the iPhone

Steve Kovach August 18, 2015 at 06:56AM

Android isn’t what it used to be.

In the early days, Android makers were racing to the top by making pricey phones with high-end specs that were designed to compete against the iPhone. It helped certain brands like Samsung rise to prominence, but all the others were left duking it out for third, fourth, or even fifth place.

But today some of the best Android devices you can buy won’t cost you a fortune. You can get a lot of excellent models for a fraction of the cost of the iPhone or a Samsung Galaxy phone.

OnePlus, a Chinese startup that’s only a few years old, has one of the best examples of that with its second flagship phone, the OnePlus 2.

For $329 you get a phone with a crisp 5.5-inch screen, 16GB of storage, one of the fastest processors, a fingerprint sensor that rivals the one on the iPhone, and the next-generation connector for charging called USB-C. For an extra $60, you get the same phone with more RAM and 64GB of storage. To put that all in perspective, the 16GB iPhone 6 Plus, which also has a 5.5-inch screen, costs $749.

The downside: It’s going to be tough to find a OnePlus 2. The company only sells its phones online through an invitation system. Part of that may be a marketing ploy to juice interest (it works!), but it’s also because OnePlus is a young company that doesn’t have the same kind of manufacturing prowess Apple, Samsung, and others have. OnePlus needs to make sure it has a buyer lined up for every phone it makes.

I’ve been using the OnePlus 2 for about a week, and despite some minor limitations, I think it’s an incredible phone by any standard, not just because it’s cheap.

What is it?

Unlike most Android phones, OnePlus goes out of its way not to meddle with the basic version of Android. It runs a slightly tweaked version of the software that looks and feels like the so-called “pure” version Google makes.Since the OnePlus 2 is unlocked, you also don’t have to worry about waiting too long for software updates. Typically, carriers have to approve a software update before it can be sent to users, which slows things down and helps explain why the vast majority of Android are running outdated software loaded with a bunch of junk the carriers add. OnePlus can update its phones whenever it wants, so you get the latest and greatest features almost as soon as they’re available.

The OnePlus only has a few extras on top of the basic version of Android, including a fingerprint sensor and new menu that suggests frequently-used apps and contacts. But I think that’s a good thing. Too many Android phones come bogged down with a lot of unnecessary extras that make the devices too complicated. Pure Android is excellent on its own, and OnePlus kept its changes to a minimum. It’s Android at its best.The fingerprint sensor works flawlessly too. Until now, only Samsung and Apple have figured out how to make a fast and accurate smartphone fingerprint sensor, but the one on the OnePlus 2 is just as good if not better. I couldn’t trick it.

The OnePlus is also the first major Android phone to come with a new type of charging port called USB-C. USB-C was first introduced this year in new laptops from Apple and Google, and you can expect to start seeing it in more Android phones later this year and into next year. USB-C is the next generation of USB. It’s an all-in-one port that can charge the device, sync with accessories, and push video out to a monitor or TV. It’s also reversible, so you don’t have to fiddle around and guess which way to connect the cord to your phone.

The only major drawback is that very few gadgets are compatible with USB-C, so you’ll probably have trouble finding accessories and chargers. It’s sort of like when Apple switched its charger to the Lightning port in 2012 and everyone had to scramble for new adapters. But it won’t be long before most Android phones start using USB-C. The OnePlus 2 is just ahead of the rest.

As great as the phone is, it’s not much to look at. The OnePlus 2 is made of mostly metal and glass, but it’s basically just a plain black slab. It’s thick, heavy, and not nearly as attractive as the latest Galaxy phones from Samsung. But it still has a solid construction and doesn’t feel cheap. My biggest complaint about the design is the removeable flimsy plastic cover, which gives you access to the SIM card slot.

A few problems

There’s only one major drawback to the OnePlus 2: The camera isn’t that great. It takes decent photos, but the shutter speed is pretty slow. There’s a noticeable lag between the time you press the shutter button and the phone actually takes the photo. And the image quality is nowhere near as good as what you’d get from Samsung’s latest Galaxy phones or the iPhone 6.

The OnePlus 2 is also missing some key features premium phones have these days like a mobile payments app. But I doubt many people will miss that.

You don't need to spend a fortune on a great Android phone

But those drawbacks are minor, and they’re easy to deal with considering how much phone you get for your money.

The OnePlus 2 is just the latest in an increasing number of Android devices that pack great hardware into an affordable package. I can’t think of one compelling reason to spend much more than $400 on an Android phone, considering they all pretty much do the same things.

Unless you think spending an extra $300 or so is worth it for a better camera and slightly better design (I don’t), you’ll want to get the OnePlus 2 or one of the other cheaper Android devices coming out soon.

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A Chinese startup made one of the best Android phones, and it's a fraction of the price of the iPhone from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Take a look inside the ghost town Apple looked into for a top-secret project

Steve Kovach August 17, 2015 at 10:17AM

If Apple is going to build a car, it needs a top-secret facility for testing.

According to documents The Guardian obtained, Apple approached a company called GoMentum, which specializes in testing self-driving cars. GoMentum owns a former military base that car companies use for testing.

The facility is basically a closed-off ghost town, which makes it an ideal location for testing futuristic vehicles that can't be seen by the public.

We already know that Apple is planning on making a car, but that's about all we know. But if it wanted to test a prototype car, GoMentum's facility would be a great place to go.

GoMentum isn't quiet about what it specializes in, and other car companies that have tested self-driving cars have already gone public about their work at GoMentum's facility.

Honda is one of the major car manufacturers that has already used GoMentum's facility to test self-driving vehicles. Below is a short video the company posted to YouTube that gives you a glimpse inside the same area Apple approached.

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Take a look inside the ghost town Apple looked into for a top-secret project from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Here's a video that shows the former military base Apple approached for a top-secret project

Steve Kovach August 16, 2015 at 04:48PM

If Apple is going to build a car, it needs a top-secret facility for testing.

According to documents The Guardian obtained, Apple approached a company called GoMentum, which specializes in testing self-driving cars. GoMentum owns a former military base that car companies use for testing.

The facility is basically a closed-off ghost town, which makes it an ideal location for testing futuristic vehicles that can't be seen by the public.

We already know that Apple is planning on making a car, but that's about all we know. But if it wanted to test a prototype car, GoMentum's facility would be a great place to go.

GoMentum isn't quiet about what it specializes in, and other car companies that have tested self-driving cars have already gone public about their work at GoMentum's facility.

Honda is one of the major car manufacturers that has already used GoMentum's facility to test self-driving vehicles. Below is a short video the company posted to YouTube that gives you a glimpse inside the same area Apple approached.

Join the conversation about this story »

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Here's a video that shows the former military base Apple approached for a top-secret project from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: How to tell how strong your iPhone's signal really is

Steve Kovach August 16, 2015 at 10:20AM

The signal bars on your iPhone don't tell the whole story.

Your iPhone may appear to be telling you that your signal is at full strength, but the true connection is actually more nuanced than that.

If you want to see how strong you iPhone's signal really is, follow these steps, which Tech Insider recently demonstrated in a how-to video.

Open your phone dialer and enter the following code.

Press the call button.

You'll see your normal signal bars disappear. You get these numbers instead.

See the rest of the story at Business Insider

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How to tell how strong your iPhone's signal really is from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: The biggest thing holding back Samsung's latest phones

Steve Kovach August 14, 2015 at 11:07AM

Click here to read the full article.

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The biggest thing holding back Samsung's latest phones from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: The biggest thing holding back Samsung's latest phones

Steve Kovach August 14, 2015 at 05:25AM

Samsung made big changes this year.

Instead of releasing phones made of flimsy plastic like it has for years, it opted to use premium designs and materials in its newest devices. In March, we got the Galaxy S6, which has a unibody design made of all metal and glass. There's also a curved screen version of the S6, the S6 Edge. Both phones are eye-poppingly gorgeous.

These were the devices that were supposed to reverse Samsung's fortunes and get people excited about Galaxy phones again. After an incredible two-year run, Samsung's phone sales tanked last year following steep competition from cheaper Android devices from companies like Xiaomi.

The S6 was supposed to bring Samsung back to its glory days.

But it didn't work. Even though the Galaxy S6 got great reviews, it didn't sell well enough to turn things around for Samsung. Profits from the company's mobile division continued to fall. Samsung not only had to compete with low-end Android phones, but also the new big-screen iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, which reportedly caused record numbers of people to switch over from Android.

Samsung's two newest phones, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+, are more of the same. They're essentially jumbo versions of the two phones we saw in March. They have big, beautiful screens and they look and feel great. They have some of the best cameras and fastest processors you'll find in a smartphone today.

They're also really expensive, starting at $740 for the 32GB model of the Note 5. Those are prices iPhone owners are used to paying, but things are different in the world of Android. There are several really nice, premium phones that cost about half as much as Samsung's newest phones.

For example, Motorola's upcoming Moto X style has all the premium specs and features you'd expect to find in a high-end phone, but costs just $399. For the last few days I've been using a phone called the OnePlus 2, which is made by a Chinese startup. It has a sharp 5.5-inch screen, fingerprint sensor, a fast processor, and only costs $389 for the 64GB version. It's an incredible device for the price.

No matter what kind of special tricks you try to pack into an Android phone, it's still just that: an Android phone. It's almost impossible to differentiate one premium Android device from another in any significant way, which is why you're seeing so many people gravitate towards the cheaper devices, leaving Samsung struggling relative to where it was just two years ago.

Android phones are racing to the bottom, but Samsung is still trying to play at the high end. There's no compelling reason to buy a $700+ Samsung device when a $400 phone from Motorola or OnePlus will work just as well. 

Does that mean Samsung's newest phones are bad?

No way.

I've only used them for a short time, but I liked what I saw. They're easily two of the best smartphones you can buy today. But I don't see why anyone would choose them over the several other cheaper options that are just as good. If you're going to spend $600 or $700 on a phone, you're better off going for the iPhone, which gives you access to a better ecosystem of apps, software updates, customer support, and a ton of other benefits most Android makers can't offer.

As good as Samsung's 2015 lineup of phones is, the biggest thing holding it back is the price.

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The biggest thing holding back Samsung's latest phones from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: There's still a big problem with Samsung Pay

Steve Kovach August 13, 2015 at 11:20AM

Samsung announced Thursday that its mobile payments service called Samsung Pay will launch in the US and South Korea on September 28.

The service, which was originally announced in March, was supposed to launch in the summer, but apparently ran into delays. Now it will launch on Samsung's two newest phones, the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+.

But despite getting a final date for Samsung Pay's launch, Samsung still wasn't able to say which credit cards, banks, and other financial institutions will be compatible with the service.

In March, only Visa and MasterCard said they were committed to Samsung Pay, but they were not mentioned at Samsung's big launch event on Thursday.

According to a source familiar with Samsung's plans, the company is still trying to wrangle major credit card companies in time for the September 28 launch. However, Visa, MasterCard, and American Express are expected to be ready to go at launch along with a few other major banks.

Samsung's official statement is that it's still working with partners before Samsung Pay launches. This makes Samsung Pay a tough sell if users don't know if their credit cards will be compatible.

Apple Pay — which supports most major credit cards and many, if not most, of the banks in the US today — wasn't as robust when it launched in October of last year. Apple Pay continues to add new partners all the time. However, Apple Pay was able to say it had most major credit cards and major banks ready to go when it first announced Apple Pay.

Samsung is remaining quiet for now until the deals are finalized.

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There's still a big problem with Samsung Pay from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Samsung invented a new way to control its next smartwatch, according to people who have used it

Steve Kovach August 13, 2015 at 10:13AM

Samsung's seventh smartwatch in two years, the Gear S2, is coming September 3, the company teased at its Unpacked event on Thursday.

Tech Insider has spoken to two people who have used the watch. According to these people, the key features will be its premium round design and a new dial that will let you navigate through menus.

Unlike the Apple Watch, which has a dial on the side called the Digital Crown, the Gear S2 will have a rotating bezel around the entire watch, these people said. Users will turn the bezel to navigate through apps and menus. One of the people who recently used the watch said, "It's really nice."

Samsung briefly flashed what the Gear S2 will look like at its event on Thursday:

The rotating bezel concept won't be new to those who have been watching Samsung closely. A few months ago, the company released some materials for developers so they can build apps for the watch. The materials described a watch with a round face and the bezel controls.

According to one source, the Gear S2 was originally supposed to launch along with the Galaxy S6 smartphone in March, as we reported in January. However, those plans were pushed back to the fall so Samsung could focus entirely on the new phone.

Samsung launched its first smartwatch, the Galaxy Gear, almost two years ago. Since then, it has launched five other smartwatch models, but none of them have been major hits.

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Samsung invented a new way to control its next smartwatch, according to people who have used it from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: Samsung just announced two beautiful new smartphones

Steve Kovach August 13, 2015 at 08:01AM

Samsung has the first major smartphones of the fall and they're coming soon.

They're called the Galaxy S6 Edge+ and the Galaxy Note 5, and both devices pull from the premium designs and materials we first saw this spring with the Galaxy S6. 

The phones launch on August 21 in the US. Preorders start August 13. However, Samsung has not announced pricing. Each carrier will offer various payment plans or on-contract deals.

Both phones have essentially the same specs and features (5.7-inch screen, 16 megapixel camera, the latest version of Android, etc.) except for a few obvious differences. Here's what you need to know:

The Galaxy S6 Edge+

The Galaxy S6 Edge+ (what a mouthful!) is a jumbo-sized version of the Galaxy S6 Edge, which launched last spring. The screen curves over both sides, and you can customize a slide-over menu from one edge with your frequently used apps and contacts.

But other than that, the curved screen is mostly just there just to look pretty. And it truly is one of the best-looking Android phones out there.

The Galaxy Note 5

The Note 5 is the next generation of Samsung's flagship series of phablets. The biggest change from last year's model is the design. Instead of plastic, the Note 5 is made out of all metal and glass. There's no removeable cover either, which means you can't swap out the battery or add extra storage like you could with previous Galaxy Notes. That's likely to upset some Samsung loyalists who loved those features.

The Note 5's stylus has some improvements too. It's now more sensitive and accurate. You can also start writing notes on the screen without activating the display, which saves you from unlocking the phone and launching Samsung's note-taking app.

Samsung Pay

Both phones will also be the first to offer Samsung Pay, Samsung's mobile payments system that's a rival to Apple Pay. But Samsung Pay has a big advantage: The company says it will work with regular magnetic credit card readers and special near-field communication (NFC) payment pads. Apple Pay only works with NFC payment terminals, which are relatively uncommon at US retailers. In theory, Samsung Pay will work just about anywhere credit cards are accepted.

Samsung Pay will launch in the US and South Korea in the fall. It'll also work on the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge, but you'll need a software update.

However, it's unclear how useful Samsung Pay will be since the company has been pretty quiet about which credit card companies, banks, financial institutions, and retailers it'll be working with. Samsung Pay was originally announced in March with the Samsung Galaxy S6, and only Visa and MasterCard had committed at the time. Samsung tells Tech Insider more partnerships will be announced as Samsung Pay gets closer to launch.

Live Broadcast

The only other major feature in the two phones worth talking about is called Live Broadcast. It's a feature built into the camera app that lets you live stream video from your device to your YouTube account. You can share the video privately with a few friends or publicly with anyone in the world. If you're familiar with apps like Twitter's Periscope or Meerkat, it's a very similar concept.

What does this mean for Samsung?

Samsung has had a rough 14 months or so. Its phones aren't selling as well as they used to thanks to increased competition from the big-screen iPhone 6 and cheaper Android devices from companies like Xiaomi. Samsung tried to change things up this year with the Galaxy S6 by offering a premium design, but sales are still relatively sluggish.

The Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ are more of the same and unlikely to reverse Samsung's fortunes. They don't have any key differentiating features that you can't get in other Android phones making them worth the extra cost.

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Samsung just announced two beautiful new smartphones from Business Insider: Steve Kovach

The Transport Guy: The way you pay for your iPhone is about to change (AAPL)

Steve Kovach August 10, 2015 at 09:04AM

Despite what Apple and your carrier may tell you, your iPhone doesn't cost $199.

That price, which you'll see all over the ads and other marketing materials for the iPhone, is actually the subsidized price of the phone when you sign up for a two-year contract with your carrier. The real cost of the iPhone is $649 or higher, depending on the model you choose.

On Friday, Verizon announced a bombshell that will likely affect the way Apple markets the next iPhone. Verizon has ended service contracts, which means new subscribers won't be able to get an iPhone or any other smartphone for the subsidized price. Instead, you'll have to pay the entire cost of the device up front or agree to pay it off a little at a time in monthly installments.

It's a great move from Verizon, one that'll bring more transparency to your monthly bill. Before, Verizon would stuff the rest of the cost of your iPhone into your monthly bill, but you'd still have to keep paying the same price, even after two years when your phone was supposedly paid off. The new system ensures you can keep your phone for over two years and not have to worry about paying more than you have to.

Since Verizon is the largest wireless carrier, it puts Apple in a sticky situation this year — it probably won't be able to say you can get the iPhone for $199 and up. Plus T-Mobile, the third-largest wireless carrier, hasn't had contracts since 2013.

So, what will Apple do? If it says the iPhone 6S — or whatever the next iPhone is called — costs $649 and up, it'll seem to many that the iPhone is suddenly $450 more expensive than it was last year.

Instead, Apple will likely play up the monthly payment plans Verizon, T-Mobile, and the others offer. (AT&T and Sprint still have contracts, but also have monthly payment plans for phones.)

We don't know specifically how Verizon's phone payment plan will work, but it'll likely be similar to T-Mobile's system, which lets you get an entry-level iPhone for $0 down and about $27 per month for 24 months. 

The most likely scenario at this year's iPhone event: When Apple brings up the new iPhone pricing on the big screen, it'll probably say something like "Starting at $0 down" instead of "Starting at $649." That'll be easier to swallow, and, in a strange way, could make the iPhone look even cheaper than it was before.

But the bottom line is this: No matter what a smartphone maker or carrier says, your smartphone will always end up costing you hundreds more in the long run than what you see advertised. 

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The way you pay for your iPhone is about to change (AAPL) from Business Insider: Steve Kovach