Amazon bans non spec-compliant USB Type-C cables

Amazon has updated its list of prohibited listings to reflect that the it will no longer sell USB Type-C cables that aren't compliant with standard specifications.

Here's the exact line added by the online retailer:

Any USB-C™ (or USB Type-C™) cable or adapter product that is not compliant with standard specifications issued by "USB Implementers Forum Inc."

The change was spotted by Google's Benson Leung, who has been examining USB Type-C cables for quite some time now. If you recall, he's the same guy who last year reported about OnePlus' USB Type-C accessories being out of spec.

Google Play offering up to 80% off on Star Wars-themed comics

Are you a Star Wars fan? Are you interested in Star Wars-themed stuff? If your answer to both questions in yes, then you'll be glad to know that comics based on the popular franchise are being sold at discounted rates.

Google is offering up to 80% off on select comics (over 15 in number) - hit the Source link below to view the complete collection which has been hosted on Google Play. In case you don't already know, Star Wars: The Force Awakens debuts April 1 on digital platforms.

Update brings Dropbox integration to Adobe Acrobat Reader on Android

After iOS, Adobe has now rolled out the Dropbox integration update to its Acrobat Reader app on Android, allowing users to access PDF files stored in their Dropbox account directly from the app.

Dropbox, on the other hand, has also updated its Android app, adding a new "do more with your PDF documents" option, tapping on which launches Acrobat Reader from the cloud storage app for you to view and take action on files.

Head to the Google Play links below to download the latest versions of Acrobat Reader and Dropbox for Android.

Entry level Gionee P5 mini unveiled with 4.5-inch display, quad-core CPU

Chinese manufacturer Gionee has unveiled a new entry-level smartphone. Dubbed Gionee P5 mini, the device is powered by a quad-core 1.3GHz Mediatek MT6580M‎ chipset, and sports a 4.5-inch (854 x 480 pixel resolution) IPS display.

It has 1GB RAM and 8GB expandable internal memory, and packs in an 1,800mAh battery. In terms of camera, the device features a 5MP rear unit and a 2MP front shooter. Measuring 132x 66 x 9.1mm and weighing in at 153g, the handset offers dual SIM functionality and runs Android 5.0 Lollipop.

Connectivity options include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, micro USB 2.0, and GPS‎, while color options include black, blue, and white. The unveiling took place in Nigeria. - there's currently no information on its price and release date. Also not known is whether or not it will be available in other markets.

AT&T LG G5 pre-orders have started shipping

Just over a week after it started accepting LG G5 pre-orders, AT&T has begun shipping the flagship device - few lucky ones will get their units as soon as today (March 30), a day before the phone is set to be launched globally.

In case you don't already know, AT&T is running a buy one, get one free promo on LG G5 pre-orders. Given that the carrier is accepting pre-orders until March 31, those interested in the deal need to act fast as they just have a day to avail it.

Aside from AT&T, other major US carries - including Verizon and Sprint - are also accepting LG G5 pre-orders, with T-Mobile getting into the action today.

HTC 10 teased again, meanwhile GFXBench exposes its specs

The HTC 10 has been one of the regulars in our rumored section for a long time - we saw it leak through renders, cases, various specs, live images, among others. But the HTC 10 is going to be unveiled on April 12, and as of recently, it has been teased by the company itself.

The #powerof10 campaign has brought us teasers about its audio, top-quality camera, its elegant frame, and finally, we got the invitation to the announcement.

Today HTC has yet another teaser for us - this time it's about performance, but it also gives us a glimpse at the front capacitive keys, flanking a hardware Home Key similar to the One A9's. But there is more. Here is the teaser's accompanying text:

"Not all phones are created equal. The fastest and smoothest Android. You’ll feel it."

We pretty much have a clear idea of what the HTC 10 will look like and we knew most of its key specs, but hopefully, HTC succeeds in keeping something under wraps until the event.

Meanwhile, the HTC 10 leaked through the GFXBench database, and the entry just confirmed the already leaked specs - a 5.1-inch QHD AMOLED touchscreen, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 at the helm, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, a 12MP rear camera, and a 5MP front snapper.

The HTC 10 is rumored to cost €740 and launch on April 15. There are also reports of a Snapdragon 652-powered model, which should be cheaper.

We'll know everything just two weeks from now.

Fiber Phone is a landline service for your Google Fiber

Google's latest service is anything but futuristic. The search giant has just unveiled its very own take on landline phone service. It's called Fiber Phone and for starters it will be available "in a few areas". At a later date, it will be an option for all residential customers using Google Fiber internet access.

Fiber Phone costs $10 per month. It gives you unlimited local and nationwide US calling. As for international calls, you'll get the same rates used for Google Voice (the full list is here). Fiber Phone can give you a new number, or you can keep your old one if you want to. You can use call waiting, caller ID, and 911 services with Fiber Phone.

It will also transcribe your voicemails and send them to you as a text or email, for easier access. It gets even smarter, though - your Fiber Phone number lives in the cloud. Thus, you can use it on almost any phone, tablet, or laptop. It can ring your landline when you're home, or your mobile phone when you're not. That sounds a lot like Google Voice, but tied to a landline, in a bid to modernize this ancient technology. It remains to be seen whether Google's take on this will catch on.

Waze will tell you if you're going over the speed limit

The latest addition to Waze, the community-based traffic and navigation app, has everything to do with speed limits. Namely, the Google-owned app has added support for notifying you when you're going over the speed limit.

This new feature currently only works in Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Colombia, Czech Republic, El Salvador, France, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden, Switzerland, Trinidad, Tobago, and Uruguay, but is apparently going to land in other places too - at some point in the future.

It works like this: when you go over the speed limit, a visual alert will appear on the Waze speedometer. It will stay there until your speed goes below the limit again.

You can choose when the alert appears - either when the limit is reached, or when you exceed the limit by 5, 10, or 15%. The alert sound is optional. The new functionality should be available soon in the Waze app for Android and iOS.

Instagram videos are now 60 seconds long

Instagram has let you upload videos ever since 2013, but up until today the maximum length for the clips has been 15 seconds. That's more than Vine's famous six-second rule, but apparently wasn't enough.

The video length for Instagram is going up to 60 seconds starting today. However, the huge caveat here is that the rollout of this extension will be completed for everyone "in the coming months".

But wait, there's more! Instagram version 7.19 for iOS will be out in the iTunes App Store this week, and this iteration of the app brings back the ability to make videos out of multiple clips from your camera roll. There's no word yet on when a similar feature might make it to Android.

In the last six months, the amount of time people spent watching videos on Instagram went up by 40%, which is probably why the social network has decided to focus a bit more on moving images.

Snapchat gets a big update today, with stickers, audio and video notes baked in

The chat app that all the cool kids love has received a huge update today. Snapchat 2.0 comes with a host of new and improved features, so let's dive right in.

Chatting is now more seamless, and you can choose from more than 200 new stickers to express yourself. These can be searched by keyword, thankfully. Or you can send an audio or a ten-second video note if the person you're trying to talk to isn't available. Easier controls make starting a video call a breeze, and you can get to the pictures you've already snapped straight from the messaging screen. They're also accessible while you video chat, so you can share pics when you talk.

The Stories section has changed somewhat too. Once you're finished with a story, Snapchat will automatically advance to the next one in your feed. Or you can swipe left while watching a story to see the next one.

Snapchat 2.0 should be rolling out today on Android and iOS.

T-Mobile planning to launch data-only plans, leaked document reveals

Slowly, but surely, more and more customers are becoming always connected with a smartphone and getting rid of your phone number is going the way of the cable cutters. According to a leaked document sent to TmoNews, T-Mobile plans to launch new data-only plans for smartphones and tablets starting at $20 per month for 2GB.

Ever since data became the staple that carriers sell to its customers, rather than offering a small fee for unlimited access, data is becoming the main product being sold with phone calls free of limits through all carriers in the US.

The document says T-Mobile wants to offer its customers the freedom to use their device however they want to, even if they don’t want to buy a voice line for a smartphone, customers should be able to do so.

These plans will be available for all GSM enabled devices including smartphones. The pricing breaks down as follows:

• 2GB = $20
• 6GB = $35
• 10GB = $50
• 14GB = $65
• 18GB = $80
• 22GB = $95

The document also says these plans are not eligible for the $10 Automatic Mobile Internet Discount. Also, older BlackBerry devices that rely on BlackBerry’s Enterprise Server connection would not be able to access such services with these data-only plans. According to the same leak, T-Mobile plans to launch such plans tomorrow, March 30.

We’ll see what T-Mobile is up to tomorrow, there will likely be some kind of press release along with the new alleged plans.

T-Mobile starts taking orders for the LG G5

As expected, today T-Mobile has started taking online orders for the LG G5. You can go ahead to the carrier's website right now and do the deed.

The phone is priced at $629.99 if you want to pay for it outright. Otherwise, you can opt for spending $0 upfront, then followed by 24 monthly installments of $26.25. As usual with T-Mobile, you'll need to sign a service agreement for the device, and if you cancel wireless service the remaining balance on the G5 becomes due.

Buying your G5 from T-Mobile means you'll also receive a free LG 360 Cam, a $200 value, as well as a free LG battery bundle (consisting of a second battery and a battery charging cradle). To take advantage of both freebies, you need to purchase the handset from the magenta carrier before April 5.

The G5 comes with a 5.3-inch QHD touchscreen, a dual rear camera (16 MP + 8 MP) with laser autofocus, OIS, and LED flash, an 8 MP selfie snapper, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 820 SoC, 4GB of RAM, 32GB of expandable storage, and a 2,800 mAh removable battery. It runs Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow.