Droid Life

DEAL: Amazon Prime Day Voice Deals Start Today - $20 Off Prime Membership, $30 Echo Dot

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 08:23:34 +0000

We're still almost a week away from Amazon Prime Day 2017, but as we mentioned a couple of days ago, the deals are starting well before then. Today, for example, Alexa voice deals have kicked in and there are some good savings to be had. For non-Prime members - and you have to be a Prime member to get most Prime Day deals - you can sign-up for Amazon Prime using your voice and an Alexa-equipped device and save $20 off your first year. Instead of paying $100 for Amazon Prime, you'll pay $79. That's not bad. Just say, "Alexa, sign up for Prime." To hear the full line-up of Alexa voice deals, ask your Echo, "Alexa, what are your deals?" We've also included some specific items below that are discounted starting today.

Save $50 on Bose Soundlink Bluetooth speaker III – say, “Alexa, order Bose Soundlink three.”
Save $20 on Philips Hue Lightstrip Plus 2^nd Generation – works with Alexa – say, “Alexa, order Philips Lightstrip Plus.”
Save $7 on Wemo Mini smart plug – say, “Alexa, order Wemo Mini Smart Plug.”

Additionally, you can buy the Amazon Echo Dot today for just $29.99. This deal drops the price of the certified refurbished 2nd generation model, but is $15 off. If you want to get into the Echo life, this would be a good time to do so. Amazon Links:

LG Shows Off the G6+ in Promo Video

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:41:02 +0000

Last month, LG announced a slightly improved G6 to select markets across the globe, calling it the LG G6+. Today, they showed it off in a short promo video on a sunny faux beach. I say "slightly," because the only real improvement to the device seems to be in the storage department, where LG bumped up the base to 128GB. Well, LG also tossed in wireless charging to countries that didn't previously have it, so there's that too. Otherwise, the G6+ package features in-box B&O Play earbuds and new colors, including gold, blue, and a newer black finish. It's too bad they didn't upgrade the processor to a Snapdragon 835 and swap it for the regular G6 in the US, while tossing in the Quad DAC they ditched here. That'd have been worthy of the +.

Here is the Moto Z2 Force for AT&T, Moto X4 Too

Kellen — Wed, 05 Jul 2017 07:30:22 +0000

Thanks to new render leaks from @evleaks, we've got new clean looks at two unannounced Motorola phones coming later this year, the Moto Z2 Force and Moto X4. We've heard a lot about the Moto X4 in recent days, but the Z2 follow-up is the flagship that Motorola will bet big on here in the US, I'd assume. The Moto Z2 Force can be seen above at all angles. This device is branded with AT&T's logo, so it does look like Motorola has found a way to get the new Z line outside of Verizon this year. They told us that was the plan a couple of months ago. As for the phone, it's certainly designed like last year's Moto Z, which makes sense since Motorola has backed itself into a design corner by allowing Moto Mods to work for years to come. The phone is thin, has a brushed metallic backside, dual camera setup back there as well, front camera with flash, and a fingerprint reader on the chin. This being "Force" branded likely means it'll have Motorola's ShatterShield, their take on an unbreakable display. We aren't sure when the Z2 Force is coming, but I'd guess it'll arrive before the end of summer. The Moto X4 picture below shows a phone with curved glass edges, dual camera setup, and familiar design language from Motorola. It's very Moto G5-ish, only with a premium touch to it. Reports indicate that the Moto X4 will feature a Snapdragon 630 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 3000mAh battery, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The Moto X4 might not arrive until Q4.

// @evleaks [2]

Report: Moto X4 Packs Dual Cameras, Snapdragon 630, IP68 Water Resistance

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 15:38:39 +0000

Even though the rumored Moto X4 might not be released until Q4 of this year, details of the not-quite-top-tier phone are starting to trickle out. According to Venturebeat, the return of the Moto X is going to mean that a good phone from a historic line returns, just not necessarily a great one in terms of specs. Today's report suggests that the phones 5.2-inch FHD display will be accompanied by an aluminum body, Snapdragon 630 processor, maxed out storage and RAM at 64GB and 4GB, respectively, dual camera setup on the back with 8MP and 12MP shooters, 16MP front shooter, 3000mAh battery, and IP68 water and dust resistance. It should have a front positioned fingerprint reader as well, with navigation gestures. Before you run away disappointed at those specs, just remember that the Moto Z Play and Moto Z2 Play are very similar, though this has potential upgrades in the camera, processor, and overall design. As long as it's priced reasonably and shows up in the US without much delay, it could be worth a serious look. // Venturebeat

OnePlus 5 Tips and Tricks: 20+ to Make You a OP5 Pro

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 12:53:18 +0000

A decent list of OnePlus 5 tips and tricks is finally here and we're sorry for the delay. We know that a good bunch of you picked up the latest premium phone from OnePlus and need to be the OP5 master immediately. In this OnePlus 5 video, we dive into the $479 phone to show you not only the basics, like setting up the fingerprint reader and quickly launching the camera, but we also run through some of the advanced settings. We're talking about the Gaming Do Not Disturb mode, scheduled power off and on, where your default app settings are, which gestures are the best, and how your alert slider can be customized. If you haven't already, you may want to start off with our First 10 things video for the OP5, though some of those are covered again here. Our OnePlus 5 review should be along shortly. Enjoying your OnePlus 5? And other tips you want to share? Drop those below.

OnePlus 5 Tips and Tricks

Buy OnePlus 5: OnePlus Store

Motorola has a 360-Degree Camera Moto Mod in the Works

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 08:49:27 +0000

Back on June 20, Motorola held a press event in Ghana to announce a line-up of Moto phones, including the Moto Z. During that event, they showed off their new line of Moto Mods that you all know about, including the upcoming Gamepad. Additionally, a never-before-seen Moto Mod made an appearance that nobody noticed until this weekend. The mystery Moto Mod was a Moto 360 Camera Mod that shoots 360-degree footage. We've included an image above from the press event, but @evleaks posted up a crystal clear press shot of it that can be found below. Like other Mods, you simply slap the 360-camera onto a Moto Z phone and it automatically fires up. We aren't sure how much it will cost or when it'll be available. We reached out to Motorola for additional details, but being a holiday week here in the US, we might not hear back for another day or two. UPDATE: Motorola tells us that they have "no further news to share" at this time. You can see the new 360-camera Moto Mod at the 14:40 mark of this video and the 0:55 mark of this video.

// TechDroider | @evleaks

Galaxy Note 7 "Fan Edition" is Official With Smaller Battery and Bixby

Kellen — Mon, 03 Jul 2017 07:19:17 +0000

Here it is - the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 "Fan Edition." No joke, the Galaxy Note 7 is back as a limited edition phone sold only in Korea (for now). Leave it to Samsung to take one of the worst moments in their entire history and turn it into a keepsake item for their biggest fans. The box even has a heart on it. Awwww. The Galaxy Note 7 "Fan Edition" or FE is very much the Note 7 you remember with a 5.7-inch QHD display, 12MP Dual Pixel camera, and S Pen. This time around, though, it has a smaller 3200mAh battery, Bixby on board (Home and Reminder), and the new software UX from the Galaxy S8. In many ways, it's a preview of the Note 8, only with last year's specs. It features branding on the back that reads "Galaxy Note Fan Edition," so that you never forget the phone's warm past. It'll arrive on July 7 in Korea in black, gold, silver, and blue. The initial production run will be limited to 400,000 units.

// Samsung

Weekly Recap: Google Photos Wins the Week

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 12:20:40 +0000

A big holiday weekend is here in the US and I know you have beer to drink, but there was some good Android stuff this week to recap. For one, Google Photos and its fancy new sharing features from Google I/O have arrived. It's awesome. I've already got every single picture of my son heading straight to my wife's Photos account seconds after I take them. Pretty sweet. Also, we got some big Pixel 2 rumors/leaks, saw the Essential Phone take a step closer to launch, are now expecting a mid-tier Project Fi phone that isn't made by Google, and unboxed the Verizon Moto Z2 Play. There are a bunch of good deals going down as well, including a big one from Google Play.

Enjoy the weekend, folks, just be sure to match pints of water to all those pints of pilsner.

Report: Moto X4 Will be That Mid-Tier Project Fi Phone

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:56:48 +0000

Should the Moto X line makes its triumphant return later this year, it could do so as the first non-Google-branded Project Fi device. That's according to a report out of Venturebeat, claiming that the "mid-tier" device referenced in a Tweet yesterday by the Project Fi team, is indeed the new Moto X, thought to be named Moto X4. Not much is known about this Moto X4, though Venturebeat is under the impression that it will arrive in Q4 and sport a dual camera. We first saw a reference to the phone on a leaked Motorola roadmap that suggested the phone will have a 5.2-inch FHD (1080p) display, "3D Glass," and a "SmartCam." Only FHD in the display may sound somewhat disappointing, but the X line was previously the top tier from Motorola before the Z line launched last year. Marketing materials also call it "Unlimited Perfection," which could be a hint at high design and premium materials with just the right amount of specs. Then again, if this is the device Project Fi referenced, it could just be "mid-tier" with a lot of sales spin. In the end, this potentially being a Project Fi device is a big deal. Not only have we only had Pixel and Nexus devices on Project Fi since the beginning, this would be an affordable option, something that isn't currently a part of Fi. Who wants a Moto X4 on Fi? // Venturebeat

DEAL: Buy Unlocked Galaxy S8 or S8+ From Best Buy, Get $200 Gift Card

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 10:26:22 +0000

For weeks, Samsung and its retail partners were selling the US unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ at a $100 discount. If you didn't pounce on it (along with that crazy trade-in deal), I hate to tell you that the price is back up. However, Best Buy has replaced that $100 discount with a $200 gift card deal that's not half bad. All you have to do is buy the unlocked Galaxy S8 ($725) or Galaxy S8+ ($825) and they'll hand you a $200 Best Buy gift card. Sure, you still have to fork out the full price of either phone, but then you have a couple of hundred free bucks to spend elsewhere in the store. As a reminder, the US unlocked S8 models work on all major US carriers. So far, Samsung has done a decent job of keeping them updated as well. Unlike last year's models, these S8 unlocked versions are seeing steady security updates (they are on the June security patch). Best Buy Links:

Unlocked Galaxy S8
Unlocked Galaxy S8+

DEAL: Moto Z2 Play at Best Buy is $50 Off, Includes Free JBL SoundBoost 2 Moto Mod

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:49:15 +0000

The Moto Z2 Play has only been available for 24 hours and already Best Buy has a good deal on it. If you buy the phone from BBY on a device payment plan, they'll slash $50 off the total price. That brings your monthly payment to just $14.91 per month (down from $17 per month). To sweeten the deal, Best Buy is including a free JBL SoundBoost 2 Moto Mod, just like Verizon is. That speaker costs $80, so your freebie total value sits somewhere around $130. Not bad for a phone that so far, is looking like a winner in my opinion. To get your free JBL SoundBoost 2 speaker Mod, you'll have to use Motorola's rebate site. Best Buy Deal Link

Fun Change: Google Play 8.0 Shows Changelogs From the Updates Page

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jun 2017 08:11:23 +0000

Version 8.0.22 of the Google Play store began rolling out last night and lucky recipients of that slow rollout quickly noticed one (potentially) handy little change. From the "Updates" page, you'll now be able to tap on apps with updates to show a drop-down or inline list of changes for the app. I'm talking about the "What's New" section in app listings that tells you if there are changes, new features, etc. So rather than having to fully dive into an app's listing to locate that information, Google is now presenting it to you on the Updates page, since you'll likely be there anyway, you know, updating apps. It makes a lot of sense to have this info readily available as you go to tap that "Update" button.

Of course, this all only means anything if developers list changes other than "Bug fixes" or "Performance improvements." Anyone else seeing this? Cheers Kevin!

Thursday Poll: Are Dual Cameras an Important Feature to You?

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 14:07:22 +0000

If you were to ask me what the hot smartphone trend of the moment is, I'd probably go with dual cameras. The OnePlus 5 just dropped and it has dual cameras, a setup that OnePlus has spent a heck of a lot of time talking about. We know the iPhone 7 Plus has dual cameras. Huawei phones have them now. So do LG's. Future Motorola phones appear to be leaning that way. And of course, the Galaxy Note 8 should have 2 cameras on its backside. I'm just wondering if any of you really care? We see this so often, where manufacturers try to latch onto what they believe to be the next big thing in order to be able to push new phones (3D, no headphone jack, ultra-thin bodies, etc.). Are dual cameras that next thing? Honestly, I don't know. I'm still not drawn to the idea that my next phone has to have a dual camera setup. I have yet to see proof that this is something I need in my life. Smartphone cameras are already incredibly good as they are with just a single shooter. And don't bring that weak ass portrait mode garbage. What about you? Are dual cameras an important feature that could make or break a purchase decision? [poll id="456"]

Amazon Prime Day 2017 Kicks Off July 10

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 12:47:31 +0000

Amazon Prime Day is back for 2017! Not that we weren't expecting it to be back, since Amazon makes a killing during promotions like this. Anyways, July 11 is the big day for all of the mid-summer discounts you'll convince yourself you need from Amazon. For those not familiar with Amazon Prime Day, just think of it as a Black Friday in the summer for Prime members. Amazon has essentially created a random day to celebrate all things Amazon Prime, which means discounts on some of their best selling products for 30 hours that you'll buy even though you could probably live without them. This is the third annual Prime Day. This year's sale actually kicks off on July 10 at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern) and runs for 30 hours. You'll find exclusive Alexa deals that only work if you use your voice to order the products through an Alexa-equipped device, along with the ability to watch deals through the Amazon app. Amazon is also hosting a bunch of TV deals, including one on the Element 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV that has Fire TV built-in. Additionally, Amazon has kicked off a daily deal series that runs up through July 11. For example, you can sign-up for Amazon Music Unlimited (if you haven't tried it before) for just $0.99 and get 4 months worth of access. You can also get an instant $10 if you just stream Prime Video on your TV for the first time. You can even get a big discount on Kindle Unlimited service. Of course, none of this happens without a Prime membership. Be sure to sign-up below. Amazon Links:

Amazon Prime sign-up (Free, 30-day trial)
Amazon Prime Day deals
Amazon Music Unlimited 4-month deal for $0.99
Amazon Prime Video $10 credit
Kindle Unlimited 40%-off membership

// Amazon

A Mid-Tier Project Fi Phone is Coming Later This Year From a Google Partner

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 10:28:40 +0000

One of the few weaknesses that Google's Project Fi can't seem to shake is its lack of supported phones. Not only that, but the phones that do currently work with Fi are quite expensive (the Pixel line). This morning, in response to a complaint from a Fi customer who was planning to leave the service because there are no mid-tier or affordable phone options, the Project Fi Twitter account announced that we should see a phone at a "mid-tier price" arrive later this year. The phone won't be a Google phone this time around. Previously, we had seen only Nexus and Pixel devices gain official Project Fi support, but this year we'll get at least one from Google "partners." Who is that partner? We don't know! LG? Motorola? HTC? I'd imagine it would be from a partner that has been a fan of unlocked phones that support all carriers and those three immediately come to mind. https://twitter.com/projectfi/status/880473299309830144 You also have to wonder if this means other partner devices that will work with Project Fi outside of this mid-tier option. Could the Galaxy Note 8 or the LG V30 or Moto Z2 work with Fi? That would be awesome.

Xfinity Mobile Gets New Exclusive, LG X Charge With 4,500mAh Battery

Tim — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:51:16 +0000

Xfinity Mobile has added a new device to its lineup this week, the LG-made X Charge. Featuring a 4,500mAh battery, its designed to last a very long time, even cited as being the company's largest smartphone battery offering. Beyond that big ol' battery, you'll find a 5.5" HD display, octa-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear-facing shooter, 16GB storage, microSD support, LTE (Xfinity Mobile runs on Verizon), plus Android 7.0+. That's a decent set of specs, depending on the price. As for the price, we don't have that exact info yet, but we do know the device will go on sale starting tomorrow. If we were to compare it to a similar offering, Xfinity Mobile also offers the LG-made X Power, which comes with a $5.50/month price ($132 full retail). I can't imagine the X Charge going for much more. Here's the full list of specs. Specs

Display: 5.5-inch HD In-cell Touch
Chipset: 1.5 GHz Octa-Core
Camera: Rear 13MP / Front 5MP (Wide Angle / LED Flash)
Memory: 2GB or 1.5GB RAM / 16GB ROM / Micro SD (up to 2TB)
Battery: 4,500mAh (embedded)
Operating System: Android 7.0 Nougat
Size: 154.7 x 78.1 x 8.4mm
Weight: 164g
Network: LTE / 3G / 2G
Connectivity: Wi-Fi (802.11 b, g, n) / Bluetooth 4.2 / USB 2.0
Others: USB OTG / Gyro Sensor

// LG

We've Got Release Dates for New Moto Mods: JBL SoundBoost 2, TurboPower Pack, and More

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:50:29 +0000

The Moto Z2 Play is now available from Verizon, but if you own a Moto Z phone already, you probably only care about the new Moto Mods that were supposed to release alongside it. I have good and bad news on that front - we know dates and pricing, but none are available just yet. Motorola's online store will first sell the JBL SoundBoost 2 speaker on July 10. Best Buy will have the JBL SoundBoost 2, TurboPower Pack, and Style Shells with Wireless Charging on July 30. Verizon will have the SoundBoost 2 and TurboPower Pack on August 10. If you were looking for the Moto Mod GamePad, it'll arrive later this summer. For specific details on all of these Moto Mods, be sure you check out this post. New Moto Mods Links:

JBL SoundBoost 2 ($79.99)
Moto TurboPower Pack ($79.99)
Moto Style Shells with Wireless Charging ($39.99)
Moto GamePad ($79.99)

Google Play Summer Sale Includes $0.99 Movie Rentals, 50% Off TV Seasons, Much More

Tim — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 09:00:21 +0000

Cue the "It's Happening!" GIF, because Google Play has a site-wide sale going down to celebrate the arrival of summer! With this sale, all movie rentals are listed at $0.99, you will find TV show seasons at 50% off, select game prices slashed, 80% off select book titles, and so much more. Here's a complete breakdown of what's happening.

Movies: 99 cent sale on all movie rentals
TV: Up to 50% off new releases + more
Apps: 50% off subscription for 1 year for apps like New York Times, Runtastic, TuneIn, and more
Games: Flash Deal with limited-time IAP discount and Premium Games discounted up to 80%
Books: Great discounts on top books, from 50-80% off -
Music: Up to 4 Months Free Offer for a Google Play music subscription

The only thing you need to note is, the running dates of these sales differ. From June 29 to July 13, you'll find all of the movie and TV deals available. From June 29 to July 6, you'll have access to the app, game, book, and music sales. Small differences, but something to remember. If you're ready to start spending that Opinion Rewards money, head on over to Google Play. Play Link

Instagram to Begin Auto-Blocking Offensive Comments and Spam

Tim — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 08:46:00 +0000

In an effort to help curb offensive and spam comments, Instagram will begin to utilize machine learning and updated filters. With the use of these, whenever an offensive or spam comment is made, it goes straight to purgatory, never to be seen by other users. If you're someone who doesn't mind a good ribbing or may want to view the hate speech, there is an on/off switch in the settings menu. Simply toggle the "Hide Offensive Comments" switch. As for spam, which is rampant on the service, machine learning will be doing the heavy lifting. "We believe that using machine learning to build tools to safeguard self-expression is an important step in fostering more inclusive, kinder communities," Instagram wrote in a blog post. These changes are rolling out right now across the Instagram platform. // Instagram

DEAL: Nest Thermostat is $50 or More Off at Most Retailers

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 07:17:22 +0000

As we head into the 4th of July weekend, prepare for another wave of deals on some of the top electronics. For example, the Nest Thermostat (3rd gen) has been discounted almost everywhere by at least $50. Some retailers even have it lower at $51 or so. No matter what, you shouldn't have an issue finding one of the best smart home gadgets of all time for under $200. I reviewed the 2nd gen Nest Thermostat years ago and called it my favorite Android accessory. I'd still rank up there as one of my favorites today, because of the power, flexibility, and convenience it has added to our house, but also because it sparked a smart home product craze that has made our homes better, overall. This 3rd gen model is a solid improvement over the 2nd gen. It has a bigger, crisper display, sleeker body with more color options, and has 5GHz WiFi and Bluetooth LE. Nest Thermostat (3rd gen) Links:

Amazon
Best Buy
Bed, Bath & Beyond
B&H Photo
Nest
Home Depot
Lowe's

Moto Z2 Play Available Today at Verizon for $408

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 06:17:15 +0000

The Moto Z2 Play on Verizon has arrived this morning and it's pretty reasonably priced. It's also exclusive to Verizon at the moment, before landing at Motorola's store later this summer in an unlocked capacity. At just $408 full retail or $17 per month for 24 months, this new Z2 Play is a solid package. Not only do you get Moto Mods interaction, you get a decent set of specs too. Remember, this phone packs a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 626 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with SD slot, 12MP f/1.7 camera, and a 3000mAh battery. You'll Android 7.1.1 Nougat, headphone jack, and ridiculous slim metal body as well. I've already unboxed this bad boy here and promise to have a review up very soon. The Moto Z2 Play on Verizon is available in grey and black or gold and white. NOTE: If you buy the Moto Z2 Play from Verizon, they are tossing in a free JBL SoundBoost 2 Moto Mod. That's an $80 value freebie. Verizon Moto Z2 Play Link

Moto Z2 Play Unboxing!

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jun 2017 06:00:37 +0000

The new Moto Z2 Play was announced only a short few weeks ago, yet here we are with the Verizon model in house. You may be wondering why we care about a mid-tier-ish phone like the Z2 Play when we have the OnePlus 5 out, the Essential Phone on the way, and some others, and well, you must not have been reading Droid Life much over the past year. I loved the original Moto Z Play so much, I wrote a love letter to it. It was also our first ever somewhat produced video review. So it makes sense that we give the follow-up a good, deep look. To recap, the Moto Z2 Play is very much a Moto Z phone, meaning you have Moto Mods compatibility and a similar shape to last year's Moto Z line. In fact, this phone looks a heck of a lot like the flagship Moto Z from last year with its incredibly thin body. In terms of specs for this Verizon model, it packs a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 626 processor, 32GB storage with SD slot, 3GB, 12MP f/1.7 camera on the back, fingerprint reader, and Android 7.1 Nougat. It also features a 3000mAh battery, which is a big drop from the 3510mAh battery in last year's Moto Z Play. The new Moto Z2 Play is available at Verizon right now for $408 full retail or $17 per month. So is the Moto Z2 Play a worthy follow-up to one of the sleeper phones of 2016 that I couldn't get enough of? I can tell you, after playing with it off and on over the past few days, that it's quite good even with the reduction in battery size. Once this OnePlus 5 review is done, we'll find out for sure.

Here are a Bunch of Essential Phones Charging, Because Why Not?

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 14:27:43 +0000

No you still can't buy the Essential Phone, but look how pretty it is as it charges. Oooh, pretty. That's all. https://twitter.com/essential/status/880153782981599232

Samsung Updates TouchWiz Launcher to Fix Lag Issues

Tim — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 13:00:03 +0000

Samsung has published an update to the official TouchWiz launcher for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, indicating that the update should resolve a "lag issue" when swiping up and down between the home screen and app drawer. On top of that important fix, Samsung states it has added an information screen to the app itself, plus have improved the visibility of app names under icons. I wasn't noticing any crazy lag on my Galaxy S8+, so we'll have to download this update and see if we notice any changes. Has it fixed any problems for you? What's New

Added an information screen to Samsung TouchWiz Home.
Fixed the lag issue when swiping up and down to switch between the home and apps screens.
Improved the visibility of app names under icons.

Play Link

Suggested Sharing and Shared Libraries Rolling Out to Google Photos

Tim — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 10:14:54 +0000

First detailed at Google I/O, new sharing features are officially rolling out to users of Google Photos in the US. The two new features are Suggested Sharing and Shared Libraries. With Suggested Sharing, Google Photos automatically goes over your library of new shots, then suggests select photos that may contain the face of a friend or colleague. The software is apparently also intelligent enough to recognize a "meaningful moment," automatically grab the best shots, then provide suggestions on who to share it with provided there are a few faces in the shots. For example, if you had a weekend BBQ with friends and snapped some photos, Google will recognize that, choose a few of the best, then create a little package of photos and videos to be sent off to the friends who attended. The other feature, which is pretty special, is Shared Libraries. With it, let's say you and your wife have a child. You both take pictures of the little human, but then want to make sure they all go into the same shared space on Google Photos. That's what this feature does. Whenever you or your wife takes a shot of little human, Google recognizes little human, then places those shots in a shared folder for both accounts that is easily searchable.

Users can grant access to entire libraries, select photos, and even from a select date. Once an invitation is sent and accepted, photos are placed in the shared space automatically, with the recipient receiving a notification whenever new photos arrive. This is also a great idea for grandparents who want to see countless pictures of grandkids. As we saw yesterday, a new UI for sharing began to rollout, as well as Family Group sharing. Needless to say, Google Photos is getting awesome. Google says these features Are rolling out to iOS, Android, and the web. Play Link // Google

Samsung Turns ISOCELL Tech Into Its Own Image Sensor Brand

Tim — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:46:04 +0000

In 2013, Samsung introduced its ISOCELL technology for smartphone cameras. This week at MWC Shanghai, the company announced a complete image sensor brand with the same name. If you haven't been paying attention to this specific ISOCELL tech, it's pretty straightforward. Basically, ISOCELL separates each pixel with a physical barrier that reduces color crosstalk among the pixels. This leads to high color fidelity, allowing for better image quality even with smaller pixels. While this is Samsung's technology, not every Galaxy phone uses it, since many are running Sony-made sensors. Anyway, now ISOCELL is its own brand, meaning you will likely see a lot more marketing for it in upcoming devices. According to Samsung, with ISOCELL, there are four sub-brands with each catered to meet specific needs in the market. They are as follows.

ISOCELL Bright sensors deliver bright and sharp images with high color fidelity and reduced noise in low light environments
ISOCELL Fast sensors provide fast autofocus onto still or moving objects even when dark
ISOCELL Slim sensors adopt the smallest pixel sizes available in the market at 0.9-1.0um, yet produce high quality images for the slimmest devices
ISOCELL Dual sensors can be mixed and matched in various combinations on consumer devices to bring about features demanded in the latest dual camera trend

Samsung didn't specify when we'll see these sub-brands in action or if they have partners looking to use ISOCELL, but that info will likely come later (Prediction: Galaxy Note 8 featuring ISOCELL Dual). Until then, let's reflect on how far mobile camera sensors have come in the last few years. A very long way. // Samsung

Qualcomm's New Fingerprint Sensors Work Under Glass, Metal, Water

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jun 2017 08:29:43 +0000

There has been a lot of talk lately about the future of fingerprint sensors in phones. Specifically, we keep wondering who will be the first major manufacturer to put one under glass to help tighten up design. We thought it would be Samsung with the Galaxy S8 and then they settled on the worst location in the history of phone fingerprint readers. Then we just assumed it would be the Galaxy Note 8, yet recent leaks suggest otherwise. At this point, we still don't know who it will be (it'll probably be Apple), but Qualcomm is taking steps towards making it a real possibility for most phone makers by 2018. This week, at Mobile World Congress Shanghai, Qualcomm announced the Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensors line, a new fingerprint solution that not only will work under thick glass, but under metal and water as well. This is some future sh*t, folks. According to Qualcomm, the new Qualcomm Fingerprint Sensor for Display will be able to send ultrasonic goodness to scan your finger through OLED display up to 1200um. Additionally, Qualcomm's Fingerprint Sensors for Glass and Metal can scan through cover glass at 800um, and aluminum at 650um. Previous generation sensors like this only went up to a thickness of 400um. These new fingerprint sensors have been designed for use with the Snapdragon platform, but there are stand-alone sensors that'll work in other situations too. In other words, Qualcomm is trying to make the most bad ass fingerprint sensors ever and wants everyone to use them in everything. It's going to be a bit before we'll see that special Fingerprint Sensor for Display, though. Qualcomm is planning to make them "available for OEMs to evaluate in the fourth quarter of 2017." Our guess is that they won't be embedded in a phone until some time in mid or late 2018, depending on how that testing goes. The Sensors for Glass and Metal should be in products during the first half of 2018. // Qualcomm

Another OnePlus 5 Update Arrives to Fix Additional Bugs, Enhance Stuff

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 16:04:36 +0000

We're only a week into the life of the OnePlus 5 and already on update number 2 (here's number 1). While you could make the argument that two updates this quick are a sign that OnePlus launched too soon before the 5's software was stable, I'll take the other side and suggest that this is a good sign, seeing a company move this quickly to fix bugs. The first update showed up only yesterday, yet here we are talking about another, separate update. Today's update is OxygenOS 4.5.3 and weighs in at roughly 54MB. It fixes issues with the new expanded screenshot feature, Google Translate stutters, and WiFi drops. As for the optimizations, we're getting general stability improvements, some camera effect enhancements, and better auto-brightness adjusting. The update is already live. To grab it, head into Settings>System updates.

// OnePlus

AT&T Launches Fixed Wireless 5G Trial With DIRECTV NOW in Austin, TX

Tim — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:26:09 +0000

AT&T has launched a new trial of fixed wireless 5G with DIRECTV NOW this week in Austin, TX. What does this mean? Simply put, AT&T and its 5G business partners are ramping up testing of mmWave technology, working to one day off in the future launch a nationwide 5G network. Before that can even come close to happening, though, we need these trials. Trial participants (residential, small business, and enterprise customers) are utilizing Ericsson 5G RAN and Intel 5G Mobile Trial platforms, allowing users to stream live TV via DIRECTV NOW and gain access to faster broadband services. As AT&T explains, "While 5G standards are still being finalized, we're laying the foundation for faster wireless speeds today in Austin with 5G Evolution. This is a major step on our journey to deliver state-of-the-art 5G wireless speeds as early as late 2018." When talking about 5G, companies usually love to share their vision of what's possible with this type of connectivity. I must say, AT&T's is pretty silly. In the press release, AT&T states, "We expect that a local car wash or dentist office will be able to offer connectivity that allows customers to do things like immerse in augmented or virtual reality as they pass the time." Because, yeah, doing VR at the local car wash is what we need. // AT&T

Galaxy Note 7 "Fandom Edition" Reportedly Arrives July 7 Because You Love Those Bomb Jokes so Much

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 13:09:40 +0000

Back in March, Samsung confirmed to the world that they would look to sell refurbished Galaxy Note 7 units at some point later on this year. Why the company would want to continue to push a phone that was recalled twice and that did its best to destroy their entire reputation is something I'll never understand, but the time for that to happen has apparently drawn near. According to the Wall Street Journal, Samsung will begin selling refurbished Note 7 devices as the "Galaxy Note 7 FE" in Korea on July 7. The "FE" stands for Fandom Edition, by the way. 🙄 Samsung will reportedly only make upwards of 400,000 of these ~~Flamethrower~~ Fandom Edition Note 7s, and no, they still won't be sold in the US. I can't imagine any US agency involved in the selling of consumer electronics would be cool with the Note 7 returning and making its way into any public space, like say, an airplane. I don't care if Samsung has taken extra steps to safeguard these refurbished models. It's all just not worth it. The announcement of the ~~Firebreathing~~ Fandom Edition alone will spawn another week's worth of terrible bomb and explosion jokes. And what if one of these models has an issue? Even if it's unrelated to the previous battery flameouts, there is the potential for more damage to be done. But hey, it's not my company to worry about! Do you, Samsung! If you are the ultimate Note 7 fanboy of the world and you must have one, you'll have to look at Korean resellers through places like eBay - I'm guessing they'll have some for you. The phone will cost around $616 in Korea, which isn't a bad price at all. Or you could just wait for the Galaxy Note 8, which should be here in a couple of months. // WSJ

Project Fi Opened Up to All G Suite Users in US

Tim — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 11:51:42 +0000

Signing up for Project Fi has been limited to users with "@gmail.com" addresses, but moving forward, Google is opening up the service to all G Suite users in the US. Thanks to this, if you utilize G Suite and have your own domain, you can now sign up to use Project Fi. With this move, if a small business with less than 6 employees wants to sign up, too, that is also doable. By default, Project Fi is "off," so just be sure to have the G Suite administrator enable it on the accounts. Stated by Google in the blog post, "While Project Fi had been available to users with @gmail.com addresses, starting today we’re making G Suite compatible with Project Fi, allowing users (currently US only) to sign up with their G Suite accounts (e.g. you@yourdomain.com)." According to Google, this support should be available to every single G Suite user in the US within the next 15 days. Signing yourself or your small business up for Fi? // Google

Google Play Music Crashing Over Bluetooth Today for Many Users (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 10:24:57 +0000

Is your Google Play Music app crashing every time you open it today? You can thank the latest update to the app on Android for that. Version 7.9.4920 began rolling out overnight and is causing all sorts of issues today. From what we can tell, the app works fine when you aren't paired to another device over Bluetooth. But should you pair to a media device to stream Play Music over Bluetooth, the app rolls into a crashing loop with the message "Google Play Music has stopped." It sucks, to put it plainly. We have yet to see a fix from Google, so for now, you are out of luck if you need to stream your music collection over Bluetooth. You can always try force stopping the app or turning Bluetooth off and on in between reboots. You could even attempt to uninstall the latest update and then sideload an older version. We'll let you know if a fix arrives. UPDATE: An update is rolling out already as version 7.9.4921. This should fix the Bluetooth crashing issue. Let us know if you aren't seeing it. Play Link Cheers wifey and @KJL121!

Galaxy Note 8 CAD Renders Detail an S8+ With S Pen and Dual Cameras

Tim — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:51:34 +0000

Ahead of all major device launches, we're seeing these CAD renders hit the web, based on the dimensions that are typically sent to case makers to have accessories ready for a device's launch. In the case of the Galaxy Note 8, it looks like we're getting a slightly larger Galaxy S8+, but with an S Pen and dual cameras. We have posted a few of the renders below, courtesy of 91 Mobiles. From what we can see, the phone does look very similar to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, but you have the S Pen on the bottom side. Other details we see are the dual rear-facing cameras and fingerprint reader on the backside, inside of a noticeable hump. Also on the bottom of the device is the USB Type-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and speaker. Check out the renders for yourself.

We have heard a few rumored specifications, including a 6.3" display, Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos depending on your market), 6GB RAM, and 3,300mAh battery. As for launch, it's reported that we can expect it around September 20, which isn't too far away. Share your thoughts below. // 91 Mobiles

Google Photos Gets Sweet New Sharing UI, Family Library Arriving Too (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 09:02:17 +0000

Google Photos is seeing an upgrade rollout this week to its sharing functionality that so far, I'm really liking. They also appear to be pushing out the Family Group share that was shown shortly after Google I/O back in May. The new sharing UI (pictured above and below), allows you to view a single photo, tap the share button, then continue to select additional photos from the page that would typically only show sharing options. In other words, if you are looking at a photo and decide to share, but then realize you may want to select additional photos, you can now do so. I know that seems like a minor change, but it makes a lot of sense as you browse through individual photos before sending them off to friends and family. This also allows you to select multiple photos from within a photo, rather than backing out to the gallery view and then doing so. Additionally, a reader of ours (see below) is now seeing the Family Group option while sharing photos. We know this is coming and will allow you to quickly add photos to an ongoing family library, but when is anyone's guess. It must be a server-side option, since Google Photos hasn't necessarily been updated in recent days. UPDATE: Should also point out, as a reader noted in the comments, that the backup and sync "While charging only" option is going away. I have it still on my Galaxy S8, but it is no longer available on any of my other phones. Anyone else seeing these new goodies? https://twitter.com/m4au312/status/879675126073049089

Honor 9 Headed to Europe, Still No Plans for the US

Tim — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:41:42 +0000

In mid-June, the Honor 9 was unveiled for select markets, but today, Honor went ahead and opened it up to more parts of Europe. For those interested, you'll now find the device in Germany, France, Spain, Italy, and the UK. Depending on the market, it carries a price of either £379.99 (4GB RAM + 64GB storage) or €449.99 (6GB RAM + 64GB storage). In total, the phone is available in 25 countries. To refresh you, even though this phone doesn't appear to be coming to the US, it sports a 5.15″ FHD display, dual rear-facing cameras (12MP RGB + 20MP monochrome), 3200mAh battery, microSD support, fingerprint reader, Kirin 960 processor, NFC, headphone jack, and EMUI 5.1 running atop Android “Nougat.” As for US availability, Honor appears quite hesitant to say much. Whenever asked, the company falls back to, "it's not planned at this moment." I actually enjoyed the Honor 8 quite a bit, so it's upsetting that we may not see the Honor 9 reach our shores. It is a rather handsome device. Anyway, if you live in one of the markets that it is available, go check it out. HiHonor Website // Honor

Amazon Adds Nokia 6, Moto E4, Alcatel Phones to Ad-Filled Affordable Prime Exclusive Line-Up

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:20:26 +0000

Amazon expanded its Prime Exclusive phone line-up today by adding the recently announced Nokia 6 and Moto E4, along with three new Alcatel devices. The new additions sure are giving customers some rock bottom prices on already affordable, quality phones. As a reminder, before you get too excited, just know that these Prime Exclusive phones do indeed have Amazon ads embedded within. They aren't necessarily over-the-top, but they do show on your lock screen and in notifications from time to time. They are there to subsidize the price, in a way, and give you even lower prices. You can always buy the ad-filled version and decide if it's something you can handle. If not, Amazon typically offers a way to buy out of the ads and get to a fully ad-free phone. The Nokia 6, with its 5.5-inch FHD display and aluminium unibody frame, can be had for just $179.99. The Moto E4, an already ridiculous inexpensive phone, will be just $99.99 ($30 off retail). To learn more about the Nokia 6, hit up this post. For more on the Moto E4, you'll find more here. The other phones available are the Alcatel IDOL 5S (5.2-inch FHD display, 12MP camera, Nougat, etc.), Alcatel A50 (5.2-inch HD display, 13MP camera, Nougat, etc.), and the Alcatel A30 PLUS (5.5-inch HD display, 13MP rear camera, Nougat, etc.). Those phones are priced at $279.99, $99.99, and $79.99, respectively. You can pre-order all of these new Prime Exclusive phones starting today at the links below. The Moto E4 ships on June 30, while the Nokia 6 and Alcatel phones won't until July 10. Amazon Prime Exclusive Links:

// Amazon

OnePlus 5 is Now Available for Purchase

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 21:03:53 +0000

After an initial pre-sale, the OnePlus 5 has returned and is once again available for purchase. If you want to buy OnePlus 5 devices, you'll once again do that through OnePlus' store. You can buy the phone in Slate Gray with 64GB storage and 6GB RAM for $479 or in Midnight Black with 128GB storage and 8GB RAM for $539. Both versions currently say that they ship "immediately." Who knows how long that status will last, though. If you haven't yet, be sure to run through the full specs, supported network bands, our unboxing, and first 10 things to consider doing once you get yours. OnePlus 5 Link

Samsung Pay Adds Support for Discover Cards

Tim — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 16:04:49 +0000

Not yet made official by Samsung or Discover, but with many users apparently seeing the option inside the app, it's safe to say that Discover card support is rolling out to Samsung Pay. Funny enough, Discover was on the list of supported institutions that would launch in 2015, but apparently it wasn't quite ready for primetime. That's all in the past, though, as now any Discover card holder can input their payment method, then get to paying for goods with a single tap. If you rock Discover and utilize Samsung Pay, head into the app and let us know if it's working for you. // Android Police

Essential Phone Stops Off at FCC

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 15:51:34 +0000

On the day that Andy Rubin first revealed his Essential Phone and began taking reservations for it, he told us that he wouldn't have done so if we all wouldn't soon have the chance to buy one. Since then, the company has been pretty quiet, though we're starting to think that'll change. The Essential Phone cruised through the FCC today, which is an important step in the process of being able to sell a tech product here in the US. Just ask our friends at Saygus! We aren't necessarily learning anything new from the FCC posting of the Essential Phone (FCCID: 2ALBB-A11), because well, the phone has already been announced and all details posted. If anything, we do get another confirmation of its wireless capabilities, which includes support for all of the major US carriers. Oh, it's definitely a phone too and is model "A11," rather than the PH-1 still showing on Essential's site. The FCC label will be attached to the SIM tray in some form, as well as in Settings>About phone>Regulatory labels. Any guesses as to when this thing will finally go up for purchase? Are you still interested?

// FCC | Liliputing

Your Amazon Echo-Filled House Now has an Alexa Intercom System

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 14:26:21 +0000

By expanding the newly launched calling and messaging capabilities of Amazon Echo devices, Amazon is now allowing you to talk between the numerous Echo devices you may have throughout your house, intercom style. Over the next few days, Amazon will roll the feature out to your devices, giving you room-to-room chat abilities. Amazon hasn't posted details for the new feature yet, but did tell select press that the process is pretty simple. You'll have to name each device and opt-in to Amazon's "drop in" feature that allows you to drop in to a device to get to chatting between rooms. For example, once named and enabled, you'd say something like, "Alexa, drop in on Living Room Echo." That should then open a line of communication between your nearest Echo device and the one you tried to reach. You could also do the same thing from the Alexa app to an Echo device. Another use here will be with the Echo Show, where you could drop in to see a live video feed from the Show's camera. You'll be able to do this to other people's units as well, if they have it enabled. You should probably limit drop in to only within your household. Again, drop in calling between devices should be here any day. // Engadget

Action Launcher Overhauled With New Look, Massive List of Awesome Features

Tim — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 13:00:11 +0000

There has never been a shortage of 3rd-party launchers on Android, but there has always been a few that stand above the rest in terms of features and quality. Residing on that short list of great launchers is Action Launcher, which just underwent a serious overhaul that users are going to love. The changelog for Version 25 is utterly massive, so I will just give you the highlights, which is already a pretty big list. The change you will immediately notice is the new icon (design by our good friend Dave Kover), as well as the addition of "Pixel Edition" to the launcher's name. This addition signifies the leaving behind of the Lollipop days, and moving forward, everyone's Action Launcher will be similar to the UI you will find on a Pixel device (sliding app drawer, folders, etc.). On top of the visual changes, there are many features we're excited about. One in particular is an animated clock widget, based on the clock icon used in Android O. Think of it like an animated icon, which is something Google has referenced.

Speaking of icons, users will find app shortcuts when pressing on app icons, but you can also toggle the ability to launch an app's widget from a flick of the icon. For example, if you have the Play Music icon on your home screen, you can flick it, which can open your music controls. This is done by integrating App Shortcuts and Action Launcher's existing Shutters feature. As I said, there are a lot of other changes, all of which the developer details very well on his blog. Follow the via below to read all about it or head to Google Play, download the app, and find out for yourself! Play Link // The Blerg

Nokia 6 Arrives in US in July for $229 at Amazon

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 12:03:23 +0000

The Nokia 6 is officially coming to the US in July. We're days away from July, so there is a good chance you'll be able to buy an Android-powered Nokia phone at Amazon before you've even realized it. Priced at $229 and sold through Amazon, the Nokia 6 features a 5.5-inch FHD (1080p) LCD display, Snapdragon 430 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage with microSD slot, 16MP f/2 rear camera, 8MP f/2 front camera, 3000mAh battery, dual speakers, and Android Nougat, all wrapped in a machined, aluminium unibody frame. By all means, this is a budget phone in terms of specs, yet with a much more polished build than we typically see at this price point. According to the press release for today's news, this phone is a GSM-only phone with full support on T-Mobile and almost full support on AT&T. To start, the Nokia 6 will be available in Matte Black or Silver, but will arrive in Tempered Blue and Copper later this summer.

// PRnewswire

Facebook Messenger Brings Filters, Crap Ton of Emoji to Video Chats

Tim — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 11:06:11 +0000

It seems that each day brings new features for Facebook Messenger, with the latest being specifically for the video chat function. In this update, Facebook is baking in a lot of emoji goodness, as well as filters when you and friends are video chatting with each other. Once this update hits your device, you will find impulsive emoji buttons to play with, allowing you to express quick shows of emotion. These emotions align with what's already available on someone's status update -- love, laughter, surprise, sadness, and anger. When you press the button, you'll see some quirky animations, but they differ at times depending on whether your video is enabled or not. On top of emoji stuff, Messenger video chat now has different filters to apply, such as B&W, some type of sepia, plus plenty others. Along with those filters, Messenger now also has Masks you can play with. We're talking bunny ears and teeth, twinkling stars, little bear suits, and more. Grab the update and go have some fun with your friends. Play Link

// Facebook

Uh Oh: This Year's Google Pixel Might be Missing the Headphone Jack

Tim — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 09:43:53 +0000

If sources of XDA are correct, a few specs and details for the 2nd-generation Pixel (Walleye) and Pixel XL (Taimen) might've just leaked. To catch you up on Pixel reports, since there's no shortage, it was reported on June 12 that Taimen, a possible third device, would replace Muskie, which we thought would be the Pixel XL for 2017. So we've gone from three potential devices (Walleye, Muskie, Taimen), to just two (Walleye and Taimen). Now that we have the timeline set, let's get into the new information. According to XDA, the Walleye will feature a 4.97" display with FHD (1080p) resolution. The design is said to be nearly identical to last year's Pixel, complete with large bezels around the display. However, the major difference is Google's reported ditching of the 3.5mm headphone jack, instead offering stereo speakers on the phone. Other specs may include a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. Personally, it sounds like a pretty boring device, especially if Google is keeping an identical design and ditching the headphone jack. Not very cool, Google. As for Taimen, the source of XDA's report claims it will come with a 5.99" display with a 1440p OLED panel from LG. This news aligns quite well with a previous report that Google has invested a significant sum into LG's mobile display development business. Beyond the display, the report goes on to say that the Taimen will also come with Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB RAM. As for differences, the Taimen is said to come with minimal front bezel, and since the source doesn't specify, it may even have a 3.5mm headphone jack. Lastly, the Taimen is said to sport a single camera on its backside with dual LED flash. If I'm being honest, neither the 2nd-Gen Pixel or Pixel XL sound all too exciting. There are still a ton of details we need, but the overall picture doesn't seem too appealing. We have the Pixel, which could just be a copy of last year's model, but with no headphone jack, and then a very large Pixel XL that might have an improved display and updated processor. I suppose I was hoping for a bit of changeup in the design, but again, there's still a lot we don't know. What's your take on the sound of these phones? Is no headphone jack on the Pixel a deal breaker? Is a big ol' LG OLED display enough to get you excited for the Pixel XL? // XDA

Verizon Prepaid Customers Get Access to the "New and Improved" My Verizon App

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 08:42:23 +0000

Depending on the carrier, as a prepaid customer, there are going to be times where you feel a bit second-rate. Your account portal typically isn't as good, you often wonder if your connection is given the same level of priority as postpaid customers, and some features just aren't available to you. Verizon is doing something about the the account portal situation for its prepaid customers this week by giving them access to a "new and improved" My Verizon app. The My Verizon app has been greatly improved in recent years for postpaid customers, so this is great news for prepaid folks. In the app, you'll be able to manage everything about your prepaid account, make payments, setup auto pay, check your usage, adjust your plan, and add additional data on. The app becomes available on June 28 (Wednesday) to prepaid. You can grab it at the Play Store. Verizon Prepaid Sign-up // Verizon

OnePlus 5 Receives First Big Update, Optimizes Camera and Much More

Tim — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 08:26:10 +0000

The OnePlus 5 isn't available to the masses quite yet (orders begin tomorrow), but already, a large and important update is rolling out to the device. Labeled as OxygenOS version 4.5.2, OnePlus cites optimizations for quite a few things, plus a couple of bug fixes. Specifically, in the optimization department, OnePlus lists the camera, Bluetooth stability, network stability, system stability, and compatibility with 3rd party applications. The company doesn't go into detail for these "optimizations," so we'll have to rely on our own testing to see if anything has really changed. For the bugs squashed, OnePlus lists "app installation issue" and "system update failure." Regarding the latter, it's kinda funny there's a system update to correct a system update failure bug. The update weighs in at just 36MB, so not very large at all. If you were fortunate enough to get your OnePlus 5 already, go install it.

// OnePlus

Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Seeing Updates Today

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 07:08:43 +0000

The Verizon-branded Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge are receiving updates to kick off the week. The updates aren't major, but they do aim to squash all sorts of noteworthy bugs. The updates are arriving as G930VVRU4BQF2 (S7) and G935VVRU4BQF2 (S7 Edge) and should contain a recent Android security patch. The list of improvements include bug fixes for a link sharing notification issue, MMS video playback issue, Gear 360 connectivity issue, Google Maps error for Knox users, and a random reset issue for VPN users, along with HD voice performance improvements. The updates should start today, so be on the lookout for them in Settings>System updates. // Verizon [2]

DEAL: Amazon Echo Drops to $129.99 Today Only ($50 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jun 2017 06:56:04 +0000

Yep, for today only, Amazon has dropped the price of the Amazon Echo to $129.99. That's a $50 discount and possibly the biggest Echo deal in some time. The deal ends at 9PM Pacific, tonight. Amazon Echo Link

Weekly Recap: OnePlus 5 is in the House!

Tim — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 16:00:19 +0000

It's always a busy time when we get a new phone in the office, so this week has been a blast since receiving the OnePlus 5. We are leading up to our full reviews, but to keep you busy, we have posted up our initial unboxing and the first 10 things you should do with it (if you bought one). We also took Bixby Voice on a test drive with the Galaxy S8, wished we live in an area that YouTube TV just expanded to, learned that Android O could possibly be named "Oatmeal Cookie," and reported that the LG V30 might launch in September. It was a busy one! All the stuff you don't want to miss has been placed below.

WATCH: The Droid Life Show - Episode 144 "Shiny and New" [Subscribe]
Video: OnePlus 5 unboxing!
Video: First 10 things to do with the OnePlus 5.
Video: First look at Bixby Voice on the Galaxy S8.
The OnePlus 5 is official! Here's the specs and LTE bands!
Galaxy Note 8: Galaxy Note 8 launch could be in September.
YouTube TV just launched in 10 new markets.
We could see the LG V30 launch at IFA in September.
Android O: Android O might be "Oatmeal Cookie."
HTC teases upcoming Edge Sense features for U11.
LG announces the G6+, upgraded storage and more.
Big changes coming to Pokémon GO.
HTC U11 now available in Solar Red. It's pretty hot.

Have a happy weekend, all!

DEAL: US Unlocked CDMA/GSM LG V20 is Just $354.99 at eBay Right Now

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 14:55:51 +0000

Look, I may not be the biggest fan of the LG V20, but that doesn't mean there aren't a whole lot of people out there who love the sh*t out of it. In fact, V20 owners are some of the most passionate I've seen in years - just look at our V20 review that they weren't exactly thrilled with. They must be that way for a reason, and I'm assuming that reason is because the V20 offers an experience they can't get anywhere else. So if the V20 and its fanbase have been on your radar, now would be the time to give it a go. You can buy the US CDMA/GSM unlocked model at eBay for just $354.99 at the moment. That's a pretty insane deal for a phone that was introduced at close to $800 only a few months ago. With this model, you'll get network support on all of the major US carriers, including Verizon. The rest of the package is the same as the other carrier variants too, so you've got the dual camera setup, big ol' QHD display, ticker action, removable battery, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage. The eBay seller has it listed at $369.99, but if you toss in the code "PSUMMER15OFF," you'll get the extra $15 off. Free shipping is also available. eBay Deal Link

Shiny and New

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:52:01 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're back to talk about a lot of big new stuff from the past couple of weeks, including the OnePlus 5's launch, our HTC U11 review, Bixby Voice's good start, and of course, this shiny new website we just launched. We’ll be live at 12:30PM Pacific (3:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Google Will Stop Scanning Gmail for Ad Personalization

Tim — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 11:41:55 +0000

Announced today, Google will soon stop scanning your Gmail messages for the use of ad personalization. You see, for the longest time, Google has scanned free Gmail users' messages to help sell personalized ads. Well, moving forward, Google will stop doing that to ensure trust with businesses paying for G Suite. “Consumer Gmail content will not be used or scanned for any ads personalization after this change,” Google wrote in a blog post. “G Suite customers and free consumer Gmail users can remain confident that Google will keep privacy and security paramount as we continue to innovate.” Even though this form of ad selling is set to go away, free Gmail users will still see ads inside of Gmail. As announced, a user's search history and YouTube history will be read to still target ads. But don't worry, if that bugs you, you can opt-out here. For the most part, nothing in terms of user experience should change inside of Gmail. // Google

HTC Teases New Edge Sense Features for U11

Tim — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 10:27:43 +0000

This morning, HTC is teasing a few upcoming Edge Sense features for owners of the U11. If you aren't familiar with HTC's fancy new and somewhat gimmicky feature, the sides of the U11 are pressure sensitive, allowing users to squeeze their device to start tasks. You can open apps, apply shortcuts, and things of that nature. Once these changes are made, as shown in the video, users can squeeze their device to zoom inside of Google Maps and Google Photos, switch up views in Google Calendar, as well as answer and hang up calls. HTC doesn't detail when these changes will be made available, but rather, they're all "on the roadmap." I want to hear from U11 owners. Do you use a lot of Edge Sense?

Report: Galaxy Note 8 Launch in September, Possible Specs Provided

Tim — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 09:08:37 +0000

Earlier this week, a report from overseas stated that Samsung intends to unveil the Galaxy Note 8 on August 20, followed by a launch later that month. Now, a new report from Venture Beat (Evan Blass, to be exact), states that Samsung will actually unveil the device during the second half of September, with a launch following shortly thereafter. Given Blass' history in the game, we're a bit more confident in his sources, who also provided a few specifications and design details to wet our beak with. According to them, the Galaxy Note 8 will feature the dual rear-facing cameras we have been talking about for some time now, but in addition to that tidbit, each 12-megapixel camera will have independent OIS. It is also reported that the cameras will be placed horizontally, not vertically as we've seen from a few concept renders. Other specs reported this morning include a 6.3" Infinity display (0.1" larger than the current Galaxy S8+), Snapdragon 835 (or Exynos depending on your market), 6GB RAM, 3,300mAh battery, and a S Pen with updated functionality. Now for the bad news. According to the source, Samsung is sticking with the current fingerprint placement that we have on the Galaxy S8 and S8+. While that still sucks, it's apparently not as bad because the cameras and fingerprint reader are separated by the LED flash and heart rate sensor. Maybe no more accidentally tapping your greasy finger on the lens? The last bit of info provided includes possible pricing. If this report is accurate, we could be looking at a starting price of $900 for the Galaxy Note 8, with European units costing €999. That is a whopping price tag, one that many may not be able to stomach. However, if the phone is as awesome as many believe it will be, people will undeniably be drawn to it. We'll be sure to report on any other Galaxy Note 8 developments. // Venture Beat

YouTube's Integrated Chat Thingy is Finally Rolling Out, Plus Screen Scaling is Coming

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 08:09:36 +0000

VidCon is in full swing this week, so that means big time YouTube-related announcements are arriving alongside all of the vloggers and YouTubers getting chased around by screeching 10 year olds. It's good times if you like all that YouTube has to offer and/or are a screeching 10 year old. We already told you that YouTube TV is expanding to 10 new markets, but the regular YouTube app experience is gaining new goodies as well. Remember that messaging feature that we wrote up over a year ago? It's finally coming! Also, videos within the app will soon be able to "dynamically adapt" to whatever size you think you might want to watch them in. Neat, neat. So that messaging thing is YouTube's new way to share videos with friends without leaving YouTube. When first announced, we did a bit of head-shaking at Google over this being yet another messaging platform, but it actually does make some sense. I could picture a scenario where you and a group of friends have a long-running thread of all of the dumb videos you find funny on YouTube. Or maybe it's new music you are turned onto. If anything, it's a removal from your daily messaging grind and a place to simply share entertainment on YouTube. You get the point. To see how that'll all shake out, check out the video at the top of this post. As for the dynamically adapting stuff, see the GIF below.

YouTube explains this move as there being multiple video layouts and your app should display them properly no matter how they were filmed. They could be square or vertical (bad!) or horizontal, but that won't stop YouTube. The new sharing feature is coming to Latin America first ("couple of weeks"), then onto the US. The scaling stuff should be everywhere in a couple of weeks. // YouTube Blog

YouTube TV Coming to These 10 New Markets

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jun 2017 07:40:22 +0000

Over the next "couple of weeks," Google says that YouTube TV will expand into an additional 10 markets. Those markets are Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C., Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix, Detroit, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Orlando-Daytona Beach-Melbourne and Charlotte. Where's Portland, Google? Those new markets join Chicago, LA, NYC, Philly, and San Francisco. I'd love to tell you that you should strongly consider switching to YouTube TV should you live in one of those new markets, but I have yet to test it myself, since I do not yet live in any of those markets. With that said, Tim has tested it some after signing up in San Francisco when we were there for Google I/O, and he seems quite happy with it. Outside of the lack of channels, he has suggested that the app experience is far superior to some of the other services on the market. So if the channel line-up looks good to you, you may want to go for it. Once these new markets are live, we'll be sure to let you know. // YouTube Blog

Google's New VR180 Video Format Makes Creating, Enjoying VR Content Easier

Tim — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 14:23:05 +0000

Detailed for the first time today, Google and the Daydream team have a new video format called VR180. With it, they want creators to more easily produce content that not only looks good in VR headsets, but on standard displays, too. According to Google's blog post, VR180 focuses on what is in front of the user, putting emphasis on high resolution and looking great on mobile and desktop devices. However, the big difference is when VR180 videos are routed to a VR headset (PSVR, Daydream View, Cardboard, etc.). At that point, they seamlessly transition into an immersive experience where images are shown stereoscopically in 3D. That simply means near things look near, and far things appear far. The VR180 format also supports livestreams, allowing creators and viewers to essentially be in the same room together.

Concerning creators, as detailed by Google, "You'll be able to set up and film your videos the way you normally would with any other camera. And, soon, you’ll be able to edit using familiar tools like Adobe Premiere Pro." As you'd imagine, this really opens the door to the average YouTuber to really break into the VR content creation circle, which is booming right now if you have not noticed. Google goes on to announce that they are working with a few companies, such as YI, Lenovo and LG, to create cameras made specifically for VR180 content. Below are some links to find more info on VR180 if you're an interested creator, plus links to find already existing VR180 videos. VR180 Link | VR180 Playlist on YouTube // Google

Moto E4 Now Available at Verizon for Just $69.99

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 13:44:36 +0000

The Moto E4 was announced only 10 days ago, yet you can already buy one today from Verizon. This is the regular E4, though, so it's not the slightly more feature-packed Plus version. Still, at $69.99, it's a pretty good starting price for a prepaid phone. To recap, the Moto E4 is Motorola's latest budget E-line phone that packs a 5-inch 720p display, quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 8MP rear camera, 5MP front camera, 2800mAh removable battery, fingerprint reader, and Android 7.1 Nougat. It doesn't have NFC, just FYI. Verizon currently has the Moto E4 priced at $69.99, which they claim is down from $199.99. The problem there is the fact that Motorola told us the regular E4 starts at $129.99. So yeah, Verizon, you are discounting it, but let's not go nuts with the deception here. Moto E4 Link

OnePlus 5: First 10 Things to Do!

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 12:11:57 +0000

When that early OnePlus 5 order arrives over the next few days, we think we've got you covered with some of the first things to consider doing once you finish the setup process. We're talking about tweaking items like the navigation buttons and whether or not to go on-screen, capacitive, or a mixture of the two. We also want to make sure you know about the phone's various gestures, how the alert slider works, your theme options, and how to quickly launch your camera and get into some bokeh action. These are the first of many OnePlus 5 tips and tricks, so get ready. For now, though, here are the first 10 things to do with your OP5.

OnePlus 5 First 10 Things to Do

Buy OnePlus 5: OnePlus Store

Android O Might be Oatmeal Cookie, So There's That

Tim — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:53:16 +0000

What will Android O's name be? Oreo? Oatmeal cookie? Ox-tongue pastry? It could be anything at this point, but from details brought to light by myce, evidence suggests that the Android team will announce Oatmeal Cookie as Android 8.0's name, which is fine by me. This seemingly sound theory stems from multiple mentions of "OC" in Android's source code. In the vast libraries of Android code, OC comes up a few times, along with "OC-MR1." While this is by no means confirmation that Android 8.0 will be Oatmeal Cookie, since it could as easily be Oreo Cookie, it's certainly something to think about. The screenshots below show off a few spots where "OC" is mentioned. Beyond source code, folks who attended Google I/O this year and sat in on sessions may have also learned the Android team's naming plan. As we can see from the below image, code clearly says "oatmeal cookie." Red herring? Seems unlikely that Google would make that big of a deal about it.

Oatmeal Cookie appears at I/O as (presumably) the internal codename for O, so I'm still hopeful for a release name of Android Oreo :) pic.twitter.com/LRHihJvtNs
— WhiteTiger (@WhiteTigerAE) May 19, 2017

Personally, the only time the name has ever mattered was KitKat, where we saw special KitKat packaging on store shelves. Beyond that, it really doesn't matter. However, if Oreo makes it as the name, I will fanboy so hard over the possibilities of special Oreo packaging with little Bugdroid characters. Do it, Google! // myce

Report: LG V30 Launch to Take Place During IFA in September

Tim — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 11:17:50 +0000

According to the latest intel floating around the web, LG is planning to introduce the V30, its latest in the V lineup, at this year's IFA in September. This timing makes perfect sense, considering the V20 was announced around this exact time last year in September. As for what we can expect, there's not too much info out there quite yet. From what we can gather, the V30 may sport a near bezel-less front display, secondary ticker, dual rear-facing cameras, Snapdragon 835, around a 3200mAh battery, updated Quad DAC, and somewhere around a IP68 rating. For many, this could be a dream smartphone. When compared to the existing V20, these rumored specs paint a picture of a slightly redesigned device, plus upgraded internals. Not that there's anything too wrong with that, with the V20 being a fine phone from LG. As more details make their way online, we'll keep you posted. And just for fun, here's a concept image of the device, which actually does look pretty awesome. // ETNews

DEAL: Save $35 on a Huawei Watch 2 Through eBay, Priced at Just $265

Tim — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:56:29 +0000

I'm always quite amazed at how much Android Wear devices can cost, with the Huawei Watch 2 being no exception. Considering Huawei ditched the premium materials for the standard Watch 2 (they did keep metal, leather, and all that jazz for the Classic), the company still launched the wearable with a price of $299 in the US. Thanks to a deal over on eBay, you can grab a brand new unit for the price of $265, which is a savings of about $35. If you missed our review, the main takeaway was my disappointment in Huawei's ditching of that premium niche they owned. Yes, they have the Classic, but why not have the standard Watch 2 be the premium one, then have a Watch 2 Sport or something like that? Speaking purely about the watch, it's a great fitness piece. You have the specs you'd want, plus Android Wear 2.0 which is a huge advantage over the last iteration. If you're interested, follow the link below to take advantage of the savings. eBay Link

Ring and Arlo Show Off Their Amazon Echo Show Video Integrations

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jun 2017 09:09:42 +0000

The Amazon Echo Show starts shipping in about a week, so Amazon is ramping up announcements surrounding the device's capabilities. Through a string of blog posts today, Amazon showed off how some of your smart home products (specifically your smart cameras) will be able to take advantage of both Alexa and the screen in the Show. Ring and Arlo were two companies featured as those who are getting their products ready for the Show's launch. Each showed off the simple commands you'll be able to speak to the Show to get an instant feed from your cameras on its screen. For Ring, that could mean quickly pulling up a feed from your front door as you get a notification of motion or it ringing. For Arlo, that could mean asking for a live feed of a specific camera, like your kid's bedroom or backyard cams. This type of integration is pretty slick. Now, I know it's going to take some time before the combination of Alexa and a screen is fully realized, especially on the Show's arguably off-putting design and lack of portability, but these are the types of features that could make for a really powerful smart home centerpiece. Assuming others continue to build out their support, Amazon's lead in the category should only expand.

Remember, the Amazon Echo Show is up for pre-order and ships by June 28. You can still get $100 off the 2-pack of them too, just use code “SHOW2PACK” at checkout. Amazon Echo Show Link

Ring

Arlo

// Amazon [2]

OnePlus 5 Unboxing!

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:52:59 +0000

The OnePlus 5 is now in house and as is always the case, we'll be sure to take the next week or two to put this little guy through life at DL. That means by kicking off the festivities with a OnePlus 5 unboxing before diving into the full testing phase. You're cool with that, right? To recap, because our memories are all mush after about 24 hours of news, you have OnePlus' new phone here that starts at $479 and features a good list of top tier specs. It is once again a flagship type phone at a price lower than most other flagships. Now, the price keeps inching closer to the big boys, though we're still almost $200 under the Galaxy S8 here at the base model. OnePlus was kind enough to send over this review unit here and it is the 8GB RAM/128GB storage version that costs $539. This is a phone I'm really looking forward to reviewing. The OnePlus 3T earned top honors from us last year yet this phone has already received some mixed early reviews. Even Tim is a bit skeptical about some of the choices OnePlus made for the 5 and the message being delivered with them. Unboxing time!

OnePlus 5 Unboxing

Buy OnePlus 5: OnePlus Store

Video: Bixby Voice First Look on Galaxy S8!

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 16:38:48 +0000

Bixby Voice is here, folks! Well, it's out for those who signed up for the Bixby Early Access Program last week. We did and so we have it up and running on a Galaxy S8. That, of course, means we spent some time with it today and are back now to share some Bixby Voice tips and tricks for those who are just getting in on the action. The video below is lengthy, but it runs through the numerous settings available to Bixby, the handful of ways to launch it, some of the commands you can try, and even how you can customize some short commands that will perform lengthier actions. Overall, it kind of touches on a bit of everything. If you are interested in Bixby, give it a look!

Axon 7 Mini Owners Receiving Android 7.1.1 Update

Tim — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 15:49:13 +0000

In March, ZTE invited Axon 7 Mini owners to test out Android 7.1.1, and now a couple of months later, the update is now rolling out to all owners. On top of the big bump to 7.1.1, Mini owners will find all of the new Android emoji, updated Doze settings, support for T-Mobile WiFi Calling, multi-window hotness, plus revamped notifications. Believe me, Mini owners, you want this update. In order to install it, make sure your phone is over 30% charged, head into Settings, then go to System Update. Your download will begin and should then automatically start the updating process. Have at it! // ZTE

Opinion: There's a Lot to Like About the OnePlus 5, But Just as Much to Dislike

Tim — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 13:55:22 +0000

Leading up to the unveiling of the OnePlus 5, I was pretty pumped up. For a bit of context, last year, my vote for Phone of the Year was the OnePlus 3T. In my mind, that phone was a complete package, so my thought going into 2017 was that OnePlus could keep that trend going. Now that the phone has been announced, I have a few thoughts to share. To be clear, I don't yet have a OnePlus 5 in my hand (it's coming), so I won't be speaking from direct knowledge about features or performance, but I've been doing this long enough to have a solid opinion on my feelings so far. The way I see it, there's a whole lot to like, but just as much if not more to dislike. On stage during the unveiling, OnePlus said they don’t care about launching a phone that is purely about the specs, then laughingly went on to talk about all of its great specs. To them, it’s how all of the specs perform together that leads them to believe that the OnePlus 5 is their best offering yet. The company apparently put a load of time into tweaking its camera offering, now with dual rear-facing shooters, but then skipped the addition of optical image stabilization (OIS) — something many people seem quite upset about. Additionally, from everything I have read and watched so far, the cameras aren’t even good. As The Verge says, “[the] dual-camera system is a failure.” Wait, you mean the cameras that OnePlus says it worked with Sony to create custom sensors for? Even MKBHD, who recently made an appearance at the company’s latest pop-up shop in NYC, didn’t have much excitement about the cameras. In his latest video he says, “This camera is a hit or miss experience.” Sorry, OnePlus, but as someone who was super excited for this launch, that’s not what I wanted to hear. They are also offering a 8GB of RAM model, but didn’t quite elaborate on how that much RAM will benefit users. Oh, you’re saying I can go in and out of apps quicker? We’re going to need more than that, OnePlus. On paper, for $539, a phone with 128GB of storage and 8GB RAM is pretty exciting, especially from a company that has proved it can make solid hardware. Realistically, many will probably get the 64GB + 6GB RAM model (prediction: due to the other model being sold out all the time), which is priced at $479. That's quite a jump in price from initial OnePlus One offering at $299. To me, it's not that OnePlus can't charge these prices, but they certainly aren't taking the same route they did initially to garner so much affection from the Android community in the early years. I get it, if you want sweet hardware and sweet specs, you need to pay, but the OnePlus 5 seems to miss a few things that would justify such pricing. I already mentioned the lack of OIS for the camera, but the OnePlus 5 also lacks band support for Verizon customers (a massive chunk of the US wireless market), and it also lacks any type of IP rating. As for software, the OnePlus 5 is running OxygenOS (built on Android "Nougat"), but we have no idea what to think about the company's current Android update process. They recently merged development teams, so our hope is that nothing falls through the cracks. I should note, the company confirmed that the OnePlus 3T (not even a year old phone) would indeed receive the Android O update once it's available. That's great, OnePlus, what about Android P? That's the update I'm actually concerned about if I own a OnePlus 3T. Our worry is only compounded following news that the OnePlus 2 will probably never see an update again (definitely won't see Nougat), after it only received about a year of them. Can we expect the same for other OnePlus devices? The company still needs to prove that it can indeed support the devices it releases. I know it seems like I've been ragging on the device for a bit now, but as I said, there's a lot to like about this phone, too. Personally, I'm a big fan of the design, regardless of whether it's an iPhone clone or not. It looks handsome to me. On top of that, they kept the 3.5mm headphone jack, kept the Alert Slider (my favorite part of the OnePlus lineup), and they only seem to make Dash Charge better and better with each iteration. Couple that specialty stuff with the Snapdragon 835 plus plenty of RAM and this phone is a real contender. Here's hoping OnePlus can use software magic to make their latest cameras better. Of course, you can expect to see our full review (video + written) a little after we finally receive our units. We don't know quite yet when they are coming in, but it should be soon... fingers crossed.

Bixby Voice is Arriving Today in the US on the Galaxy S8! (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 11:21:00 +0000

Bixby Voice just showed up on my Galaxy S8, so I'm assuming they are starting to roll it out to those who signed up for the Bixby Early Access Program at the end of last week. And that makes sense since we saw the Galaxy S8 and S8+ receive a bunch of updates to Samsung apps that added Bixby Voice support, within the past few days. I've hardly had a chance to play with it yet, but there are a whole bunch of settings to tweak and a whole bunch of stuff you'll have to learn. This is going to take some time to get used to, I'm guessing. Still, it's here and we are diving in now to let you know what we find. For those with a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ and who happened to sign-up for the Early Access Program, be sure all of your Samsung apps have been updated within the Galaxy Apps store. Then, open up Bixby and it should prompt you with a setup for Voice. Like Google Assistant, it'll need some training to your voice. Hi, Bixby.

UPDATE: We took Bixby for a spin!

SEGA Forever Brings the OG Heat to Android - Sonic the Hedgehog, Altered Beast, and More

Tim — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:58:31 +0000

I'm sorry, but because SEGA's opening line is just too good, I'm going to use it. Straight from the press release, "In celebration of a simpler time - an era that came before cool kale, hyper-connectedness, DIY artisanal beer-making, and social media mayhem - SEGA Networks Inc. is bringing a growing collection of classic video games from every console era to your mobile device for free." That's right, SEGA has launched classic titles for free to mobile devices. Starting today, you can find six old school titles, with more coming each couple of weeks in an operation called SEGA Forever. The first titles are Sonic the Hedgehog, Phantasy Star II, Comix Zone, Kid Chameleon, and Altered Beast. SEGA is doing things right, too. The titles support controllers, cloud saves, and do feature leaderboards, allowing you to showoff the skills you've been honing for the past decades. Also, while the games are free to download and you can play them offline, there are ads. However, you can remove the ads for just $1.99. Considering these are the real deal, $1.99 seems like nothing when it comes to enjoying these titles ad-free. Below are the Google Play links and a trailer for SEGA Forever. Play Links

Go get 'em!

Giveaway: Win an LG G6 From Droid Life and LG to Celebrate National Selfie Day (Update: Winner Selected!)

Tim — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 10:02:23 +0000

I am not the biggest selfie guy ever, which stems from the dislike of my own schnoz, but there's no doubt that phones are getting better and better at snapping a user's face. Not only are the sensors getting better, but with manufacturers like LG creating a lot of custom software to take advantage of these sensors, users can have a lot of fun snapping selfies. To celebrate National Selfie Day (why am I not surprised this is an actual thing?), we have teamed up with LG to give away a brand new unlocked LG G6. This giveaway is open to US residents only, but beyond that, we'll make entering very easy for you. If you missed our review, allow me to catch you up on what the G6 offers in terms of photo taking and software that helps create really fun and unique shots. On the G6 is a 5.7" 18:9 FullVision display, which can be very handy with apps like LG's Square Camera. This app has a few different modes to use, such as Match Shot and Guide Shot. With Match Shot, you can take photos or videos with the front and rear facing cameras simultaneously, or align a shot and then connect the two to suit your needs. This can be great for placing your head on your dog's body or vice versa, or even making cotton candy turn into wisping clouds in the sky. Regardless of the shot you're picturing in your mind, you can safely assume the G6 can handle it, thanks to its dual rear-facing cameras (13MP wide angle with f2.4 / 125° and 13MP standard with OIS 2.0 and F1.8 / 71°). Now, onto the fun stuff!

Giveaway

Prize 1 (one) US unlocked LG G6. How to Enter Below we have two selfies taken on the LG G6 using its Square Camera app. To enter this giveaway, all you need to do is vote on which one you think is better. Kellen's (A) or Tim's (B). Once you have determined that, go ahead and vote by commenting below, then make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter widget. This widget is what will allow us to contact the winner and make sure you voted properly. And please, one entry per person.

Kellen (A) vs. Tim (B)

a Rafflecopter giveaway Winner One random entry will be selected on Friday (June 23) at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern).

Thanks to LG for hooking us up with a G6 for this giveaway!

Report: Galaxy Note 8 Unveiling on August 20, Launch About One Week Later

Tim — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 08:36:47 +0000

According to the latest report from overseas, Samsung will host its next Unpacked event on August 20 in New York City, where the company will unveil the Galaxy Note 8. Following that event, it is reported launch will take place in the 3rd or 4th week of August, meaning shortly (about a week or so) after the event. There have been tidbits floating around regarding the Galaxy Note 8, but if you've noticed, we haven't paid any of it much mind. The important info, which is by no means confirmed, is that the Note 8 may feature dual rear-facing cameras. Beyond that, expect a phone that looks like a Galaxy S8 and S8+, but is a little bigger and comes with a S Pen. Once more concrete information is floating around, believe me, we'll fire up the hypetrain. Again, Samsung has not yet sent out invites or confirmed the aforementioned info, so for now, just pencil in that date. These dates have a tendency to be quite fluid when we're still a month or so away. Excited for the Galaxy Note 8 or is everyone just waiting to see what Google has planned? // ETNews

Download: OnePlus 5 Wallpapers

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jun 2017 07:22:15 +0000

Hampus Olsson is back with more free goodies, now that the OnePlus 5 has been announced. The artist once again created the wallpapers for the latest OnePlus device and has posted them up for download on his website. There are seven wallpapers to be had, available in 2K, 4K, and "Never Settle" versions. We've posted a couple of samples below to give you a feel for what to expect, but there is a Dropbox download link to get you all of them, if interested. For the back story on Olsson's creations, be sure to hit up that source link. Download Link (.zip)

// Hampus Olsson

Google's New Job Search Tool is Here

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 15:11:45 +0000

At Google I/O, Google showed off its new jobs search tool that allowed you to find jobs without going to the dozen or so job search engines spread about the web. The tool pulls job listings from some of the big players in the game and puts them in a single Google-hosted location, while also providing things like notifications for jobs you've searched for. Today, that tool is live! All you have to do is head to Google and search for something like, "android engineer jobs." You'll then find a special Google result section with jobs, along with a link to dive further into them. Once on the jobs listing pages, you can then filter the results by level, date posted, location, company type, employer, etc. The listings are pulled from sites like LinkedIn, Monster, WayUp, Glassdoor, Careerbuilder, and Facebook. They show you full job listings, experience level required, and give you quick access to more information about the company. You can set alerts for the specific job searches you've done, plus you may even see commute times to the job in select markets. Again, this isn't a special app or page within Google, you just get to it through Google Search. The results have been optimized for both desktop and mobile. // Google

Tuesday Poll: Are You Buying the OnePlus 5?

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 13:10:33 +0000

Is the OnePlus 5 your next phone? That's the question we want answered now that we know the dirty details of OnePlus' new flagship. We know the specs, network bands, price, and when you can fork out that cash (spoiler: right now). We also know if it has something missing (water resistance, SD slot) or just the right amount of goodies to justify OnePlus' highest priced phones yet. Lets us know - are you buying the OnePlus 5? If so, which one? [poll id="455"]

You Can Now Send a Replay of Your Live Video to Instagram Stories

Tim — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 12:52:18 +0000

Instagram announced this morning that it has 250 million daily users on Stories. That's an impressive number. To go along with that, with the latest update to the Android and iOS app, you can now share your finished live video to Stories for 24 hours, a function that hasn't been available until now. To put this simply, if you've just wrapped up a live video where you interacted with friends and had a blast, you can immediately share that live video to Stories, allowing anyone and everyone to watch it if they missed it live. As Instagram describes, "When your broadcast has ended, you’ll be able to tap 'Share' at the bottom of the screen to add your replay to Instagram Stories for 24 hours. You can also tap the toggle and choose 'Discard,' and your live video will disappear from the app as usual." If this functionality sounds fun to you, follow the Google Play link below. Play Link // Instagram

Project Fi Group Bills Now Auto Calculate Each Member's Portion

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 12:39:42 +0000

Because there is good chance that you and friends or family are on a Project Fi group plan, Google is making it easier for your crew to pay its fair share of each month's bill. With a group repay feature, you can have Project Fi automatically figure out how much each person on your account owes. Google is giving you a couple of options to choose from - based one things like fixed amounts or individual usage - so that once each month ends, the bills will be automatically split up. You can even setup reminders and notifications that are sent to each person to get them to send over their portion to you in time. With Google Wallet integration, a couple of taps is all it takes to get paid and cash out. The images below show how this will all work. To get setup, Google says to head into your Project Fi app and jump into the billing section.

// Google

Firefox Focus Browser Now Available for Android, Includes Ad Blocking

Tim — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 10:58:54 +0000

Firefox Focus, once available only to iOS devices, is now available on Google Play for Android. Focus is Firefox's more privacy-focused mobile browser, highlighting the ability to block annoying ads and wiping your browsing history quickly. It's all about privacy inside of Focus. As listed by Firefox, there are three main keys to this launch. If a user wants to view how many ads are being blocked, that is now available. In addition, users can disable the ad tracking blocker if things aren't working correctly, plus you will also find a notification reminder whenever the browser is running in the background. If you tap on this notification, you can erase your browsing history and close the app down. Here is exactly what's new in this release for Android:

Ad tracker counter - For the curious, there’s a counter to list the number of ads that are blocked per site while using the app.
Disable tracker blocker - For sites that are not loading correctly, you can disable the tracker blocker to quickly take care of it and get back to where you’ve left off.
Notification reminder - When Focus is running in the background, we’ll remind you through a notification and you can easily tap to erase your browsing history.

The Firefox Focus browser is available for free on Google Play, and if you're interested, follow the link below to get started. Play Link

OnePlus 5 is Official With the Company's Highest Prices Yet

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 10:29:34 +0000

You probably watched parts of today's OnePlus 5 reveal and may have even seen some of the early reviews. You likely know everything there is to know (specs, network bands) and could have put an order in for the "Early Drop" batch of the 5. It all happened so quickly, right? It happened so quickly that we didn't even share the press release for the new OnePlus phone. So yeah, we're doing that here. To recap, the OnePlus 5 is official in grey and black models that feature 64GB of storage and 6GB RAM, along with 128GB and 8GB RAM, respectively. The 64GB model costs $479 and the 128GB model costs $539. These are OnePlus' most expensive phones yet. (Who's looking forward to the OnePlus 6 pricing!?) The OnePlus 5 carries all of modern specs you hope for in a top tier phone. You have the latest processor from Qualcomm (Snapdragon 835), all of the RAM and storage you can handle (sans microSD slot), 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display, dual camera setup (20MP + 16MP shooters), 3300mAh battery with Dash Charge, Bluetooth 5.0, and a thin metal body. It runs Android Nougat under OnePlus' OxygenOS, so it should be smooth as hell and have a good mix of stock Android and power user customizations. OnePlus spent a lot of time today talking about the camera experience. You have a 20MP telephoto lens coupled with a more traditional 16MP f/1.7 shooter. The camera should be super fast, while also being able capture bokeh and depth for days. If anything, the camera experience is on trend. The phone looks like an iPhone, yes. It also should be a really good phone, since this appears to be nothing but improvements over last year's OnePlus 3 and 3T, phones that were chart toppers, thanks to their value. Is the OnePlus 5 still a good value? At $479, it certainly seems like. Sure we aren't at those fun days of $299 flagship phones, but you are still getting the goods at under $500. Hard to beat.

Say Hello to the OnePlus 5 – Dual Camera. Clearer Photos.

World’s Highest Resolution Dual Camera, Up to 8 GB RAM and Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 Processor Deliver Professional-level Photography and Smooth Performance in Sleek Flagship Smartphone
NEW YORK – June 20, 2017 – OnePlus today introduced the OnePlus 5, the latest in its lineup of premium flagship smartphones. With this new device, OnePlus is further demonstrating its mission to share the best technology with the world. The OnePlus 5 features the highest resolution dual-camera system on a smartphone today for clearer photos than ever before. Dash Charge, OnePlus’ industry-leading charging technology, gives users a day's power in half an hour. The Qualcomm^®Snapdragon™ 835 platform, coupled with up to 8 GB of RAM, provides a smooth user experience at a lower power consumption rate. The OnePlus 5 also supports 34 GSM network bands, keeping users connected around the world. “The OnePlus 5 showcases our obsessive attention to detail and our focus on delivering the best user experience possible,” said OnePlus Founder and CEO Pete Lau. “We have applied this approach to all aspects of the OnePlus 5. For example, the dual camera provides some of the clearest photos on the smartphone market today and gives users more control to take stunning photos in all conditions.” Attention to Design Detail At 7.25 mm, the OnePlus 5, available in Midnight Black and Slate Gray colors, is the thinnest OnePlus flagship ever. The aluminum unibody features a continuous hard line around the edge of the phone. The Horizon Line, a key element of OnePlus design, casts one half of the phone in light and the other in shadow, offering an elegant, streamlined appearance. The minimalistic design is further reinforced by a new crescent-shaped antenna that blends seamlessly into the top and bottom edges of the phone. Rounded corners and edges makes the OnePlus 5 feel more comfortable in the hand. Dual Camera. Clearer Photos. The OnePlus 5 features the highest resolution dual-camera system on a smartphone today. A tailor-made 16 MP sensor is supported by a 20 MP sensor with a telephoto lens to accurately determine the distance between the sensor and objects in the environment. A large f/1.7 aperture allows for faster snaps and helps compensate for stuttering to improve image stabilization. In Portrait Mode, the two sensors work together to create a focal separation between faces and backgrounds, while a custom software algorithm makes your subject clear and well-lit. This results in a professional depth-of-field (bokeh) effect that keeps faces sharp in front of a blurred backdrop. Smart Capture combines optical zoom with multi-frame technology to let you zoom in with greater clarity, while Fast AF uses the dual-camera system to more accurately calculate depth to speed up auto-focus by up to 40 percent. The all-new Pro Mode gives smartphone users powerful DSLR features such as ISO, white balance, shutter-speed, focus and exposure modification, as well as an on-screen histogram and RAW image file support for complete control of post-shot editing. A Day’s Power in Half an Hour First introduced with the OnePlus 3, Dash Charge is the fastest charging solution on the global market. A quick half-hour charge gives the OnePlus 5 enough power for the day. By carrying more current and shifting the power management from the handset to the adapter to keep the phone cooler during charging, Dash Charge can continue to fast charge the OnePlus 5 even when using GPS or playing graphically intensive games. The 3,300 mAh battery also lasts up to 20 percent longer than the OnePlus 3T. Smooth Experience Through a combination of powerful hardware and intelligent software, the OnePlus 5 provides a truly seamless smartphone experience. The OnePlus 5 takes advantage of the top-of-the-line Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835 platform that provides powerful performance while drawing up to 40 percent less power. With up to 8 GB of LPDDR4X RAM, the OnePlus 5 can run a large number of apps in the background without a single second of lag. The combination of UFS 2.1 and a new two-lane ROM results in 26 percent faster storage performance in everything from installations to loading apps and games. OnePlus’ custom operating system, OxygenOS, is designed to refine stock Android’s core functionalities with features and optimizations that add value to the user experience. New updates to the OnePlus 5 include Reading Mode, which utilizes an ambient sensor and gray-scale mapping to make reading as comfortable as reading an actual book. Gaming Do Not Disturb Mode allows users to play their favorite games without being disrupted by notifications or accidental hardware button presses. With App Priority, the OnePlus 5 loads your most-used apps more quickly to further improve performance. Pricing and Availability The OnePlus 5 will be available in an early drop sale on oneplus.net immediately after the keynote launch event on June 20 for customers using a special code that will be announced during the keynote. The OnePlus 5 will first be available for direct purchase at one-day pop-up stores in New York on June 20 and in London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Helsinki and Copenhagen on June 21. Open sales on oneplus.net begin on June 27. The Midnight Black version (8 GB RAM / 128 GB storage) will sell for USD 539 / EUR 559 / GBP 499 / CAD 719. The Slate Gray version (6 GB RAM / 64GB storage) is USD 479 / EUR 499 / GBP 449 / CAD 649.

OnePlus 5 Network Bands

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:57:42 +0000

Now that you've looked at the OnePlus 5 specs and are still deciding whether or not to buy one, you might be wondering if the phone will work on your carrier of choice. Below, we put together the full list of supported OnePlus 5 network bands, from LTE to WCDMA and GSM, you'll know by hitting that table below and matching it up to our US cellular bands cheat sheet. As you can see, AT&T and T-Mobile support is there. Verizon connectivity is almost there, with a single supported CDMA band. We'll have to test it ourselves to be sure, though, I'm not expecting it to be supported at all. Either way, this is looking like another GSM-focused phone with wide LTE support.

OnePlus 5 Network Bands

[table id=71 responsive=scroll /] Buy OnePlus 5: OnePlus Store

You Can Buy the OnePlus 5 Right Now, Starts at $479

Tim — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:50:00 +0000

The OnePlus 5 has just gone live on the OnePlus store, available for a limited time via an "Early Drop." To take advantage of this, you'll need a code. The code is "Clearer Photos." If you aren't quick enough, general availability of the OnePlus 5 begins June 27, which is only a week away. As for pricing, the 64GB storage + 6GB RAM model is priced at $479, while the 128GB + 8GB RAM model is $539. If you need more info on the phone's specifications, look here. Are you picking one up? OnePlus Store Link

OnePlus 5 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 09:42:59 +0000

The OnePlus 5 has now been officially revealed and so we now have the official OnePlus 5 specs list too. It's pretty loaded, that's for sure, but that means it has a price tag to match. You are looking at a true flagship level phone here, even if it does look quite familiar. You have a Snapdragon 835 processor, 5.5-inch 1080p AMOLED display, dual camera setup on the back (20MP + 16MP), 6GB or 8GB RAM, 64GB or 128GB storage, 3300mAh battery with Dash Charge, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C, and more. It's also running Android Nougat underneath OxygenOS. The phone ships in 6 days in two variants: 64GB, with 6GB RAM for $479; 128GB, with 8GB RAM for $539.

OnePlus 5 Specs

[table id=70 responsive=scroll /] Buy OnePlus 5: OnePlus Store

DEAL: Grab a Case for Your Pixel at 50% Off on Google Store

Tim — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 08:57:15 +0000

For what we only assume is a limited time, cases for the Pixel and Pixel XL are available at discounted pricing on the Google Store. There are two styles available at the discounted pricing, the standard clear case and the colored case. You can get either for the standard Pixel or XL, with both listed at 50% off the standard price. The clear case is going for $15, while the colored case is $17.50. We have placed an image of what's available below, so if you're interested, head on over to the Google Store and grab yourself a case. Google Store Link

Watch Live: OnePlus 5 Unveiling!

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jun 2017 07:32:19 +0000

Today's the day for the new OnePlus phone to become official. The popular phone microbrand will show off the OnePlus 5 fully for the first time, give us an official spec list, tell us when exactly we'll be able to buy one, and also attempt to justify why they keep jacking up the price from one phone to the next. Thanks to a pre-launch look at how the brand built its newest phone, we pretty much know what to expect outside of the fine details. We're getting an iPhone-esque body with a focus on the phone's camera (a dual camera) because previous OnePlus owners told them their cameras haven't been good enough. We'll also get a Snapdragon 835, more RAM than the phone will probably be able to use, lots of storage, gold or matte black colorways, solid battery life, and a 1080p display. The event kicks off today at 12PM Eastern (9AM Pacific). You can watch it through the video embed above!

Pokémon GO Getting Raid Battles and Overhauled Gym System

Tim — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:42:49 +0000

A massive update is soon headed out to Pokémon GO, one that introduces Raid Battles and completely overhauls the Gym system. To explain the changes, let's quickly go over how Gyms acted up to this point. A player goes to an unclaimed Gym, throws in their Pokémon, then other players from opposing teams try to defeat your Pokémon and take over the Gym. When a team has multiple Pokémon defending a Gym, it will increase the prestige of the Gym, making it harder for enemy teams to take over. Now, with the changes, Niantic writes that, "Gyms are no longer based on Prestige and training. Instead, they now feature six permanent slots that can be filled by the controlling team’s Pokémon. Each Pokémon assigned to these slots must be unique. For example, only one Blissey can be assigned to a Gym at a time." Not only that, but Niantic also announced that players can swipe on the photo disc for each Gym to collect items, just like at every PokéStop around the world. The other big change for the game are Raid Battles. With this, a team of up to 20 trainers will combine forces to take down an extremely powerful Pokémon at Gyms. To get started, you'll need a Raid Pass, collected from Gyms. You can only have one Pass per day, but with it, you can enter Raids to earn sweet in-game prizes for your Pokémon. On top of little berries and what not, Niantic claims, "If you successfully defeat the Raid Boss within the five-minute time limit, you’ll have the chance to catch an extra powerful Pokémon of your own!" As for what needs to happen to allow for these changes, I'll let Niantic explain the situation.

To put these exciting changes in motion, we’ll be temporarily disabling all Gyms. Once the update has been rolled out to players around the world, Gyms will return. The Raid Battle feature will then be rolled out slowly over the next few weeks, starting as a beta, with raids visible only to a subset of players at certain Gym locations. Over a few days, we’ll invite more players to participate and enable raids at more Gyms around the world.

Got all that? No more Gyms until it's available for all. Makes sense, but lame for current Gym users. Anyway, enjoy remaining Pokémon GO players! // Pokémon | Niantic Labs

Start a Duo Video Call From Right Inside Allo, Thanks to Update

Tim — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 13:29:20 +0000

Allo and Duo were announced alongside each other at last year's Google I/O, but surprisingly, there wasn't much integration between the two. Thanks to an Allo update rolling out this week, users of the services can now begin a Duo video call from right inside Allo. With the updated version of Allo, if you are inside of a chat with someone who uses Duo, you can now quickly video call that person. It's a simple concept, one we're surprised wasn't there from the start. Regardless, it's there now. You will need the updated version of Allo to see it, so be on the lookout in Google Play for it. Play Link

New version of Allo launching today ..you can now start a Duo call right from your chat. #GoogleAllo #GoogleDuo
— Amit Fulay (@amitfulay) June 19, 2017

DEAL: 3-Pack Luma WiFi System Just $236 ($112 Off), Google WiFi $29 Off

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:56:59 +0000

If you happened to jump on the first wave of mesh WiFi systems that released over the past couple of years, you (like me) probably won't like the fact that the same systems can now be purchased at a fraction of the price you paid. If you have held out on upgrading your home WiFi to one of these systems, you played your cards correctly. Systems from Google, Eero, Linksys, and Luma all seem to be featured in regular deals. For example, today you can get in a 3-Pack Luma Surround WiFi system for just $236.99. That's a $112 discount on a system that was once closer to $400. If Luma doesn't excite you, you can also look at Google's own mesh WiFi system for just $269.99. That's the 3-pack price which happens to be $29 off. Or, you could get into a single Google WiFi unit for $119.99 ($9 off). Best Buy Links:

Luma Surround WiFi 3-Pack ($236.99)
Google WiFi 3-Pack ($269.99)
Google WiFi 1-Pack ($119.99)

AccuWeather Update Brings 7-Day Allergy Forecast, Dark Theme for Maps

Tim — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 11:53:39 +0000

An update for the AccuWeather app on Android is rolling out this week, available to all users. Inside, there are two new features, as well as bug fixing. For the features, AccuWeather now includes a 7-day forecast for allergies, perfect for anyone who needs to track the risk of pollen and other such hazards in the air. In addition, the Maps section has a new dark theme to play with. If you don't already use AccuWeather, there is the paid version and free version. Both versions work with Android Wear and feature MinuteCast, news and videos concerning weather, plus support for worldwide locations. Follow the link below to grab the update. Play Link

HTC U11 in Solar Red Purchasable in the US Starting Tonight

Tim — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:38:17 +0000

After news that the U11 appears to be selling very well for HTC, the company announced today that a new color option will be available in the US this week: Solar Red. To be clear, HTC will open pre-orders for the Solar Red option on its website tonight, with orders shipping out soon after. It's the same phone that we reviewed last week, just in a super hot Red option. On top of the new color, HTC is hosting a few summer promotions. For example, you can grab a HTC 10 for $200 off at $499, a U Ultra for $629, or a set of JBL Aware C headphones for $99. I've gone ahead and placed all of the promo info below if you're interested. Other Deals

HTC U Ultra: $130 OFF MSRP – Promo Price of: $629
HTC 10: $200 OFF MSRP – Promo Price of $499
HTC BOLT: $100 OFF MSRP – Promo Price of $500
JBL Reflect Aware C headphones: 50% OFF MSRP – Promo Price of $99.99
50% OFF accessories with a device purchase

At 12AM Eastern (9PM Pacific), follow the link below to pre-order your HTC U11 in Solar Red. HTC Link

Galaxy S8 Owners Get Exclusive Google Play Music Station

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 09:05:52 +0000

Over the weekend, owners of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ (possibly other Samsung devices too) who use Google Play Music welcomed in a new exclusive feature. It's a special radio station called "New Release Radio," and yep, it plays a "personalized mix of newly released songs." It's also updated daily, according to the station listing. We're not sure if this radio station will ever not be an exclusive to Samsung devices, but it seems likely that it'll come to other users eventually. It's not like it's playing exclusive Samsung theme songs or something - it's just playing top hits and updates regularly. I'd imagine Google just needs to uncheck a single box on the back-end to give everyone access. For now, though, Samsung owners with compatible devices can access the station by opening Google Play Music. You should get a prompt from the app to give a spin (see image above). I should point out that I was also able to pull up the station on my Google Pixel and in an incognito Chrome window too by clicking this direct link. Give it a shot even if you don't own a Galaxy S8.

Check Out All These OnePlus 5 Design Iterations

Tim — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:51:46 +0000

The OnePlus 5 will be unveiled tomorrow, and considering we're so close to launch, it makes sense that more details about its story and what it will offer are coming to light. Thanks to The Verge, who recently flew over to China and met up with the OnePlus team, we're learning much more about all of the work that went into creating the OnePlus 5. Like other companies, OnePlus listened to a lot of feedback on the OnePlus 3 and 3T. With that feedback, the OnePlus 5 is going to sport dual rear-facing cameras, shooters that the team at OnePlus seem to be very proud of. It won't just be a good camera, but a great camera. With a change like adding dual cameras, the design team had to put in loads of work, determining the best placement, too. As you can see in the below photo, OnePlus spared no expense when it came to prototyping many different options, ultimately settling for the top left corner of the phone, much like the iPhone 7. While you would imagine that creating so many different options would be super costly, OnePlus' location in China, near all of the manufacturing and fabricators, allows for extreme efficiency in this department. According to OnePlus, they would have a mockup of what they wanted one morning, then have the prototype the following morning for testing. That's pretty impressive, if you ask me. If you'd like to learn more, The Verge also has a pretty long video about the making of the phone, which is quite interesting. You'll definitely see the OnePlus 5 in the video, too. Check it out below. Again, the OnePlus 5 launches tomorrow at 9AM Pacific (12PM Eastern). // The Verge

Ring Video Doorbell 2 Arrives With 1080p, Swappable Batteries

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 08:05:08 +0000

Ring, the popular smart video doorbell company, released its newest video doorbell today, the Ring Video Doorbell 2. The naming scheme here, it's quite technical. This new Video Doorbell 2 has been upgraded with 1080p streaming capabilities (up from 720p in the preview model) and optional battery swapping. So if you are running your Ring Doorbell 2 on a battery, you can quick swap batteries when they die rather than wait for the Doorbell to fully charge up. That means less time without your doorbell up and working. Like previous Ring doorbells, this new model can be both hard-wired or run on battery, it features mobile alerts for things like motion or sound, night vision, and live viewing of your camera's stream. The camera is now only 160-degree this time, though, which is a downgrade from 180-degree on the previous Video Doorbell. The new Ring Video Doorbell 2 costs $199.99 and comes in two color options. Additional battery packs cost $29, but are currently discounted to $20. Buy Ring Video Doorbell 2:

Best Buy
Ring.com

DEAL: Trade-In Any Smartphone, Get the Unlocked Galaxy S8 for Just $425 or Less Right Now

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 06:46:12 +0000

At the moment, thanks to a couple of simultaneous deals, you get into an unlocked Samsung Galaxy S8 for as little as $425 or less (S8+ for $525 or less). The combination of Samsung's $100-off deal on their unlocked models, plus an instant trade-in discount depending on what you have available, has made this one of the best deals you might ever find on the S8 or S8+. As you guys know, the unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are currently discounted by $100 almost everywhere they are sold. That puts the unlocked S8 at $625 and the S8+ at $725. Those are already good discounts. However, Samsung is running an additional discount for smartphone trade-ins when you buy any S8 from them directly, including the unlocked models. As long as you trade-in any smartphone running iOS or Android, they'll give you at least $200 off upfront.

It works like this. You hit that link below, decide which phone you want, then tell Samsung what you plan to trade-in. Depending on the phone, you'll get at least $200 off, but you could get upwards of $350 or $300 off if you trade-in a S7 Edge or Note 5. The discount is applied immediately to your order and then sent as you checkout. Once your new phone arrives, you'll then put your trade-in device in the box and return it quickly to avoid Samsung charging you back the discount they gave. So yeah, you get the discount immediately and get to keep your phone until your new one arrives. This isn't one of those prepaid-card after-the-fact scams. So even if you have an old as hell smartphone, Samsung will give you $200 for it as long as it's not on a blacklist, powers on, has normal wear and tear conditioning, no cracked screen, and no water damage. Basically, you just need a working smartphone that runs Android or iOS, even if it's 4 years old. This is a limited time offer, so jump on it. Samsung Trade-In Offer Link

LG Announces G6+ With 128GB Storage, Plus New Color Options for G6 and a Software Upgrade

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jun 2017 06:26:25 +0000

LG announced the G6+ this morning, a slightly upgraded version of the previously released G6, along with new colors for the regular G6 and a software upgrade that includes facial recognition. Most of this fun is happening in Korea, but the software should eventually get to the US. The LG G6+, after being rumored for the past few weeks, is official with the same goodies as the regular G6, but with 128GB of storage, included B&O Play earbuds to be used with the phone's Quad DAC (not in the US, of course), and wireless charging (in some countries). We don't know a specific release date for the G6+ or if it'll ever arrive in the states, but should it, you'll be able to buy it in black, gold, or blue. Speaking of colors, the Optical Marine Blue and Optical Terra Gold colors you are seeing in this post are new to the regular G6 as well. Like with the G6+, though, it's tough to say if these will show up here or not. Additionally, LG announced a big software update for the G6 that includes Face Print, Low Power Consumption, and a Covered Lens warning. Face Print is a "security" feature that uses facial recognition to allow you to unlock your phone. We've seen fun tricks like this before. As for Low Power Consumption, LG is using tech within the phone's Qualcomm chipset, as well as Google's Contextual Hub Runtime Environment to "collect data at all times" while using "very little battery power and reducing latency." Finally, the Covered Lens feature is simply a notification on your screen that tells you to get your finger out of the way of the camera as you snap pics.

// LG

DEAL: T-Mobile Running BOGO Deal on Galaxy S8, S8+, G6, and V20

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 14:54:42 +0000

T-Mobile kicked off a new promo today that'll get you into two new top tier phones for the price one. Yep, it's BOGO time at T-Mo and the phones included in the fun are the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, G6, and V20. There may be others, but those are the big guys to keep an eye on. The deal involves buying two phones on equipment installment plans before tossing in the code "17JUNESAMBOGO" or "17JUNELGBOGO" at T-Mobile's promotions site to activate the rebate that will cover the cost of the second phone. Then, within 6-8 weeks, a prepaid MasterCard will show up with the value of that second phone. For the Galaxy S8, that means a $750 prepaid card, while you'll get $790 for the S8+, $500 for the G6, and $500 for the V20. The deal is likely limited, so hit that link below. The full details on the promo can be found below. T-Mobile BOGO Deal Link

DEAL: Discount Codes for Tronsmart's 2-Port Type C PD Wall Charger, 10000mAh Power Bank

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 12:15:48 +0000

The crew at Tronsmart sent us a couple of coupon codes to share with you guys that will take an extra 20% off a couple of their best products. Right now, with the codes below, you can grab a Tronsmart Presto 10000mAh power bank with Quick Charge 3.0 for just $17.59 or the new Tronsmart 2-port USB Type-C wall charger with Power Delivery (PD) for $22.39. The Tronsmart Presto 10000mAh bank not only supports QC 3.0, it also supports Huawei FCP and has a second VoltiQ port. At 10000mAh, you should get a solid 2-3 charges out of each before needing to refuel. The more versatile product for the future is the 2-port USB Type-C wall charger with Power Delivery. Not only will this fast charge your phones with Quick Charge 3.0, the PD Type-C port can charge a Macbook (2016) at full speed too. This is a beastly little charger. Amazon Links:

Tronsmart Presto 10000mAh Power Bank ($17.59, CODE: KC9SIMV6)
Tronsmart 2-Port USB C Wall Charger ($22.39, CODE: QEDTQEGU)

5 Reasons the HTC U11 is Worth Buying

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 10:52:06 +0000

The HTC U11 is not only a really good phone, it's apparently also off to a good start in terms of sales, at least over previous HTC phones. Not that you should base purchase decisions off of whether or not a phone is selling well, but as you attempt to decide whether or not you are going to, hearing that a phone is having early success should give you added confidence in pulling the trigger. In case you still need additional reasons to pick up HTC's latest flagship phone, we wanted to toss out 5 of them that we think help the U11 stand out. As we said in our HTC U11 review, this is a phone that gets all of the big things right: camera, performance, battery life, and the phone's backside prettiness. It doesn't have many flaws, certainly not any that should steer you fully clear of adding the U11 to a shortlist. Here are 5 reasons the HTC U11 is worth buying.

1. Performance and Software

HTC phones are some of the quickest and lightest in the Android game when you are talking about performance and software. Not only does HTC fine-tune their phones to run ultra-quick, they've really stripped their Sense skin down to being nothing more than a theme in many aspects. So if you like the look of Google's software with some minor tweaks, plus you want a fast as hell phone, their phones are some of the best. The HTC U11 continues that trend, thanks to the Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB RAM. From jumping in between apps and using multi-window or playing games, the U11 keeps up. This is one of those phones that rarely (if ever) stuttered on me during testing. I didn't have to reboot it regularly like some Samsung phones, and specific items like the fingerprint reader were some of the fastest I've ever used. In the software department, I have to admit that I don't like portions of the U11's Sense skin (like the app drawer, phone app, settings layout, etc.), but other areas (like the notification shade, lock screen, camera app, etc.) are really nice. HTC just doesn't overdo it with extra colors, unnecessary doubled-up apps, weird menu tweaks or icons out of place, and notification interactions that aren't as Google intended. Oh, this phone also runs Android 7.1.1, which not many other phones do.

2. Battery Life

Since the HTC U11 only has a smallish 3000mAh battery, I was nervous that it would disappoint in the battery life department. This phone did everything and then some to prove me wrong. On a daily basis over a couple of weeks worth of testing, I never ran into daily battery issues. I averaged around 3 hours of screen on time and never once did I worry about plugging the phone in before going to bed. That's pretty incredible! For comparison, I can tell you that since finishing my U11 review, I've been playing with the Galaxy S8 again, a phone that also has a 3000mAh battery (and Snapdragon 835 processor). This Galaxy S8 needs a mid-day charge every single day. It's almost embarrassing. It's 100% frustrating and not OK for a 2017 phone that is supposed to be a world conqueror. Should you pick-up the U11, I think you'll be happy with the phone's daily battery life.

3. Camera

After going the gimmicky camera route for a couple of years with the original UltraPixel shooters in the One M7 and M8, HTC has put together a few cameras in a row that keep up with the best in the industry. The 12MP UltraPixel 3 shooter in the U11 is their best to date, I think by a long shot. At 12MP and f/1.7, you get a versatile shooter that can capture depth, shoot well in lower-lit conditions, and kill it in good lighting. I took landscape, macros, and your typical every day shots (like of beer and food, of course) and really liked the results. As I mentioned in my review, the slowness to initially load and focus caused me some issues, because I often thought I had snapped multiple shots only to find out it was more like 1 or 2. But there were times where it was quick enough, plus I think HTC can address that in updates. Camera samples: Here | Here | Here If you need another reason to like the camera in the U11, look no further than its video recording. It goes up to 4K resolution, but it also does this sweet trick where you can zoom in on a subject that is producing audio (say at a concert) and it'll focus on that subject to increase only that audio. It's pretty awesome. No matter what, I think you'll enjoy the U11 camera experience from top to bottom.

4. Audio

For years, HTC has pushed high-end audio. From their early Beats partnership to using DACs and creating BoomSound, this is a department that HTC excels. With the U11, that isn't changing. Sure, the U11 doesn't have a headphone jack and that is kind of obnoxious, but they are including really good USonic earbuds in the box with active noise cancellation, along with a 3.5mm to USB Type-C adapter. You won't be able to charge your phone and use regular headphones at the same time, though you'll probably live. The BoomSound external speaker setup here is quite good again. The speakers are both loud and clear, and put most other phones to shame, especially those with a single bottom-firing speaker. But my favorite piece to the audio probably is those USonic earbuds. They fit my ears great out of the box, plus they come with additional bud tips to help you get it just right. And they push sound that makes music fun, with deep bass you don't typically get from buds, and a clarity I'd expect from higher-end over-ear headphones. Did I mention they are included in the box? They are.

5. Unlocked

As I've said numerous times over the years, unlocked phones are my favorites and will always be my first choice when buying a new phone if the choice is there. Because unlocked phones aren't attached to carriers, you can take them to your carrier of choice, the software is less bloated, and depending on the maker, you get updates quicker. The HTC U11 is available unlocked and works at all of the big carriers, which is an added bonus. HTC, for the last few years, has sold their flagship phones unlocked and done a pretty decent job at updating them. The unlocked U11 already saw an update out of the box, for example. I believe the HTC 10 was one of the first non-Google phones to receive the update to Nougat as well. I'd imagine that'll be the case with the U11 and Android O. At $649, the U11 isn't necessarily the cheapest unlocked phone, but again, it works everywhere, including on Verizon. Buy HTC U11: Amazon | HTC.com

Considering another phone? Feel free to take a look back at 5 reasons to buy other phones, like the Galaxy S8, LG G6, or Pixel in previous installments of this ongoing series.

Samsung Opens Up Bixby Early Access Program to Test New Features

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 09:13:41 +0000

Want to test new Bixby features from Samsung before they go public to everyone? Now you can, thanks to a new Bixby Early Access program that opened up today in the US. As of today, the early access page says specifically that "new voice features are coming" and that you'll be able to test that feature on your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ first. As was demoed back during the Galaxy S8 launch event, voice access in Bixby lets you send texts, change settings within your phone, and perform other tasks, all just by telling your phone to. Yes, this is the feature that we keep reporting as being delayed. This should be taken as a good sign, though! Testing is good, especially when it involves you and I. Space in the early access program is supposedly limited, so sign-up right away at the link below. You'll need a Samsung account. Bixby Early Access Sign-up

Look, a Shiny New Droid Life!

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jun 2017 07:20:13 +0000

Today, after a heck of a lot of work over a number of months dating back to last year, we are proud to launch the latest version of Droid Life. I've lost track of which version this is, but it's by far the biggest overhaul we have ever done. I hope you guys like it as much as we do. We worked with the folks at Murmur Creative, a Portland-based design and branding company that has really helped us capture a vision for Droid Life that can take us into the next handful of years and beyond. When we sat down with them, we talked a lot about not only the direction we'd like the site to go in, but how we can really become our own unique brand. So not only do we have a fancy new website for you to play with and read every day, we have a shiny new logo and much more fine-tuned color scheme that is, well, hot af. See, look at this! ?

And it even comes in multiple ? forms.

Why should you care? Because that means new swag, silly, should you be into DL gear and that sort of thing. More on that here in a bit. Moving on, though. The new site!

Yes, we have a pretty major overhaul here to the site so many of you visit every single day. In many ways, it'll look familiar, but we've done some things to modernize the overall look, while also better placing the items you need to get to and removing a whole bunch of wasted space. The entire design is much more compact and fitting to whichever screen you are using. And of course, this site is responsive just like the site has been for years. For one, that new top header of the front page allows you to get in, see what's new and what we may have featured at the moment as a "must read," and then get out if you want. Hopefully, you hang around for a while, because as you move throughout, you'll continue to find new content easily, but also special sections with our reviews, YouTube content, deals, podcasts, etc. In fact, our podcast page is 100% new, fresh, and custom. I'm also super excited about the new mobile site, which really is a massive, massive improvement. I know this might sound crazy, but the little things that were broken on the old site and now fixed, like adding a functional menu and pinch-to-zoom (!), have made the testing experience so good. You can even swipe through featured article sections, almost as if it were a native app.

Anyways, feel free to poke around and let us know if anything looks too wonky or you see issues. We'll be sure to fix anything that pops up as we continue tweaking some stuff on our end. Then, enjoy!

DEAL: Big Discounts on These Anker Quick Charge 3.0 Wall and Car Chargers

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 15:01:47 +0000

Anker, one of the better power accessory makers in all the land because of their commitment to quality, is hosting a batch of discounts on some of their more popular products through an Amazon deal of the day. You'll find select cables in there, but the best deals are on the two Quick Charge 3.0 products. Today (and only for the next few hours), you can buy a 2-port Quick Charge 3.0 wall charger for just $19.99 or a 2-port QC 3.0 car charger for just $18.89. With Quick Charge 3.0 speeds, you'll get fast chargers from both ports on almost any modern smartphone that isn't an iPhone. You really can't go wrong with either, just keep in mind that you'll need to bring your own USB cable. Amazon Links:

Anker Quick Charge 3.0 39W 2-port Wall Charger ($19.99)
Anker Quick Charge 3.0 39W 2-port Car Charger ($18.89)

HTC Says the U11 is Selling Better Out of the Gate Than the HTC 10 and One M9

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:39:02 +0000

According to Chialin Chang, HTC's president of smartphone and connected devices, the U11 is off to a solid start. Chang told shareholders during a meeting that the U11 is selling better over its first month than the HTC 10 and One M9. That's great news for a company who has been on quite the steep decline for years. I can't even recall the last time HTC had a hit. Not to say that the U11 is projected to be a massive success, but topping the HTC 10 out of the gate is certainly something HTC should feel good about. The HTC 10 was their best phone in years and received mostly glowing reviews. So what does this mean for HTC and the U11 going forward? At this point, these small wins could be big in the long-run for HTC, assuming they can build on them quarter after quarter. Cher Wang, the company's CEO, is already projecting that 2017 is looking promising and will produce satisfactory financial results. I'd imagine a lot of that they think will come from VR, but a surprise success in the U11 won't hurt either. We recently reviewed the U11 and came away pretty positive on it. There is quite a bit to like with this year's real flagship from HTC. // Focus Taiwan

Verizon Just Started Selling an LTE-Only LG Flip Phone

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 14:09:55 +0000

It's not often that we talk about a basic flip phone around these parts. With smartphones available at almost any price point, it seems sort of silly to even consider a dumb or basic phone at this point. And today, that won't change as we talk about the newly released LG Exalt LTE that is now available at Verizon. The LG Exalt LTE is important because - as far as we can tell - this is Verizon's first LTE-only phone. When I say "LTE-only," I'm talking about the fact that this phone only connects to Verizon's LTE network, not their 3G CDMA network. If anything, it's the company's first 4G LTE dumb phone. That's kind of a big deal. Moves like this are signs of the future. Verizon's CDMA network is on the way out because LTE is a huge part of that future. In fact, the majority of your voice calls are likely happening over LTE at this point anyway and Verizon has announced plans to start shutting down portions of its CDMA network by the end of 2019 to refarm the spectrum for LTE. In order for them to do that, they need to start moving people off of CDMA and onto LTE. The way they do that, since there are more people than you can imagine with basic flip phones, is to get those flip phones retired and swapped out for phones like the Exalt LTE. As for why you and I should care, well, this could just be the start of Verizon pushing LTE-only phones. We could (and probably should) see smartphones that are LTE-only, along with additional unlocked phones not sold by Verizon that are LTE-only and still work on their network. For example, the HTC U11 is an unlocked phone without CDMA connectivity that works on Verizon. If you are interested in learning more about the LG Exalt LTE, head over to Verizon's site.

LG Extends G6 Limited Warranty to 24 Months With "Second Year Promise"

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 12:53:33 +0000

As an LG G6 owner, you can rest a little easier today knowing that LG has announced plans to cover the manufacturer's limited warranty on your phone up to 24 months instead of the standard 12. The extension of coverage has been dubbed the "Second Year Promise" and is open today to current and future G6 owners. Going forward, as you eclipse the 12-month mark with your G6, LG says that you'll now receive the same coverage for months 13-24. That means they'll replace your phone if there are device defects within two business days. Those replacements could be new or refurbished, though. So while this isn't a screen replacement program or something extra special, it is at least a good gesture by LG. In order to participate in the second year stuff, you'll need to sign-up within 90 days of purchase. If you bought a G6 prior to today, you are eligible. To get registered, head over to LG's site. // The Verge

Verizon Open Enrollment is Here for the Next Month, Drops Screen Replacement Deductible to $49

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 11:12:28 +0000

As we head into the summer, Verizon is worried that you may be doing so without proper insurance coverage on your smartphone and that your fun in the sun will result in you drinking too much before dropping your phone to its death. I actually made up that last part. You knew that. OK. In case you didn't sign-up for coverage at the time of purchase, Big Red is now allowing you a 2nd chance through an open enrollment period. They are pushing their Total Mobile Protection this time around. It costs $11 per month and is there in case your phone runs into issues. You get fast replacements once you file a claim, access to carry-in locations for repairs (often same-day), and a "new, lower" $49 deductible for cracked screen repair. You even get access to a Verizon Tech Coach (lolz). Cracked screen repairs aren't available for every phone, though. The list includes most iPhone models from the 7 back through the 5c, Galaxy S7 to the S5, Note 4 and 5, and Droid Turbo and Maxx. Open enrollment runs from today through July 14. You can sign-up for open enrollment at Verizon's site here. To learn more about Total Mobile Protection, head here. // Verizon

Twitter Just Refreshed Its Look and You'll be OK

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 09:05:24 +0000

Twitter looks different today, you may have noticed. People are freaking out a bit because some things are now round and the buttons have different icons. And look, this wouldn't be Twitter if people didn't have obnoxiously volcanic takes on Twitter changes, so just roll with it and ignore them. The new look has actually been in the Android beta for a good week or so. We've been using it, getting used to it, and not throwing tantrums about its freshness. I kind of like it, to be honest, because it does feel like a lighter experience, which is what Twitter was going for. Either way, this is what's new:

Profile photos are now round. FREAKOUT.
The slideout menu is simpler, with less options or at the very least, a more compact view.
The icons up top for each panel are new.
The icons in Tweets are new too, like the quote button that has replaced the confusing reply button.
The typography across the app is now "more consistent," plus there are bolder headlines.
Tweets now live update as they are retweeted, liked, etc.

The update should be rolling out to stable Twitter very soon if it hasn't already. Again, it's in the beta, so you could always just sign-up or that to get it now. Twitter is also updating the web client and Tweetdeck. Play Link

// Twitter

Amazon's New Dash Wand Includes Alexa, is Basically Free

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 07:53:20 +0000

Amazon announced a new Dash Wand this morning and is all but giving it away to Prime members. The new Dash Wand wants to be your hand-held kitchen assistant for both cookin' up that culinary masterpiece and ordering all of the goodies you need to do so, including booze. This Dash Wand features their Alexa assistant for the first time, along with a barcode scanner, water resistant body, and magnet to keep it attached to your fridge. To use Dash Wand, you can do a number of things. For one, you can use the barcode scanner to scan items in your house that you need refilled. By doing so, the Dash Wand will add them to an Amazon cart for later checkout. You can also just say to it, "Strawberries," and it will add them to a cart. For quicker checkouts, you can tell Amazon to "order" those items and it will then order them. Of course, with Alexa in there, you can grab the Wand and have it turn lights on or off, complete various other skills. It does require that you press a button, so it's not like the voice-activated Echo. To launch, Amazon is charging $20 for the new Dash Wand. However, once you register and activate it, Amazon will give you a $20 credit. So more or less, it's free. Also, if you are in a market that offers AmazonFresh, you'll get 90 days free. The service normally costs $15 per month. Amazon Dash Wand Link

T-Mobile's Shiny New 600MHz Spectrum Goes Into Testing Very Soon

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jun 2017 06:57:41 +0000

Back in April, T-Mobile purchased what it called the "mother lode" of 600MHz low-band spectrum, the type of spectrum that should greatly improve its network and help it expand into new markets. Today, the wireless carrier announced that it will begin testing portions of it as early as this summer, which is ahead of their initial schedule. That could mean commercial operations before the end of the year. With this new spectrum up and running, T-Mobile customers will see better connections while in buildings, but there should also be better range from a tower. T-Mobile expects more than 1 million square miles to be covered by 600MHz spectrum in 2017. Of course, a shiny new network isn't worth much if nothing can run on it, so T-Mobile is preparing for the arrival of compatible phones before the end of the year. They specifically called out Samsung in today's announcement, but there could be additional devices. For those who have been following the industry for some time, I think you know which phone from Samsung they are talking about. It's gotta be the Galaxy Note 8, right? This really is a chance for T-Mobile to stop suggesting it's network is up there with Verizon's and actually prove it. // T-Mobile

Nova Launcher Gains Google Now Side Panel

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 11:52:23 +0000

Nova Launcher, the launcher that we've been followers of for years and have yet to find reason to switch off of, gained a feature that the purist of pure Android elitists have been begging for - Google Now panel access. This would be the left-situated Now panel from the Google Now or Pixel Launchers that we wish 3rd party launchers had full access to. The addition is and isn't pretty, though, and does involve an .apk sideload since the app add-on that powers this integration isn't allowed in the Google Play store. That will likely mean additional .apk sideloads of this updated companion app for years to come, rather than a simple update to it via the Play store. So if you must have the Google Now panel off to the left of your home screen because a simple swipe gesture that has been baked into the app for years wasn't good enough, this is how you can make that happen!

Install the latest Nova Launcher Beta. [Play Link]
Install this Nova Google Companion 1.0 app. [APK]
Restart Nova Launcher (Nova Settings>Advanced>Restart Nova Launcher).
Fap.

I did a quick test of this new feature and it does indeed work, so that's great. Do I want to continue to have to sideload this companion app to get bug fixes and all of the other benefits of updated apps? Ummm, not really, no. But hey, maybe one day this will all get worked out properly and the Now integration will just become a part of Nova. Help us, Google, please. If you need to know the dirty details on why this companion app is needed, feel free to hit up that source link below. // Android Police

Google Appears to be Testing a Transparent Google Now Panel

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 09:47:26 +0000

According to a single user on reddit (Edit: and now a bunch of our readers), Google is testing some sort of transparent UI to the Google Now panel. It's, umm, an interesting look that I'm not sure I'd like to stare at each day, but it's certainly different. The redditor claims to not be rooted and running clean Android 7.1.2 on a Pixel XL with the May security patch. He has a stock phone, from what we can tell. The UI itself (seen above and below) is similar to the Google Now panel you have right now, except the background is transparent and shows the current wallpaper. It does look like the "Upcoming" page's shortcut within Now has been moved up top too. Well, for those who were seeing that "Upcoming" page at all, since I am on some phones (non-Pixel) and not on others (Pixel). From this redditor's description, it sounds like some items are either broken or have odd/new behaviors (swiping way cards, for example) as well. It doesn't seem like anyone else has this UI at the moment, so it's tough to say if Google is actively rolling this out or just testing it and this dude got in on some super early action. Anyone else seeing it? Would you want a transparent Google Now?

// reddit

Sprint Wants to Give You Free Unlimited Data for 1 Year if You Switch Over

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 08:10:36 +0000

Sprint is currently running a pretty wild promotion that customers of Verizon (possibly AT&T and T-Mobile too) might want to consider, assuming they have decent Sprint coverage in their area. Should you switch over from your carrier to Sprint by June 30, Sprint is willing to give you free unlimited data for the next year. And I'm talking almost 100% free, where your bill will be little to nothing for the next 12 months. The promotion isn't being heavily promoted by Sprint, but it's starting to get play across media and deal outlets because it sure looks like a heck of a deal. Again, free unlimited at Sprint for the next year if you switch over. According to the Sprint promotion page for this free unlimited deal, all you need to do is bring over a phone from another carrier that works on Sprint's network. It'll need to be unlocked, which all Verizon phones are. If you aren't on Verizon, you'll just have to make sure your phone is eligible. The process goes something like this:

Confirm that your phone works on Sprint's network and is eligible
Order a SIM card (one time $2.99 SIM charge, plus $10 shipping)
Then activate your SIM once it arrives in your phone that you confirmed above

So wait, what's the sneaky catch here? Umm, I'm not finding one yet! If you have an eligible phone, you'll sign-up and get Sprint's unlimited data plan that features unlimited talk and text, up-to 1080p video, and 10GB hotspot data. So how much do you actually pay? As mentioned above, you have to buy a SIM card for each line ($2.99 each) and pay the $10 shipping for those. There is an initial $30 activation fee, but Sprint will credit that back after 2 bills. You will have to pay "standard $1.99 admin fee, $0.40 regulatory fee and other taxes and fees." If you sign-up for bill autopay and an eBill, there is no charge there. However, if you cancel autopay, you'll pay $5 per line per month. If you skip both autopay and paperless billing, a $7.99 charge could be added. Also, you must own the phone you are bringing to Sprint. Should you have other payments to pay on it from your other carrier, you'll likely have to pay that off. Sprint won't do that for you, from what I can tell. What happens in 12 months? Well, you'll have to start paying for service if you stick with Sprint. The good news is, there is no contract here. Once the free 12 months is up, you are free to walk away. Should you stay, though, you'll pay $60 per month for line 1 on your account, $40 for line 2, and $30 for lines 3-5. There are likely other details you want to check out (like the list of eligible phones), so be sure to hit that link below. Sprint Sign-up Link Cheers sinfoman!

DEAL: Jaybird X3 and Freedom Sport Earbuds are Just $99.99 Right Now ($30 and $50 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jun 2017 07:34:31 +0000

Father's Day is quickly creeping upon us and so that means deals are popping up on some of our favorite products. Take the Jaybird sport earbuds sale as an example, where the popular active earbud maker has slashed the price of its two newest products to just $99.99. That means you can get either the Jaybird X3 or the Jaybird Freedom for $99.99. That's a $30 discount on the X3 and a $50 discount on the Freedom. I'm a long-time user of the Jaybird X2, so the X3 would be my choice should I be in the market. They are the classic Bluetooth sport earbud style that lasts for a week on a single charge, while the Freedom is a newer setup with a more minimal in-ear approach. The X3s are by far the better reviewed, though that shouldn't deter you from considering the Freedom. Jaybird does make some of the best sport buds in the business. The sale lasts through the weekend. Deal Links:

Jaybird X3: Amazon | Best Buy
Jaybird Freedom: Amazon | Best Buy

Logitech Announces New Circle 2 Home Indoor/Outdoor Wired and Wire-Free Cameras With a Modular Twist

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 14:30:31 +0000

Logitech probably just created the smart home security cameras that will replace all of the Nest cameras I've picked up over the years. Why? Because Logitech seems to get it. They get that not every camera should be wired. They get that you'll use cameras both indoors and outdoors and might want to move one from indoors to out without having to buy an entirely separate unit. They also get that you might have unique situations, where a camera would be better attached to a window or stuck to an outlet, rather than sitting on a shelf or screwed into a wall. And we know all of this because today, they announced the Logitech Circle 2, an indoor and outdoor smart camera with some modular aspects and a reasonable price. The Circle 2 is the follow-up to the popular Circle, only it's been greatly improved. The Circle 2 is, again, an indoor/outdoor camera, which means you don't have to specify when you buy one if you wwant an indoor or outdoor unit. They are the same.

The camera streams at 1080p, has a 180-degree wide-angle lens, and two-way talk and listening. But Circle 2 also includes 24-hours of free cloud storage, along with additional plans that give you 14-days of storage for as little as $3.99 per camera. Everything, as you probably assumed, is controlled through an app. Where the Circle 2 stands out for me is in the wireless or wired options and the fact that you can kind of stick them anywhere. The Circle 2 wired costs $179.99 and the Circle 2 wire-free $199.99. The wire-free model should last up-to 3 months without needing a charge using default settings. You can buy additional 6400mAh battery packs to make for quick swapping once a battery does run out. ~~My understanding is that you can even buy a wired camera, decide you want it to be wireless, and do so by detaching for the wire and attaching to a battery pack~~. (Edit: Logitech clarified to me that the wired version can't be converted to a wire-free version. Apologies for the confusion.) And again, both cameras work indoors and outdoors. Additionally, Logitech will sell you a Weatherproof Extension cord for your wired cameras, a Window Mount, should you want to mount a camera to a window, and a Plug Mount to plug one directly into an outlet and go wire-free. You can pre-order the Circle 2 today. Logitech plans to ship in July. Pre-order Logitech Circle 2:

Amazon: Logitech Circle 2 (wired) | Logitech Circle 2 (wire-free)
Logitech: Logitech Circle 2

// Logitech [2]

Instagram Rolling Archive Feature Out to All Users

Tim — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:56:02 +0000

The Archive feature that first popped up for select Instagram users a few weeks ago is now rolling out to all users, according to the latest announcement from the company. With Archive, users can essentially hide whatever media they want from their profile, such as old photos or videos. Archiving does not delete the content, though. Instead, it simply hides it, while still preserving the "Like" count and comments. To archive media, select a photo or video, then press on the three dot button. The top option should be Archive. Once archived, you can access them and reinstate the media by pressing the Clock icon on your profile and hitting "Show on Profile." If you think Archive would be a helpful feature for your profile, have at it. Play Link

// Instagram

Google's Pixel Launcher Hits 1 Million Installs

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 11:31:37 +0000

Which probably also means they've only sold 1 million Pixel phones. After releasing a cool 8 months ago, that sure doesn't seem like very many phones. We know that Google has struggled to produce enough to meet what little demand there once was, but only a million phones? Yikes. Why does the Pixel Launcher tell us that Google may have only sold 1 million phones? Because it's a Pixel exclusive app and so now that it has jumped from 500K+ installs mark (which it hit in December) to the 1M-5M range, relating that number to phone sales sure makes a lot of sense. This app is on every single Pixel phone and only Pixel phones. That sure seems like a pretty good way to keep track of phone movement to me. And so you know, the change to 1M installs happened yesterday, as you can see here by Wayback Machine.

Google Hires Ex-Apple SoC Architect to Make Custom Processors for Pixel Phones

Tim — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 10:24:38 +0000

If you ever doubted Google's commitment to creating a better Pixel experience, you can forget all of that. According to Variety, Google has hired Manu Gulati, a former SoC architect at Apple for the last 8 years, a move that has been confirmed on Gulati's LinkedIn profile. What does this hire mean? Well, it means that Google just got very serious about creating custom processors for its Pixel lineup of devices. Gulati's title at Google is Lead SoC Architect, meaning he'll be overseeing development of the silicon. Speaking to his qualifications, he is currently credited with 15 chip-related patents while at Apple, one of which is the hardware-based secure storage of fingerprints on the iPhone. This technology is utilized by Apple Pay. Gulati is also credited with being instrumental in the building of Apple's custom chip lineup, beginning with the A4 and so on. Before that, he worked at Broadcom and AMD. As for when we might see Gulati's work inside of Google's phones, we aren't sure yet. It may be too late for this year's Pixel lineup, but it's entirely possible that Google will have something special in 2018. We just don't know. As you can imagine, though, Google will likely make a very big deal about this, so don't think we won't know when Google starts using its own chips in the Pixel lineup. // Variety

LG Might be Making the New Pixel XL

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 09:48:13 +0000

Following up on yesterday's news that the original 2nd gen Pixel XL (codenamed "muskie") had been cancelled and replaced, possibly by a larger "taimen" device that we first reported on, the folks at 9to5Google found a little nugget in the Google Issue Tracker that might tell us who is making this phone. It could very well be LG. In a bug report filed to the Issue Tracker, you can see where an LG representative is having an exchange with a Googler over a USB driver problem. While the LG rep doesn't mention the device, the Googler sure does by recommending the bug be filed under "Android > Partner > External > LGE > Taimen > power." Well then. We've attached an image of the exchange below in case this gets pulled, since it was likely meant to be a private bug report.

There isn't much else to pull from this other than the fact that it would be odd for LG and Google to be referencing this "taimen" device that has been reported on numerous times now, if they weren't the partner making it. As you may recall, we previously reported that "muskie" and "walleye" were separate projects from "taimen." That actually makes sense now, since HTC is the manufacturer thought to be behind "muskie" and "walleye," yet the "taimen" maker was unknown. Unknown until now, of course. That leads to a bunch of confusion now. Last year's Pixel and Pixel XL were both made by HTC and so they looked identical outside of their size. Should HTC still make the smaller "walleye" Pixel and LG tackle the bigger "taimen" Pixel XL, I can't imagine these devices ending up all that similar. I'd imagine Google could work to get the devices close in design, but again, we're talking about two different companies making them. Thoughts? // 9to5Google | Google Issue Tracker

OnePlus 3, 3T Getting Updated With OxygenOS 4.1.6

Tim — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 09:10:56 +0000

An OTA update is rolling out to owners of the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T, after a previous update (OxygenOS 4.1.5) was withdrawn. Labeled as OxygenOS 4.1.6, it includes updated network settings for select carriers, the May 1 security patch, and plenty more. According to OnePlus, this update will roll out incrementally, meaning don't expect to see it on your phone immediately. Instead, after OnePlus successfully pushes it to a few phones, the number of phones it goes out to will build. You can probably expect the update later this week or so. However, if you want to flash all of this manually, you can find the downloads here. Below are all of the highlights listed by OnePlus. Under "New additions," please note that OnePlus will be sending "important information" via push notifications. Would anyone like to wager that the first notification you receive from OnePlus will concern the OnePlus 5 announcement? As in, "Buy our new phone!" Yup, I can picture that quite easily. New additions

Added system push notifications for important information from OnePlus

Updates

Updated network settings for select carriers
Updated OnePlus Community app to v1.8
Updated Android Security Patch level to 1st May 2017
Modified WiFi no internet indication icon

Bug fixes

Fixed storage issue present on 3rd party file managers
Fixed VoLTE issue on certain Jio SIM cards
Fixed connection issue on Android Auto

Optimizations

Battery
Proximity sensor
Camera low light focus
Expanded screenshot

Other changes

Enhanced system stability

// OnePlus

eero 2nd Gen and eero Beacon are Here to Further Advance Mesh WiFi Systems

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jun 2017 08:27:03 +0000

eero, one of the first consumer-friendly mesh WiFi router systems (our mini-review) that likely caused a major shift in a stale industry, announced its 2nd generation eero system today, along with a new product called eero Beacon. The devices should be faster and more powerful, but also more expandable than the original eero was. First up, we have eero (2nd generation). This product fits in the same shell and shape as the 1st gen eero, but the company says that it is "more than twice as powerful." Eero claims that this is the "first and only WiFi access point of its size that can broadcast on three wireless bands simultaneously." That's triband WiFi, of course (2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, and 5.8GHz wireless) and could mean double speeds. The new eero (2nd gen) also switches to USB Type-C for power, has a reset button that doesn't require a pin or paperclip to press, and still contains the two auto-detecting ethernet ports.

With eero Beacon, the totally new product, eero is delivering a wall plug version of its router system that allows you to extend your WiFi into any room with an outlet without the need for a shelf or a place to set a standard eero unit. Beacon is dual-band (2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless), but does lack the ethernet ports. That makes sense, since the idea here is to be slim and out of the way. Still, even as small as it is, eero says to expect a 30% performance boost in Beacon over the 1st gen eero units. Oh, it acts as a night light too, with an automatic dimmer or manual light controls.

The new eero units are also outfitted with a Thread radio, so they'll talk better with smart home products like locks, doorbells, etc. eero is betting that this is the future of home connectivity, calling the inclusion of Thread "future-proof." Additionally, eero announced a new eero Plus service today that costs $10 per month or $99 per year. It's a subscription security feature to better protect your eero WiFi system and includes protections agains malware and phishing attacks, plus it has "enhanced" parental controls, and gives you access to VIP eero support. eero says to be on the lookout for a shiny new app by the end of the month as well. Finally, you may be asking if eero (2nd gen) and eero Beacon work with the eero (1st en) system you already own? The answer is, yes. Should you decide to upgrade, you can add on new 2nd gen or Beacon pieces as you please. The whole setup of the new devices is backwards compatible. eero (2nd gen) and eero Beacon ship within the next few weeks (end of June). eero is launching starter packs like 1 eero + 1 eero Beacon for $299. You'll also find a 1 eero + 2 eero Beacon pack for $399 and a "Pro" system with 3 eero (2nd gen) units for $499. For more info, feel free to checkout the blog post eero posted this morning. Buy Eero (2nd gen) and Eero Beacon: Amazon | Best Buy | Eero

eero Announces 2nd Generation eero and eero Beacon

Introducing eero Plus -- a new premium network protection service; eero expands internationally, now available in Canada
SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Jun 13, 2017) - Today, eero inc., creator of the first home WiFi system, introduces the 2nd-generation eero and eero Beacon -- all new powerful products that make up the most intelligent and customizable WiFi system on the market. eero (2nd generation) is twice as powerful as its predecessor and is the first WiFi access point of its size with tri-band technology, making it possible to do more in every room of the home. eero Beacon is half the size, and plugs directly into a wall outlet, making it easier to place around the home. Also announced today is eero Plus, a premium subscription service that provides members with advanced security for their network and all of their connected devices. "Our goal has always been for technology to fade into the background of the home, and the products we're announcing today get us one step closer to that reality," said Nick Weaver, chief executive officer and co-founder, eero. "We want people to stay connected without having to think about their WiFi or worry about digital home security." INTELLIGENT HOME WIFI eero's TrueMesh software makes it possible to add as many eeros and eero Beacons as needed to seamlessly cover any home. TrueMesh monitors the connections between eeros to find the best route for data and dynamically switches pathways through the network to avoid interference. eero also intelligently switches a device's connection between access points to ensure the fastest, most reliable connection. This allows for a better WiFi experience throughout the home. eero (2nd generation) eero (2nd generation) has the same elegant design and footprint as eero (1st generation), but is more than twice as powerful. It is the first and only WiFi access point of its size that can broadcast on three wireless bands simultaneously (triband WiFi), doubling the speed of its predecessor. As the gateway of an eero WiFi system, eero has two auto-detecting Ethernet ports. One connects directly to the modem and the other port provides the option to hardwire devices like an Ethernet switch, printer, or video game console. eero Key Features:

Powerful tri-band radios -- stream, game, work, and play, from every corner of the home -- and from the backyard, too.

Mixed topology -- connect over either Ethernet or wirelessly, in any combination for complete network customization and the best performance.

eero Beacon eero Beacon is half the size, but even more powerful than eero (1st generation). After a year and a half of collecting customer insights and feedback, eero found that more than half of customers place eeros in stairwells, kitchens, and hallways, where cords are disruptive. With eero Beacon, simply plug each unit into a wall outlet to easily expand coverage in the home. Add as many eero Beacons as needed to provide each room with WiFi coverage. Each eero Beacon is also equipped with an LED nightlight. With an ambient light sensor and automatic dimmer, it intelligently adjusts brightness depending on the time of day. Or set a specific brightness schedule using the eero app. eero and eero Beacon Key Features:

Thread radio -- connect to low-power devices like locks, doorbells, and more, to future-proof any connected home.

Backward compatible -- eero and eero Beacon are backward compatible with an existing eero system.

Intelligent backhaul -- intelligently switches eero-to-eero communication frequencies in real time, based on current network conditions, to deliver the best possible performance.

Over-the-air updates -- gives customers new features, performance improvements, and the latest security so the network stays new and gets better.

Simple setup -- the redesigned app makes it easier and more customizable than ever to setup and manage a network.

WORLD-CLASS NETWORK SECURITY eero's network security works continuously in the background to keep systems safe and secure. eero partners with leading security firms whose experts conduct end-to-end tests to ensure there are no vulnerabilities. If a vulnerability were ever discovered, eero would be able to quickly and automatically update all online systems. Key Features:

Data encryption -- offers the strongest, standard encryption for connections between eeros, the cloud, and the app.

WPA-2 encryption -- the strongest network encryption required for client devices to connect to the eero network.

Profile protection -- log into the app through a secure single-use code that is delivered via text.

Regular security updates -- tested for vulnerabilities and automatically updated monthly.

eero Plus With eero, every WiFi network is secure. That means that the traffic flowing between eeros and out to the internet is encrypted and safe. However, if someone visits a harmful website or connects a compromised device to the network, it may inadvertently invite an external online threat into the home. From sophisticated phishing attacks that fool even the savviest of internet users, to botnet attacks that take over devices like connected cameras, there is an increasing risk to online threats. With eero Plus, everyone using the network is blocked from accessing those sites before they even load. Unlike built-in protections included in a web browser or email, the database of threats eero Plus protects against -- millions of malicious websites with ransomware, viruses, phishing scams, and more -- is automatically updated every second to keep people protected. Key Features:

Advanced security -- guards against accidentally accessing sites associated with harmful content, like malware, ransomware, and phishing attacks.

Enhanced parental controls -- allows people to filter out adult, illegal, and/or violent content, or enables SafeSearch for specific profiles on the network.

VIP support -- priority access to eero's customer support team with limited or no wait time before speaking with a WiFi expert.

"We believe this is the most comprehensive network-level threat protection currently available on the consumer market," said Amos Schallich, vice president of engineering and co-founder, eero. PRICING AND AVAILABILITY The eero Home WiFi System (2nd generation) and eero Beacon are available for pre-sale today, shipping in a few weeks, in the U.S. online at eero.com, Amazon.com, and BestBuy.com. The eero system will also be available nationwide in Best Buy stores, select Walmart stores, regional retailers, and from nearly 3,000 professional installers nationwide. eero and eero Beacon will also be available in Canada for the first time on Amazon.com and at select Best Buy stores later this summer. Pricing:

Home WiFi System (1 eero + 1 eero Beacon): $299

Home WiFi System (1 eero + 2 eero Beacons): $399

Pro WiFi System (3 eeros): $499

eero Plus: $9.99/month (or $99/year) available soon

The free eero app is available for download through the App Store and Google Play Store. About eero The first home WiFi system, eero blankets customers' homes in fast, reliable WiFi. eero Home WiFi System stays new, and gets better with frequent software updates, making it faster and more reliable and adding new features and security updates. Founded in 2014, eero makes it so no one has to think about home WiFi again. eero is privately funded and based in San Francisco. For more information, visit eero.com.

Motorola's Moto E4 and E4 Plus are Official, Priced as Low as $129.99

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:57:11 +0000

The Moto E4 and Moto E4 Plus, Motorola's 4th generation phones in the E line, are now official after being announced this morning. Like previous Moto E phones, these are ultra-budget devices, priced for all to be able to afford without completely gutting them of quality specs and software experiences. Each phone will arrive in the coming months, and yes, both are headed to the US. For the most part, the Moto E4 and E4 Plus are very similar. Their designs match previous Moto phones from 2017, but their sizes and internals do differ. The Moto E4 features a 5-inch HD display, either a Snapdragon 425 or 427 processor, 2GB RAM, 16GB storage, 2800mAh battery, and an 8MP rear camera. The Moto E4 Plus features a 5.5-inch HD display, Snapdragon 427 processor, either 16GB or 32GB storage, 2GB RAM, 5000mAh battery, and a 13MP rear camera. Both phones run Android 7.1 "Nougat" and have fingerprint readers, "elegant" metal bodies, and come in either gold or black colorways. The Moto E4 starts out at $129.99, while the Moto E4 Plus will start at $179.99. There will be an Amazon Prime Exclusive version of the Moto E4 as well, though Motorola hasn't offered pricing yet. We don't know a launch date yet either, but we should see each as early as this month. Moto E4 / Moto E4 Plus Specs

[table id=69 /]

Motorola Links: Moto E4 | Moto E4 Plus

Via: Motorola

Ubisoft to Launch South Park: Phone Destroyer Later This Year

Tim — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 14:56:45 +0000

A new mobile game from Ubisoft and South Park Digital Studios will soon come to Android and iOS devices, South Park: Phone Destroyer. Developed by Ubisoft studio RedLynx, the game is a card-collecting RPG with real-time strategy, but also a Multiplayer aspect, too. When playing, you will unlock card characters, each featuring different skills that will serve you in battle. The best players will learn which cards play well together, forming a team that can take on all opponents. Upgrading and learning to use said cards strategically will be key to competing at the next level, which would be the real-time Multiplayer mode. According to the press release, "In PvP (player vs. player) combat challenges, your skills and knowledge will be needed to defeat opponents in order to rise up the global multiplayer ranks." Given this is South Park, you'll find all of your favorite characters from the show, as well as actual character voiceovers from Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Once this game launches in Google Play, we'll let you know.

Hey, New Kid! We need you to come play with us. AND BRING YOUR PHONE! South Park: Phone Destroyer™ is coming to mobile! pic.twitter.com/7xMsjx7p61
— South Park (@SouthPark) June 12, 2017

US Unlocked and Verizon Galaxy S8, S8+ Units Being Updated (Updated: AT&T Too)

Tim — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 13:31:31 +0000

The US unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are receiving updates this morning, labeled as build NRD90M.G950U1UEU1AQE3 (G955 for the S8+). Inside, Samsung is bringing both devices up to the June 1, 2017 security update level and including the Bixby UI enhancements that T-Mobile units received last week. For those who own a Verizon unit, you will likely see an update this week, too, which should be a nearly identical update to what T-Mobile units received last week. It's the May 1 security patch, plus Bixby and SD card improvements. To sum up the changes, the unlocked units will have all of the same software changes that the carrier models have received, but are one month ahead in security updates (June 1 vs. May 1). If you own either the US unlocked model or the Verizon model, be on the lookout.

UPDATE JUNE 13: The AT&T models are getting the same update today. For the S8, users will see G950USQU1AQEF, while S8+ users on AT&T will get G955USQU1AQEF. This is also the May security patch and includes the Bixby enhancements, along with some other bug fixes.

Via: reddit | AT&T | Verizon

Cheers Justin!

Report: 2nd Gen Pixel XL "Muskie" May be Replaced by Larger "Taimen" Device

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 12:05:33 +0000

Back in March, we heard our first legitimate rumor about the 2017 Google Pixel line-up. Codenames of "walleye" and "muskie" were introduced as representing the new Pixel and Pixel XL, respectively. We followed up that rumor with word from sources of our own who said that a third, larger phone was on the way under the codename "taimen." Today, Android Police says we can scratch off one name from the list, leaving us with just two going forward as we inch closer to a Pixel 2 release. According to today's report, "muskie" has apparently been retired or cancelled and could be replaced by "taimen." You may recall that our sources said that the "taimen" device was a phone, though larger than even the Pixel XL. At the time, we were told to expect it to be separate from the "walleye" and "muskie" phones, but things may have now changed. Unfortunately, Android Police doesn't state a reason for "muskie" to disappear and be swapped with "taimen." Our sources haven't chimed in, so I can't relay anything either. If anything, dropping from 3 to 2 devices at least simplifies the future and removes some of that confusion surrounding our initial report about "taimen."

Via: Android Police

Gboard Receives Phrase Predictions and Emoji Handwriting

Tim — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 11:21:28 +0000

An update is rolling out to users of Gboard, introducing a few new features catered to lovers of emoji and those looking to possibly shave a few seconds off the time it takes to draft a message. For the emoji peeps, Gboard now features an emoji handwriting tool, capable of turning your amateur stick figures into emoji. For example, if you can't find an emoji you're looking for, but know what it looks like and can draw it, hit the tool's icon, then get to drawing. Gboard will recognize what it is you're trying to draw and then display options that look similar to your work. If it's time you're looking to save, a feature currently exclusive to the US is Phrase Prediction. With this, Gboard will attempt to recognize a sentence you're constructing, then offer suggestions in the bar to help you complete your sentence. We've placed a GIF below that details this feature. Google has also updated listings from Google Maps and other services when you press on the "G" icon inside of Gboard. If you search for a Mexican restaurant, you'll now find multiple options to choose, with each being easily shareable within any app. This update is rolling out to Google Play now. Play Link

Via: Google

OnePlus 2 Won't Receive Nougat Update

Tim — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:57:19 +0000

Since early June, word has been spreading slowly that the OnePlus 2 would not receive an update to Nougat. Well, today, in a brief statement from OnePlus, the company has confirmed once and for all that the OnePlus 2 is not to receive Nougat. You may be thinking, "That's totally understandable, the OnePlus 2 is an old phone." Actually, it's not that old, not even two years yet. The phone was announced in July, 2015, then made available via OnePlus' patented invite system in August. If you ended up getting this phone through OnePlus, it probably wasn't even until later when more units were produced that you received it. Let's also not forget, Nougat was made available in August of 2016, when the OnePlus 2 was hardly a year old. Speaking to Android Authority, OnePlus stated, "We’re happy about what we’re doing with software. We already confirmed Android O will come for the OnePlus 3 and 3T. So this isn’t new and we think people were aware of it." There's a few problems I have with that, but since OnePlus has already made up its mind, I won't get into it. But seriously, the company is hyping that the 3 and 3T will receive Android O, which shouldn't even be a question right now, considering those phones aren't even a year old. Instead, confirm they'll receive Android P, then I'll be impressed. Never settle, folks.

Via: Android Authority

DEAL: US Unlocked Galaxy S8 Drops to $625, S8+ as low as $699 ($100+ Off)

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 09:03:03 +0000

This morning, Samsung announced that the US unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are now available at more retailers, including Amazon, Target, and eBay. To add to that excitement, the devices have been discounted at most places by $100, leaving the S8 at $625 and the S8+ at $725 (well, it's $699 right now at eBay). The unlocked models were already $25 cheaper than most carrier-branded units, so we're talking a substantial discount at this point. As a recap, these unlocked units are identical in terms of specs when you compare them to their carrier brothers and sisters. They do only come in black, though, and we aren't sure how quickly Samsung will update them as time goes on. Still, they are units to give strong consideration to, especially since they work on all of the major US carriers. I should point out that the unlocked Galaxy S8 was available at eBay over the weekend for $599. Apologies for not sharing that, but it's now sold out. The S8+ at $699 is still in stock. Unlocked Galaxy S8 / S8+ Links:

Amazon: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Best Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
eBay: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Target: N/A

Honor 9 Announced With Dual Cameras and 5.15" FHD Display, No US Availability Info Yet

Tim — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:55:42 +0000

Honor has had a busy 2017 so far, even though it may not seem like it in the US. In February, the Honor V9 was made official for China, followed by the Honor 8 Pro in April. This week, Honor has announced the highly anticipated Honor 9, but just like those other Honor devices mentioned, no US availability has been detailed. For specs, the Honor 9 matches up closely with what previous reports detailed. It features a 5.15" FHD display, multiple storage options that will affect the onboard RAM size, dual rear-facing cameras (12MP RGB + 20MP monochrome), 3200mAh battery, microSD support, fingerprint reader, Kirin 960 processor, NFC, headphone jack, and EMUI 5.1 running atop Android "Nougat." For pricing, Honor is again proving that it can deliver solid hardware and specs for an affordable price, with the Honor 9 starting at ¥2,299 ($340), then the top tier model (6GB RAM + 128GB storage) going for ¥2,999 ($440). That's pretty darn good. If you're in the US or somewhere other than China and were looking forward to potentially picking up a Honor 9, you'll have to remain patient. We should know more about global availability in the coming weeks, fingers crossed.

Via: Weibo

Essential Phone has a Carrier Partner!

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 08:37:31 +0000

And it's Sprint. In an exclusive capacity too. On a positive note, Essential did go from zero carrier partners to one carrier partner in just a couple of weeks, so that's at least something. This does expand the reach of the phone from unlocked expensive phone that only tech nerds know about, to single-carrier-attached expensive phone that only tech nerds know about. That's progress. Essential president Niccolo de Masi, famed tester of pre-alpha camera builds, told USA Today that they chose Sprint because they "like to bet with where we think the market is going as opposed to where the market was." In other words, Essential thinks that Sprint is "the network of the future." ? Whatever you think about Sprint, you'll still be able to buy the Essential phone fully unlocked with support on the other carriers.

Via: USA Today

HTC U11 Review

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jun 2017 07:13:06 +0000

The HTC U11 is officially available and began shipping on Friday. After spending a good couple of weeks with this latest high-end phone from the Taiwanese manufacturer, we've got some thoughts on whether or not you should dive in and buy one. Ready for our HTC U11 review? Below, you'll find our full U11 review video, including details on the camera performance and experience, if the liquid metallic design here can stand-up to LG and Samsung's latest, how efficient and powerful the Snapdragon 835 is, and if the battery life is any good. Not to spoil it, but for the most part, yeah, the U11 is absolutely fine in all categories that we consider to be the most important, outside of design. That's the only area I feel that this phone falls a bit short in. The HTC U11 is indeed a phone that is worth considering as your next phone, which is territory I'm not sure HTC has been in for some time. Is the HTC U11 the best phone available? Not in my opinion, but I'd also suggest that it could be for some of you, especially if you want a traditional phone design that actually features bezel. I'll say this - if you buy the HTC U11, you won't be disappointed. If you pass on it, I don't think you'll be missing out either.

HTC U11 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWKTWp0OzCc Buy HTC U11: Amazon | HTC.com | Sprint

Weekly Recap: OnePlus 5 Hype is Here

Kellen — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 16:06:44 +0000

We've wrapped up another week here at Droid Life, a week filled with actual Android news. I say that because instead of device deals and boring app updates, we actually got the June security patch and the Android O Developer Preview 3. These are the types of weeks we live for. What's better than a new version of Android to play with? Outside of that big O news, we reviewed the Blackberry KEYone, found out when to expect the OnePlus 5, and sat back to throw all the shade at Apple during their WWDC 2017 opening keynote. It was fun! To catch up on that fun, hit up the links below.

Is the NBA season over yet?

DEAL: Save $70 on a LG Watch Style Through Amazon and Best Buy, Down to $179

Tim — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 15:01:28 +0000

Currently on Amazon and Best Buy, folks can grab a LG Watch Style for just $179, down from its usual price of $249. We've seen this deal before back in March and apparently, it's back, but we don't know for how long. If you missed it, we reviewed the Watch Style when it first launched, coming away happy with its size, rotating crown, and wireless charging. It does lack NFC, though, so keep that in mind. I'll place the video review below if you're interested in learning more. Follow the links below to take advantage of the savings. Links: Amazon | Best Buy https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EluJvniWm1I

Reported Specs for the Pixel XL 2 Indicate 5.6" 18:9 Display, 4GB RAM, and 12MP Camera

Tim — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 13:34:11 +0000

We don't quite know yet when Google intends to launch the Pixel 2 or Pixel XL 2, but already, reported specifications for the larger of the two are circulating. According to a listing from GFXBench, a popular benchmarking tool that all upcoming devices seem to go through, the Pixel XL 2 shares a few specifications with other 2017 flagships. Keep in mind, though, we aren't 100% on whether any of this info is accurate. As listed, the "Pixel XL2" could come with a 5.6" display with a resolution of 2560 x 1312. For the folks paying attention, that's the same resolution found on the upcoming Essential Phone, but 5.6" is smaller than the displays found on the LG G6 and Galaxy S8. However, it's still nearly an 18:9 aspect ratio (technically it's 1.95:1), something that seems to be trending quite heavily. This would also be a good time to remind everyone that it was reported Google was/is helping LG to push for mobile OLED displays. Other specs listed include 4GB RAM, a Qualcomm-made octa-core processor, Adreno 540 GPU, 100GB storage (that's what GFXBench lists, but it's probably an inaccurate reading of 128GB), and 12MP rear-facing camera (currently unknown if dual cameras are to be used in the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2). Another thing to note, GFXBench lists Android 7.1.1. running on this device, meaning Android O probably wasn't yet flashed to whatever preproduction unit this is. Below is the graphic containing all the reported info. Feel free to share your hot take below.

Via: WinFuture (German)

Noodlecake Hosting $0.99 Sale on Google Play, Intros New Game

Tim — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 12:49:34 +0000

Right in time for the weekend, Noodlecake is hosting a sale on a number of its title on Google Play, a few of which I can confirm are pretty awesome. There are six titles in total, one of which is a new release. Published this week, Journey Below is an auto-runner that has you, a knight, running to save a kingdom. The trailer for this launch has been placed below. Now, as for the games I personally know are cool, that would be Sunburn! and Last Horizon (pictured above). Both of which are set in space, with one having you rescue crew members only to lead them to a fiery death, and the other having you find new worlds with a space ship before it's blown away by asteroids or you run out of fuel. Both are very fun. Each listed game is priced below its normal price, now all sitting at $0.99 for a limited time.

Journey Below (Debut Sale)
Sunburn!
Mage Gauntlet
Lumino City
Last Horizon
Chameleon Run

Now would be a good time to use that Opinion Rewards cash. Journey Below Trailer

OnePlus Continues Tease-Fest for OnePlus 5, This Time With Short Video Clip

Tim — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 10:53:45 +0000

We all know that the OnePlus 5 will be unveiled on June 20, but OnePlus just can't seem to contain its excitement. In the latest tease for the device, OnePlus has posted up a short clip to Twitter, hinting at its dual rear-facing cameras with the line, "Focus on what matters." After a quick glimpse of the siding, we're reminding that the OnePlus event is June 20 at 12PM EDT. Mark your calendars! With the help of these clips, and considering this phone looks pretty hot from what we've seen, it's easy to see why OnePlus can't help themselves from hyping it. Here's the clip.

Coming Soon. #OnePlus5 https://t.co/XWfMtBbOFg pic.twitter.com/HULFUiW6EB
— OnePlus (@oneplus) June 9, 2017

BlackBerry KEYone Review

Tim — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 08:51:22 +0000

The moment I know all of you have been waiting for, our BlackBerry KEYone review is now up! If you caught last week's Droid Life Show, you'll know I have been using this device for the past week, attempting to fall back in love with physical QWERTY keyboards. Did it happen? You'll have to watch our Blackberry KEYone review to find out. The KEYone is an odd device, with its tiny 4.5" FHD display and performance limited Snapdragon 625 processor, but I think there is definitely a group of consumers out there that would thoroughly enjoy this phone. You know, the kind of folks who don't do a whole lot of media consumption or gaming, the things that smartphones are really good at doing these days. As I mention in the review, I have had zero experience with BlackBerry devices leading up to this, so I'm happy that the KEYone was my first. It's a decent little package, featuring a solid 12MP camera (same sensor as the Pixel), hefty battery life, and excellent build quality. Check out the video and share your KEYone thoughts below.

BlackBerry KEYone Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_S_DU2WkF0 Buy Blackberry KEYone: Best Buy | Amazon

HTC U11 Now Shipping in the US

Kellen — Fri, 09 Jun 2017 07:48:30 +0000

HTC's newest phone, the U11, is now shipping in the US. The phone is still priced at $649 (unlocked) and comes in three colors, Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue, and Brilliant Black. If interested, you'll be able to buy the unlocked version of the phone from HTC.com or Amazon and have it shipped pretty quickly. In fact, Amazon is offering Prime shipping for Prime members that could get the phone to you by tomorrow. The unlocked model works on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. If you need a carrier to sell you the U11, Sprint is your only option, but just be aware that you'll miss out on the Amazing Silver colorway, which in my opinion is the best one. To recap, the U11 is a top tier phone by all means. Sure it has huge bezels and no headphone jack, but it packs the goods inside, like a Snapdragon 835, 12MP Ultra Pixel 3 camera, QHD display, and 64GB storage. It's also running Android 7.1.1, something not many phones can say at the moment. We are working on our review as I type this, so be on the lookout for that very soon. I know, we should have had it done earlier, but hey, we've got lots going on at the moment that you'll find out about on Tuesday. HTC U11 Links: Amazon | HTC.com | Sprint https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWKTWp0OzCc

Android O is Officially Android 8.0

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 14:45:58 +0000

This isn't surprising, since Google told us a couple of years ago to expect a point change each year, but Android O is now officially Android 8.0. In the latest developer preview 3 that dropped today, we get confirmation of that. There isn't really anything else to say here, but we can now put any rumors surrounding the number to bed. Oh, the Easter Egg hasn't changed yet either. For those of you waiting for the new preview to hit the Android Beta track, go check now. Both our Pixel and Pixel XL units received the over-the-air update within the past hour.

Latest Android O Developer Preview Features Finalized APIs

Tim — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 11:23:43 +0000

As announced by Google this morning, the APIs found in Developer Preview 3 for Android O are the finalized versions, meaning, this build is essentially what we can expect in terms of features and capabilities when Android O begins rolling out to consumers. This is also good for developers who are busy tweaking their applications for launch. As far as the list of Android O features goes, it's a good one. There are the big things, such as Picture-in-Picture mode and Adaptive Icons, but there are plenty of behind-the-scenes improvements for things like Companion Device Pairing, WiFi Aware, and VolumeShaper. We did a whole write up on the changes for Android O. If you're looking for a complete list of finalized APIs, you can find detailed information on the Android Developers website. Android O is launching in the coming months (reports say August), so now would be a good time to get excited if you have a device that's lined up to receive it shortly after availability.

Via: Android Developers [2]

Google Shares Dates for Nexus and Pixel Telephone, Online Support Cutoff

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:46:53 +0000

In recent months, Google has tried to make it clear as to how long they will officially support both Nexus and Pixel devices. And when I say "support," I'm talking about Android version updates, security updates, and now telephone or online support. This morning, Google updated their support period tables to include that last bit about phone and online support. We've included the tables below, but basically, if you own a Nexus 6P or Nexus 5X, you have both phone and online support until September 2018. If you own a Nexus 9 or Nexus 6, you have until October 2017. As you can tell, those dates match the end of security updates, which Google has said is exactly when the phone and online support is supposed to stop.

As for Pixel and Pixel XL owners, you have the same setup. Google plans to offer security updates through October 2019 and so that means telephone and online support end then too.

Keep in mind that this type of support is different from warranties on their products. For that info, Google is directing all owners to the warranty center.

Via: Google Support

Android O Developer Preview 3 Factory Images Available

Tim — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 10:16:29 +0000

For those not in the Android Beta Program, and you like to get a little dirty and manually flash your files, Android O Developer Preview 3 factory images are now available from Google. Labeled as OPP3.170518.006, you can download these files for the Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Pixel, Pixel XL, Pixel C, and Nexus Player. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. We'll flash ourselves and let you know of any big changes! Links:

Android O Preview 3 Images
Release Notes

Deal: Buy a Nest Cam Indoor and Outdoor for $348, Save $50

Tim — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 09:11:27 +0000

Thanks to a Father's Day promotion, buyers of both a Nest Cam Indoor and Nest Cam Outdoor can save $50, bringing the price of the bundle down to $348 from $398. Given the names, the Nest Cam Indoor is perfect for anyone looking to monitor an indoor space, such as an office or front door hallway. The Nest Cam Outdoor can be placed outside with its built-in weather proofing, perfect for overlooking a driveway or porch. This promotion is available now through June 18, which is a week and a half from now. With this promo, there is no coupon code necessary - simply follow the link below and purchase the bundle that Nest lists. Go get dad (or yourself) a gift he'll actually enjoy. No more ties! Nest Store Link

DEAL: US Unlocked LG G6 is $549.99 Right Now ($50 Off)

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 08:54:45 +0000

The US unlocked LG G6 is on sale right now at B&H Photo, for those interested in a really good phone that isn't the Galaxy S8. At a $50 discount, both black and silver models are available and work on all major US carriers, including Verizon. $549.99 is the best price we have seen to date, and honestly, makes this is a really easy consideration. In terms of design, camera capabilities, and feature set, there are few phones that match up to the G6. Is it the best phone on the market? Not in my opinion, but at $200 under the cheapest Galaxy S8, it's certainly a value buy for what you are getting. Our LG G6 review will help explain that. B&H Photo Link Note: Also, B&H lists their discount at $150 off, but that's not accurate. Everyone else is selling the phone for $599.

OnePlus Shares OnePlus 5 Image, Confirming Dual Camera

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jun 2017 07:51:48 +0000

After the leak earlier in the week that gave us the first clean look at the top half of the upcoming OnePlus 5, OnePlus has now confirmed that that was indeed the phone and that it will have a dual camera. On Twitter this morning, OnePlus shared the photo you are seeing above, along with the words, "Dual Camera. Clearer Photos." So yeah, the OnePlus 5 will have a dual camera setup and the company behind it is hoping that the photos will be great, partly thanks to their work with DxOMark. The image also highlights the design, which OnePlus refers to as having a "continuous hard edge" that has been "refined over 3 years." It certainly looks sleek with its matte black finish and adjusted antenna bands that aren't so obvious any longer. Yes, the phone is very iPhone-ish too. Thoughts? https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/872815614318039040

Hands-on: RÖK Cases From WÜD Life for the Galaxy S8+

Tim — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 15:15:02 +0000

After posting yesterday about the availability of WÜD Life's lineup of RÖK cases, we received our sample in the mail. I saw a few questions about the cases, so with this post, I'll show off the cases I got for my Galaxy S8+, then answer a few of the questions I saw. My first impression of the cases was, "Dang, these are pretty nice." Before I opened the packaging, I was expecting the cases to be somewhat heavy and bulky. WÜD Life is using slates of real rock after all, but I was pleasantly surprised at how light the case is and how easy the rubber holding everything together molded around my device. Very easy to get the phone in and out of the case. As for the rock itself, it's just as advertised. Each piece is different, but the overall idea is that the rock provides a nice texture for you to grip the device with. And instead of having a boring black case, you might as well deck it out with fancy looking rocks and what not. I quite enjoy the texture and somewhat scratchiness that the rock provides in my hand, though, I feel as if I need to be careful with where I place it down. I'd hate to scratch my dining table or work desk with my phone's rock case. Anyway, below are some pictures of the samples I received. The lighter, green colored case is the Meteor option, while the dark grey case is the Space or Crater option, I think. It's sorta hard to tell and the packaging doesn't reference which option it is. If you want to pick up a RÖK case for either a select iPhone, Galaxy, Pixel, or LG device, follow this link. Each case is priced at $39.95, made right here in the USA. Gallery

You Can Now Find Facebook Video on Android TV, Sole Purpose is Video Watching

Tim — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 13:33:53 +0000

If you can't get enough of the videos you find on your Facebook News Feed, the Facebook Video app for Android TV was made for you. Available inside of Google Play from within the regular Facebook app (just search for Facebook on the Android TV), the app's sole purpose is to display different video categories, then play the videos you want to see. As for the categories available, there is Suggested, Live, Topics, Games, Your Videos, and Search. As for the devices that are supported, it appears any Android TV device can run it. That includes Nexus Player, SHIELD TV, etc. Have at it. Play Link

Google Sure has Ramped Up Android and Google Product Ads

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 13:10:27 +0000

We used to joke about how unwilling Google seemed to be to advertise its newly released products. Whether it was the newest Nexus phone or their own Chromebook, they just never put forth much effort into TV commercials that would air on an actual TV and not just YouTube. Now, with the launch of the Pixel and Google Home, they seem to have completely flipped on promotion and are always showing off some sort of new spot. Within the past couple of weeks, they've uploaded to YouTube at least four new Android Wear commercials, two Pixel ads, and another for Google Home. It's tough to say whether or not these will air anywhere outside of their respective channels, but it would shock us if they didn't. Google appears to be willing to become the promotional beast their bank account will allow them to become. And whether or not any of that matters to you, we still thought we'd share those new spots. Google does know how to put together a quality commercial.

Nova Launcher Stable Update Includes Android O Notification Badges, Round Searchbar Styling

Tim — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 10:33:28 +0000

An update to the stable version of Nova Launcher is now rolling out to Google Play, bringing with it the same changes beta users saw a couple of weeks ago. Inside, stable users will find Android O style notification badges (dots), a round searchbar styling (Galaxy S8-esque), plus various performance improvements and fixes for Android O users. Below is the official list of changes. What's New

Dots! Android O style notification badges
Round searchbar style
Performance improvements
Minor fixes for Android O

Head on over to Google Play to grab the update if you aren't already in the beta group. Play Link

Via: +Nova Launcher Beta

DEAL: SanDisk 256GB MicroSD Cards are Only $116 Today, 32GB Just $11

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 09:51:14 +0000

Amazon and SanDisk are hosting one of their regularly scheduled flash storage sales today. That means big discounts on not only microSD cards, but USB sticks, dual drive sticks, wireless sticks, and an external drive or two. The biggest deal is for the 256GB SanDisk Ultra microSD card, though. Right now, you can get into a 256GB SanDisk Ultra for just $116.95. That's the lowest price we have seen to date. Since most phones these days are back on the SD slot train, it only makes sense to consider investing in one of these. A 256GB card should hold everything you need for years to come as you switch from phone to phone. If you don't need that much storage, Amazon also has a 32GB Ultra microSD card for just $11.15. Amazon Links:

T-Mobile Galaxy S8, S8+ Receive Updated Bixby App and Improved SD Stability (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 08:53:11 +0000

An update for the Galaxy S8 (G950USQU1AQEF) and Galaxy S8+ (G955USQU1AQEF) on T-Mobile is rolling out, listing two differences in its changelog: An updated Bixby app and improved stability for SD cards. While you may have gotten mildly excited about seeing an updated Bixby app this morning, from what we can tell, this update does not include Bixby Voice. As far as we know, we're still a few weeks away from that happening. However, this app update could be laying the groundwork for Voice services to roll out, we aren't quite sure just yet. Once I updated my T-Mobile S8+, I opened up Bixby, and from what I can tell, it looks the same. Let us know if you find anything during your digging. S8 and S8+ owners on T-Mo, go get that update. Update: We have noticed two things in the latest version of Bixby: Shortcuts at the top of the screen for Bixby Vision and Reminders. We'll keep looking around. Update 2: The update is rolling out to Sprint users as well. It's also the May security update.

Cheers JC and Paul!

Chrome 59 for Android Brings Speedier Page Loads, Less Memory Usage

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jun 2017 07:52:37 +0000

Chrome 59 for Android is rolling out as I type this and it includes a single new feature, according to Google. That feature is the ability to "load pages faster" while using "less memory with an updated JavaScript engine." That sounds sweet. I love speed. I love less memory usage. The update also contains performance and stability fixes. Grab it! Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

OpenSignal Publishes The State of LTE Report, US Ranks Well With Exception to Speed

Tim — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 16:01:36 +0000

Using over half of a million test devices and conducting nearly 20 billion measurements across the globe, OpenSignal's June, 2017 The State of LTE report has been published. Inside, OpenSignal details not only where you'll find the best LTE connection, but the average speeds across the globe. While the entire report paints a great picture of global LTE availability and speeds, I'll limit what I'm talking about to the US. If you want further details on a specific area, check out the full report by following the via link below. Now, during the test period (January-March, 2017), there were three key changes to note of in the US. According to OpenSignal, the US is now ranked 4th in terms of global availability of LTE, a big jump from our previous ranking of 10th at the time of the last report. Ahead of us is South Korea, Japan, and Norway. Trailing us is Hong Kong, Netherlands, and Lithuania.

4G Speed Comparison

The downside, though, is our speed. As the findings show (look near the bottom of the above chart), the US ranks below the global average of 16.2Mbps, coming in right at 15Mbps. In terms of speed, we're right alongside Jordan, Georgia (the country, not the US state), and slightly ahead of Kuwait. The leaders in speed are Singapore (45.62Mbps), South Korea (43.46Mbps), Hungary (42.61Mbps), and Norway (41.36Mbps). To sum it up, not only do these populations have good access to LTE, but their speeds are superior, too. When we compare to our closest neighbors, Canada and Mexico, we're losing that battle, too. Mexico joined the LTE party a bit later than the US, but its network is pumping out an average download speed 7Mbps faster than the US. And Canada, its average download speed is currently listed at 30.6Mbps, well ahead of the US. The State of LTE report is quite fascinating if you choose to dive into it, so go check out OpenSignal's website if you're interested.

Via: OpenSignal

Our First Decent Look at the OnePlus 5

Tim — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 12:23:19 +0000

Shortly after OnePlus made June 20 the official unveiling date for the OnePlus 5 this morning, our first decent look at the upcoming flagship has made its way online. Posted by Android Police, and backed up by similar imagery published by Twenty First Tech, this image shows the top half of the OnePlus 5 front and back, complete with dual rear-facing cameras and super awesome notification slider. And before you say it, yes, it is similar to an iPhone. Big deal. While we still don't have the complete picture, not just in design but also specs, we do know it will feature a Snapdragon 835 processor and probably good camera capabilities. June 20, hurry up and get here.

Via: Android Police | Twenty First Tech

Comparison: HomePod vs. Google Home vs. Amazon Echo

Kellen — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 11:05:45 +0000

Apple's WWDC keynote was packed full of big announcements yesterday. Whether you care about most of them is not what I'm here to talk about, but I did want to at least highlight the HomePod, which is Apple's Google Home and Amazon Echo competitor. Since wearables and tablets failed miserably for most, the tech world now seems focused on assistant products and smart home speakers, or a combination of the two. Google Home and Amazon Echo have certainly jumped out to a headstart in this category, but that just means Apple has had a chance to sit back and watch the reaction in order to release its own version with hopefully less issues and an emphasis in key areas. That sure seems to be what we're getting with the highly-priced HomePod. So what is the HomePod? Well, it really is Apple's version of a smart home speaker. However, the difference between HomePod and the rest seems to be in audio quality. Apple made the pitch yesterday that it tried to create a speaker that is better than Sonos, yet as smart as Google Home or Amazon Echo. Because of that combination, it's priced at a whopping $349.

You'll be able to play music (obviously), connect multiple in a single room, and use a multiroom setup too (like Sonos or Google Home). You'll be able to say, "Hey, Siri" to ask for information, set reminders, etc. You'll also be able to control HomeKit enabled smart home products by voice. It's very much the Apple version of a smart home speaker that you imagined. That means it's heavy on speaker design, heavier on random tech speak. Apple explained the HomePod with a combination of beamforming, advanced algorithms, virtual transparency, room sensing, and musicologist. Again, the difference, though, is Apple's focus on making the most high-end speaker they can that still has smarts. The HomePod weighs over 5lbs (Google Home weighs just over 1lb), features a large woofer, 7 tweets, 7 microphones, and ac WiFi. They are selling this as a speaker first, one that they think will kill Sonos in quality, while offering up Siri integration as a bonus. Well, that is until they actually get the smarts up to the rest of the industry and then start pushing that angle. Either way, the HomePod has been announced and arrives later this year. To show you in the simplest form how it compares to Google Home and Amazon Echo, we put together the chart below. Product Links: Apple HomePod | Google Home | Amazon Echo [table id=68 responsive=scroll /]

WÜD Life Has Awesome Rock Cases for Galaxy and Pixel Phones

Tim — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 10:26:58 +0000

Launched this morning, WÜD Life has a new lineup of cases for the LG V20, Samsung Galaxy, and Google Pixel devices. As you can see from the header image, this lineup features slates of real rock, so naturally, they're called RÖK cases. There are a few options to choose from: Space, Meteor, Aztec, Mars, Crater, Volcanic, and Canyon. You'll find that each has a particular color and texture, and provided that real rock is being used, no two cases are exactly alike. Beyond the rock being used, the cases are constructed using a mixture of hard plastic and flexible rubber, hopefully providing your phone with enough protection to survive drops and tumbles. If you're interested in grabbing yourself a RÖK case, each model costs $39.95. The cases are made right here in the USA, Virginia Beach, VA to be exact. We have a Mars unit for the Galaxy S8+ coming into the office this week that I will share impressions on ASAP. For a bit more detailed description into how each of the slates feel, or you want to buy one, check out WÜD Life's website by following the link below. WÜD Link

OnePlus 5 Arrives June 20 Through Online Event

Kellen — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 09:12:35 +0000

The OnePlus 5 will be announced on June 20 at 12PM Eastern. That's the official date that OnePlus just shared with us. On that date, the phone will be unveiled through an "exclusive" online event that you should be able to tune into. What are we expecting from the OnePlus 5? We know for sure that the camera has been tuned in part by DxOMark and that it will have a Snapdragon 835 processor on board. After that, we've seen rumors suggest a 5.5-inch QHD display, 3000mAh battery, and a dual camera setup, though none of that is official. We also don't know price, but keep in mind that OnePlus phones once started at $299, but have since climbed to a starting price of $439. Will this next OnePlus phone jump higher? Will it cost $499? Or will it stay in that budget-friendly area? You'll be able to catch the action at OnePlus' site.

DEAL: Save $110 on Fossil Q Marshal and Q Wander Watches, Listed at $165

Tim — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 09:05:28 +0000

For who knows how long, buyers can save $110 on select Q Marshal and Q Wander smartwatches from Fossil on Best Buy, with both listed at $165. For specifics, it appears that only one variety of each smartwatch is available at the discounted price. For the Q Marshal, it's the Silver model with matching metal band. For the Q Wander, it's the Rose Gold model with matching metal band. All other units appear to be at their normal pricing of $250+. If you are in the market for an Android Wear device, the Fossil units aren't a bad option. With regard to updates, you should either have Android Wear 2.0 already or it will be coming extremely soon. That's pretty much the most important aspect at this point in time. However, the specs on both models are just fine, with both models sporting 360mAh batteries, large and round displays, and IP67 ratings. Follow the links below to take advantage. Best Buy Links: Q Wander | Q Marshal

Cheers enigmaco!

DEAL: Chromecast is $5 Off Right Now, Chromecast Ultra $10 Off

Kellen — Tue, 06 Jun 2017 08:27:09 +0000

It's a good week to be on the hunt for Google's smart home products, like Google Home, Chromecast, and Chromecast Ultra. Not only is Google Home still $20 off and a steal, Chromecast is $5 off and the Ultra has dropped by $10. You start combining these items and you'll set your house up for the future of casting media and accessing Google Assistant. That's right, don't forget that later this year you'll be able to ask the Assistant to show you information on a TV through a Chromecast. So yeah, now would be a good time to pick one up. These $5 and $10 off deals are about the best you'll see. We've linked Best Buy below, but my guess is that these discounts are all over the place. Best Buy Links: Chromecast ($30) | Chromecast Ultra ($59.99)

T-Mobile Galaxy S6, S6 Edge Getting Nougat Update This Week

Tim — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 15:44:43 +0000

Announced by T-Mobile's go-to "gadget guy" on Twitter, owners of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge will be receiving the Nougat update on their devices this week. With the update, you'll find all of the standard Nougat goodness, such as enhanced notifications, improved app permissions, better Doze, plus changes to the overall user interface. It should help make that aging device feel a bit newer, for sure. Also, considering that there are probably thousands of S6 and S6 Edge owners on T-Mobile, maybe this update will help Nougat get a bit closer to Marshmallow or even Lollipop on the Android Distribution chart. We won't hold our breath. Be on the lookout for the update, folks.

Via: @askdes

Android Distribution Updated for June 2017: Nougat is At 9.5%, Apple!

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:55:46 +0000

After Apple did its best to clown Android's slow adoption of its newest Android version earlier today, Google clapped back with fire, showing Apple that Nougat is actually doing much better than the 7% Apple mocked. The real Android distribution numbers, updated moments ago, show a huuuuuuuge Nougie increase from May to June. We're now at 9.5%, folks. I know, try to breathe as you take that in. In other number news, Marshmallow hasn't moved from its 31.2% share, while Lollipop dropped to 30.8%. KitKat is now at 18.1%, Jelly Bean is at 8.8%, Ice Cream Sandwich is at 0.8%, and Gingerbread is down to 0.8%. Cool. Last month's numbers can be found here.

Via: Android Developers

Essential's President is Sharing Pretty Bad Photos He Took on the Essential Phone

Tim — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 14:13:04 +0000

Now, by no means am I professional photographer, but I'm confident in determining what looks good to me and could look good to others. In the case of Essential's president, Niccolo de Masi, and the latest photos he took and then uploaded to Twitter with the newly-announced Essential phone, I think I can safely say that the following photos are not very good at all. To remind you all, the Essential Phone is listed as having dual rear-facing cameras (RGB + Mono) with 13MP and f/1.85. That's some good spec and should be able to capture great images. Of course, low lighting images and sunsets can be especially tricky for smartphones to capture well, but from my testing, plenty of the latest smartphones can handle a setting sun and low lighting just fine (taken in Hawaii with the Galaxy S6 Edge). Anyway, we have a couple of samples from the Essential Phone, thanks to de Masi uploading them on Twitter, and from what we can see, the camera setup used is currently struggling to take quality low light pictures well. When I saw the above image for the first time, it reminded me of what I'd see after shooting a scene on a phone from years ago. A Nexus 4 or Nexus S, maybe? Point being, while you can get a sense for how pretty something is, this picture has nothing in focus, a completely noise-filled sky, and an incredible amount of blur on the buildings when you enlarge it. Speaking only for myself, there is no way I would upload this to Instagram or Facebook for anyone to see. Maybe I'm just super anal about that stuff. Let's have a look at a different photo.

Again, this is a great scene that seems ruined by a camera that obviously needs a bit of work. We have a bright sky with dark foreground, and essentially all detail is lost when we enlarge the photo. Thanks to the human brain, we can piece together that this is a nice scene with a gorgeous cityscape, but when we look closer at the details, there is something very wrong. There are various factors we need to weigh, of course, such as the possibility that these photos were taken through a dirty window at the top of a tall building, but still, that doesn't account for all of the visible noise and lack of focus. We are not yet sure exactly when the $699 Essential Phone will launch, but let's hope the engineers spend a bit more time with the dual cameras on the backside. I know we have a few hardcore photography enthusiasts in our audience, so please, share your take in the comments below.

Via: @NiccoloDeMasi [2]

HTC Asks Its VIP Elevate Members to "Combat" Anyone Who Says Negative Things About the U11 (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 12:48:38 +0000

The HTC U11 is by all means a decent phone and might even be the one for some of you to consider. By no means is it a perfect device and certainly has (obvious) flaws. Our complaints, that we'll talk in detail about in our review later this week, will surround the overall design, availability, lack of a headphone jack, and software. But before we ever get there, we now know that once we hit publish on that review, we should fully expect a wave of HTC Elevate members to throw a fit and try to "combat" our criticisms in the comments. According to a post floating around the HTC Elevate community, HTC has told their biggest fans to create the "HTC U11 Elevate task force" to "mobilize and combat some of the negative things that are out there about the HTC U11." They want members to focus on those spewing hate - "hating for the sake of hating" - about the device that haven't spent much time with it. But that isn't all they want targeted, of course. They just want general criticism combatted. You might be asking who HTC Elevate is? HTC Elevate is one of the longest standing fan clubs from a phone manufacturer. They often get exclusive deals on phones, free swag, and opportunities to preview phones or hangout with HTC at launch events that normal tech lovers wouldn't get to participate in. They can also be insanely obnoxious. In fact, go run through any of our old HTC product reviews and you'll pick them out within seconds. They arrive in waves and nitpick every single thing that could be a potential flaw that we've pointed out, call us "biased," and try their best to discredit everything we have said. We noticed them years ago and have poked a ton of fun at them throughout each HTC release. We just didn't know that they were actually told to do this stuff and then ran out and did so. What makes matters worse is the fact that HTC is asking them to do this in return for free sh*t. The folks at Android Central - who also see the same nitpicky garbage flood of comments from Elevate members on their reviews - got a hold of a screenshot of the entire post from HTC to its Elevate members and it mentions that there is a reward that includes the sending of "some swag goodies here and there!" once they share links to the spam they have flooded social media and blog comment sections with. That's, um, not a good look.

So yeah, HTC Elevate appears to be what we always thought it was. Still, we welcome the company's biggest fans who certainly approach HTC products without HTC colored goggles on. Our review will be up in a couple of days. UPDATE: HTC, in response to the backlash over their original post to their Elevate group, changed the verbiage to soften the mobilization of their most rabid fans. They are still asking their fans to go and "counter some of the negative things" being said about the U11, but are now asking that Elevate members do so by being "positive and respectful." I'll let you decide if it matters at this point.

Via: reddit | Android Central

June's Android Security Update Goes Live With Factory Images for Nexus, Pixel

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 09:40:50 +0000

Google just posted the Android security update for June 2017 and the files are already live for a number of devices. So far, we are seeing 7.1.2 files for Pixel and Pixel XL (NHG47N, NJH34C, NJH47B, NKG47L), Pixel C (N2G47W), Nexus 6P (N2G47W), Nexus 5X (N2G47W), and Nexus Player (N2G47X). We've also got new 7.1.1 files for Nexus 6 (N6F27E) and Nexus 9 (N9F27C, N4F27E). The notes here for each Pixel update indicate that NHG47N is for Verizon models, NJH34C is for Deutsche Telekom, NKG47L is for T-Mobile, Fi users, and Rogers, while NJH47B is the generic build for everyone else. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. As more files arrive, we’ll update this post. Links:

WWDC 2017 Live Blog! Where Keynotes Evolve Less Slowly Than iOS

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 09:37:43 +0000

WWDC 2017 is here and so is our really mature live blog. During the event, we're expecting not only to see black screens with charts and misleading data that only certain political figures would be proud of, but we should get iOS11 details, as well as the next update for whatever operating system I've been snoozing for the past month on this Mac because I refuse to reboot it. It'll be a good time because Apple is an easy target and we bring extra snark on Mondays. We'll have the live blog embedded below for your participation. The event kicks off at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). You can watch the WWDC 2017 keynote at Apple's site on Safari or through another supported device. Chrome doesn't work, because Apple.

T-Mobile Celebrating First Anniversary of T-Mobile Tuesdays Tomorrow, Lots of Goodies Planned

Tim — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 09:04:11 +0000

T-Mobile is set to celebrate the first anniversary of T-Mobile Tuesdays this week, planning a major celebration that should leave many T-Mobile customers with lots of cool stuff. Starting tomorrow (June 6), everyone will have an opportunity to win epic prizes like free gas for a year and a free year of movie tickets, but let's be real, you probably won't win anything like that. Instead, for basically all T-Mobile customers, T-Mobile is handing out $4 movie tickets on four separate occasions, each for a major blockbuster planned this year. If you checked last week, they gave out $4 tickets to Wonder Woman. In addition to cheap movie tickets, on one of the four weeks in June, T-Mobile will also be providing free Baskin-Robbins ice cream vouchers, good for up to $4 at any BR location. And tomorrow, one day only, everyone will have a chance to win a year's supply of Baskin-Robbins. Other prizes set for this month include free T-Mobile trucker hats, $0.25 off each gallon at Shell stations, free Redbox game or movie rentals, and much more. Needless to say, if you are on T-Mobile and not taking advantage of this, you're doing this whole consumer thing very wrong. In other news, using stats from all of its previous T-Mobile Tuesdays, the Uncarrier made this handy dandy infographic. Y'all ate a lot of free pizza.

Via: T-Mobile

Google Family Calendars and Keep Family Sharing Went Live This Weekend

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 08:13:49 +0000

Shortly after Google I/O, the company announced additional Family library settings that would begin rolling out through Calendar, Keep, and of course, Photos. Over the weekend the Google Family Calendar and sharing of notes through Google Keep showed up for most of us with Family Libraries setup and works without much effort. For those not familiar, a Google Family library began as a way to share media (Play Music, Play Movies subscriptions and purchases) and payment accounts, but has now become a much broader feature for Google users. Not only will you be able to share a family calendar with everyone, you'll be able to share notes easier through Keep, and eventually, turn Photos into an autosharing gallery beast. With Google Family Calendar, the new calendar will simply be added to your Calendar if you have a family library setup. You'll find it as a new calendar under your Gmail address that is a part of the family account, as well as an option for adding new events to. If you don't want this to sync or be in use, you can basically turn it off in Calendar settings. As for Google Keep, the integration with family accounts is found as you create notes and then add Collaborators. If working, you'll see your family group as a collaborator that can be added. From there, those notes will be available to anyone on your family account. To learn more or for additional setup tricks, check out the links below. More:

DEAL: Google Home Drops to $109 ($20 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jun 2017 06:59:52 +0000

Yesterday, Google and its retail partners kicked off a new Google Home deal that is going to make it tough to pass on the smart home speaker assistant. At a $20 discount, you can begin the transformation into voice control over your home for just $109 or add on an additional unit, assuming you already own a Google Home. I should probably point out that Google Home experienced a bit of a connectivity issue over the weekend that left some users hearing a "Something went wrong" message. Google supposedly fixed the issue for almost everyone by yesterday. Either way, Google Home has gotten a whole lot better in recent weeks. They've added support for numerous new smart home products to control, plus will be adding calling, notifications, and all of the other goodies from Google I/O that we wrote about here. To catch up on Google Home, be sure to read our review. Deal Links: Best Buy | Walmart | Google Store

So Essential

Kellen — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 19:05:29 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we'll catch up on the past couple of weeks of Android now that Google I/O has ended. That means sharing all the thoughts we can about Andy Rubin's new Essential phone and other company news, while also diving into the HTC U11 and Blackberry KEYone, since we have both in house. We'll round out the show with discussion of the Moto Z2 Play, T-Mobile DIGITS, and more. We'll be live at 12:30PM Pacific (3:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Weekly Recap: Andy Rubin's Essential Phone Has Cometh

Tim — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 16:30:42 +0000

Pretty exciting week for Android users who have been in the industry for a bit. Andy Rubin, essentially the father of Android, is back in the spotlight with his latest company, Essential. The company's phone has been unveiled, and honestly, we're pretty stoked on it. In other news, LG launched LG Pay in South Korea, Samsung announced availability of its own mesh WiFi + SmartThings Hub hybrid hardware, and Motorola announced the Moto Z2 Play. Good times, indeed. Here's the stuff you don't want to miss.

WATCH: The Droid Life Show - Episode 143 [Subscribe]
Video: HTC U11 unboxing and tour.
Essential: Essential announces the PH-1 smartphone.
Essential phone specs.
Everything you need to know about the Essential phone.
Moto Z2 Play: Motorola announces the Moto Z2 Play.
Moto Z2 Play specs.
Motorola announces new Moto Mods.
Samsung details its Connect Home system.
The differences between Quick Charge 4+ and QC 4.0.
LG launches LG Pay in South Korea.
There's a new Nest camera with 4K, priced at $299.
VR: Samsung's Gear VR gains Chromecast support.
Bixby Voice is apparently struggling with English grammar and syntax.

DEAL: Google WiFi 3-Pack is $19 Off at Best Buy

Kellen — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 15:46:57 +0000

Mesh WiFi systems are all the rage these days with the tech kids. They are like the spinners of routers, you could say. Eh, look at me all hip and sh*t! I know what spinners are! Anyways, Google WiFi 3-packs are currently discounted at Best Buy to just $279.99. You aren't getting a massive savings here, but that is a $19 discount. That's not bad for a system that is already ridiculously affordably priced when compared to other mesh networks that typically start at $350 or $400. Not sure what Google WiFi is? Be sure to watch Tim's setup tour. Also, if you just want to know more about mesh WiFi systems and how they work, check out this quick Eero review I did. Best Buy Link

Verizon Moto Z Play DROID Edition Updated With May Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 11:36:26 +0000

A security update is rolling out to the Moto Z Play DROID Edition on Verizon, bringing it up to the May 1 patch level. Beyond that, it doesn't look like Motorola or Verizon baked anything else into the update. If there was something else, Verizon's changelog would probably allude to it. If you rock the Moto Z Play DROID, go grab that update.

Via: Verizon

Cheers Steve!

DEAL: Google Home for $105 Right Now at Newegg!

Kellen — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 10:37:40 +0000

Oooooh, this is a good deal on Google Home. Newegg Flash is currently selling Google Home units for just $105 for a limited time (likely until they sell through the lot they have). That's $25 off and the best price we've seen on Home since Thanksgiving. Since this is a Newegg Flash deal, it does appear that it's actually fulfilled through a third party outfit. That third party group has decent ratings (return policy), so keep that in mind. You might want to hurry on this one. Newegg Deal Link

LG Launches LG Pay in South Korea, Its Samsung Pay Competitor

Tim — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 08:53:31 +0000

At long last, after almost two years of reporting on its development, LG has launched LG Pay in South Korea. First reported in 2015, but then confirmed to launch this June, LG Pay is LG's mobile payments platform. Very similar to what Samsung has with Samsung Pay, LG Pay is based on Wireless Magnetic Communication (WMC), instead of Magnetic Secure Transmission (MST) that Samsung uses. LG Pay allows select LG phone owners to touch their device to nearly any credit card terminal. After a fingerprint is provided to verify a purchase, you're all done, with all receipt info and payment details stored securely on your device. At this time, LG states that four credit card brands are supported in South Korea, Shinhan, KB, BC, and Lotte. However, by the end of September, LG says it shoots have all credit card brands in the country supported. As for which devices are supported, only the G6 is receiving a software update to allow for the service to work. LG does intend to include more devices down the road, but we are not sure on which ones. For us in the US, we are uncertain when LG Pay will launch. It could be quite some time, or maybe never at all. Our market is dominated by Apple Pay, Android Pay, and Samsung Pay, so any newcomer would surely have quite the uphill climb. We're certainly open to giving it a try, though. LG users, how would you feel about having your own form of Samsung Pay? Awesome, right?

Via: Korea Herald

Verizon Tweaks Prepaid Line-Up by Improving Some Options, Throttling Others (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 02 Jun 2017 08:24:00 +0000

Believe it or not, Verizon's prepaid line-up has gotten pretty good in recent years. As a company that has never in its history been referred to as offering "great value," their prepaid options actually danced near that line. And still today, even with an announcement that new plans are coming that will shift most of their prepaid line, they still offer some decent choices. Unfortunately, ~~one of their better~~ all of their prepaid options are taking a hit in terms of video playback. Starting June 6, Verizon's prepaid line-up will look like this:

3GB - $40
7GB - $50
10GB - $60
Unlimited - $80

For those attempting to keep track, the $40 plan is jumping from 2GB to 3GB data and the $50 plan is jumping from 5GB to 7GB. Additionally, the 10GB plan is dropping from $70 to $60. That's great news for those on non-unlimited plans. While the price changes are nice, Verizon will now be throttling the video streams on all prepaid plans to 480p at all times. It's exactly like how the $80 "unlimited" plan works. Not only that, but if you are in a congested network location, they could throttle you behind other customers. If you aren't on Verizon prepaid yet, signing up right now will land you a $100 credit that shows up after your second payment. I do believe you'll need to sign-up in store, though. Verizon Prepaid Sign-Up UPDATE: Verizon has confirmed to us that all prepaid plans now throttle video to 480p. We've updated the post to make it accurate.

Via: Verizon

DEAL: Refurbished Amazon Echo Dot in Black or White, Just $38

Tim — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 15:43:35 +0000

The Amazon Echo Dot is an already affordable way to get Alexa into every room of your house. However, with the latest deal for Amazon's miniature cylinder speaker, you can grab a certified refurbished unit for just $38, down from a usual price of $45. Naturally, Prime shipping (free 2-day) is there for Prime members, plus you have options of either Black or White. As we have previously noted, Amazon also sells these sweet Echo Dot cases, should you want to change up the Dot's look a bit. Have at it. Amazon Link

Samsung Connect Home is a Mesh WiFi System and SmartThings Hub All in One

Tim — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 12:29:37 +0000

Samsung has released more details and availability for Connect Home, a system that combines a WiFi mesh network with a SmartThings Hub. Essentially, Connect Home will offer you the same mesh WiFi capabilities as other options on the market, but with the addition of a SmartThings Hub also built in, it becomes a controller for all of your home's supported smart products. For specs, the Connect Home, available as a single or 3-pack., features a 2x2 MU-MIMO antenna, 710MHz quad-core processor, 512MB RAM, 4GB flash storage, Zigbee, Z-Wave, Bluetooth 4.1, 4x WiFi (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wave 2, and speeds of up to 866Mbps at 5GHz. Interestingly, Samsung also has a "Pro" model available, priced a little higher, but with 4x4 MU-MIMO, 1.7GHz dual-core processor, 8x WiFi connectivity, and AC2600 speeds (1733Mbps at 5GHz).

So, while the mesh WiFi stuff is sweet, we all know there are already a ton of options out there. This is where the SmartThings integration will come in handy. Instead of having multiple devices, one for WiFi and another to control your smart stuff, Connect Home will do it all from a single app. With SmartThings, users have support for connected products from Ring, Schlage, Yale, Philips, and the list goes on. It's quite an intriguing proposition, so long as you haven't already invested in anything else. Connect Home will be up for pre-order exclusively through Best Buy starting June 4, priced at $169.99 for a single standard Home or a 3-pack for $379.99. If you want the Pro unit, it's priced at $249.99 for a single unit.

Via: Samsung

Qualcomm's Quick Charge 4+ Gets Three Improvements Over 4.0

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:23:53 +0000

Back in November, Qualcomm announced both its new Snapdragon 835 processor and its newest version of fast charging technology, Quick Charge 4.0. While no current devices have been confirmed to support Quick Charge 4.0, even though there are a handful of them already running the Snapdragon 835 (Galaxy S8, U11), Qualcomm went ahead this morning and announced Quick Charge 4+. Quick Charge 4+ includes every feature of Quick Charge 4.0, according to Qualcomm, but also features an additional three improvements. So you get the 50% charges in 15 minutes, "expanded charging intelligence," and more safety awareness. On top of that, 4+ features Dual Charge technology, Intelligent Thermal Balancing, and Advanced Safety Features. Qualcomm lists those three out as:

Dual Charge: already an option in earlier versions, but now more powerful, Dual Charge includes a second power management IC in the device. Charging a device via Dual Charge divides the charge current, allowing for lower thermal dissipation and reduced charge time
Intelligent Thermal Balancing: a further enhancement to Dual Charge, intelligent thermal balancing is engineered to move current via the coolest path autonomously, eliminating hot spots for optimized power delivery
Advanced Safety Features: Quick Charge 4 already includes rigorous built-in safety protocols. Quick Charge 4+ goes one step further and is designed to monitor both the case and connector temperature levels simultaneously. This extra layer of protection helps ward against overheating and short-circuit or damage to the Type-C connector.

To recap, you get potentially cooler charging temperatures that could lead to more charge in less time, less hotspots from charging, and new safety protocols to help better monitor temperature levels. As the graphic below describes, this could mean 15% faster charging that is up to 30% more efficient.

To go along with today's bit of 4+ news, Qualcomm announced that the nubia Z17 will support Quick Charge 4+. So far, that's the only device, though we should see more at some point.

Via: Qualcomm

Misfit Launches 'M.Y.Misfit' Customization Tool Ahead of Vapor Launch

Tim — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 11:03:51 +0000

Personally, I haven't necessarily been wowed by the latest lineup of Android Wear devices in 2017. One that does have my eye, though, is the Misfit Vapor. The Vapor is scheduled to launch later this summer, but in the meantime, Misfit has unveiled M.Y.Misfit. It's an online customization tool that is similar to Moto Maker, Motorola's tool that lets you customize your own device. On M.Y.Misfit, wearable buyers can switch up the look of their future device, choosing from many different options. As of right now, there are a few models available to customize, like the Phase, Ray, and Shine 2, but since none of those are Android Wear, we'll patiently await the launch of the Vapor. Exact customization options for the Vapor aren't yet known, but from the graphic Misfit provides, we can see that leather bands will definitely be an option. If we take the Phase as an example, buyers can choose the color of the device (Black, Rose Gold, Champagne, etc.), and then choose a custom band (Leather, Sport, and Nylon). Depending on the device color and type of band, the price changes, just like it did on Moto Maker when customizing a Moto 360. You can follow the link below to check out the service, but until the Vapor is actually available, you may not find it all too interesting. Don't worry, we'll let you know the second that the Vapor is available for purchase. M.Y.Misfit

DEAL: Verizon Giving Out Free Google Home With Pixel Purchase, $100 Off Select Phones

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:52:48 +0000

For a limited time, Verizon is hosting a deal that will land you a free Google Home if you buy a Pixel or Pixel XL. If that doesn't interest you and you might like a different phone, they are also hosting an "exclusive online offer" for $100 off select phones with code at checkout. To get the free Google Home ($129.99 value), all Verizon is telling you to do is buy a Pixel or Pixel XL. They aren't saying if you need to on a payment plan, but I'm guessing that's one of the requirements. Once you buy the phone, you should be able to redeem the home at Verizon's rebate center or via mail-in rebate, just make sure you do so within 30 days of purchase. As for the $100 off offer, the link below will get you there. The code for checkout to get $100 off is "SMART100" and it requires a new device payment plan and a new line. It doesn't work with upgrades, which is 100% dumb. Verizon Links: Pixel | Pixel XL | Verizon $100 Off Deal | Verizon Rebate Center

Via: Verizon

Updated OxygenOS Beta for OnePlus 3 and 3T Offers Ambient Display 2.0, Exclusive Font

Tim — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 09:32:55 +0000

An OxygenOS beta update for the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T is rolling out, available to anyone and everyone who is willing to give it a try. Inside, there is a long list of changes, including Ambient Display 2.0, a sharing functionality for "Shot on OnePlus," as well as an exclusive OnePlus font. On top of new features, you should also see UI changes for select applications, including Gallery, Recorder, Weather, and File Manager. You will also find enhanced launching speeds for 3rd-party applications, plus the May 1 security patch to ensure your goodies are safe. If you are interested in signing yourself up for this open beta, head on over to the OnePlus downloads section to get started. Do note, it involves the manual flashing of files, and if at any time you'd like to return to a public release, you'll need to completely wipe your device. Here is the big ol' list of changes in the latest open beta.

What's New

New additions:
- Ambient display 2.0
- Lift up display
- Sharing functionality for Shot on OnePlus
- All new OnePlus Font (Available in English, Chinese, and Japanese only)
UI Improvements:
- Gallery v1.7
- Recorder v1.6
- Weather v1.7
- File Manager v1.7
- Other UI refinements
Optimizations:
- Enhanced launching speed of 3rd-party apps
- Optimized management of foreground and background processes
Other changes:
- Setup wizard adjusted to suit the style of Android 7.1
- Refined contact import process from SIM card, now supports dual numbers and an email address
- Automatically add corresponding country codes when making calls during roaming
- Updated Android Security Patch level to 1st May 2017

Via: OnePlus

NVIDIA SHIELD TV Upgrade 5.2 Brings Plex Live TV and DVR Support

Tim — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:49:25 +0000

Announced in coordination with Plex's unveiling of Live TV and DVR functionality, SHIELD TV owners should be on the lookout for Experience Upgrade 5.2 over the coming weeks. Said to rollout to those enrolled in the SHIELD Preview Program first, Upgrade 5.2 brings true support for those who want to cut the cord. To sum up the possibilities, all a user will need is a HD tuner hooked up via USB to their SHIELD TV or a tuner connected to their network. If you already have one, and have a Plex Pass, you can start watching OTA TV, but also DVR that TV directly through Plex on SHIELD TV. With regard to Plex and its users, this is huge news. To allow for all of this on SHIELD TV, the update essentially brings two new features: Ability to write to network storage (allowing customers to record TV shows and movies directly to their network attached storage (NAS) via Plex) and support for USB tuners. To celebrate this update, NVIDIA is offering new SHIELD TV buyers a six month subscription to Plex Pass, a $25 value. You will obviously need a tuner, too, but this subscription will allow you to start the Live TV and DVR functionality. Considering how much of this SHIELD TV updates revolves around the Plex announcement, below is the video that details the service from Plex. SHIELD TV owners, get that update.

Via: NVIDIA | Plex

Adobe Scan Makes It Easier Than Ever to Scan Documents and Share Them

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 08:41:44 +0000

Adobe released a new app today called Adobe Scan and I'm already pretty obsessed with it. It's a document scanner, which doesn't sound all that exciting, but trust me, document-pile folk, it is. With Adobe Scan, you get Optical Character Recognition (OCR) that isn't exactly new tech. But Adobe says that most apps make you pay for it, whereas they are giving it to you for free. Yes, Adobe Scan is free. All of your scans are stored in Adobe Document Cloud, which as far as I know is free to use in a basic sense, but does have upgraded plans with more features available. The app lets you scan just about anything. You can do documents and forms, of course, but it'll also scan notes, business cards, pictures, and big ol' whiteboards. Adobe Scan finds edges of items before scanning, scans them, attempts to clean them, and then gives you some quick tools like crop, rotate, reorder, etc. You can add photos to scans and quickly share them. More importantly, Adobe Scan converts whatever you scan to a PDF while also attempting to convert any text it finds. That means you can then edit those PDFs, search within them, highlight or comment on stuff, and more. Again, document scanners are boring, but this one is free and powered by Adobe. Give it a look. Play Link

Via: Adobe

Moto Z2 Play Specs (Official)

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:49:12 +0000

You might have seen that the Moto Z2 Play is official and arriving this summer in both unlocked and Verizon variants. You probably saw that it will cost $499 from Motorola. You are also probably rightfully concerned that Motorola ditched the ridiculous battery life from the original to make a phone that is thin. Mmmhmmm. But what about the rest of the Moto Z2 Play specs? Will they still make this a contender? Overall the Moto Z2 Play specs look pretty solid and we are certainly seeing some upgrades here and there. The processor is now a Snapdragon 626, an improvement over the 625. The camera is a 12MP f/1.7 shooter that should be better than last year's average 16MP camera. The front camera is now wide angle. The display resolution and type haven't changed, but Motorola is throwing in a night mode. The fingerprint reader is no longer an awkward box and can take on gestures. And Android 7.1.1 is onboard. So yeah, it does have some nice improvements. At $499, this isn't a bad package. Then again, that all depends on the OnePlus 5.

Moto Z2 Play Specs

[table id=67 /] Buy Moto Z2 Play: Verizon

Motorola Unveils Handful of New Moto Mods: New JBL Speaker, TurboPower Mod, GamePad

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:38:10 +0000

Along with the new Moto Z2 Play, Motorola unveiled a bunch of new Moto Mods today that all Moto Z owners should be on the lookout for here in the near future. We've seen some of these in early forms or mentioned by Moto execs, but this is a sign that we're getting closer to a day where you can buy them. The new Moto Mods include a GamePad, new JBL SoundBoost 2 speaker, TurboPower pack, and a wireless charging shell. They'll all drop in at varying price points throughout the summer.

Moto Gamepad: As the name suggests, this is a gamepad that you dock your phone in to give you that fully-controlled gaming experience. It includes dual control sticks, D-pad, and four action buttons, along with its own 1035mAh battery. It'll cost $79.99.
JBL SoundBoost 2: A follow-up to the original SoundBoost, this new SoundBoost 2 speaker can last up to 10 hours, features a "more premium design with fabric and improved contours for a better feel in your hand," and has a water-repellant coating. Motorola is launching a new My JBL app with it to give you even more controls. It'll cost $79.99.
Moto TurboPower Pack: This is the Moto Mod we have all been waiting for, I think. Like a TurboPower charger, this Moto Mod allows you charge your Moto Z phones fast, rather than the sipping style from previous power packs. It features an embedded 3490mAh battery that also recharges fast. It'll cost $79.99.
Moto Style Shell with wireless charging: Here you have style shells that add design to your Moto Z, but this time they also add wireless charging capabilities. So if you'd like to be able to wireless charge your phone, just slap one of these on and then slap the phone onto a charging pad. They'll cost $39.99.

As release dates arrive for each, we'll let you know. As a reminder, all of these Moto Mods will work with your first gen Moto Z phones. To learn more about each, hit up the individual links below. Moto Mods Links: Moto Gamepad | JBL SoundBoost 2 | Moto TurboPower | Moto Wireless Charging

Via: Motorola

Moto Z2 Play is Official, Arrives in Both Unlocked and Verizon Models This Summer

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jun 2017 07:12:34 +0000

The Moto Z2 Play, a pretty poorly kept secret, is now official, along with a whole bunch of new Moto Mods. The device is an upgrade over last year's Moto Z Play in most aspects, but has gone thinner in form factor for 2017, which might make for a downgrade in the originals best category - battery life. The phone arrives later this summer in the US as both an unlocked device and with carrier exclusivity on Verizon. The unlocked version will cost $499 at Motorola's site. So what's new with the Moto Z2 Play? Well, you've got a 5.5-inch FHD Super AMOLED display (1080p), Snapdragon 626 processor, 3GB or 4GB RAM and 32GB or 64GB storage (depending on model), upgraded 12MP f/1.7 camera on the back, upgraded 5MP wide-angle f/2.2 camera on the front, fingerprint reader, Moto Mods connectivity, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat. But this is a Moto Z Play follow-up, so we have to talk about battery. After all, last year's Moto Z Play was and is still the battery life king of the world. How does the Z2 Play stack up? With a thinner body and smaller battery that drops to 3000mAh vs. last year's 3510mAh. The phone is running a Snapdragon 626, so battery life should still be good, I'm just not expecting the king title to be stolen. Otherwise, that's pretty much it. The device comes in grey and gold models in the US, though there is a blue version for other markets. Check it out over at Motorola's site. Moto Z2 Play Specs

[table id=67 /]

Via: Verizon | Motorola

Reminder: T-Mobile DIGITS Takes Over Your Number Today

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 15:26:29 +0000

I probably should have reminded you about this earlier in the day, but since we are on May 31, you should be aware that your T-Mobile DIGITS number is here. Well, you keep the number you had, it has just been upgraded to DIGITS. It's kind of confusing, I know, but it's here! I don't necessarily want to re-walk through what DIGITS is for the 3rd time, so my apologies for sending you to this write-up that explains it all. At that post, we dive into what DIGITS is, how it works and if it affects you (it does), how much additional DIGITS will cost, and why it'll come in handy, especially for those of you who carry multiple phones around or have multiple phone numbers to manage. To get started if you haven't already, head on over to the DIGITS online access at this link. You can also get started through the DIGITS Android app here.

Gear VR Gets Chromecast Streaming Before Google's Daydream

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 13:07:49 +0000

Back at Google I/O, Google announced that its Daydream VR platform would gain Chromecast streaming of VR sessions with the update to Daydream 2.0 later this year. Today, Oculus and Samsung scooped Google a bit by announcing that Chromecast streaming is already ready for its Gear VR platform. With the latest version of the Oculus app on your supported Galaxy device, you should now see a Cast button towards the top right corner (image above). A simple tap on that button, followed by the selection of the device you want to Cast to, will get you into a VR-sharing session. It should be that simple. If you see the update rolling out, let us know!

Via: Oculus

Detroit Rock Pixel: KISS Teams With Google to Launch Set of Live Cases for Pixel, Nexus Devices

Tim — Wed, 31 May 2017 12:03:26 +0000

Over the years, KISS has had its name on pretty much everything. It's basically an ongoing joke, but considering the amount of money these gentlemen have made from branding everything under the sun, you can't hate on it. Anyway, the latest thing to be graced with the KISS logo are Live Cases for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 5X and Nexus 6P, available now on the Google Store. For $40, you can choose from a bunch of different designs, complete with wallpapers to accompany your case. Not only are you decking out your phone with the name of the greatest band to ever walk the planet, but you're protecting your Pixel, too. It's a win-win, sure to start up many conversations at the dive bar you frequent on weeknights. Here's a taste of what you can find right now in Google Store. Follow the link below to get started. Google Store Link

Via: Google

Motorola's Next Phone Arrives Tomorrow

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 11:55:48 +0000

Motorola is going to announce its "next bold phone" tomorrow. They'll do it in Canada and probably other countries too, like Brazil. As of now, we don't know anything about Moto plans for a new phone in the US. With that said, the phone they do announce, which could very well be the Moto Z2 Play, will likely land here at some point. What do we know about the Moto Z2 Play? Quite a bit. In fact, it has leaked like crazy in recent weeks and there are few details we aren't aware of. We're expecting it to sport a 5.5-inch FHD display, 12MP rear camera, 4GB RAM, Snapdragon 626 processor, and 3000mAh battery in a slim body that works with Moto Mods. By all means, this is a phone with subtle upgrades over last year's Z Play, with one possible massive downgrade (battery). If the new Moto Z2 Play is announced tomorrow, we'll be sure to share the details. https://twitter.com/Moto_CAN/status/869676134065221632

Report: Samsung's Bixby Voice Struggling With English Language, US Launch Still Weeks Away

Tim — Wed, 31 May 2017 10:45:27 +0000

You undoubtedly know that Bixby was a major part of the Galaxy S8 launch event. Samsung touted many possibilities, but as we head into June, there's still no timeframe for when US users can expect to see the complete Bixby experience. According to a new report, though, we are still weeks away from a launch. Reported by the Wall Street Journal, Samsung's internal testing of Bixby Voice is showing many troubles with English grammar and syntax. To be competitive and go up against Apple's Siri and Google's Assistant, both of which seem very competent in English grammar and syntax, Samsung will obviously need to iron out any kinks before launch. In a statement provided by Samsung, the company says, "Bixby Voice benefits from time to further enhance natural language understanding, and we are currently growing our user testing in the U.S. to prepare for launch." So, while testing continues and Samsung hashes out issues, Galaxy S8 and S8+ owners will need to remain patient. If a hard date is ever provided by Samsung for when US users can expect a launch, we'll let you know.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Android Pay Arrives in Canada

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 10:40:01 +0000

Starting today, Google is rolling out Android Pay across Canada and into the phones of our friends to the north. As shocking as it might be that Canada hasn't had Android Pay until today, I think I'm more shocked that the image above from Google doesn't feature poutine. Like, come on. It's Canada, Google, where's the poutine? I want poutine right now and I'm in Oregon. Missed opportunity, tbh. But yeah! Android Pay in Canada! Google says that the top banks will have access "over the next several days" and that like in the US, they'll continue to add more over time. To start, participating banks are "BMO Bank of Montreal, CIBC, Banque Nationale, Scotiabank, Desjardins, President’s Choice Financial, ATB Financial, and Canadian Tire Financial Services in Canada, and prepaid Scotiabank and Desjardins cards." Also, VISA and MasterCard are supported right away with American Express and Tangerine support coming this summer. As for where you'll be able to use Android Pay, Google thinks you'll find "hundreds of thousands" of shops including "Tim Hortons, Loblaws, Petro-Canada, McDonald’s, Indigo, Pizza Pizza, Sears Canada and in TELUS, Rogers, and Freedom Mobile retail stores." You'll now find Android Pay in some of your favorite apps as well. Now, get out there and tap and pay. Play Link

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Via: Google

Allo Launches Selfie Clips for Quick Personal GIF Sharing

Tim — Wed, 31 May 2017 10:03:32 +0000

Introduced for Allo this week, Selfie Clips are a way to share personalized GIFs with whoever you're chatting with on the service. As an example, if someone sends a sticker to you, you can one up them by emulating the sticker with your own face. Simply select the GIF option under the "+" menu, then get to recording your short clip. Once recorded, Allo will automatically loop the video and put it into GIF form. Then all you have to do is send it off. This feature is rolling out to all Allo users starting today. Play Link

We're launching selfie clips in #GoogleAllo today, making it easier to capture and share your own personal gif pic.twitter.com/EzjLb33CSa
— Amit Fulay (@amitfulay) May 31, 2017

Nest Cam IQ Announced at $299 With 4K Sensor, Face Detecting Smart Stuff

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 09:12:59 +0000

Nest announced a new indoor security camera today called Nest Cam IQ. It looks like the Nest Cam Outdoor on a stand, but Nest actually did toss in some improvements to make it one of the smartest security cameras you'll find. For one, the Cam IQ features a 4K sensor (130° view) that Nest is using to to show you "beautifully balanced" 1080p imagery. So no, you don't get to stream things in 4K, but thanks to HDR and that 4K sensor, you should have great footage that won't "choke your connection" by streaming in 4K all of the time. That 4K sensor also allows the Cam IQ to zoom and track people it spots without losing quality or apply 12x zoom into specific areas while hanging onto that 1080p video. Nest calls this Supersight. This new cam is improved in speaker and microphone departments as well. It has noise suppression, echo cancellation, a louder speaker, and can distinguish between a dog bark and human voice to specific alerts. Later this year, Nest will add the ability to "easily communicate with family and pets like you're having a conversation over the phone" too. You can pre-order Nest Cam IQ today for $299. 2-packs are also available at $100 off. The device ships in 4-5 weeks. Nest Cam IQ Pre-order

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Via: Nest

OnePlus CEO: OnePlus 3 and 3T Will Receive Android O Update

Tim — Wed, 31 May 2017 08:48:19 +0000

In news that should surprise no one, the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T have been confirmed to receive the Android O update, once it's made available by Google. If you were shocked by this revelation, there's no need, as these two devices aren't even a year old yet. The OnePlus 3 was launched in June of last year, while the 3T was launched in November. There's simply no reason why both of these devices would not receive Android O, but hey, now it's confirmed. Since Android O is still a beta, there is absolutely no exact timeframe for when any Android user should expect to see a public release running on their device. If you're a Pixel owner, you'll more than likely see it first later this year, followed by everyone else. And then once everyone has it, Samsung owners will see it (joke!). Stay patient, folks.

A lot of you have been asking, so I'm proud to say Android O will come to OnePlus 3 and 3T.
— Pete Lau (@petelau2007) May 31, 2017

US Unlocked Galaxy S8 and S8+ Now Shipping

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 07:40:01 +0000

The Blackberry KEYone isn't the only fresh unlocked US phone to hit general availability today. The US unlocked units of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are also now available to be shipped. After going up for pre-order back in early May, the two phones should have shipped as pre-orders already, but now you could order and see one within a day or two. I also wouldn't be surprised if select stores have them on-hand. To recap, these are the same Galaxy S8 and S8+ phones that you can buy at the carriers in terms of specs and design. The only difference is that they don't include any of the garbage carrier bloatware - so they have the cleanest version of Samsung's skin you'll find - and they are unlocked out of the box, which means they work on all of the US carriers. Oh, black is the only color option too. Best Buy Links: Unlocked Galaxy S8 ($724.99) | Unlocked Galaxy S8+ ($824.99) Samsung Links: Unlocked Galaxy S8 | Unlocked Galaxy S8+

Blackberry KEYone Now Available at Best Buy and Amazon for $549

Kellen — Wed, 31 May 2017 07:27:46 +0000

The Blackberry KEYone, a device that returns the former smartphone king to its roots a bit, is now available in the US for $549.99. You can buy the device from either Amazon or Best Buy. TCL, the company that now owns Blackberry Mobile (Blackberry's hardware division), says we should expect both unlocked GSM and Verizon variants of the phone. The GSM model will work on T-Mobile and AT&T, while the Verizon version is the CDMA variant. To recap the KEYone, since we don't talk much about it, you've got a 4.5-inch FHD display, Snapdragon 625 processor (our favorite), 12MP camera (Sony IMX378), 32GB storage plus microSD expansion, 3505mAh battery, USB Type-C port, and of course, that physical keyboard attached to the bottom. It's likely a decent mid-range phone for the 6 of you out there who think you need a physical keyboard, but will probably realize minutes after buying one that you don't only to immediately regret the purchase. Buy one below! Links: Best Buy | Amazon

WATCH: Andy Rubin Talks Essential Phone Tonight at Code Conference

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 16:14:45 +0000

All of the talk today about Andy Rubin's new company and its first smartphone has dominated the entire news cycle. But is it just me or does everything feel a little off without there being any real looks at the device, outside of a photo or two taken by Wired? Maybe that's on purpose. I just want to see if there is a real phone somewhere that works and can live up to the hype that has already been created by the founder of Android. I want to know when it's coming. I want to know how updates will work. I want to know it all. Tonight, that could all be revealed. Andy Rubin is set to talk at Recode's Code Conference at 6PM Pacific (9PM Eastern). The entire chat will be broadcast live on YouTube, so we can all take in everything Essential. We've included the broadcast at the top of this post and will be tuning in along with you.

YouTube's New Bottom Nav Bar Should be Arriving Now if It Hasn't Already

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 13:01:12 +0000

YouTube's new design on Android is official after what seems like weeks and weeks (months even?) of slow rollout. Now sure what I'm talking about? Open YouTube on your phone and see if the app now has a bottom navigation bar. All of my phones sure do. If yours doesn't, simply swipe the app away in recents and re-open it. This bottom nav bar really has been rolling out for a long time. I saw it on select devices, while others (like my Pixel) only saw the switch today. But the new layout is good and does make for an easier-to-reach-at-all-times experience. If there is one thing Apple got right a long time ago, it was bottom nav bars, because reaching your thumb to the top of your phone to do maneuvering throughout a phone makes no sense. Google says that the new experience includes "clearly labeled" buttons, which it indeed does. The new bottom nav bar is also situated on screen at all times, unless you are watching something. Again, kill and re-open YouTube and I wouldn't doubt if the new layout shows up. Play Link

Via: YouTube Help Forum

Samsung's Gear VR Live Pass Signs Up UFC, X Games, and Concerts

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 12:41:33 +0000

Starting in June, owners of Samsung Gear VR units will be able to tune into special live-streamed events from the UFC, X Games, and concerts as a part of Samsung's new Gear VR Live Pass. The content will be available at no cost, as long as you own a supported Galaxy device that works with a Gear VR headset. The events already on the schedule include the following, according to Samsung:

UFC® 212: ALDO vs. HOLLOWAY, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, June 3, 2017: For the first time in UFC history an event will be live streamed in Virtual Reality. Fans will witness this highly-anticipated event in high-quality 360-degree live stream and will have access to additional VR content, including pre-event and post-event show highlights with UFC featherweight champion José Aldo and interim UFC featherweight champion Max Holloway.

X Games Minneapolis, USA July 13 – 16, 2017: Gear VR users will be able to experience the thrill of the X Games from the comfort of their homes as they watch the world’s best BMX riders and skaters, including Jimmy Wilkins, Chad Kerley and Jagger Eaton compete at the biggest action sports event of the year.

Live Music Concert with International Artist, USA August, 2017: Music fans around the world will get the best seats in the house to watch one of the most exciting, high-energy and renowned music acts with Live Nation, the largest live event company in the world.

I should note that US users will have to access some of the UFC coverage through UFC Fight Pass. Giving consumers access to events, live in VR as they happen is yet another use of VR that we will likely see much more of from all VR companies in the near future. And it only makes sense that this is where we go, just don't expect it all to stay free forever.

Via: Samsung

Tuesday Poll: Is the Essential Phone Something That Interests You?

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 11:39:22 +0000

It has been a day filled with nothing but talk about Andy Rubin's company, Essential, and the first phone they planned to release. The reaction to it seems pretty mixed if I'm reading your comments from four different comment threads. Some think it sounds like a heck of a phone, especially thanks to design and network compatibility, while others are annoyed at the lack of water resistance and the price. So let's get this all out there in a single poll and thread - is the Essential Phone something that interests you? Why? Why not? [poll id="454"]

Essential Phone: 10 Things to Know (Updated: A Few New Ones!)

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 09:29:04 +0000

The Essential Phone from Andy Rubin's new company is official and the details for it have started to spill out onto the company's new website. Since we are impatiently waiting for Rubin to show off the phone later today and talk more about it, we had some questions that needed answering and started poking around. The new Essential site already has a small (and growing) FAQ section that offered up some help, so we've taken that info and put it together in simpler form below as a "10 things to know" list. Hopefully, this helps answer any questions you may have had. 1. What is the Essential Phone? We have a full write-up on the Essential Phone here, but the basics are that this is the first phone from Andy Rubin's new company. It's a top tier phone in terms of specs, plus it costs a pretty penny at $699. According to an interview with Wired, the company wants the phone to feel a "little exclusive" and openly admits that it isn't for everyone. Part of the goal is to create a phone that wins someone over, not by marketing or trends or fanboyism, but instead by how the technology in it works. 2. When and where can you buy it; how much does it cost? (Updated) The Essential Phone will sell at Essential.com when it arrives later this year. As of today (5/30), you can only reserve your place in line to buy it at a later date. Essential has not announced a launch date, though Andy Rubin did say that he wouldn't have let us all reserve them if the phone wasn't ready to ship within 30 days or so. There is always a chance that someone else, like Amazon or Best Buy will sell the Essential Phone, but the company hasn't announced those plans. Rubin said to expect carrier variants at some point too. The phone costs $699. As of now, your only option will be to buy it at $699, which means no payment plans or ways to make it cheaper.

3. It's unlocked and works on all major US carriers. Yep, the Essential Phone (PH-1) works on all of the US carriers, which means Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint connectivity. It should then work on all of your favorite prepaid plans as well. It even supports carrier aggregation. 4. Hey, shipping is free! Essential doesn't know when the phone is going to ship, but they already know that they'll offer free 2-day shipping to orders, along with the option to upgrade to overnight shipping. 5. Will the Essential Phone be available internationally? At this time, the Essential Phone is a US phone. Essential plans to sell the phone internationally at some point, but has not announced any additional info yet. 6. Where is the Essential Phone made? China. It's designed in the US, but like most phones, it's not made here. 7. The Essential Phone runs Android, right? It sure does. Out of the gate, it will run Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Will it see fast updates? That, we don't know just yet. But one of the goals for Essential was to create a phone that doesn't have a bunch of garbage and bloatware that you don't ask for. Instead, they are shipping it with clean, stock Android without a custom skin, according to Wired.

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8. What is the Essential Phone made out of? The Essential phone sports a titanium body that Essential says will withstand drops, even to the corner of the device on concrete. You can see a slow-mo drop test of it in the short clip above. Titanium, being stronger than the aluminum most phones are, has given Essential enough confidence that they aren't even planning to sell cases for it at this time. The back of the phone is ceramic and the front is covered in Gorilla Glass 5. 9. What other accessories outside of the 360-degree camera will Essential offer? At this time, all we know is that Essential plans to use the phone's magnetic connectors (top right rear corner) to continuously expand the phone's capabilities. At first, all we will see is a 360-degree camera and a wireless charging phone dock. The camera will be sold with the phone, while the dock isn't quite read yet. Obviously, the goal is for Essential to come up with additional add-ons, they just haven't announced those plans yet. 10. If I reserve the Essential Phone, what actually happens? Getting on the reserve list of the Essential Phone essentially just secures your place in line to buy one when it releases. In other words, it doesn't cost you anything to be on the reserve list. You won't be charged $699 today or even in the future until you give Essential credit card info when the phone is ready. And even if we get to launch day and you get an invitation to buy, you don't have to if you don't want to or can't afford to. However, if you want to be one of the first to buy the Essential Phone, you'll want to get on the reserve list. NEW! 11. Essential Phone has its own personal assistant! Not that anyone in this world was asking for a personal assistant, but Andy Rubin did suggest that the phone will have one. How will it differ? We don't know anything else at this time. NEW! 12. What's up with the color options? To start, the Essential Phone will come in Black Moon or Pure White models, but there are Stellar Grey and Ocean Depths models on the way. The black model is a glossy black, while the white model is actually a matte finish. NEW! 13: Here are some shots of it in the wild!

And that's pretty much it! If you have additional questions, you might want to head over to the Essential FAQ section. UPDATE: Now that Andy Rubin has finished talking about and showing off the phone at the Code Conference, we wanted to add a couple of new bullet points and update others.

Essential Also Reveals Smart Home Hub With Touchscreen

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 06:34:50 +0000

The PH-1 phone isn't the only product unveiled today by Andy Rubin's new company, Essential. The start-up also announced Essential Home, a smart home hub the shape of an Amazon Echo but with a round touchscreen attached. while Essential isn't saying how much its home hub will cost or when it will be available, it is offering up some ideas that are in-store to try and separate Essential Home from Echo devices or Google Home. For one, it has that touchscreen that I just mentioned. With its custom Ambient OS, it not only does the assistant-type tasks (turning lights on and off, setting reminders, playing music, etc.), it also tries to notify you of important items. Like, if you need to leave for an appointment, it could glow and show a commute overview on its screen. The touchscreen also allows you to adjust items in your home without voice, plus you get basics upfront like weather and time. It looks like a nice take on a smart home hub. Assuming it's not ridiculously expensive, can ship fairly soon before Google makes the exact same product, and works with all of the major smart home product brands, it could be worth considering. You can learn more over at the Essential Home page.

Andy Rubin's Essential Phone is Official, Reserve Now for $699

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 06:08:18 +0000

We thought Andy Rubin would wait until later in the day to fully unveil the first smartphone for his new company, Essential, but he went ahead and dropped all of the news right now with likely plans for a public unveiling tonight. Either way, the Essential PH-1 is now official (along with a smart home hub) and all of the details are in the wild. Ready to know all there is to know about Rubin's new phone, including price and availability? Let's talk about it. The Essential PH-1 is being sold as an unlocked top tier phone with a price of $699. You'll find premium specs, ceramic and titanium body, an all-display front, no logos, a dual 13MP RGB + monochrome camera system, Android powering it all, and a magnetic connector for modular accessories, like a 360-degree camera. It has some familiar design aspects to others already on the market, but clearly stands out with that 5.71-inch QHD all-display front. Under the hood you'll find what you want, like a Snapdragon 835 processor, 128GB UFS 2.1 storage, 4GB RAM, Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C port, 3040mAh battery with fast charging, and connectivity on all of the major carriers, including Verizon. Full specs here.

Rubin wanted to build a phone that isn't outdated in a year, so that's where this magnetic connector comes in. The hope (obviously) is to create accessories that can build on a phone as you own it, or something like that. At this time, we are expecting the "world's smallest 360-degree personal camera" as one that will connect (or "Click"), but there should be a wireless charging dock at some point too. As I mentioned, the phone costs $699, but does work everywhere. As of right now, you can reserve the phone in either Black Moon or Pure White. Additional colors (grey and ocean) will arrive before long. The phone ships with a Type-C cable, 3.5mm headphone adapter, and fast charger. If you reserve soon, it looks like Essential will let you add-on the 360-degree camera for an additional $50. To reserve the Essential PH-1, head over to the Essential store. (Reservations do not cost anything.) UPDATE: Have questions about the Essential Phone? We've answered a bunch at this post.

Essential PH-1 Specs

[table id=66 /]

Andy Rubin's Essential Phone Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 30 May 2017 05:50:08 +0000

Andy Rubin's new company, Essential, just unveiled their new website which happens to have their two new products on it. Yep, so Essential has a phone on the way, along with a smart home hub. More details on the phone's launch can be found here, but we wanted to at least share with you the Essential Phone specs, dubbed the PH-1. The Essential Phone (PH-1) is fully stocked with the highest end specs you can find from what we can tell. You have an edge-to-edge front display that weighs in at 5.71-inches and with a QHD resolution. You get a Snapdragon 835 processor powering it all, 128GB UFS 2.1 storage, 4GB RAM, 13MP dual camera setup, magnetic connector to make the phone somewhat modular, and a premium body made of titanium and ceramic. And yes, it runs Android. The phone will cost $699 and comes in white or black at this time. Additional colors will arrive soon.

Essential Phone Specs

[table id=66 /] // Essential

Samsung SoundAssistant App is Here to Give You Ultimate Audio Power

Kellen — Mon, 29 May 2017 13:05:06 +0000

Samsung released a new app this past week called SoundAssistant. The app attempts to give you new control over your device's audio that you probably wish you had always had. We're talking about controls over individual app audio, an always accessible floating button for audio controls, and specific scenarios depending on time of day or location. The app is free right now for Samsung Galaxy owners with the S8 or S7. If you have another Samsung device, feel free to hit that link below and see if it's available. Samsung lists the app as having the following:

Allow you to control the media volume instead of ringtone when pressing the volume keys
Support individual application volume (You can control the volume of music and games differently)
150 steps of fine volume and support Floating Equalizer(EQ
Create and activate personalize sound settings
Support mono audio and left/right balance
Galaxy S8 only: Different output path for each app can be specified. (Music app -> Bluetooth, Game app -> Speaker)

Play Link

HTC U11 Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Fri, 26 May 2017 13:24:15 +0000

Before we get to that full HTC U11 review, we always need to get that fresh unboxing in. Thanks to HTC for sending one over, we now have a unit in house to get to testing. This is a sapphire blue Sprint unit, by the way. With the HTC U11 unboxing experience, you get more than is normal. Outside of the phone, HTC is tossing in USonic earbuds, 3.5mm to USB Type-C adapter (!), clear case, cleaning cloth, and quick charger. Not bad HTC, not bad. Most phones are lucky to be joined by earbuds, let alone a case, adapter, and extra cloth to keep your shine on. The video below doesn't necessarily dive into any tests, but it does give you another look at this liquid metal beauty.

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Nova Launcher Beta Adds Android O-Styled Notification Dots, Round Searchbar

Kellen — Fri, 26 May 2017 08:32:35 +0000

A new Nova Launcher Beta arrived last night with a couple of minor tweaks to get you feeling closer to Android O than you'll be for the next year+ because you probably own a Samsung phone. Look at me, taking digs at your Samsung phones this early on a Friday? Gonna be a good day! Anyways, the new beta includes a new notification badge option that mimics the Notification Dots that you'll see in Android O. They don't necessarily carry any additional function, but do look like that Android O freshness. You can see them live in the image above. Additionally, the update adds a round searchbar style, along with performance improvements and "minor fixes for Android O." The update is live already, so if you are in the Nova Beta, grab it through the Play store. If you are new to the beta, get started in the Nova Launcher Beta Community over at this Google+ post.

DEAL: LG G6 is Just $11.99/Month at Best Buy This Weekend ($384 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 26 May 2017 08:01:43 +0000

I've barely had a chance to scrape the morning crusties from my eyes today and I can already tell that there are going to be a flood of deals to share. Hopefully, you don't mind, but Memorial Day Weekend is a big one for pre-summer price drops. The first to share is for the LG G6 at Best Buy on Verizon. By signing up for a 24-month device payment plan, LG's best phone ever drops to $11.99 per month in either black or silver. That's a cool $384 off the normal, everyday price. Also, this is a straight up deal from what I can tell. You aren't getting monthly credits or whatever scheme Verizon often cooks up. Instead, Best Buy is just offering you a discounted monthly payment that totals less than $300 by the end of the 24-month period. If you need a recap on the LG G6 and why you should consider this deal, check out our review. Best Buy Link

Cheers Shane!

Huawei Watch 2 Classic Now Available for $369

Kellen — Fri, 26 May 2017 07:20:43 +0000

The Huawei Watch 2 Classic, the other version of the Huawei Watch 2 with a premium stainless steel case, is now available in the US for $369.99. Why this watch didn't release alongside the regular, much-more-plasticky Huawei Watch 2 is something I still don't fully understand, but that's where we are. This Classic version is mostly identical to the regular 2 in terms of specs. It sports a 1.2-inch round AMOLED display, Snapdragon Wear processor, 420mAh battery, 4GB storage, 768MB RAM, GPS, heart rate monitor, NFC, and IP68 water and dust resistance. The differences are in the strap (22mm) and the casing (stainless steel). In they US, they are both WiFi-only watches. If interested, you can hit up that link below and buy the little guy today. If you need to know more, be sure to check out our Huawei Watch 2 review. Links: Best Buy

Cheers David!

Thursday Poll: Do You Own a Google Home or Amazon Echo?

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 16:23:45 +0000

It's not hard for us to get excited about the hot new trend of the moment, smart home speaker assistants. Unlike Android or iOS, which are both beyond mature at this point, this category of products is growing by the day and could soon lead to a world controlled by voice. Whether its the Friday Amazon Alexa email with a list of new features or Google quietly pushing new goodness into the Google Home app without as much as a peep, there is always something fresh to talk about. But I don't know that we've ever asked if any of you own Amazon or Google smart home assistants. I'm talking about Amazon Echo devices and Google Home, of course. Through all of the deals over the holidays and in partnership with phone launches (like the G6), picking up one of these products should have been an affordable thing on numerous occasions. So let us know - do you own an Amazon Echo devices or Google Home? [poll id="453"]

T-Mobile's DIGITS Leaves Beta May 31 and It Affects Your Phone Number

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 13:52:34 +0000

You might not remember T-Mobile announcing a new feature called DIGITS back in December because, well, December was forever ago. You should care about it now, though. DIGITS has left beta and arrives May 31 to upgrade your T-Mobile phone number. Whoa! Upgrade your phone number? Yep, that's sounds scary, but it probably won't be a big deal. Let's talk about DIGITS. So what - again - is T-Mobile DIGITS? It sort of is an upgraded phone number in that T-Mobile is letting you access it from anywhere, meaning on phones, tablets, computers, other phones from other carriers, etc. Once your phone number has become a DIGITS number, you can setup additional devices to get calls to that number. Same goes for text messages. You can even install the DIGITS app on an AT&T or Verizon phone and they'll then ring when someone calls your T-Mobile number. Of course, this is a great idea for those who have work and personal phones, but would rather just carry one phone. DIGITS allows you to do just that, plus you can tell it which number to dial out from should you need to differentiate between work and personal calls. If you want additional DIGITS numbers, you can pay T-Mobile $10 per month. You might want to do that for things like killing off your home phone, but still keeping that number to ring to everyone's phone in the household. You might want to do that to have a secret throwaway number for those sneaky nights out on your sneaky dating app. You get the idea. Overall, the idea can be kind of confusing, but once you have it setup after a few minutes, it should make life much simpler, should you juggle multiple numbers in a day. Also, if you want nothing to do with any of this multi-device stuff, then that's cool. Just keep using your T-Mobile service like you do now and not think about DIGITS ever again. Again, this all launches May 31 when T-Mobile says "every T-Mobile customer's phone will be upgraded" to DIGITS. To learn more hit up this link.

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Via: T-Mobile

I Talked About How I Use Android Over at Android Intelligence!

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 12:53:11 +0000

You know you've been around a while when a colleague writes up a profile about your time in the business and starts it out by saying, "Gather 'round, kiddos, 'cause it's time to travel back to the Good Ol' Days of Android." Then again, I kind of have been doing this for a really long time - over 7 years! - so if the boot fits... Anyways, the piece I'm referring to was written by JR Raphael, the brilliant brain behind the Android Intelligence column over at Computerworld. He runs a regular series called "How I Use Android" that features various personalities in the Android realm. You'll find profiles on developers that make many of your favorite apps, Googlers, podcasters, and the occasional media loud mouth (like me)! The point of the column is to have folks share their Android story in a way that involves their current phone and accessories, how those are setup, the apps they use the most, and if they have any tips and tricks that might help others. It has always been a great read because it gives you a bit of an inside look at some of the people in this industry you might be familiar with, yet probably didn't know much about outside of the work they put forward. So yeah, JR asked if I'd like to join the fun and share some info about my time in Android and how I'm currently using it. As someone who has read his column for a long, long time, I didn't really hesitate to say "Yes" even if I'm kind of a keep-my-life-to-myself guy. If reading about me sounds like hell, I get it! You listen to me blab right here all day, every day. However, the profile does offer a bit of the history of Droid Life and does indeed share some insight into how I use Android, approach reviews, which devices I rotate through, etc. You can find the full story at this link.

Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Getting Android Wear 2.0 Update as Early as Today

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 11:07:16 +0000

According to Motorola's official support account on Twitter, the Android Wear 2.0 update is finally ready for the Moto 360 (2nd Gen). In fact, it's so ready that some owners of the device could see the update as soon as today. I don't have a charged Moto 360 at the moment, but will shortly. Once I do, I'll be on the hunt for it. On a related note, @Moto_Support also mentioned that the Moto 360 Sport update is still pending. Anyone with that 2nd gen model see an update? https://twitter.com/Moto_Support/status/867756860107104256

Andy Rubin's Essential has Something to Announce on May 30, Likely Their First Phone

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 10:08:13 +0000

Ready for Andy Rubin's first phone from his new company, Essential? We'll likely see it on May 30 at Recode's Code Conference. The company Twitter account Tweeted for the first time today, announcing that they are "here to let you know something big is coming May 30th!" Since Rubin is speaking at the Code Conference that day, it only makes sense that he use the opportunity with all of tech watching to show off his new phone. What are we expecting? We don't know! All we have is the single teaser image he posted a couple of months ago, which showed a phone with very minimal bezel and Android's status bar, along with another report suggesting it'll have a 5.5-inch display, a case made of premium materials, and potential modularity, like a 360-degree camera add-on. Excited? https://twitter.com/essential/status/867780192890044417 UPDATE: And now a follow-up Tweet wit ha phone silhouette! https://twitter.com/essential/status/867842387455877120

AccuWeather Introduces Android TV App With "Superior Accuracy"

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 08:45:49 +0000

AccuWeather released an Android TV app this morning, an app that aims to provide you with "the most accurate, personalized weather experience available in the world," according to the company's president of digital media. The app is available right now through Google Play and is free to install. You'll get breaking weather videos on it, along with in-studio reports and minute-by-minute forecasts that include precipitation type and intensity for a couple of hours. You can add multiple locations, adjust all sorts of settings, and even change the theme from dark to light or have it do so automatically depending on time of day. This might be the weather app for Android TV we have been waiting for. Play Link

Via: AccuWeather

Verizon Software Updates Arrive for S7 Line, S6 Line, Note 5, Priv, Moto Z, and More

Kellen — Thu, 25 May 2017 07:27:01 +0000

If you own a top tier smartphone from Verizon that was released within the past two years, there is a good chance you will see an update this week. We're seeing new software for at least 11 devices, though that number could increase before the end of tomorrow. Most appear to be security patches, rather than big upgrades to Nougat. As of this morning, the list of updates includes:

Samsung Galaxy S7: G930VVRS4BQC9 | Details
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge: G935VVRS4BQC9 | Details
Samsung Galaxy S6: G920VVRS4DQE1 | Details
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge: G925VVRS4DQE1 | Details
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+: G928VVRS3CQE1 | Details
Samsung Galaxy Note 5: N920VVRS3CQE1 | Details
Moto Z / Moto Z Force: NCL25.86-11.4 | Details
ASUS Zenpad Z8: V5.4.1 | Details
Blackberry Priv: AAK687 | Details
LG K8 V: VS50020a (Nougat!) | Details
LG GizmoGadget: VC20013A | Details

To check for updates on your phone, head into Settings>System updates or Settings>About phone, depending on the device.

Change Your Galaxy S8's On-Screen Buttons to Match the Pixel With This App

Tim — Wed, 24 May 2017 14:53:09 +0000

At long last, Galaxy S8 owners can ditch Samsung's on-screen button look, if they so desire. The developers over on XDA have released an APK file that will change the on-screen button look, providing the same button aesthetic you'd find on a Pixel device. Super sweet! To sum up what's happening, this application is an overlay for the bottom button bar on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Once the app is installed, and a reboot is performed, you will be greeted with the same on-screen buttons as on the Pixel. However, the overlay does not effect the look of Samsung's own on-screen buttons in a few places, such as the Always-On Display "Home" button option, as well as when you long-press the Home button to open Google Assistant. To get this look up and running on your own Galaxy S8 device, simply install the APK (you'll need to allow for installs from Unknown Sources), reboot your phone, and that's it. If you aren't a fan of the Pixel look, the below linked XDA thread has a few options to choose from, including the Lollipop on-screen button look. That's a classic. Now, if you've completed all of this and don't care for the look at any time, head to Settings > Apps > then go to Show System Apps. Find “Com.android.systemui.product.res.Overlay“ and uninstall it. Once uninstalled, reboot your device and Samsung's on-screen buttons will return. Props to the developers over on XDA for making this happen! Download Here

Via: XDA | SamMobile

Cheers to the developers!

Google Photos Archive Feature Goes Live

Kellen — Wed, 24 May 2017 13:31:17 +0000

Google rolled a new Archive tool out to Google Photos today that helps you clean-up your main photo feed. Going forward, you'll be able to toss photos aside that you may not want visible at all times without fully deleting them. The new Archive can be accessed a number of ways. The easiest way to archive photos is to select a bunch, tap the top-right menu, and choose "Archive." You can also swipe out the app's side menu, look for the new Archive option, choose it, then tap the little image icon with the "+" sign in the top right, which will let you go through and select items for archiving. So you are aware, archiving removes photos from your main Photos column and feed, but it does not remove them from albums. As you switch over to the Albums section, you'll likely notice right away that a bunch of photos are in them that you archived. That's obviously by design. Either way, the option should be rolling out to your device today. Time for clean-up! Play Link

Samsung's New Gear 360 Arrives Tomorrow for $229

Kellen — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:48:19 +0000

Samsung's new 360-degree camera, the latest version of the Gear 360 shown off at the Galaxy S8 unveiling, goes on sale tomorrow, May 25 in the US. It's priced at $229, but Samsung will kickoff a promotion first thing in the morning that could get you the camera for $49 if you buy a Galaxy S8. The new Gear 360 sports cameras capable of recording at 4K, along with the ability to shoot 15MP photos. Samsung is also throwing in live, real-time streaming, so that you can share your favorite moments as they happen. We actually did this for a bit during the Google I/O keynote and it worked pretty well! This new Gear 360 camera works with the Galaxy S8 and S8+, entire Galaxy S7 line, Galaxy S6 line, and Galaxy Note 5. Hopefully, some day, Samsung opens it up to other Android phones. The device should go live at a bunch of places tomorrow, including Amazon, Best Buy, and your favorite carriers. Samsung's site is selling it now, though, in case you want to get in early. Links: Gear 360 ($229.99) | $49 promo details

Via: Samsung

Karma. Incarnation 1. 2D Point-and-Click Adventure Game Now Available on Android

Tim — Wed, 24 May 2017 12:19:24 +0000

Available on a few platforms already, even featuring an Editor's Choice label on Apple's App Store for Macs, Karma. Incarnation 1. is now available for Android devices. Based on a tale of two souls in love, where our hero's beloved is captured by dark spirits, you must reincarnate as a dragon to save her. Naturally, things don't go as planned, and instead of an awesome dragon, you're reincarnated as Pip, a lowly worm. Throughout the game, your "good vs. evil" decision making will be put to the test, which will then determine what kind of karma you will receive. In the end, the choices you make will decide the outcome. While the story is cool, the hand-drawn animation style of the entire game is gorgeous. It's done frame-by-frame, providing a unique and beautiful experience. The app is free to download, but after a few levels, you will be invited to purchase the entire game with a single in-app purchase. Don't let this surprise you, it's done by many game developers these days. Play Link [responsive_vid]

DEAL: Amazon Echo Dot is $10 Off Today (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 24 May 2017 11:18:52 +0000

These days, I think you can find a good deal on one of Amazon's Echo devices just about every week. This week's deal is on the Amazon Echo Dot, the smaller, put-me-in-every-room-in-your-house speaker assistant that is powered by Alexa. Normally priced at $50, Amazon has slashed $10 off the little guy today, dropping the price to just $40. Of course, Prime shipping is there for Prime members, plus you have options of either white or black. Amazon also sells these sweet little Echo Dot cases, should you want to get spicier with your design. The deal might only be good today, so make a decision quickly. Links: Amazon | Best Buy Update: Best Buy has the deal too!

OnePlus Brings Back the Feature Trollout for the OnePlus 5, Confirms Snapdragon 835

Kellen — Wed, 24 May 2017 10:00:41 +0000

To build hype as a new company with a new product on the way, OnePlus worked through a bit of social media trickery with the launch of the OnePlus One. Since they had almost no marketing budget, they decided to announce each feature of the phone over a period of weeks in order to stay in headlines and maximize the soon-to-be-launched phone's exposure. It worked, of course, but it was also ridiculously obnoxious. They have eased off the idea a bit since that first phone, though not completely. And of course, with the OnePlus 5 on the horizon, the trollout of features is back. This time, we get a confirmation on the processor that will be featured in the new device. It's a Snapdragon 835! As many of you know, the Snapdragon 835 from Qualcomm is the chipset of 2017 that almost all top tier phones will use. The Galaxy S8 line uses the 835, as does the new HTC U11. Google's next Pixel phones probably will too. So again, it's not surprising that OnePlus is either, especially if you look to the past where they almost always used the newest and most powerful from Qualcomm with the launch of a new phone. OnePlus said in a blog post today that they went into the 835 envisioning "a smartphone with flawlessly smooth performance." But not only that, they focused specifically on touch latency and rigged up a high-speed camera in order to measure latency as they fine-tuned it. So yeah, the OnePlus 5 will feature a Snapdragon 835. It'll also have a camera that has been tuned with the help of DxOMark. What's next, battery capacity? New Dash Charging? Trollout guesses, GO.

Via: OnePlus

T-Mobile Will Pay Off Your Pixel or iPhone if You Leave Verizon

Tim — Wed, 24 May 2017 09:45:16 +0000

In the latest campaign against Verizon, T-Mobile announced "Get Out of the Red," an easy path to follow if you are absolutely done with Verizon. Specifically for iPhone and Pixel users (iPhone SE, 6s, 6s Plus, 7, 7 Plus, Pixel, Pixel XL), where the phone will work just fine on either carrier, you can make the switch to T-Mobile and bring your phone with its existing phone number. Better yet, if you owe money on the device or a set of devices, regardless of how much you owe, T-Mobile will pay it completely off for you via a digital prepaid MasterCard. The only kicker is, you have to sign-up for a $15/month device protection plan, which is actually an industry first when it comes to a carrier willing to insure a used device. Furthermore, if you have a family or a lineup of devices you want to hook up with LTE connectivity, T-Mobile is offering four T-Mobile ONE voice plans for the price of three, which is a yearly saving of up $240. So, not only are you switching to T-Mobile with its unlimited plan and paying off your iPhone or Pixel devices, but you're also getting a free line of service if you sign-up for at least two ONE plans. For all customers, T-Mobile also announced that it is upping its prioritization threshold to 32GB, instead of 30GB. That's 10GB higher than Verizon's current threshold on its unlimited plan. If you aren't on Verizon and have Sprint or AT&T, don't worry, T-Mobile has an offer for you, too. As announced, with Carrier Freedom, starting on May 31 for a limited time, T-Mobile will pay off your phone or early termination fee (ETF) when you finance a new device through T-Mobile. On top of that, again for a limited time, there is no trade-in required at all. For anyone who wants to make the switch, all of this kicks off on May 31. However, the 4 for 3 T-Mobile ONE offer starts tomorrow, May 25. That is open to everyone, not just those making a switch. If you'd like to watch John Legere present all of this info during a Red Bull-induced excitement rage, watch below.

[responsive_vid]

Via: T-Mobile

Fenix 2 Development Build Released to Public on Google Play

Tim — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:46:04 +0000

Fenix, the 3rd-party Twitter application that saw a whole lotta love from the Android community back in the day, is making a comeback on Google Play! This time, though, as Fenix 2. Published as an "unreleased" application, meaning it's still heavily in development, anyone who wants to give this build a shot can have a major impact on the final product. Speaking to his users on Twitter, developer Matteo Villa says, "The app is still rough around the edges and many features are still under development, but I'd like to start getting feedback from you." From my brief time with it, I can assure you that the app does work, but is lacking that polish you'd expect from a finished application. For now, it's a very straightforward and Plain Jane experience. You can access your Timeline, Messages, and Activity, as well as customize the overall Appearance of the app. This means that while you can change up the look more than the native Twitter app, you won't find Moments or things of that nature. On the upside, you will find support for multiple accounts, an updated icon that looks great, as well as a comprehensive Mute system for annoying users. According to the developer, this preview build will also be your only way to test the app while it's free. As stated on Twitter, the final 2.0 build will be a paid upgrade for all users, but we don't have details yet on pricing. To start using this unreleased build, you will simply head to Google Play following the link below, enter into the test, then download the app to your phone. Once downloaded, start using, then provide feedback if you want directly to the developer. Who knows, maybe your ideas can help shape what's to come. For now, I'm sticking to the stock Twitter app, though. I do like my Moments a bit too much. Play Link

Via: @fenix_app

Verizon 4G LTE SmartHub Wants to Boost Your Home Connection and Control Smart Products

Kellen — Wed, 24 May 2017 08:13:17 +0000

Verizon announced their new SmartHub this morning, a 4G LTE-equipped "design conscious" box that brings a Verizon 4G LTE connection to your home, while also acting as a smart home controller. The dirty details are scarce on this guy at the moment, but I'm guessing this is very much like Sprint's Magic Box. The SmartHub costs $199.99 if you buy it outright or $99.99 with a 2-year contract. So while - again - the details here are limited until it launches tomorrow, May 25, this does differ from Sprint's option in that you need to sign-up for service it seems. That's unfortunate if the case. But with SmartHub, Verizon hopes you'll use their 4G LTE connection over your potentially slower WiFi connection. You can connect any WiFi enabled device to it, since it essentially acts as a WiFi router that pushes LTE. Their press release mentions something about keeping your existing home phone with the SmartHub, so I'm assuming that means it does some form of calling? Who knows, because the listing for the unit isn't live and this press release is trash, to be honest. UPDATE: Some new details, now that the device is available---

Whether you buy it on-contract or full retail, you'll have to buy service for it. Just know that if you buy it at full retail, Verizon will charge you a $30 activation fee too.
You are asked to upgrade or add a new line when you buy it, but it appears to act as an add-on smart device. In other words, there is only a $20 line access fee associated with it, from what I can tell, and then it uses whatever data plan you have on your account. Since I'm a Verizon Unlimited customer, it should then pull from that. (I know there are a lot of "shoulds" and "coulds" in there, but Verizon has done a terrible job of explaining how this device works with your plan.)
It includes a 2500mAh battery, so should you lose power, you'll have some juice to keep you connected for a while.

The SmartHub is releasing with a new Verizon Home app as well. This app will help you control smart home products like your smart lights, locks, thermostats, etc. The app listing says it works with products from Aeon Labs, Fibaro, Honeywell, Nest, and Phillips. It'll also show you usage controls from the SmartHub, set routines for device connections, and that sort of thing. The SmartHub launches tomorrow and the app is available right now. Once we have better info outside of the press release we linked below, we'll update this post. Links: Verizon SmartHub | Verizon Home App

Via: Verizon

IKEA's TRÅDFRI Smart Lighting Will Soon Work With Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:52:31 +0000

IKEA's new TRÅDFRI smart lighting system was announced back in March as a potentially affordable and more accessible alternative to the expensive Philips Hue products of the world. Unfortunately, at launch, the system didn't play well with the other smart systems in your home and was controlled only by an app that IKEA released. In the coming months ("summer and early autumn"), IKEA plans to fix that by allowing you to control TRÅDFRI products through Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa (Siri too). The overall approach that IKEA is taking to smart home products is a pretty positive one. In a blog post announcing the Assistant and Alexa controls, IKEA Business Area Manager Jeanette Skjelmose said that they "think that smart home technology should be accessible for everybody" and that through additional product launches, IKEA will "continue to make its connected products work with others on the market." In other words, IKEA isn't about to release a closed-off ecosystem of smart stuff that only works with other IKEA stuff. That's huge. Once Assistant and Alexa support arrives, you should be able to extend controls beyond just turning lights off and on. IKEA says that their TRÅDFRI stuff will work with thermostats, door locks, sensors, ceiling fans, shades, and other smart home goodies you have around the house. Anyone pick up any TRÅDFRI lights? How are they performing?

Via: IKEA

T-Mobile @Work Customers Getting Free DeX Dock With Galaxy S8 Purchase

Tim — Tue, 23 May 2017 15:23:08 +0000

If you happen to be a @Work business customer on T-Mobile, and happened to purchase a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ between the necessary purchase period dates, you can score a free Samsung DeX dock, courtesy of T-Mobile. According to the fine print, you will have needed to purchase your S8 or S8+ between March 29 and May 10, meaning the period ended almost two weeks ago. Theoretically, T-Mobile @Work should be notifying you automatically if you're eligible to receive the free DeX dock, but hey, if they did not, that's why we're here. If you are eligible, and are ready to claim your goods, follow this link to start the process. You have until May 31 to submit your form.

Via: Samsung

Cheers Matt and Miss B. Haven!

Verizon Mulls Possibility of Launching Own Internet TV Service

Tim — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:51:18 +0000

In an interview published this week by Variety, Verizon CEO Lowell McAdam discussed the potential for the company to release an "over-the-top [TV] service" for customers, once the acquisition of Yahoo is complete. With the "platform" said to be the combination of Yahoo and AOL users, which is calculated to be around 1.3 billion, an OTT service from Verizon could go head-to-head with other market offerings, namely AT&T's DIRECTV NOW and Sling TV. Obviously, this wouldn't be Verizon's first attempt at delivering content straight to consumers via its own avenues. Currently, the company's go90 service is available to all customers, with Verizon even shelling out $21 million to stream a single NFL game via its services later this year. Considering the purchase of Yahoo isn't quite complete, but is expected to close in a month or so, specifics for a TV service aren't available. What we can say is, dang, there's never been a better time to cut the cord with so many options available.

Via: Variety

PayPal Update Brings Android Pay Integration

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:07:34 +0000

It has been over a month since Android Pay and PayPal announced together that they would soon be friends. Today, that integration can finally happen, thanks to an update to the PayPal app. Once you grab the latest PayPal update, should you be interested in adding it as a payment option to Android Pay, you'll open PayPal, login, and then tap the settings icon in the top right corner. Once in there, you'll find a new Android Pay option in the list of settings, between Payment Preferences and Personal Info. Tap that to begin setup! There are a few steps involved. The first is a connection screen where PayPal attaches to Android Pay. From there, PayPal will tell you about how all this works and the fact that they are basically creating a PayPal Discover card for you to use in Android Pay. That's right, you'll only be able to use this PayPal-Android Pay thing where Discover is accepted. PayPal will then ask you for a "Top up" amount that it can add from a card should you blow through that balance and let you setup a PIN. And finally, the last step is to confirm with Android Pay that you want PayPal in there.

Once you have done those steps, you should see a PayPal Discover card show up in your Android Pay app on the next load. If you want to use it regularly, consider setting it as your default card. Get after it! Play Link

Facebook Rolling Out "Live Chat With Friends" and "Live With"

Tim — Tue, 23 May 2017 13:04:58 +0000

Facebook is upping the features of Live, the platform for live video streams on the social network. With the following update, you'll find two new features: Live Chat With Friends and Live With. For Live Chat With Friends, you will now have the ability to invite multiple people to private chat during any Live event. For example, if you're watching a sporting event and want to chat back and forth without the entire world being able to see what you say, you can now do that. For Live With, Facebook is rolling out the ability for all users to invite a friend to join them during a Live video, regardless of where they are. If you run a podcast on Live, anyone can now invite special guests or just invite friends to join in on your personal stream. Both of these features appear to be available for both iOS and Android, so go have some fun. Play Link

Via: Facebook

Google's $5K Jamboard is the Toy Your Company Needs...OK, Not Really, But It's Cool

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 12:45:35 +0000

Back in October of last year, Google introduced a product called Jamboard that we mostly ignored because of its ridiculous price and the fact that it was an invite-only, early adopter thing for companies who need super fancy collaboration tools. Well, today, it's available for all the business big dogs in the building to consider buying. Why you would want Jamboard and what is it, you ask? Think of Jamboard as the ultimate whiteboard that your crappy conference room might have, except its not a whiteboard - it's a cloud-powered 55-inch 4K tablet. Seriously, watch the video above and you'll get it. With Jamboard, you have a 55-inch 4K display with 120Hz touch scan and 60Hz refresh rate that allows for 16 simultaneous touch points. There are Type-C and HDMI ports, 802.11ac WiFi, NFC, Gigabyte ethernet, Google Cast, wide angle camera, and speakers and microphones on board. You also get a fancy eraser, couple of passive stylus pens that look like big fun pieces of chalk, and a microfiber cloth to wipe it down. It comes in red, blue, and gray colorways. Jamboard allows people in the same room to collaborate via a giant touch screen, but its cloud connectivity stores all of those happenings automatically in the cloud, while also letting remote users chime in via tablet or smartphone. You can crop web pages and include them, hand-write items, toss in stickers and sticky notes, insert Google Docs and images, etc. It actually looks pretty sweet. Of course, the price here is going to be the make-or-break piece of this, right? Yeah, so about that. Google Jamboard starts at $5,000 for the big 55-inch 4K monitor only. If you want a fancy wheeled stand to go with it, that'll cost you another $1,200 if you buy one before 9/30/17 ($1,349 after). That's not all, though. There is a subscription that runs $300 per year if you sign-up before 9/30/17 ($600 after) and you'll have to have a G Suite account that also costs your company cash. So just to get into the Jamboard for a full year, you are looking at a $6,500 investment at minimum. Cool! Who wants one, or five? You can buy one right here.

Via: Google

LeEco Cuts 70% of US Workforce, Kills That Sweet Smart Bike We Wanted

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 11:19:11 +0000

LeEco, the Chinese tech company that tried to take over the US market overnight without anyone in the US having ever heard of them, is cutting even more of its workforce this week. 70% seems to be the official number, but they do still plan to have a presence in this country going forward. News of yet another cut at LeEco follows on the heals of CEO Jia Yueting stepping down. Of course, they've already cut staff on a couple of other occasions in recent months, while also losing their $2 billion Vizio acquisition. It has not been a good few months for LeEco. According to CNET, the plan for the future is to stay in the US and target Chinese-speaking consumers. I can't imagine that's going to work, but hey, try whatever you can at this point, right? Without diving further into this short-lived push into the US by LeEco, because the story isn't really that interesting, I will point out that the sweet Android-powered smart bike that LeEco had planned to release in Q2 is cancelled. I don't even ride a bike (nor do I own one) and I kind of wanted one of those bad boys. Sad face. Here's a pro tip: You might want to avoid LeEco products for the time being. Even with their really attractive prices, who knows what kinds of support they'll have without much staff to you know, support them.

Via: CNET

Yup, Google Play Has a New Icon

Tim — Tue, 23 May 2017 10:23:48 +0000

Don't freak out, Google Play is getting a new icon. As you'll see on your device soon enough, if the update hasn't already hit your device, Google is rolling out a new icon for Google Play, ditching the shopping bag we currently have. The icon is essentially the same triangle that's showcased in the shopping bag, but with the shopping bag removed. Now it's just the Google Play triangle, featuring the four colors that represent Apps (Green), Movies (Red), Music (Orange), and Books (Blue). This icon is a part of version 7.8.16.P, rolling out to users everywhere. If you don't have it yet, you can attempt to update Google Play by going into the app's settings, then tapping on the "Play Store version" area. Enjoy.

Cheers Nathan and Joe!

Instagram Launches Location and Hashtag Stories

Tim — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:51:30 +0000

Two new Explore categories are being added into Instagram: Location Stories and Hashtag Stories. With these, users can discover content (photos and videos) based on places or things of interest, all from the same Explore tab. Instagram has been bulking up the Explore tab if you have not noticed lately, with this move continuing that trend. Along with all of the videos and popular Stories you'll find already, Location Stories and Hashtag Stories are based solely on locations you want to see or things you view often. For example, if you search for New York City, you'll find a story based solely on photos and videos of New York City. If you're into Lacrosse, you can search that hashtag and potentially find a story based on that. Possibly exciting for some, there's a chance your photos and videos can be added to a larger story, too. If you use hashtags and location tags, and Instagram happens to need that content, your media can be added for the entire Instagram community to view it. Just to note, though, you'll need a public profile. According to Instagram, "Location stories on Explore are available on iOS and Android as part of Instagram version 10.22 in the Apple App Store and Google Play. Hashtag stories will be rolling out over the coming weeks." Play Link

Via: Instagram

Comcast's Xfinity Mobile is Live for Internet Subscribers, Costs Just $45 for Unlimited (For Now)

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 08:20:51 +0000

Back in April, Comcast tossed their hat into the MVNO wireless market by announcing Xfinity Mobile, their version of wireless service that takes advantage of Verizon's 4G LTE network, as well as their own nationwide WiFi hotspot network. They told us at the time that the service would launch later in the year, but it has already become available to Comcast internet subscribers. They actually quietly launched it last week, but you know, we were a bit busy with Google I/O and hadn't been able to share. We are surprised to see them do a launch for Comcast internet subscribers, though, since we initially thought Comcast would push Xfinity Mobile to their highest paying customers first (you know, the triple play suckers). As of right now, anyone who pays for Comcast internet seems to be able to sign-up. Now, before you all close this tab and move on with your day, you should consider the offer here. When first announced, Comcast said that their premium tier Xfinity X1 customers would be able to pay just $45 per month for unlimited data on a per line basis. That's essentially the best price you'll find for unlimited data usage on Verizon's network anywhere. However, for a limited time, Xfinity Mobile is available to internet customers at that same $45 price. So, if you are a Comcast internet customer, you can sign-up now through July 31 and choose from "By the Gig" or Unlimited plans. With By the Gig, you pay $12 per GB of data only - there are no other hidden line access fees or anything weird from what we can tell. If you want Unlimited, Comcast is offering the limited-time $45 price. That's unlimited data on Verizon's network that is throttled only after you eclipse the 20GB mark. Again, $45 is the price you pay - there are no other line access fees. You also get unlimited talk and text. There is a single catch, though, from what I can tell. You can't bring your own phone. In order to sign-up, you have to buy a new phone from Comcast. Thankfully, they do have good phones (S8 and S8+, iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, S7 and S7 Edge, iPhone 6s and 6s Plus, etc.) and decent pricing. The S8 on a monthly deal is a $1 cheaper than what Verizon charges you, plus they have all three S8 colors. UPDATE: Comcast told a reader of ours that they are working on an option that would allow you to bring your own phone. https://twitter.com/xfinitymobile/status/867049383262642176 I know we're talking about Comcast here, but that introductory price seems almost too good to be true. If you are in the market for a new phone and wireless service and are a Comcast internet customer, you might want to consider it. To sign-up, hit that link below. Xfinity Mobile Sign-Up

Reminder: Hangouts SMS Died Yesterday for Most

Kellen — Tue, 23 May 2017 07:07:53 +0000

If you were using Google Hangouts as your SMS app and aren't a Project Fi or Google Voice user, then yesterday was supposed to be your last day to find something else to use. Remember, SMS in Hangouts was supposed to die by May 22. Today is May 23. We haven't seen a flood of emails into our inbox with people freaking out, so it's tough to tell if that means most of you already ditched SMS in Hangouts for something else or it's still working. Either way, all of Google's documentation on SMS disappearing from Hangouts is still live and we fully expect that to have happened as late as yesterday. My wife, for example, was pushed onto another SMS app weeks ago. Which SMS app should you use going forward if you were using Hangouts? Well, your phone has a separate SMS app from Hangouts already on it. You could use it. No matter which phone you own, there is going to be a Messages or Text Messages or Messaging app of some sort that does texting. You could also just install Google's Android Messages, which happens to be a really good SMS app that is built for the future. Facebook Messenger even does SMS at this point. Otherwise, there are countless SMS apps on Google Play that should do the trick. Hangouts SMS replacement apps:

Any other SMS apps you would recommend?

DEAL: Buy 2 Amazon Echo Devices at Best Buy, Save $80

Kellen — Mon, 22 May 2017 15:42:44 +0000

The smart home speaker assistant market is hot as hell right now. On one hand, you have all of the goodies from last week's Google I/O on the way to Google Home. On the other, you have Amazon's Echo, which always seems to be a step ahead of Google at all times, like with calling and notifications. So if you have yet to buy into either unit, now is actually a pretty good time to. Both are on the verge of becoming the home assistant the future needs. The best deal is currently happening at Best Buy, where you can buy two Amazon Echo devices and save $80. Instead of forking out $360, you'll instead pay $280. That's still quite an investment, but my thinking is that to take full advantage of Echo and Google Homes, we're all going to need multiple units. Both white and black models are available. Best Buy Deal Link

DEAL: Samsung Offering Own BOGO Promo for Galaxy S8 and S8+

Tim — Mon, 22 May 2017 14:34:37 +0000

Earlier this month, T-Mobile launched a BOGO promo for the Galaxy S8, but Samsung has now introduced its own, still catered specifically for those on T-Mobile. Somewhat interestingly, though, it's not the same exact deal and I'd suggest anyone considering opt for Samsung's option... but, only if you can afford it. Through Samsung, a customer can buy two Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ devices at either full retail or via payment plans through Samsung Financing ($62.50/month for 24 months at 0% APR), then receive a full refund of the second device's price to the original payment method within 7-10 days. Yes, you do have to drop $1500+ to start, but you are getting half of that back in a timely manner. Keep in mind, you will be required to activate both devices on T-Mobile through Samsung's own website to ensure you receive that BOGO discount. Don't worry, though, a T-Mobile SIM will be included with your devices, so there's no need to go into a T-Mobile store or anything like that. Everything is handled on Samsung's site. With T-Mobile's option, while it's a fine option, lacks a concrete timeframe for when you'll receive your money back. Not only is there no official timeframe, but T-Mobile sends out a prepaid card, not an actual refund to the original method of payment. If you don't want to use a prepaid card, and have the $1500+ to drop for two phones, Samsung's plan seems more beneficial. Of course, Samsung is also ensuring that your devices will be enrolled for the "free gifts." The gifts include six months of Netflix (even if you're already a member), a standing cover for the devices, and 64+ EVO SD cards. Not too shabby. If you still haven't grabbed your Galaxy S8 or S8+, have that kind of money to spend, then this is a great offer. Samsung's Site

New Nest Cam Incoming With 4K-Not-4K

Kellen — Mon, 22 May 2017 14:06:27 +0000

Nest might finally have a new product on the way, though it could just be an upgraded indoor security camera rather than a new product category it could dominate like it did with thermostats all those years ago. According to Android Police, the smart home company is working on a new indoor Nest Cam with 4K capabilities that are only utilized through zooming tricks. OK, then. Their source suggests that by the end of May, we should have a new Nest Cam. This camera will technically be capable of recording in 4K, but Nest will instead only show 1080p streams. However, all of that resolution won't go to waste as the camera will use the extra bits to zoom and show a clearer image when necessary. For example, should this Nest Cam detect motion, it could use the 4K sensor to zoom in on the area and show close-ups with greater detail. In related news, we could also see some currently paid Nest features drop to the free zone. And finally, this new camera will be powered by USB Type-C and sport an LED ring around its lens. The new Nest Cam could retail for close to $300, a solid $$50-$100 hike over the current Nest Cam.

Via: Android Police

Let's Recap I/O 2017

Kellen — Mon, 22 May 2017 10:34:00 +0000

On this episode of the DL Show, we're recapping Google I/O 2017! The event ran all of last week and we have now had a chance to digest all that was announced. From Google Home to Assistant and Android O, there was a ton of new stuff. Was it all as big as the set of announcements that came out of last year's? Well, let's talk about that. Oh, we'll also share some thoughts on the HTC U11, since that was announced last week as well and we spent a bit of time with it. We'll be live at 11:00AM Pacific (2:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

This Guy 3D Printed a Galaxy Note 8 From a Concept Sketch

Tim — Mon, 22 May 2017 09:12:11 +0000

Making the rounds this morning, the Concept Creator channel on YouTube published a video that details a 3D-printed Galaxy Note 8, based on 3rd-party concept sketches. Typically, you won't find us too excited over concept sketches, but the fact that they went ahead and printed the thing, then detailed it in a video, we can't help but share. Now, according to the original concept sketch that this model was based on, Samsung would look to introduce dual rear-facing cameras -- a first for them. Additionally, on the bottom we can see where the S Pen would be placed, as well as a 3.5mm headphone jack. Where things get a little iffy is the speaker(s). According to this model, the Galaxy Note 8 would come with not just one speaker, but three. There's one on the bottom of the device, just like the Galaxy S8, but then another on the bottom chin and one on the top forehead by the front-facing camera. I could see Samsung wanting to provide stereo speakers, but three? That does seem excessive for a company appearing content on building in just one on on pretty much all of its smartphones. Another tidbit we must point out is the apparent lack of a fingerprint reader. Again, this is based on a concept sketch, but with that said, it seems the original designer thinks Samsung will indeed go with an embedded technology on the Note 8, skipping the need for an added reader on the backside. We won't dive into our thoughts on any of that, provided we're still a ways from any official unveiling. Check out the video below, then share your take on this design. For the most part, I like it, but only because the fingerprint reader isn't in the worst possible location. Also, please try to refrain from saying this video is "fake news" because it didn't burst into flames. [responsive_vid]

Galaxy S8 Active Makes First Appearance Without Any of the S8's Fun

Kellen — Mon, 22 May 2017 08:07:48 +0000

We're fully expecting AT&T to sell a Samsung Galaxy S8 Active at some point soon because they always nab an exclusive of Samsung's Galaxy S Active line. Thanks to a listing posted to the Wireless Power Consortium (WPC), the group in charge of Qi wireless charging standards, we may have our first look at the device. The image of the device is posted above and came from a dedicated page at the Wireless Power Consortium under the name "Galaxy S8 Active." The WPC also lists the model number of SM-G892A, which makes sense since the the S7 Active was SM-G891A. No other details were revealed, but in the past, the Galaxy S Active line has matched the regular S8 in terms of specs, only it is typically surrounded by a protective body that allows it to take a beating. In this case, we are seeing something similar. You have a lumpy exterior with extra padding on the corners of the device, along with thicker bezel everywhere. All of that extra bulk should allow the S8 Active to withstand all of the drops you can throw at it. Unfortunately, all of that protection means no curved screen, no pretty body, and an overall shape and design that reminds me of the LG G6. Not that that's a bad thing! The G6 is quite pretty, just not necessarily with an extra layer of padded plastic running around it. But hey, in other positive news, the Active line's terrible all-physical-button make-up appears to be gone in favor of on-screen buttons. Still, that's a lot of screen on a device that should be very tough. Thoughts?

Via: Wireless Power Consortium | Galaxy Club

LG's X Venture is a Budget-Friendly, Rugged Outdoor-Focused Device Headed to AT&T

Kellen — Mon, 22 May 2017 07:22:16 +0000

LG announced a new device this morning called the X Venture. I'm assuming that name is a play on "adventure," since this is a rugged-esque metal-framed phone built for "on-the-go lifestyles" that need water resistance and a build that can withstand 14 different military toughness tests. The X Venture features a 5.2-inch FHD (1080p) display, Snapdragon 435 processor, 2GB RAM, 32GB storage, rear 16MP camera, front 5MP camera, Android 7.0 Nougat, and a whopping 4100mAh battery. It also includes IP68 water and dust resistance, fingerprint sensor, Quick Charge 2.0, and comes in Black or Brown. To make it even more outdoorsy, LG has loaded it with an Outdoor Essentials app that provides a barometer, compass, activity counter, exercise tracker, weather reporter, and flashlight. The phone even has a QuickButton, which is a hardware button that can be customized to whatever you like. The X Venture sure sounds a lot like Samsung's Active line, though it'll be much cheaper. AT&T has an exclusive on it here in the US. It arrives May 26 for as little as $11 per month. AT&T LG X Venture Link

Via: LG | AT&T

Weekly Recap: Google I/O was Another Good One

Kellen — Fri, 19 May 2017 16:19:30 +0000

Kind of a busy week, eh? Not only did we have Google I/O for the past three days, HTC also made the U11 official. We spent all sorts of time talking about both occasions and have links to all of those stories below. For those of you looking for the big Google I/O recap, you'll just want to hit that top link. We've got it all categorized for you right there, from Android to Assistant and VR, there is a lot of good stuff to catch up on. If I/O was a snoozefest to you, then jump on past that first link and see some hand-picked links for topics like Android O, Netflix hating rooted users, and Amazon continuing to improve Echo.

Biggest announcement from I/O? Gotta be Home stuff, right?

Google Assistant for MacOS? 3rd-Party Developer Makes It Happen

Tim — Fri, 19 May 2017 15:05:44 +0000

Not everyone can be a part of PC Master Race, so for anyone rocking a MacBook or any other type of Mac with MacOS, this news concerns you very much. Thanks to the release of the Google Assistant SDK, a 3rd-party developer has created Google Assistant for Macs, calling it MacAssistant. Available for download via GitHub (it's open source), once the app is installed on your Mac, it lives in the top menu bar right alongside Siri. Awesomely enough, a simple double tap of the Command key will prompt Google Assistant to wake up, then you can speak your command. After downloading it to my own MacBook Pro, I can confirm this appears to be the real deal. Once downloaded, log into your Google account (Disclaimer: always be wary when granting permissions to 3rd-party apps), then get to using it. It's very slick, but do note, the developer currently has it listed as a 0.2 beta, so you may find some bugs. Developers, we love you. Download Here

Cheers Vansh!

Google Assistant Update Already Brings Typing, New "Explore" and "Your Stuff" Tabs

Kellen — Fri, 19 May 2017 14:43:56 +0000

Google announced a whole bunch of new Google Assistant features at I/O this week and many are already rolling out through a Google App update. Thanks to this update, you'll now be able to type out entries to the Assistant, plus there is a new screen that features "Explore" and "Your Stuff" tabs. Once updated, you'll be able to tap on the keyboard icon in the bottom left corner after opening Assistant. You can type out commands, like "Weather" and get the weather. This is the type of feature that will really come in handy in those situations where you'd rather not talk to your phone. Also, you'll now see a blue icon in the top right corner of Assistant that takes you to two new sections. The new "Explore" section helps you learn about Assistant and its capabilities. It offers a variety of examples of the types of actions it can accomplish, along with additional info should you tap on one. The "Your Stuff" section is similar to the info that Google Now presents, like your calendar, reminders you have, what's on your shopping list, and the Shortcuts you have created. What are Shortcuts? Oh just the coolest new Google Assistant feature that allows you to automate things with your own short phrases. We plan to talk more about Shortcuts next week, but this is where you'll find info about them. Play Link

Smart Reply Available in Gmail for Android and iOS

Tim — Fri, 19 May 2017 13:02:55 +0000

Inbox has featured Smart Reply since late 2015, but earlier this week at Google I/O, Google announced that this same feature is rolling out to Gmail on Android and iOS devices. With Smart Reply, Gmail will skim your incoming emails, then prompt you with a prewritten message that should align with something you'd send as a reply. They are not canned responses, but a more contextual option if your hands aren't free to type out an entire message. Google states this feature is rolling out now to Android devices in English first, then Spanish in the coming weeks. Go get some! Play Link

Via: Google

And the Winners of the 2017 Google Play Awards Are...

Kellen — Fri, 19 May 2017 12:59:08 +0000

Last at Google I/O, Google revealed the winners of this year's Google Play Awards. They chose 12 apps and games that "give their fans delightful and memorable experiences," but also that captured the "imagination" of Google. The awardees are everything from smaller indie titles you may not have heard of, to some of the most popular apps you do indeed know. The winners are!

Standout Indie: Mushroom 11
Standout Startup: HOOKED
Best Android Wear Experience: Runtastic
Best TV Experience: Red Bull TV
Best VR Experience: Virtual Virtual Reality
Best AR Experience: WOORLD
Best App for Kids: Animal Jam - Play Wild!
Best Multiplayer Game: Hearthstone
Best App: Memrise
Best Game: Transformers: Forged to Fight
Best Accessibility Experience: IFTTT
Best Social Impact: ShareTheMeal

Any of your favorites make the list?

Via: Google

HTC Celebrating "20 Years of Innovation" This Week

Tim — Fri, 19 May 2017 09:59:08 +0000

Founded in May of 1997, HTC has been hard at it for 20 years. In a video published to YouTube this morning, the company details a timeline of its innovations, including some of the earlier touchscreen devices, 3G devices, and 4G devices. For Android users who were around back in the day, you probably remember the Dream, also known as the G1. It was the first publicly available Android device, basically starting what we all have today. Other HTC-focused Android highlights include the EVO (4G), Thunderbolt (LTE), One M7 (metal build), and the list goes on. As for what HTC is up to these days, the company just announced the U11 (hands-on here), soon to be available in the US. Once publicly available, we'll definitely get our hands on one, so be on the lookout for a review at some point. If you have some, feel free to share any fond or not-so-fond HTC memories in the comments below.

Small Android O Beta Update Rolling Out

Kellen — Fri, 19 May 2017 08:39:09 +0000

We tweeted this out last night, but wanted to make sure you all saw it this morning - another Android O beta update began rolling out. As far as we can tell, it's a small update, weighing in at anywhere from 40MB to 55MB. The exact build number is OPP2.170420.019. The previous build ended on .017. In terms of what this update does, we aren't sure, but it does allow Android Pay to at least open. I haven't been able to test if it now works, though it looks like it should now. Android Pay was broken in the update prior. If you notice anything else, let us know. Otherwise, grab that update! https://twitter.com/droid_life/status/865364194421493761

Video: A Day at Google I/O 2017

Kellen — Thu, 18 May 2017 17:09:48 +0000

Google I/O 2017 isn't quite done, but our time at the developer festival has come to an end. Today, to really soak it all in before we head back to Portland, we took a tour of as much of it as we could, filmed a lot of it, and then attempted to put it together in highlight form. Also, if you missed any of the big stories out of I/O this week, be sure to catch up in this full recap post. Enjoy!

Samsung's Delayed Chromebook Pro Should be Available for Purchase May 28

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 16:10:17 +0000

Back in early February, pre-orders went up for the Chromebook Plus, the first to launch from a pair of Samsung-made Chrome OS laptops with Android app compatibility. Both were announced during CES, but as you may have noticed, we're still waiting on the Chromebook Pro to launch. During Google I/O this week, we have learned just when we can expect the Pro version to be available. According to Kan Liu, senior director of product management for Chrome OS, we can expect the Chromebook Pro on May 28. Speaking to The Verge, Liu mentioned that Android apps on the laptop will still be in beta, though, meaning they will not fully support window resizing, docking to the side of the screen, or split-view. All of that functionality is scheduled for later this year. As a refresh, the Chromebook Pro features a 12.3″ LED touchscreen display (2400×1600), 4GB LPDDR3 Memory, 32GB e.MMC hard drive, 39Wh battery (around 8 hours of life), 720p webcam, two USB Type-C ports, SD card support, and stylus. The only difference between the Pro and the Plus is the Intel Core M3 Processor 6Y30, while the Chromebook Plus uses an ARM OP1 processor designed specifically for Chromebook machines. Once the Chromebook Pro is finally available, we'll let you know how to get one.

Via: The Verge

Guns of Boom Hits Google Play, Intense PvP FPS Gameplay

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:49:53 +0000

d d d Play Link [responsive_vid]

ROLI Publishes NOISE to Google Play for Pixel and Galaxy S8

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 15:29:57 +0000

An early build, technically labeled as "unreleased," of the NOISE app from ROLI has been published to Google Play. Currently, only Pixel and Galaxy S8 owners can utilize this early build, but if you're familiar with the app's capabilities, then this should excite you. If you're unfamiliar with NOISE, it's a modular music app that lets you create melodies and beats using gestures. Whether you're a seasoned musician or just want to have some fun making a beat, NOISE is a great app. If you happened to catch the Google I/O keynote, you may have spotted PARISI performing a few songs, utilizing NOISE exclusively via Pixel smartphones. They were also using BLOCKS and the Seaboard RISE, but the whole show was powered by NOISE. ROLI clarifies that as more devices begin to support Pro Audio, you'll see the supported list of devices grow. Even on the Galaxy S8, though, I did notice a few bugs, so don't go hooking your BLOCKS up thinking this is ready for primetime. It's an early build. If you want to make some music, and you have a supported device, go check it out. Play Link

Via: ROLI

Daydream 2.0 Will Introduce Casting, Screen Recording

Kellen — Thu, 18 May 2017 10:52:27 +0000

Google's Daydream VR platform is getting a major update this year to v2.0. It's called Euphrates and Google says to expect a bunch of new features, like Casting of your VR session to a nearby TV. In the revamped menu in Daydream 2.0, you'll now see clearer access to notifications as they roll in, along with controls for things like volume, camera, and settings. But this is also where that new Cast button will live, allowing you to share your VR sessions with others in the room to a TV or screen. Along with new Cast controls, Daydream 2.0 is getting screen recording and the ability to watch YouTube VR videos simultaneously with other people.

On a related note, Google is working on a Chrome VR browser for Android that will arrive this summer. That certainly should make VR experiences much more accessible, while also giving you access to the open internet, virtually.

Via: Google

Google Updates Complications API, Intros Wear UI Library for Android Wear Developers

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 10:35:15 +0000

Announced at Google I/O, an updated Complications API will now allow Android Wear developers to more easily implement complications into new and existing watch faces. As an example, if a developer was creating a watch face, but wasn't quite sure about implementing a complication for battery status, this API is the ticket to a smooth build. Not only are the Android development team launching the updated API, but an entire Wear UI Library for creating interfaces catered specifically to Android Wear. With this, it should allow developers starting out in Android Wear a platform to create excellent wearable experiences.

Starting at Google I/O, we are open sourcing some components and providing some Android Wear UI components in the Android Support Library. This brings a number of advantages, including more consistent APIs with the rest of the Support Library, more frequent releases, and better responsiveness to developer feedback.

For us users, this doesn't immediately mean too much, but it does provide developers with the tools necessary to create meaningful wearable experiences. This is something we can all cheer for. If you're a developer, update the Android Support Library in Android Studio and update your gradle build files to import the new support libraries.

Via: Android Developers

You'll Soon be Able to Send Someone Money With Google Assistant

Kellen — Thu, 18 May 2017 10:29:21 +0000

During yesterday's Google I/O keynote, Google shared some of the new things they are working on the Android Pay realm. They talked about the new Google Payment API that will allow developers to include easy access to payment methods attached to Google accounts. The idea there is to make buying stuff online or in apps easier than ever. But the new feature that really caught my eye involves making payments by voice and the Google Assistant. Google says that in the "upcoming months" you will be able to say to the Google Assistant on your phone or Google Home, something like, "OK, Google, send Tim $25 for pizza." You'll then walk through an extra couple of steps to confirm the recipient and which payment method you'd like to use before the money is sent. The GIF below illustrates this nicely.

Could be cool, right? Unless of course the funds you send to someone go into Google Wallet, then I'd rather you just punch me in the face.

Via: Google

Thursday Poll: Do You Use Multi-Window?

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:35:29 +0000

We were toying around with Picture-in-Picture on the latest build of Android O yesterday, but in doing so I was reminded that I hardly ever use multi-window functionality on my Android devices. Will Picture-in-Picture be any different for me? Hard to tell. With this poll, we want to know how many of you are using multi-window on your phone or tablet. Whether its the native version built into your Pixel or Nexus device, or the similar implementation on Samsung and LG devices, are you even using it? If you are, for what? Let us know your take on multi-window and the potential of Picture-in-Picture on smartphones down below. [poll id="452"]

Pioneer Intros New Lineup of NEX Units With Android Auto

Tim — Thu, 18 May 2017 09:10:59 +0000

Pioneer announced a new lineup of NEX receivers this morning, five in total, with three designed to bring Android Auto straight to your vehicle at an affordable price. The latest models with Android Auto are the AVH-3300NEX, AVH-2330NEX, and AVH-2300NEX. If that might confuse you, just focus on the numbers, with the 3300 being the most expensive of the trio. Each model features a redesigned user interface, making for navigation through settings and audio equalizers a breeze. Additionally, Pioneer has built in Waze compatibility, adding access to more traffic and road data to potential owners. Like the previous NEX models, a user needs to hook their device up to the unit to power the Android Auto experience. However, you are charging your phone simultaneously during connection, with each model having "Quick Charge" built-in. So long as your Android phone is running Lollipop, it will support Android Auto. According to Pioneer, the newest NEX receivers will be available starting in July. The AVH-3300NEX will cost $600, while the AVH-2330NEX and AVH-2300NEX will be $500.

Via: Pioneer

OnePlus Teams Up With DxOMark for OnePlus 5 Camera

Kellen — Thu, 18 May 2017 08:24:39 +0000

When the OnePlus 5 is released in the coming months, expect its camera score from DxOMark to be alongside it. OnePlus announced this morning that they are working with the photography benchmarker to "enhance your photography experience." Will you get a better photography experience on the OnePlus 5 with DxOMark helping out? Probably. This likely means that DxO will help OnePlus to fine-tune the camera on the 5 to produce images that will compete with some of the other highly rated DxO-approved phone makers. I don't know that you should get overly excited about the DxO score that is created, though, since OnePlus is obviously hiring them to help create a high DxO score. But yeah, it's something. We're all for better photography in phones and if working with DxO will get OnePlus there, good for them.

Via: OnePlus

Google Play Protect Takes Android Security to the Next Level

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:51:37 +0000

Google Play Protect, unveiled at Google I/O this morning, is Google's visible doubling down on its commitment to Android security. In essence, Google Play Protect is a set of features that will ensure your device is always secure. This isn't just behind-the-scenes, though, as the point of Play Protect is to allow the user to really see what's taking place in the process. For example, inside of Google Play, a user can scan all of their apps manually with Play Protect, on top of allowing it to work automatically. Using machine learning, Google states that the service scans 50 billion apps each day, "always on the lookout for new risks, identifying potentially harmful apps and keeping them off your device or removing them." As part of Google Play Protect, you might've seen that Android Device Manager was changed to Find My Device. It's the same service, but has been retooled a little bit and now indicates that it is by Google Play Protect. You can still locate, ring, lock, and erase your Android with the service. According to Google, Play Protect is built into every device with Google Play, is always updating and automatically takes action to keep your data and device safe. Google Play Protect Intro

Via: Google

Android Go is a New Experience for Low Cost Devices With 1GB RAM or Less

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:36:07 +0000

Google announced a new move today in its never-ending goal of bringing computing devices to everyone. It's called Android Go and it's an experience geared toward devices with 1GB RAM or less. The experience will be available to manufacturers looking to build lower-cost phones that still offer a decent smartphone experience, even with the lack of higher-end specs. The limit really is 1GB RAM or less, so we're talking about the lowest tier of available phones. The Android Go make-up is comprised of an optimized version of Android O that runs fantastically on these entry-level devices, a specific set of Google apps that have been designed to use less memory, storage space, and data, and Google Play that highlights those types of apps. Google hopes to start shipping Android Go in 2018.

Via: Android Developers

Video: Android O Beta First Look and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 16:08:50 +0000

With the Android O Developer Preview 2 up and running on our Pixel phones here at Google I/O, we noticed some new goodies right away that needed to be filmed. So, we bring you a first look and tour of the first Android O Beta! In this clip, we walk through some of the new stuff that carried over from the first Developer Preview, but then show off the new notification badges (dots), icon shape changes, the re-arranged notification shade, long-pressing on app icons to access widgets and other info, picture-in-picture mode through YouTube, and more. Android O seems pretty sweet so far. What other stuff have you found?

Bye Bye, Blobs: Android O Intros New Emoji

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 15:56:51 +0000

If you're busy flashing the Android O beta to your Nexus or Pixel device, you'll soon discover a revamped emoji library on your device. To sum up the changes, RIP to the blobs. As you might already know, various OEMs provide differing libraries of emoji, so what you see on Pixel devices will differ from, say, a Galaxy S8. At least for Nexus and Pixel devices, once Android O hits your device, these are the new emoji you will find. While I wouldn't label this as the biggest change ever, it certainly is notable. You have to keep in mind, though, what you see on your phone will differ depending on what type of phone the receiver of these emoji has. I wish there was just a single, standard emoji library, but that'll never happen. Here's a look at what you'll see now versus what it is currently on select Android devices (Pixel, Nexus, etc).

New vs. Old

Google Photos Gains Shared Libraries, Suggested Sharing, and Photo Books

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 14:41:10 +0000

Three new features for Google Photos were announced during today's keynote at Google I/O: Shared Libraries, Suggested Sharing, and Photo Books. With Suggested Sharing, a user will be notified automatically when they have a photo that Google Photos thinks they should share with a friend. For example, if you have a few photos from a camping trip with your buddy Ennis, Google Photos will recommend you share those photos with him. Continuing on, Shared Libraries is another way to share photos automatically with those you care about. As an example, if you and your partner want to create a shared library, photos taken of your children will automatically be loaded into there, with you no longer needing to manually share them and place them in a particular folder. As Google explains, "You can give them access to your full photo library or, if you prefer, only photos of certain people or from a certain date forward." Both Suggested Sharing and Shared Libraries will be available "soon" on Android.

Lastly, Photo Books will allow you to take a number of your digital photos and transform them into physical, giftable books of memories. If you have an album of kiddy photos, you can create a softcover or hardcover book, then send it over to grandma. For pricing, a 20-page softcover book starts at $10, while a 20-page hardcover book goes for $20. Photo Books will be available to desktop users in the US starting today, followed by Android and iOS next week.

Via: Google

Android O Developer Preview 2 Factory Images Available

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 14:39:15 +0000

If you didn't join the Android Beta program (which is rolling out now) and update your Pixel or Nexus device to Android O because you were waiting for the factory images of Preview 2 to arrive, that time has come. Google posted the images shortly after the Google I/O keynote wrapped. This is technically Android O Developer Preview 2, but it's also the first that's a part of the Android Beta program. The build for this is listed as OPP2 and we have files for the Pixel, Pixel XL, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus Player, and Pixel C. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. Links: Android O Preview 2 Images

Google Assistant Gets Typing, History, and Google Lens, Comes to the iPhone

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:48:41 +0000

Along with Google Home, Google Assistant will soon get some new features worth talking about. During the I/O keynote, Google introduced Google Lens to Assistant, as well as the option to type. They are also bringing Assistant to the iPhone. With Google Lens, Google is essentially doing what Samsung tried to do with Bixby, except Google will probably get it right. Lens uses your phone's camera and looks at images to help you get things done. So you could use Lens to help get you concert tickets just by pointing your camera at a concert billboard or find reviews about a book you are holding. It even works in Google Photos, should you forget about monuments or other locations and want Google Lens to help you remember them.

Outside of Google Lens, Google Assistant will now allow you to type out entries. Instead of always having to speak to Assistant, Google is giving you typing powers, something I know a few of you have been asking for. Soon, Google will also give you access to your Assistant history for "when you want to see what you’ve previously asked." And finally, yes, Google Assistant is coming to iOS and the iPhone. Cool. More info can be found here.

Galaxy S8, S8+ Will Support Daydream VR Later This Year

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:38:24 +0000

Via an update that will come this summer, the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ will soon support Google's Daydream VR. Once the device receives support, all you'll need is a Daydream View headset, available on the Google Store for $79. Additionally, Google states that LG's next flagship device will also support Daydream, available in the second half of the year. Our guess is that will be the V30, but keep in mind that nothing is yet known about LG's future plans. With these devices added to the list of supported phones, there will be 11 different devices to choose from for your Daydream needs.

Daydream launched 6 months ago and there are already many Daydream-ready phones which you can use to access over 150 VR apps. This summer, Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and S8+ will be Daydream-ready via software update and, LG’s next flagship phone (launching in the second half of the year) will be Daydream-ready, making 11 total devices by the end of the year.

Get pumped, S8 owners.

Via: Google

Google Home is Getting Tons of New Features, Including Hands-Free Calling

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:29:52 +0000

Google Home had a huge role at today's Google I/O opening keynote. Not only did it star in its own segment, but Google announced numerous new features coming soon to the device. Features like hands-free calling, Bluetooth music streaming, visual notifications, and reminder and calendar management are all coming soon. With hands-free calling, Google is letting Home users call anyone's mobile or landline within the US or Canada. Google says there is no setup required and that you won't need a separate phone number in order for this to work. They claim it'll just work, though the details are a bit scarce at the moment. Either way, you'll soon ("coming months") be able to say, "OK, Google, call mom" and your Home will. Google is adding Bluetooth streaming as well, something we're surprised took this long to be there. But going forward, you'll be able to stream music from any of your services to a Google Home.

Google Home is getting new access to new streaming services that can be controlled with Home. For example, HBO NOW, HGTV, Food Network, and YouTube TV will all be available through Home. In the past, we really just had Netflix and YouTube access. Additionally, Google Home is getting proactive assistance or notifications, which is a fancy way of saying that it'll be able to ping you with notifications or alerts (Ex: flight or traffic alerts). Like Amazon's Alexa just announced, you'll see the light on Home glow if you have a notification to check on, which you can then get to by just asking Google Home what it is. With a Chromecast or TV with Chromecast in your home, Google Home will also be able to show you visual info on a TV. Once Chromecasts have been updated with this new feature and you have a Google Home, you'll be able to ask Home to show you the weather, bring up calendar info, or just do general Google searches. Google didn't necessarily announce this on stage, but a bunch of new smart home products work with Home now. There are over 70 partners now, including new ones like Awair, D-Link, Plum, and LightwaveRF. You can see the full list here. Finally, you'll soon be able to check on reminders and set new ones (!), while also managing your calendar as early as today. See, big Google Home changes are coming soon.

Google Soon to Offer Daydream Standalone VR, Intros Visual Positioning Service for Tango

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 13:25:59 +0000

During the Google I/O keynote, Google announced it will soon offer a new Daydream experience - Daydream Standalone VR. With these upcoming headsets, the entire virtual reality experience will be handled via a headset, with no cables, phones, or PCs needed for an immersive experience. Equipped with WorldSense, the standalone VR headsets take zero effort to setup, provided there's nothing to pair. Simply toss the thing on your head, then you're off to the races. As for WorldSense, it enables positional tracking, meaning the headset tracks your precise movements in space – and it does this without any external sensors to install. Here's Google on what and when we can expect Standalone VR.

We worked closely with Qualcomm to create a standalone headset reference design, which partners can use as a blueprint to build from. HTC VIVE, a leader in the VR space, and Lenovo, a leader in mobile and computing, are both working on devices, with the first ones coming later this year.

Also announced was Visual Positioning Service, VPS for short. Made for the augmented reality (AR) crowd, this service allows users to locate a specific area within a confined space (museum, store, etc.). For example, if you are inside a Lowe's hardware store, you can be directed to exactly where a specific product is within that store. As you can imagine, once and if everything gets mapped in your world, VPS could become extremely handy in particular cases. As Google puts it, "While GPS can give you directions to a store, VPS could give you the precise location of an item within that store." According to Google, VPS works today in partner museums and select Lowe’s stores. To use it, you will need a Tango-enabled device, such as the ASUS ZenFone AR that will be available later this summer. VR fans, you going to pickup a standalone unit?

Via: Google

Here are All the New Android O Features

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 11:40:28 +0000

During the Google I/O 2017 keynote, the Android team put up our favorite image of each I/O - the new Android features letter. We see these each year, where Google puts all of the major new OS features into the shape of whatever the new letter is for the new version of Android. This year, it's an "O" obviously. Below, you'll see a closer shot of the list of Android O features, but we're already picking out features like Smart Text Selection, Autofill with Google, Downloadable Fonts, Picture-in-Picture, and something that might be a game-changer, Notification Dots. But Project Treble is there as well, along with Faster Ambient Screen, and OTA scheduling. Be sure to sign-up for the Android O beta. What else are you seeing that stands out?

Android Now has 2 Billion Monthly Active Users

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 11:07:23 +0000

You know what's cooler than a billion monthly active Android users? 2 billion monthly active Android users. That's the number Google crossed, according to CEO Sundar Pichai. During his opening at the Google I/O 2017 keynote, Pichai ran through all sorts of numbers, but this number stands out the most to us little Android bloggers. Like, 2 billion is ummm...a lot. Sure, a ton of those are lower-tier devices and others that are probably running Ice Cream Sandwich, but still. Do you, Android.

Android O Beta Now Live for Pixel, Nexus Devices (Updated: It's Live!)

Tim — Wed, 17 May 2017 10:08:57 +0000

For those interested in running the latest build of Android O from Google, the Android Beta Program has been fired up. So long as you own a supported device (Nexus 5X, Nexus 6P, Nexus Player, Pixel C, Pixel, or Pixel XL), all you need to do is enroll in the program, then you should soon receive a notification asking you to download the beta. Very simple, very straightforward. We'll flash it soon for ourselves and share what we find. Enter Here UPDATE: Check out the full list of Android O features. UPDATE 2: The O beta update is live!

Allo Web Client Still a Month or Two From Release

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:51:57 +0000

Hoping today would be the day that we would get that Allo web client that Google first teased back in February? After all, today would be a nice day to release it, being Google I/O and all. Unfortunately, that's not happening. Google's Nick Fox, their VP of communications products, said back on May 11 that the web client he's using is still a "month or two from public release." He sure is "loving it," though. Sadface. https://twitter.com/RealNickFox/status/862749304691212288

Via: reddit

Android Device Manager Just Became "Find My Device"

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:35:27 +0000

Remember Android Device Manager, Google's app for finding lost or stolen Android devices? It's now called "Find My Device" and will change on your phone, thanks to an update that just rolled out. The functionality of the app doesn't appear to be changing much. It still locates your phones, can ask them to play a sound, and also remotely lock, erase, or show a message on them. To get the newly named app, hit that link below. Play Link

Cheers Brkshr!

All Connected Roomba Robots Now Controllable with Google Home

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:25:27 +0000

Starting today, iRobot says that all of its connected Roomba robots are now compatible and controllable with Google Home and the Google Assistant. That interaction can happen on the Roomba 980, 960, 690, and soon-to-be-release 890. With Google Assistant compatibility, you can tell your Roomba to clean your house, stop cleaning, or to go back to its home. A sample command would be, "OK, Google, ask Roomba to start cleaning." Simple, right? If you own a compatible Roomba and a Google Home, give it a shot. To see the list of commands, check out the iRobot site.

Live: Watch the Google I/O 2017 Keynote!

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 06:39:19 +0000

Once again we are in town for this week's Google I/O, which will kick off this morning with an opening keynote. The keynote is always the time for big announcements, even if many are focused on Google's developing platforms or products that still have months of work ahead before you and I can buy or play with them. For example, last year Google announced Allo and Duo, though neither showed up on the Play store for some time. We also got our first look at the Google Assistant, Google Home, and Daydream View. We could see similar announcements this year, so this is an event you won't want to miss. The I/O 2017 keynote starts at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). We have a live embed of the stream below, plus we'll be liveblogging our little fingers off below that. Join us!

What Happened at Google I/O 2017? (Updating)

Kellen — Wed, 17 May 2017 06:25:54 +0000

Google I/O 2017 kicks off today in Google's backyard at the Shoreline Amphitheatre! Google has kept most of their plans under wraps, but it should be a big week for all things Google, even in the non-developer realm. Everything from Android to VR and Google Assistant to Android Auto will likely get touched on at some point and we are in town to bring it to you. For the next few days, we'll continue to update this post with the biggest happenings. That's me telling you to bookmark this one if you want to get regular updates on the news coming out of I/O as we share it. The keynote kicks off this morning at 10AM Pacific! Ready?

Watch they I/O 2017 keynote right here

Android

Google Home and Google Assistant

VR

Other Goodies

A Day at I/O

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ASUS UK: Android Wear 2.0 Rolling Out to ZenWatch 3

Tim — Tue, 16 May 2017 13:06:44 +0000

According to the UK's official ASUS Twitter account, the company states that the Android Wear 2.0 update is rolling out the ZenWatch 3 as of yesterday. We haven't seen proof of this, as in readers emailing screenshots or anything, but ASUS says it's happening. If you need a recap of what Android Wear 2.0 brings, we've got plenty of coverage for you, but the big things are access to Google Assistant, Google Play for downloading apps, plus a revamped UI with new input methods. It's a great update overall, so if you rock the ZenWatch 3, go flash it once it hits your device. Here's the tweet from ASUS. Have you seen it yet, ZenWatch 3 owners?

@Romanomono the Android Wear 2 update started rolling out as of yesterday
— ASUS UK (@ASUSUK) May 16, 2017

Via: Android Police

Amazon Alexa Will Soon be Able to Deliver Notifications for Services

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:55:03 +0000

If you own an Amazon Alexa-equipped device, like an Echo, you know that the device is only reactive in that it doesn't do much unless you ask it to. In the near future, that will change as Amazon looks to enable notifications for services that can alert you as new information arrives that you might find useful. Through a blog post on its developer portal, Amazon announced this morning that "Notifications for Alexa" are on the way. Companies like AccuWeather, the Washington Post, Just Eat, and Life360 are all gearing up for the launch of the feature, which means you'll soon be able to get notifications for weather updates, breaking news stories, etc. Notifications will be opt-in, so don't worry about your Echo devices all of a sudden buzzing at you with unwanted info. You'll have to go into the Alexa app and enable notifications per skill, or at the very least, allow a service to notify you. Not only that, but developers have to build this stuff properly so that they signal you by sound and with an Alexa device's light. It'll be a bit before a lot of this happens. With notifications enabled, Alexa devices will make a notification noise and then show a light to let you know that you have alerts standing by. That light will stay on until you check the notifications or dismiss them. It's a lot like how Alexa voice calling and messaging works right now. It sounds like we have a ways to go before this rolls out widely, but if you are interested, hit up the link below for more info and to sign-up for news.

Via: Amazon Developer

DEAL: Save $50 and Buy the HTC U11 for $599 With Coupon Code

Tim — Tue, 16 May 2017 11:08:10 +0000

Announced this morning, the HTC U11 comes with a pre-order price of $649. However, thanks to a coupon code circulating around, you can score HTC's latest for $599, saving you $50. For this particular phone, that doesn't seem too bad. If you haven't caught our coverage already, the U11 comes with a 5.5" QHD display, Snapdragon 835 processor, 64GB storage, 4GB RAM, 3,000mAh battery, a pair of high resolution front and rear-facing cameras, and Android 7.1+ with Sense on top. For all intents and purposes, this is HTC's big bang for 2017. To take advantage of this promotion, simply enter the code ONLY4U11 at checkout. You'll see the $50 discount applied immediately. We have no idea how long this will last, so if you're interested, get on it. HTC Link

Via: reddit

DEAL: Verizon LG G6 is Just $20 Per Month Right Now ($190 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 10:50:37 +0000

At the moment, for a limited time, Verizon has dropped the price of the LG G6 to just $20 per month. That's a $190 discount over the life of a device payment plan. While the Galaxy S8 seems to be everyone's favorite device these days, the G6 should not be ignored. It has an ultra-premium build and design, two really great cameras that offer flexibility no other phone can, and a big ol' display without a lot of bezel getting in the way. For more of our thoughts, be sure to checkout our LG G6 review. Both black and silver models are available at the discounted rate. Just know that Verizon is requiring a device payment plan to get the $190 off. Verizon Link

Cheers Stuart!

Instagram Intros Face Filters For All You Crazy Kids

Tim — Tue, 16 May 2017 08:28:04 +0000

Just like you'd find on other picture sharing services these days, Instagram now offers Face Filters. With these, you can have some fun with silly masks or filters, then share them with friends and family. I could go on like every other tech journo about how Instagram straight snatched this feature from Snapchat, but I don't think anyone really cares. You know who might care, though? The users. Instagram users will surely take complete advantage of the addition of face filters. To get started, make sure you have the latest version of the Instagram app, then tap the new face icon in the bottom right corner when in the camera section of the app. Face filters can be pure comedic gold, so go have some fun. Play Link

Via: Instagram

LG Watch Sport Cancelled at Verizon

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 08:09:44 +0000

Within the past few days, those who had pre-ordered the LG Watch Sport from Verizon received cancellation emails. That seemed odd, obviously, since the watch has been available for months, so we reached out to both Verizon and LG to see what was going on. We have yet to hear back from LG, but Verizon flat out told us that the LG Watch Sport has been cancelled. In other words, they are no longer carrying the LTE-equipped Android Wear 2.0 device. We've checked all over their site and it does indeed appear to be completely wiped from any sales pages. Also, LG has removed the Verizon variant (LG W280V) from their own store as well and now only lists the AT&T model (LG W280A). You can view the cached page here. In an attempt to make up for the cancellations after all this time, Verizon is offering customers $100 off other connected watches. Again, we have yet to hear back from LG, but should we, we'll let you know. For now, if you wanted the LG Watch Sport, AT&T is your only choice, unless the Google Store ever gets additional stock in.

Where to Buy the HTC U11?

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 06:04:21 +0000

Last night, HTC announced their new high-end phone for 2017, the U11. It's already up for pre-order, if you can believe it, and ships in just a few short weeks on June 9. For unlocked models that are pretty reasonably priced at $649, you can buy the U11 from Amazon and HTC.com in blue, black, or silver (which is light blue). The unlocked version works on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon, so we're talking about a fully unlocked phone with almost universal compatibility here. If you need a carrier partner to be involved, Sprint has the exclusive. Their pre-orders go live today as well and will cost you $0 down and $29 per month for 24 months. They'll sell the blue and black models. HTC U11 Links: Amazon | HTC.com | Sprint

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Video: First Look at the HTC U11!

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 00:00:56 +0000

Now that the HTC U11 is no longer a badly-kept secret, you probably want to know if this is a phone you should consider. After all, it sure is pretty, but does it include the types of features you want in a 2017, $700 phone? We took it for a quick spin to find out. What I can tell you after spending some time with the HTC U11 is that it feels very much like a slimmer, more compact U Ultra. That means the design is on-point. In fact, this is one of the sexier phones I think you'll hold, as long as you don't look at its front bezels. And yes, the rest of the top tier specs are there, like a super fast 12MP f/1.7 camera, Snapdragon 835, IP67 water resistance, Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and BoomSound. It also features Edge Sense, which allows you to squeeze the sides of the phone in order to get things done. That may sound gimmicky, but I actually think it could be pretty useful on the daily. Overall, I think this is a well-made, well-designed phone from HTC. Unfortunately, it's expensive and not available at most carriers (Sprint exclusive), so even if it does sound like a winner, I'm not sure how many of you are going to seriously consider it.

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HTC U11 is Official and Squeezable, Coming to the US in June

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 00:00:54 +0000

The HTC U11 has been a pretty poorly kept secret, but it is now official and we can finally share the dirty details. As expected, the device is an improved U Ultra with similar design, a bump in specs, and a new Edge Sense feature that allows you to squeeze the sides of the phone to get things done. This is probably the phone HTC should have launched months ago instead of the Ultra, if I'm being honest. In terms of specs, the HTC U11 features a Snapdragon 835, 5.5-inch QHD LCD display, 12MP f/1.7 camera, 64GB storage with SD slot, 4GB RAM, fingerprint reader, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat under HTC Sense. You can find the full specs lists here. Squeeze me Seymour As for the squeezy Edge Sense stuff, it's not exactly how original reports suggested. It's not a touch sensitive area, but rather a pressure sensitive one. That means you can't slide a finger on it to adjust the volume or something like that. Instead, you can do short or long squeezes to launch apps, open Google Assistant, fire up the camera and take a shot, turn on the flashlight, etc. It's still pretty cool, though, as an added hardware feature that you might use regularly, unlike previously included ticker displays. To see it in action, be sure to catch our HTC U11 first look video.

Other goodies The rest of the device features HTC's liquid glass surface like we saw on the U Ultra. The back of each phone is super attractive, even if you do have to use the included cloth to wipe off fingerprints every 30 seconds. HTC has created a really nice aesthetic here. Just avoid looking at the front, with its huge top and bottom bezels. HTC is including a pair of its USonic earbuds once again. These are USB Type-C buds with active noice cancellation, since the phone doesn't have a headphone jack, but HTC is tossing in a Type-C-3.5mm adapter (with a built-in DAC!) this time. HTC BoomSound is there as well, along with 3D audio recording, thanks to four microphones. HTC also says that the 12MP f/1.7 camera here is one of the best in the business. In fact, DxOMark rated it a 90, the highest rating ever for a smartphone. HTC tossed in features like HDR Boost, to give you HDR photos without lag, UltraSpeed AutoFocus, and both optical and electronic stabilization. Amazon Alexa As I just mentioned, the U11 runs Android 7.1.1, so it has Google Assistant on board. However, HTC is claiming that this is the "first smartphone on the market to feature hands-free wake word access to Amazon Alexa." So instead of app access to Alexa, you'll be able to say, "Alexa, what's the weather today?" just like you would an Amazon Echo unit. That's a huge deal in the battle of Google vs. Amazon. Alexa will be available in the US, UK, and Germany.

Availability If you want to go the unlocked HTC U11 route, you'll be able to buy it from HTC.com and Amazon, with pre-orders also going live today and arriving in June. Colors available at those location will be Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black, and Amazing Silver. The unlocked model costs $649 and works on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. For carrier availability, HTC U11 will be sold exclusively at Sprint in Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black with pre-orders opening up later today. The phone arrives in stores on June 9 for $0 down and $29 per month for 24 months. The full retail price at Sprint is $696

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HTC U11 Specs (Official)

Kellen — Tue, 16 May 2017 00:00:27 +0000

The HTC U11 is now official, meaning we have all the HTC U11 specs you need to know about. HTC has made many of the reported specifications official, but this device is packing a whole lot more than just high-end specs. The U11 comes equipped with a 5.5" QHD Super LCD 5 display, Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (only option), microSD support, 12MP rear-facing UltraPixel 3 camera, 16MP front-facing camera, 3,000mAh battery, HTC BoomSound, IP67 water resistance, and Android 7.1 with HTC's Sense skin on top. If you're looking for anything that's missing, one must note that just like the U Ultra, the U11 does not include a headphone jack. To remedy any potential issues with that, the U11 has Bluetooth 4.2, as well as an included pair of compatible USonic earbuds. The rest of the details be found below.

HTC U11 Specs

[table id=64 /] Buy HTC U11: Amazon

WATCH: HTC's "Squeeze for the #BrilliantU" Event!

Kellen — Mon, 15 May 2017 21:45:53 +0000

I know the timing here is kind of random, but in case you forgot, HTC is hosting a press event tonight in Taiwan. We are fully expecting them to announce the HTC U11, the follow-up to last year's HTC 10 and this year's U Ultra. Details for this device have leaked left and right for a good month or so now, but there could always be surprises in store. Either way, if you are interested in HTC's offerings, tune in at 11PM Pacific (2AM Eastern) for the happenings. We'll be around for coverage.

More Channels Added to YouTube TV's $35/Month Base Lineup

Tim — Mon, 15 May 2017 13:41:27 +0000

While many are still awaiting YouTube TV to hit their neighborhood, given it's still limited to just a few markets, a few more channels have been added to the service's base $35/month lineup. These new channels are ready for watching, including AMC, BBC America, and IFC. In total, current users will find access to the aforementioned channels, as well as Sundance TV, We TV, IFC, Telmundo, and Universo. Thanks to these additions, a total of just under 50 channels are available to base subscribers. This still isn't the most broad offering of lineups available to cord cutters, but YouTube TV is still extremely young. Plenty of time for more things to be added before Google makes the service available to all across the country. We look forward to that day very much so. Are you signed up for YouTube TV? How do you like it?

Via: 9to5 Google

Is Google Home Finally Getting Reminder Controls?

Kellen — Mon, 15 May 2017 12:13:57 +0000

With Google I/O shenanigans going down this week, we fully expect to get some sort of big update to Google Home. After initially announcing the platform at last year's I/O, it only makes sense that Google take some time to talk about what they have planned going forward. According to XDA, who dove into a recent update to the Google Home app, we may finally get reminder controls, as well as some other key goodies. An update to the Google Home app (v2.3) has provided a bunch of hints at upcoming features for Home. The most important - at least to those of us who think a smart home assistant speaker should be able to remind us of things - might be in the app's future ability to list reminders. Now, according to a string in the app's update, we should soon see an item in the slideout menu of the Home app for "Reminders," similarly to how see Home Control, Music, and Shopping List. Of course, this isn't a full confirmation that we'll be able to tell Google Home to set reminders by voice, but you have to imagine that's the point. All of the other items in that list are Google Home features that you can control via voice, so this is likely a clear sign that you'll soon be able to say, "Hey, Google, remind me to order Amazon's Alexa in an hour, when I once again realize it took you 9 months to be able to set reminders." As for other goodies possibly coming to Google Home in the near future, something called "cloudcast" showed up, which could be a hint at a new feature that allows you to cast to a Home without being on the same network. That's a pretty soft explanation, but we should hear more in a couple of days. The app update is also listing possible Google Assistant integration from third party companies, assuming the string, "device_type_google_assistant_speaker" is the giveaway. That would mean third party hardware that can include Google Assistant, like other speakers, NVIDIA's Spot, etc. The Google I/O keynote kicks off Wednesday morning!

Via: XDA

Rooted Android Device? No Netflix for You

Tim — Mon, 15 May 2017 10:34:02 +0000

It appears that over the weekend, a few rooted Android users discovered Netflix is no longer allowing them to access the streaming service. In fact, they can't download Netflix from Google Play, rendering the rooted phones useless if Netflix is involved. Naturally, rooted users are upset. Root on Android is used for many things, not just piracy and wrongdoing. We know this. Unfortunately, companies don't quite care about your perspective and must make a formidable effort to protect their property. By utilizing the Google-owned Widevine DRM platform, limitations can be placed on what hardware and software a particular service can run on. As we're now finding out, a rooted Android device does not meet the criteria necessary, simply because it does open up the possibility to piracy. This news should not surprise anyone, but I get where frustrated users are coming from. You're probably a paying subscriber and just want to watch your House of Cards on a rooted device, but with the extent that publishers are going to protect their digital property, I don't think you can expect Netflix to work on your device any time in the future. It's crappy, but welcome to the world we live in. This brings me to a question: If you are rooted, what do you use root for these days?

Via: TorrentFreak

Cheers Steve!

Volvo and Audi Bringing Android Auto With Google Assistant to Next-Gen Cars, Will be Previewed at Google I/O

Tim — Mon, 15 May 2017 09:05:27 +0000

Announced this morning, Audi and Volvo will be including Android Auto natively in their next generation of vehicles, with the systems on display at this week's Google I/O. There were not many specifics mentioned with regard to models that will have Android Auto built inside, but by "next-gen," it seems possible we're talking about the 2018 lineup. Along with the announcement, Google did post two concepts of what potential owners will see, with those interior concepts based on a Volvo XC60, as well as an Audi Q8 Sport. With the system built directly into the vehicle, owners won't need to have their phones connected to make it work. As detailed, users can get help from Google Assistant (will be the first official pairing of Android Auto and Assistant), find directions with Google Maps, or even listen to Spotify with no smartphone paired. According to Google, these systems will be on display at Google I/O this week, but if you aren't able to attend in person, the Android Auto team is hosting a livestreamed session where everything will be on display for anyone to see. Also, check out that Android steering wheel header image. I want that.

Via: Google

Motorola Announces the Moto C and C Plus, Starting at Around $100

Kellen — Mon, 15 May 2017 08:46:29 +0000

Motorola announced the Moto C and Moto C Plus this morning, two devices that are certainly of the affordable variety. In fact, the leak of Moto's 2017 line-up that we just shared shows the C as the lowest tier from the company. The Moto C and Moto C Plus will be available in Metallic Cherry, Pearl White, Fine Gold or Starry Black this spring. Neither is slated for a US launch, but you will be able to buy them in Latin America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. As for specs, the Moto C has a 2350mAh battery, quad-core processor, 8GB storage, and 5MP rear camera. The C Plus jumps the battery up to 4000mAh, the camera to 8MP, storage to 16GB, and the display size to a "larger display." If we get additional details on specs, we'll be sure to update this post. The Moto C starts at €89, while the Moto C Plus starts at €119.

Moto C and Moto C Plus Specs [table id=65 responsive=scroll /]

Via: Motorola

Moto's 2017 Line to Include Z, X, G, E, and C Models

Kellen — Mon, 15 May 2017 07:07:42 +0000

Motorola won't be taking a minimal approach to smartphone releases in 2017, according to an image posted by @evleaks. The image appears to be from some sort Motorola employee or investor type gathering that showed off the entire line-up of incoming devices, including new Z, X, G, E, and C models. The image mentions new Moto Play and Z Force models that feature "unlimited capabilities," a new Moto X with "unlimited perfection," new Moto G devices with "unlimited premium," Moto E phones with "unlimited value," and Moto C units with "unlimited essentials." There are nine phones in total on this slide, so maybe Motorola should have gone with "Unlimited Phones" as well. The devices to pay attention to here are the new Z Play and Z Force, along with the new X, which @evleaks says will launch as the Moto X4. These are the upper tier of the line-up and devices we are likely to see here in the US at some point. We have already seen leaks surrounding the new Moto Z devices, but a return of the Moto X might be a nice addition. The Moto X line in the past was always one of our favorite releases each year, and this one in particular is referenced as having "3D Glass" and a "SmartCam." It could be that Motorola will really focus on a premium design, along with an affordable price point. In terms of launch, well, we don't know. My guess is that we'll see new Moto products within the next couple of months. Last year, Lenovo showed off the Moto Z for the first time at Lenovo Tech World in June, though there doesn't seem to be another Tech World lined up for 2017. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/863580163153461249

Weekly Recap: I/O So Close You Can Taste the Oreo

Kellen — Fri, 12 May 2017 16:30:05 +0000

Google I/O is next week, so you are going to want to make sure you catch up on everything that happened this week. I say that because next week will be beyond nuts with the amount of news that is sure to pour in and you'll want to be current before we get there. For example, Google has a new way to make Android updates happen faster in Project Treble, plus we should get a new Android O build, likely as a beta. Oh and Fuchsia is a thing. Lots of stuff. Outside of that, we got Amazon's new Echo Show a few days ago, voice calls and messaging through Alexa, the unlocked Galaxy S8 and G6, and answered a bunch of questions through another Q&A session. You'll find links to all the hotness below.

GO SPURS.

Montblanc's Android Wear Watch is Now Available, Starts at About $1,000

Tim — Fri, 12 May 2017 15:23:41 +0000

In mid-March, Montblanc announced it would soon enter the smartwatch game with the Summit, an Android Wear-powered device that lacks a few of the features you'd want from a wearable in 2017. It doesn't have NFC or GPS. However, if you don't care about that and live purely for rocking a name brand, it's available today starting at about $1,000. Available exclusively through Mr. Porter, there are five models to select from. They are all the same watch, but some feature differently colored leather bands, while some of the casings are also differently colored. Personally, the "Two-Tone PVD-Coated Stainless Steel and Rubber" is my favorite, complete with a olive-colored rubber strap. Regardless of which option you want, the watch starts at £765, which converts to about $1,000 USD. That is not cheap, especially for a watch that lacks GPS and NFC. I mean, with this, it's purely about the name and hardware aesthetics. If you're interested, follow the link below. Purchase Link

From S8 to I/O We Go

Kellen — Fri, 12 May 2017 12:28:04 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're catching up on the past couple of weeks, so that means Galaxy S8 review and all of the thoughts that go along with it. We also have Google I/O next week and a new phone from HTC, plus news surrounding the Amazon Show, Alexa calling, and a bunch of other topics. It's busy times! We'll be live at 1:30PM Pacific (4:30PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

DL Q&A Sessions: Volume 46 Answers

Tim — Fri, 12 May 2017 11:58:52 +0000

Big things going down in Android right now. Samsung has its latest out, LG just released its best phone ever, and Google I/O is next week! Huge things happening. Anyway, this past Monday, we asked you to shoot over questions for Volume 46 of the DL Q&A Sessions. As always, you didn't disappoint, so here are our answers. You asked about the phones we are most looking forward to, if HTC's rumored "Edge Sense" can impress us, if any OEM can compete against LG and Samsung's design work, and if we'll be copping a pair of the $500 Lonzo Ball shoes. Seriously, you asked some good ones. Let's get to it. Reminder: K is Kellen, T is Tim.

What three phones are you most looking forward to for the rest of the year and why?

K: Gotta go with new Pixel, Note 8, and OnePlus 5. The previous Pixel, Note, and OnePlus phones were our favorites from last year, so I'm guessing they'll all be really great again. But really, I'm most excited to see if Google will bring us a fresh design. I think we know what to expect in terms of design from the next Note and OnePlus 5, but Google can't just go iPhone clone again, can they? T: Galaxy Note 8, OnePlus 5, Pixel 2. Why? Well, I'm a big fan of the Note series, big fan of Google phones, and OnePlus impressed me with the OnePlus 3/3T.

Do you think smartphones can still compete with a more traditional design (bezel, 16:9 aspect ratio), or have the G6 and Galaxy S8 already changed consumer expectations regarding what constitutes a modern smartphone form factor?

K: G6 and S8 have spoiled me, for sure. I look at regular phone designs and they just look old and dated now. Don't get me wrong, the Pixel is still probably my favorite phone at the moment, but it looks flat-out embarrassing next to either of those other two phones. T: Oh, absolutely. Design is surely important to potential buyers, but it's not everything. I mean, the iPhone has looked the same for 10 years, so there must be something else going on. If an OEM can deliver a smooth experience, plus additional built-in features on top of Android, they could easily compete against Samsung and LG's design work. Even Google doesn't seem concerned about overall design too much, with the Pixels sporting more bezel than a lot of other devices. It's the whole package that counts, not just the design itself.

How do you feel about the "Sense Touch" features rumored for the HTC U 11?

K: I'm all for smartphone makers trying new stuff. So like how we got excited about modularity, I'm somewhat excited to see what HTC has to offer here in the squeezy department. Who knows, maybe it'll be the next always-on display trend that we can't get enough of. T: I think it's pretty cool, but I could see a few gimmicky things, too. As long as I can control notifications and Do Not Disturb, I'll be pretty happy. On the OnePlus devices, there's that slider, so I'm hoping HTC has something similar to that with the Sense Touch.

What are your thoughts on this "Fuchsia" OS Google is developing?

K: Part of me doesn't care much at the moment. In its current form, it's just a shell that doesn't do anything except present itself in the most confusing manner ever. The other part of me obviously realizes this could be the future of mobile computing, assuming Google finishes it and decides it could one day replace Android. But man, we have a long way to go before any of that can happen. And I'm also the ultimate hype killer of all things like this. Maybe I'm just not nerdy enough to care about kernels and SDKs and that stuff. T: If you were to rate my interest at this exact moment, it'd be about 2 out of 10. I do think Fuchsia could be the future, but we could be a long ways from ever seeing it come to fruition. Plus, with this being Google, I try not to focus heavily on projects that have yet to be detailed. They could be working on it, then drop it for an untold reason. There are more questions than answers for it, so right now, I'm just hanging back and keeping an eye on it.

What are your most used apps right now? Not counting social media apps.

K: Was going to say, Twitter, but no social. Hmmm, I use Garmin's Connect app a lot, since it tracks all my fitness needs. I'm in theScore constantly with NBA Playoff basketball going on and Champions League close to wrapping up. I've been on Untappd a lot in recent months to finally start logging beers too. I use a lot of smart home apps like Wink, Nest, and Hue all the time as well. T: Star Wars: Galaxy of Heroes, YouTube, Dark Sky, Google Opinion Rewards, and Google Play Books. I'm reading Neil deGrasse Tyson's latest, Astrophysics for People in a Hurry, which is totally awesome!

What are your thoughts on the Lonzo Ball shoe?

K: Outside of the price being ridiculous, the shoe is pretty average looking. I know a lot of people want to compare it to Kobes of old, but I just see a knockoff that'll probably be a terrible shoe to play in. Promo video of Lonzo walking around in it just seemed to show a shoe that isn't going to be able to hold up under game stress. Good for the Balls for trying their own thing, though. I'm guessing it'll fail pretty quickly, but at least they gave it a shot. T: Throw 'em in the trash.

Can the dumpster fire that is Android tablets be salvaged?

K: No. Apple isn't even selling many iPads these days. People just don't care about tablets. We have huge phones and computers already. What do you need a tablet for? They are big, awkward to hold, and only good for watching Netflix while on flights. T: Unless I'm flying, I have no purpose for them. No one is selling them, at least in numbers that would impress, so maybe it's time they die. Sure, there's someone who will fight me over that, but whatever. Laptops > Tablets.

With Samsung and LG pushing this 18:9 aspect ratio, and pretty much everyone having a good camera now, what do you see as the next big hardware differentiator?

K: I wish it was battery life, but I just don't see anyone making a breakthrough there any time soon. That's unfortunate too, because that is still the last remaining big change we need - phones that can last multiple days. I also wish - in terms of design - that companies would back away from the shiny, fingerprinty glass. Glass is pretty, but it's fragile and annoying to clean all of the time. T: I don't think aspect ratio is something any average consumer is asking about when they purchase their phone. Sure, we on the Android blogs care, but does by mom or older brother care? Unlikely. Like you said, everyone has a good camera now, so it could be the battery that sets phones apart. Everyone loves long battery life. For me, though, if multiple phones check all of my boxes, it'd come down to in-hand feel. Do I want to look at it and hold it? Then that's the one I'll get.

Check out our previous Q&A posts!

Google's Project Treble Might Actually Fix Slow Android Updates

Kellen — Fri, 12 May 2017 11:47:39 +0000

It's no secret that Google's partners have almost always been terrible at updating their devices to the newest versions of Android. They either take forever to do so, are constantly versions behind, or give-up on updates altogether as devices age and they struggle to justify the cost and time involved in getting them ready. Google thinks it finally has the solution for updates with something called Project Treble that will arrive first in Android O. The basic idea behind Project Treble is that Google is "re-architecting Android to make it easier, faster and less costly for manufacturers to update devices to a new version of Android." How are they going to do that? By specifically separating out the "vendor implementation" portion of Android, which is the lower-level software that is controlled by silicon makers, the guys who make the processors and chipsets for devices. So with Project Treble, the Android setup will look like this:

The VTS (vendor test suite used to validate this new vendor interface) and vendor implementation here is the new, separated portion that Google thinks will help with updates. Think about how Google now allows developers to create a single app that works across numerous versions of Android and countless devices. That's what they are trying to do here with this separated vendor implementation, so companies like Qualcomm or Sony can keep their stuff up to date and Google can "ensure forward compatibility of the vendor implementation" as new versions of Android are ready. These images show you the old Android process vs. the new one starting with Android O:

As you can see there, Android updates will essentially skip a major step that required work from the silicon folks, Google, and likely carriers and device makers. Now, with Treble, it's one less step to getting out updates. Google says that Project Treble will arrive with devices running Android O and that the architecture is already running on Pixel phones in the Android O developer preview. More to come!

Via: Android Developers

Verizon Galaxy S8 and S8+ See Updates to Help With Display Tuning

Kellen — Fri, 12 May 2017 09:50:09 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on Verizon are receiving updates today that should fix any display tuning issues affecting some devices. This is the "red tint" update as it has become known for, which really just means there is a new cool-to-warm display setting for you to adjust. You'll be able to find all of the display tuning options in Settings>Display>Screen Mode. From there, you can not only adjust green, blue, and red levels (not a new setting), but the new "Full screen color balance" as well, which lets you go from cooler to warmer. The update also mentions that Bixby Vision shopping is now included, but we were under the impression that feature rolled out a couple of weeks ago. The update is arriving as software version G950USQU1AQDF for the regular S8 and version G955USQU1AQDF for the S8+. To check for it, head into Settings>System updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

US Unlocked LG G6 Now Available for Purchase, Starts at $599

Tim — Fri, 12 May 2017 09:17:46 +0000

The US unlocked variant of the LG G6 is now available for purchase in the US. You can currently find the US997 model at B&H Photo, as well as a pre-order directly on LG's website. B&H has the US unlocked model listed for $599, while on LG's website, it's priced at $699. It's up to you on where you want to spend your money, but I'd suggest you go for the cheaper price. Should you buy the phone? Absolutely. We thoroughly enjoy the LG G6, easily LG's best device ever. The design is great, cameras are awesome, and LG seems to be doing well with updates. Seems like a solid buy, especially at B&H's $599 price. If you're interested, the links are below. Buy: B&H | LG | Best Buy | Amazon

DEAL: T-Mobile Launches BOGO Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Deal

Kellen — Fri, 12 May 2017 08:49:47 +0000

To help you pick-up the ultimate Mother's Day gift, T-Mobile has opened up a BOGO (buy one, get one free) deal on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ for a limited time. In order to get the deal, you'll have to buy two Galaxy S8 or S8+ devices on their no-interest Equipment Installment Plan. T-Mobile will then send you a prepaid card or the value of the second device you got for free (Ex: $750 for a Galaxy S8), which you can then use to pay off the 2nd device. As far as pricing, T-Mobile charges you $30 down for the S8 or $130 for the S8+, followed by monthly payments of $30. Depending on how long the prepaid card takes to get to you, it might be a month or so before you can fully pay off the phone. Either way, it's going to cost you some cash down for both phones. Still, not a bad deal. T-Mobile Deal Link

Via: T-Mobile

Injustice 2 From DC and Warner Bros. Now Available On Google Play

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 15:24:25 +0000

The hype was real for this title, and at long last, Injustice 2 is available for download on Google Play. Complete with a story mode, PvP action, as well as an upgraded roster, Injustice 2 is the followup to Injustice: Gods Among Us. If you haven't played before, the gist is a 3 superheroes vs. 3 superheroes battle royal, pitting your favorite characters against each other. Whenever you unlock characters, you upgrade them, making them stronger fighters, which helps your progress in the game. However, in this title, the developers changed up the fighting mechanics a bit, including the, "ability to move heroes and villains across the 'fight line,' perform jumping and crouching attacks and implement advanced zoning techniques with projectiles." The game is free to download, but as you'd imagine for a game of this caliber, the publishers have injected plenty of ways for players to spend money. Not surprise there. Stay hot, Wonder Woman. Play Link [responsive_vid]

Allo Update Offers Neural Network-Generated Illustrations of Your Beautiful Face

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 13:55:31 +0000

In the latest update for Allo, Google is introducing personalized sticker packs, much like you'd find from a service called Bitmoji. Unlike that app, where you manually create your own illustrated face, Google's neural network does all of the work in Allo. To get started, once the update is on your phone, simply snap a selfie in Allo, then the neural net gets to work. In just a few moments, you'll be presented with a personalized sticker pack, inspired from artwork already created. As Google explains, "[Allo] will return an automatically generated illustrated version of you, on the fly, with customization options to help you personalize the stickers even further." Sadly, it doesn't appear these personalized stickers are usable outside of Allo, but maybe that could change in the future. If you're interested in learning how Google created this, you can read its blog by following the link below. It details staying away from the uncanny valley, the hypothesis that human replicas which appear almost, but not exactly, like real human beings can feel repulsive. Very interesting stuff. Want to see this awesomeness in action? Check out the GIF below, then go grab the update. Play Link

Via: Google

DEALS: AUKEY Car Charger ($9), 6-Port USB Charger ($25) With Quick Charge 3.0 Discounted With Coupon Codes

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 12:14:48 +0000

From now until May 14, you can grab a few AUKEY products on Amazon at discounted pricing, thanks to coupon codes. The products included in this promotion are all Quick Charge 3.0 compatible - a car charger, 6-power USB charger, plus a pack of 5 USB Type-C cables. For fans of charging in the car, this Quick Charge 3.0 charger can be had for just $9, down from its usual price of $20. The 6-port USB charger, with dual Quick Charge 3.0 ports, is on sale for $25 down from $35. As for the USB Type-C cables, they are Quick Charge 2.0 and 3.0 supported with a compliant charger, but do note that they will not rapid charge a Pixel device or charge a new MacBook. Links to Amazon with the coupon codes you will need are right below. Amazon Links

Car Charger (Code - DAQ7EW5D)
6-Port USB Charger (Code - APOWER4U)
5-Pack of USB Type-C Cables (Code - P34S5IJ2)

Have at 'em.

This Kickstarter Campaign Wants to Fix the ZenWatch 3's Biggest Problem

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 11:02:05 +0000

The ZenWatch 3 is a fantastic looking timepiece, but when it comes to customizing the bands, it just isn't possible. Thanks to ASUS' use of a proprietary system, owners cannot easily swap bands like they can on other Android Wear devices. Enter the latest Kickstarter campaign that hopes to change all of that. Introduced by SteelConnect, makers of many smartwatch adapters, the AZ3 is a simple adapter that fits perfectly into the lugs on the ZenWatch 3, which then allows you to attach regular 22mm bands and straps. It's a very simple process, one that will solve many of the gripes I hear about this particular smartwatch. As for the campaign itself, SteelConnect is looking to raise just under $6,000, which is nothing compared to other campaigns we've seen on the service. There are still early bird rewards to claim, priced at under $30, which will net you an adapter for your ZenWatch 3. If you have this smartwatch and want to start using whatever strap you'd like, head over to Kickstarter and get to backing! Kickstarter Link [responsive_vid]

Cheers Howard!

HTC Teases "360 Real-Life Recording" on U 11

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 09:41:41 +0000

HTC posted a tweet this morning, teasing "360 real-life recording," followed by the hashtag #BrilliantU and the May 16 unveiling date for the U 11. By putting the pieces together, we're assuming the U 11 will be capable of 360-degree video, which is quite exciting. Essentially, any smartphone with capable cameras should be able to produce 360-degree video and photos, so long as the software is packed in. For video that isn't a blurry and pixelated mess, you'll need some good sensors, and the U 11 is reported to come with a 12MP f/1.7 sensor with UltraPixel 3 on the back, plus a 16MP sensor on the front. These should be quite capable in terms of resolution. May 16 is right around the corner, next Tuesday to be exact. We'll find out everything we need to know at that point. It's also Google I/O that week, so be prepared for a busy few days.

Cricket Bumps $40 Plan Up to 4GB Data at No Extra Charge

Kellen — Thu, 11 May 2017 09:07:24 +0000

This morning, Cricket announced that it will add more data to their $40 plan without a price hike. Starting on customers' next billing cycle, their $40 plan will include 4GB of data instead of 3GB. Hey, thanks, Cricket! Of course, the data speeds on Cricket are still throttled to 8Mbps down at all times. I hate to have to mention that in every Cricket post, but I want to make sure you all know. Their prices are some of the best, just know that they do carry that one big asterisk. Again, the new plans go live shortly and will hit your account at the beginning of your next billing cycle. As another reminder, be sure to sign-up for autopay and you'll save $5 per month.

Via: Cricket

Zombie Alert: Zombie Gunship Survival Launches May 25 in US

Tim — Thu, 11 May 2017 08:53:51 +0000

Another installment following the original Zombie Gunship is on its way to players in the US, scheduled to release May 25. Called Zombie Gunship Survival, you're placed in the gunner seat of an AC-130 and have Hell to rain down on countless undead hordes. Just like the original Zombie Gunship in terms of overall gameplay, the studio behind this title is taking a slightly different approach to the format. In the original, you'd battle your way through levels, upgrade your ship, then that process repeats itself. In Survival, players not only upgrade the airship, but also unlock soldiers on the ground for fighting purposes. While those soldiers head out from your created base of player operations, you'll protect them from the sky using Hellfire missiles, rockets, big cannons, plus a machine gun. Like I said, it's just the original, just a bit more complex with added elements to mess with. Unlike the original that launched with a paid option, Survival looks to launch with a single, freemium option. The game appears to already be downloadable in select regions, and from what we can tell, the IAPs may be a little intense. We don't know exactly how the model works (if there's energy or fuel points you need for levels), but we're sure to find out rather quickly once May 25 rolls around. If you need a bit of a refresher on the original, you can download it here. If you want to have a look at the reviews for Survival, follow the Google Play link below. In the meantime, check out the 360-degree teaser video below. It's pretty awesome. Play Link [responsive_vid]

This Icon Pack is Hot: Delta

Kellen — Thu, 11 May 2017 08:38:59 +0000

To kickstart your Thursday and get that creative brain fired up, take a look at Delta, an icon pack easily makes the "hot" cut. This icon pack is free on Google Play and seems to have garnered a huge following with over 500K installs. That's nuts for an icon pack. Delta features around 1,400 icons that have been carefully crafted. They are minimal with a lighter shade of colors, yet are still very recognizable. You won't have to re-learn your icons should you apply Delta, but they'll still give you a fresh look with an updated styling. Again, these icons aren't going to wildly change up your setup because they take familiar designs and lighten them up. The pack also includes a fantastic companion app, support with all of your favorite launchers, and a handful of excellent wallpapers of nature, buildings, satellite imagery, and the world. Play Link

Verizon's Wear24 Android Wear Watch Arrives Tomorrow, Here is a First Look at It (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 10 May 2017 15:15:38 +0000

Verizon's new Wear24 Android Wear watch arrives tomorrow, May 11. To build some hype before you can officially buy the watch, Verizon posted up a first look video that shows the watch in action for the first time. We don't necessarily learn anything new about the watch itself, but it does give us a good feel for the size. The watch is shown on both men's and women's wrists and never really looks completely ridiculous, like the LG Watch Sport. The band doesn't look like it's replaceable, though, likely because some of its tech is tucked in there, just like on the Watch Sport. That's disappointing for those of us who don't necessarily want to always rock a black rubber strap. I do have some disappointing news to update. ~~The Wear24 does not actually feature NFC for Android Pay as was originally told to us~~. (EDIT: See update below) We aren't sure where the confusion started, but Verizon's site (and their sales reps) has since clarified that the watch does not include mobile payment capabilities. UPDATE: A Verizon corporate rep has now clarified further to us that the Wear24 does indeed have NFC, but it's not "compatible with Android Pay." What does that mean? I have no idea. If you were planning to buy the Wear24, don't go in hoping to make mobile payments any time soon. As I noted when it was first announced, I was fully on board with this being one of the first LTE-connected watches worth considering, thanks to its design, size, and set of features. Now that we know for sure it doesn't have NFC for Android Pay, I'm not exactly as hyped on it. I know I'll be passing. If interested, you'll be able to buy the Wear24 at the link below within a few hours. The Wear24 costs $299 on 2-year contract or $349 without one. Verizon Link

Galaxy S8 is Super Cool, But...

Kellen — Wed, 10 May 2017 14:32:47 +0000

I'm still using the regular Google Pixel on that daily grind. Samsung made a phone that I just told you was the best phone you could buy today. The Galaxy S8 (and S8+) still is, in my opinion. Nothing has changed on that front. It's just not the phone for me. Even as iPhone-ish as this small Google Pixel is, with its ugly face and weird backside, it's the Android phone that does the things I need it to in the best possible way. Credit Google for their take on their own operating system (How silly does that sound?), but nothing beats Google's version of Android. And to me, even with the prettiest pieces of tech on the planet staring me in the face, like what Samsung just delivered, those aren't enough to get me to give up the cleanest, leanest, most efficient and up-to-date version of Android that is paired with a heck of a camera. NOTE: Prepare for nitpicky criticism. I said the S8 is the best phone for most of you because it is. However, I critique phones for a living and so I notice all the little annoying things that each manufacturer does and then share thoughts on those. This is a post about that and why the Pixel is still the phone I turn to because it gets some basic things right. If you aren't prepared for an over-anal analysis of why Samsung's software still mostly sucks, you might want to call it a day and skip this one.

I touched on this a bit in my video review of the Galaxy S8, but there is a combination of things I do almost every time I pickup a phone that Samsung gets wrong, in my opinion. Yes, it starts with the fingerprint reader in many ways. I know, I know, here we go again on the fingerprint reader placement. But here's the thing, I have to use it almost every time I grab a phone in order to get into my phone. If it's in a terrible location that I still can't find every single time after two weeks of use, I don't think I'm overblowing this. So with the Galaxy S8, I've found that as I pickup my phone, I now have to think about how I'm going to unlock it, because the fingerprint reader is out of the question. That's a sh*tty position to be in after spending 2-3 years using nothing but fingerprint readers on all phones, including those from Samsung. I just want to grab a phone and go without having to pause before getting to work. But my brain does all of the following: Is my Smart Lock working? Maybe, if I'm at home. Do I want to even attempt to line up my eyes or face to see if those slow unlock methods work? Hah, god no. Do I just give up on all of that and enter my damn pattern? Probably. But wait, is that a fingerprint reader I feel? Which. One. Do. I. Do. On the flip side, with my Google Pixel, I have a perfectly centered fingerprint reader on the back of the phone that unlocks my phone every time without the need for a sequence of thoughts over how the hell I'm going to check my email. Two steps: 1) grab phone; and 2) use conveniently placed fingerprint reader. That's it! It doesn't end there, though. The Always-on Display on the S8 is pretty worthless in terms of providing interactivity with the information it presents. While I like the little icons that tell me if I have notifications to take care of, they don't do anything. If I want to see what they are, I can precisely double tap on the little virtual home button or squeeze the side button of the phone to wake the lock screen. That will at least show me some of their contents. However, if I want to then dive into a notification, with a secure lock screen enabled, Samsung then asks me for another "Swipe screen to open" gesture. Wtf is that? On my Pixel, as notifications roll in, I get a black-and-white preview of them that I can interact with through a single touch. If I miss that happening, a double tap anywhere (not just on a single button) on the screen then brings that UI back, which again, allows me easy interaction. From there, if I want to, I can get into notifications with a double tap (without an extra swipe up) and take care of my business. There are no extra barriers or swipes or precise taps or icons that tell me nothing. And of course Bixby is there. I'm not here to sh*t on Bixby because we don't even know if it'll be good or not until it gets voices capabilities, but Samsung, at least give me a toggle to turn it off if I don't want to use it. That's it! Keep killing all the legitimate remapping workarounds you want. That doesn't bother me. But at least let me disable the button, so that accidental presses aren't firing it up when I don't want it to.

Moving on and into the S8, there are other issues like that "Block Notifications" button that permanently sits right next to the "Clear All" button in the notification shade. Why on Earth is that there? I don't even know what happens if I press it because it scares the hell out of me. I'm just assuming that if I do, I'll have to hunt through the 1,027 settings on this phone to unblock the most important software piece of Android. Or what about the app switcher? Have you tried scrolling through it? It jumps from app-to-app by sliding the front-most app half off the screen. It's impossible to figure out which app the system is trying to highlight or which one you are supposed to be touching. On my Pixel, Google drops down the app you were in (which makes sense because why would you want access to it in the app switcher?) and then lets you control the scroll to decide which app you want. It's a free scroll from Google, while Samsung put in this jumpy thing that's too sensitive to swipes and a pain to figure out. What I'm getting at, even if I'm being ridiculously nitpicky and precise, is that Samsung is overthinking all of this. Be advanced in cameras and audio and in the details you provide for battery life. But unlocking a phone shouldn't take this much effort. I shouldn't be presented with scary ass "BLOCK ALL THE THINGS" buttons in my notification area at all times. Stop messing with system functions that work fine, like the app switcher and how it scrolls. Don't force Bixby on me. Give me a damn opt-out if I want.

Finally, the Galaxy S8 certainly crushes the Google Pixel in terms of overall design and number of features. I'm not here to deny that at all. But I do have to admit that a part of me wonders how fragile the S8 is. It's so pretty with all of that glass, that even as water and dust resistant as it is, I worry about drops and banging it on this or that. Not that the Pixel is by any means tough, it's just that with its traditional bezel amount, my mind is a bit more at ease. Call that a weak excuse, but it's what I immediately think when looking at the two side-by-side. In the end, when I compare the Galaxy S8 to the Pixel, those software items I mentioned drive me nuts, for sure. But the Pixel also still has a camera that is equally as good as the S8's, battery life that's basically on-par, and I know it'll get updates every single month, along with the bigger software releases without having to wait 5 or 6 or 7 months. Phones these days are so good, that these little things actually make a difference now. They might not have in 2010, where we all just looked forward to the next powerhouse and dealt with the garbage software experience. Now, everyone's camera is good, as are the performance and battery lives and designs, for the most part. The little things matter. Google's Pixel gets them right for me.

Periscope for Android Now Supports 360° Video

Tim — Wed, 10 May 2017 14:19:21 +0000

If you rock a 360-degree camera device, you'll be happy to learn that Periscope now offers support for it through the Android application, meaning your viewers can get a whole new look at what you're streaming. Labeled as Live 360 videos, when inside the app, you will see a special badge for videos that are streamed in this format. When viewing, simply twist your phone around to see all of the surroundings. If you're streaming the video, toss that camera up on a tripod or hold it steadily in your hand and give your viewers the best show possible. As for exactly which cameras you will find supported, I'll leave that up to Periscope to explain.

Broadcasting with the Insta360 Nano is natively integrated with Periscope on iOS and broadcasting with the Insta360 Air is natively integrated with Periscope on Android; just attach the camera and go live. To go live in 360 with Periscope Producer, you can use the Ricoh Theta S or the Orah 4i.

In order to get started, you'll need the latest version of Periscope for Android. Go grab it. I guess Periscope isn't completely dead yet. Play Link

Via: Periscope

DEAL: Galaxy S8+ 5500mAh Battery Case for $32 With This Coupon Code

Tim — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:12:17 +0000

Thanks to our reviews, we established that the Galaxy S8+ has a bit better battery life than the Galaxy S8 (it is larger, after all), but if you'd like to see your S8+'s battery life increase even more, you can currently grab a 5,500mAh battery case for just $32 on Amazon with the help of a coupon code, down from its listed price of $40. As you'd expect, this battery case does add quite a lot of girth to your device, but it is adding protection and giving you countless hours of extended battery life. Can't argue against that. While the case does a good job at not covering up any important ports or mic spots, I assume it makes accessing your fingerprint reader on a backside just a tad bit more difficult. You may want to use a pattern unlock or face recognition while using this particular case. Use code HC7VJ26M at checkout to save $8. Amazon Link

Here's Our First Potential Look at T-Mobile's REVVL T1 Smartphone

Tim — Wed, 10 May 2017 08:57:53 +0000

In late April, a report surfaced claiming T-Mobile would soon offer its own "commitment-free smartphone." Well, from what we're learning now, T-Mobile may not only have a smartphone planned, but three smartphones in the pipeline. Posted by Android Authority this week, our first potential look at T-Mobile's REVVL T1 phone is available, along with a few specs to get the hypetrain rolling. The T1 seems to be positioned at the bottom rung (most affordable) that will be followed by a possible REVVL T2 and REVVL T3 Pro. Given the "Pro" name, that phone could be T-Mobile's highest-end offering, but all of the REVVL units should pack pretty decent specs at affordable pricing. That is said to be the point of T-Mobile entering the phone market, after all. As for the T1's specs, all that is reported currently is that it will come with a 5.5" FHD IPS display, 3,000mAh battery, 13MP rear-facing camera, 5MP front-facing camera, and a fingerprint reader. All other details are currently unknown. However, it is also reported that the REVVL T1 is being manufactured by TCL, the same company making the BlackBerry KEYOne. It is unknown at this time whether just the T1 is being made by TCL or all of the REVVL devices will be made there. There are still a lot of unknowns with all of this, so feel free to stay skeptical. We have no info from T-Mobile, and usually, they hype future announcements like no one's business. The phone's date says May 17, but that could be a red herring. Thoughts on the look of the T1? Update: Phone's date does not say May 17, it says March 17. Misread. Whoops.

Via: Android Authority

Any.Do 4.0 for Android Update Adds Integrated Calendar and Assistant

Kellen — Wed, 10 May 2017 08:26:28 +0000

Any.Do, one of the longest running to-do list apps on iOS and Android, received a big update to version 4.0 today on our preferred mobile OS. This update has been on iOS for months, but it's still worth noting since it includes an integrated calendar (finally) and a fancy AI assistant. Any.Do is calling this their "biggest release to date," which I'd argue is because of the integrated calendar, even though the assistant stuff could be the bigger deal in the long run. That's just me, though, a calendar obsessee. With the integrated calendar, you finally don't need to leave Any.Do to manage tasks and check your calendar. The calendar features daily, weekly, and monthly views, and should be just the amount of calendar you need to fully manage your to-do list life. As for the assistant, Any.Do built one that attempts to help you complete tasks. For example, the assistant scans your list for tasks it can get done and then offers you ways to do them. If you need to buy mom a present for her birthday, schedule a housecleaner, or find a good deal on a hotel for an upcoming trip, this assistant will try to its best to offer solutions. Any.Do is saying that there is a 5-15% service fee for "a product or service procured," though, so keep that in mind. This assistant feature is rolling out to a limited alpha on Android, so you may not see it for a bit. Finally, Any.Do will now take advantage of the new notification system that arrived in Android 7.0, along with app shortcuts from 7.1. The syncing of items across devices is now faster than ever too. The update should be rolling out today. Play Link

Alexa App Update With Voice Calls and Messaging Now Live

Kellen — Wed, 10 May 2017 07:34:18 +0000

The voice calling and messaging feature for Amazon Echo products that was announced as "coming soon" yesterday is now available. The Alexa app on Android is receiving an update this morning that enables the feature right away, as long as you give it proper permissions and have someone on the other end who can take a call or receive a message. To update, hit up that link below or jump into your Google Play app to do so through there. Once updated, the app will ask you to re-login to your Amazon account. After that, you will begin the process of setting up voice calling and messaging by giving yourself a name, allowing Alexa to access your contacts, and confirming your phone number before firing off your first message or call. You'll then likely realize that you are in a slightly re-done Alexa app with tabs at the bottom for (in order) home feed, new messaging and calling, and another that lets you control playlists for each Echo in your home. If you tap on the messaging tab, the voice fun begins.

To call or message someone, Alexa will pull-up any contacts you have that it also recognizes as being available on Alexa. As you can see above, I have no one to talk to but myself. Should you see other names, you'll be able to tap on those conversations, view previous messages within them, and of course, send new ones. With a tap and hold on the microphone button, you can record however long of a message you want. As you release, it will then send. This individual conversation page also shows conversation history, transcribes messages in case you don't want to listen to them, lets you type them out with a keyboard that Alexa will speak on the other end, and place calls through the phone icon in the top right. As for doing it outside of the Alexa app and straight through an Echo device, well, you just ask Alexa to do so. You can say, "Alexa, send a message" to get her to ask who you want to send one too. From there, once the person you are sending a message to is set, you voice dictate a message, sort of like if you were leaving a voicemail or just a quick voice note. If you want to call, you do the same by saying, "Alexa, make a call" or "Alexa, call Kellen." On the other end, calls will come through your supported Echo devices and also the Alexa app. So you can not only talk to someone in a speakerphone-like setting through an Echo, you can chat via phone. It's pretty slick! Now I just need some other people to talk to. Play Link

ASUS ZenFone 3 Zoom With 5000mAh Battery Up for Sale in US, Priced at $329

Tim — Tue, 09 May 2017 13:24:47 +0000

ASUS' ZenFone 3 Zoom, announced during CES, is now up for sale in the US. Featuring a 5.5" FHD display and Snapdragon 625 processor, the 3 Zoom comes with an insanely large 5,000mAh battery capable of delivering 12.8 hours of continuous video playback. Another aspect potential buyers will appreciate are the dual rear-facing cameras, hence the "Zoom" name. On the backside, you'll find dual 12 megapixel shooters, as well as a 13MP front-facing shooter. Equipped with laser auto focus, the camera is said to focus on a subject in as little as 0.03 seconds, plus the Zoom comes with ASUS' Dual Pixel PDAF (Phase Detection Auto Focus). If you need a summary, it takes good pictures and it takes them quickly. If you're interested in the Zoom with its big battery and camera capabilities, you can find it on various retailers like Amazon, Newegg, and ASUS' own webstore for just $329. Amazon Link

Cheers Jeremy!

DEAL: Moto 360 (2nd Gen) Drops to as Low as $190 at B&H Photo ($190 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 11:41:48 +0000

B&H Photo is currently running a heck of a deal on the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) in a variety of color options. For example, you'll find the all-gold version in 42mm for just $189.99, a $190 discount. Not only that, but the all-gold 46mm model is $199.99, as are the black and gold with leather and all black with leather models. The discounts there range from $100 off to $180 off. The Moto 360 (2nd Gen) is still scheduled to receive the update to Android Wear 2.0 within the coming weeks. B&H Photo Link

Cheers Mark!

Snapchat Reworks Timer Functions, Adds Magic Eraser Tool

Tim — Tue, 09 May 2017 11:09:36 +0000

Before the latest update to Snapchat, whenever you'd send a video or picture, a timer was associated with that media. Moving forward, senders now have the ability to disable the timer, ultimately allowing for a snap to display infinitely on the recipient's phone. While the person receiving the snap likely won't want to view it forever, this change will allow for users to view a snap as long as they'd like, instead of having to replay it and then losing it before they have a chance to fully enjoy it. This, of course, is entirely managed by the sender who can still opt to have a timer placed on the video if they so choose. Just like before, once that timer expires and the replay feature has been exhausted, the media is deleted for good. Snapchat also notes a new Magic Eraser tool, effectively letting users blur an area they don't want others to see. It's not really a blur effect, but it does cover up whatever you highlight rather well with portions of the overall photo scattered throughout the highlighted area. This can be found under the Scissors options. This update is rolling out to all users and can be found on the Android version starting today. Play Link

Via: Snapchat

AT&T Galaxy S8 and S8+ Getting Red Tint Fixing Update Today

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 10:57:05 +0000

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on AT&T are receiving updates today that should address the red tint issues some owners have complained about. This would be the same update that T-Mobile pushed out just over a week ago. The update weighs in at roughly 480MB and arrives as the exact same build as the one pushed to T-Mobile S8 and S8+ units. You should receive G950USQU1AQDE on the S8 and Q955USQU1AQDE on the S8+. Once updated, if you'd like to further control your display settings, head into Settings>Display>Screen Mode. This particularly update adds a full screen color balance slider that allows you to adjust it from a cooler profile to a warmer one. To grab the update, head into Settings>Softrware update. The update is live right now.

Cheers Nelson!

Qualcomm Announces the Snapdragon 660, Snapdragon 630

Tim — Tue, 09 May 2017 09:07:45 +0000

Qualcomm introduced the Snapdragon 660 and Snapdragon 630 mobile platforms this week, both created to offer high-end performance, battery life, advanced photography, and fast LTE speeds for devices designed to be affordable by most people. According to Qualcomm, both platforms focus on 7 key areas: Camera, Audio-Visual processing, Connectivity, Improved CPU and GPU, Quick Charge 4, Security, and Machine Learning. Both the SD 660 and SD 630 use a 14nm FinFET process, providing 4K video capture and playback capabilities, as well as 8GB maximum memory and Vulkan API support. As for display support, the Snapdragon 660 supports displays up to QHD resolution, while the SD 630 supports FHD/QXGA. One area to point out is Quick Charge 4. With that, phones can get 50% of their battery juiced up with only 15 minutes of charging. That's impressive. As announced by Qualcomm, the Snapdragon 660 is already shipping to OEMs, while the SD 630 will begin shipping towards the end of this month. Meet the Snapdragon 660 [responsive_vid]

Via: Qualcomm

DEAL: Save $100 on Amazon Echo Show 2-Pack

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 08:52:32 +0000

If you were planning to order an Amazon Echo Show, Amazon's new touchscreen-equipped Alexa-powered device, consider jumping on an opening deal that will save you $100 if you buy two. Buying two might seem like overkill, but the video calling feature here is sort of the star of the show and that can only be experienced with the Echo Show. And think about it, you could buy two with another family member you plan to call often, split the cost, and each save $50. To get the $100-off price, which brings the total to $359.98, use code "SHOW2PACK" at checkout. That's all you have to do. Amazon Echo Show Link

Amazon Adds Alexa Calling and Messaging Between Echo Devices as Well as the Alexa App

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 08:02:53 +0000

Along with Amazon's Echo Show announcement this morning, the company also introduced Alexa calling and messaging. With Alexa calling and messaging, you'll soon be able to send voice messages or place calls to anyone with the Alexa app installed on Android or iOS phones, along with those who have supported Echo devices. On the new landing page for Alexa calling and messaging, Amazon only says that the feature is coming soon. However, they do give us a handful of examples for how this will work. As expected, you'll ask Alexa to call someone who has the Alexa app or a supported Echo device. That call will go through and people can answer by saying something like, "Alexa, answer the call." From there, you can enjoy a voice conversation. As for messaging, it works similarly. You tell Alexa to send a voice message and the person on the other end can receive that voice message, not just as a dictation by Alexa either. In order to be able to call someone, they'll have to enable Alexa calling and messaging from within the Alexa app. From the videos below, it also doesn't seem like Alexa notifies you with the name of the person that is calling or sending a message, so that could lead to some awkward situations. Alexa calling and messaging is free and will work on the Echo, Echo dot, and Echo Show, as well as through the Alexa app. Fore more, head over to Amazon's Alexa calling and messaging site.

Amazon Echo Show is the New Touchscreen Echo Device, Priced at $230

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 07:45:45 +0000

The Amazon Echo Show, Amazon's first touchscreen-enabled Alexa-equipped Echo device, is now available for pre-order. The device, which has been rumored for months, is the device first revealed in leaked images last week. Yep, the countertop video poker machine is official at $230. The new Echo Show features a 7-inch touchscreen, 5MP front camera, dual 2-inch stereo speakers, an intel Atom x5-Z8350 processor, dual-band 802.11n Wifi, and is powered by Alexa. It weighs 41oz (1170g) and has dimensions of 187x187x90mm. It's big, but I don't know that it's as big as we had originally imagined. So what does Echo Show do? A lot, obviously, thanks to that touchscreen. You've got all of the standard Alexa and Echo features, like shopping through Amazon, getting weather, setting reminders or alarms, checking your calendar, listening to music, and controlling your home. This is by all means an Alexa device under the Echo category of hardware. Where things take a step forward is in the touchscreen department.

You can now place voice calls from Echo Show to anyone with an Echo or the Alexa app. If they have an Echo Show, those can become video calls, thanks to the 5MP camera. More on Alexa calling and messaging can be found here. The touchscreen also lets you control music better, watch video clips, control your smart home (and see items like smart camera feeds), see calendar items, view shopping lists and items you want to buy, and play games. Outside of the look, this device actually sounds like something that could be quite useful in a home, assuming you have room on a counter or desk or shelf. The price isn't bad and the control over everything from Alexa is there, now just in screen form. That's awesome. Amazon Echo Show is up for pre-order now and ships June 28. Amazon Echo Show Link ($229.99)

US Unlocked Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Now Up for Pre-Order at Best Buy (Updated: Now Available!)

Kellen — Tue, 09 May 2017 06:02:11 +0000

The US unlocked versions of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are now available for pre-order from Best Buy as expected, as well as Samsung.com. The regular Galaxy S8 costs $725, while the bigger S8+ runs $825. Those prices are actually about $25 cheaper than you'll find at most carriers. These versions of the phones work on all US carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint) out of the box and are no different in terms of features than those you'd find from carriers. You've got the same specs (camera, processor, display, storage, etc.) and design, though you will only find the black version to buy. Samsung sold similar models of the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge last year and we were really excited about that fact. Having unbranded Samsung phones that lacked carrier bloatware and worked everywhere is exactly what we had been wanting. Unfortunately, they were basically ignored in terms of updates. Samsung seemed to have put them on a quarterly update schedule, which meant no monthly security patches and slower-than-usual big updates (like Nougat months after all other S7 models). Will that change with the S8? I sure as hell wouldn't bet on it. But hey, you can pre-order them now! Samsung says to expect pre-orders of the phones to ship by May 30 followed by general availability on May 31. If you don't want to pay full price upfront and would rather have monthly payments, Samsung's site is offering financing. UPDATE: Samsung announced availability. Post updated. UPDATE MAY 31: The phones are now available and ready to ship. Some stores may even have them in-stock. Best Buy Links: Unlocked Galaxy S8 ($724.99) | Unlocked Galaxy S8+ ($824.99) Samsung Links: Unlocked Galaxy S8 | Unlocked Galaxy S8+

Via: Samsung

Google's Other In-The-Works Fuchsia OS Gets a UI Preview of Sorts

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 16:12:04 +0000

Google is working on a third operating system called Fuchsia. This is something separate from Android and Chrome OS that isn't based on Linux and is essentially an all-Google product from top to bottom it seems. It's kind of been around since last August, but recently was updated on some level with UI elements that give us a preview of what Google is up to here. I'm not really sure where to start because there is a lot to talk about, but the basics are as follows. Fuchsia is built on Google's own kernel called "Magenta," while the interface and apps are written in Google's Flutter SDK (with Google's Dart), a Vulkan-based graphics renderer called "Escher," and all sorts of Google's Material Design. It's all Google, folks, something that can't be said for Android. So what's Fushsia being built for? ArsTechnica has a good write-up of all of the dirty details, but their suggestion that this is Google's way of creating something that is all them, that gives them full control and that works everywhere, makes a lot of sense. On the flip, you have Android that is built on Linux with Oracle's Java and licensed under GPL (General Public License) and blah, blah, blah. Fuchsia, again, sure looks like Google making an operating system for phones and computers all from scratch for the most part. That's right, this is an operating system that wants to be on smartphones and personal computers, with fast processors, and plenty of RAM. In recent findings, Hotfix discovered a UI preview for Fuchsia that is called Armadillo, hence the image above and the reason we're talking about it today. Don't go crazy and think that this now means Fuchsia is about to be shipped, but it does let us in on this radically different UI from Android and Chrome. Check out the video below to get a preview. It's - obviously - very card-centric. You have a starting point that shows your profile photo along with time and location, followed by cards above that could be shortcuts to apps. It looks like some Google Now-esque action below too. So you can swipe through this areas to get to apps or drag-and-drop them to pull up multi window scenarios, resize windows, open multiple tabs within windows, and interact with Google from anywhere. I believe that is a home button as well that will get you back to the main profile image screen as you finish with an app or task. It's pretty confusing, to be honest. Since this is in such rough, early shape, don't take that as me drawing any conclusions. It's clear that Google has a lot of work left to do here with Fuchsia and Armadillo. Either way, this is something to keep an eye on. Google is still working on it, so they do still care about it for now. Will they in a year or two? Insert shruggy face.

Via: ArsTechnica | Hotfix

Waze Update Lets You Record Your Own Voice for Turn-by-Turn Directions

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 15:25:41 +0000

Waze already has a long list of voices to choose from for your turn-by-turn direction needs, but after the latest update, you can now use your own voice to guide yourself in unknown territory. Once the update is installed, simply head to the Advanced Settings area in the Settings menu. From here, select Sound & Voice. Once there, you should see a "New!" badge on top of Voice Recorder. Select that and the fun is ready to begin. After opening, you will see a ton of directions you'll need to record your voice for. Basically, any direction you can imagine, that's what you'll need custom speech for. You can opt to do whichever directions you want, but do note, any options you don't record voice for will use the default Waze setting. This is a fun way to make Waze a bit more personalized. Right now, you can only record voice for yourself and cannot share them. Who knows, maybe in the future Waze will allow users to share voice packs. That'd be fun. On another note, if you haven't tried Waze out over Google Maps, give it a go. It's awesome. Play Link

Report: Amazon Echo With 7" Touchscreen Could be Announced Tomorrow, Priced at $200+

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 14:28:26 +0000

In a new report from the Wall Street Journal, Amazon is indeed working to launch a new Echo device, complete with a 7" touchscreen. According to the report, Amazon could unveil the new Echo as early as Tuesday (May 9), followed by a launch early next month. Reported to launch with a price exceeding $200 (no word on exact pricing), the new Echo with touchscreen will display answers in a digestible fashion, such as weather forecasts and stock-related questions. Not only will there be a UI for things like playing music and checking the latest headlines, the new Echo is reported to support internet-based telephone calls, letting it act just like a home phone. According to people familiar with Amazon's plans, the company intends to announce, "a broader rollout of telephone services for Echo devices within the next few weeks," separately from the new Echo's unveiling. These services could include a intercom-like service, allowing multiple Echo devices to link to each other in the same home. At this time, details are scarce, but it is reported features such as this will roll out in stages. Guess we might see the new Echo tomorrow. Are you interested?

Via: Wall Street Journal

DEAL: Amazon Echo is $30 Off Today

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 13:23:50 +0000

Trying to decide between Amazon Echo and Google Home? The decision just became tougher now that they are both discounted. While Google Home is cheaper than Echo almost everyday, including now through a $15 discount, there is no denying that Amazon's home assistant is a much more mature product with even more capabilities than Google's. If you haven't yet been convinced by Google Home, know that right now you can buy Amazon Echo for just $149.99, which is about the lowest price you'll find any day. That's a $30 discount off both black and white models at various retailers. Now is the time, Echo buyers. Links: Amazon | Best Buy

Chrome for Android Update Makes It Even Easier to Read Web Pages Offline

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 12:22:57 +0000

Google is pushing an update to Chrome on Android today that makes offline reading of web pages easier than ever to get into. Google says three new items are there to take advantage of. For one, you can now long-press any link in Chrome and choose the "Download link" option to be able to view it later. It supposedly works in article suggestions on the new tab page as well. Additionally, if you are offline and try to load a page, you'll see a "Download Page Later" button at the bottom of the page, so that the page can be scheduled for download as you come back online. Finally, you'll now see little check marks next to items that have already been downloaded. You can see all three of these items in the order described in the image above. Play Link

Question of the Day: New Verizon Unlimited Users, How's Everything Been?

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:15:31 +0000

It has been almost three full months since Verizon brought back unlimited data to its airwaves with Verizon Unlimited. That means that a number of you have had plenty of time to decide if the move was/is worth it, whether or not there is good value there, and if it's something you would suggest other data hogs consider switching to. I bring this up because a reader pinged us over the weekend looking for feedback as he is someone holding onto a number of old grandfathered unlimited plans. He was wondering our thoughts on making the switch, but also yours. As you guys know, I made the move to Verizon Unlimited because it made financial sense, plus it gave me some quality tethering usage too, which my old grandfathered plan didn't have. I don't have any regrets about the move, but I'm also not an ultra-heavy data user anymore since I split my time between lines from AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. So let's talk about Verizon Unlimited. With a few months of use, how has your experience been? Are you glad you made the switch? Do the financial benefits outweigh the fact that you could be throttled at 22GB? Do you miss your old grandfathered plan at all?

DL Q&A Sessions: Volume 46

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 11:05:20 +0000

We've wrapped up reviews for the LG G6, Galaxy S8, and we have Google I/O right around the corner, so let's get a Q&A Session in before things get really crazy. With the Q&A Sessions, we allow you, our beloved readers, to ask us anything that's on your mind. It can be related to Android, tech in general, or about anything else you want to know. It's fair game, so don't be shy. We can talk about how two likely undefeated teams will face each other in the NBA Finals (seriously, who is gonna beat the Warrior or Cavs?), what we're most looking forward to at Google I/O, or what our current favorite Netflix show is (mine's Black Mirror). On Friday, we'll round up your questions and then get them posted up with our answers. Have at it!

Google: Nougat Beta Concluded, Android O Beta Coming Soon

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 10:29:17 +0000

Google I/O kicks off next week and we're sure to learn quite a lot about the next major update to Android - Android O. Not only will we learn more, but it seems reasonable to believe Google will launch a usable beta for Android O, too. As posted on the Android Beta Program website, the official Nougat beta has concluded, but an official Android O beta is "coming soon." With this beta program, users can test specific Android features before they are launched to the public. If developers want to work with the latest features or tinkerer Android users want a taste of what's to come, the Android Beta Program is the place to be. If you can't wait for the beta, you can download the initial Developer Preview of Android O right here. Here's what Google has to say about what's to come.

Thank you for your interest in the Android Beta Program! The beta for Android Nougat has concluded, and all devices that were opted in have been updated to the current public version. If you are still running a beta version of Nougat you may download the latest full OTA image for your device and sideload it. This will not wipe your device. We'll update this site when the Android O Beta Program begins.

So long as you have a supported device (Pixel phone or select Nexus devices), anyone can sign up for the Android Beta Program. All you do is enroll your device, then an OTA update will arrive on your phone. After installing, you're on the beta and Google will update your phone whenever a new beta build is available. It's pretty sweet, but since it is a beta, stuff may be broken and you should probably have an extra phone laying around just in case. Once this Android O beta is available, we'll let you know.

Via: Google

Google I/O App Updated for 2017

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 09:31:43 +0000

The official Google I/O app has been updated for 2017 in Google Play, perfectly timed for next week's festivities to kick off. The app gives attendees an updated schedule for all things taking place, as well as the ability to reserve seating at select events. If you have questions about travel or accommodations, the app has logistics on all of that, too. Basically, it's the one and only app you'll need for I/O. Well, that and Uber, too. Or Lyft, whatever one you feel like using. We'll be on-hand for everything taking place, so prepare yourselves for a great week of Android/Google awesomeness. Will we see you in Mountain View next week? Play Link

LG Sees Bump in US Market Share, Hopes G6 Continues Trend

Tim — Mon, 08 May 2017 08:52:29 +0000

Thanks to steady sales of the V20, K and X series devices, and maybe even thanks to Samsung's misfortune with the Galaxy Note 7, LG saw an increase in US market share during Q1. Up about 3% from last year, LG is sitting at 19.6%, still ranked third in the US market behind Apple (34.5%) and Samsung (24.6%). Posted by market research firm Strategy Analytics, LG sold 7.6 million smartphones in North America (US and Canada) in Q1, not far behind Samsung that sold 9 million smartphones. With the G6 now available, LG hopes to see this upward trend continue into Q2. We've already confirmed via multiple reviews that it is a great device, but as I stated earlier, it's very possible that LG saw market share growth due to Samsung's Galaxy Note 7 being completely removed from the market. If that had never happened, this could be a very different story. We'll have to wait and find out how the G6 stacks against the Galaxy S8 when the next quarter's numbers are released.

Via: etnews

Huawei Watch is Finally Getting Android Wear 2.0 Update

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 07:53:22 +0000

I say "finally" because you have to remember, the original Huawei Watch was one of two watches used for testing Android Wear 2.0 through the developer preview program, yet here we are today, finally getting the official update. Huawei and Google, as far as I can tell, have never said why this watch was one of the last, but it's now May, while others received the update months ago. The update is a decent one. Well, it changes the UI quite a bit, though I'm not sure for the better. It's a change! A big change. Mmmm, change for the sake of change. We were all asking to be able to swipe confusingly on the main screen to change the watch face, right? No? Those of us who wear watches outdoors were really asking for an impossible to see in sunlight dark UI too, right? No again? OK! But there is a keyboard now. Tim did a full tour of the final Android Wear 2.0 update that you should take a look at to familiarize yourselves. The update should be available to those coming from the last developer preview and those still on Android Wear 1.5. It actually started rolling out on Friday, so there is a good chance you'll be able to pull it this morning. If you aren't able to, you can head over to this reddit thread for the files.

Cheers Darshan, Jeesung, and everyone else!

US Unlocked Galaxy S7 Now Getting Nougat Update Too

Kellen — Mon, 08 May 2017 07:30:37 +0000

A week ago, the US unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge (SM-G935U) began receiving the update to Android Nougat through Samsung's Smart Switch app. The regular Galaxy S7 was left out for reasons we'll probably never know, but you no longer have to worry about that since the update arrived for the lonely device this morning. A couple of readers pinged us overnight, letting us know that the update was rolling out to the unlocked Galaxy S7 (SM-G930U) and we confirmed it (see image above). The update weighs in at 1.226GB and is indeed Android 7.0 Nougat. To grab the update, head into Settings>About>Download updates manually. You should be able to pull it right now.

Cheers JP and Robert!

Weekly Recap: Another Month, Another Instant Update for Pixel and Nexus

Kellen — Fri, 05 May 2017 15:32:33 +0000

While I was putting together this list of the top Android stories from the past few days, the top item is one that I feel deserves special attention. Now, I know that Android was built to be spreadable to the far reaching corners of the world through almost any manufacturer. However, the fact that it's basically Nexus, Pixel, or bust when it comes to current software on this platform is never going to not be frustrating. Of course, I'm a huge fan of Pixel and Nexus, but now that we are years upon years into this Android thing, it's time for someone else to step up, take this stuff seriously, and be an update champion alongside Google. Enough of that, though. As for the rest of the week, be sure to catch up on all of our continuing Galaxy S8 coverage. We not only pumped out 5 reasons to buy the S8 or S8+, we also gave you a whole bunch of tips and tricks. Enjoy!

Who wants some $220 Droid Life branded slides?

The New Moto Z2 Play Sounds Disappointing Already

Kellen — Fri, 05 May 2017 13:38:40 +0000

The minute I saw purported renders for the upcoming Moto Z2 Play a couple of weeks ago, my first thought was, "Oh no, they ruined it by going thin." The device images showed a phone that looked very much like a phone from the Moto Z line, only with a slimmer profile than last year's Z Play, a profile that would typically hint at a small-as-hell-battery. Because the Moto Z Play proved itself last year to be the king of all in battery life, seeing Moto potentially put that reputation at risk for the sake of thinness was unfortunate. Of course, battery capacity info wasn't available with those renders, but a report out of Venturebeat suggests the reduction we all had nightmares about is coming. According to this report, the Moto Z2 Play will slim to 7mm thick and drop battery capacity from 3510mAh in last year's model to 3000mAh. Ugh. The rest of the specs will reportedly include a 5.5-inch FHD AMOLED display, Snapdragon 626 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, 12MP f/1.7 rear camera, and Android 7.1.1 Nougat. Of course, the Z2 Play with a 3000mAh battery and a Snapdragon 626 processor could last a long time. But we're also talking about losing 15% battery capacity. Are we now looking at regular, single-day battery life? If so, I'll pass. We're about to break up, Moto Z Play line.

Via: Venturebeat

Another Potential Look at the HTC U 11

Tim — Fri, 05 May 2017 12:46:06 +0000

We got our first good look at the HTC U 11 back in mid-April, but as we approach HTC's scheduled reveal date (May 16), we're now getting to see it from a whole bunch of different angles. According to specs we've already posted, the U 11 is expected to launch with a 5.5" QHD display, no headphone jack, Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB RAM (possibly limited to select markets), Edge Sense (squeezy phone), 12MP rear-facing camera, BoomSound, IP57 rating, and Android Nougat. In this latest development, a video render of the U 11 in a metallic red is shown, detailing the lack of headphone jack and fingerprint reader on the front bottom chin of the phone. Besides that, we can see plenty of chin and bezel, something we especially note because we've been completely spoiled by the LG G6 and Galaxy S8. Take a look over the video and then share your thoughts below. Can this device compete against the best from LG and Samsung?

Via: 91 Mobiles

Friday Poll: Headphone Jack on Top, Bottom, or Courage?

Tim — Fri, 05 May 2017 11:34:56 +0000

5 years ago on May 2, we asked if headphone jacks belonged on the top or bottom of a device. As you might've noticed, things have changed a bit in 5 years, with some companies finding the courage to completely remove the jack, opting for Bluetooth and 3.5mm dongles for jamming out. Regardless of how I feel about it (opinion: courage is stupid!), let's see how things have changed in your mind. Back then, the majority of folks said the headphone jack belongs on the top with 52% of the vote. Bottom wasn't far behind at 48%. It's entirely possible some people like the removal of the headphone jack, so courage may come in and steal a few votes from both sides this time around. Note, if you do vote for "courage," you're voting for the removal of the headphone jack entirely. This is no joke, people, courage takes guts. Let's vote! [poll id="451"]

This is Apparently a First Look at Amazon's New Touchscreen Echo Thing (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 05 May 2017 10:44:19 +0000

It's been months since we last heard about a potentially new Amazon Echo product with a touchscreen, but today we may be getting our first look at the device. According to AFTVnews, who supposedly pulled some magic from Amazon servers, the device coming soon to an Amazon site near you can be seen below. They weren't able to obtain any other info outside of this incredibly low-res image, though previous reports suggested that this device will sport a 7-inch touchscreen that shows weather and calendar items, along with upgraded speakers. The device below certainly matches that description.

I can't help but look at this thing and think dive bar keno or video poker machine. Like this. In other words, yikes. But hey, maybe higher-res pictures will reveal a true counter-approved beauty? Hah. AFTVnews is under the impression that this device, codenamed "Knight," will launch this month. UPDATE: Better images are now available, courtesy of @evleaks. The device looks like it'll come in both black and white models. It also looks...wow, I'm not even sure where to begin.

Via: AFTVnews | @evleaks [2]

Samsung Offers 6 Months of Netflix, Case and 64GB SD Card to New Galaxy S8 and S8+ Buyers

Tim — Fri, 05 May 2017 09:46:01 +0000

If you haven't yet pulled the trigger on the Galaxy S8 or S8+, but do indeed plan to do so, now is a good time. Thanks to a new promotion through the Shop Samsung app on Google Play, anyone who purchases a S8 or S8+ between May 3 and May 16 can receive six months of Netflix, a case stand, and 64 microSD card for free. Unfortunately, anyone who pre-ordered the Galaxy S8 and also has their device is not eligible for this promotion. Only those that purchase between May 3 and May 16 are eligible. If that's you, you will download the Shop Samsung application, then redeem the offer. All Samsung needs is your name, address, a receipt (PDF, picture, etc.), and info on where you got the device. Once accepted, your goodies will arrive. The Google Play link below leads to the Shop Samsung app that you'll need to download once you have your new phone. Free stuff is always nice. Play Link

Nova Launcher Beta Updated With Fixes for Galaxy S8, Dynamic Badges

Tim — Fri, 05 May 2017 08:38:59 +0000

The beta for Nova Launcher received an update this week, catered almost specifically for new Galaxy S8 owners. According to the changelog, the update includes minor fixes for Samsung's latest, respect for system-level themes on the S8, plus Dynamic Badges for all users. The big addition for all users is the inclusion of Dynamic Badges. With these, you'll begin to see image badges from notification content. For example, if a tweet comes in, you'll see the user's profile photo on top of your Twitter shortcut. Same goes for email, Hangouts, and all apps such as that. Just note, if the Dynamic Badges don't appear to be working, this is still a beta. What's New

Dynamic Badges - Image badges from notification content
Respect system level themes on Samsung and Huawei devices
Minor fixes for Samsung Galaxy S8

If you aren't already running the beta, you can opt-in right here, then download the beta straight from Google Play. Play Link

Via: +Cliff Wade

T-Mobile Intros Premium Device Protection Plus for $15/Mo

Kellen — Fri, 05 May 2017 07:28:08 +0000

T-Mobile added a new device protection plan to their line-up today, Premium Device Protection Plus (PDPP). It costs $15 per month and includes identity theft protection tools and a personal help desk, alongside the rest of the features from the Premium Device Protection plan. The upgrades in protection are powered by McAfee ID Protection and McAfee Device Protection. That includes 24/7/365 dedicated agents to help with a lost wallet or ID restoration, all of which is backed by $1 million insurance. As for the help desk, it's called Tech PHD and provides "VIP-level access to immediate, personal technical and diagnostic support" through various means. Of course, you still have the typical coverage elements like protection from loss, theft, accidental damage, etc. On a related note, because we have this new Plus protection plan, T-Mobile has introduced JUMP! Plus, their phone upgrade plan that costs $15 per month and includes PDPP. The full line-up of protection plans at T-Mobile can be found below. To sign-up for PDPP when it goes live on May 7, hit up this link.

Via: T-Mobile

OnePlus 5 Name is Confirmed, Phone Arrives This Summer

Kellen — Fri, 05 May 2017 06:58:53 +0000

This morning, OnePlus confirmed to The Verge that the name of their next phone is indeed OnePlus 5. The confirmation is important because the most recent phones from OnePlus were dubbed 3 and 3T, so previous rumors of OnePlus jumping up to 5 for the name name led to some confusion (this will also be there sixth phone). Why skip 4? Because the number four is an unlucky number in China and OnePlus is a Chinese company. That's seriously the main reason. However, a number of employees at the company are also apparently huge fans of former NBA player Robert Horry, who wore the number 5 throughout his career. That's not a joke either - look at this Tweet. https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/860480771017986048 Little else is officially known about the OnePlus 5, but the company did confirm that it'll arrive this summer. Current rumors have suggested a 5.5-inch 2K display, Snapdragon 835 processor, and dual cameras. Finally, this render may or may not be anything close to the real device, though it still looks sharp.

Via: The Verge

Galaxy S8 Guide: Custom Icons, Themes and Always-On Display

Tim — Thu, 04 May 2017 15:46:08 +0000

There is an extensive list of ways owners of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ can customize the look of the software on the device. Sure, you can always use a 3rd-party launcher and "hot" icon pack we recommend, but that doesn't do much for your phone's Settings menu, notification pulldown and the look of select system applications. In the latest entry into our Galaxy S8 Guide, let's go over the ways you can change up the look of your phone. There are four categories built into the Galaxy S8 that can be easily switched up. There are the icons the phone uses for apps, themes that dictate the overall look of the software on the phone, wallpapers that you see on the home screen and lock screen, and the theme that is set for your Always-On Display when it's enabled. Thankfully, Samsung makes it incredibly easy to manage these categories all from within your Settings menu. Let's go over each one individually and I'll provide examples of what's possible. If you'd like to look over what I'm talking about as we go through this, on your Galaxy S8, head to the Settings, tap on "Wallpapers and themes." You can also access this by long pressing your home screen and tapping the "Wallpapers and themes" option. Everything I'm about to discuss is there.

Custom Icons Under the Icons section of this menu, you can find a library of different options available for using. Provided Samsung's launcher does not provide native support for icon packs downloaded from Google Play, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the offerings here if you find yourself enjoying Samsung's launcher. Icons are placed into various categories. Samsung labels what is new, what's deemed good enough to be an Editor's Choice, and even "High Quality But FREE." You can always find certain packs based on colors, such as Coral Blue, Gold and Ash Gray if there's a particular style you're shooting for. Believe it or not, you can even find entire packs based solely on cats. Now, icon packs can be free for downloading and applying or they can be priced anywhere from under $1 to under $2. I have yet to see any icon options be priced more than $2. If you do want to purchase a pack, you'll need to have a Samsung account with your credit/debit card added. Regardless of whether you purchase or get it for free, simply download the icon pack, then hit the "Apply" button once the download is complete. At that point, your phone's icons will be re-skinned to whatever you chose. For the most part, these icon packs will skin Samsung's own base applications, but won't change the look of your 3rd-party apps. However, you will find that many if not all of the downloaded icon packs add a type of masking effect to help things look uniform. If you download a square icon pack, you can expect to find all of your icons inside of a square, just to help with the effect. While changing up your icons is a quick way of making things look different, customizing your theme is where things get much more interesting. Custom Themes As I said, custom themes is where things on the Galaxy S8 can get fun. Inside the Samsung Themes menu, you will find a ton of different themes to choose from, just like with custom icons. There are themes based on colors, price, time of year, settings (landscapes, space, etc.), as well as the "Most Popular" and "Top Grossing" themes. Keep in mind, themes that are downloaded from here come with custom icons as well as a wallpaper to help really set a tone throughout the phone. Now, you may already have an idea of what you're looking for, but if you don't, you can spend plenty of time searching through themes to find the right one. If you find one you enjoy, but aren't quite sure you want to spend money on it yet, you can hit "Download Trial" which will allow access to the theme for a limited time. Of course, any theme that is free can simply be changed if you don't care for it. For me personally, I use Material Dark. It offers that stock Android look that I crave, leaving behind many of the bright and flashy colors I dislike about Samsung's UI. Whichever theme you choose, you'll find a themed Settings menu, Dialer app, Messaging app, notification pulldown, plus other visual tweaks that come along with the theme. As for pricing, themes can be found for free or can carry a price of anywhere from $1 to over $3. It all depends on the theme, but again, you can always download a trial if you aren't 100% sure about one in particular. Wallpapers If you've used an Android device or any smartphone for at least five minutes, you probably know what a wallpaper is. I'm not here to explain that. However, I am here to explain the options that Samsung includes for the Galaxy S8 and inside the Samsung Themes menu. Under the Wallpapers section, you will find access to countless wallpapers hosted on Samsung's servers. Some are free, some cost money. Do I find it silly that people are charging money for a wallpaper? Sure, but hey, it's their right as creators to do so. Also, I have to note, you will be unable to take a screenshot of a wallpaper preview. I thought I was being sneaky when attempting to do so, but no, Samsung disables the ability to screenshot the wallpapers that have a price or even free. Now, again, there are plenty of categories to search through. There are landscapes, textures, space shots, and everything in between. When previewing wallpapers, be sure to check the resolution. You won't want a 1080p wallpaper on your QHD display (could end up being a blurry mess), so be sure to look for wallpapers carrying a 2560 x 2560 resolution or something similar to that. Once you download a wallpaper you like, simply hit "Apply" and you're done. Before you go spending money on wallpapers, though, feel free to do a quick Google Image Search. You can find an endless amount of high quality wallpapers on the Internet. Always-On Display Having an Always-On Display is one of the highlights for owning a Galaxy S8, so why not deck it out with awesome images? Under the "AODs" section of Samsung Themes, you will find another large offering of different Always-On Display themes from creators. You can find a donut AOD, arctic fox AOD, skull AOD or anything in between. Again, you will find some that are free and some that are priced, but if you do happen across one you like, simply download it and hit "Apply." Unfortunately, there does not appear to be a trial option for AODs, so be sure to look at all of the screenshots before you purchase. Once downloaded, inside of your standard Settings for Always-On Display, you may see a "Style" option. With this, you can choose whether to have a clock and notifications icons to go along with your AOD or not. The same can be done with all of the preexisting AOD options on the device. Do note, Samsung allows users to insert their own custom images via the Always-On Display settings. Be sure to check that out if you have not already. You can set a photo of your girlfriend, dog, or whatever else you want. There you have it, the many ways to quickly customize the look of your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+.

This piece is part of our Galaxy S8 Guide, an ongoing segment dedicated to getting the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S8.

All of These Verizon Phones Picked Up Security Patches This Week

Kellen — Thu, 04 May 2017 15:14:15 +0000

Since it's the start of a new month, a whole wave of security patches are rolling out. Verizon, if you can believe it, has become one of the better carriers at doing so and has already pushed out updates to 10 devices within the first four days. We've listed them all out for you below and will update this post as more arrive.

Samsung Galaxy Note 5 (N920VVRS3CQD1)
Samsung Galaxy Note 4 (N910VVRS2CQD1)
Samsung Galaxy Note Edge (N915VVRS2CQD1)
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+ (G928VVRS3CQD1)
Samsung Galaxy S5 (G900VVRS2DQD1)
HTC One M9 (3.37.605.29)
Google Pixel / Pixel XL (NHG47L)
LG G5 (VS98728B)
LG G Pad 7.0 LTE (VK41026A)
LG G Vista (VS88028A)

To check for these new updates, you'll do so by heading into Settings and scrolling to the bottom of the list. From there, you may just be able to tap on "System updates" to get into the process or in some cases, your phone's update menu is buried within the "About phone" section.

Via: Verizon [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9]

Galaxy S8 Tips and Tricks: 25+ to Make You a S8 Pro

Kellen — Thu, 04 May 2017 14:09:42 +0000

As you guys know, with the launch of each major flagship, we don't just whip through a phone, share a couple of thoughts, and then toss it aside. We try to get you from the unboxing experience to the next steps after first boot, followed by review and then a lengthy tips and tricks session. Since our full Galaxy S8 and S8+ review is done, as is our S8 camera comparison and "First 10 Things to Do" write-ups, we need to get into that final segment. Yep, it's time for 25+ Galaxy S8 tips and tricks. In this mega-video, we dive into so many features of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. You'll find tips on firing up the camera in the quickest way possible, tweaking Always-on Display, adjusting of the display color, changing up themes, using Device Maintenance regularly, and which Advanced Features are our favorites. The video also runs through all of the Multi Window tricks, using Bluetooth 5.0 and Dual Audio (Media Sync too), and more. Enjoy!

Galaxy S8 Tips and Tricks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7EYvLZ3TGE Galaxy S8 Deals: Best Buy

Because You Were All Asking for One, Moto is Making a Tablet...Wait, What?

Kellen — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:07:11 +0000

According to Android Police, Motorola is working on a new tablet, a type of device that even Apple can hardly sell at this point. Why? Who knows. We don't know much about said Moto-branded tablet, only that it'll "probably" be around 9-10 inches diagonally, with a premium look and feel. As you can see from the screenshot, it'll also feature the Productivity Mode from Lenovo's Yoga Book tablet that arrived last year. Not familiar? Productivity Mode allows for quick access to open apps through shortcuts in the tablet's navigation bar. Again, this isn't new, but is a cool feature for tablets...tablets. And that's it! New Moto tablet incoming with Lenovo Yoga Book features. Interested?

Via: Android Police

5 Reasons the Galaxy S8, S8+ Are Worth Buying

Tim — Thu, 04 May 2017 11:30:34 +0000

The latest smartphones from Samsung have a lot going for them. The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ have the high-end specs you'd expect in 2017, amazing designs, and a feature-packed OS that actually looks and behaves pretty darn good. Below, we've rounded up 5 reasons why we think the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are worth buying. Whether it be the overall design, awesome camera experience, or the fact that is has a headphone jack, we don't think you can go wrong with either of these phones. Here are 5 reasons the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ are worth buying.

1. Design

Not everyone will agree, but damn, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are hot. That's my opinion, yes, but from all of the compliments I have received already from my time with the Galaxy S8, I can't be the only one who feels this way. The Infinity display that subtly slides over the edges and this all-glass design - it's a very sexy smartphone. While I would suggest many of you use a case for this device, if you think you are in a safe spot to take it out and admire its beauty, go for it. If you don't use a case, I tip my hat to you, good sir. Along with this design are fantastic specifications. On the S8 you have a 5.8" Infinity QHD+ display, while on the S8+ you have a 6.2" Infinity QHD+ display. Both phones have a Snapdragon 835 processor (the best Qualcomm currently offers). 4GB RAM, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC + MST (Android Pay and Samsung Pay), and Android 7.0+ "Nougat." Back to the design, this is the first time Samsung has incorporated on-screen buttons and removed the dedicated home button on a flagship device. Smartphone God, praise you. While Samsung's placement of the fingerprint reader is not ideal and I dive into that later in this post, I don't think you could ask for a better feeling device in-hand. If you haven't tried it yourself, head into a store that has it and check it out. I think you'll really enjoy it.

2. 64GB Storage

While Apple is still selling a base of 32GB storage and charging $100 for each step up in capacity, Samsung is taking a much easier route, one that I think benefits customers well. Instead of deciding which storage option you need, everyone gets 64GB and can then upgrade that size via expandable storage. If you take a lot of 4K video or pictures, you can simply slap another 64GB SD card in the phone (up to 256GB is supported), which are ridiculously cheap on Amazon these days. With an iPhone 7, a 64GB option isn't even available and of course there's no expandable storage. For most consumers, I'd argue that 64GB is the sweet spot with regard to how much storage you'll need. With 32GB, the system and associated files take up a good chunk of that, leaving you with not too much room for app downloads, etc. This problem was compounded greatly when these flagship devices were sold with 16GB of storage. That made life very hard. Point being, 64GB, even with the OS and system files, leaves owners with plenty of space for apps, video recording, photos, files, and whatever else you may need. To top it off, you've got the option for expandable storage, so it's a win-win on the Galaxy S8.

3. Samsung Isn't Trying to be User Hostile

You can't hide the fact that it would be just as easy to create a list of reasons why someone maybe shouldn't buy the Galaxy S8. It has a terribly placed fingerprint reader, a dedicated hardware button for something no one wants to use at the moment, and Samsung's dedication to bringing major Android updates to flagship devices seems rather lax as of late. I could counter most of these positions, but the fact is, I don't think Samsung is actively trying to be hostile towards users. Once voice services for Bixby are made available in the US, it's quite possible many will enjoy it. I mean, it is just like Google Assistant, and Google is even working with Samsung to make the service more useful for owners. Another major point, if you'll recall, was an early report that said Samsung was going to ditch the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Galaxy S8. As we can see, that's not the case and Samsung is saving a lot of face by leaving it there. Now, for the fingerprint reader placement, there's no excuse for that - it could be better, but there's nothing we can do about it besides complain and hope for the best on the Galaxy Note 8. While this may seem like an odd section for a "5 Reasons" post, my point is, at least Samsung is trying. With Bixby, it will likely get better once it has voice services active. At that point, the dedicated hardware button may come in handy. For the fingerprint reader, while the placement is subpar, at least the phone has one. And again, it has a headphone jack when literally no one would have been surprised if Samsung axed it. Let's count our blessings, folks.

4. Size Options

Instead of offering an Edge variant like we saw with the Galaxy S7, we have the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Both phones are completely identical, with exception to the display size, battery size, and name. For someone in the market, this is fantastic. If the S8 is too small, get the S8+. If the S8+ is too big, get the S8. It's much like you have with the iPhone, but Samsung has been offering something similar to this for years now with the standard Galaxy S phone and then the slightly larger S Edge variants. Even better, getting the S8+ over the S8 shouldn't break the bank, either. Since there is only a 64GB model offered, there's only a $100 difference between the two devices. If you opt to go on a payment plan, you're looking at just a few extra dollars a month for the S8+. That's not bad at all. If you buy your phones outright, $100 extra in the grand scheme is not too bad. For me personally, the in-hand feel is much better with the S8, but there's no denying that the extra display size is not appealing on the S8+. For gaming, the S8+ is very immersive, and watching movies or TV on it looks fantastic. With the Infinity display, though, all of the aforementioned looks great on both devices, so whichever you end up choosing will look great.

5. Camera

We have already posted up a complete camera comparison between the Galaxy S8, Pixel, and LG G6. What we found is pretty much what we expected - all of these phones take great photos. On the Galaxy S8 and S8+, you'll find a 12MP Dual Pixel shooter, capable of shooting UHD 4K video, FHD video at 60FPS, and slo-mo video at 240FPS. It's a very versatile shooter, excelling in landscape and macro shots. For the software, Samsung is not excessively bloating the device, which I greatly appreciate. If you need to switch to a selfie mode, simply flick the display and the camera will switch. If you need to capture a video, you don't slide to a different mode, there's just a dedicated button for it at all times. Additionally, the Pro mode will allow shooters to manually tweak select settings, such as your aperture, ISO, tint, contrast, temperature, and exposure. Basically, if you take smartphone photography seriously or just need a phone that has incredibly fast focus speeds for your next Instagram post, the Galaxy S8 won't let you down. Camera Samples

Buy the Galaxy S8

Verizon: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
AT&T: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
T-Mobile: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Sprint: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Cricket: Galaxy S8
Best Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Samsung: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

Considering another phone? Feel free to take a look back at 5 reasons to buy other phones, like the LG G6, Pixel, or Moto Z in previous installments of this ongoing series.

LeEco Android TVs Updated With DIRECTV NOW App

Tim — Thu, 04 May 2017 10:11:53 +0000

For anyone who owns a LeEco TV, an update should be hitting your unit soon, one that brings the DIRECTV NOW application straight to your Android TV system. If you aren't familiar, LeEco is providing a few months of trial access to the DIRECTV NOW service with the purchase of one of its televisions, and with this update, owners can have much better access to the service. Instead of browsing on your smartphone and then casting or however else you were managing to watch your shows, this app will now allow for complete and easy access to your channel lineup. As for which models are receiving this update, LeEco lists it as available for the Super4 X65, X55, X43 Pro, and uMax85. To initiate the software update, simply power on your LeEco TV and make sure you're connected to the internet. At that point, a software update alert should appear with the option to update. Your TV's software can also be manually updated from the TV’s home screen by navigating to the System Update application. Have at it.

AT&T Galaxy S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Active Get Nougat Updates

Kellen — Thu, 04 May 2017 07:14:12 +0000

The entire Galaxy S6 line from AT&T should now have Nougat, thanks to updates that started for the S6, S6 Edge, and S6 Active last night. Each update includes the April 1 security patch from Google, along with software versions G920AUCU6EQCF (Galaxy S6), G925AUCU6EQCF (Galaxy S6 Edge), and G890AUCU6DQD1 (Galaxy S6 Active). They are also all Android 7.0, not the newer 7.1 that has been out for almost as long. In terms of size, you are looking at 1.2GB at least, so make sure you have plenty of space on your phone and a whole bunch of battery. This is a big one. The updates should bring better split screen or multi window support, quick replies to notifications within your notification panel, new battery management features, new effects screen in the camera, performance modes, an updated keyboard, and more. To check for updates, head into Settings>About device>Software update>Check for updates.

Via: AT&T

Cheers James and Kevin!

WhatsApp is Down. (Updated: It's Back Up)

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 15:04:33 +0000

Seriously, WhatsApp is down. https://twitter.com/ReutersTech/status/859885554057584649 UPDATE: It's back up again. Cool.

Onirim is Like Solitaire, But Much More Fantastic and Frustrating

Tim — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:55:31 +0000

Plenty of cards games have been converted into mobile games and play quite well. One that comes to mind is Exploding Kittens, which is a fantastic title. Another card game that seems to be great on mobile, one I'm just learning about recently, is Onirim. Onirim is described as a Solitaire card game, but from what I've found, it's much more complex. Basically, the setting for the game is inside of a dream. To escape this dream, you must find doors within a deck. To find these doors, you must match particular cards in a set of three, which will then reveal a door card. However, Nightmare cards also live in the deck, and they will make you hate this game. When a Nightmare card is drawn, you must hand over your hand of five cards (your hand always contains five cards), give up a key that will unlock a potential door, discard five cards from the deck (there's only a finite amount of cards per deck, so you must be careful not to give up something important), or give up one of your already discovered doors. There's no great way to take care of a Nightmare, unless you decide to preemptively give up a door key card, which then lets you see five cards that are to be drawn next. With this tactic, you can mitigate a Nightmare card's damage. Overall, while the game took me a solid 20 minutes to even grasp (I highly recommend the tutorial), it's a really fun game that I see myself playing over and over again. I may even grab the physical version, just to see what it's like. Onirim can be purchased for $1 and that's it - no IAPs, no nonsense. Play Link ($0.99)

Pretty Convincing Google Docs Phishing Scam is Making the Rounds, Google is Investigating (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 13:42:33 +0000

You may have received an email today that looked a lot like an email you get when a colleague or contact shares with you a Google Docs file. If so, you should be careful and double check that it's actually from that someone. I say that because a pretty convincing Google Docs phishing scam is making the rounds at the moment. Emails are showing up in inboxes (ours included) that look like the email images I've included in this post, from an email address of "hhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh@mailinator.com" along with a contact of yours. Pretty realistic, right? Should you actually click the "Open in Docs" button in the email, you'll likely be asked to select a Google account before giving something called "Google Docs" a whole bunch of permissions or access to your selected Google account. That's a bad thing and could lead to other very bad things. As noted by this reddit user, who provides images of the entire process, you are basically giving someone full access to your Google account should you allow it. You are not actually accessing a Google Docs file because none were actually shared with you. Once you have given up access, your contacts are exposed and emailed the same scam, but you may also be vulnerable to someone having control over your account. Scary stuff, for sure.

Thankfully, Google is already on it and may have resolved the issue, according to someone claiming to be a Googler in that reddit thread I just linked to. I'm not sure what that means, but I'm hoping they will find the phishing scam and remove it from inboxes before it spreads further. If anything, we know that the official Gmail Twitter account has acknowledged the phishing email and warns users to avoid it. They are investigating it. https://twitter.com/gmail/status/859863893484593152 So, if you get any weird looking Google Docs requests today, be careful. If you did, consider going to your Google Account permissions and removing any permissions given to "Google Docs." You'll find the permissions lists here. UPDATE: Google says it has "addressed" the phishing email that was posing as a Google Docs share and has provided additional info, as well as their security checkup to help keep your account safe, should you have been duped. https://twitter.com/googledocs/status/859895400173522944

DEAL: Most of Spigen's Galaxy S8 and S8+ Cases Heavily Discounted at Amazon

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 12:38:54 +0000

Prior to our review, we showed you a whole bunch of Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ cases worth considering as a form of protection for your new ultra-expensive phone. We gave those all away, of course, but wanted to point out today's sale over at Amazon for a number of them. Spigen, a case company we have recommended for years, is hosting a huge sale on almost all of their best S8 and S8+ cases. You'll find cases like the Neo Hybrid for just $13.99, Tough Armor for $15.99, Liquid Armor for $9.99, Liquid Crystal for $9.99, Slim Armor for $16.99, Ultra Hybrid for $13.99, and the Thin Fit for just $9.99. You are looking at discounts in the $4-$20 range depending on which you go with. Almost all Spigen products are Prime eligible as well. Amazon Link

Amazon's Kid-Friendly FreeTime App Now Available on Android

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 11:38:45 +0000

This morning, Amazon made its FreeTime app available to both Android phones and tablets. Previously, the app was exclusive to its Fire tablet devices. In Amazon FreeTime, with a $2.99 per month subscription to FreeTime Unlimited, kids will find access to a whole bunch of kid-friendly content that has been hand-selected by the FreeTime team, according to Amazon. That means a safe and age-appropriate experience for your little ones with over 10,000 YouTube videos, websites, and books. You'll find titles like Splat the Cat, Daniel Tiger's Neighborhood, Star Wars: Before the Awakening, and Tarzan, along with brands like Disney, Nickelodeon, and PBS Kids, all in a single app with a minimal UI that should be easy to navigate. To get a feel for the app, be sure to watch that clip above. To subscribe to FreeTime Unlimited, hit up this link. Play Link

Via: Amazon

Google Allo Gets Chat Backup/Restore, Incognito Mode for Groups and Link Previews

Tim — Wed, 03 May 2017 10:49:18 +0000

An update for Allo is headed out today, bringing incognito mode for groups, link previews, as well as a back/restore function for chats. Incognito Mode for groups means no longer will a group's messages be saved when this feature is enabled. Think of it like Incognito for Chrome, but for a group chat. However, instead of an on/off switch, it appears you can set a timer for when the Incognito will expire. For link previewing, a preview of an embedded link will be provided inside of your chat, so no need to worry about getting Rick Roll'd. The other feature, a chat backup/restore, will let you restore previous chats or backup current chats. That one is pretty self explanatory. The update is rolling out now to Google Play. Also, is anyone using this app? Play Link

New features in #GoogleAllo rolling out today! Chat backup/restore, incognito mode for groups and link preview pic.twitter.com/v7uc3unGkG
— Amit Fulay (@amitfulay) May 3, 2017

Sprint Creates "Magic Box," a Plug-and-Go LTE Small Cell for Your Home That'll Improve Their Network

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 09:20:47 +0000

Today, Sprint announced the Sprint Magic Box, the "world's first all-wireless small cell." That's wireless network speak for a little box that extends Sprint's network in places it might struggle to reach and could improve download and uploads speeds "on average by 200 percent." Not only that, but it might help Sprint build out its network to more customers everywhere with the help of you and I. The Sprint Magic Box simply plugs into a wall outlet and is placed near a window to grab ahold of Sprint's network. From there, you don't have to set anything up. Sprint says this box is "self-configuring," is about the "size of a shoebox," and "requires no implementation, labor, or rental costs" at all. The magic happens by the box auto-connecting to a nearby cell site. A Sprint Magic Box provides up to 30,000 square feet of indoor coverage, while also extending to nearby buildings and within 100 meters outside of a building. So not only does a Magic Box make your personal, nearby network better, it'll improve Sprint's network in your area for other Sprint customers. You can imagine that Sprint probably wants hundreds if not thousands of its customers plugging these boxes into their homes. Today's announcement specifically states that the Spring Magic Box could "greatly" accelerate Sprint's hope to "densify" their network in the lead-up to 5G. The Magic Box utilizes Sprint's 2.5GHz spectrum. Sprint has already started deploying Magic Boxes in Denver, San Francisco, Indianapolis, New York, Chicago, and Houston. To learn more, you can head over to Sprint's Magic Box site and even put in a pre-order.

Via: Sprint

ecobee4 Smart Thermostat With Alexa Announced, Priced at Just $249

Tim — Wed, 03 May 2017 08:45:41 +0000

ecobee, makers of smart thermostats, announced the latest iteration of its lineup this morning, the ecobee4 with Amazon Alexa integration. Already similar to previous versions of ecobee, the big change for ecobee4 is this Amazon Alexa integration. ecobee products already support being controlled via an Amazon Echo, but with Alexa Voice Services built right into the thermostat, the "smartness" of the thermostat is getting a big boost. According to ecobee, you'll be managing your home's temperature, energy usage, as well as busy life via ecobee4. Just like an Amazon Echo, the ecobee4 features far-field voice recognition. With it, you can adjust your temperature from anywhere in the room, set a kitchen timer, plan your commute, or get a briefing on the news. However, if you want to do things the old fashioned way, the ecobee4 continues to feature a digital touchscreen for manual input, as well as an app for Android and iOS devices for controlling it that way. And yes, ecobee4 supports ecobee's room sensors for that housewide comfort. To make this announcement even more special, ecobee also detailed upcoming Alexa-powered smart light switches. Set to be available later this year for an unknown price, these light switches take the place of ecobee's room sensors, measuring occupancy of a room, plus the overall temperature. Each smart light switch is voice enabled with far-field recognition, allowing you to control your home's comfort levels from wherever you are. It's like having little Alexa portals throughout your home, but they also control your lights. The price for ecobee4 is set at a reasonable $249. That might seem high, but considering a Nest runs you the same price, and doesn't have Alexa built into it, the ecobee4 is extremely tantalizing. Pre-orders are available today, with general availability beginning May 15. Pre-Order

Via: ecobee

Verizon's Galaxy S8 Gets Bixby Image Shopping

Kellen — Wed, 03 May 2017 07:42:58 +0000

Verizon's Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ are gaining access to one of Bixby's few features today, thanks to an update available in the Galaxy Apps store. As we noted last week, neither phone was able to utilize the image shopping feature out of the box, but that now changes. If you own either phone, head into your Galaxy Apps app and either search for "Bixby" or tap on the top-right menu button and then "My Apps." You should see the update available. What can you do with image shopping on Bixby? You can open your camera app, tap the Bixby Vision button (bottom left corner), and then point and shoot at items you might want to buy or get pricing info on. If Bixby is able to figure out what you are aiming at, it'll pull up Amazon listings with pricing. I've tried it a handful of times and it almost never knows what the hell I'm pointing at. If anything, it might get the category, but not the exact item. Hopefully, your testing turns out better.

Cheers Mike!

Google Updates Wallpapers App With More Wallpapers

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 15:25:45 +0000

Whenever we take a photo of a phone, we typically feature some sort of super hot wallpaper. That's just how we do. Once posted, we sometimes receive comments and tweets about where the wallpaper came from, and typically, the answer is Google's Wallpapers app. In a recent update to the app, Google lists that it included a few UI changes, but more importantly, it appears new wallpapers have been included. I can't exactly count how many are new, but it's quite a few, certainly enough to get excited about. There are new papers under the Earth, Landscapes, Life, Textures, and Cityscapes categories. So, don't just sit around, go grab that Wallpapers update. Play Link

Android Distribution Updated for May 2017: Nougat Rockets to Over 7%

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 14:07:58 +0000

The Android distribution numbers have been updated for May, 2017, and wouldn't you know it, Nougat has seen a massive increase in usage. By massive, I mean a solid 2.2%. Huge. Now at 7.1%, up from last month's 4.9%, Nougat really seems to be rolling out well, with devices getting the update all the time it seems. As for the rest of the numbers, Marshmallow hasn't changed from April, still sitting at 31.2%. The same goes for Lollipop at 31.0%. KitKat saw a slight decrease to 18.8% (down from 20.0%), Jelly Bean down to 9.1% (10.1%), Ice Cream Sandwich to 0.8% (0.9%) and Gingerbread somehow gained users at 1.0%, up from last months 0.9%. Seriously, that should be the headline, "Gingerbread gains users in May, 2017!" Last month’s numbers can be found here.

Via: Android Developers

NVIDIA Opens SHIELD Preview Program, Get Software Before It's Made Public (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:50:18 +0000

NVIDIA has opened up the SHIELD Preview Program, available to current SHIELD TV and SHIELD Tablet owners. With it, you can gain access to Experience Upgrade software before it is made public and can then share feedback directly with NVIDIA. To sign up, all you'll need is a SHIELD Forum account, the display name you use on the forum, along with ID information for your SHIELD device (serial number, product ID). It's very simple, very straightforward. Once enrolled, you'll be receiving updates before the public, and that's always something you can brag about. Here's what it is, as described by NVIDIA.

The SHIELD Preview Program provides early early access to upcoming SHIELD Experience Upgrade software before it is made broadly available. Members of the program gain early access to features and improvements on their SHIELD as well as access to private discussion forums to tell us what you think.

Sound cool enough for you? You can enter by following the link below. Update: NVIDIA has clarified that while they are accepting SHIELD Tablet owners, this program is more suited for SHIELD TV owners. To sum it up, if you own a SHIELD Tablet and do sign up, you may not see anything happen for a bit. Sign-up Here

Bixby Voice Available in Korea, Could be on Its Way to US Soon

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 13:01:20 +0000

According to Korean media, Samsung is rolling out a completed version of Bixby to owners of the Galaxy S8, one that has Voice features enabled. As you may know, the current version of Bixby in the US is very underwhelming, not nearly complete when compared to what was detailed at Samsung's press event for the Galaxy S8. With Bixby Voice enabled, users can speak commands to Bixby, instead of using it purely as a bad copy of Google Now. When live, you will be able to enable/disable select system toggles (WiFi, Bluetooth, Flashlight, etc), send messages to contacts, check the weather, and even open your camera all with your voice. The real push is to make Bixby smart and do many actions automatically, like a habit learning bot. According to Samsung, Bixby should be capable of handling about 3,000 actions, which is certainly nothing to scoff at. We have spent zero time with Bixby Voice, so I can't really say it'll be awesome, but it'll certainly be better than what we have right now. With it rolling out in Korea, it could be on its way to the US soon. Samsung has not delivered a timeframe for the US besides "later this spring," but it is coming. Hang in there, Bixby fans.

Via: ET News

Honor 6X Receiving Nougat and EMUI 5.0 Update Starting Today

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 12:14:19 +0000

A big time update for the Honor 6X is rolling out starting today, one that will bring the device up to Nougat with EMUI 5.0. Inside the update, you'll find the typical Nougat features - multi-window support, better notifications, instant replies, an enhanced UI, plus all of the changes that are included with EMUI 5.0. And let me tell you, those changes are very good. EMUI 5.0 essentially takes EMUI from being ugly and unusable, to a somewhat vanilla-esque look for Android that includes an app drawer. Good job, Huawei and Honor. The update will begin rolling out to owners worldwide today, with all devices scheduled to be running Nougat by mid to late-May. Here's our unboxing of the 6X in case you missed it.

Google Home Adds Support for Additional Smart Home Products

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 11:02:00 +0000

The Google Home supported partners and services page is listing official support for additional smart home product makers today, including iHome, Emberlight, and Leviton. We're not personally familiar with the products from the below listed makers, but Emberlight makes smart lightbulbs, Leviton specializes in electrical wiring and outlets, and iHome has the SmartMonitor (temperature, lighting, etc). Here's the newly supported makers, according to Google. Newly Supported Services

iHome
Emberlight
Leviton
Artik Cloud

To get started, you'll probably want to open up your Google Home app and link the services together. Once completed, you should be all connected and can start OK Google-ing everything. Follow the via link to see the entire list of supported partners and services.

Via: Google

Verizon LG V20 Updated With April's Android Security Patch

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:35:14 +0000

An update is headed out to the LG V20 on Verizon, bringing it up to the April 1, 2017 Android security patch level. Once updated, your V20's software version should be labeled as VS99514B. Weighing in at 763.5MB, it's entirely possible there are a few bug fixes and optimizations packed in there as well, but Verizon has yet to update its system to reflect the update. Once Verizon updates its website, we'll include any other changes that are worth noting. In the meantime, update your V20. Here is a screenshot of what your Software Info page should look like on the V20 following the update.

Cheers Randy!

Facebook Messenger Rolls Out Instant Games to Users Worldwide

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 10:24:40 +0000

Instant Games for Facebook Messenger is beginning to rollout worldwide, bringing plenty of gaming action to you and your friends. With the update, you can find turn-based games, leaderboards, and even tournaments to play in. Detailed back at F8, Instant Games is essentially a little category inside of Messenger. Once the Games section is opened, you'll find plenty of titles to choose from, all of which can be played against a friendly opponent. Games like Words With Friends, EverWing, 8 Ball Pool (coming soon), and plenty others can be played. Beyond the titles, Messenger is also including the ability for developers to include game bots, which will help callout specific functions and challenges for players. The update is beginning to rollout to everyone worldwide on Android and iOS. Play Link

Via: Facebook

DEAL: Moto G4 Plus 64GB/4GB RAM Model for $199, That's $100 Off

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 09:27:12 +0000

Another deal concerning the Moto G4 Plus is live on B&H Photo, this time for $100 off the original $299 price. With the savings, the grand total is marked at $199, which is a heckuva deal for the G4 Plus. Do note, this is the 64GB with 4GB RAM model, not the 16GB with 2GB RAM. For differences between the Plus and non-Plus model, the Plus has a fingerprint reader, as well as a 16MP rear-facing camera with laser and phase detect autofocus. The phone is available in Black or White with the same $100 applying to both options. Go check it out if you're in need. B&H Photo Link [responsive_vid]

Cheers Eric!

Galaxy S8, S8+ on T-Mobile First to Receive 'Red Tint' Update in US

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 08:29:03 +0000

Samsung and T-Mobile are pushing out the first red tint update to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners in the US, one that should automatically correct a display calibration issue on the device. This issue was first reported when the phone began rolling out worldwide, but Samsung has already done a good job at pushing updates to correct it in Korea, India, and throughout Europe. The update, which began rolling out early this morning, can be prompted by heading into your Settings, then manually checking for an update. If you are not prompted to download, just be patient. As for S8 and S8+ devices on other US carriers, we'll keep you posted. The new software versions are G950USQU1AQDE and Q955USQU1AQDE. If your phone has already received the update, did it fix the red tint issue?

Cheers Paul and Corey!

T-Mobile Announces Plans for Nationwide, True 5G Network

Tim — Tue, 02 May 2017 08:03:50 +0000

T-Mobile announced its plan for a true, nationwide 5G network this morning, right on the heels of AT&T firing up its 5G Evolution. In the vlog posted below, John Legere calls out AT&T and 5G Evolution, summing up that its "bullshit." With T-Mobile's 5G, the carrier will utilize its newly purchased horde of 600 MHz spectrum to deliver 5G nationwide, instead of a Fixed 5G implementation that essentially creates 5G hotspots in select areas. “Nationwide Mobile 5G will require both high-band AND broad low-band coverage, and having unused nationwide 600 MHz spectrum means T-Mobile is in an ideal position to deliver,” said Neville Ray, T-Mobile's CTO. According to T-Mobile, on top of its deployment across the nation, T-Mobile 5G will enable high bandwidth and massive throughput in urban areas using a combination of mid-band and millimeter wave spectrum. To sum up the possibilities of what 5G can truly deliver mobile users, Legere has a few good ideas near the end of the video. I suggest you watch it. T-Mobile's 5G rollout is expected to begin in 2019 with a target of 2020 for full nationwide coverage. [responsive_vid]

Via: T-Mobile

Deal: Samsung Gear S3 Price Reduced to $299, Frontier and Classic

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 15:36:23 +0000

The Samsung Gear S3, both the Classic and Frontier, has had its price reduced this week, from $349 to $299. That $299 point is where you'll find it on various online retailers such as B&H, Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung's own site. I have no personal experience with the Gear S3, but every owner I speak with seems to have nothing bad to say about it. The key thing to know is, it's not Android Wear, and that's basically it. Samsung has its own store for apps, so you'll need to acquaint yourself with that if you intend on using 3rd-party applications. Also, do note that you won't need a Galaxy smartphone to use it. The Gear S3 is compatible with all Android devices, as well as iOS. Purchase Links

Frontier: Amazon | Best Buy | B&H | Samsung
Classic: Amazon | Best Buy | B&H | Samsung

Smartwatches are still cool, right?

Unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge Nougat Update Available Via Smart Switch (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 14:11:47 +0000

After a noteworthy wait, Nougat is finally available for the unlocked model of the Galaxy S7 Edge (SM-G935U). There's no exact reasoning from Samsung why this update took so long, but hey, at least it's here now. Listed in the changelog, you will find the standard Nougat stuff - multi-window, a new UX, better notifications and quick replies, plus a whole lot more. Nougat is very good for Samsung devices, so don't be shy about flashing this. Here are the changes listed by Samsung.

OS upgrade - Android 7.0 Nougat
Provides new UX and various performance modes
Improved usability of the Notification feature and Quick settings button
Improved usability of the Multi window
Improved setting menu and AOD feature, addition of the Samsung pass feature
Efficient space for installation of downloaded apps, improved speed of system upgrade and app installation

To update your unlocked Galaxy S7 Edge, you'll need to download Smart Switch onto your device and Windows/Mac computer. You can find the necessary files here. Manually flashing is necessary as no OTA has been made available at this time. You can always wait for it, but who knows when that might take place. Once the update is made available for the unlocked Galaxy S7, we'll let you know. UPDATE: The regular S7's update is available too. Details here.

Via: XDA

Cheers JP!

Phrase Crunch Puts a Twist on Hangman and is a Great Time Killer

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 13:43:46 +0000

There's nothing wrong with a classic game like Hangman, but I can appreciate a twist every now and then. One title that has a good twist to the classic is Phrase Crunch, available for free on Google Play. Similar to other phrase or word guessing games, Phrase Crunch lays out a letter grid. However, instead of guessing each letter yourself, single letters are added until the timer runs out or you answer correctly. Depending on your mastery of different categories (brands, TV, phrases, etc.), these can be easy or quite difficult. Your end score is based on how quickly you answer the puzzle. Should you score highly, you'll unlock the next set of puzzles and can also unlock new categories. Also, what good would an awesome score do you if there are no leaderboards? In Phrase Crunch, there are leaderboards, plus something called Crunch IQ. This number will help you determine just how good you are at the game. The game is free to download and play, but IAPs are present for removing ads (pretty minimal ads from what I saw) and getting more lives. Check it out if you want a good time killer. Play Link

[responsive_vid]

Deal: Grab a Google Home for $15 Off on Google Store or at Best Buy

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 11:55:41 +0000

For what we're assuming is a limited time, you can grab a Google Home for $15 off through the official Google Store or at Best Buy. With that discount, the Google Assistant-powered tube can be had for just $114. If you already own a Google Home, this is a solid gift idea for Mother's Day. I'd get one for my mom, but I'm afraid my days would be full of, "Tim, how do I work this thing?," or maybe, "I think my Google Home is possessed." Sorry, momma, but I don't have the patience for that right now. You can purchase Google Home via the Google Store or go into Best Buy and pick it up. I'd opt for the Best Buy option, only because I've never been overly impressed with Google's shipping of things. It's no Amazon Prime, I'll just say that. Ok Google, remind me to call Mom on Mother's Day. Update: Verizon also selling it at the discounted price. Links: Google Store | Best Buy | Verizon

May's Android Security Update Live With Factory Images and OTA Files for Nexus, Pixel

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 10:07:06 +0000

Google just posted the Android security update for May, 2017 and the files are already live for a number of devices. Listed on Google's website, we are seeing files for the Pixel and Pixel XL (N2G47O), Pixel C (N2G47O), Nexus 6P (N2G47O), Nexus 5X (N2G47O), Nexus Player (N2G47R), Nexus 9 LTE (N4F27B), and Nexus 9 WiFi (N4F27B). Specific Verizon builds for the Pixel and Pixel XL are also available, labeled both as NHG47L. You can grab each image or OTA file at the links below. For instructions on how to flash a factory image, here you go. For instructions on how to flash an OTA .zip file, here you go. As more files arrive, we’ll update this post. Links: Factory Images | OTA Files | Security Bulletin

Verizon LG G5 Receiving Performance Optimization, Security Update

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 09:53:25 +0000

The LG G5 on Verizon is receiving a software update, labeled at version VS98728B. Inside, not too much is present, but it does bring an updated security patch level to the device. Due to not having the G5 in front of me, I can't yet confirm exactly which month's security update it will have, but April's may seem like a good bet. Google just posted May's bulletin this morning, so that would be insane timing for LG to already push it out. On top of security, Verizon lists performance optimizations, as well as "known issues" being resolved in this update. If you own the LG G5 on Verizon, feel free to comment down below which month your security patch is listed as following the update.

Via: Verizon

ZTE Axon 7 Update Brings Night Mode and Enables Support for 256GB SD Cards

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 09:12:10 +0000

An update for the Axon 7 is rolling out this week, one that includes quite a few changes for the ZTE device fans can't seem to stop talking about. Inside, owners will find a new Night Mode setting, support for 256GB SD cards, the ability to disable a few stock applications, optimizations for the Do Not Disturb function, as well as WiFi Calling bug fixes. There's even more listed in the changelog which has been pasted below from ZTE's community forum. What's New

Enables "Night Mode" setting
Supports 256GB microSD cards
Allows users to disable some stock apps
Optimizes the "Do Not Disturb" function
Fixes various Wi-Fi Calling issues
Improves device stability and security
Miscellaneous performance improvements and other fixes

One thing to note, ZTE recommends you remove your SD card before updating the device. The company states this could save you from any unwanted interruptions during the update. Axon 7 owners, you will see it within the next couple of days.

Via: ZTE

Deal: Buy a ZenWatch 3 for $20 Off, Priced at $209

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 08:54:58 +0000

Since its release last year, the ZenWatch 3 from ASUS has not seen many discounts. In fact, today might be the first time I have ever seen it on sale, so if this is the Android Wear timepiece you've been wanting to get your hands on, now would be a good time. On Amazon, the ZenWatch 3 is listed at $209, down from its usual price of $229. That's a $20 discount. While it may not seem like huge savings, again, I stress that this device doesn't ever seem to go on sale, and it's actually quite a nice looking piece. For specs, the ZenWatch 3 features a body of jewelry-grade 316L stainless steel, thickness of 9.95mm, coupled with a 1.39-inch round AMOLED display (400×400 resolution). It runs the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset, has 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, Bluetooth 4.1, WiFi, 340mAh battery with quick charge (0-60% in 15 minute), has a 45mm case diameter, and is rated IP67. As for software, it should be receiving Android Wear 2.0 any time now. Follow the link below to take advantage of the savings. Amazon Link

Cheers Raven!

HTC U 11 Specs Include 5.5" QHD Display, Snapdragon 835 and 6GB RAM

Tim — Mon, 01 May 2017 08:15:22 +0000

It is now May and we are closing in on HTC's May 16 event where the company is pretty much confirmed to unveil the U 11 (aka HTC U). This morning, a digital copy of the U 11's retail packaging, the one that showcases all of the device's specs, has been uploaded to the web for all to look at. According to this image, the U 11 will come with a 5.5" QHD display underneath Gorilla Glass 5, Snapdragon 835 processor, 6GB RAM, microSD support (up to 2TB), 12MP rear-facing camera (f/1.7, OIS), Edge Sense, IP57 water resistance, BoomSound, fingerprint reader, NFC, and Android "Nougat." With this list, the U11 certainly sounds like a contender in 2017, but in true HTC fashion, it is lacking one somewhat important thing - a better IP rating. IP67 and 68 are becoming the standard for a lot of phones, and at just IP57, the U 11 won't protect you as well as other devices. However, this could be because HTC has BoomSound, and when you pack in those big ol' speakers, it's hard to keep resistance high. Regardless of how I feel, I know there are plenty of BoomSound fans, so I won't be too critical. Again, May 16 is coming up and as we get closer, we're bound to see a lot more of the U 11. Thoughts on these specs?

Via: Gear

Weekly Recap: Galaxy S8 Reviews Are Done and Life is Good

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 13:59:05 +0000

Our Galaxy S8/S8+ written and video reviews are now up for your viewing/reading pleasure, which means we can finally enjoy ourselves and relax this weekend. Thank goodness. We won't have long to chill, though, as Google I/O is now right around the corner - the third week of May, to be exact. There's bound to be a ton of news coming out of Mountain View and we'll be on location to bring you all of the latest Android intel. We're excited about it. Here's everything from this week that you won't want to miss.

Review: Galaxy S8 / S8+.
Watch: Galaxy S8 Review.
Camera Comparison: Galaxy S8 vs. Pixel vs. LG G6.
Google specifies dates for last Pixel and Nexus security updates.
HTC: HTC continues to tease upcoming May 16 "U" event.
Our favorite accessory for the Galaxy S8.
Samsung issuing fix for that red tint on the Galaxy S8.
Bixby: Here are a few remapping options for the Galaxy S8's Bixby button.
OnePlus 5: Maybe our first look at a OnePlus 5 render.
BlackBerry KEYOne hits the US at the end of May.
Google: David Foster exits Google.
This is how good smartphone cameras may be one day long from now.

Have a great weekend, folks!

DEAL: Buy an Unlocked LG G6, Get a Free LG Watch Style

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 11:45:56 +0000

Currently at B&H Photo, folks who preorder an unlocked LG G6 will receive a free LG Watch Style, one of the two LG-made Android Wear devices that Google launched earlier this year. Here's our Watch Style review, just in case you missed it. The unlocked G6 is the same phone as the G6 already available at US carriers, but you guessed it, it's unlocked and capable of running on any GSM carrier in the US. The unlocked price is listed at $649, but with that free $249 Watch Style, it's not a bad deal. As for what's offered, B&H has many options to choose from. You can pre-order the G6 in either Black or Platinum, but can then select which color Watch Style you want. There is a Silver, Titanium, and Rose Gold model. The combo you get is entirely up to you, so be sure to select the right one at the time of ordering. B&H Links

Free stuff is always cool.

Report: Smaller LG G6 to Feature 5.4" Display, Probably Won't Come to US

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 11:13:10 +0000

A few times in the past, we've seen LG launch a smaller version of its flagship devices. We saw it with the G4 in the G4c, G5 with the G5 Mini, and so on and so forth. A new report today claims LG is indeed working on a smaller version of the G6, but no official name has been dropped yet. For now, we'll refer to it as the G6 Mini. Not many specs are yet known for the G6 Mini, though, it is reported it will come with a 5.4" display. That's down from 5.7" on the standard G6. No word yet on processor, RAM, battery, or anything like that. Now, probably most importantly, the chance of the G6 Mini hitting the US market is slim. LG is likely focused solely on making the G6 a success in the US, and this less expensive mini variant could be perfect for markets outside America. Not that the G6 is big by any means, but if the Mini was made available in the US, for a cheaper price, would you be interested? If and when more details are made available, we'll let you know.

Via: Techno Buffalo

Report: T-Mobile to Offer Its Own Commitment Free Smartphone

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 09:40:30 +0000

According to a new report, T-Mobile may soon enter the smartphone game, with the effort suggested to kick off in Q3 of 2017. Few details were provided in the report, which is based on supposed marketing materials, but the gist is that T-Mobile will offer an affordable phone that could have a few high-end features, then couple that device with zero commitment on the buyer's part. Reportedly paired with an unannounced plan, buyers will be covered by a lifetime warranty on the device, meaning if you drop and break the phone, it's covered. The no commitment aspect would mean if you get tired of the phone, you simply return it with no repercussions (fees, etc.). Essentially, it comes off as a rental program, where you pay for usage of the device each month, but can then return it whenever you're ready to. From the outside, this does seem like a very Uncarrier thing for T-Mobile do to. However, you'd hope the phone is actually pretty decent, unless you don't mind spending money on some type of Android burner. We got a ways to go before Q3 comes around, and still, none of this information has been confirmed. If T-Mobile offered you a phone with a lifetime warranty and no commitment, would you consider it?

Via: Android Authority

David Foster, VP of Hardware Product Development, Exits Google

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 08:36:44 +0000

David Foster, a VP of Hardware Product Development at Google, who worked as an overseer on the Pixel and Google Home projects, has departed Google. Reporting directly to Rick Osterloh, who came to Google after departing Motorola last year, Foster played a big role at Google after being recruited from Amazon. At his old gig, Foster led development on the Kindle tablet lineup, as well as the Amazon Echo. While a company losing an executive suddenly may seem odd, especially with a potential Pixel 2 coming up and Google I/O right around the corner, Bloomberg reports that Google is not planning to replace Foster. I suppose if the role of VP of Hardware Product Development was essential, Google could insert someone rather quickly, but they aren't. It's possible Osterloh will oversee it all moving forward, but details are limited on the inner workings of Google's hardware division. Best of luck to Mr. Foster.

Via: Bloomberg

HTC Wants You to Squeeze All the Things in Preparation for New U Phone

Tim — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 08:11:52 +0000

Take a moment to reflect on all the great things in life that you can squeeze. Good, very nice. HTC has uploaded a new teaser video for its event on May 16, the same one that we expect the company to unveil the HTC U aka U 11. In this video, HTC shows us all sorts of things you can squeeze. There are lemons, sponges, ketchup bottles, kiwis, and plenty of other fun items. Of course, the belief is that the HTC U has pressure sensitive sides, so the idea of squeezing your phone may soon be reality. There's also a quick glimpse of the device at the 0:03 mark. It does look rather slim, at least from that angle. We're bound to find out a whole lot more on May 16, the same week as Google I/O, so hang in there.

[responsive_vid]

Google Posts Google Assistant SDK Developer Preview

Tim — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 16:00:05 +0000

This week, Google has published the first developer preview for the Google Assistant SDK. What does that mean for average consumers like you and I? Not much at this time, but it most definitely will a little later down the road. With the release of this SDK preview, developers can begin to build integration between their hardware and Google's digital assistant. Google highlights someone could create a robot with Assistant built in or even a voice-enabled smart mirror. The possibilities go on and on. Here's a bit more technical of a description for what this SDK includes, courtesy of Google.

The Google Assistant SDK includes a gRPC API, a Python open source client that handles authentication and access to the API, samples and documentation. The SDK allows you to capture a spoken query, for example "what's on my calendar", pass that up to the Google Assistant service and receive an audio response. And while it's ideal for prototyping on Raspberry Pi devices, it also adds support for many other platforms.

If you're a developer, go get started. [responsive_vid]

Via: Google

Samsung Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S8 Review

Tim — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 13:13:42 +0000

Given the misfortune Samsung went through last year with the Galaxy Note 7, the company undoubtedly needed to bring its A-game for 2017. Intro the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, the company's latest flagships to help consumers forget that it accidentally shipped out devices that could set a house ablaze and not regular ol' smartphones. Our Galaxy S8 review dives into whether or not that happened. Instead of a Edge variant like last year, we've got two identical devices, with exception to the battery size and display size. Other than that, it's the same phone, so we'll kill two birds with one stone in this review. This is our Galaxy S8+ and Galaxy S8 review.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3Fw-oZEtVs

The Good

Specs As I said, both the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are the same device, minus the display size and battery size. Inside both devices you will find a Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB built-in storage, microSD support, NFC, iris scanner, fingerprint reader, facial recognition technology, 12MP rear-facing Dual Pixel camera, 8MP front-facing camera, IP68 water and dust resistance, USB Type-C, 3.5mm headphone jack (no courage!), MST for Samsung Pay, and Android 7.0 "Nougat." For the differing specs, the S8 features a 5.8" Infinity Super AMOLED (Quad HD+, 2960x1440, 571ppi) display and 3,000mAh battery, while the S8+ features a 6.2" Infinity Super AMOLED (Quad HD+, 2960x1440, 529ppi) display and 3,500mAh battery. On paper, it might be hard find devices as good as the Galaxy S8 or S8+ at the moment. However, there's always something to complain about. One could hope Samsung could find a way to fit bigger batteries into these things even though they are incredibly thin phones. The cameras didn't receive much of an upgrade either this year either, but they were already so good in the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, it's not like you'll hear anyone actually complaining. Design The design of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ is where these devices shine. It's gorgeous and Samsung outdid themselves this time around. If you haven't held these devices, think of them like the Galaxy Note 7, but with no home button on the front. In-hand, the Galaxy S8 feels like no other device I've held, and it could possibly be my all-time favorite phone to hold. I can't quite say the same for the Galaxy S8+, simply because of its size. Don't get me wrong, the S8+ is still nice, but not as nice as the smaller S8. Both phones are covered in glass, with metal along the siding. I don't typically bring up the slipperiness of a phone, but the S8 and S8+ feel so darn good when sliding your finger along the display and interacting with things. Buttery smooth. Along the bottom is a USB Type-C port, as well as Kellen's favorite placement for the 3.5mm headphone hack. In this design section, I could rip Samsung's placement of a dedicated hardware button for Bixby, but I'll get to that in the software section below. Because there are applications that allow for the remapping of Bixby, you can't necessarily hate the added button. If you want quicker access to Google Now or Assistant, you have that choice. If Samsung ups and kills that "exploit" yet again, then we'll have some words for Samsung, but until then, just customize the button however you might see fit. I will say, I have accidentally pressed the Bixby button a few times, though it's not a constant mishap that has me screaming in my sleep. I could also bring up Samsung's placement of the fingerprint reader in this section, but again, I'll save that for where it belongs - down in the not-so-good. While ripping on those things is easy, I must also praise Samsung's inclusion of on-screen buttons. They really help this design. I know a few may not be fans of the icons used, but hey, too late now. I give major props to Samsung for taking the chance on them, because you know company executives had countless meetings regarding the ditching of the home button. Think about the engineers who had sleepless nights over that damned home button. Either way, it's gone, and the world seems like a better place without it. Display Infinity. Display. 2017 has been awesome for display technology. Earlier this year, LG gave us the G6, with its extremely minimal bezels and we loved that. Now, Samsung is giving us the Infinity display, and let me tell you, this is slick. On the sides you have a curve that gently trickles over the sides of the device, but it's not as drastic as it was on the Galaxy S6 Edge. It's rounded smoothly, not a steep drop off. On the regular S8, you have a 5.8" Super AMOLED panel, rocking a resolution of QHD+ or 2960x1440 for those here that speak pixel. With regard to the aspect ratio, it's much like LG's on the G6, but with fewer software additions to benefit the size, at least from what I saw. On the G6, LG built in software tweaks for the camera and entire modes to help users benefit from the ratio. On the Galaxy S8 and S8+, you don't really get the sense that this is something new or great, just that it makes your YouTube videos look weird due to black bars on the sides or the stretched look when you "optimize" them. However, I will say that apps tend to act more naturally on the S8 than the G6, but there's still a few that have issues. I have problems inside of Snapchat with this aspect ratio, and I've also had someone report they had issues with Instagram. Considering this whole 18:9 (G6) and 18.5:9 (S8, S8+) thing is new, I'll give the developers some time to optimize their work. One tweak made on the S8 and S8+ that I cannot live without, as it has become standard on almost all other devices, is the Blue Light Filter. Finally, Samsung, you did it. Instead of being blinded by the AMOLED's retina-piercing colors (that's a compliment), I'm now able to view my device at night and in the morning while laying in bed with no strain to my eyeballs. If you aren't a user yourself of blue light filters on your device, get with it, folks. Camera For the camera in both the Galaxy S8 and S8+, Samsung is utilizing a Sony-made IMX333, very similar to what was found in last year's Galaxy S7. While some may have expected a big upgrade, as Samsung tends to do each year, there isn't all that much to improve in terms of overall quality. I mean, the S7 and S8 are some of the best shooters out there already. Not to say that you can't improve upon it, you can, but I'm not over here crying about it. For specs, the rear-facing shooter is 12MP, f/1.7 with phase detection auto focus, OIS, 1.4 µm, 4K video support, slow-mo (not 1000FPS as was reported), and support for 60FPS at FHD. This all adds up to a fantastic shooting experience, with the auto focus speed really blowing the doors down.

We recently conducted a camera showdown between the S8, Pixel, and G6. What we learned is that you can't go wrong with any of the high-end smartphone shooting experiences, with the S8 really excelling in certain areas. It does have its cons, though. For example, the S8 tends to let in a lot of light, leaving some pictures overexposed. It does handle color quite well, especially purples and greens. I've found that Samsung phones deliver a certain warmness to photos, too, which others may see as just a yellowish hue. A lot of this is subjective, so I'll typically just let the photos speak for themselves. As for the software, the camera app is getting better yet again. Samsung used to bloat the heck out of the camera, but things seem much more streamlined. You've got your video and photo modes, as well as Slow-Mo, Food, Pro (enhanced scene settings), Hyperlapse, Panorama, Virtual Shot, Selective Focus, and you can even download others if you want. Point being, you probably won't come across a shot you can't handle, which is all anyone can ask for. We have a ton of camera samples below, so give those a look.

Performance Whenever I use a Samsung device, I have flashbacks to the Galaxy S5. How far we have come since then. Samsung's latest UI and the overall system seems extremely snappy, with much of the credit going to the Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM. From my experience, it's a quick phone, one that is hard to slow down. During my time with the S8 and S8+, I noticed a consistent experience on both models, which left me happy. I could dive into apps quickly, hit that recent apps button, then dive right into another. During gaming, I never experienced real lag or jank, which is something I'm always on the look for. I also didn't run into any random reboots or freezes. Inside the Settings menu, there's a section for Device Maintenance. With this, Samsung assigns a numerical value to your device's performance. If it's low you can hit "Optimize," which then clears up your memory and closes background apps. It's like a task killer from back in the day. When I did experience a tad bit of lag, I went in there and hit Optimize, which freed up the phone rather well, I'd say. If you come across your own hiccup, don't be afraid to go in there and give it a tap from time to time.

Somewhere in the Middle

Software Considering the Galaxy S8 and S8+ might be the best hardware in the game, you should expect nothing but excellence from its software, too. And while I stress that Samsung's skin has matured into something much better than it used to be, it's still not as elegant or easy to navigate as vanilla Android. Once you get beyond the skin deep tweaks, such as subtle animations and popup bubbles that alert you of incoming messages, which all look and feel fantastic by the way, you realize that there are a few things that Samsung still can't quite nail down. For example, if we look at an app folder that isn't full of app shortcuts, the folder utilizes the entirety of the display, which is an awful waste of space. Not only that, but while I appreciate Samsung's inclusion of an app drawer that you slide open, it does seem odd that I can swipe up or down to get into it, and when I attempt to swipe through apps, I will sometimes close the drawer because I can swipe up or down to close it, too.

These are the minor things that irk me, and when it comes down to it, this is why I say that Samsung's skin has matured very well. It's getting better, but there's just minor things here and there that some may find bothersome. One areas in particular that has improved would be the Settings menu, which is completely navigable and no longer a labyrinth of confusing text and endless options. There's Google Assistant, too, something I use on countless occasions. That does bring me to Bixby, though, Samsung's wannabe digital assistant. Let's discuss, shall we? Bixby, at this exact point in time, is not Bixby. What Samsung shipped out on the S8 and S8+ is some half baked Google Now, perfect for absolutely nothing. Will that change? Yes it will, so I find it useless to sit here for an hour and bash something that is not even ready for the public. I will say, Bixby Vision is up and running on most S8 and S8+ devices, and that's pretty cool. With it, I can snap a photo of toilet paper, then it will take me to Amazon to buy more toilet paper. When I showed this off to my girlfriend, she had that look of, "Hmm, I want to be impressed, but is this really the future of handheld computing?" Yes, my dear, yes it is. Later this year, we can expect Samsung to formally launch Bixby, with its voice activated commands and broader usability. I will try to reserve most of my judgement for that time, which should be rather soon. Once available, we'll definitely have a standalone review over of Bixby and what it is actually capable of.

Battery On the Galaxy S8, I've seen pretty average battery life. In a typical day, I'd have about 10-20% juice left with 3-4 hours of screen on time. Not too bad, not too good. Typical and average. On the Galaxy S8+, though, I was seeing much better numbers. Provided it does have a bigger battery, I was going to bed with a solid 30-40% each night, always getting somewhere between 3-4 hours of screen on time. That's much better and unlike the regular S8, I wasn't too worried about running out of juice before bedtime. I will say, I would love for a flagship, top tier device to come around that isn't just average. I know it's hard to jam a 4,500mAh battery in these ultra thin devices, but really, I'm okay with a somewhat thicker device. I'm not talking brick in the pocket, but come on already. Considering how many people value battery life, one of these companies will surely answer our prayers at some point.

Galaxy S8

Galaxy S8+

The Not-so-Good

Fingerprint Reader Placement Worst fingerprint reader placement ever? Well, technically, yes, but only because this is the first device I've ever used with such a poor place for it. I mean, we're all about having it on the backside, but up by the camera? Sorry, that won't work for me. Interestingly enough, before the S8 was announced and all we had were rumors and renders, I wrote my thoughts down about this positioning and essentially all of my fears were confirmed -- I have placed my nasty little grease fingers on the camera's glass way too many times to be comfortable with. Now, on the Galaxy S8, I've at least been able to get somewhat used to the spot. Once I take the phone out of my pocket, I'm getting pretty good at where my finger goes. On the S8+, though, I simply don't care for it whatsoever. In fact, I don't even try to use it and just rely on facial recognition and using a pattern unlock to get into my phone. The fingerprint reader is just not worth the trouble. Is it safe to say we never see this placement again? Samsung is typically pretty good at listening to feedback, so my hope is yes. It may be on the Note 8 later this year, but once Samsung and Synaptics have their fingerprint reader under glass tech complete, we should never have to deal with this again. Software Updates No, the Galaxy S8 and S8+ are not Pixel devices. You won't see super fast software updates. Should that surprise you? Absolutely not. We're Android users, so we're used to this. On the upside, the S8 and S8+ ship with Nougat and Samsung has been very good about delivering monthly security updates. You can't really ask for much more from a company that isn't Google. Considering these are Samsung's latest and there's no Note 7 devices to update, Samsung's main efforts should be focused entirely on the S7, S7 Edge, S8, and S8+. That should be manageable for Samsung.

Other Notes

Headphone jack - It's got one! Stick that in your pipe and smoke it, Apple!
Expandable storage - MicroSD cards are here to stay apparently and we're very happy about this. You can load up your phone with as much as 256GB of extra storage.
Girlfriend impressions - My girlfriend is out of town this week, but I recall her mentioning she thought the S8 was oddly small for how large the display is. For the S8+, she wasn't a fan. Too big for her girly hands.
Samsung Pay - If my bank would ever support Samsung Pay, maybe I could talk about it. Until then, I've heard great things, but hey, what can you do? My bank sucks.
Fast charging and wireless charging - Fast charging or some variant of it is basically offered on every high-end and mid-tier phone sold these days. On the S8 and S8+, you can get a wireless charger that is "fast" charging, which is awesome. If you have yet to invest in a wireless charger for your compatible phone, do it.

Availability

Provided these are Samsung flagships we're talking about, you can find them everywhere. Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile, or wherever else you might be a customer. Pricing differs for each, so you will need to check with your carrier of choice for the latest details. Be sure to check Best Buy and Samsung's site directly, as you could always find a random deal or promo taking place.

Verizon: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
AT&T: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
T-Mobile: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Sprint: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Cricket: Galaxy S8
Best Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Samsung: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

Videos

Unboxing [responsive_vid] First 10 Things to Do [responsive_vid vid_url="vhfyod3D2fc"] Best Cases for the Galaxy S8 / S8+ [responsive_vid vid_url="08e4CVP6Q8M"]

Gallery

Samsung Galaxy S8 Review: Greatness or nah?

I've seen plenty of people say they don't like the Galaxy S8. Why is that? Is it just because they're haters of everything Samsung? I mean, even if you're a Samsung hater, it's hard to dislike the Galaxy S8, at least in my view. It's one of the more beautiful devices to ever launch (yes, I know, beauty is subjective), it has fantastic specs, and Samsung's custom software has come such a long way from the TouchWiz days of old. Seriously, get over it. Now, should you run out and buy this phone? I'd recommend it, for sure, but it's not the only phone I'd recommend. There's a lot of great options out there and the S8/S8+ are just two of the best. You've got the G6 from LG that's nice, plus plenty of other upcoming devices to look forward to. If you're in the market, though, and need a phone right now, you'd be crazy not to at least consider the Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+, depending on how big your pockets are.

Google Specifies Dates for Last Pixel and Nexus Security Patches

Tim — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 11:22:47 +0000

In mid-2016, Google provided specific timeframes for when Nexus devices would stop receiving new Android version updates. Today, Google is back to update us again, but this time, for when security updates will specifically cease for all current Nexus and Pixel devices. Before today, all Google provided was a not-so-technical timeframe. The exact words were, "For the longer of 3 years from availability or 18 months from when the Google Store last sold the device." Yeah, that's some backwards gibberish, not even sure if it's English. Anyway, we now know specifically when all current Nexus and Pixel devices will no longer receive security updates. Here are the details you'll need to know. In layman's, the below dates are when you phone is officially unsupported and you should really consider upgrading. Pixel

Nexus

Via: Google

Deal: Pick Up a Moto G4 Plus for $160 in Black or White, Save $70

Tim — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 10:38:35 +0000

Taking place on B&H Photo and Amazon, you can pick up a Moto G4 Plus at $70 off the retail price, which is good for both the 16GB and 64GB models. At 16GB, $70 off brings the grand total to $159.99. For the 64GB model, the grand total with $70 off is $229.99. For specs, the G4 Plus sports a 5.5-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 617 processor, 3000mAh battery with TurboPower charging, microSD slot, 16MP camera with laser and phase detect autofocus, and universal operability on all major US carriers. The G4 Plus also comes equipped with a fingerprint reader, a feature you won't find on the standard G4. I've placed our unboxing video below if you haven't been keeping up with our Moto G4 Plus coverage. For those looking to do their shopping on Amazon, follow this link. B&H Links: White 16GB | Black 16GB | White 64GB | Black 64GB

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Verizon Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge Get Update With One Talk Support

Kellen — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:38:14 +0000

The Galaxy S8 might be the talk of the town at the moment, but updates are still flowing to devices like the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. Verizon's S7 line-up is receiving new software today that introduces support for Big Red's One Talk service and the latest version of the Amazon Shopping app. The updates should be small and will arrive as software versions G930VVRU4BQC5 and G935VVRU4BQC5. What is One Talk? It's a "multi-line telephone solution that can help employees who work in an office, are on the go and remote, or a combination of both," according to Verizon. In other words, it gives you a single number that will ring at your office or mobile. It also features video calling, special "Auto Receptionist" tools for auto-directing calls to proper lines, and requires you to have special Verizon desk phones in order to work. Yeah, this is not a solution for you and I, but really is for offices. It also needs a special app on your phone. You can find out more about One Talk at this link. Go grab that update!

Via: Verizon [2]

Blackberry KEYOne Hits US at End of May

Kellen — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:22:07 +0000

The Blackberry KEYOne, a TCL-made phone attempting to bring back the glory days of physical keyboards, will arrive in the US on May 31. At this time, no carrier partners have been announced. To recap, outside of the Blackberry keyboard, you'll notice the premium design and finish of the phone. I'd argue it's quite handsome, even with the keyboard no one is asking for (Come on!). The phone also runs a Snapdragon 625 with a 3505mAh battery and 4.5-inch display, which means it's going to last for days on days assuming TCL knows how to tune this bad boy like Motorola. You guys know my love affair with the 625. Additionally, the Blackberry KEYOne features a 12MP camera (same camera as you'll find in the Pixel), Android 7.1 Nougat, and USB Type-C port with Quick Charge 3.0. While not a top-tier phone on the level of the Galaxy S8, at the right price this could actually be worth a look if a keyboard interests you. Anyone interested?

Via: Newswire

Gboard Updated With New Languages, Ability to Resize and Reposition

Tim — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:17:53 +0000

Gboard has been updated with support for new languages, as well as the ability to resize and reposition the keyboard to however you see fit. There are 22 new Indic languages inside, plus support for Kinyarwanda and Waray. Not only that, but Gboard allows for these language users to spell things phonetically, then a transliteration process is undergone in real time. Google states that any Google Indic Keyboard users should switch over to the latest Gboard and give it a try. On top of new languages supported, Gboard also comes with a new text editing mode with buttons for increased cursor control, as well as the ability to select text, cut, copy, and paste right from the keyboard. To access this new editing mode, select the Text Editing icon in the quick features menu by pressing on the G button (or arrow) in the strip that contains your suggestions. Lastly, inside the regular settings menu, you will find an option to change up the overall size of Gboard. You can make it bigger or smaller. You can also choose the positioning, which should help your little fingers if they can't quite reach something. This change is perfect for the one-handed tappers among us. Go grab the update from Google Play by following the link below. Play Link

Via: Google

Samsung Pay Expands Into Four New Markets

Kellen — Thu, 27 Apr 2017 08:08:32 +0000

This morning, Samsung announced that its mobile payment system, Samsung Pay, has expanded into four new markets. Over the next couple of days, Samsung Pay will officially arrive in Sweden and United Arab Emirates (UAE), followed by an "early access" launch in Hong Kong and Switzerland. In related news, Samsung Pay on the Gear S3 is also finding new territories before the end of this month. Gear S3 owners in Russia, Sweden, and UAE will be able to pay using their wrists. Those new countries join the US, Singapore, and Australia as currently supported Gear S3 payment locations. And that's pretty much it!

Via: Samsung

Facer Intros 'Daily Mix' for Android Wear Users, Get New Faces Each Day for Free

Tim — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 15:17:28 +0000

Facer, the platform made for those looking to find the perfect watch face, as well as those looking to spread their creative wings and make their own watch faces, just announced Daily Mix. With this feature, Facer users will find new faces each day awaiting them, all taken from Facer's growing library of faces. Think of Daily Mix like a slot machine for watch faces. Each day, you're given coins to spin the machine, with each spin returning a random watch face. If you don't like a face, spin it again. You can keep spinning until you run out of coins, but whichever face you do decide on, it's yours to keep. To sum it up, instead of skimming through Facer's 20,000+ catalog manually, let Daily Mix do the work for you. Daily Mix is available via an update to the Facer app over on Google Play. If you rock a Tizen device, don't worry, it's available for you, too. Do note, though, it is limited to those running Android Wear 2.0. Just another reason to curse the company who hasn't updated your timepiece yet. Have at it. Play Link

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Via: Facer

Amazon's Echo Look is an Alexa-Powered Camera Helping You Look Your Flyest

Kellen — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:56:47 +0000

Amazon's Echo line of products expanded this morning with the introduction of the Echo Look, a "hands-free camera and style assistant." I know, all of you dudes in the building are asking if it's April 1 today, and I can tell you that it isn't. This is a real product. In fact, as silly as it may sound to you and I, I'm not sure it's as silly as you think! So what is Echo Look? It's an Alexa-powered smart camera of sorts. You have all of the benefits of Amazon's Alexa assistant, plus you get a depth-sensing, hands-free camera that features LED lights and some computer vision blurring stuff. The point of Echo Look is to take pictures of yourself ("Alexa, take a picture!") to make sure your outfit is on point before heading out for the day. It's also a tool for cataloging outfits, getting a 360-degree view of your outfit, sharing outfits with your favorite social networks, and asking for help in styling (the Echo Look app will try actually try to use fashion experts and an algorithm to tell you which outfit to wear). Watch the video below to get the full overview. Again, this isn't for the fashionless bro-dogs who hang out here and nerd out over 3rd part launchers and Tasker recipes. This is for fashion-forward people or those who may need some help with fashion. For example, I just asked my wife to come check this thing out. She's a fashion freak. Always knows the latest styles and trends, follows fashion bloggers, and generally knows her sh*t when it comes to style. Her reaction was, "That's pretty cool, except for the gimmicky style check thing." I'm paraphrasing, but she certainly saw how this could be cool. She already takes pictures of outfits, so why not have a hands-free way to do so that also catalogs those outfits and gives her all the angles as she's trying to pick something out. Anyways, a lot of people are clowning this thing today, probably because it's not for them. And that's fine! But, if you are ready to be the fashion god(dess), hit up that link below to request an invite. That's right, you can't just outright buy one yet.

Google Trips Gets Improvements Just in Time for Your Summer Vacations

Kellen — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:22:47 +0000

After making its public debut last fall, Google Trips hasn't seen many updates. Today, that changes, thanks to an update that adds several new features to Google's trip planner and organizer. In the update, you'll now find an option to share every single one of your reservations from a trip to someone through a single, organized email. You'll also find a new button in the Reservations tab that lets you add notes, flights, restaurants, hotels, etc. in case you need to make some manual changes. Finally, all of your past and upcoming train and bus reservations "will automatically be organized in one place," according to Google. Grab the app at the link below! Play Link

Via: Google

You Can Now Access Over 5 Million Recipes Through Google Assistant

Tim — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:19:35 +0000

Thanks to Bon Appetit, The New York Times, Food Network and more, Google Assistant now features access to over 5 million recipes. Essentially any dish you can think of, Google Assistant and Google Home can now walk you through the cooking process step by step. To get started, you'll want to ask Assistant on your phone for a recipe. Once you find some inspiration, you should probably head to the store and pick up what you'll need. At that point, you can send the recipe to Google Home, which can then read off the instructions one at a time. If you need to repeat something, just ask Google to repeat the last step. Here are the steps that Google lists.

Step 1: Pick a recipe! Go to the Google Assistant on your Android phone or to Google Search (iOS or Android) and find a recipe. Once you pick your favorite, select the “Send to Google Home” button.
Step 2: Once you’re ready to cook, just say “Ok Google, start cooking" or "Ok Google, start recipe."
Step 3: Gather your ingredients.
Step 4: All while you’re following the recipe, you can play your favorite music, ask about conversions (teaspoons to tablespoons, tablespoons to cups -- who can remember that stuff?) and set a timer or two.
Step 5: Enjoy your meal!

Easy enough, right? Google states that this feature will rollout over the course of this week. If you don't have it yet, just wait a day or two and it shall arrive.

Via: Google

Moto X Pure Edition Receiving Nougat Update

Tim — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 11:08:22 +0000

Listed back in October of last year as one of Motorola's devices that would receive Nougat, it appears the update for the Moto X Pure Edition is now ready for rollout. Inside, folks still rocking this gorgeous smartphone can expect all the typical Nougat goodness. That goodness includes improved notifications, Doze on the Go, multi-window support, better performance (JIT compiler), an improved Settings interface, and so much more. Lenovo does a nice job at listing out the entirety of the changes on its website, so follow the via link for complete details. Pure Edition owners, have at it.

Via: Lenovo

Cheers guanhao!

Google Bluetooth Headphones With Noise Canceling Stopped at the FCC Today

Kellen — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 10:12:44 +0000

A pair of Google-branded Bluetooth headphones with Active Noice Canceling (ANC) stopped off at the FCC today. We didn't know that Google had such an audio device in the works, but the filing doesn't really hold anything back. In fact, we have full photos, a user manual, etc. The device is listed under FCC ID A4R-S0012B30GGU0H and with a model number of GID5B. A4R is Google's FCC code, by the way, so these are indeed a Google product. Those IDs don't tells us a ton, but we do know that these headphones have a 500mAh battery inside, ANC Button, track and volume buttons, and 3.5mm port. They also feature a microUSB port for charging, which is something. Umm, microUSB, really? In my opinion, these headphones are also one of the ugliest pairs I've seen in some time. Each can is a different shade of black or grey, plus we have unnecessary Google circle logos surrounding power icons on both. Tough to say if these are coming soon or if Google is just messing around and creating hardware to keep the FCC on their toes. Maybe we'll know at I/O in a couple of weeks?

Via: FCC | reddit

Reported OnePlus 5 Render Details Dual Rear-Facing Cameras

Tim — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 09:08:05 +0000

A reported render of the OnePlus 5 posted via an Indian outlet is making the rounds, detailing a big change we might see this year from OnePlus. As you can see, the render showcases dual rear-facing cameras on the device, with an LED flash sitting below, followed by a OnePlus logo. Other details we can make out are the buttons for power and volume, as well as what looks to be the standard notification toggle that OnePlus is well known for using. We also spot a minor sliver on the bottom for a headphone jack. Naturally, with renders like this one, don't go betting your life savings that this is exactly what we'll see from the OnePlus 5. Things can always change and nothing is confirmed. In terms of timing, it's reported we can expect to see the OnePlus 5 launch in the next couple of months, first bound to release in China and India. No word yet on US launch specifics. Check out the render, then let us know what you're thinking.

Via: India Today

Google Makes It Easy to Save Parking Location in Maps

Kellen — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 07:58:14 +0000

Google Maps is now not only your parking advisor, it'll help you locate your car after a night or day on the town in a mysterious city. Thanks to a new update, saving your parking location with notes and a meter timer is now easier than ever. Once updated, Google Maps should recognize as you drive somewhere and then park. It'll then place a "You parked here" pin and dot on the map wherever you stopped, or you can always tap on your blue location dot and then "Save your parking" to access the settings at any time. From there you can even drag your parking location, should it not be accurate. From within the parking section of Maps, there are options for changing location (as I just mentioned), as well as parking notes, meter timer, adding photos, walking navigation directions to the spot (with an estimated travel time), and sharing. The update was supposed to rollout within a few days, but I just got it this morning. Be on the lookout! Play Link

Via: Google

This Icon Pack is Hot (and Free!): Dominion

Tim — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 15:40:12 +0000

You all know how much we enjoy a good icon pack, but when we find one we enjoy and it's free, we just can't stop ourselves from sharing it. The latest we're highlighting is Dominion, offering a ton of cool wallpapers and over 3,500 custom icons for the price of absolutely nothing. Typically priced at $1.49, Dominion brings that retro feel to all of your favorite icons. If you're wondering what a retro feel for an icon is exactly, I can best sum it by saying it's brownish, sorta tan in some instances, and could even be described as dirty in some cases. Point being, you won't find an absolute ton of color variation taking place, perfect for a subtle and not too busy wallpaper. And for wallpapers, Dominion has over 200 included, all available through the application's UI. Again, the pack is free currently on Google Play, so it's not as if you have something to lose. Go check it out. Play Link

These Nighttime Low Light Photos From an Experimental Pixel and Nexus 6P Camera App are Nuts

Kellen — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 14:09:03 +0000

What happens when a Googler on the Daydream team decides to take on a camera challenge from some of his nerd camera friends who work in computational photography? You are seeing it for yourselves in the images in this post. Beautiful, right? Would you believe it if I told you these photos were taken with Google's Pixel and Nexus 6P phones under extreme low light conditions at nighttime? Florian Kainz, a software engineer on the Daydream team, explained the photos through a blog post to the Google Research Blog this morning, detailing the challenge and his solution. He said that he was showing off a nighttime photo he took of San Francisco with a Canon 1DX to some friends on a Google Research team who asked him to try to re-produce the image with a smartphone. The photos here are the results of that. The story is very interesting and I recommend you hit up the source link at the bottom of this post to read the full thing. However, if you don't have time, the basics are this. Kainz created his own Android camera app that allowed him to manually control exposure time, ISO, and focus distance. Then, he would setup the app on a Pixel or Nexus 6P, point at his subject, and press the shutter button. From there, after a brief pause, the cameras would produce bursts of shots with few-second exposure times. He would then take those batches of photos and process them on a computer into the photos we featured here. In some situations, he had moonlight and a bit of unnatural light, but others, there was almost no light source outside of some stars. So what does this mean for the future of nighttime photography with a smartphone? This may be proof that these phones are capable of doing some pretty remarkable stuff, but all of the processing is still too "cumbersome" at this time. Then again, what's stopping a software guru from making this all happen on a smartphone? Either way, read the story and then dive into some of these amazing photos. Full gallery can be found here.

Via: Google Research Blog

Chrome 58 for Android Gets Better Downloads, Browsing History Management

Kellen — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 13:20:41 +0000

Chrome for Android is getting an update to v58.0.3029.83 this week that not only provides "performance and stability fixes," it also includes a host of handful of new features. In the update, you'll find the options for viewing and managing in-progress downloads from the Download page, the ability to view and clear browsing history more easily through a "redesigned History page," and long-pressing to open links in new tabs from Chrome Custom Tabs. The update should be ready within the week. Play Link

Via: Chrome Releases

Chrome's Built-in Translate Now Support Nine New Language Pairs

Tim — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 12:27:11 +0000

Users of Chrome's built-in Translate functionality who are in need of more Indian and Indonesian support are in for a treat this week. Announced by Google, nine new language pairs are getting support, including English to/from Bengali, Punjabi, and Kannada. Detailed by Google, "Neural machine translation will be used for most pages to and from English for Indonesian and eight Indian languages: Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil and Telugu. This means higher quality translations on pages containing everything from song lyrics to news articles to cricket discussions." The below image showcases Google's use of neural machine translation. On the left, a webpage in Indonesian, which is unreadable for anyone who doesn't speak the language. In the middle, that same page translated into English without neural machine translation, followed on the right by the same page translated into English with neural machine translation. As you can clearly read, the translations with neural machine translation usage are much more fluid and natural sounding. These changes for Translate inside of Chrome are available now.

Via: Google

Sprint Offers Up Fifth Unlimited Line for Free to Unlimited Freedom Families

Tim — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 11:09:41 +0000

For a limited time, Sprint is offering a 5th line of unlimited data to families on an Unlimited Freedom plan. Specifically, this promotion is for those who are new customers that activate four lines via Unlimited Freedom, then receive the fifth line free of charge. For those not in the know, Unlimited Freedom grants users unlimited data, talk and text, plus HD streaming and 10GB/month per line for hotspot usage. It's a solid little bundle for those in an area Sprint connection is a viable option. Here's what you're getting with the Unlimited Freedom promotion, but keep in mind, these prices reflect a $5 discount with AutoPay.

Unlimited Data, Talk and Text for $50/month for the first line.
Two lines for $40 month/line.
Four lines for $30 month/line.
Fifth line is FREE.

One thing to note, a price hike is inbound for these plans, with Sprint detailing it to happen on June 30, 2018 (next year). Once that increase takes place, the prices will be $60/month for line 1, $40/month for line 2 and $30/month for lines 3-5. This promotion kicks off today, but we're not seeing when it ends. If you want it, go check it out.

Via: Sprint

Verizon Adds $80 Unlimited Option to Prepaid, Features Throttled 480p Video

Kellen — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 10:40:18 +0000

Verizon added a new $80 unlimited option to its prepaid lineup this morning. With this plan, you'll get unlimited "high speed" data usage most of the time, except when on a congested network or you want to stream a video in something over DVD quality. The $80 prepaid plan is listed like the other prepaid plans with its unlimited talk and text in the US and to Mexico, Canada, and some other countries around the world. Because it's "unlimited," you don't have Always-on Data or Carryover, of course. Unfortunately, Verizon also includes in the fine print that "video streams up to 480p" are all you can expect at all times and that they may "prioritize your data behind other customers during times/places of network congestion." In other words, you'll never watch an HD or above video and they may throttle your ass down depending on time or location. Cool! The plan is available now at the link below. Verizon Prepaid Link

Via: Verizon

Question of the Day: Galaxy S8 and S8+ Owners, What's Your Battery Life Been Like?

Tim — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:19:46 +0000

We recently received a tweet, depicting a Galaxy S8+ owner's battery usage statistics. According to him and the info displayed on his device, he's not only getting a solid day of usage (24+ hours), but nearly 9 hours of screen on time (SoT). Excuse me? Come again? What is this wizardry? He goes on to clarify that his display is set to 720p and he does zero gaming, but still, no one can argue with that kind of battery life. You won't see me downgrading to 720p on my S8 or S8+, but props to him for doing so and testing it out. Our question to you, Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners, what's your battery life been like? If you have had your new phone for a few days now, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below. As for me, I was seeing pretty average battery life on the Galaxy S8 (battery around 15% at 11PM), but on the S8+, things are looking good. I'm going to bed with about 40-45% juice left and 3 hours of SoT. For me, that's not terrible at all.

This phone will just not die!! #SamsungGalaxyS8plus @droid_life pic.twitter.com/etP8xdHzlN
— MrCrowley (@MrCrowleyGaming) April 25, 2017

AT&T 5G Evolution Goes Live Today in Austin, 20 More Cities by End of Year

Kellen — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 09:00:46 +0000

AT&T's first 5G Evolution market goes live today and can be taken advantage of by owners of the Samsung Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+. If you are in Austin, TX, you'll find connection to this next-level network in "select areas" right now. Time to go hunting! In related news, AT&T also announced that they plan to light up over 20 "major metro areas" by the end of 2017 with similar 5G Evolution speeds. They haven't posted a full list of those, but areas in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Indianapolis (this summer), Los Angeles, Nashville, and San Francisco will get the love. What should you expect from 5G Evolution? I like to call it faux 5G because full 5G is supposed to be Gigabit speed, yet AT&T is only telling you to expect top download speeds of around 400Mbps. That's still crazy fast for a phone connection, but that's also why this is called "5G Evolution" and not "5G." 5G standards are still being settled at this time. However, AT&T has the tech ready to pump out faster speeds and so they are doing just that with these Evolution markets. Folks in Austin with a Galaxy S8, I need speed test results now.

Via: AT&T

Spotify Brings "Behind the Lyrics" Feature to Android

Kellen — Tue, 25 Apr 2017 08:02:02 +0000

Spotify announced this morning that it is ready to bring its "Behind the Lyrics" feature on over to Android for the first time since introducing it to iOS users over a year ago. The feature is a collaboration with Genius, the former rap lyric site turned musical storyteller, where Spotify hopes to make your listening experience a knowledge hub about your favorite artists. With Behind the Lyrics on Android, users should expect to learn more about the artists they listen to, as well as what those artists were inspired by when creating songs. The idea is to provide the artist's take on their own music means through "lyrical excerpts, fun facts, and stories straight from the artists themselves." As of now, there are two specific playlists that offer the Behind the Lyrics experience: Behind the Lyrics: Hip Hop and Today's Top Hits. If you are a Spotify user, give them a look. The update to Android starts rolling out today. Play Link

Via: Spotify

Google Play Movies & TV Now Streaming in 4K on NVIDIA SHIELD

Tim — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 15:29:13 +0000

Thanks to an update for the Google Play Movies & TV app for Android TV users, streaming your content in 4K is now doable, especially if you own a set-top box capable of handling 4K like the NVIDIA SHIELD TV. In order to watch something in 4K from Play Movies & TV, you'll not only need the proper content (labeled as UHD in Google Play), but a 4K TV with supported hardware. For Google fans, you can use a SHIELD TV for a complete Android TV experience, but you can also utilize one of the latest Chromecast Ultra dongles. Those are still priced at $69. The library of UHD content on Google Play is still growing, but as you'll note, it is not cheap. Many movies to own are priced at $30 in UHD, while renting averages at about $10 a pop. Ouch. Pixel count fiends, have at it.

Best Galaxy S8 Accessory: Magnetic Air Vent Car Mounts

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 14:40:56 +0000

As many of us graduate from our current phone to a Galaxy S8 or S8+, I will once again suggest you consider buying one of the cheap magnetic air vent car mounts you'll find on Amazon. These little guys only cost a few bucks, yet they allow you to mount your phone without a ridiculous dashboard vise grip kit. All you have to do is slap one of these in an air vent and then attach your Galaxy S8 (or other phone) on the thing and it'll stick. Some notes before you buy:

What are they? These magnetic air vent mounts typically work by you placing the mount in a car air vent and then attaching an included metal sticker plate to your phone to allow for your phone to magnetically attach to the mount. They are super convenient, but I love them with select Samsung phones because you don't even need the metal sticker in some situations.
Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S7: My understanding is that because of the wireless charging in Samsung phones, the coil inside allows these phones to stick to these air vent mounts without any extra metal stickers. Your mileage may very, but my wife and I used Spigen's Kuel A200 for months and months with naked Galaxy S7s and had no issues. They work great with the Galaxy S8 so far too. I have not tested the S8+ with these.
LG G6 too: I've found that the LG G6 is held nicely as well without stickers, more than likely because of the wireless charging it features too.
With a case: If you are using a case, then you'll need to use the sticker, but that's no bigger since you can hide the sticker within a case and get that nice magnetic grip.
Galaxy S6 and Note 5: In last year's similar post, I brought up the Galaxy S6 and Note 5 as being naked compatible and assumed they would work well, but a number of people reported back that they didn't.

There are dozens of options out there and they can be had for only a few bucks. I've got a link to the Spigen Kuel A200 below (just $7.99), since those are what I have in my cars. But again, there are plenty of companies making these things that might be cheaper. Amazon Links: Spigen Kuel A200 ($7.99) | Other Air Vent Car Mounts

A Bunch of Bixby Remap Apps Now Available for Galaxy S8

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 12:24:15 +0000

After Samsung killed the original Bixby remap method, developers have been busy trying to figure out another work-around for your Galaxy S8 or S8+. Over the weekend, a bunch of apps surfaced that were indeed a work-around, though we're not sure we would put a full recommendation behind any. I say that because most just seem to be apps that launch Bixby in order to call up another action, like Assistant or another app or your camera. And maybe that's all you need! Either way, here are a few we did some short tests with.

bxActions

This seems to be the most polished of any that we tried. You open it, give it an Accessibility permission to "Monitor your actions," turn it on, and then decide what you want the remap to do. You can choose from a variety of options, including Google Assistant, any app on your phone, the camera, notifications shade, etc. It does appear to be a service that needs to run at all times, so who knows what this will do to your battery. Also, do you want another accessibility service that needs to "monitor your actions" constantly running? You tell me. I did find bxActions to work the quickest over the two I'm about to highlight.

BixBye

As noted in the opening screen, BixBye is in an alpha state, so don't expect the greatest experience for remapping Bixby in the history of the world. Like bxActions, it also requires Accessibility permissions, but along with "Monitor your actions" it needs to be able to "Perform gestures" too. BixBye offers similar options for customization over the Bixby button, like Voice Assistant, app launching, notifications shade, etc. This particular app "relies on Bixby to function." That means it reacts to Bixby. So when you open Bixby, it essentially listens for that action to then perform whatever custom option you chose. The first press may not be the quickest, as Bixby needs to get into memory, but from there forward for a while, your Bixby custom action should work fairly quickly.

BixRemap

With BixRemap, you once again get a similar experience to the two above, but it doesn't use Accessibility and instead monitors usage of other apps, from what I can tell. It appears to scan for Bixby usage so that it can then fire off whatever app you have remapped it to as Bixby loads. In fact, you can increase the "Scan interval" to hopefully speed up the remap, but as the app notes, this could decrease battery life. From within the app, once you have given it "Usage data access," you'll need to start the app and then choose an app to replace Bixby.

Play Links: bxActions | BixBye | BixRemap Should you use any of these apps? I don't know, to be honest. They all seem to require either a constant service running in the background of your phone to try and intercept Bixby opening or just need Bixby to launch in order to change the action to whatever you prefer. That means you'll see Bixby open first in some situations before it completes your custom action. I'd just say that none are great solutions just yet, but could be at some point as developers continue work in this area. If you find any other solutions, let us know.

Camera Comparison: Galaxy S8 vs. Pixel vs. LG G6

Tim — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 12:12:47 +0000

Thinking back to the early days of Android, it's insane to see how far cameras inside of smartphones have come. The innovation doesn't seem to be slowing this year either, as there are many phones available to buyers with very capable and exciting shooters inside. In an attempt to see which is the best of the best with regard to daily usage, we've put Samsung's latest, the Galaxy S8, against the Google Pixel and G6 from LG. To keep things as straightforward as possible, all I did was take the phone out of my pocket and snap the shot. All devices were set to Auto (12MP 4:3 for Galaxy S8 and Pixel, 13MP 4:3 for LG G6) and no brightness tweaks, HDR tweaks, or anything of that sort were committed. It's as natural and even across the board as possible. Of course, each phone could be capable of better images, should you choose to customize your camera settings at the time of the shot. For this purpose, though, I wanted it barebones. As for what you see below, all images have been sized down, but no other editing has been done. Have a look and judge for yourself.

Galaxy S8 / Pixel / LG G6

Max Zoom

Galaxy S8

Pixel

LG G6

Lighting

Galaxy S8

Pixel

LG G6

Now, if you're looking for a winner, that's a tough one. If I'm being truly honest with myself and you, I would have to go with a possible tie between the Pixel and G6, followed by the Galaxy S8. In my mind, this came down to how natural a shot looked after it was snapped and placed on a computer. As you might've noticed, many of the Galaxy S8 shots seem much more saturated with color than what's seen on the Pixel and G6. Not only that, but some shots deliver a somewhat yellowish hue. An example of this would be these shots. While I appreciate that added saturation in some cases, it does seem very unnatural when I compare it to what I saw in real life with my own eyes. The Pixel and G6 cameras gives off a sense of realism, more so than the Galaxy S8. One area the Pixel shines is the overall software. It certainly lacks a few of the extra features that the S8 and G6 have, but when it comes to simply taking your phone out and snapping a shot, the Pixel is right there with you. I can't tell you how many times I had to disable that Bixby Vision popup on the Galaxy S8, even though I dismissed it countless times. On the Pixel, there's nothing of the sort. It's a basic, yet capable shooting experience for everyone. On the G6, what I would label as bloat is very prevalent. In some photo taking cases, a few of these features can come in handy, but overall, the camera seems bogged down by an excessive amount of buttons and settings. While bloat is never fun, the end results from the G6 speak for themselves. Most importantly, each camera seems prone to handling varying settings differently. The Galaxy S8 tends to overexpose in certain daylight environments, but handles trees and grass (green things) pretty well. The Pixel is great at lowlight shots and maintaining detail, while the G6 seems to lack a tad of saturation, but makes up for it with overall clarity and automated exposure levels. To sum it up, you can't go wrong with any of these shooters. To me, they are probably the top 3 photo-snapping Android devices on the market, so when it comes to getting one in your hand, you won't be disappointed. What's your opinion?

Samsung Galaxy S8 Pre-Orders Were the Company's "Best Ever"

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 10:57:08 +0000

The Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ produced "best ever" pre-orders for Samsung, according to a statement issued to press this morning. They didn't release specific numbers, but you have to assume we're talking about a lot of phones. Samsung said that pre-orders were 30% higher than the Galaxy S7 from the year prior. Samsung's pre-orders sure seem to be going up with each new phone, including the Note 7 and its record-setting numbers. Cool. Hopefully, they can keep them in stock, eh, Google?

Via: The Verge

Verizon Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge Getting Nougat Update Right...Now!

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:16:00 +0000

Verizon Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge owners, you should probably jump into Settings>System updates. Why? Because your Android 7.0 Nougat update is here! The update seems to have gone live minutes ago, as a handful of users all pinged us at the exact same time, saying they were prompted to update. We don't have many details just yet, but we'll update this post as we have more (like size, software version, etc.). As you can see in the screenshot below, this is Android 7.0, plus Samsung is throwing in security updates, a new battery management page, easier multitasking, and photo effects and filter previews. UPDATE: Verizon has now posted the changelogs for each. It looks like the S6 is getting software version G920VVRS4DQD1, while the S6 Edge will see G925VVRS4DQD1. To see screenshots of some of the changes you can expect, be sure to hit up those source links below. https://twitter.com/afgbruins21/status/856539308257415168

Via: Verizon [2]

Cheers Phil, James, and Arian!

Verizon Galaxy S8 Lacks Shopping Via Bixby, Apparently Because Verizon

Tim — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 09:10:36 +0000

Over the weekend, Verizon owners of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ may have noticed another important feature missing from Bixby - the ability to shop on Amazon via Bixby Vision. Typically with Bixby Vision, a user is able to snap a photo of something, then cross reference that image via Amazon for shopping or Pinterest for general searching. On Verizon units, shopping has been left out completely, leaving only the ability to search for similar images on Pinterest. So, who should owners point the finger at? According to Samsung, Bixby Vision works just fine on other carrier models (I can confirm the T-Mobile S8 and S8+ work just fine), so it seems that Verizon is the one to blame. However, Verizon clarifies that it is working with Amazon to enable the functionality on its Galaxy S8 units.

Bixby Vision works on all versions of the Galaxy S8, but the Amazon shopping function isn't operational yet. We are working with Amazon to provide that experience, but in the meantime you can use the existing Amazon app on your Samsung Galaxy S8 for the same photo and shopping experience.

Once details are released by Verizon with regard to when owners can expect to see it on their devices, we'll let you know.

@droid_life You guys have the Bixby Shopping option? I'm thinking @verizon disabled it on theirs because Verizon. pic.twitter.com/bhNdKgodQk
— John Robert (@Mercuie) April 21, 2017

Via: CNET | @Mercuie

Cheers John!

Samsung Issuing Galaxy S8 Updates to Address Red Tinted Displays, WiFi Issues

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 08:02:57 +0000

After hearing a reasonable number of complaints from Galaxy S8 owners who noticed a red tint in their phone's displays, Samsung will issue a software update to give them more control over display color settings. According to the Wall Street Journal, another update will aim to fix buggy WiFi in Korea. That's two updates within the first couple of weeks of the Galaxy S8's life, in case you were keeping track. The red tint issue (example) was reported almost immediately out of Korea when the Galaxy S8 and S8+ launched. I can't say that we've seen many complaints from our readers, but the red tint was widespread enough out of the gate that you can find reports of it in various forums and news outlets. Samsung took notice and will push an update that lets users "adjust the color setting to their preference." In other words, the red tint doesn't mean you have a defective display, it just means that Samsung tuned it poorly and will allow you do take control going forward. As for the other update that will address WiFi bugs, well, it should do just that - fix WiFi bugs. This update might specifically be targeting an issue in Korea, so it may not affect your unit at all. If you do have WiFi issues, be sure to let us know, though. How'd your first weekend go, S8 owners?

Via: Wall Street Journal

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 5 Getting Nougat Update This Week

Kellen — Mon, 24 Apr 2017 06:51:35 +0000

Earlier this month, both Verizon and AT&T versions of the Galaxy Note 5 got in on the Nougat update action. T-Mobile customers, as you can probably imagine, wondered why their version was still in the dark, since T-Mobile often seems to be one of the first to push these big updates. We don't know the answer to that, but we do know that the update should hit T-Mo users this week. According to T-Mobile's Des, the human-form of an all-caps conversation on Twitter, the Note 5's Nougat update was approved at the end of last week and should start rolling out any minute. No one has pinged us yet this morning with confirmation, but we have no reason to believe there are any last minute delays. If you see that Nougat update, let us know! https://twitter.com/askdes/status/855575580175028224

Galaxy S8 in the House

Kellen — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 19:41:28 +0000

On this fabulously fresh episode of the Droid Life Show, we're sharing all of the hot, hot thoughts on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Honestly, I don't even know if there is anything else to talk about with these phones launching today and both Tim and I having some to play with. So, join us to talk about the S8 and S8+! We'll be live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Weekly Recap: Our Lives Have Been Consumed by the Galaxy S8

Tim — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 16:00:07 +0000

Just as we expected, life at DL now revolves around the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Is that a bad thing, though? If you aren't a fan of this phone it may seem like it, but don't worry, once another hot new smartphone hits the market, our attention will be diverted yet again. This week, we posted up our unboxing for the Galaxy S8 and S8+, checked out a lot of different cases (we're giving them away, too!), and also posted reviews for the Moto G5 Plus and Huawei Watch 2. Believe me, there was a lot of non-Galaxy S8 action taking place as well. We got our first possible look at the HTC U (aka U 11), Google Home gained multi-user support, and Verizon learned that unlimited data plans are very, very good for business. Here's all of the action you don't want to miss.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 140 [Subscribe]
Video: Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ unboxing.
Video: First 10 things to do on the Galaxy S8 and S8+.
Video: Few of the best Galaxy S8 cases worth checking out.
Giveaway: Big time Galaxy S8, S8+ case giveaway.
Review: Huawei Watch 2.
Review: Moto G5 Plus.
T-Mobile, Verizon Galaxy S8 and S8+ receiving day one update.
HTC U: HTC U will be announced on May 16.
This is the HTC U aka U 11.
Pressure sensitive home button on the Galaxy S8 is awesome.
Google Home gains multi-user support.
Report: Google Chrome to receive ad blocker to kill bad ads.
Verizon had a rough quarter, but was saved by re-intro of unlimited plans.
Android Wear 2.0 updates are coming next week or maybe by the end of May.
Instagram for Android now has an offline mode.
You can now add your PayPal account to Android Pay.
Verizon's Wear24 Android Wear watch arrives May 11.

Have a great weekend, folks!

Moto Z2 Play Makes Appearance With Its Slim Self

Kellen — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 15:13:02 +0000

According to the crew at TechnoBuffalo, the phone you are seeing below is none other than the follow-up to my favorite mid-range phone of all time. I'm talking about the Moto Z Play as my favorite, so this would be the Moto Z2 Play. The phone, assuming these images are legit, matches up nicely to the 2017 Moto phone design we have seem a couple of times already. In other words, this Z2 Play looks like the Moto G5 Plus and the leaked Moto Z2. You've got the hump-of-all-humped cameras on the back, along with a softly rounded fingerprint reader on the front chin (RIP: square Moto reader). We're also seeing front camera with front flash, PINs for Moto Mods access, and a familiar side button setup. Oh, the phone is gold and white too, but you can see that without me describing it. Overall it looks very Moto Z-ish.

I've got to say that this image worries me quite a bit. The beauty of the Moto Z Play was not its design, but rather the fact that its battery lasted for days upon days. This phone looks stupidly thin for a sequel whose only goal was to come back with even better battery life. Is there any chance this Moto Z2 Play has a 3510mAh battery? I'd be shocked. Please let this be playing tricks on me. Your thoughts?

Via: TechnoBuffalo

T-Mobile, Verizon Galaxy S8 and S8+ Units Receiving Day One Update

Tim — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 11:13:00 +0000

Day one updates are rolling out to the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ on Verizon and T-Mobile, bringing the latest security patch, as well as other minor changes. According to Verizon's website, the Galaxy S8 should receive software version G950USQU1AQD9, while the Galaxy S8+ receives G955USQU1AQD9. For the T-Mobile models, as shown in the screenshot below, it will be the same exact thing. As for what's changing, the Galaxy S8+ for T-Mobile lists improvements for Face Recognition, tweaks for the Camera user interface, plus the April security update. For Verizon, the carrier details optimizations for the Infinity display, the added ability to press the volume up button to answer calls, and tweaks for notification badges. Owners on T-Mo and Verizon, go get these updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

Cheers everyone who sent this in!

Galaxy S8 Guide: The Pressure Sensitive Home Button is Awesome

Kellen — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 10:12:40 +0000

The Galaxy S8 and S8+ do not have Samsung's standard physical home button. Whether that affects you or not, I could see where long-time Galaxy fans could be disappointed since they'll have to learn the ways of the on-screen navigation bar. However, the company is doing one cool thing with the virtual home button that should bring everyone bundles of joy. The Galaxy S8 has a press-sensitive area at the bottom of its display where the on-screen home button sits. This area allows you constant access home no matter what you are doing. So even if the button isn't showing (Ex: you are in a full screen app or you have Always-on Display turned off), you can touch the area with a bit of extra pressure ("hard press") and the phone will return home or wake or even unlock. It's awesome!

When or how would you use this? So far, I've found this feature to be most useful from the lock screen or when the phone is locked. I have mine setup to allow the phone to be unlocked with a "hard" press, which is perfect when paired with Smart Lock, so that I never have to reach for that terribly placed fingerprint reader or hope that facial recognition works quickly enough. Again, you can also use the hard press on the home button when in any full-screen app and the button isn't showing. All you have to do is hard press the area where the home button would be and it'll activate. You can even turn off Always-on Display and still hard press the area, even with a fully blacked-out screen. Like this. Setting this up

In Settings>Display>Navigation Bar I have the option turned "ON" for "Unlocked with Home Button." This allows me to hard press the home button from the lock screen and fully unlock my phone.
Now, you can use the home button to unlock your phone once you enabled the option above without a secure lock screen and enjoy your day. All you need to do now is just press that area and your phone will unlock without swipes or any extra work. However, if you want a secure lock screen to protect you from bad guys, Smart Lock is the next step I would recommend.
You'll now need to pick a secure lock screen option (pattern, PIN, etc.) in Settings>Lock screen and security and enable it. From there, it's on to Smart Lock.
In Settings>Lock screen and security>Smart Lock you'll find options for setting up Smart Lock trusted places, trusted devices, on-body detection, and trusted voice. Consider setting up home and work trusted places, your cars as trusted devices (via Bluetooth), that sort of thing. That way when you are at the places you visit the most and connected to regular Bluetooth devices, your phone won't need to be fully locked and you can bypass your secure lock screen temporarily. To learn more about Smart Lock, hit up this series of posts.
For a video explanation of all of this, watch our First 10 Things video on the S8. You'll see my full lock screen setup around the 6:40 mark.

With all of that set, you should now be able to simply hard press on the Galaxy S8's virtual home button to unlock your phone. And trust me, you'll want to do it. It not only allows you to quickly unlock your phone, but its pressure-sensitive vibration might make you ~~aroused~~ happy.

This piece is part of our Galaxy S8 Guide, an ongoing segment dedicated to getting the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S8.

Video: Best Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ Cases Worth Checking Out

Tim — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:45:23 +0000

I'm not the biggest fan of cases for smartphones, but according to our recent poll, I am in the minority. People want to protect their smartphones, and you know what, I understand where you're coming from. Especially on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, with all of its glass and hardly any bezel, there's no doubt you'll want a case to protect it. In an effort to show you a few of the better options out there from companies like Spigen, BodyGuardz and VRS Design, we've put together the below video to show you what's out there for the S8 and S8+. In the video, we go over options like Thin Fit, Crystal Bumper, wallet cases, armor cases, and neo hybrid cases. There are so many options out there, it's completely realistic to believe there is a case tailored specifically to suit your needs. If you are looking for a direct recommendation, I really quite like the Spigen Thin Fit options for the S8 and S8+, simply because there's no a lot of added bulk when the case is on. Yes, it covers up the gorgeous backside of the device, but at least you'll know your corners and back glass are safe from a tumble. Another option I appreciate is the Wallet S. Not only is it a case, but can double as a wallet for anyone with big enough pockets to accommodate it. Links can be found to these aforementioned cases below, as well as a couple others that I recommend. Spigen

Galaxy S8 Liquid Crystal - http://amzn.to/2orvqR7
Galaxy S8 Thin Fit - http://amzn.to/2pJ5OCT
Galaxy S8 Wallet S - http://amzn.to/2pX4lp0

BodyGuardz

Galaxy S8 Shock - http://amzn.to/2p0WCJs
Galaxy S8+ Ace Pro - http://amzn.to/2pJ5c01

VRS Design

Galaxy S8 - https://vrsdesign.com/collections/galaxy-s8
Galaxy S8+ - https://vrsdesign.com/collections/galaxy-s8-plus

If you missed it, we're giving away all of these cases, so if you'd like the opportunity of winning one, you can find details here. Will you be using a case your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08e4CVP6Q8M

Thanks to Partnership, Galaxy S8 and S8+ Owners Get Special Treatment in Google Play Music

Tim — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 09:11:33 +0000

With the launch of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ now here, Google and Samsung have announced a partnership to benefit new Galaxy owners inside of Google Play Music. With this partnership, Play Music becomes the default music app and music service for Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices (plus all Samsung other phones and tablets), but the fun doesn't stop there. On top of being the go-to music service, new Galaxy owners will receive three months of trial access to Play Music. Additionally, exclusive to S8 and S8+ owners, you can upload and stream up to 100,000 songs for free, a doubling of the standard 50,000 that Google offers everyone else. Later this spring, once Bixby is ready for its real debut, direct integration with Play Music will be available. At that point, a Bixby user can speak to Bixby and play music or find a track using the voice-powered feature. Galaxy S8 owners, go grab the latest version of Play Music and enjoy your tunes. Play Link

Via: Google

Galaxy S8 Pre-Orders: Don't Forget to Claim Your Free Gear VR With Controller

Kellen — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 07:50:31 +0000

If you pre-ordered a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ and you now have your phone, it's time to claim that free Gear VR with Controller that Samsung promised you. Alternatively, Samsung will sell you a $99 bundle of goodies instead, once you show proof of purchase that includes that Gear VR with Controller, along with a pair of "premium" AKG headphones (Y50BT) and a 256GB microSD card. Samsung says this pack has a $500 value. In case you were wondering those AKG headphones are on-ear Bluetooth headphones (reviews), while the 256GB card is one of Samsung's EVO+ models (obviously). Hit up the link below to get started. You'll need your phone's IMEI, WiFi MAC, and receipt that shows proof of purchase (email confirmations work). Samsung Promotions Link

Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ Now Available Just About Everywhere!

Kellen — Fri, 21 Apr 2017 07:11:42 +0000

Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ launch day is here! After months of speculation and rumor, followed by an Unpacked event a few weeks back and then a pre-order period, the phones are now in stores. And we're not talking select stores - we're talking all the stores. To buy the Galaxy S8 or S8+ of your dreams, you'll find links to the big carriers and retailers below. If you need pricing or deal information, hit up this link. Don't forget to check out our "Galaxy S8: First 10 Things to Do" video, along with the Galaxy S8 case overview of some of our favorites. We've also kicked off a Galaxy S8 Guide that you'll want to bookmark and check back on regularly. We'll be offering all sorts of tips and tricks there. Go get 'em! Links:

Verizon: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
AT&T: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
T-Mobile: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Sprint: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Cricket: Galaxy S8
Best Buy: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+
Samsung: Galaxy S8 | Galaxy S8+

Giveaway: Win 1 of 40+ Cases for the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+

Tim — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 17:19:27 +0000

With all of its glass and fragility, it's likely you are in the market for a Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ case. You came to the right place. We have over 40 of the best cases from various makers, such as Spigen and VRS Design, and we're giving them all away! To give you an idea of what we're giving away, we have thin fit cases, wallet cases, bumper cases, neo hybrid cases, air cushion cases, liquid air cases, folder cases, crystal cases, and rugged armor cases. I think we have almost every type of case for the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Due to the amount of cases we have, we won't do our standard Rafflecopter system. Instead, follow the below link to fill out a simple Google Form we have created. Input your name, email address, what phone you want a case for, then your address. On Monday (April 24) at 10AM Pacific, we will randomly select our winners and ship out random cases. Again, due to the number of cases, we can't let folks pick and choose which case our winners will receive. It will be a fun mystery for you. To learn more about the cases up for grabs, check out our video below.

Enter Here

Galaxy S8 / S8+ Cases Worth Checking Out https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08e4CVP6Q8M

Galaxy S8 Guide: How to Take Screenshots

Kellen — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 14:40:37 +0000

We don't typically talk much about how to take screenshots on the Android phones you guys buy because it's been the exact same process for years. On a Samsung phone, you do a palm swipe across the screen (if enabled) or press Power + Home for a couple of seconds. On all other Android phones, it's a press of Power + Volume Down for a couple of seconds. Any newb knows how this works. Plus, the last thing any of you need is for us to become another Android SEO farm. There are enough of those. Gross. With that said, if you have been a long-time Samsung Galaxy phone owner, things are actually changing on the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ in the screenshots department. How exciting! Since you no longer have a physical home button to press, you can no longer do the Home + Power combo to take a screenshot. Instead, you now get to be just another average Android user and do the Power + Volume Down trick. Cool, right?

Galaxy S8 Screenshots - Method 1 1. Press and hold Power + Volume Down for a couple of seconds. 2. Your phone will do a little buzz and then an animation to confirm the screenshot. 3. That's it. Galaxy S8 Screenshots - Method 2 1. Swipe the edge of your hand over your screen gently. (See image below) 2. If done right, your phone will also buzz and animate to confirm the screenshot. 3. That's it.

Other Notes Now, that's of course not all. Those two ways will get you screenshots, but Samsung takes their screenshot feature up several notches. Since we're here, we may as well talk about some of those items.

Advanced Features: Head into Settings>Advanced Features and you'll find settings for the Palm Swipe to Capture and Smart Capture. If you want to be able to do the palm swipe for screenshots, this is where you'll enable it (it should be on by default). If you want some extra tools to show just after you take a screenshot, you'll want Smart Capture on.
Smart Capture: This is actually pretty useful, assuming you don't need to fire off 10 screenshots in a row. Because after each screenshot (with either Method 1 or 2 above), Smart Capture displays a little menu bar at the bottom of your just-captured screenshot. You can tell it to continue capturing ("Scroll Capture"), should you want to capture a long webpage or document, plus you can draw on screenshots, crop them, or instantly share them to another app or person.
See screenshots below.

And that's pretty much it for Galaxy S8 screenshots. Samsung users, welcome to the Power + Volume Down party. We'll make room for you.

This piece is part of our Galaxy S8 Guide, an ongoing segment dedicated to getting the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S8.

Verizon Just had a Terrible Quarter That was Only Slightly Less Terrible Thanks to Unlimited Data

Kellen — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 13:36:27 +0000

For years, Verizon has been able to continue to add customers, even as carriers like T-Mobile and Sprint have offered comparable plans at rock bottom prices with free phone deals and other gimmicks. Verizon could always fall back on its network being the best, even if their plan selection wasn't or their prices were much higher than others. Something seems to have changed in 2017, though, as the company just reported what may be their worst quarter ever, a quarter that was actually on pace to be even worse if not for the introduction of Verizon Unlimited. According to today's Q1 earnings release, Verizon lost 289,000 postpaid phone customers, which are the really, really important type. So not only did they not gain any, they lost close to 300,000 of their most important customers. That's insane. I can't even tell you the last time Verizon lost phone customers. In Q1 of 2016 (just a year ago), they gained 452,000. What makes this news even crazier is the fact that they had to openly admit that it was on track to be even worse had they not introduced Verizon Unlimited, their new unlimited plan. In mid-February, just before Verizon Unlimited launched, they were actually down 398,000 phone customers for the quarter, but managed to then add 109,000. Holy sh*t! It's a bit like Verizon's bubble finally popped to start the year. As I mentioned, they have continued to ignore (or be really late in matching) industry trends as the #1 carrier because they always just assumed they'd be fine or that they network and experience was too good for people to look elsewhere. From carry-over data to unlimited, Verizon just didn't think they'd have to adapt. Their previous CFO, my boy Fran "ShamWow" Shammo, said just before he retired that people like you and I don't actually need unlimited data. As it turns out, that doesn't even matter now. But one thing is certain, Verizon sure as hell does.

Via: Verizon

Galaxy S8 / S8+: First 10 Things to Do!

Kellen — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 11:43:33 +0000

Now that our Galaxy S8 and S8+ unboxing is out of the way, it's time to dive into the capabilities of Samsung's newest top-tier phone. As you know, we do that by breaking it down into tips and tricks, camera reviews, and the first 10 things we think you should. In this "First 10 Things" video for the Galaxy S8 (or Galaxy S8+), we do our best to be there for Samsung owners who are in for a big change when it comes to using their new phone. Because Samsung has ditched the physical home button and gone virtual, there are a whole bunch of actions that are now different. So, you'll see as we walk through firing up the camera the quickest way, the various ways you can secure your Galaxy S8 while keeping the ease of use there, how to get your Always-On Display just right, whether or not you should care about Bixby, and more. It's a longer than usual First 10 Things, but there is a lot to talk about with the S8. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vhfyod3D2fc

T-Mobile Fires Up Meme Generator, Has Fun at Verizon's Expense

Tim — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:47:17 +0000

It's 4/20, so you've probably seen an influx of marijuana stories making the rounds. One in particular that has caught our attention is from T-Mobile, who is having a bit of pun fun at Verizon's expense on this stoner holiday. To sum it up, T-Mobile can't stop themselves from bringing up customer migration numbers, the billions of dollars Verizon has spent on seemingly worthless entities, and Magenta's recent killing at the spectrum auction. Poking a bit of fun, T-Mobile has inserted "HIGH" into Verizon, making it VerHIGHzon. Couple that with the song "Because I Got High" by Afroman and you're left with a schoolyard insult game that Verizon likely won't stoop to. Not that I care, but I'd imagine Verizon has more important things to do on 4/20. Being the biggest carrier in the US is probably stressful, you know? What follows are a few of T-Mobile's more clever uses of the word.

Some are funny, some are pretty bad. Whether you find them funny or not, T-Mobile's marketing team probably had a blast making them, and that dog with the birthday hat sure does seem to be enjoying himself.

Via: T-Mobile

Your Google Home Now Supports Multiple Users

Tim — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 09:14:15 +0000

Google has made it official - Google Home now supports multiple users. Specifically, Google Home can now recognize the difference between multiple voices once trained, and will take actions based on the voice it hears. As announced, Google Home can recognize up to six different voices. This is clutch for everyone and anyone who asks Google Home what their daily schedule is looking like in a household. For example, if both you and your partner ask, "What's on my calendar," you should both receive your personalized answers once multiple accounts are linked and voices learned. Here is Google's description for what's taking place.

When you connect your account on a Google Home, we ask you to say the phrases "Ok Google" and "Hey Google" two times each. Those phrases are then analyzed by a neural network, which can detect certain characteristics of a person's voice. From that point on, any time you say "Ok Google" or "Hey Google" to your Google Home, the neural network will compare the sound of your voice to its previous analysis so it can understand if it's you speaking or not. This comparison takes place only on your device, in a matter of milliseconds.

To get started, head over to Google Play and ensure you have the latest update for the Google Home app. You will need that to train Google Home for multiple voices and add the accounts. Play Link

Via: Google

Moto 360 (2nd Gen), Huawei Watch and Others to Receive Android Wear 2.0 by End of April, Late May

Tim — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 08:41:22 +0000

If you own an Android Wear smartwatch that didn't already come with Android Wear 2.0, you're probably wondering when you can expect the update. I don't blame you. Considering most people thought it would have rolled out long ago, Google is making the rounds, providing a new timeframe for the rollout. As listed on the Google Product forums, the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) and Huawei Watch will receive the update by the end of this month or late May. Same goes for the Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE (still the worst name ever), Moto 360 Sport, ZenWatch 2, ZenWatch 3, and Huawei Watch "Ladies." "End of April/ late May," as written by Google, certainly isn't the best timeframe we've ever seen, but it's better than nothing at this point. Owners just want their devices updated, so a few more weeks may not be the end of the world. Watches that will receive Android Wear 2.0 end of April/late May

Moto 360 Gen 2
Moto 360 Sport
LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE
Huawei Watch
Huawei Watch Ladies
Asus ZenWatch 2
Asus ZenWatch 3

Watches not Android Wear 2.0 compatible

LG G Watch
Samsung Gear Live
Moto 360 v1 (2014)
Sony Smartwatch 3
Asus ZenWatch v1

Fingers crossed the rollout is smooth and timely.

Via: Google Product Forums

HTC U Will be Announced May 16

Kellen — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 06:41:07 +0000

On May 16, at an even in Taipei, Taiwan, HTC will announce its next U phone. We believe it will be called the HTC U even if HTC hasn't fully revealed that in a "Save the Date" they sent us last night. The teaser they sent does show a big "U," along with "Squeeze for the brilliant" quote. That, of course, is in reference to the phone's squeezy sides that allow you to perform actions, like unlock your phone or fire open Google Assistant or launch the camera. HTC has put some type of sensor in the sides of the HTC U that allows it to recognize pressure. With a short squeeze of the phone, you could trigger one action, while a longer squeeze could do something else. That's kind of cool, though I'm not sure I would build an entire smartphone just to talk about it being squeezy. Maybe there's more to this! Open mind, Kellen! The HTC U is expected to sport top-tier specs as well. We're talking a 5.5-inch QHD display, Snapdragon 835 processor, 64GB or 128GB storage, 4GB or 6GB RAM, 3000mAh battery, and Android 7.1 Nougat. HTC's event to unveil the HTC U will kick off at 2AM on May 16 or 11PM here on the west coast. It'll be streamed. UPDATE: Here is a teaser video.

Galaxy S8 / Galaxy S8+ Unboxing! (Retail)

Kellen — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 06:18:54 +0000

I know, I know, you have probably already seen Tim's video of Samsung's "Unbox Your Phone" Experience that we posted a few days back, but this is the Galaxy S8 - we have to do an official unboxing of some retail units. I mean, come on, we just have to. So in this clip, we walk through the retail unboxing experience of both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. Yes, the AKG earbuds are included. So are black chargers. But also, I teach you how to say the word "orchid," because I'm not sure any YouTuber on Earth knows how to. It's a heck of a time! Enjoy. Then prepare yourselves for the Galaxy S8 coverage onslaught.

Report: Google Chrome Getting Ad Blocker to Kill Bad Ads

Kellen — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 19:37:39 +0000

According to a report from the Wall Street Journal, Google, an ad company, is considering putting an ad blocker in its Chrome internet browser on mobile and desktop. The ad blocker won't be a full blocker, though, but rather a blocker that targets unacceptable ads that likely ruin your experience as you dance around the web. The WSJ is under the impression that Google is readying the feature and could have it ready within weeks, assuming they do launch it because they could still scrap it altogether. So wait, why would an ad company want to block ads? The thought here is that unacceptable or bad ads are ruining the experience for people who are then looking for full ad blockers to rid their lives of ads. If Google can block only the obnoxious types, then maybe ad blocker installations will stop increasing and the web won't be so filthy with just Google's ads in place. It's kind of a wild idea, but hey, it makes some sense. The types of unacceptable ads that Google could look to block or those that pop-up, auto-play video with sound, or are a prestitial, which would be those f*cking terrible ads that pop-up as you load a site and feature a countdown before you can even get onto the actual content you came for. Yeah, I hate those and that's why you've never seen them on Droid Life. I guess we'll find out pretty quickly if Google is going forward with this.

Via: Wall Street Journal

Moto G5 Plus on Verizon Can't Call 911 With VoLTE Enabled, Fix Incoming (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 13:27:58 +0000

A quick PSA here for Moto G5 Plus owners using the phone on Verizon: turn off VoLTE for the time being or you may not be able to place emergency 911 calls. We were first tipped about this issue earlier in the week from someone who attempted to make multiple 911 calls during an emergency and couldn't, but Lenovo and Motorola have now confirmed it. Through a forum post on Lenovo's site, their forums manager says that they will be issuing a fix for the issue next week. He also offered a temporary tweak that will allow you to place 911 calls. The culprit seems to be VoLTE on the device, so for now, until this software update arrives, you should head into Settings>...More>Wireless & networks>Cellular networks and be sure "Enhanced 4G LTE Mode" is turned off. You just never know when you might need to place a call to 911 and the last thing you want is for your phone to not be able to do so in an emergency situation. UPDATE: Motorola tells us that they issued a fix for this bug on Friday, April 21. If you own the phone, you should look for the update by heading into About phone>System updates.

Via: Lenovo

Cheers Yousef!

Galaxy S8 Guide: Customizing Navigation Bar

Tim — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 10:48:05 +0000

If you saw our initial hands-on with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, you'll have seen that customizing the navigation bar on the Galaxy S8 is not only easy, but pretty darn cool. On this device, Samsung allows owners to switch up the button order (Back, Home, Recent), but you can even apply your own custom color to the bar itself. In this post, we will walk you through this simple process, so let's get to it. Under the Settings menu, locate the Display section. Once inside, scroll down until you find "Navigation bar." This section is where all of the customization is handled from. If you want to change your button order, select "Button layout." There are two options, "Recents - Home - Back," and "Back - Home - Recents." I, being the purist Android user that I am, go with the Back - Home - Recents option. Once your order is set, it is time to select a color. Now, do note, the color of the navigation bar can only be seen in select circumstances. For example, regardless of what color you select, you won't see it on your Home screen; it will always be transparent. However, if you're inside your Settings menu or a select application, you will see it there. There are predetermined colors to choose from, including White, Black, Pink, Brown, Grey, and a Bluish Grey. There is also a color wheel, allowing to select basically any color you can imagine. You can go with Green, Hot Pink, Blue, or anything in between. The choice is yours. Once you have a color you like, hit "Done." Now, whenever you are inside select applications or strolling through your Settings menu, your navigation bar will be that selected color. Another feature very much worth noting under this section is "Unlock with Home button." With this function enabled, a constant Home button is shown while the display is off. Hard pressing on this button will bypass the lock screen and immediately take you to the home screen. For those concerned about security, don't worry, if your phone is password protected or otherwise locked, there is no bypassing for unknown users. Considering this is Samsung's first major use of on-screen buttons, they really knocked it out of the park with this implementation. Hat tip to Samsung. This piece is part of our Galaxy S8 Guide, an ongoing segment dedicated to getting the most out of your Samsung Galaxy S8.

Facebook Details New Features for Messenger at F8, Includes Discovery Tab and Smarter AI

Tim — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 09:51:46 +0000

Facebook's F8 conference kicked off this week, and with it, many changes were announced for Messenger. As you may have noticed over the past couple of years, Messenger is much more than just a messaging app these days. You can play games with friends, pay money to someone, utilize M (the virtual assistant inside), and even chat with businesses. This week, a lot of new stuff is being added in, so here are the details you need to know about. Right on the home screen of Messenger, you'll notice a new tab called Discover. With this, you should be able to locate things you care about (based on your preferences) more easily. According to FB, the Discover tab can locate businesses, people, bots, and all sorts of things. Added in is also Chat Extensions. With this, multiple people can chat with a business at the same time. As an example, a Spotify bot can be added to a group conversation, which can then play tunes for everyone. There are currently extensions for Spotify, OpenTable, NBA, Kayak, and more. Another big change involves M, FB's virtual assistant. You can now order food via M. The orders go through delivery.com, so as long as you live in an area the service supports, you're good to go. For example, if you're talking about Chinese food with a friend, M will recognize that, then offer up a local Chinese spot you can order from. Smart little assistant. There are a lot of changes that FB lists, so bear with me as I have pasted them below. User-focused Changes

Discovery in the Digital World – Discover tab: We wanted to find a way to make it easy and simple for people to find the businesses they care about in Messenger. We’ve built a Discover tab, and starting to roll out to a few people in the US today, right from the home screen, people can find their recently used bots, popular experiences and a free-form search field.
Discovery in the Physical World – Messenger Codes: Our new parametric QR codes will enable people whenever they are out and about at events, like at basketball games and concerts, to be able to find out more from a bot for Messenger, just by simply scanning the code in the Messenger camera.
Chat Extensions: With Chat Extensions, we enable multiple people to chat with the same business at the same time. If you are excited to share the newest song you love, you can now add a bot directly in a group thread and share the conversation and experience with your friends. You can currently find favorite brands like Spotify, TheScore, OpenTable, Food Network, NBA, Wall Street Journal and Kayak — with many more on the way.
More from M: M, our virtual assistant, can now offer the ability to order food through delivery.com. If you’re chatting with friends about what to grab for dinner, M may suggest placing an order. The whole experience can be completed in Messenger, including group ordering and payment. The more you use M, the more it will make relevant suggestions to you. This is available in the US where delivery.com serves.
Introducing New Rich Gameplay: With over 1.5 billion games played in just the last 90 days, now we are adding some additional product features like game bots and Rich Gameplay (turn-by-turn games) to make your gaming even more fun.

Business-focused Changes

Smart Replies for Pages: Today, we’re launching the ability for Pages to respond to the most frequently asked questions, such as business hours, directions and contact details.
Parametric Messenger Codes: Businesses are now able to generate multiple parametric QR codes for one bot, offering their customers more choice. For example, to track where a code was scanned, or to apply a different QR code for each table at a restaurant. This also gives people the potential to scan via the camera instead of the QR scanner feature.
Hand-over Protocol: We’ve provided a way for businesses to work with multiple developers for different experiences on Messenger. For example, a business might want to have a personal shopping bot and also a customer service bot. Different vendors and developers will be able to manage the conversation for the use case the customer is requesting.

There it is, everything new for Messenger that was announced during F8. Information overload, am I right? You can find the latest Messenger by following the Google Play link below. Play Link

Via: Facebook

Instagram Gets an Offline Mode on Android

Kellen — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 08:10:24 +0000

During Facebook's F8 conference yesterday, the company shared a new feature for Instagram, it's still-growing-like-crazy image sharing platform, that could allow its continued growth into additional areas of the world, specifically those without proper data connections. Instagram on Android is getting (already has?) an offline mode. An Instagram engineer explained that most of its offline functionality is actually already available on Android, but the goal is to allow users to see content in the Instagram feed that has previously loaded, leave comments, like items, save media, and even unfollow people. While none of that would happen in real-time without a connection, it certainly will once the person's device connects to data again. Sure, most of the people that visit this site don't necessarily care about an Instagram offline mode, but this is huge globally for those areas that lack our kinds of connectivity. Or you know, maybe you'll go camping one day and need to get in some fresh, fresh likes.

Via: TechCrunch

Snapchat Adds New World Lenses

Kellen — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 14:08:58 +0000

Snapchat, an app I'd love to tell you about if I had actually ever used it, got a new feature today called World Lenses. Sweet! What are World Lenses? I don't know! But, Snapchat describes them as Lenses that allow you to "paint the world around you with new 3D experiences." Mmmm, that sounds lovely, I'll have that. It looks - at least according to the video above - like manipulatable 3D items that can be arranged no matter your environment. Think augmented reality, but straight Snapchat style. You'll have to let me know how they work! Play Link

Via: Snapchat

Video: Samsung's 'Unbox Your Phone' Experience for the Galaxy S8

Tim — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 12:29:21 +0000

When Samsung says "Unbox Your Phone," they aren't joking. On our doorstep this morning was a large package from Samsung, containing a few goodies that you won't see in your standard retail packaging. Let's unbox it, shall we? Inside, Samsung sent along a Galaxy S8, Gear VR with controller, as well as a set of Bluetooth Level headphones. Again, this package is not what you'll find inside retailers on April 21 or what you'll see if you pre-ordered the phone, but we wanted to share the experience with you regardless. Cheers, Samsung. Now that we have one in-house at last, let's get to reviewing this thing.

[responsive_vid]

NOTE: Video mentions that the AKG headphones might not be included in the US. There was some confusion there on our part, but we believe they are in fact included. Sorry about that.

Galaxy S8 Teardown Confirms These Phones Are a Pain to Self Repair

Tim — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 09:21:27 +0000

iFixit is back at it, this time with a teardown for the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ from Samsung. With these teardowns, iFixit applies a numerical value to how easy or hard something is to self repair. Not everyone relies on the dude at the mall kiosk to fix their phone, so having this information is valuable to the tinkerers among us. With the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, the scores are in. After prying the front and back glass off, diving into the boards and discovering many parts of the devices are modular, the devices both score a solid 4 out of 10. Is that good, though? Well, considering the Galaxy S7 scored a 3 last year, there has been a bit of improvement. Can't argue with that. As iFixit explains, since the glass is curved the way it is, removal without damage is essentially impossible on the S8 and S8+. That means, if there's a piece you need to replace that is behind the glass and inside the phone, your best bet is to ship it off to Samsung for repair. Tinkerers, I'm sorry. iFixit has a ton more info and awesome photos on its page, so go check it out.

Via: iFixit [2]

The New Motorola, Everyone.

Kellen — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:58:54 +0000

I...I don't really know how to comment on this. It's so many parts awesome, yet equally as wtf. The new Motorola is here!

Google Releases New Google Earth, Still Can't Disprove Earth Is Flat

Tim — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 08:56:17 +0000

As the great prophet Kyrie Irving once said, "I'm telling you, it's right in front of our faces. They lie to us." This quote, of course, concerns the theory that the government and scientific community has been lying to everyone and that the Earth is not round, but indeed, quite flat. In an attempt to double down on the silly notion that our flat planet magically spins around a giant fire ball in the sky, Google has launched a revamped version of Google Earth, complete with guided tours, an "I'm feeling lucky" feature, and so much more. According to Google, this build has been two years in the making. From the time I've spent with it so far, it really shows. Upon boot, you will be provided a brief tour of the new features. You'll head to Paris to see the Eiffel Tower up close and personal, followed by a trip to the Matterhorn. One highlighted feature allows users to send a postcard from a virtual 3D spot, basically a link that will take friends and family to that exact viewpoint. If you stumble across something awesome, you can view it from any angle in 3D, then send it off to be viewed by others. There are a lot of new tricks to play with, so go take a look on your desktop or the updated Android app. Google Earth [responsive_vid]

Via: Google

Android Pay is Letting You Add Your PayPal Account

Kellen — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 07:36:16 +0000

Within the "next few weeks," Google will allow Android Pay users to add their PayPal accounts as a payment method. As someone who has used PayPal for the better part of a decade or more, f*ck yeah! The option isn't available just yet, but Google did say in a short announcement that you'll simply "link" your account. Once you've done that (see image above), tapping and paying with PayPal will work like it does with your attached credit cards at any locations Android Pay is accepted (online, in apps, and in-person). This is pretty big news.

Via: Google | PayPal

Huawei Watch 2 Review

Tim — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 06:00:07 +0000

There's no denying, I was a big fan of the original Huawei Watch. It was classy, stylish, and most importantly for me, it looked like a real watch. Enter the Huawei Watch 2. This year, things have changed. With this device, Huawei has its eye on the fitness folk, almost as if there aren't a million other companies trying to do the same. Did they nail it? Let's find out in our Huawei Watch 2 review. To keep this short and sweet, because there's an entire video below that doubles what I'm saying here, the Huawei Watch 2 is a misstep for Huawei. The original was a very special device, but with the Watch 2 and this attempt at becoming focused on fitness, it has completely lost me. From one device to the next we've gone from stainless steel and rose gold options to nothing but plastic and rubber. Yes, there's the Huawei Watch Classic coming later this year, which is a more premium device, but why not have that model be the "2" and this fitness device be the Huawei Watch Sport or something along those lines? The Huawei Watch 2 comes off as a miscalculation to me. Anyway, I have many more thoughts to share, so check out the review below. For US availability details, check out this post.

Huawei Watch 2 Review

[responsive_vid] Buy Huawei Watch 2: Best Buy | Amazon

Huawei Watch 2 US Availability and Pricing

Tim — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 05:59:44 +0000

At long last, after a bit of waiting following the unveiling at MWC in February, US availability and pricing for the Huawei Watch 2 has been announced for the US. Starting today, buyers can grab a Huawei Watch 2 at numerous outlets, priced at $299.99. These outlets include Best Buy, Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo Video, Jet, Target and Walmart. However, do note that Huawei states retailer availability will differ. Currently, US buyers will only get the Carbon Black or Concrete Grey options. There is no orange model that was shown at MWC. As for the Huawei Watch Classic, it will go on sale later this year ("soon"), priced at $369.99. Another note, it has been announced that no 4G model is planned currently for the US. That means you won't find the Huawei Watch in any carrier stores, at least for the foreseeable future. For details such as specs, you can view those here, or check out our newly published review. Buy: Amazon | Best Buy | Newegg | B&H

[expand title="PRESS RELEASE (click to expand)"]

HUAWEI WATCH 2 Comes with Exclusive 10 Free Weeks of Google Play Music in the U.S.

Go outdoors with the lightweight sports watch that powers your music and adventures.

PLANO, TX – April 18, 2017 – The HUAWEI WATCH 2, Huawei’s second-generation smartwatch, hits the U.S. today. It is designed to be lightweight and comfortable with a sport-inspired design and innovative new updates. Building on Huawei’s history of beautifully-designed and powerful wearables, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 includes features perfect for active lifestyles. HUAWEI WATCH 2 will be available at BestBuy stores, and online at BestBuy, Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo Video, Jet, Target and Walmart.

“In a world where technology is woven into every part of our daily lives, consumers want a smartwatch that meets their connected needs without compromising style,” said Robin Zhu, president, Huawei Device USA. “What we’ve achieved with the HUAWEI WATCH 2 is a smart, cutting-edge wearable with advanced fitness and scientific health functions, online and offline music – perfect for active people enjoying life’s everyday adventures.”

To help U.S. consumers enjoy the online and offline music features, for a limited time HUAWEI WATCH 2 will come with 10 weeks free access to Google Play™ Music, a music and podcast streaming service from Google.

The Watch

The HUAWEI WATCH 2 is the perfect health and exercise companion, featuring innovative design details. Its chronograph double-crown design is inspired by sports watches, and makes controls easy to access. What makes it a premium smart fitness watch, though, are the features under the surface, including a highly-integrated antenna (GPS, Wi-Fi™ and Bluetooth^®) for stronger connectivity. In addition, its ceramic bezel helps better dissipate heat and is lighter, scratch resistant and six-times harder than stainless steel.

With a 45mm (1.8”) diameter and the ratio of a traditional wristwatch, plus a high-definition AMOLED display with a 390x390 pixel resolution, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 is available in two designs – standard and Classic. The standard version will come in Carbon Black, Concrete Grey and the Classic in Titanium Grey.

The standard series comes with a mixed rubber strap with racecourse-pattern design and will appeal to sports or outdoor enthusiasts of all ages. With a metallic casing and a quality rubber-leather hybrid strap, the Classic series is suitable for all environments – from outdoors to the office. It has a standard 22mm (7/8”) wide strap, which comes in a range of styles to complement the array of customizable faces.

Exercise and Fitness

The HUAWEI WATCH 2 has advanced fitness solutions to make working out more effective. Featuring the most established mobile connection technology and a built-in GPS chip, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 offers a significantly improved experience when using apps. Built-in smart sensors collect comprehensive data on user activities – including distance, speed, steps, heart rate, heart rate range, calories, stride frequency, route and more – enabling the professional exercise guidance and fitness management functions to offer detailed analysis that can help to improve a users’ quality of life.

For example, with scientific training schemes and heart rate data, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 can alert a user when to speed up or slow down. It is also a smart health management device, meaning it can remind users to reach their daily exercise targets. Daily activities and activity levels are measured using three key indicators: number of steps, duration of medium and high-intensity exercise, and stand-up times. In addition, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 supports continuous around-the-clock heart rate monitoring. It can display a heart rate curve and resting heart rate for up to six hours.

Workout to your soundtrack

HUAWEI WATCH 2 lets users add music to their workouts through music streaming apps such as Google Play™ Music. From streaming music via Wi-Fi™ or Bluetooth^® to downloading songs and accessing playlists via offline storage, users have the freedom to listen to music during their workout without bringing their phone or needing an Internet connection. And for a limited time, users can take advantage of 10 weeks free trial of Google Play™ Music with purchase of HUAWEI WATCH 2, making it easy to enjoy music on the go – using the speaker built into the watch, or pairing with a Bluetooth^® headset.

Smart Experience

Running on Android Wear 2.0, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 can support iPhone or iPad with iOS 8.2+, or any smartphones with Android 4.3+, with on-watch access to a vast library of compatible and independent productivity, fitness, networking, music, travel and gaming apps. This ensures the device seamlessly integrates into every aspect of users’ life.

The HUAWEI WATCH 2’s 420 mAh optimized battery features greater and density and a longer life, lasts up to two days with regular use. When in training mode with both the heart rate sensor and GPS on, the device lasts up to 10 hours. It can also last up to three weeks in Huawei’s exclusive Watch Mode and keep counting steps and display time.

Availability

Available in Carbon Black and Concrete Grey, the HUAWEI WATCH 2 can now be purchased at an MSRP of $299.99. HUAWEI WATCH 2 Classic will be available soon with an MSRP of $369.99, available in Titanium Grey.

It is available in more than 800 BestBuy stores and on BestBuy.com, as well as online through Amazon, Newegg, B&H Photo Video, Jet, Target and Walmart. (Dates may vary depending on Retailer)

[/expand]

Moto G5 Plus Review

Kellen — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 05:50:48 +0000

It has been a couple of years since we last reviewed a Moto G phone, so even though we don't always drop down to the mid-tier range, it felt like a good time to make a return before Samsung's new ridiculously expensive products arrive. This time, it's the Moto G5 Plus review we're talking, the G5 Plus being a phone that is going to give a whole bunch of phones a run for their money, money that probably doubles what Motorola wants to charge you for this guy. To recap, the Moto G5 Plus is the upgraded version of the Moto G5 that will be sold here in the US. In other words, there is no Moto G5 here, only this guy, the Plus. It has a 5.2-inch FHD LCD display (1080p), Snapdragon 625 processor, 12MP f/1.7 camera, fingerprint reader, microSD support, water repellent coating, 3000mAh non-removable battery, and connectivity on all major US carriers. Depending on how much you want to spend, you get to choose between 32GB or 64GB storage and either 2GB or 4GB RAM. I've spent the past couple of weeks with the 64GB/4GB model and have a whole bunch of thoughts to share about it. Let's do this right now - this is our Moto G5 Plus review.

Moto G5 Plus Review

What's awesome about it?

Battery life I already talked plenty about the battery life situation on the Moto G5 Plus, but in case you missed that, just know that this is a little champ in the juice department. It may not be able to top the Moto Z Play for single-charge usage, though no one has to date. However, it does come close and might have matched it had Motorola managed to slap in the same size battery (G5: 3000mAh vs. Play: 3510mAh). On almost all days, I'm never worried about having enough battery to get me through to the following day. Yes, the Moto G5 Plus is capable of legitimate full-day battery life. Not 6AM to 6PM life. I'm talking about 6AM to 10AM the next day with 6 hours of screen on time.

This phone is one of those rare devices that will allow you to forget about how much battery your phone has left and let you live your life a little more stress-free. Software and performance If you have used a Motorola phone at all over the past 3 or 4 years, you know what to expect here: clean Android without a bunch of goop, along with some useful tweaks thanks to the Moto app. That also means swift performance, no hiccups, a buttery user experience, and the feel of a phone that could trick you into thinking it's powered by something other than Qualcomm's 2016 mid-tier processor. You've got Moto Display to show you notifications, the time, and battery status as things roll in. You've got chop twice for flashlight, the wrist twist to launch the camera, flipping over for DND, etc. These aren't new features, they just happened to be those we still love. But with this phone, you even have Motorola's new launcher (or v7.0 of Launcher3) that essentially matches the Pixel Launcher in many ways. You swipe up to access your app drawer and swipe to the right to get into Google Now. It even uses a wallpaper setup process that's similar to the Pixel phones. It's super basic, which is why I like it.

With that said, the G5 Plus (at the time of this review) is running Android 7.0 with January's security patch. That's...not good. Not only has 7.1 been out for months, but it's April right now - this phone is 4 months behind on security patches. Motorola has become really terrible at updating phones, so as you go into the G5 Plus, don't get your hopes up on having the latest and greatest with Google's phones. I do appreciate the software experience here, but Motorola has to do better with updates.

Price, availability, and connectivity You won't find the Moto G5 Plus at a single wireless carrier in the US, yet I'm still listing its availability as a good thing. And I'm doing so because you can find it on Amazon with Prime shipping, Best Buy with same-day pickup, and a handful of other popular electronics dealers. This isn't going to be a phone that is hard to find. If you want a G5 Plus, you should be able to buy one and possibly set the thing up within a couple of hours if not less than a day. Plus, since this is an unlocked phone that sells for a couple of hundred bucks, you don't have to deal with contracts or payment plans or any of that jazz. You just buy it, slap in a SIM, and enjoy. Now, which one to buy is going to be a challenge. Do you go with the Amazon ad-filled versions that have substantial discounts or do you keep it clean without Amazon's slime? The phones are the same either way, just some have Amazon ads on the lock screen and in notifications from time to time, while the others don't. In terms of price differences, we're talking about the 32GB/2GB model with Amazon ads for as little as $185. You could even go 64GB/4GB with Amazon ads for $240. Those are crazy prices! Should you not want to walk around with an Amazon ad network attached to you at all times, the regular versions are super reasonable as well, especially when you consider all the specs I listed off above. The 32GB/2GB model is $230 without ads, while the 64GB/4GB model is $299. Wondering which networks you can use this phone on? All of them. That's right, folks, the Moto G5 Plus works on all the major US carriers (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and you favorite prepaid services). You can buy the Moto G5 Plus right here at Amazon or here at Best Buy.

Camera Calling the camera on the Moto G5 Plus "awesome" is a stretch, I'll admit that. However, for a phone that can be had for under $200, this camera is quite good. The 12MP f/1.7 shooter here is more than capable in good light, solid during low-light or indoor situations (for this price), and plenty fast. You can launch it with the flick of a wrist or double-tap on the power button, focus, and fire off shots in a hurry. I'd argue that this phone is faster to launch and snap the first shot than the LG G6 is and that's a $650 phone. As for the software, you get a typical camera layout, so everything should be mostly familiar. The camera modes don't come with any labels, though. Learning them took me some time, but I eventually figured out that you have auto, manual, video, slow motion, and panorama modes. You can adjust photo resolution down from 12MP and choose between 4:3 or 16:9 ratios. The video side does 4K at 30fps as well. In terms of image quality, you'll know right away if you are coming from something like a Pixel or Galaxy S7 that this camera doesn't put up much of a fight. Still, even though the pictures aren't next-level sharp, I like the natural colors that are presented, the bit of bokeh you get at f/1.7, and the versatility without complete image breakdown from one scene to the next. Overall, this is a well-rounded $200 phone camera that will certainly impress you from time to time. Here are some samples I took recently.

What's not-so-awesome about it?

Design The Moto G5 Plus is not a looker. Even though my Zeiss glass is doing wonders for these review shots, I'd argue that this gold version that you are seeing in this review, is one of the ugliest phones I've used in years (it's quite slippery too). Thankfully, there is a silver and black model that won't embarrass you and I highly recommend looking at that version over this should you be considering the purchase of one. I mean, look at this thing.

It's supposed to be metal, but you can tell that there is copious amounts of plastic or off-putting coatings all over it, in between and around the metal. It has an unsightly camera hump, massive chin and forehead, and this weird back plate that is for some reason separated into multiple pieces. I hate to be too harsh here on a sub-$300 phone, but good lord Motorola, what happened to your designers? Also, can we quit the gold already? Again, go with the silver and black model as it won't make you into an instant honorary Trump child when owned (unless that sounds fun to you, of course). No NFC Can someone explain to me why NFC is the first piece of tech to get cut from everything when budget phones rollout to the market? OnePlus did it with the 2 a year ago. Most of the new Android Wear watchmakers did the same thing, even though Wear now supports Android Pay. And Motorola did it here with the G5 in all models. Even the Plus versions don't have NFC, so you'll never be able to use Android Pay if you own this phone. That's really unfortunate, especially as Android Pay is becoming widely available these days. Honestly, I use NFC and Android Pay almost every time I leave the house to buy something. My favorite growler shop has an NFC terminal, as do almost all of the grocery stores I visit. Movie theaters have them and local Portland shops do too. Seriously, NFC is really here for us to get used to using. Is not having NFC a dealbreaker? Eh, maybe? I guess it depends on how futureproof or current you need a phone to be. You'll need to ask yourself if you use NFC and Android Pay regularly right now or not and that should help you answer those questions.

No USB Type-C This might not matter to you at all depending on which phone you are coming from to the G5 Plus, but the fact that Motorola kept microUSB in this phone instead of switching to USB Type-C is disappointing. The rest of the world all basically switched to Type-C last year and we thought 2017 would be pure Type-C going forward, yet here is Motorola pissing us off. It's not that we don't all have a bunch of microUSB cables shoved in drawers, it's just that we should be upgrading to Type-C and the future, not hanging around in pre-2016. As a household that has nothing but newer phones, I can tell that you the charging situation with the G5 Plus has been a pain. Both my wife and I have been using Type-C phones for months, so there aren't a lot of microUSB chargers lying around. I had to, for the first time in a while, use the damn charger that came with this phone because it was the only non-Type-C easily accessible.

Other notes:

Turbo Charging: This Moto G5 has Turbo or fast charging! That means super-duper fast charging of that 3000mAh battery. Not that you'll need to charge often, but it's there and the charger is included in the box.
Fingerprint reader: The fingerprint reader on this phone is quite good. It's quick to unlock, plus you can use it to lock the phone too. Motorola also has a mode that lets you use the fingerprint reader to navigate the phone (it hides the navigation buttons), but honestly, I couldn't even figure it out and almost threw the phone against a wall when enabled. I'd avoid that setting if possible.

Gallery

Moto G5 Plus Review: Should you buy a one?

Well, let's talk about this. Is your budget under $200? Then yes, buy the Amazon ad-filled version at the link below and love life. Is your budget under $300? Then yes, you'll still probably enjoy life with a Moto G5 Plus by your side, because at $299, you can even upgrade to 64GB of storage and 4GB RAM. With those budgets, you are getting quality hardware, speedy and clean software, a solid camera experience, ridiculous battery life, and connectivity on your favorite wireless carrier. Now, if your budget is closer to $400, then it's time to look elsewhere, perhaps at the Moto Z Play or OnePlus 3T. Moto G5 Plus Links: Amazon | Motorola | Best Buy | Newegg | B&H Photo

Fully Revamped "My Apps & Games" Google Play Section Seems to be Rolling Out Widely

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 21:31:12 +0000

I'm not sure I can even recall when exactly this new Google Play Store "My apps & games" made its first appearance, but it feels like it has been popping up for months. Either way, Google must be ready to give it to everyone, as we've had a number of readers point out today that they are now seeing it. I'm also seeing it on my Moto G5 Plus. What's new? You can see it, can't you? Look at that new "Updates" tab, those "UPDATE" boxes, along with the update count, font size change, extra bits of info, option to sort your apps, and less bloated, card-tastic layout. With this new layout, you can quickly update apps from a dedicated panel either individually without having to go into their app pages or still "Update all." You can also see when an app was updated last and how big the app file is, open them from new "Open" boxes, and easily install old apps from your "Library" (formerly "All"). These might seem like pretty small changes, but they are soooo welcomed.

Everyone seeing this new layout on their devices? NOTE: If you kill your Google Play store or wipe its cache or even just back all of the way out, it should reload with the new setup.

Cheers Mark, Bryce, and everyone else!

This is the HTC U

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 14:30:39 +0000

Mmmhmmm. Yeah. Glossy. Squeezy. HTC. More. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/853285702913622016

Report: Moto Z2 Won't be a Verizon Exclusive, Probably has a Headphone Jack

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 13:02:43 +0000

When a new Moto Z arrives later this year as the Moto Z2, don't be surprised if we see it outside of Verizon and on other carriers like T-Mobile. That bit of news comes by way of @evleaks and matches up to a previous interview with Motorola's chairmam, who said that they will look to distribute outside of Big Red in the coming months. Selling phones outside of Verizon would be a proper move for Motorola if they plan to continue any sort of comeback. They are sure painting the picture of a Moto Z family success story from last year, but I'd imagine that painting is only fully realized should they ditch the dumb exclusivity they've had for years with the US' biggest carrier. If T-Mobile is onboard, that's quite the change, since I couldn't tell you the last time they sold a Motorola phone. Remember, they were the lone carrier to skip the original Moto X. In related news, @onleaks has released device renders that we have to assume are based off plans given to case makers to use to prepare for the launch of a phone. The video below shows a phone that looks like the Moto Z, only this time with a headphone jack and dual camera. That's right, in the Moto Z2 Force specifically, it looks like Motorola may have come back around to offering up a headphone jack, rather than forcing you into dongle life. These match up nicely to the Z2 image we saw last week. T-Mobile customers, interested in the Moto Z2?

[responsive_vid]

https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/853715004373315585

Via: Android Authority

Verizon LG G6 Getting First Update With April's Security Patch (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 11:37:25 +0000

The LG G6 on Verizon is receiving a sizable update today that weighs in at around 437MB. Unfortunately, that size doesn't mean it's something to get overly excited about. According to the handful of our readers who all grabbed the update, it looks like we're still on Android 7.0. The update does include the April 1 security patch, though. My guess is that those 437MB on this new software build (VS98811A) are going to clean-up bugs and issues that were there when the phone launched. So even if you don't notice a bunch of forward-facing features, you should enjoy a better overall experience. To grab the update, head into Settings>System updates. If Verizon provides a changelog, we'll update this post. UPDATE: Verizon just posted the changes. Outside of being a security patch, there are now an extra set of notices to remind you to insert the SIM tray all of the way to protect it from water damage and if there is water detection around the charging port.

Cheers Scott, Marco, Robert, @LukeT3280, and @06stangSC!

Samsung Doesn't Want You Remapping the Galaxy S8's Bixby Button It Seems

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 10:48:04 +0000

Forget about remapping the Bixby button on your new Galaxy S8 for the time being. First reported by XDA and now confirmed by Samsung's PR Manager in the US, Philip Berne, the "behavior" that initially allowed users to change the button's action through a 3rd party app has been changed. The developer behind Button Mapper was in the process of updating his app to take advantage of the Bixby button when the phone launches later this week and noticed that after a recent software update to his Galaxy S8, that the app no longer works. Apparently, Samsung tweaked the way the button interacts with the phone's Accessibility Services on a system level. In other words, Samsung killed the ability for you and I to customize the Bixby button. There is still a chance that root access on the Galaxy S8 will provide a way to remap this button, but for now, stock users will have to use Bixby. Through a couple of Tweets, Berne said that they aren't ready to officially support the remapping of the button. Will they ever? He didn't shut the door on that idea, only that they aren't at this time. I would just hope - and we can't check because Samsung hasn't sent us review units in years - that a user could at least disable Bixby if they don't want to use it. We'll find out soon enough if Bixby will be worth using, but you have to imagine situations where someone may not want an extra press-able button on their phone. And that's not me suggesting that Bixby will be bad. I'm talking about things like accidental presses where Bixby pops up at times where you would rather it not. If something changes on this front, we'll be sure to let you know!

Via: XDA | @philipberne

Beta Program Pixel Devices Finally Get Stable 7.1.2 Update

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 10:04:15 +0000

Participants of the Android Beta program who happen to own a Pixel or Pixel XL can finally grab the stable 7.1.2 update that Google released earlier in the month. Why the wait? Good luck ever getting an answer on that from Google. It is here, though! I was able to pull the update on regular Pixel units running AT&T and Verizon SIMs. The update is showing as N2G47E here in the US, which isn't new and was a part of the early April rollout. It weighs in at about 31MB. To grab it, head into Settings>About phone>System updates.

Cheers Paul!

Instagram Finally Lets You Categorize Saved Posts

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 09:52:45 +0000

When Instagram first introduced "Saved Posts" to their apps in December, they didn't include any sort of way to organize those saved items. Who knows why, but today that changes. Saved Posts can be categorized in a way you should have been able to from day 1. Instagram is calling them "Collections" and they work like you would expect. When you save a new post, you'll be able to decide if you want it in a new collection or one that already exists. You can also create collections from existing posts. All of this will happen within the week in v10.16 of the app. Once live, your saved page will have two columns, one for "All" saved posts and another called "Collections." Cool. Play Link

Via: Instagram

Is This a Dual Camera Galaxy S8+ or Our First Look at the Galaxy Note 8?

Tim — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 09:03:09 +0000

Posted to Twitter over the weekend, our first potential look at a Samsung something is forcing us to use our thinking caps. Published by Eldar Multazin, a long time leaker, the phone clearly looks like a Galaxy S8+, with exception to one major difference - a dual camera system on the backside. Instead of a single camera sensor flanked by a heart rate monitor and fingerprint reader, there's only a dual camera module, with a flash and other sensor below it. There's no other branding besides "Samsung" on the device, so there's no real telling what this might be. In the tweet, translated from Russian, Eldar says, "So there was S8+, such was Note 8." That doesn't help much. Considering we know very little, it's possible this is a prototype Galaxy S8+ that had dual cameras, or it could actually be our first look at a prototype Galaxy Note 8. However, for Note devices, we should see some type of cutout on the bottom for a S Pen. From these photos, there does not appear to be one. There's just no hard evidence to point us in any direction. Is it cool, though? Absolutely. Click on the images to enlarge, then share your take on what this might be.

Via: @eldarmurtazin

Don't Get Excited About Your Pre-Order Shipping Early Until It's on a Truck

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 08:37:54 +0000

Friendly PSA time! I'm not trying to play ultimate downer here or crush your day, but rather reminding everyone to not get overly excited about your carrier processing the pre-order for your recent flagship phone purchase. Why is that, you ask? Because this happens a lot! It probably just means they are prepping your phone for shipping and will more than likely deliver it on time instead of early. For example, we started seeing T-Mobile charge for Galaxy S8 pre-orders last week and even create shipping labels (it happened for both of our orders). Have any of those shipped yet? No. T-Mobile created labels and is holding those packages until they are allowed to ship, which is around April 19, two days before the phone launches. Verizon started doing the same thing over the weekend! When should you get excited? When those packages actually get on trucks. In other words, you should get excited when the package has been picked up by UPS or FedEx and starts making its way to your house.

Verizon's Wear24 Android Wear Watch Arrives May 11

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 06:55:11 +0000

Back in February, on the day that LG and Google were hyping up the first Android Wear 2.0 devices, the Watch Sport and Watch Style, we argued that Verizon may have snuck in and actually announced a watched that was better than both. That watch was the Wear24, an Android Wear 2.0 powered device that was supposed to arrive in March. It never did, of course, and we thought it might have died altogether. However, this morning, Verizon has made it re-official and says to expect it on May 11. The Wear24 will be available in three colorways: Stainless Steel, Gunmetal Black, and Rose Gold. You can see each in the image above. The Wear24 watch features a 1.39-inch AMOLED display (400x400, 290ppi), large 450mAh battery, IP67 dust and water resistance, 768MB RAM, 4GB storage, Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, and 4G LTE connectivity. We were told it also has NFC for Android Pay usage and are attempting to get confirmation on that still being the case. The device will cost $299 with a 2-year contract or $349 without one. Verizon Wear24 Link

Via: Verizon

HTC Drops U Ultra Price to $599 for a Bit ($150 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 17 Apr 2017 06:24:34 +0000

HTC is hosting a sale on its entire line-up of phones in the US for the next week. You'll find hefty discounts, though it'll be up to you to decide if any are big enough to get you to pull the trigger. The recently released HTC U Ultra has been dropped by $150 to $599, while last year's HTC 10 is now $499 ($200 off). You can even pick up the HTC Bolt ($450) or One A9 ($199) for a discount. Would I buy any of these phones with these discounts? Ummm, no. If I was spending $600 on a phone at the moment, I'd look at almost any other phone in the range, like a G6 or regular Pixel or OnePlus 3T or Galaxy S7 or Huawei Mate 9. If I was going cheaper, well the OnePlus 3T is still an option, as are phones like the Moto Z Play and Moto G5 Plus. If you are considering the U Ultra, be sure to watch our review. HTC Links:

U Ultra ($599)
HTC 10 ($499)
HTC Bolt ($450)
One A9 ($199)

DEAL: SanDisk Ultra 128GB MicroSD Card Just $32.99 at Amazon

Kellen — Sat, 15 Apr 2017 16:31:17 +0000

So Amazon is currently hosting a sale on a SanDisk Ultra 128GB microSD card that drops the price to just $32.99. That's a pretty crazy low price, since the lowest you'll find almost any other similar 128GB card for is in the $45 range. This card is interesting, though, because Amazon claims it's some special "Made for Amazon" version and that it'll work great in your Fire Tablet. That's just silly. This will work great in any phone that needs a microSD card. The card has 128GB of storage and is rated at Class 10 and UHS-1, so it's plenty fast. Also, if 128GB isn't needed, SanDisk and Amazon also put together a 64GB card at just $21.99. Prime shipping is available. Amazon Links: SanDisk Ultra 128GB ($32.99) | SanDisk Ultra 64GB ($21.99)

Next Week, Folks

Kellen — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 18:24:53 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're talking LG G6 now that our reviews have wrapped up and are posted, as well as the latest in Galaxy S8 talk, since that phone arrives next week. Next week, folks, it's a big week in Android. We've got other stuff too, like Moto G5 plus thoughts, T-Mobile grabbing a mother lode of spectrum to finally take on Verizon and AT&T, Comcast as a wireless carrier, and more! Join us live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern) for the fun. If you miss us live, feel free to subscribe to us by following one of the links below. We have a video embed as well and will be chatting it up over at the YouTube page for the show. You can find it here.

Weekly Recap: Wait for the Galaxy S8 Soon Draws to a Close

Tim — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 15:48:52 +0000

As the work week comes to an end, we draw that much closer to the official launch of the Galaxy S8. It's happening next week, folks. In the meantime, there's plenty of other stuff going on. We gave you five awesome reasons to buy the LG G6 (it's a great phone!), reported on rumored OnePlus 5 specs, got our first potential look at the Moto Z2, and learned that Huawei's CEO isn't really a fan of smartwatches. You'll find all the goods below.

Watch: The Droid Life Show - Episode 139 [Subscribe]
5 Reasons: Here are 5 reasons the LG G6 is worth buying.
Galaxy S8 pre-order figures in South Korea are insane.
T-Mo: T-Mobile just bought a lot of spectrum and things are looking good.
Moto: Our first possible look at the Moto Z2.
The first reported specs of the OnePlus 5 include...
Huawei: Huawei's CEO apparently isn't a fan of smartwatches.
Google wants to invest nearly a billion dollars into LG display tech.
Galaxy S8: No voice features for Bixby at time of Galaxy S8's launch.
Burger King attempts to take advantage of your Google Home, the internet responds.
AT&T may receive Galaxy S8 Active exclusive again this year.
LeEco's attempt to purchase Vizio falls through.
Kellen needs more Moto and Snapdragon 625 in his life.
Star Wars: First Star Wars: The Last Jedi trailer has arrived!

Be safe, folks!

DEAL: Buy Google Home From Newegg, Get a Free TP-LINK Smart Plug ($30 Value)

Kellen — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 15:09:55 +0000

I figured Easter weekend would bring better deals, but so far the line-up is looking pretty weak. Still, this deal on a Google Home that includes a free TP-LINK HS100 smart plug outlet is solid. Basically, you pay $129 for the Google Home and get the smart plug for free ($30 value0). You guys know how Google Home works (our review), but with a smart plug like this TP-LINK HS100 unit that has WiFi, you can control items plugged into an outlet by voice (or app). If you have yet to get into home automation or smart stuff, this is a good way to start. Home is fun by itself, but it becomes much more powerful when you can tell it to take over your house. This particular TP-LINK HS100 plug has auto-off timers too, plus you can set schedules for it to work (ex: you are out of town and want to appear as if you are home). Pretty cool little plug. Newegg Link

Star Wars: The Last Jedi Teaser Trailer #1 is Here...

Kellen — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:22:14 +0000

As is almost always the case, I'll just leave this here without comment, but yes, the Star Wars: The Last Jedi teaser trailer #1 is here. XMAS, GET HERE NOW. Enjoy. The movie arrives December 15. https://twitter.com/starwars/status/852913950060494848?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet And here is the official poster: https://twitter.com/starwars/status/852912773910548480

Report: Galaxy S8 Active Headed to AT&T, Naturally

Tim — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 08:52:53 +0000

To the surprise of no one, AT&T is reported to be the exclusive carrier for the Galaxy S8 Active, an upcoming device from Samsung that will almost certainly take the gorgeous piece of work that is the Galaxy S8, then ruggedize it and make it look absolutely terrible. Like all prior Active variants of the Galaxy S lineup, Samsung will probably cover the device in hard plastic, providing a high-end option for those who need lots of protection for the device. Don't think a simple case can protect your Galaxy S8 enough? Then you'll need an Active. We don't have many details on the device itself, but according to SamMobile, the model is labeled as SM-G892A, and is codenamed Cruiser. As for launch, AT&T typically announces Active devices in the summer, so we don't have much longer to wait. Active diehards, are you ready for the S8 to be beefed up?

Via: SamMobile

DEAL: Original Huawei Watch is Just $165 at Amazon Right Now (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 07:22:16 +0000

The original Huawei Watch might still be one of the best smartwatches on the planet (our review). Actually, no, it is one of the best. With its classic design, fantastic AMOLED display, solid performance, and and range of variations, I'd still choose this watch over some of the new Android Wear devices that have been released, even over the yet-to-be-released Huawei Watch 2. Right now, if you head over to Amazon, you'll find the original Huawei Watch at a heck of discount that drops the price to $164.88. That's close to half off the original retail price and is borderline impulse buy territory. This is the silver with black leather band model, though almost all others are discounted heavily too. UPDATE: Hmmm, that $165 price is now gone. That could have been a lightning sale or maybe they sold through their lot at that price. Still, the prices on the other models below are good. $219 for the mesh version is a great price. The all-black model with black steel band is just $249.99 ($150 off), while the mesh stainless steel version is $219.99 ($130 off). Oh, and let's not forget that the Huawei Watch will see Android Wear 2.0 here in the near future. Amazon Link

Cheers David!

DEAL: Aukey Car Charger With Both Quick Charge 3.0 and 5V/3A USB Type-C Ports is Just $9

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 15:53:44 +0000

I think I found your next car charger. The AUKEY dual port car charger with both USB Type-C (5V/3A) and Quick Charge 3.0 USB ports can be had at Amazon right now for just $9 with code. It typically runs $20, so we're talking a heck of a deal. With this, you'll get QC 3.0 charging speeds while on the go out of the standard USB port, but that Type-C port at 5V/3A will also charge your Type-C devices quickly. It's like the perfect charger, since we almost all have old USB cables lying around right next to our new set of Type-C to Type-C cables. Use code "PGR948US" at checkout to drop the price from $19.99 to $9. Amazon Link

Dropbox Brings Doc Scanner to Android, Paper Now Offered Offline

Tim — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 14:04:20 +0000

Announced earlier this week and now rolling out, Dropbox is bringing its awesome Doc Scanner feature to Android users. For anyone keeping score, this feature was first made available on iOS back in June, 2016. That's not quite a year ago, but close enough for us to hold a grudge. Anyway, with Doc Scanner, users can simply snap a photo of a document, which then gets shaped into a PDF file for editing and sending. If you need to quickly snap shots of receipts, or any other type of document, it's clutch. On top of this great update for Dropbox, Dropbox Paper also received some love, in the form an offline mode. As a recap, Paper is Dropbox's collaboration tool for teams who work online. Now, all of the Paper stuff you need can be had while not connected to the servers, which can be quite useful. Follow the links and get your update on. Play Links: Dropbox | Dropbox Paper

Via: Dropbox

T-Mobile Just Picked Up the 600MHz "Spectrum Mother Lode" to Bring Their Network Everywhere

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 13:08:58 +0000

T-Mobile just made its largest investment ever by spending nearly $8 billion(!) to acquire 45% of the FCC's available 600MHz low-band spectrum that was up for auction. This is the type of spectrum that penetrates buildings better and also reaches further from a tower, which in turn gives wireless customers a better overall experience no matter where they are. This is a huge day for T-Mobile customers and those in markets that have questioned whether or not T-Mobile could keep up with Verizon and AT&T. See that map at the top of this post? That's what T-Mobile says their LTE network will look like by the end of 2017. They'll do that with this new spectrum purchase and by moving into new LTE markets. For those of you in areas that T-Mobile isn't even offered, you should probably get ready for it - Magenta is coming. Of course, we'll need phones that can utilize this new spectrum and I'm not sure there are any at the moment. Companies like Qualcomm will have to built out support in their modems and then push them into phones. T-Mobile thinks that'll happen this year, though I'm skeptical it will be that quick. I'm hoping they prove me wrong, though. Either way, T-Mobile just made a huge investment in its future network that will actually allow it to fully compete with Verizon and AT&T. Not only that, but those two are heavily invested in 700MHz, whereas this 600MHz spectrum is fresh and untouched as can be. That could mean an even faster experience without congestion for some time. T-Mo customers, good stuff, right?

[responsive_vid]

Via: T-Mobile

NVIDIA Hosts Gaming Sale, Up to 66% Off on Select Android Titles

Tim — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 11:00:04 +0000

A spring cleaning if you will is taking place on Google Play, hosted by none other than NVIDIA. With this promotion, gamers can save up to 66% on select titles, with 50% off looking like the standard discount. For titles, you can grab Ultimate Chicken Horse for just $6 (down from $12), Juju for $4.79, plus GoNNER for $3.39 (down from $9.99). There are four other titles available, all of which are listed below. Naturally, these games were developed to run flawlessly on SHIELD TV as well as SHIELD tablet devices, so if you happen to be an owner of one of those, this is a good promotion to take advantage of. Games on Sale

Kingdom: New Lands (30% off, Reg. $9.99, Sale $6.99)
GoNNER (66% off, Reg. $9.99, Sale $3.39)
Ultimate Chicken Horse (50% off, Reg. $11.99, Sale $5.99)
Juju (50% off, Reg. $9.49, Sale $4.79)
Chariot (50% off, Reg. $5.99, Sale $2.99)
Skateboard Party 3 (50% off, Reg. $1.99, Sale $0.99)
Stikbold! (50% off, Reg. $9.99, Sale $4.99)

Go get 'em.

We All Need More of What Moto and the Snapdragon 625 are Cookin'

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 10:31:23 +0000

If you are in the market for a new phone and want the most bang for your buck without breaking the bank, a Motorola phone powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 processor should be a combination you consider. Honestly, it should almost be the only combination to consider if you care more about battery life than anything else in a phone. I've talked about my love for the Moto Z Play on a handful of occasions, a phone that does indeed run a 625. I've talked about it so much because the battery life on that phone is something I've never experienced before in all my years testing smartphones. But now, Motorola has a new Snapdragon 625 device, the Moto G5 Plus. Sure, it lacks NFC and is one of the ugliest phones you'll ever touch (at least the gold model is), but it's the only phone I've found that comes close to the Z Play in terms of battery life, yet it also undercuts the Z Play's price by more than $100. Now, the Snapdragon 625 is by no means a new processor at this stage in its life. It was first introduced in February 2016 and Qualcomm has already introduced a newer 626 variant with a performance boost. We haven't necessarily seen phones adopt it just yet, but should they, you should pay attention to them. When first introduced, though, the 625 wasn't exactly making headlines for days because it was pushed as a higher-end processor, yet not the highest. In other words, it's typically categorized in the mid-tier range even if it does produce higher level performance over say, the Snapdragon 400 range, it's just not the Snapdragon 800 line. Qualcomm did brag heavily about its battery life efficiency when first introduced. In fact, with its octa-core 64-bit Cortex A35 processor clocked at up to 2.0GHz, Qualcomm told us that if your smartphone normally only lasts from 6AM to 6PM, a phone running a 625 should jump you "well past midnight." This is one of the first times in history that a tech company wasn't exaggerating and may have been underestimating in reference to battery life. This is what I'm talking about:

Moto Z Play Battery Stats

Moto G5 Plus Battery Stats

It's incredible to see phones not only push past the 12-hour day Qualcomm referenced, but dance closer to the 24+ hour mark with the screen on for a third of the time. Your Galaxy S8 isn't going to do that ever. Your LG G6 certainly can't. The Pixel phones, riiiiight. Is there a sacrifice to going to a phone running a Snapdragon 625? Of course there is. These processors aren't made for heavy gaming. They don't support gigabit LTE or QHD display resolutions. No one is going to put a Pixel-level camera in one. Depending on what the phone manufacturer is doing to Android, they may not be the best performing either. However, companies like Motorola have shown that their handling of Android with the 625 has been nothing short of impressive. Both the Z Play and G5 Plus are some of the smoothest Android experiences you'll find on any phone, including all of those flagships I just mentioned. In the end, what I'm getting at is this idea that certain mid-range labeled phones are not only phones for those with a limited budget, but they are also becoming the phones for those needing one that does something even the best phones on the planet can't do: last a day and then some. I've gone back and forth between Pixel and G6 and OnePlus 3T devices for months, yet I continue to keep reaching for my Moto Z Play too. It's not a top tier phone. It was never billed as one. But as a guy who has mostly only ever cared about the top tier of smartphones, it brings me a new level of excitement to not have to for the first time in 7 years doing this. I don't feel like I have to have a $700 phone to be satisfied any longer. As 2017 progresses and you see phones show up with this Snapdragon 600 tier, especially those from Motorola, don't ignore them. They might just be exactly what you've been looking for. Buy: Moto Z Play ($399.99)| Moto G5 Plus ($239.99)

200 Million People Use Instagram Stories Every Day, Have Some New Stickers to Celebrate

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 08:28:46 +0000

Instagram announced today that 200 million people now use their Stories feature, which seems like a lot. Snapchat clocked in at around 161 million a few months back, so I'd say Instagram's version of Snapchat is doing quite well. To celebrate those usage numbers, Instagram is giving the world new sticker tools to help you be the creative god you always wanted to be. One of the new sticker types is a selfie sticker. Good lord, yes, that's what it's called. It works by letting you snap a mini-selfie that can be pinned anywhere, including within a video. You can see a version of a mini-selfie in the image above. RIP, world. Other new sticker options include geostickers that are specific to the city you happen to be in at the moment. That could mean a hot dog while in Chicago, for example. Finally, the stickers section now has a recents area, so that you can easily find your most-used.

Via: Instagram

DEAL: Nest Thermostat (3rd Gen) Drops to $219 ($30 Off)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:36:01 +0000

Nest's 3rd generation Learning Thermostat has been discounted by $30 at a bunch of retailers this morning. Instead of $250, you are looking at paying just $219 and change for a gadget I still consider one of the best I've ever purchased. In the past (before Google owned them), Nest almost never discounted any of their products. They still don't do it often, but this is one of the better discounts I've seen outside of a Black Friday sale. Not familiar with Nest Thermostats? You can read our short review from 2013 on the 2nd gen to start. Otherwise, I'd just describe a Nest as one of those tech gadgets you don't think you need or will get much use out of until you own one. From setting your temperatures in your house from anywhere in the world to the potential savings it gets you on your yearly power spend to it now working with dozens of other smart home products, this is a great place to start your smart home at. Deal Links: Best Buy | Walmart | Target

Google App Now Boosting Style IQs When Image Searching for Fashion Products

Kellen — Thu, 13 Apr 2017 07:19:00 +0000

Through an update to the Google app on Android, Google will begin offering "style ideas" as you go about searching for fashion-related items. The ideas will show in a new section within an image's page, along with additional "similar" items. The GIF below shows exactly what to expect, but the point is that Google knows you are using Google Search to find items you may be interested in. Since they have all of this related information to those searches, they may as well add to the experience by showcasing those items you search for in greater detail. That greater detail being as "style ideas." Their example is of a bag you might be considering, so image results will show that bag along with ideas for what you might wear as you carry that bag. FASHION.

Via: Google

Is This Our First Look at the Moto Z2?

Kellen — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 14:01:20 +0000

The folks behind both @onleaks and @slashleaks accounts are under the impression that the phone you are seeing above is the Moto Z2, the follow-up to last year's modular Motorola flagship line. The phone certainly looks like it could be the next Moto Z, as its overall design is very similar, yet features some of Moto's 2017 phone design choices. Now, we know that Motorola is going to have to release Moto Z phones for the next couple of years that carry almost the exact same shape as the original Moto Z. We know that because they plan to release Moto Mods that will work on Moto Z phones for years to come and you just can't do that if you keep adjusting a phone's design. While that may take some of the fun out of a yearly design refresh, Motorola should be able to improve on some things (like reducing bezel or adjusting thickness, etc.). This phone in particular looks almost identical to last year's Moto Z outside of its redesigned fingerprint reader that is already being featured on the Moto G5 and the rear camera housing that shows a dual camera setup. Up the sides of the device, we have buttons in the same places, along with a new Lenovo tag, plus the Mods pins are where they were last year. Honestly, this phone could be mistaken for the original Moto Z pretty easily. Maybe that's not a bad thing! Then again, when LG and Samsung are doing what they just did with phone design, part of me wants to tell Moto to go back to the design room.

Via: SlashLeaks

Select Banking Apps Add Direct Integration With Android Pay

Tim — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 11:46:07 +0000

Use Bank of America or USAA? Then you're in luck, along with three other bank brand customers, as Android Pay integration has been directly injected into these partner banking applications. With this move, customers of Bank of America, USAA, Discover, BNZ (Bank of New Zealand), and mBank can find Android Pay support directly inside of their native mobile banking applications. This means that setting up your cards for usage with Android Pay has never been easier. Also, provided this support is built directly into your existing banking app, you won't need the Android Pay app to be installed to add or remove cards. As Google puts it, "You can manage bank card choices, like selecting your default payment card or deactivating a card on your phone." If you plan on making purchases from your phone, though, I'd suggest having Android Pay installed. Customers of those select banks, have at it.

Via: Google

Burger King's New Ad Tries to Activate Your Phone or Google Home to Sell Whoppers

Kellen — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 09:33:14 +0000

Hopefully, Google Home and your phone get better at stopping unwanted "OK, Google" commands from waking them or else advertisements like this one from Burger King are going to be the future. Also, Burger King, can you at least decide if the Whopper is a sandwich or a burger? You can't have it both ways.

Sprint Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge Receiving Nougat Update

Tim — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 08:43:35 +0000

Owners of the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 Edge on Sprint are reporting that Nougat is hitting their devices, making this a great week for the Android Distribution chart. I mean, gosh, Nougat might even hit 7% by next month. According to users, Galaxy S6 owners should have an eye out for build G920PVPU4DQC7, while S6 Edge owners will want G925PVPU4DQC7. If you are notified of the update, be sure to have a bit of room on your device, as the update weighs in at over 1GB. That's hefty, hefty, hefty. Now, if you were an early adopter of the Galaxy S6, I'd like to remind you that you've had that phone for about two years. It's time to upgrade. Go check out a Galaxy S8 in-store this weekend. You'll likely be blown away. Keep the updates coming, Samsung.

Cheers Jim!

Verizon Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 Edge+ Get Nougat Updates Today

Kellen — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 07:48:11 +0000

Following Sprint and AT&T, Verizon is now pushing Nougat updates to the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+. Verizon doesn't necessarily post the update sizes, but it should be a big one since it is Nougat and does include Samsung's latest TouchWiz skin. For the Note 5, you are looking at software version N920VVRU3CQB9, while the S6 Edge+ will see G928VVRU3CQB9. In Android Nougat, you'll find better split screen or multi window support, quick replies to notifications within your notification panel, new battery management features, new effects screen in the camera, performance modes, an updated keyboard, and more. To see the full changelogs, hit up those links below. To check for the update, head into Settings>System updates.

Via: Verizon [2]

Womp, Womp: Galaxy S8's Bixby Assistant Won't Have Its Most Important Feature at Launch

Kellen — Wed, 12 Apr 2017 07:24:52 +0000

During Samsung's unveiling of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ a couple of weeks ago, their presenters spent a lot of time on their new assistant named Bixby. This was supposed to be a next-level assistant or "intelligent interface" that duplicates a whole bunch of things Google already does just fine (and has for years), only it can be accessed with its own dedicated button that we'll all likely just remap. You'll notice I said "was supposed to be," because last night, Samsung announced that it's biggest feature won't be ready for launch. When the Galaxy S8 and S8+ arrive next Friday, they'll lack the voice interaction portion of Bixby. That means no "Hello, Bixby" or having it call an Uber or pull up your photo gallery or texting Cindy a picture of a map. It'll still do the camera tricks to help you scan QR codes, shop for items you see while out and about, or identify landmarks. It'll also be able to set reminders and organize a handful of cards in a Google Now-clone to the left of your home screen. But the voice stuff, nope. Here is the statement they released about Bixby and voice to their preferred media list:

Key features of Bixby, including Vision, Home and Reminder, will be available with the global launch of the Samsung Galaxy S8 on April 21. Bixby Voice will be available in the U.S. on the Galaxy S8 later this spring.

They won't say why voice won't work, of course. But this does make sense after the Unpacked event where none of the voice options were enabled on any of the demo units we used, which you can see in our Galaxy S8 First Look video. So if you are grabbing that Galaxy S8 at launch, just use Google Assistant. Then in the spring, when Bixby voice arrives...well, you'll probably end up sticking with Assistant anyway, since you'll have turned the Bixby button into something else.

Via: Axios

AT&T Galaxy Note 5 and S6 Edge+ Get Nougat Updates

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 15:52:51 +0000

AT&T began pushing the Android 7.0 Nougat update to the Galaxy Note 5 and Galaxy S6 Edge+ today. Each update weighs in at roughly 1.5GB, so as you go hunting for it in Settings>System updates, make sure you have plenty of battery left. For the Note 5, the update arrives as software version N920AUCU4EQC6, while the Galaxy S6 Edge+ is getting G928AUCU4EQC6. They are both Android 7.0, as I mentioned, and include network performance enhancements and other security patches alongside Nougat. The update should include the newest version of TouchWiz, which means improved notifications, better multi window, and more.

Via: AT&T [2] [3]

Tuesday Poll: What is Your Typical Screen on Time in a Day?

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 13:25:08 +0000

Battery life is one of the subjects we still talk a lot about, unfortunately. While phones typically almost all excel in performance and camera departments these days, not all are great when it comes to getting you through a day without looking for an outlet. Part of the problem there, outside of battery tech not changing, stems from the fact that our daily usage sure seems to be increasing each year (still looking at you, 6-hour guy). So even as battery capacity has gone up, that screen on time has too. For example, from 2014 to 2016 (the two previous times we asked you about screen on time), we went from 46% of you seeing 1-3 hours of screen on time in a day and 37% seeing 3-5 hours, to 42% at 1-3 hours and 44% at 3-5 hours. That's a decent-sized shift that saw quite a few of you using your phones for an extra hour or more. So because we haven't asked yet this year, let's do it now and see if these numbers have shifted yet again. What is your typical screen on time in a day? Also, feel free to drop your phone model in the comments. [poll id="450"]

5 Reasons the LG G6 is Worth Buying

Tim — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 12:58:11 +0000

Our reviews (both written and video) are all wrapped up, so we've been reflecting on the LG G6, now ready to share 5 reasons why this phone is worth buying. From my time using the phone, I can honestly say LG has completely changed my mind about its hardware, especially when we compare the G6 to last year's G5. It really is a night and day difference. There's no more cheap feeling plastic or terrible modular implementation. The G6 is a classy, high-end smartphone with all of the features you could want at an attractive price. Enough of my rambling, though, here are 5 reasons the LG G6 is worth buying.

1. Overall Package

When we reviewed the G6, we came away impressed with the overall package, but what does that mean exactly? Well, in our minds, if you add up everything the G6 offers, then look at how much it costs, the G6 is a great buy. LG is offering good specs, a very nice 5.7" QHD display surrounded by hardly any bezel, dual 13MP rear-facing cameras, water resistance, expandable storage, headphone jack, and helpful software tweaks on an already great Nougat OS. All of this can be had for under $700, which really equates to somewhere around $30/month, since many opt to get their smartphones via payment plans these days. If unlocked is your route, you can't argue that sub $700 is a great price for a phone with IP68, dual cameras, and a crazy cool design. I spent a lot of time comparing the G6 to last year's G5 and it's so apparent that LG listened to what its customers had to say. Modularity was not widely adopted as LG had hoped, and instead of pressing forward in an attempt to sell people on the idea, they simply admitted it was a mistake, scrapped it, then started fresh. I applaud LG for this move and the G6 is a great package that should be checked out if you're an Android fan.

2. Water Resistance

There are many that will argue with me, but the fact of the matter is, water resistance is awesome. Why would someone not want it? It's not about whether you've ever dropped your phone in water before - it's about the possibility of it happening, and when your device comes with IP68, it's just something you don't need to worry about. For me, it's better knowing my phone won't be completely destroyed if I drop it into a little puddle rather than being overly cautious with it when out in the rain or using it in the kitchen during an intense noodle boiling session. Not only that, but when a phone doesn't have comprehensive water resistance (Pixel, Mate 9, etc.), I always ding them for it. We all should. It's a feature that I feel should just be standard in a phone that's going to cost $650+, a price for something that is not easily replaceable for most people. You can disagree all you want, but I am and will continue to be a champion for water resistance. The G6 is LG's first phone with IP68 in the US, and dang it, I love it.

3. Cameras

On the backside of the G6, you will find dual 13MP cameras. To get technical, the standard sensor is f/1.8, features OIS and phase detection AF. The wide angle lens is f/2.4, capable of shooting 125 degrees, compared to the standard shooter at 71 degrees. Both Kellen and I took a lot of shots on the G6 for our reviews, coming away very impressed with the end result of many pictures. While we did have minor beef with how long it takes for the camera to fire up and snap that first shot, it seems all subsequent shots can be fired off rather quickly, meaning you shouldn't miss too many shots due to slow software. Not only is the standard shooting mode adequate, but LG packs in a ton of additional software for the power users. If you need more control over ISO or shutter speed, the Manual Mode was built for you. If you want to take advantage of the 18:9 aspect ratio, Square Mode can provide a few helpful things, such as the ability to create grid photos for your next upload to Instagram. For sample shots and more detailed info on why these cameras are good, please check out our G6 reviews. [responsive_vid]

4. Free Goodies

Who doesn't want free goodies? Free goodies are the best. For a limited time, when you purchase a G6, you will receive a free Google Home (valued at $129). That ain't bad. To sweeten the deal, through select carriers (Sprint and Verizon), you could even receive a free LG TV. Now we're talking. For further details on this, you'll want to check LG's website. However, I can say that time is running out if a free TV is on your mind. According to LG's promo website, you'll need to claim the TV before April 20, so you best hurry. Naturally, both Sprint and Verizon are only offering this promotion if you purchase through select avenues (switching lines, opening lines, etc), so check out all of the fine print before completing your G6 purchase. Much more easy to claim is the Google Home. Anyone who purchases the phone, whether it be from a carrier or Best Buy, will receive a free unit. You can't argue with that. Additionally, LG appears to be handing out free Google Drive storage to owners, so that's an added bonus.

5. Like a Galaxy S8, But Less Expensive

In many ways, the G6 is a lot like Samsung's Galaxy S8. They both have large displays with minimal bezel, they are both IP68 certified, are covered in glass, and have plenty of power and features to keep you happy over the course of ownership. However, the G6 can be had for a solid discount compared to the Galaxy S8. Currently, the S8 is priced starting at $750, while the G6 can be had for almost $100 cheaper. If someone was really interested in the Galaxy S8, but can't quite stomach the entire price, the G6 is a great alternative that is a bit easier on the wallet. And believe me, there's no shame in that, considering the G6 is a great phone. This also plays into one of the aforementioned reasons, being the free goodies section. With a Galaxy S8 pre-order, you can get a free Gear VR and controller, but if virtual reality doesn't interest you, maybe a Google Home could? Point being, we have plenty of options and various incentives in 2017 when it comes to a smartphone purchase, making it a good time to be a buyer.

Buy the LG G6: AT&T | Verizon | Sprint | T-Mobile | Best Buy

Considering another phone? Feel free to take a look back at 5 reasons to buy other phones, like the Galaxy S7, Pixel, or Moto Z in previous installments of this ongoing series.

Chrome Update Kills "Annoying" Page Jumps as You Browse

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 11:12:19 +0000

Browsing the web from our phones is only going to increase from here on out, so as you might expect, Google will continue to do everything in their power to make that experience pleasurable when done through their own browser. In a new update to Chrome, Google is attempting to eliminate those obnoxious - or as they put it "annoying" - page jumps as pages load on mobile. The video above shows a before and after with page-jump-killer included. As you can see, Chrome will attempt to freeze the screen position with "scroll anchoring," so even as items slowly load above your content, you won't be shifted around. The goal is to keep you where you are, rather than where the website might force you. As Google mentions in its blog post about the update, these are the features you might not realize are there, but are some of the best additions.

Via: Google

Request Money From Multiple People With Group Payment Support in Facebook Messenger

Tim — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 10:21:45 +0000

You just went out with a group of friends, paid for a few of their drinks, and now it's time to get paid back. With Group Payments now supported via Facebook Messenger, hitting up all of your friends at the same time for cash isn't too awkward at all. In Messenger, sending payments between 2 people is easy, and now with the Group Payments, sending money between lots of people is a breeze. For example, if 10 people owe you $7, make sure they're all in a group message, then request the money via the payments option. Each member of that group message will receive the request, then should promptly pay you, or at least give you an excuse as to why their payment will come in late. "Sorry, bro, don't get paid until Friday!" As for me and my group of amigos, we typically use Venmo for the transfer of funds, but this also seems like a great route. May have to give it a try. To use it yourself, follow the Google Play link below. Play Link

Via: Facebook

Galaxy Note 7 Fiasco Seems Well Behind Samsung as Galaxy S8 Pre-Order Figures Come In

Tim — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 09:01:35 +0000

After the Galaxy Note 7 disaster, with phones deciding for themselves that they no longer wanted to share this planet with a species that seems destined to destroy itself, many questioned whether Samsung could recover. More importantly, members of this industry, myself included, wondered if consumers could trust Samsung phones again. We now have our answer, as South Korean pre-order figures for the Galaxy S8 are in, and wouldn't you know it, people really don't seem concerned with Samsung's 2016 mishap. According to Business Korea, in the first two days of pre-orders in South Korea, 550,000 people put their money down for a Galaxy S8. Comparing that to the Galaxy S7, which had 100,000 pre-orders in the same time period, the Galaxy S8 seems bound to be Samsung's most popular Android device ever. It even beat out the Galaxy Note 7's pre-order figures, which was an impressive 400,000. It has been reported that folks are leaning more towards the Galaxy S8 Plus, leading Samsung to up its production of the 6.2" display-having behemoth. It will be interesting to see how well these pre-order numbers turn into actual sales. Unlike other companies, Samsung isn't too shy about sharing the volume of devices they ship. We can typically find out a few months after a device launch how many units are moved, so we'll check back on this in a few months. Galaxy S8 pre-orderers, you should have your phone in-hand pretty darn soon.

Via: Business Korea

Huawei CEO, Who Just Released a New Smartwatch, Isn't a Fan of Smartwatches

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 08:38:58 +0000

I don't know if Huawei is already bracing for its so-far-poorly reviewed Huawei Watch 2 to be a massive failure or if their current rotating CEO Eric Xu Zhijun just doesn't give a damn, but the exec didn't exactly have great things to say this morning about smartwatches in general. During the Global Analyst Summit in Shenzhen, Zhijun told attendees that he is "always confused as to what smartwatches are for." Taking that a step further, he mentioned that as Huawei's smartwatch team approaches him with excitement over new ideas, he often reminds them to "consider whether there are tangible needs" for these things in the market. Now, that makes perfect sense - why release anything if there isn't a need for it? But at the same time, this dude is the CEO. By the time anything gets to his desk, you would hope that 1,000 other people have assessed whether or not there is a tangible need for whatever it is. I digress. Back on smartwatches, though - Zhijun's point about smartwatches lines up with most people's I feel. He was arguing that your smartphone already does everything (and more) that a smartwatch can do, so why do we need smartwatches? Honestly, I don't know! Sure, there are times that a smartwatch can come in handy, should pulling out a phone not be necessary or if you are in a situation where your phone isn't accessible, yet a watch is. But that's really been the struggle from day 1 with smartwatch makers - they haven't figured out how to sell us on why we need one. Clearly, Huawei hasn't figured this out either.

Via: SCMP

DEAL: Amazon With Big Deals on SanDisk Memory - 256GB MicroSD for $120, 128GB for $33

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 07:55:29 +0000

Amazon is hosting another mega-sale on SanDisk flash memory products. This time, you'll find not only good discounts on microSD cards, but other mobile-related drives that might come in handy when jumping between phones. In the microSD card department, you'll find their 256GB Ultra card for $119.99 ($80 off) or the 128GB Ultra card for just $32.99 ($117 off). Both cards will work fabulously in a new Galaxy S8 or LG G6. As for other goodies to consider, you may want to look the 128GB Dual Drive USB Type-C stick for $38.89 ($21 off). This drive has a Type-C tip on one end to hook into your phone, along with a standard USB tip on the other to help you jump from computer to phone and back. You'll also find the SanDisk Connect Wireless 200GB Stick for $67.99 ($52 off). This product acts as a mini-wireless storage hub and works with both phones and computers. And if none of that sounded fun, you'll find SanDisk SSD and full-size SD cards too. Get after it. Amazon Link

Instagram Direct Adds Disappearing Photos and Videos to Direct Threads

Kellen — Tue, 11 Apr 2017 07:24:27 +0000

Instagram wants you to have more "fun" with "visual conversations" through its Direct feature, so today it's adding disappearing photos and videos to the threads you have with friends. That means you'll now be able to send one-timers that will show within the chats you already have going, until they are viewed and then gone. To access this new feature, you'll simply swipe left into Direct, jump into conversations, and tap on the new blue camera icon to send off disappearing photos or videos. When you receive disappearing photos or videos, you'll see them highlighted in blue within a thread. Senders will see notifications as they are viewed and also should you attempt to screenshot them. And that's pretty much it. The new disappearing fun is a part of v10.16 which is live now.

Via: Instagram

DEAL: $277 for the Honor 8 is a Really Good Deal

Kellen — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 16:02:38 +0000

From day one with the Honor 8, we have been big fans of the unlocked beauty that Huawei released here in the US. The combination of the specs and high-end design accompanying an incredibly reasonable price won us over (our review). Now that it has the update to Nougat and a greatly improved EMUI 5.0, it's an even better buy for those looking in the unlocked realm. Of course, we love discounts and the phone currently has a big one if you buy it from Amazon or Walmart. The Honor 8 in black with 32GB of storage is currently listed at $277.12. That's a $122 discount on a phone that was already priced competitively at $399. The deal likely won't last long, so jump on it. Deal Links: Amazon | Walmart

Report: OnePlus 5 Specs to Include 5.5" 2K Display, 3,000mAh Battery and Snapdragon 835

Tim — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 13:43:18 +0000

Last summer, OnePlus introduced the OnePlus 3, which was then followed by the OnePlus 3T. As we approach summer again, rumors and reports are already filling the internet about the OnePlus 5, the company's 2017 flagship. Now, before we dive into the latest reported specs, let's quickly discuss the name. If you're wondering why OnePlus would skip the "OnePlus 4," it's simply due to 4 being an unlucky number in China. Easy enough, right? According to Chinese outlet PC Pop, the OnePlus 5 should be quite a revamp in terms of design. The phone is reported to feature a 5.5" "2K" resolution display, Snapdragon 835 processor, 3,000mAh battery, and 23MP rear-facing camera. As for that revamped design, it is said the OnePlus 5 will feature very, very little front bezel, meaning a reassignment for where the fingerprint reader goes. All guesses point to it going to the backside of the device, the same as it is on many other Android smartphones. However, it seems that OnePlus will still offer front-facing capacitive buttons, along with the ability to enable on-screen buttons. It's all about user preference, after all. We don't have detailed information on when the OnePlus 5 may launch, or for how much, but OnePlus has never been shy from teasing upcoming products. As soon as we learn more, we'll let you know. Anyone here super excited for the next OnePlus?

Via: PC Pop

Dear World, Please Copy Twitter and Add a Night Mode to Your Apps

Kellen — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 13:11:57 +0000

I hate to pull out the, "If you aren't doing this, you are doing it wrong," thing, but seriously app developers and mega-tech companies, if your app doesn't have a dark or night mode, you are doing this sh*t so wrong. Wrongly even. Wrong in a bigly way. So big league wrong, it's bigly wrong. Add a night mode. Please. Not that night or dark modes are new to this world, because back in the day when Android was still fresh, we had ROMs and hacked stuff and were root gods and flashed themes that had dark skins to "conserve" battery. Remember those times? They were good! But after all these years, none of the big dogs seem to have figured out that this is a big deal and that we want darkness. Well, except for Twitter, who had to hire a 3rd party Twitter app developer in order to get there. At least they did it. Why do we need night modes? Because phone displays are bright, LCDs in particular. In dark situations, like when you are about to call it a night, only you need those last 3 or 4 refreshes in Twitter to see if World War 3 has started, you'd rather keep your retinas fully intact. Night modes help with that. They could help with battery life too, which of course is still a concern in 2017. They also help those significant others of yours sleep peacefully without your phone's bright ass display interrupting. They'll keep your airline neighbor on chill through that red-eye, because no one wants him activating United Mode and dragging you out the cabin. And honestly, even during the day, if done properly like Twitter's, night modes are just nicer to look at.

So while Twitter has had night mode for a cool year now, there aren't many other mainstream apps that have taken on the task. Think about Gmail or Inbox or Hangouts or Instagram or Facebook - all of these apps are beyond white.

ESPN's app is so absurdly white, there is no way I'll ever strongly consider using it. I use theScore for sports because it's not only a really good sports app, it's also a dark-themed app out of the box. What's even more interesting, is when you look at Google Play Movies & TV, which Google turned dark only a few months back. I don't have an official statement on this, but my guess is that Google considered the fact that people might consume content through Play Movies & TV in bed at night or on a plane or in another dark situation and so having a dark-themed app would make sense. Netflix gets it. Even Google News & Weather gets it. But then look at YouTube or Google Play Music. White AF.

I'd imagine there is a bit of work behind a proper dark mode that isn't just a flip on colors. However, if almost every single third party Twitter, reddit, or read-it-later app has had dark options for years, why can't the big dogs? We know Google has played with a Dark system settings option in Android for a couple of years now, yet that hasn't been fully realized. Their implementation was pretty great, though, because you could set it to automatic and the system would flip the switch for you at the proper time. An automatic setting actually makes a lot of sense, just like Android's Night Mode, where you can have it timed to flip over or have it scheduled to do so with sunrise and sunset. But look, dark modes having these choices seems like a much more important feature than Android's system settings. When you talk about continuing to improve upon the Android experience, to me at least, these are the little changes that go a long way.

FCC: No, We're Not Going to Allow Cell Phone Calls on Planes

Kellen — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 12:03:38 +0000

FCC chairman Ajit Pai released a statement today, essentially putting an end to the idea that people should be able to place phone calls while on an airplane. Previous chairman, Tom Wheeler, considered removing a ban on phone calls while in the air, because he argued that the ban was old and obsolete. Wheeler thought the decision should be up to other agencies, like the Department of Transportation. Pai clearly doesn't care, because as his statement specifically states, he likes having a moment of quiet at 30,000 feet. While this more than likely brings an end to your darkest nightmares of the teenager next to you falling in and out of love with their high school sweet heart over the phone on a coast-to-coast 6 hour flight, there is still a chance that WiFi calling would be allowed. I'd say the chances are slim, but this particular ban was for cellular calls, not those made over WiFi. Yay.

Via: FCC (PDF) | USA Today

LeEco's $2 Billion Vizio Acquisition Attempt is No More

Tim — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:55:09 +0000

The $2 billion acquisition attempt of Vizio by LeEco that was announced last July, is now dead. According to LeEco, "regulatory headwinds" are to blame, but that's likely only a portion of the fundamental problems facing LeEco at this time. With the acquisition not taking place, both Vizio and LeEco make it clear that a partnership possibility is not out of the question. Apparently, the two companies will explore content opportunities with LeEco handling digital goods that could see distribution through Vizio's various channels. Additionally, LeEco states there is a plan to bring Vizio TV sets to the Chinese market, but there is no word on how or when that will take place. At the end of the day, LeEco has a major cash problem. It has been offloading US-based property in the Bay Area, and recently had an issue with US employee payroll (since resolved). If you were looking for an example of a company biting off more than it could chew, in terms of buying its way into the US market, LeEco is a good model.

Via: TechCrunch

RunIQ From New Balance to Receive Android Wear 2.0 This Week

Tim — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 10:15:59 +0000

More Android Wear 2.0 news this glorious Monday, with New Balance also confirming that the RunIQ smartwatch will receive the update no later than April 14 (later this week). With the 2.0 update, users will find access to Google Assistant, a changed up user interface, as well as improved battery life. On top of the standard changes in Android Wear 2.0, NB looks to be switching up a few other items, so check out the full changelog below if you rock a RunIQ. What's New

Improved GPS acquisition when paired with an iOS device
Updates for overall battery life
Google Play Store on RunIQ – no phone needed when connected to WiFi
Google Play Music and untethered running for iOS users
Customizable watch faces with Complications
Improved Bluetooth connectivity when paired with an iOS device
Onscreen mile, kilometer, and lap notifications are bigger and include the previous split time

April 14 is this upcoming Friday, so keep your head on a swivel if you are attempting to update your RunIQ as soon as this update begins to roll out. Also, is it safe to make fun of the Moto 360 (2nd Gen) or Huawei Watch yet for not having Android Wear 2.0? Maybe just a little giggle?