Updated: Nexus 6 being recalled from AT&T stores due to Motorola error

The Nexus 6 is a gorgeous flagship, but it has its share of issues

Update: A Motorola spokesperson confirmed that "a small number" of Nexus 6 handsets sent to AT&T have the wrong software installed, sending TechRadar the following statement:

"We delivered a small number of Nexus 6 smartphones with incorrect software to AT&T customers who pre-ordered. The incorrect software prevents the phone from starting up properly. We will provide replacements for consumers whose phones are affected. The problem has been corrected and the phones currently shipping are fine."

The spokesperson said any Nexus 6 users who are able to see the "welcome" screen when they boot their phones up don't have to worry. For anyone who is affected the spokesperson said to call Motorola's customer support line.

original story follows…

This is odd, but the Nexus 6 is reportedly suffering from a crippling bug that only affects the first batch of handsets sent out on AT&T.

That's according to Droid Life, which spoke with "multiple sources" about the issue.

The bug apparently causes the Google flagship's display to go black and prevents it from connecting to AT&T's service, "essentially leaving the device useless," the site says.

As a result AT&T stores are allegedly being told to send back the Nexus 6 handsets they've received so far, causing stock shortages until they can get more in. AT&T's website lists the Nexus 6 as "out of stock" as well.

There hasn't been any major hubbub online about the bug, which suggests it hasn't affected many Nexus 6 handsets.

On the other, that may be exactly what AT&T is hoping to avoid with this alleged recall.

If you currently have an AT&T-branded Nexus 6 you might want to go into one of the carrier's stores and see if you can get it replaced, whether you've seen this issue yet or not.

We've asked AT&T and Motorola to confirm these details and what they recommend their customers do if they've already purchased the Nexus 6 from the carrier, and we'll update here if we hear back.

Luckily there are plenty of other places to get the Nexus 6 in the meantime.

See more phone and communications news Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter with the week's hottest news, reviews and offers.

View the original article here

TC Droidcast Episode 27: Nexus 6 Is Too Big And Nokia N1 Is Too iPad

 

This week on the Droidcast, it’s Darrell Etherington, Greg Kumparak, and Engadget’s Chris Velazco, and we’re talking in more detail about the Nexus 6 now that the full reviews are out. Bottom line: It’s big. We also tackle Nokia’s return to hardware with an Android-powered tablet, and Google’s acquisition of an iOS prototyping company.

Next week, we’ll have more to talk about in terms of the first devices beyond the Nexus program to get a taste of Lollipop, including the M7 and M8 HTC One GPE smartphones and the Nvidia Shield Tablet.

Subscribe on iTunes and check out past episodes directly on TechCrunch.

Download it directly here: http://traffic.libsyn.com/droidcast/droidcast-27.mp3

View the original article here

Google’s Nexus 6 Might Be Too Big For Right Now, But Right-Sized For The Future

As Greg Kumparak noted in the TechCrunch review of the Nexus 6, the phone is very large. Too large, in fact, for most humans. Back when it was just a rumor that Google would be picking Motorola to provide the Nexus 6 hardware, and that it would indeed be a monster with a 6-inch display, I lamented the phabletization of the Nexus line before it was even a real thing. Now, I’ve had some time with the device, and while part of me still feels the same, another part has to acknowledge that Google may have gotten it right with a “go big or go home” strategy for this generation of hardware.

For me, and for just about any other everyday user of the Nexus 6, there’s no question that something more akin to the Nexus 5, albeit with just better battery life, a better camera, improved specs and an updated display would’ve been the preferable option. Not least because such an unexciting iteration would probably have been able to keep the cost down, meaning you’d have another great pure Android option at a fraction of the cost of most locked, contract-only devices.

Which is great, insofar as you consider the purpose of the Nexus program to build affordable, easy-to-access devices with ergonomics aimed at suiting the needs of the greatest number of people. Nexus is not a populist program, however – it’s a reference hardware initiative that Google undertook because it wanted to help show OEMs how to get the most out of Android, and because it wanted developers to be able to build for a specific set of criteria that would mostly serve them well when their apps appeared on other Android devices, too.

Some speculate that the Nexus 6 was actually just one of many devices that were supposed to take part in the Android Silver program, which would’ve replaced Nexus devices with hardware from various OEMs that contained a pure version of Android with guaranteed timely updates. That theory suggests that the Nexus 6 is but one of a variety of different kinds of smartphones, some of which would’ve resembled the Nexus 5 more closely, and theoretically been more broadly-aimed devices.

Even leaving that aside, however, the Nexus 6 seems like it fits the Nexus mould – it’s a device that lets Google show off Android 5.0 on hardware that exemplifies some of its best aspects. It also potentially anticipates a future where, rather than a mobile market divided among tablets and smartphones, most consumers prefer a single device with a large display but with all the functions they’ve come to expect in a phone.

In my time testing the Nexus 6, it went from something that I found awkward to use and that would mostly stay home, to a device I’d carry in lieu of a tablet, stowed in a pocket or bag, and that I automatically used two-handed, without thinking about how inconvenient it was to use single-handed. And while it still isn’t for everyone, it might be the Nexus Android needs, in terms of lighting the path forward for what’s coming next in the mobile device market.

View the original article here

The Nexus 6 has a secret LED notification light

I see your true colours, shining through

Some were dismayed to find that the Nexus 6 doesn't have an LED notification light, but as it turns out, the phone does — it just hasn't been enabled by the device's software.

The hidden hardware easter egg was found by an XDA Developer forums tinkerer, who discovered a multi-colour LED that sits right in the middle of the Nexus 6's top speaker bar.

Forum user JMUT stumbled on the Nexus 6's hidden LED when using the Light Flow app, which lets you manually fiddle about with your phone's LED light.

Before you get too excited, this little hack requires a rooted phone, as apps don't have access to the Nexus 6's LED without the deeper control rooting provides.

It could do with the LED, though, as the Nexus 6 does not use the Active Display feature seen in other Motorola phones — for those not dangerously obsessed with all things Android, Motorola makes the Nexus 6 for Google.

Instead, it lets you see notifications from your lock screen. It's good, but not quite as immediate as either Active Display or an LED light.

Active Display shows notifications before you even turn your phone on. You'll find it in the 2014 Moto X.

According to the creator of Light Flow, the app used to discover the Nexus 6's LED, the unit refuses to flash/pulsate, suggesting that even after a hack or two we may not be able to get the full LED notification effect some people are after. But this is still one to keep an eye on.

via Android Authority

See more phone and communications news Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter with the week's hottest news, reviews and offers.

View the original article here

For reasons unknown, Google disabled the Nexus 6's tap-to-wake feature

Not the end of the world, we suppose

The Nexus 6 comes with Android 5.0 Lollipop, Google's latest mobile operating system that brings a number of cool new features to any device running it. However it appears that on the Nexus 6 Google has disabled the tap-to-wake function.

This feature would have allowed Nexus 6 owners to double tap the screen to wake the device up rather than having to press the power button.

The Nexus 6 initially had the feature, however in a code commit on Google's website it appears that Google has disabled the feature.

There hasn't been an official explanation about why Google has taken the feature out of the Nexus 6. The Nexus 9 includes the feature without any problems.

A potential reason for Google disabling the tap to wake feature was mentioned by PhoneArena. As the Nexus 6 is manufactured by Motorola it comes with an Ambient Display, which is similar to the active display found in the Moto X.

Motorola's unique display might be causing issues with the tap-to-wake feature, but until it's officially confirmed this is all speculation. What we do know is that sadly the Nexus 6 will be shipping with one less feature.

Via PhoneArena

See more phone and communications news Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter with the week's hottest news, reviews and offers.

View the original article here

Golden iPads, larger Nexus phone may come this month

Hype for Apple's next iPad grows with reports of a gold model, Google's Nexus 6 may stretch in size, and Microsoft adds Sway to the Office suite.

This October, as pumpkin spice engulfs the senses, we also plan to feast on a new Nexus and iPad. Watch CNET Update below for the latest reports on gold iPads and Motorola's 6-inch Nexus 6.

But there are some treats you don't have to wait for. Microsoft launched a new presentation tool called Sway , Google is giving students unlimited storage for free, and Alcatel's extra-large smartphone comes with a "Buddy" dumb phone:

CNET Update delivers the tech news you need in under three minutes. Watch Bridget Carey every afternoon for a breakdown of the big stories, hot devices, new apps, and what's ahead. Subscribe to the podcast via the links below.

Subscribe:

iTunes (HD) | iTunes (SD) | iTunes (HQ) | iTunes (MP3)

RSS (HD) | RSS (SD) | RSS (HQ)| RSS (MP3)

Download the audio version of today's episode:

New Nexus 6 leak shows just how massive Google's 'Shamu' may be

Now that's a phablet (credit: Android Police)

The rumored Google Nexus 6 has been the subject of plenty of leaks so far, but none have shown it as clearly as this one.

These photos allegedly show a commuter using a Nexus 6 in-hand, proving just how big the phone might turn out to be.

The Nexus 6 has been rumored at 5.9-inches previously, and the phone shown in these photos, which were sent to Android Police, seems to match up with that.

Besides that, there are several other noticeable details that help lend weight to the legitimacy of the images.

Note that the right-mounted power and volume buttons are situated halfway down the phone's side, and the headphone jack is in the middle of its bottom.

The rumored front-facing speakers are also visible here, and the navigation buttons match up with recent shots of Android L.

The headphone jack is in the middle (credit: Android Police)

The Nexus 6 first leaked with the code name "Shamu," and it looks like the phablet might live up to that.

Other than its massive size, the Nexus 6 is also said be sporting a resolution of 2560 x 1440, a Snapdragon 805 chip, 3GB of RAM, 13- and 2-megapixel cameras, 32GB of storage and a 3200mAh battery.

In other words, this thing could really be a beast.

See more phone and communications news Sign up to receive our free weekly newsletter with the week's hottest news, reviews and offers.

View the original article here