Daily Roundup: Xperia Z1 review, JetBlue's 12Mbps Fly-Fi, iMessage briefly appears on Android, and more!
You might say the day is never really done in consumer technology news. Your workday, however, hopefully draws to a close at some point. This is the Daily Roundup on Engadget, a quick peek back at the top headlines for the past 24 hours -- all handpicked by the editors here at the site. Click on through the break, and enjoy.
Sony Xperia Z1 review
Here we are seven months after the release of Sony's Xperia Z, with a new flagship phone: the Z1. When we reviewed the original Z back in February we concluded that although the phone was certainly a step in the right direction, lackluster battery and poor viewing angles left much for want. Now the company's back with a new aluminum water-proof phone, that represents a substantial improvement over the last generation. The Z1 ticks all the main boxes for a cutting-edge Android flagship, with superb 20-megapixel stills being an added bonus. However, if you're looking for very the best cameraphone on the market, this isn't it. Read on for more.
JetBlue and ViaSat prepare to launch 12 Mbps WiFi at 36,000 feet
When you're soaring through the sky some seven miles above ground level, it's usually a small miracle when you can power on your tablet or computer and surf the web. Although many airlines offer connectivity above a certain altitude, the WiFi tends to be sluggish and inconsistent. JetBlue and ViaSat want to change that. Today the two companies announced plans to implement a new Fly-Fi internet system which will deliver speeds up to 12Mbps, and hit the skies this November. Join us aboard one of JetBlue's first Fly-Fi equipped airplanes at the link above.
Jawbone Mini Jambox review
Jawbone, best known for its original Jambox, helped to make wireless bluetooth speakers a mass-market hit. But being first doesn't necessarily guarantee that you'll stay first. For the past few years Jawbone has been lagging behind its competition, as companies like Logitech, Sonos, and Philips release innovative audio products of their own. Enter the Mini Jambox: a bluetooth-powered portable, designed to help Jawbone keep its edge. The new Jambox has a sturdy build quality, impressive battery life, and an elegant design. Still the device is plagued with annoying update process, limited volume control, an overall package that trails the competition. Click through for more.
iMessage unofficially comes to Android
Apple has always prized its exclusivity and desirability, so it should come to no surprise that the company will probably never port its iMessage service to competitors' platforms. Today, however, the instant messaging system was unofficially released on Google's own Android Play Store, only to be taken down a few hours later. Details are not clear on why the app was taken down, but the request for an Apple ID might be a good hint. The app was also found to process all data "on the developer's server in China," according to third-party Apple developer Jay Freeman. Head on up for more.
