Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Comcast Announced A $65 Billion Bid For Twenty First Century Fox

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Comcast announced a $65 billion bid for Twenty First Century Fox units that are currently in agreement to be acquired by Disney.

The bid announced Wednesday represents a 19 percent premium to Disney's offer. Comcast, the parent of CNBC offered $35 a share in cash.

Disney agreed in December to buy the majority of Fox for $52.4 billion in stock. The deal included Fox's movie studios, networks National Geographic and FX, Star TV, stakes in Sky, Endemol Shine Group and Hulu, as well as regional sports networks.

"These are highly strategic and complementary businesses, and we are in our minds the right buyer," Comcast's CEO Brian Roberts said on a call with investors.

In a letter to Fox's board and members of the Murdoch family released earlier, Roberts said, "We were disappointed when Fox decided to enter into a transaction with The Walt Disney Company even though we had offered a meaningfully higher price." He went on to say, "We are pleased to present a new, all cash proposal that fully addresses the Board's stated concerns with our prior proposal."

Comcast is planning for an increased bid from Disney that may include a cash component according to people familiar with the matter. Comcast believes it is better suited to offer cash because the market allows for a higher leverage ratio from a cable company with strong cash flows than a media company like Disney, which is accustomed to carrying lower leverage ratios the people said. A Disney bid with cash will also diminish the tax benefits for the Murdoch family, which controls Fox.


Source: The Verge

Thursday, June 7, 2018

Essential Phone’s Second Module, The Audio Adapter HD With MQA Certification

This new Essential PH-1 Audio Adapter HD module attaches to the back of the Essential PH-1 just like the 360 camera, while adding a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Audio Adapter HD module can power high impedance headphones with an “audiophile grade” amp. No pricing is available yet, and Essential says that it’s coming “this summer.”



Along with that new Audio Adapter HD Essential is also releasing MQA certification for the Essential Phone today. The latest Essential PH-1 software update enables support for Master Quality Authenticated or MQA lossless audio. This allows users to hear music the way the artist intended at the highest possible quality, all while keeping the file size to a minimum.

Essential is also partnering with TIDAL to offer users a 3 month free subscription to existing and new Essential PH-1 owners. New Essential PH-1 buyers can get a free set of the company’s USB-C earbuds included with new device purchases.


Source: Essential via Twitter

Wednesday, June 6, 2018

Android P Beta 1, Now Available For Essential PH-1


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Android P Beta 1 has been released by Essential. Android P Beta 1 update is available via OTA, you need to have Android P Developer Beta installed to receive Android P Beta 1. Essential says the update will move Android P from a Developer Preview to a Beta. While this doesn’t mean it’s quite ready for general consumer use, it does signal that the build will be a lot more stable.

Android P Beta 1 includes the final Android P APIs and an updated SDK. While Essential owners can install the update keep in mind that it's aimed more toward's developers, and could be buggy. 

The Android P Beta 1 for the Essential Phone will include the following:

Google Security Patches 2018-06
Latest Google Android P code integration
Improved adaptive brightness range
Increased stability

If you're interested in loading Android P Beta 1 on your Essential PH-1 hit up settings, system update and grab Essential's Android Beta 1.


Source: Essential via Twitter, Essential Developer blog

Android P Developer Preview Beta 2, Now Available For Google's Pixel Handsets


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Android P Developer Preview Beta 2 has been released by Google. Android P Developer Preview Beta 2 devices include the Google Pixel, Google Pixel XL, Google Pixel 2 and Google Pixel 2 XL. To receive the update OTA you need to enroll your Pixel in the Android Beta Program by following the source link OTA/flash. You can also flash the factory image if your Pixel has an unlocked bootloader. 

Android P Developer Preview Beta 2 includes the final Android P APIs and an updated SDK. While Pixel owners can install the update keep in mind that it really is aimed at developers only, and could be buggy. 

If you're interested in loading Android P Developer Preview Beta 2 on your Pixel device via an OTA update or flashing it using a factory image, click on the source links.

One major change includes the "clear all" button once you swipe to the left while in the app switcher. The update also includes the June 5, 2018 Android security patch.

If you don't have a Pixel, keep checking in. Google could soon release the Android P developer preview beta 2 to non-Pixel devices such as the OnePlus 6, Essential Phone, Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S, Sony Xperia XZ2, Nokia 7 Plus, Oppo R15 Pro, Vivo X21 and the Vivo X21 UD.


Source: Android Developer blogGoogle Android Beta Program