Android 6.0 Marshmallow factory images are out for Nexus devices

Google already announced that it would release Android 6.0 Marshmallow this week, and it looks like the company wants to start in force. That's because it's already made factory images of the new version available for the Nexus devices that are supported.

The images are up on Google's specialized developer website, which is where you can also find instructions for flashing them. Keep in mind however that going this route will delete all data you've had on your phone or tablet, so make sure you back things up first.

The images are there for the LG Nexus 5, Motorola Nexus 6, Asus Nexus 7 (2013), HTC Nexus 9, and Asus Nexus Player. Older Nexus devices are not going to get official updates to Marshmallow, while the newly announced LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P will launch with it preinstalled.

Now that the factory images are available, expect over-the-air updates to start rolling out for the aforementioned devices within the next few days. Updating in this way will not wipe your data, so it's an easier method compared to flashing images. On the other hand, Google's OTA rollouts are generally very slow, so you will need to be patient if you choose this option.

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The Nexus 6 is now available for $299.99 in the US

Google refreshed the Nexus smartphones two days ago and both the LG Nexus 5X and Huawei Nexus 6P sound very interesting. The previous generation Motorola Nexus 6 is still quite an attractive offer though, especially with its new price.

While the new Nexus 6P is retailing at $500 and is already on sale, we shouldn't retire yet its predecessor - the Nexus 6. It offers a 6" Quad HD AMOLED screen, Snapdragon 805 chip with 3GB RAM, and a 13MP OIS camera. And now you can have this for $299.99.

A trusted seller on eBay has already sold more than 850 units of the phone and the quantities are rather limited. Still, the phone is still in stock and you can have it right now.

If this price suits you right, then you should hurry up and check the offer now.

We guess Motorola and Google will be lowering the official price down to a similar number in time for the Black Friday and the upcoming holiday season, so if you miss the offer now, we are sure there will be more opportunities.

eBay | ViaUS

Pre-orders for LG and Huawei Nexus phones to start on October 13

For most of this year, Google has been rumored to be working with both LG and Huawei on two new Nexus smartphones - a new Nexus 6 phablet made by the Chinese company, and a successor to the Nexus 5 from 2013 by the Koreans. The two handsets have been leaking so much lately that their existence is as good as confirmed.

We've already heard from a few places that the big unveiling of the two new Nexus-branded devices will occur on September 29. But when will you be able to order one?

Well, a new rumor comes to clear that aspect up too. According to an unnamed source, October 13 is when Google will start taking pre-orders for the duo. That is, coincidentally or not, exactly two weeks after the rumored September 29 event. Unfortunately though, this source could not provide an estimate of when the phones will be shipping.

With past Nexus releases, that's generally happened 1 to 3 weeks after pre-orders started. Obviously however, things could be different this time around. Also keep in mind that such timetables are known to change, so even if this information is accurate now (and that's quite an "if"), there's no guarantee that October 13 will actually be the big day.

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Oppo R7 Plus goes up for pre-order in the United States

Oppo’s R7 Plus phablet is now available for pre-order in the United States directly from the company’s online store. The handset is priced at $499, though interested parties can order one with 10% by using an email promo code.

The device is available in gold color scheme and will come with free Bluetooth headset. Pre-orders are expected to begin shipping by the end of this month.

Oppo R7 Plus features 6” 1080p display, Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 chipset, 3GB of RAM, 13MP camera, 8MP front-facing unit, fingerprint sensor, and massive 4,100 mAh battery. The phablet boots ColorOS 2.1 based on Android 5.1 Lollipop and does not support US LTE bands.

Even with 10% at launch, we find the US pricing of the R7 Plus overly ambitious due to its mostly mid-range specs. Such budget can currently land you a Moto X Style, LG G4, andNexus 6 among others, so you must really want an R7 Plus in order to splurge for it.

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“Decline in Nexus” hurts Nexus 6 sales

We’re big fans of the Nexus 6, but it turns out Google’s stock Android phone may not be pulling its weight in the sales department. Speaking during the company’s 2015 first quarter earnings call this week, CFO Patrick Pichette blamed a “decline in Nexus” mindshare for disappointing growth.

That includes the Nexus 9 as well, and Google noted that recent Nexus sales look particularly weak compared to the more popular Nexus 7 tablet. That doesn’t come as a huge surprise. The Nexus 6 costs about as much as a standard flagship phone, while the Nexus 5 was a bargain at just $349 off-contract. Meanwhile, the Nexus 9 starts at $399 compared to the $249 Nexus 7. It’s not hard to see why customers preferred the older devices.

Hopefully Google takes this lesson in stride and introduces a new pair of more affordable Nexus products later this year. With the company’s annual I/O conference coming up in June, it’s possible we could see a new phone or tablet announced at the event.

Motorola Nexus 6 arrives officially in six new markets

Google expanded the availability of Motorola Nexus 6 to six new markets. The Android 5.1 Lollipop phablet is now available to purchase from the new Google Store in Austria, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Norway, and Portugal.

This means that Google’s flagship handset is now available directly from Google in a total of 21 markets globally. The search giant and Motorola have clearly caught up with the brisk demand for the device, which caused quick sellouts at launch.

On a side note, Google also officially brought the Asus-made Nexus Player to the United Kingdom. The TV console is available from the Google Store and Amazon among others for £79.99.

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