Google might be releasing its own smartphone (and it’s not a Nexus)

Google has been working with hardware manufacturers like LG to create Nexus-branded devices like this Nexus 5X.

It looks like Google really wants to take the fight to Apple and are planning to release their own Google-branded smartphone—if we are to believe rumours that is. Sources who’ve spoken to the Telegraph claim Google plans to launch a smartphone before the end of the year where they have tighter controls over “design, manufacturing and software.” Google’s head honcho Sundar Pichai hasn’t been shy about wanting to have more say when it comes to their smartphones and they wanted to be more “opinionated” about its design.

This will truly give the company something to truly rival against the iPhone, since they have more control over all aspects of the device and it’ll implement what the tech giant wants a Google-made phone to be like sans the interpretations of hardware manufacturers. But Google also runs the risk of alienating Android hardware manufacturers, much like what happened with Microsoft. Of course, these are all still rumours and the company won’t confirm the news. But if Google does produce its own phone, will you consider buying it?

Source: Engadget

Case maker Incipio buys Skullcandy

Incipio is adding more to its stable of audio offerings by buying Skullcandy, the makers of flashy, youth-oriented headphones. According to Android Police, the terms of the acquisition offer US$5.75 for any shares of Skullcandy. This is then worth a combined $177 million in cash, making up a 59 percent premium over the brand’s current market value (including cash holdings and investments). Astro Gaming, Skullcandy’s gaming-specific brand of headphones and headsets are also part of the deal. More than anything, Incipio is getting the wide retail reach of Skullcandy, which develops everything from high-end Bluetooth noise-cancelling headphones to sweat-proof sport headsets to colorful and affordable earbuds.

The other recent acquisitions of Incipio include high-end speaker manufacturer Braven, accessory maker Incase, and beachwear company Tavik. If Incipio maintains its hands-off approach with its other purchases, you probably won’t notice any difference with Skullcandy.

Canadian Reviewer Weekly Roundup 06/19-06/25

‘No Man’s Sky’ settles legal issue with Sky TV over its name

Review: JayBird Freedom wireless headphones

Huawei releases MateBook 2-in-1 device with Surface-like design and price

Review: Piper NV all-in-one security system

LinkedIn says Salesforce, Amazon and Uber are most attractive companies to work for

Spotify has 100 million subscribers, 30 million are paid listeners

Adobe's latest update to Creative Cloud focuses on Content Aware editing and VR

YouTube FanFest comes to Toronto on August 13th

Facebook inks deals with media companies and celebrities for Live

Moto G Plus now available in Canada for $400 outright

Dell's 2016 Index ranks top cities for women entrepreneurs, Toronto is 6th

Evernote brings passcode lock to free users

Toca Boca soft launches Toca TV in Canada

YouTube brings live streaming to mobile

Apple to discontinue Thunderbolt display

Yahoo Mail brings undo send to iOS app

Microsoft plans to stop production of Surface 3 by December 2016

Instagram to offer automatic translation of captions and profiles

Tipster claims Samsung Galaxy Note 7 instead of Galaxy Note 6 might be in our future

Evan Blass, who often gets reliable phone leaks and is also known as @evleaks on Twitter, claims Samsung will be skipping over the Galaxy Note 6 in favor of Galaxy Note 7. If they do the name change, that’ll put Samsung’s phablet in line with the naming scheme of its new flagships: the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge. So, what should we expect this S-Pen-equipped phablet to carry? According to Blass, the device should come with a 5.7-inch display, an iris scanner, 64GB internal storage that’s expandable via microSD, and a 12-megapixel rear shooter and 5-megapixel front camera. The rumoured Galaxy Note 7 will also be IP68-certified to protect it against water. It should come in black, silver, and blue editions. Of course, while Blass is reliable, this still has to be taken with a grain of salt.

Source: CNET