Droid Life

OnePlus 7 Pro is All Display in New CAD Renders, Features Pop-Up Selfie Cam (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 08:32:44 +0000

UPDATE 4/16: OnePlus is now rumored to launch two models of the OnePlus 7. This version seen here might be the OnePlus 7 Pro.

Thanks to @OnLeaks by way of pricebaba, we're getting what could be our first real good look at the upcoming OnePlus 7, with CAD renders now available for viewing. With these renders, there are three major takeaways: The frontside of the device is all display, with no notch, cutouts, or anything of the sort. Because there is no notch or cutout, OnePlus is utilizing a pop-up mechanism for the selfie camera. You can hate it or love it, but that appears to be what's happening on this phone. Last but not least, on the backside, OnePlus is going with three rear cameras on this phone. That's pretty par for the course in 2019, we'd say.

Since we don't see a fingerprint reader on the backside, we can assume that OnePlus will stick with the in-display reader that it utilized last year. There's no word yet if it will still be optical or OnePlus will switch to ultrasonic. As for specs, you can guess that OnePlus will spare no expense again in this department, except when it comes to wireless charging. Expect to see a Snapdragon 855 powering this operation, along with a healthy amount of RAM and built-in storage, plus a rumored battery size of 4,150mAh. If OnePlus sticks to its usual release schedule, we're still a few months away from this device becoming official. Do you like what you see so far? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is3-pXlrTyw // pricebaba

Galaxy S10 Pre-Orders are Shipping Early!

Kellen — Mon, 04 Mar 2019 07:07:45 +0000

If you pre-ordered the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, or Galaxy S10e from Samsung's store, your pre-orders might have shipped. This morning, a number of our readers were given shipping info with devices expected to arrive a couple of days early. Our pre-orders also shipped and should arrive as early as Wednesday, two days before the Galaxy S10 family hits stores. In the past, we've shared info on pre-orders of devices shipping early and told you to calm that excitement until phones were picked up and put on a truck. You see, items can appear to have "shipped" when a shipper prints a label, but the item could sit at a shipping dock or warehouse for days until it has physically been picked up. With these pre-orders, items are being picked up and are on their way. This is the real deal. For those who haven't yet, you still have time to take advantage of Samsung's generous $550-off trade-in deal if you buy a Galaxy S10, S10+, or S10e. With that type of trade-in value, I was able to pre-order a Galaxy S10e for just $199. Samsung is still including a $130 eCertificate with purchase too.

Pre-order Galaxy S10 from Samsung

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLXpAzkUUwc Cheers bnlish, Corey, and everyone else!

VIDEO: Galaxy S10e Unboxing!

Tim — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 14:38:54 +0000

Mmm, that Canary Yellow, though. As you can see, we have the Galaxy S10e in-house, but before we dive into a review and all of the other things associated with having a new phone to play with, we have to unbox this thing. To recap, the Galaxy S10e is the more affordable option in the Galaxy S10 lineup, featuring a 5.8" Full HD+ Infinity-O display, Snapdragon 855 processor (we have the Exynos international model), 6GB+ RAM, 128GB+ storage, 3,100mAh battery, dual rear cameras, and Android 9.0 Pie with One UI on top. Seriously, look at that Canary Yellow!

Pre-order Galaxy S10e, get $550 off in trade-in

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLXpAzkUUwc

DEAL: Get a Verizon Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL for $450 Off at Best Buy (Bill Credits + Instant Discount)

Tim — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 13:46:40 +0000

Thanks $300 in bill credits from Verizon and $150 in an instant discount, you can snag a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL at $450 off the usual pricing. With that discount, the price of a Pixel 3 starts at under $15/month. For a Pixel 3XL, the price starts at under $19/month. While we aren't huge fans of bill credits, since they're essentially contracts, if you don't intend on leaving Verizon and enjoy your service, it's not a bad way to save a big chunk of money. It appears Best Buy has all colors and storage options available for this deal, so if you need that Pixel 3 or 3 XL in your life, follow the link below.

Best Buy Link

Netflix Certifies Galaxy S10 Lineup for HDR Support

Tim — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 12:33:55 +0000

Netflix has gone ahead and certified the Galaxy S10 lineup for HDR10 and HD support ahead of launch next week, which is great for all you mobile binge watchers. The certification is good for the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and the Galaxy S10e. Once you have one of those phones in your hand, just make sure to be running the latest Netflix app build and HD + HDR10 playback should work straight out of the box. Cheers, Netflix. // Netflix

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 9 Receiving Pie Update

Tim — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 10:38:55 +0000

Pie is now rolling out Galaxy Note 9 owners on T-Mobile! Once rollout is complete, that only leaves Verizon and unlocked models still to be updated to Android 9.0. In addition to the Pie update, T-Mobile lists a new 911 call flow, a compass calibration fix, as well as a "BYOD update." Interestingly, T-Mobile lists that this Pie update "will not be available to all customers right away." We assume this means it will be an incremental update so T-Mobile can monitor the update's performance, so fingers crossed all goes smoothly. This update weighs in at 1671MB. It's a big one. Have at it, Note 9 owners on T-Mo. // T-Mobile

Google Clock Now Lets You Wake Up to the Sweet Sounds of Pandora and YouTube Music

Tim — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 09:48:40 +0000

Not too long ago, Google Clock announced integration with Spotify. This week, Google's little clock app is getting integration with Pandora and YouTube Music, letting users hear music from those sources as their alarm tones. To set one of these sources as your alarm tone, open the app, then tap on the alarm music button. You'll see a "Music alarms available" pop-up, which then allows you to link up the associated apps. Do note, you'll need the apps downloaded onto your phone for the feature to work.

Sweetness. Google Play Link // Pandora

Razer Phone 2, Which Just Updated to Pie, is $499 Today ($300 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 01 Mar 2019 08:08:12 +0000

The Razer Phone 2 has a massive discount today, but the deal may be today only. If you've been eyeing the 2nd-gen gaming beast that is the Razer Phone 2, you can save $300 off your purchase right now. That drops the price to $499. Is that a good deal? Umm, yes, yes it is. In Tim's review, he gave it pretty high marks in all categories. The specs are solid, the 120Hz display is still a joy to use, the camera is much improved from the original, performance is great, its audio features (like dual massive speakers) are not something you find every day in a phone, and its software is as clean as it gets. Oh, it just received its Android Pie update this week too. While there may be some questions surrounding the future of Razer's mobile division, they told us they'd continue to support the Razer Phone 2 for quite some time. Again, this is a limited-time deal. Get it! UPDATE: Amazon has it for $499 too.

Shop Razer Phone 2

DEAL: Save $5 on an Anker 10,000mAh PowerIQ 2.0 Portable Charger ($30)

Tim — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 15:37:08 +0000

For a limited time over on Amazon, you can grab a 10,000mAh PowerIQ 2.0 portable charger from Anker for just $30, down from its usual $35 price. While this device is a great way to keep your phone or tablet charged, the main highlight is PowerIQ 2.0. With this feature, the charger detects how much power is required to charger your device quickly. It's capable of producing 18W output, which should definitely be enough to fast charge most Android devices. There's no coupon code or anything like that required to snag the savings, so follow the link below if you need some portable juice in your life. Amazon Link

Here's One Big Reason to Look Forward to Verizon 5G

Kellen — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 13:11:54 +0000

A new home internet option.

I may sit on the negative side of 5G at the moment, mostly because I think carriers, phone makers, and chipset producers are overselling the first round of it, but there is still one piece of it that I'm really looking forward to. As Verizon 5G becomes a real thing over the next couple of years, it won't just mean faster mobile internet on your phone. It will also mean another home internet option. As Verizon begins creating its new 5G network for mobile and your smartphone, it'll bring with it a home internet option that runs over that same 5G network. Verizon reiterated that bit of news to PCMag this week, noting that they view their 5G network as "one network, based on 5G, supporting multiple use cases." That's important for urban areas to start, many of which lack choices for home internet. For example, I live in Portland, pretty close to downtown, and have two choices: Comcast or CenturyLink. I go with Comcast because with the specific location of my house, it's impossible to get a CenturyLink Fiber wire from street pole to it. CenturyLink's Gig internet also just got here, so up until about a year ago, Comcast was my only legitimate choice. With no competition, I can't imagine I'm paying a reasonable price for my close-to-gigabit service. And we don't think we're talking about some weak hotspot internet, like AT&T is currently offering over its 5G network. Verizon's initial 5G Home offering, which uses non-standard millimeter wave (mmW) 5G that will soon be converted to standards-based mmW 5G, is more like traditional internet. You can pay $50/mo as a Verizon customer and get unlimited data, or $70 if you aren't already with Big Red. Verizon says customers should expect 300Mbps speeds that can top out at around 1Gbps with no data caps. Verizon's VP of technology planning, Adam Koeppe said this week that they'll continue to use mmW spectrum for their 5G home internet solution, but that customers shouldn't worry about slow speeds because of network load. Instead he said that they have plenty of mmW bandwidth and will "give the customer what they need when they need it." Now, I mentioned above that this will initially benefit urban areas and that's because Verizon will deploy mmW in urban areas first. Millimeter Wave is built for densely populated areas that need to support a massive amount of connections at a time. So with mmW 5G in those areas, it only makes sense that Verizon then offer a home internet solution that can use it. We have no idea if Verizon's pricing will change from the 5G Home in places like Sacramento and Houston or if they'll stay the same reasonable levels. I just know I'll be ready to give it some run if it can produce the speeds they are currently promising and help me break away from the death grip of Comcast.

Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus Get Verizon Certified, Pre-Orders Open Too

Kellen — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 11:19:10 +0000

Those wild Sony phones with the 21:9 displays that showed up in imagery a few weeks before being announced at MWC were the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus. They are official now, of course, and pre-orders are already live for both at major electronics retailers. Are these phones you should consider, though? I think so, plus they picked up certification on Verizon and will work just fine on most carriers. To recap, the Sony Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus are like "super mid-range" phones in that they feature solid specs without the hefty price tag. While they may look like super premium phones, the super premium in this line-up is the Xperia 1, which you can read about here. For the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus, you've got very similar specs, just in different sizes. The Xperia 10 runs a Snapdragon 630 with 3GB RAM, 64GB storage (SD support), 2870mAh battery, 6" FHD+ display, and dual camera with a 13MP and 5MP setup. The Xperia 10 Plus runs a Snapdragon 636 with 6.5" FHD+ display, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage (SD support), 3000mAh battery, and dual camera setup with 12MP and 8MP cameras (+2X zoom). They have USB-C ports, fingerprint readers, a bunch of high-end audio support, 8MP front cameras, and NFC chips (Hey, Moto G7!). They are striking in design, with zero bezel at the chin and thicker tops. We don't yet know if they'll be awkward to use with such long bodies, but they should allow for great content consumption. Knowing Sony's cleaner take on Android and track record with updates, these might be great mid-range $400ish buys. How much do they cost? The Xperia 10 starts at $349 and the Xperia 10 Plus starts at $429. They work on Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile. Pre-orders are expected to ship March 18.

Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus Pre-orders:

Amazon: Xperia 10 | Xperia 10 Plus
B&H Photo: Xperia 10 | Xperia 10 Plus
Best Buy: Xperia 10 | Xperia 10 Plus

// Verizon Open Development | reddit

Poll: Screen Protector or Nah?

Kellen — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 10:01:10 +0000

Big news this morning, folks - Samsung is going to include a factory pre-installed screen protector on all variants of the Galaxy S10. OnePlus did the same thing with the OnePlus 6T and likely for the same reason as Samsung. Since these new phones have in-display fingerprint readers, these companies only trust their own in-house protectors to work properly with them. They also want you to buy them at $29.99 a piece because 💵. Anyways, this news got me digging in our older polls to see if we've ever asked the DL community if screen protectors are in or not. As it turns out, we've never done a poll on this subject. I don't how that is possible, but we are changing that today!

More on Samsung's Galaxy S10 screen protectors

Readers of this fine website, are you down with screen protectors? Do you use them on your phones? Do you leave the pre-installed, super icky plastic ones on devices? Do you buy fancy glass protectors for that extra, extra protection? Or do you fly naked? [poll id="508"]

Free MLB.TV for 2019 Season is Coming to T-Mobile Customers on March 26

Tim — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 09:22:48 +0000

T-Mobile customers are getting treated to another year of free MLB.TV, a package valued at $119. With MLB.TV, you can follow your favorite team all season long, as well as watch four games simultaneously on supported devices. Basically, if you're into baseball, it doesn't get much sweeter than this. The promotion for free MLB.TV begins March 26. On that day, you'll redeem the offer via the T-Mobile Tuesdays app, which is downloadable here. Sweet. // T-Mobile

Mi-Clos Studio Celebrates 5 Years of 'Out There' With Game Sales

Tim — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 08:44:06 +0000

Five years ago, I wrote about the launch of Out There to Google Play. I fell in love with the game not only because it was set in space and took loads of effort to complete, but I found the visuals and sounds of the game to be extremely comic book-like. It's very immersive, to say the least. You can guess how excited I was when Out There was remastered into an Omega Edition, featuring all new graphics and things to look at. Anyway, the studio behind Out There and subsequent graphic novel-like Chronicles titles is celebrating five years of Out There by hosting a title-wide sale on Google Play. The sale includes Out There for just $0.99 (down from $5), Dungeon Rushers for $0.99 (down from $5), Out There Chronicles Ep. 1 for free (down from $3), and Chronicles Ep. 2 for $0.99 (down from $3). I really don't want to have to keep telling y'all about how good Out There is and then you not download and play it. So do me a favor and at least go try it. I don't think you'll regret it for $0.99.

Google Play Links

Samsung Now Lets You Remap Bixby Button, Just Not to Google Assistant

Kellen — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 08:38:47 +0000

Good guy Samsung announced last week that it was going to allow owners of the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, Note 9, and Note 8 to remap the dedicated Bixby button without having to jump through work-around hoops. They were going to give you the ability to remap Bixby to another app within their new One UI. Today, an update to Bixby is rolling out that enables this change, but don't expect to be able to switch it over to Google Assistant. Once updated, you'll find the new options by going into Bixby settings, then scrolling until you find the "Bixby key" section (here). Within that section, there are options to single or double press to open Bixby, along with a customization for the opposite of whatever you choose. So if you choose "Double press to open Bixby," then you can set the single press to open an app. That make sense? Samsung will let you customize that extra layer to open almost any app on your phone, just not Google Assistant. You can choose the Google app, but that only opens up a Google Search box when pressed. If you have the Google Assistant shortcut app (link) installed, Samsung is either hiding that as a choice or it's not surfacing for some reason. I 100% have it installed, yet it's not showing in the screenshot below. You could set that extra press to run a specific Bixby command too. Either way, assuming you don't care about having that shortcut open Google Assistant, you can now customize Bixby to any app of your choosing! And you don't need one of those janky 3rd party remappers! Good times. Good times.

Cheers @Blacknight2332!

Nokia 9 Pureview Arrives in the US March 3 and It's $100 Off

Kellen — Thu, 28 Feb 2019 05:00:58 +0000

The Nokia 9 Pureview, a phone with 175 cameras, arrives in the US only days after being announced at MWC. Not only that, but it'll start at $100 off its retail price, so you'll be able to grab one for $599 instead of $699. That price is good for one week only. What is the Nokia 9 Pureview? It's the latest clean Android phone from Nokia, but it's unique in that it has 5 rear Zeiss cameras on its backside. Those 5 cameras shoot simultaneously at 12MP and attempt to capture as much light and detail as is possible on a smartphone. Crazy, right? The phone also features pure Android 9.0 Pie like all Nokia phones, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845, 6GB RAM, a 5.99" QHD pOLED display, 128GB storage, front 20MP camera, wireless charging, IP67 water and dust resistance, USB-C (3.1) port, and a 3320mAh battery. At $599, this seems like a solid deal. Just know that it's only built for GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile. Buy Nokia 9 Pureview:

Amazon
B&H Photo
Best Buy

Sweet: Pie Update Now Available for Unlocked Razer Phone 2

Tim — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 15:35:32 +0000

The highly anticipated Pie update for the Razer Phone 2 is officially rolling out, available first to owners of the unlocked model. As was previously announced, the update should begin hitting carrier models in mid-March. Noted by a Razer employee, the update features 4K video recording at 60fps, gesture navigation, plus plenty more. The update weighs in at 1419MB and includes the following.

What's Inside

Adaptive Battery
Gesture Navigation
Notification Management
Digital Wellbeing support
Camera now supports 720p/1080p/4K at 60FPS video recording.
Bug fixes and performance improvements.
Security updates through Feb. 5, 2019

Get it, Razer Phone 2 owners! https://twitter.com/khangtthai/status/1100899144200151042 // XDA

T-Mobile Says 5G Plans Will be Unlimited, No More Expensive Than Existing 4G LTE Plans

Tim — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 14:20:13 +0000

After news broke yesterday that T-Mobile was delaying launch of its 5G network until the second half of this year, which was later clarified by the company's CTO Neville Ray in that the more "meaningful" 5G launch won't happen until H2 2019 (low-band spectrum), more details about pricing and data plans have surfaced. Speaking to Ray this week, PC Mag learned that T-Mobile intends for its 5G plans to be unlimited, not capped when an account reaches a certain amount of data. This is noteworthy because AT&T is planning to launch a $70/month 5G plan along with its Nighthawk 5G Hub, but with a 15GB data cap. Furthermore, T-Mobile says its 5G pricing won't be any higher than its current 4G LTE plans, at least for 3 years. Originally, T-Mobile said we would see lower prices following a successful acquisition of Sprint, but we've now known about this no price hike for 3 years promise since early February. While data plan prices on T-Mobile may not go up, you can rest assured that the cost associated with your 5G-supporting smartphone certainly will. That's just the name of the game right now. // PC Mag

Here's a 25% Off Code for the Fossil Sport ($63.75 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 13:28:19 +0000

We like the Fossil Sport. It's a solid Wear OS watch for those looking to enter the world of Wear OS. If you want 25% off of one, we have codes for you. The codes can probably be applied to anything Fossil sells, but we like the Fossil Sport. So there. At 25% off, you are getting a $63.75 discount, which drops the price from $255 to $191.25. Not bad! That's probably the lowest price since Black Friday's crazy 30% off deal. Here is our Fossil Sport review. It's the Wear OS watch we recommend. The codes to get 25% off at checkout are "V4A0P1" or "F2M9S6." Both should work. Thank reddit for them. Boom.

Shop Fossil Sport

Motorola Says It is Indeed Working on a Foldable Phone!

Kellen — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 11:36:16 +0000

Motorola is making a foldable phone! The company confirmed as much this week at MWC, saying that they started working on foldables "a long time ago" and don't plan on "coming later than everybody else in the market" with the release of one. Moto's VP of global product Dan Dery coughed up the insight in an interview with Engadget, where he possibly hinted at the phone having that sweet-looking patent design from last month. Dery suggested that a clamshell design, similar to old school Razr phones, is probably better in the long run, as it would offer protection to the soft screens companies are using in these first-gen foldables. Huawei, with its Mate X, uses a foldable design that never protects its big display. Samsung, on the other hand, is folding a display like a book, but does feature an external display that could take damage over time. Motorola believes that plastic OLED displays that are being used start dying the minute you unpack them, that your nails will cause harm to them, and that they won't ever look as beautiful as they do on day one. He's probably right, which is why we deemed the Huawei Mate X bad. To counter that, it's going to be a no-display-on-the-outside phone from Moto. In related news, Dery did talk about the future beyond this first foldable, saying that the "holy grail" of foldables is going to be one with a dual-fold, sort of like a Z-design. He noted that "two very famous" companies are working on this concept already, though he wouldn't name them. But again, the first phone from Moto won't be this "holy grail." We don't know when to expect a foldable from Motorola, but if they plan to join the party with others, it could be anywhere from April through the end of 2019. Samsung's Galaxy Fold arrives in April, while the Mate X will be here by the middle of the year. // Engadget

DEAL: Sling TV Offers 40% Off Plans for 3 Months to New Customers, Starts at $15/Month

Tim — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 10:35:49 +0000

It's official: People are receiving less money this year in their tax returns. Fake news? Unfortunately, no. To help with that, Sling TV is running an offer that will save new customers 40% on the first three months of a subscription plan. The deal is valid for Sling's Orange, Blue, and Orange + Blue plans, bringing the price of a basic Orange or Blue plan all the way down to $15/month for 3 months (original $25/month). If you want to go all out and get the Orange + Blue plan, the cost is $25/month for 3 months, then you'll be reverted to the usual $40/month price. What I know some folks do is couple a Sling TV plan with YouTube TV, since Sling TV offers a few channels that aren't available through YouTube's offering. The biggest example, at least from my own experience, is HGTV and Comedy Central. Each service has its pros and cons, so it's up to you to determine if Sling TV is a good fit. Follow the link below to get signed up. Sign-Up Here // Sling TV

DEAL: Galaxy S10, S10+ Pre-Orders Now Include $130 Gift Certificate

Kellen — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 09:21:42 +0000

Samsung's pre-orders for the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ have been so lit that they ran out of free Galaxy Buds to give you. To make up for that issue, they'll now give you a $130 eCertificate to shop for other goodies on the Samsung store. The free $130 eCertificate is available to all pre-orders of the Galaxy S10 or Galaxy S10+, but not the Galaxy S10e. And that makes sense, since you couldn't get the Galaxy Buds with 10e pre-orders either. To get the $130 eCertificate, you'll have to click the promo box after you hit the link below. You can't miss it - it looks like this. Also, don't forget that you can still trade-in a bunch of phones to receive an instant discount of up to $550 off. Phones eligible for that much cash off today include the Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9, Note 8, iPhones from the Xs Max down to the iPhone 8, LG V40, and Pixel 3 and 3 XL. These Galaxy S10 deals will likely only be around for a few more days, with launch happening next Friday, March 8.

Shop Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYXKvIsQj8s

Verizon Galaxy S9, S9+, and Moto Z2 Play Updated With February Security Patch

Tim — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 08:47:05 +0000

Verizon is shipping out updates to the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Moto Z2 Play. Each update is the February security patch, which is good timing considering March is now right around the corner. Once updated, Galaxy S9 will be on software version PPR1.180610.011.G960USQS3CSAG, S9+ will have PPR1.180610.011.G965USQS3CSAG, and the Moto Z2 Play will have ODSS27.76-12-42-6. Get on it, owners. // Verizon [2] [3]

Lenovo's Cute Little $79 Smart Clock is a Step Closer to Release

Kellen — Wed, 27 Feb 2019 08:24:29 +0000

Lenovo's Smart Clock, the I-need-one-right-now Google Assistant-powered smart display that was announced at CES, is a step closer to release today. The Smart Clock stopped by the FCC for approval as we prepare for it to hit stores in the "spring." At $79, this looks like a great little smart home device. You get Google Assistant and all of the smart display tech that we love, only now it comes in a tiny package. The Lenovo Smart Clock has a 4" touch display, so that you can set it by the bed as your alarm clock and not have it take up the entire nightstand. It's covered in a soft cloth, sort of like the Google Home Hub, and should blend in nicely with your home decor. At the FCC, we get confirmation on 802.11ac WiFi and Bluetooth, though not much else. But look, we know what the Lenovo Smart Clock is. We'll let you know when you can buy one!

// FCC

DEAL: $12.99 for Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charger and Free 6ft USB Cable

Kellen — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 14:17:28 +0000

Anker has been running really good deals this month on some of their top-selling products. The Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad, for example, is back to a crazy $12.99 low price, but if you use a coupon code, you'll get a free 6ft braided cable to go with it. The 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad from Anker works perfectly with the fast charging on Samsung Galaxy phones, like the Galaxy S10, S9, S9+, Note 9, and Note 8. Basically all of Samsung's fast wireless charging-capable phones are good with this pad. It'll wirelessly charge other devices too, just not always at those faster speeds. The cable you'll get for free is a micro USB cable, which is weird in 2019, but that's how you power this charging pad. These braided cables are nice too, plus the 6ft length should let you place this charger in more spots throughout your house. To get the deals, you'll hit the link below for the 10W pad, then make sure you tap on the "Save an extra $1.00" coupon. After that, you'll hit that link below for the 6ft cable, add it to cart, then use code "FREE6FTCABLE" at checkout. Your total bill should be $12.99 with Prime shipping.

Amazon Deal Links:

Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad ($12.99 w/coupon)
Anker 6ft Nylon Braided Micro USB Cable (Code: FREE6FTCABLE)

Google Duo Calls Arrive on the Web

Kellen — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 12:35:34 +0000

Google Duo calls can now be made on the web, within a browser. All you have to do is click the link below, login with your Google account, and then call someone. You can do video or voice calls and it looks solid enough. Cool.

Google Duo Web

// Android Police

OnePlus 7 Won't Have Wireless Charging

Tim — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 11:58:16 +0000

Stop me if you've heard this before, but according to OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, wireless charging will not be present in the company's next smartphone. There's actually quite the history of us having to talk about this. We did it for the OnePlus 5T and we also did it for the OnePlus 6T. Basically, Lau feels that wireless charging simply isn't efficient or demanded enough by its customers to build it into OnePlus smartphones. And frankly, he has a point. We ran a poll not too long ago that backs up his statement. In our findings, 73% of our readers felt wireless charging was merely a bonus feature or didn't care about it at all. For all of the wireless charging fanatics here, sorry, but it seems you're in the minority. At least, for now... As it stands, OnePlus has one of the fastest wired charging solutions available on the market. OnePlus phones charge exceptionally fast, able to charge a battery to 100% in under an hour. Not only that, but OnePlus is able to do this with exceptional heat mitigation, thanks the bulky charging adapter that comes with every shipped OnePlus phone. I'm not here to say wireless charging is overrated or add fuel to any hot take fire, but what I will say is, just because the OnePlus 7 won't have wireless charging, doesn't mean OnePlus still isn't weighing it as an option for future smartphones. According to CNET, who spoke with Lau, the company is actively working on accelerating the delivery of wireless power, but still hasn't figured out how to do it without causing too much heat. Hang in there, wireless charging fans. // CNET

Galaxy Note 10 Rumored to Sport 4 Rear Cameras, Just Like the Galaxy S10 5G

Tim — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 10:21:02 +0000

Hooray, more Galaxy Note 10 rumors! According to SamMobile, the Galaxy Note 10, which is most likely launching sometime during the second half of this year, will feature four rear-facing cameras. Why is this cool? Well, for starters, that means it'd have the same amount of rear-facing cameras as the Galaxy S10 5G. That automatically makes it cool, duh. That quad system is comprised of two 12-megapixel shooters and a 16-megapixel shooter. The fourth is a 3D depth-sensing ToF (Time-of-Flight) camera, similar to what was just introduced on the LG G8's frontside. SamMobile can't confirm if the same exact setup on the S10 5G will be present on the Note 10 later this year, but it seems like a safe bet that it would be. Regardless, four cameras is still pretty nuts in our book, especially when Samsung still can't seem to produce a zero-protrusion design like LG has done with both the G8 and V50. What can I say, I'm not a huge fan of the hump. We still have a ways to go before anything about the Note 10 is made official, so please, keep calm and carry on. Also, I'd like to point out that this year's Galaxy Note 10 will be Samsung's second device sporting this name, following 2012's Galaxy Note 10.1 tablet. Crazy, right? // SamMobile

If You're Planning to Buy a Galaxy Fold, Note That Supplies Will be Limited

Tim — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 09:06:45 +0000

The Galaxy Fold from Samsung is scheduled to launch April 26, though, when speaking to The Verge this week at MWC, Samsung says supplies will be limited. Due to its high cost, starting at $1,980, Samsung is marketing the Galaxy Fold as a luxury item and it wants the launch of the phone to feel special. Because of this, you won't find it sitting on most tech retailers' shelves. Here's what Kate Beaumont, director of product, services, and commercial strategy at Samsung UK had to say with regard to the launch.

This is a super premium device, and we want to make sure it has a concierge-like service and experience, so it’s not going to be on display in all stores. You’re not going to see it on the stands, we want to make sure it’s a very personal experience. There will be quite intensive aftercare that goes with it as well.

There's no word yet on which stores you will be able to find the phone yet, but Samsung does intend on hosting another Unpacked event ahead of the April 26 launch date. At that time, press will be invited to go hands-on with the phone, which should give consumers more of an idea if they want to drop nearly $2,000 on the device. I for one appreciate the idea of having a more personal experience when buying the Fold. If you're spending that kind of money on a first-gen product, you want it to feel special. I also like the "intensive aftercare" aspect, too. While tech is probably never a great investment, there's no reason it can't feel like one for certain products. // The Verge

Energizer Wins MWC With This 18,000mAh Phone

Kellen — Tue, 26 Feb 2019 08:55:48 +0000

They did, man. Energizer wins MWC 2019 and it's not even close. Forget the foldables and the 5G that you'd be a sucker to care about right now - this Energizer P18K Pop phone is the champ. Look at it!

Hah! What is that, you ask? It's a phone! It has an 18,000mAh battery inside. It also has a 6.2" FHD display, pop-up camera, side-fingerprint reader, triple camera setup on the back, and a USB-C port. But who cares about any of that when this tank could be yours. You wanted slightly thicker phones with bigger batteries instead of all those super-thin things that look pretty, right? Energizer gave you what you asked for. OK, they went a little nuts, probably just to get written up like this, and they got me. I'm fine with that. This is innovation. Fold your sh*t elsewhere, Samsung and Huawei, Energizer is here. // TechNave

I Don't Know if We Need Them, but 1TB MicroSD Cards are Here

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 16:06:52 +0000

How much storage do you need? We asked that question not long ago and most of you said that 64GB or 128GB was probably enough. SanDisk and Micron (and Samsung) think you need much more. 1TB microSD cards are here, guys. This morning, SanDisk announced new 1TB Extreme cards with an A2 rating. Micron announced a similar A2 1TB card, which they are calling the "world's first," even though SanDisk announced something similar.

RELATED: Do you need 1TB storage? Maybe.

For speeds, you aren't getting any breakthroughs here. The SanDisk Extreme 1TB does 160MB/s read speeds, along with 90MB/s write speeds. Micron's cards are capable of 100MB/s read speeds and 95MB/s write speeds. Both will offer enough storage to leave you without the need to buy another SD card ever again. Micron's new card will ship in Q2. SanDisk's 1TB card will ship in April and cost $449.99 out of the gate. // SanDisk | Micron

Nokia 9 PureView Has 5 Backside ZEISS Optics Cameras, Priced at $699

Tim — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 14:42:31 +0000

Nokia announced the 9 PureView at MWC this week, a smartphone featuring a backside array consisting of 5 ZEISS Optics cameras. Yes, count 'em, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 rear cameras. For the cameras, there are five 12-megapixel shooters (2 RGB + 3 Mono). Each shot you take on the phone apparently uses all of the sensors simultaneously, bringing in up to 10x more light than a single smartphone camera sensor. The result of this is superb dynamic range in photos that capture more detail and texture from both the highlights and shadows, plus incredible depth-of-field and vibrant color. Other specs include a Snapdragon 845 processor, 6GB RAM, 5.99” QHD+ pOLED display, 128GB storage, 3320mAh battery, IP67, and Android 9.0 Pie. Nokia states the 9 PureView is already shipping and should be available for purchase soon, priced at $699 in the US. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRNgsannOCU // Nokia

DEAL: Anker PD USB-C Duo Charger Does 30W Fast Charging for $19.99

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 14:10:41 +0000

Anker's USB-C PowerPort Speed+ Duo wall charger is discounted right now to $19.99 with the code you'll find below. This is the future-type charger worth investing in as it'll charge many of your devices quickly from a new laptop to your phone and tablet. The PowerPort Speed+ Duo sports a USB-C Power Delivery port that delivers 30W power to charge your computers and tablets with ease. It'll also fast charge PD-ready phones, which would mean your Pixel line-up. In addition to the USB-C, the charger comes with a regular USB PowerIQ port to get you decent charging speeds on those not supported by PD charging. You can grab this charger with Prime shipping, just be sure to use the code below at checkout.

Amazon Deal Link (Code: ANKERTC2)

The Pixel 3 is Pissing Me Off.

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 13:13:34 +0000

I've been close to writing this post a couple of times in recent weeks, but after discussing it on the DL Show last week and with Tim confirming a similar experience, the time has come. The Pixel 3 is pissing me off and I'm actually looking forward to the launch of the Galaxy S10, mostly because it'll give me the chance to take a break from Google's latest offering. What's going on? The performance of it is dog sh*t. The camera is slow to load, if it even loads at all. Reboots are required daily or you'll open apps and watch them slowly load or freeze for lengthy periods of time. Battery life, which could be sh*tty because of the attachment at all times to a Wear OS watch, is bad. We're talking 20% remaining at 6PM bad, with less than a couple of hours of screen on time. I often switch over to the Pixel 3 XL and a fresh battery each evening, a move I haven't had to make in quite some time. Ugh. My frustrations with the Pixel 3, the phone I tend to refer most people to these days, boiled over briefly a few weeks ago and got me to switch to the OnePlus 6T. That phone has its own problems that drive me nuts, so that switch didn't last long, which then led me to the Galaxy S9 and One UI. That was fine too for a day until I realized how much I hate curved displays and Samsung's all-glass backs. Just bring me the Galaxy S10e already. Here's the thing, though - I'm not the only one having issues. When I mentioned to Tim that my Pixel 3 is garbage right now, he too said that his Pixel 3 XL is behaving badly. And he listed out all of the problems I'm having, like a need for daily reboots, slow-loading camera and apps, etc. Well, his battery life is fine. Additionally, a reader dropped us a random email over the weekend with the same complaints, that his Pixel 3 XL had "gone to complete sh*t lately, dropping frames and freezing." I've seen some folks suggest its the February update to blame, but I feel like some of these issues have been going on for longer. Redditors are well aware of the slow camera problem too. I wish I had detailed stats to share you with on this or a way to pinpoint the problems, but it's just a usability thing. You can tell when your phone isn't working properly. Lag and stuttering and slow-loading apps are noticeable things. When you miss shots on your camera because it takes 5-10 seconds to load and then doesn't seem to register every other shutter button press, you don't need data - something is just wrong. When your phone warns you that your battery is almost depleted and you haven't had dinner yet, that's not good. I don't know what to do other than look forward to the next test device to play with. That doesn't fix the problems of those who bought the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL and plan to keep it for the next year+, though. You have to hope that Google is aware of these things and will push updates out to fix them, but there are no guarantees there. For now, I know that the next time I get asked for a phone recommendation, I no longer have a go-to phone to offer up.

Is the Mate X Bad?

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:27:13 +0000

Our deep dive into whether or not the Samsung Galaxy Fold is bad has led us to a series I'm not sure I signed up, but here we are. Now that the Huawei Mate X and its foldable self is official, we should probably decide if it's good or bad too. Let's do this super serious investigation into the Huawei Mate X. Is it bad?

Having your folded display always exposed both front and back, leaving you constantly worried about the protection of the most important part of a foldable, is scary and bad.

Not having a headphone jack is bad.

Bragging that your foldable phone is 5.4mm thick while ignoring a giant 11mm hump is bad.

Creases are bad.

Doing anything similar to Flexpai's foldable hinge, which was bad, is bad.

This price is bad.

This demo, where your really, really, really, really, really, really expensive phone doesn't work or your CEO doesn't know how to work it, is bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_9jROx0efs Being first-gen almost anything is bad. The Mate X is probably bad.

HTC Unveils 5G Smart Hub for Sprint That Doubles as VR Stream Machine

Tim — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 11:04:20 +0000

This week at MWC, HTC unveiled its 5G Smart Hub for Sprint's 5G network. We knew this was happening, only because both of these companies said as much all the way back in November of last year. In summary, this 5G hub connects to Sprint's 5G mobile network. In doing so, it allows users to tap into increased connectivity speeds and can even replace your home's WiFi router. However, it doesn't need to be cemented into your home. Thanks to a 7,660mAh battery, this thing is portable! Interestingly, and this is where things get peak HTC, this Hub will also double as a VR streaming box.

This product is also at the forefront of cloud-based virtual reality technology. In the future, users will be able to stream VR content from the cloud to a VIVE Focus headset via the HTC 5G Hub—no PC or unnecessary cables required—to enjoy a mobile, high-end VR experience in real time.

F*ck me. Featuring a Snapdragon 855 processor with a Snapdragon X50 5G modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, plus a 5-inch HD display running Android 9.0 Pie, the Smart Hub can also open Android games and apps natively. The 5G hub will be available starting in Q2 of 2019 for an undisclosed price. // HTC

T-Mobile Delays 5G Network Until There's a Phone Capable of Using It (Update: Not Really a Delay)

Tim — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 10:31:29 +0000

Key decisions that were made long ago by executives who get paid a lot of money to make key decisions are now coming into play. Today, T-Mobile's CTO Neville Ray announced that the company will ~~delay launch~~ (see update below) of its 5G network until a phone is made that takes advantage of its lower-band 600 megahertz spectrum. That phone is supposed to launch in the second half of 2019 from an unknown OEM. You see, there's a major distinction between, for example, T-Mobile's 5G network and Verizon's 5G network. The former's 5G network utilizes lower-band spectrum, which means lower peak speeds, but better coverage. The latter's usage of millimeter wave spectrum equates to higher peak speeds, but limited range. While Verizon and AT&T can both say they have 5G areas popping up over the country, the truth is, where it's available inside of those markets is extremely limited. Once T-Mobile has a phone it knows is compatible with the low-band spectrum, you should actually be able to use it in areas where T-Mobile says 5G is available. To recap, 5G is a network made up of multiple networks. For condensed urban areas, you have the mmWave spectrum. For suburban areas, you have low-band spectrum. For areas outside of that, you have 4G LTE. The key is, each US carrier decided long ago which area they would focus on first. So while Verizon and AT&T can fight over who is first to the 5G party and can create marketing material to boast that, T-Mobile is playing a more patient game, assuming that customers would rather have a 5G network they can actually utilize in more places than a few square blocks inside of a supported city's limits. The only issue with this is where the money has gone with concern to the development of 5G. More focus has been placed on mmWave, which Verizon and AT&T are able to reap the benefits from more quickly. According to Ray, "You can't go to a US consumer and charge them a big premium and [5G] works on three street corners." In the long run, because it's known how limited mmWave is, we think T-Mobile made the better bet. However, once all is said and done and 5G networks are robust and built out, all US wireless users should be experiencing a similar thing in terms of speed and coverage. It's just a matter of which component of a 5G network you'll be using first, which depends on your carrier. TL;DR: T-Mobile delayed its 5G network until the second half of 2019, when a phone will come out that better utilizes low-band spectrum. Update: T-Mobile's Neville Ray took to Twitter to clarify the company's 5G plan. As tweeted, "We've always said we'd launch when phones are available and they will be in H1. H2 is just when it gets more meaningful ... but there's no delay and no change of plans." https://twitter.com/NevilleRay/status/1100080780305326080 So while the more meaningful 5G launch will be when low-band spectrum is utilized in the second half of 2019, T-Mobile is still on track to launch 5G that utilizes other spectrum bands in the first half of this year. // CNET

Google Fi Will Get 5G From Sprint

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:48:07 +0000

We've been wondering how Google would address 5G when it comes to Google Fi. Today, we know a bit about how that will work, thanks to Sprint's support. As you know, Google Fi operates over Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular networks, allowing customers to seamlessly switch between whichever will offer them the best signal at the moment. When 5G arrives from Sprint this year and you have a compatible device, you'll be able to switch over to Sprint 5G on Fi. That's a big first announcement for Google Fi, since they basically just rent space on carrier networks. Earlier this morning, Sprint announced that 5G would go live in nine cities in the first half of 2019. We don't know when they plan to let Google Fi have access to that, but this bit of news makes it sound like it'll happen soon, we'll just need phones that are capable. // Sprint

Sprint 5G Launches in May in Select Cities

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 09:11:45 +0000

Sprint, after announcing a couple of 5G-ready handsets this weekend, said to expect their first 5G markets to go live in May of this year. They are starting small, but Chicago, Atlanta, Dallas, and Kansas City will get lit-up first. After that, Houston, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix, and Washington DC are also on the schedule to get 5G during the first half of 2019.

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

Will you be able to access that Sprint 5G network (combination of 2.5GHz and Massive MIMO) once it is live? You'll need a 5G phone, of course, like the new LG V50 ThinQ. And if you live in one of these first markets with a capable phone, it'll depend on the market. Sprint says that 5G coverage in New York will be limited to around 30 square miles in Midtown and lower Manhattan, but that they could have 230 square miles of 5G in Dallas. In total, they expect there to be 1,000 square miles of 5G coverage throughout their first nine markets. Can you taste 5G yet? Nope? Sorry. // Sprint

Sony Xperia 1 Offers Ridiculous 21:9 4K OLED Display, Available Late Spring

Tim — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:59:34 +0000

Sony doesn't need your darn hole punches or foldy flippies. Instead, it'd rather offer a ridiculous (in a good way) 21:9 4K HDR OLED display with minimal bezel, found in the new Xperia 1 smartphone. The device was made official at MWC this week and will be available in select markets in late spring. We aren't sure if the US is included in those markets, but seriously, our fingers are crossed for this one. Beyond the 6.5" 21:9 CinemaWide 4K HDR OLED display, which is powered by Sony Bravia TV technologies, the Xperia 1 features a Snapdragon 855 processor, triple rear-facing camera setup, as well as Android 9 Pie.

You may be wondering why you'd need a really tall phone like this. It all comes down to content consumption. Sony has implemented a lot of its Hollywood moviemaking technology not only into the display and rear cameras, but the sound as well. Watching videos and creating your own memories on the phone should be pretty damn enjoyable on this device. The rear cameras, an array of 12-megapixel sensors, come in a variety of sizes. There is a 16mm lens for wide landscapes, 26mm for versatility, and a 52mm lens for telephoto shooting. According to Sony, a built-in algorithm in the camera's software enables Eye AF (Auto Focus), bringing the, "sharp focus exactly to the level of eyes and also delivers continuous burst shooting with up to 10 fps AF/AE tracking (Auto Focus and Auto Exposure) to give you precision focus and optimal exposure." We don't have pricing yet, but considering the specs, we assume it won't be too cheap. Thoughts on this candy bar? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wlj6FEV2ols // Sony

Three Google Phones Stop Off at the FCC, Probably Pixel 3 Lite Line (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 08:56:38 +0000

The Pixel 3 Lite line that leaked back in November of last year, months before Google was ready to acknowledge its existence, stopped off at the FCC today, just as MWC was kicking off. There are three devices in total, all of which are smartphones, but one has an unusual note that shows a phone locked to the US, yet without the bands it would need to work well here. At the FCC today, we have three phones under model numbers G020C, G020G, and G020H. The first two (G020C and G020G) are likely to be the Pixel 3 Lite (leak) and Pixel 3 XL (leak) that you'll be able to purchase in the US in the near future. The G020H could be an international unit with limited connectivity. Why do I say that? The LTE band support for G020C and G020G shows coverages on all of the major US carriers. They'll work on Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Sprint. The G020H is missing quite a few bands. Here are the tables to show that:

Google G020C/G LTE Bands

Google G020H LTE Bands

Additionally, Google included a note with G020H to suggest that it "does not support any non-US channels in any operational mode(s)" and that "all non-US frequencies and country code selection are disabled through proprietary software that is not user changeable." That actually reads like it will work in the US only. And most of the US carriers LTE bands are there, at least the big ones. We are missing CDMA support, which is probably fine since Verizon isn't really using CDMA for much at this point. It's very odd. We typically only see limited band support at the FCC for phones when they are international models, which is why I'm leaning that way instead of it being a carrier-locked Pixel 3 Lite.

UPDATE: We've got more model numbers to track now. Google phones under model numbers G020B, G020D, and G020F all hit the FCC as I was preparing this post. The G020B phone has all of the proper LTE support for use everywhere, while G020D and G020F both contain the note from G020H about not supporting any non-US channels and frequencies. UPDATE 2: Alright, we have two more to pay attention to now, G020A and G020E.

Outside of that, there isn't much to learn here. Bluetooth and NFC are there, as is 802.11ac WiFi. Since these are Google phones, we expect them to just work everywhere. What we really care about are release details like pricing and availability. If these are at the FCC, it might not be long before we hear something official. The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL came through the FCC at the end of August 2018 before being announced a month later. // FCC [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8]

Google Assistant is Coming to Messages, Plus More at MWC

Kellen — Mon, 25 Feb 2019 00:01:07 +0000

MWC has kicked off and Google is ready with the announcements. They already shared with us the new phones that are launching with Google Assistant buttons, but the Assistant news doesn't stop there. We'll soon see more apps with Assistant integration, new language support, Assistant on feature phones, and more. Google says that over the coming months, users will start to see Google Assistant suggest things in Messages conversations. So if you are having conversations with people about the weather, movies, restaurants, Assistant might suggest bits of info related to those things. Sound like a privacy nightmare? Google suggests that the info presented is done so only after being processed on your phone. Assistant also isn't sent the content of your conversations and you get to decide if anything is shared with others.

In other Assistant news announced today, Google is bringing its AI smarts to KaiOS, which is a feature phone OS. That will mean voice texting, searches, etc. on feature phones. Additionally, Google Assistant is now available in Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam and Urdu, so all users in India should be able to take advantage of it. Oh, and remember when Google Assistant became bilingual? It has expanded to include languages pairings from Korean, Hindi, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish and Dutch. Some other notes to be aware of:

You'll soon be able to use Google Assistant to check in to Lufthansa, SWISS or Austrian Air flight within Europe, by voice. To start, this will be available in English and German for flights within Europe.
Digital Wellbeing will soon be accessible through Google Assistant in English, German and French markets. That will mean checking your usage stats, switching to do not disturb, or setting Wind Down times via voice.

To see more of Google's Assistant news for MWC, hit up that link below. // Google

Huawei's Mate X Does Indeed Fold, is Kinda Cool Too

Kellen — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 20:20:11 +0000

Thanks to a last minute banner sighting before MWC kicked off, we got a first look at Huawei's first foldable phone, the Mate X. Today, the company made it official and it showed it off some.

RELATED: Is the Huawei Mate X bad?

First and foremost, the Huawei Mate X differs out of the gate from the Samsung Galaxy Fold because it has a "Falcon Wing Mechanical Hinge" that allows its display to fold and not leave a sizable gap between folded parts. The display is a flexible OLED panel at 8-inches (8:7.1, 2480x2200) when fully unfolded, but then splits into two when folded. On one half, you have a 6.6-inch display (19.5:9, 2480x1148), while the other is 6.38-inch (25:9, 2480x892). It's much more of a maxed-out display design than what Samsung did with separate cover displays and a big notch on the inside. There is little bezel to be found here and no notches.

Inside, you've got a Kirin 980 processor, Android 9 "Pie" and EMUI 9.1.1, 8GB RAM, 512GB storage (with SD support), triple camera (40MP wide-angle + 16MP ultra-wide-angle + 8MP telephoto) Bluetooth 5.0, USB Type-C port, 4500mAh battery, 5G connectivity, fingerprint reader, and 55W SuperCharge powers, in a body that drops to 5.4mm when unfolded (not counting the camera hump). It's most certainly maxed out. For software, Huawei doesn't appear to have worked on any special tricks. You really just get a smartphone- like experience when the phone is closed, plus a wider tablet-like experience once opened. It's cool enough, I guess. The Huawei Mate X will arrive in "middle of 2019" at a starting price of 2299 EUR. To catch the presentation, hit that play button below - it should jump to 1:21 and the start of the Mate X portion. https://youtu.be/lbWAT_j1Y7c?t=4872

Samsung Releases the Galaxy Fold Hands-On Video You Wanted

Kellen — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 16:49:29 +0000

After showing of the Galaxy Fold on stage last week at Unpacked, Samsung is back this weekend with a 4-minute video that really gives us the best look yet at their first foldable phone. The video has almost no sound, and is more of a beauty project than anything, but we get all the angles, software in action, and some different ways you might use the Fold. To recap, the Samsung Galaxy Fold has a 4.6" FHD+ cover display that is used until you unfold the 7.3" QXGA display on the inside. IT has 6 cameras throughout, 512GB of UFS 3.0 storage, 12GB RAM, two batteries with a combined capacity of 4380mAh, all the charging options you could ask for, and a $2,000 price tag. In this video below, you get to see the Galaxy Fold in beauty shot after beauty shot to reveal the craftsmanship behind it, some of the different color variants, how the hinge works over and over again, the different camera experiences you get from cover display to tablet layout, and just how nice of a job Samsung did building this. I may have joked that the Galaxy Fold is bad by pointing out some of its flaws, but this shows how cool of a device it might end up being. You ready to part ways with $2k? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z9z_mF4XL4s

There Might be 100 Million Phones Launched With Google Assistant Buttons This Year

Kellen — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 16:27:23 +0000

A lot of smartphone news dropped today (that we're working to bring you), including multiple stories from us on LG G8 ThinQ. You should read up on that, but Google wants you to know about it because it's another phone from LG with a Google Assistant button. And that's significant because others, including Nokia, Xiaomi, TCL, and Vivo all plan on doing the same. Google Assistant buttons are going to be everywhere. Just this week, we learned about the G8 and K40 from LG having Assistant buttons, as well as the Nokia 3.2 and 4.2. Xiaomi is going to put an Assistant button on the Mi Mix 3 5G and Mi 9, and Vivo's V15 Pro will implement one too. With more Assistant buttons coming from TCL, Google estimates that over 100 million devices could launch this year with dedicated Google Assistant buttons. Not familiar with the Google Assistant button? If you press it once, you'll get the Assistant activated and ready for your questions or commands. If you tap it twice, you'll jump into a new visual snapshot that shows you information based on time of day, location, and recent interactions. Long-pressing on the button activates some sort of "walkie talkie" feature, according to Google, that will ensure the Assistant hears your full queries. You cool with a Google Assistant button in a future phone or would you rather companies lay-off that kind of hardware implementation and let Assistant live in a software world? I use Assistant, so I'm OK with it, but as someone who was not at all a fan of Bixby, I get why this might not be a popular move by Google.

LG Announces G8 ThinQ and V50 ThinQ at MWC (Updated: Carriers)

Tim — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 10:45:59 +0000

At MWC this weekend, LG made the G8 ThinQ and V50 ThinQ official for the US. For the G8 ThinQ, LG is implementing a Crystal Sound OLED panel, which turns the display into a speaker diaphragm, eliminating the need for a front-facing speaker. You'll notice in pictures of the phone that there is no earpiece speaker, as the display itself acts as a bone-conduction like headphone when using the device to place calls. Also new is the Z Camera, also known as ToF (Time of Flight) camera, which brings a whole new degree of gesture controls to the phone. These gestures are called Air Motion, and with it, users can unlock their device, open apps, plus control aspects of select apps without ever touching the phone.

Related: LG G8 ThinQ Hands-on!

While a full list of specs for both devices can be viewed here, G8 ThinQ highlights include a 6.1" QHD+ FullVision display, Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB RAM + 128GB storage, 3500mAh battery, an IP68 rating, dual rear-facing camera (16MP + 12MP), plus the same 32-bit HiFi Quad DAC fans of LG phones have been raving about for quite some time.

V50 ThinQ

As for the V50 ThinQ, I wish I could tell you there was a bunch of new features to get excited about, but in actuality, the V50 of 2019 is essentially the V40 of 2018. By keeping the same chassis, LG was able to cut down on development and manufacturing costs for the device. The big difference with the V50 is the Snapdragon 855 processor, which brings 5G connectivity along with it. The below is a excerpt from LG's press release for the V50 ThinQ.

Giving consumers the ability to enjoy all 5G has to offer as soon as service becomes available, the groundbreaking LG V50 ThinQ 5G has been carefully crafted to provide an exceptional user experience. LG’s first 5G handset will exceed expectations, allowing users to experience high-quality content at 5G speeds.

I think the key here is, "as soon as service becomes available." Currently, consumers are in a holding pattern while US carriers determine when and where 5G service is made available. LG hasn't provided pricing or exact availability for either device and will instead leave that up to its carrier partners. However, the company did say that the G8 will be available in the coming weeks, while the V50 will be available first on Sprint in the coming months. As soon as we have that information, we'll let you know and update this post. Update (VZW): We're starting to hear from carriers concerning availability. According to Verizon, G8 ThinQ pre-orders will start "very soon," but no pricing was announced. Verizon also says it will carry the V50 ThinQ this summer. Update (Sprint): According to Sprint, the V50 ThinQ will launch on its network starting this Spring. Still no word on pricing. Update (T-Mo): And now we've heard from T-Mobile. Sadly, they don't tell us anything. T-Mobile says the G8 ThinQ is "coming soon" to the Un-carrier. Update (AT&T): AT&T has confirmed the G8, but like others, won't tell us dates or pricing. // LG

LG G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ Specs (Official)

Tim — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 10:45:42 +0000

To go along with the official announcement of the G8 ThinQ and V50 ThinQ from LG at MWC, we've got all of the specs you need to know about! For the G8 ThinQ, highlights include its 6.1" QHD+ Crystal Sound OLED display, Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, dual rear cameras, front-facing camera system that includes a ToF camera, 3,500mAh battery, and Android 9.0 Pie.

Related: LG G8 ThinQ Hands-on!

The V50 ThinQ features a 6.4" QHD+ OLED display, Snapdragon 855 processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 4,000mAh battery, triple rear-facing camera setup, and Android 9.0 Pie. All of the nitty gritty can be viewed below.

LG G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ Specs

[table id=158 /]

VIDEO: LG G8 ThinQ First Look!

Tim — Sun, 24 Feb 2019 10:45:36 +0000

Crystal Sound OLED. Time of Flight camera. And of course, Quad DAC. If you couldn't already guess, I'm referring to the G8 ThinQ from LG, which was made official this weekend at MWC in Barcelona. Ahead of its unveiling, LG invited us to go hands-on with the device. The following is the result of that time spent with the phone. If you were to quickly glance at the G8 ThinQ, you may mistake it for 2018's G7 ThinQ. However, there are a few differences that one must take note of. As I alluded to earlier, that includes a Crystal Sound OLED display, as well as a "Z Camera," aka ToF (Time of Flight) camera.

Related: LG G8 ThinQ and V50 ThinQ Specs!

Basically, the Crystal Sound OLED eliminates the need for a front-facing speaker, as the display itself acts a speaker. Yes, it gets incredibly loud, which is awesome. The other big new highlight, the Z Camera on the front, brings a whole new Air Motion gesture suite that essentially allows users to never have to touch the phone. You can unlock the phone with your palm (technically the veins in your palm), open apps, control apps, and plenty more all with gestures. We'll have plenty more G8 ThinQ coverage once we get the device in-house, so until then, check out our nifty little hands-on video.

DEAL: Pre-Order New Galaxy Watch Active, Get a Free $60 Wireless Charging Pad

Kellen — Sat, 23 Feb 2019 10:47:16 +0000

Samsung's new Galaxy Watch Active, its latest smartwatch that wants to be your ultimate health companion, is up for pre-order, just like the Galaxy S10. Like the S10, it too has a pre-order deal that will get you a freebie. If you pre-order the Galaxy Watch Active before it arrives in stores, you'll get a free fast wireless charging pad that normally costs $59.99. The Galaxy Watch Active, for those who missed it, is a $199.99 smartwatch that tracks heart-rate (and detects irregular beats), monitors sleep and blood pressure, is swim ready (5ATM), could last up to 2 days on a single charge (230mAh battery), and will recognize 39 different activities. It sports a 1.1" circular AMOLED display, dual core processor, 40mm case and 20mm watch bands, 4GB storage, 768MB RAM, Bluetooth 4.2, and NFC for mobile payments.

RELATED: Pre-order Galaxy S10, save up to $550 with trade-in

It looks like a solid fitness and health tracking smartwatch and a really nice price for its capabilities. To get the free fast wireless charging pad (it'll fast charge your Samsung phones), you'll hit that link below, add the Galaxy Watch Active to cart in whichever color you fancy, then make sure to add the wireless charger they offer.

Shop Samsung Galaxy Watch Active

DEAL: Save $200 Instantly on a Pixel 3, 3 XL From Google (Starts at $599)

Tim — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 13:43:06 +0000

Don't care for Samsung's latest? Don't get the foldable hype? That's cool, because Google has discounted both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL by $200 on its website. At $200 off, the Pixel 3 now starts at $599, while the Pixel 3 XL starts at $699. Not bad. I feel like I don't need to describe these phones, since we've covered them enough, but if you need more info, check out our reviews here and here. Why should you buy one? Quick updates. Really good camera. Nice software. That about sums up Pixel phones.

Google Store Link

Verizon Readies 60-Day Phone Lock Policy We Outed Last Year (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:46:11 +0000

UPDATE JUNE 25: The FCC gave Verizon a partial waiver to go ahead and implement this new 60-day locking policy.

Back in September, we noticed that Verizon had briefly added a new device unlock policy to their website, a policy that was going to SIM lock customer phones for 60 days after purchase. Verizon got mad at us for reporting it at the time, calling it "inaccurate" and an "IT error," while issuing us a stern statement to say that nothing was changing and they "don't have a new policy." Today, they revealed that a 60-day lock plan was indeed on the way and that they will now try to implement it. Cool stuff. In a blog post today, Ronan Dunne, executive vice president and group president of Verizon Wireless, tried to sell the idea that Verizon customers are robbed on the daily and that no one is more of a target for theft than Verizon because their phones are sold unlocked. Some 7,000 customers every month apparently deal with "fraudsters" attacking their will to live. Because of those bad actors, Verizon has asked the FCC, whose current chairman is incredibly friendly to the wireless industry and used to work for Verizon as a lawyer, to "confirm that the 'C-block rules' put in place in 2007 allow us to keep phones locked, after they’re purchased, for a short, 60 day fraud safety check period, after which the phones will unlock automatically." For a bit of background there, Verizon agreed to leave their phones unlocked when they bought a bunch of spectrum in 2007 that they use for their LTE networks. The agreement says specifically that they cannot SIM lock their phones to their network at all:

(e)Handset locking prohibited. No licensee may disable features on handsets it provides to customers, to the extent such features are compliant with the licensee’s standards pursuant to paragraph (b)of this section, nor configure handsets it provides to prohibit use of such handsets on other providers’ networks.

Like, that statement is as clear as day and not really up for debate on what it means. What the hell does Verizon mean that it wants the FCC to "confirm" that that wording allows them to lock devices? You gotta be kidding me. So if the FCC is cool with it (and I'm sure they will be), Verizon will lock handsets for 60 days to only work on their network. Once the 60 days are up, they'll automatically unlock them for use elsewhere. With that said, the previously posted policy that we shared in September, the one Verizon called "inaccurate," suggested that they may not actually do anything automatically at 60 days if you bought a phone on a payment plan. Instead, they would keep phones on payment plans locked until they were fully paid off. At that time, they would then unlock them. And that unlock idea had nothing to do with fraud and everything to do with special financing they offer. Dunne's post today notes that other carriers do that, but that they won't. The text from September's policy on device payfoffs can be found below:

In addition, to reserve our 0% special financing rate for consumers who want to use their phones exclusively in the Verizon network, we can block the phones you buy through our device payment plan during the term of your sales agreement. of the payment plan of the device, after which we will automatically remove the blocking. Telephones purchased at the total retail price or from other sources will not be subject to this block, although they may still be subject to the 60-day blockage detailed above.

UPDATE: Verizon reached out looking to clarify and wants you know that there will be no payoff requirement with this new 60-day lock policy, unlike what the previously posted policy stated back in September. We'll hold them to that should it change at any point in the future. We're looking for more specifics on this new policy now to see if that bit of text made it in. We'll also see what we can find out about timing, since this looks like they are awaiting that FCC thumbs-up before moving forward. We'll continue to update this post. Stick with us. // Verizon NOTE: We've updated the title to note that an update was added and shortened for clarification. We've made some tweaks throughout to address the device payoff requirement that Verizon says won't be in this new policy, which differs from the policy they posted to their store in September 2018.

Here's a Look at Huawei's Foldable Mate X

Tim — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:36:48 +0000

Well, that escalated quickly. Ahead of MWC this weekend, an image of the Mate X from Huawei has hit the web, the manufacturer's foldable smartphone. It appears that this image was snapped while a banner for the phone was being set up at MWC. There's a bit to take in here, so let's just get right to it. From the image we can see the phone does indeed fold. However, this fold design is much different than Samsung's implementation on the Galaxy Fold. Instead of the hinge being on the left side and opened like a book on the Galaxy Fold, the Mate X opens the opposite direction, allowing the phone to open from the sides towards the user into a square-ish viewing area. Furthermore, it's our belief that this design has allowed Huawei to offer a larger and more usable display when the device is collapsed. Yes, it appears to have a large side bezel, but the rest of the front appears to be completely usable display. It's hard to image what the backside part of the display looks like once opened, will most likely have a camera or two, but we'll know as soon as Huawei hosts its press event this weekend. What's your take on this foldable design? Also, what's your best guess for the price? // @gimme2pm

Moto G7 Now Available for Pre-Order

Kellen — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 11:16:46 +0000

Motorola's Moto G7 can now be pre-ordered in the US at a starting price of $299.99. Orders will arrive/ship by March 1. What should you expect from the Moto G7? Motorola's G line has been a good one for a long time. You typically get a decent set of specs, clean Android experience, and good design at an affordable price. That's the case again with the G7. The Moto G7 sports a 6.2" FHD display with notch, Snapdragon 632 processor, 64GB storage, 4GB RAM, 3000mAh battery, dual rear camera (12MP + 5MP), headphone jack, fingerprint reader, and network support on all the major carriers in the US. The only thing notable that's missing is an NFC chip, which has become a pain point for the G line in the US in recent years. If interested in buying the Moto G7, we've got store links for you below.

Pre-order Moto G7:

Podcast: Samsung Went Off

Kellen — Fri, 22 Feb 2019 07:55:46 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we really have just one big focus - everything Samsung announced this week. That means a show filled with the Galaxy S10 family, the Galaxy Fold, how much they all cost, when you can buy them, if you should buy them, and if we like 'em or not. We do, I think, but we'll dive deeper into that throughout. Trivia is back, this week with prizes brought to you by AUKEY! We've got five (5) AUKEY USB-C PD 18W ultra-compact wall chargers. Sweet little units, right here. Be sure to keep up with them on social channels:

We’ll be live at 9:00AM Pacific (12PM Eastern).

Galaxy S10+ DxOMark Camera Ranking is Really, Really Good

Tim — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 14:11:59 +0000

DxOMark has published preliminary rankings for the Galaxy S10+, and to the surprise of no one, it ranks incredibly high on its smartphone comparison leaderboard. For the backside cameras, the score is set at 109, tying both the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and P20 Pro. However, if you factor in the Selfie score, which annihilates most of the competition with a score of 96, then it seems like a pretty clear contender for one of the best smartphone camera setups on the market. Here are the current rankings, according to DxOMark.

DxOMark Top 10 Standings

Galaxy S10+ - 109
Mate 20 Pro - 109
P20 Pro - 109
Xiaomi Mi 9 - 107
iPhone XS Max - 105
HTC U12+ -103
Galaxy Note 9 - 103
Mi MIX 3 - 103
Huawei P20 - 102
Google Pixel 3 - 101

As for what makes the Galaxy S10+ so darn good, DxOMark lists plenty of things. The reports says the phone has accurate white balance and good color rendering in most situations, features low noise levels when shooting indoors and in low light, as well as a realistic bokeh effect with good blur gradient and shape. It's not all good, though. In the Cons section, DxOMark describes lack of fine detail in most conditions, loss of sharpness across the field, plus some subject isolation artifacts in bokeh mode. We're not exactly sure how much Samsung can improve with software alone, but still, these out-of-the-box scores speak for themselves. Whether you take these DxOMark scores seriously or not is entirely up to you, but the S10+ is looking like the phone to beat right now. // DxOMark

Is the Galaxy Fold Bad?

Kellen — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 13:26:11 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Fold will arrive on April 26 at T-Mobile and AT&T. Over the past 24 hours, it has made plenty of headlines as one of the world's first foldable phones that you'll soon be able to buy. Samsung is (deservedly) being praised for doing something different with the Fold, investing in new tech, and attempting to innovate in a smartphone space that has had little of any of that in recent years. But is the Samsung Galaxy Fold good or bad? This is an investigation.

These bezels are bad.

This gap could be bad.

This notch, covering content up, is pretty bad.

I don't know why this image shows separate charge ports for each side, but it's bad.

Not having a headphone jack is bad.

Having to rock two cases is bad.

This crease is bad.

This price is bad.

Being first-gen almost anything is bad. The Galaxy Fold is probably bad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSoBONn7ZKk

Galaxy S10 Wallpapers are Available for Download

Tim — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 12:00:22 +0000

New phones means new wallpapers. Should you have liked the look of the wallpapers showcased on the Galaxy S10, they are now available for download, thanks to the good folks at XDA. There appears to be six wallpapers in total, all basically the same except for the colors used.

As you'll notice, each wallpaper is darkened in the top right corner. No, this isn't a mistake -- it's to hide the punch holes for the front-facing cameras. Sneaky, Samsung. Regardless, they look pretty cool, so feel free to download for yourself by following the link below.

Download Wallpapers

// XDA

Google I/O 2019 Registration Window is Now Open

Tim — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 11:03:47 +0000

Google I/O 2019, set to take place May 7 through May 9 in Mountain View, CA, is now open for registration! This year, the price of a general admission ticket is set at $1,150, while an Academic ticket will run you just $375. Anyone who is into development or looking to get into the scene is welcomed to register, though, Google isn't able to accept everyone. This year's registration window closes on February 27 at 5PM PST. At that time, Google will randomly select who gets to attend the event.

The order in which registration applications are received has no bearing on the outcome. Once the drawing window closes, applicants will be selected at random from among all of the qualified applications. Good luck!

If you're hoping to attend, best of luck!

Register for Google I/O

Galaxy S10 Bixby Button is Remappable Out of the Box (Updated: More Phones)

Tim — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 10:35:33 +0000

Confirmed this week by The Verge, the Galaxy S10's dedicated Bixby button can be remapped straight out of the box. Oh yeah! Oh yeah! If you'll recall, there has been drama surrounding this hardware button since it first launched on the Galaxy S8. Back then, we'd have to rely on 3rd-party button remapping apps to either reassign the button or disable, but Samsung wasn't very pleased about those apps. After a while, they offered a dedicated way to disable the button, but not reassign it. Now, it appears Samsung is open to letting owners use the button however they see fit, which is the best way to approach it.

Related: Hands-on with the Galaxy S10 lineup.

So, if you'd like to press the button to open Google Assistant or Spotify or YouTube or any other app, you're free to do so. However, regardless of what you map the button to do, a long press of the button will always launch Bixby. UPDATE: Samsung now says that phones with the One UI update will get similar options to remap the Bixby button. The Galaxy S8, S9, Note 8, and Note 9 lines will soon have this ability. Props, Samsung. // The Verge

Verizon 5G Will Launch in 30 Cities This Year

Kellen — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 09:03:03 +0000

Verizon announced this morning that it will launch 5G in 30 cities this year. What are those cities and when will it happen? We don't know. Verizon sent over a note to let us know of the news, but wouldn't specify what those cities are or when they'd go live. What they did tell us was that this is the first time they have revealed any details about the launch of Verizon 5G and their mobile 5G Ultra Wideband Network. We know that the Moto Z3 and its 5G Moto Mod will be able to access this fresh Verizon 5G network. We know that Samsung and Verizon have teamed up to launch a Galaxy S10 5G phone at some point in the near future too. We also know that this 5G Ultra Wideband will be powered by millimeterWave (mmW), which is very much like 5G hotspot tech. It's the 5G spectrum that almost everyone is starting with because we're assuming it's the easiest to deploy. It has issues (like range), but it can be incredibly fast. You should probably only expect it in busy city areas at first, meaning your 5G experience will more often than not fall back onto 4G LTE. 5G probably won't be great for a while.

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

So Verizon has plans for 30 cities this year. AT&T has announced 15 or so. We'll let you know when you should seriously consider getting into 5G (hint: maybe in 2020).

Don't Wait for the Galaxy S10 5G

Kellen — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 08:50:23 +0000

I Went Galaxy S10e, Traded in a Galaxy S9, and Will Pay Just $200

Kellen — Thu, 21 Feb 2019 08:37:12 +0000

Pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy S10 family opened up last night with shipments expected to hit doorsteps by March 8. We've written a lengthy post on some of the higher-value deals, what the carriers are offering, and what kinds of freebies you can get by ordering before launch. I still think Samsung's store has the best deal, though, assuming you have a phone to trade-in. To recap - the Samsung store deal on the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e is an up-to $550-off instant trade-in discount. You'll need one of the newer phones in the land to get $550 off. Phones like the Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9, Note 8, iPhones from the Xs Max down to the iPhone 8, LG V40, and Pixel 3 and 3 XL all get you the full $550. If you have a phone to trade, Samsung asks you what it is, if it turns on, if you'll reset it, and if it's free of cracks. Assuming you answer "yes" there, they'll drop the price off your new Galaxy S10 today. You then send in your old phone to confirm you aren't a liar after you get your new S10. It's a pretty great deal. $550 also seems like a bloated trade-in price that we may not see again. As you can tell by the title, I took advantage of the deal, traded in a Galaxy S9, and went with an unlocked Galaxy S10e in hella-hot Flamingo Pink, with 128GB storage, and will pay just $199.99. Why the 10e and not the 10 or 10+? Well, I certainly don't look at this as the iPhone Xr of Samsung phones - let's get that out of the way. It's not the "most interesting" phone Samsung announced yesterday or whatever the media is likely to spin off it. I like it for a couple of reasons. I can't stand Samsung's curved screens and this one has a flat screen. It's also the smallest of the three, but not that small with a 5.8" display. That's it. Anyways, the big point here is that Samsung's deal is live and you might want to take advantage before it ends. $550 for a trade-in isn't a price we see often. The trade-in program works on all carrier models too.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy S10

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYXKvIsQj8s

Galaxy S10 Availability, Pricing, Deals: All Carriers, Up to $1600

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 17:08:27 +0000

Have you decided to buy one of the many Samsung Galaxy S10 phones that were introduced today? Curious as to how much you might pay? We've got pricing for you. When the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e go up for pre-order tonight, all of the major carriers will be ready to sell you one. Samsung will be ready too, possibly with the best deal, thanks to a $550-off trade-in promo. But how much will you pay? That depends on phone, storage, and finish.

Samsung Store

Here is the Galaxy S10 family pricing breakdown from Samsung's own store:

Galaxy S10e: 128GB/6GB - $749.99
Galaxy S10e: 256GB/8GB - $849.99
Galaxy S10: 128GB/8GB - $899.99
Galaxy S10: 512GB/8GB - $1149.99
Galaxy S10+: 128GB/8GB - $999.99
Galaxy S10+: 512GB/8GB - $1249.99
Galaxy S10+: 1TB/12GB - $1599.99

Those prices at Samsung's store apply across all carriers, as well as the unlocked units. Samsung is selling the phones with no price differences should you choose Verizon or AT&T or T-Mobile or unlocked. That hasn't always been the case with past Samsung releases, so it's worth noting here.

Shop Samsung Galaxy S10 Family

Carriers

Want to go through a carrier instead of Samsung's store? That's cool. We've got that pricing too.

Verizon

Galaxy S10e: $31.24/mo for 24 months [BUY]
Galaxy S10: $37.49/mo for 24 months [BUY]
Galaxy S10+: $41.66/mo for 24 months [BUY]

AT&T

Galaxy S10e: $25/mo for 30 months [BUY]
Galaxy S10: $30/mo for 30 months [BUY]
Galaxy S10+: $33.34/mo for 30 months [BUY]

T-Mobile

Galaxy S10e: $20.84/mo for 36 months [BUY]
Galaxy S10: $22.23/mo for 36 months + $99.99 down [BUY]
Galaxy S10+: $22.23/mo for 36 months + $199.99 down [BUY]

Sprint

Galaxy S10e: $31.25/mo for 18 months
Galaxy S10: $37.50/mo for 18 months
Galaxy S10+: $41.67/mo for 18 months

Deals

This wouldn't be a Samsung release without all sorts of deals depending on the carrier or which phone you buy. This year, we have BOGO deals, free Galaxy Buds, and more.

Samsung

$550-off Trade-in: Trade-in a phone to Samsung when you order and get up to $550 off.
Free Galaxy Buds: Preorder a S10 or S10+ and redeem free Galaxy Buds ($129.99 value)

Verizon

BOGO Deal: For a limited time, purchase a Galaxy S10e, S10 or S10+ on Verizon device payment and get S10e 128 GB free, or $750 towards a more expensive Galaxy model
- At least one line new line of service required
- Discount is applied via 24 monthly credits
- No plan requirement; no trade-in required
Free Galaxy Buds: Preorder a S10 or S10+ and redeem free Galaxy Buds ($129.99 value)

AT&T

BOGO Deal: For a limited time, customers who purchase a Galaxy S10 128GB, S10+ 128GB or S10e from AT&T can get a second device for free.

T-Mobile

4 Lines: Four unlimited lines plus four new Galaxy S10e phones included for $40 per line per month on T-Mobile Essentials when you add a voice line or trade in an eligible device per line with AutoPay after monthly bill credits
Trade-in Credits: Up to $620 or more via bill credits when you trade in an eligible device AND add a voice line
Half off: Half off the S10e and up to $390 off the S10 and S10+ with trade in OR a new line

Sprint

Sort-of-BOGO: Preorder Samsung Galaxy S10e, Galaxy S10 or Galaxy S10+ and get a second Galaxy S10e on Sprint
Free Galaxy Buds: Preorder a S10 or S10+ and redeem free Galaxy Buds ($129.99 value)

Other Deals

Best Buy: Save up to $650 off Galaxy S10 family
Best Buy: Preorder a S10 or S10+ and redeem free Galaxy Buds ($129.99 value)

Again, pre-orders open tonight at midnight (February 21, 12:00AM). If you are on the west coast, you should start refreshing sites at 9PM.

Shop Samsung Galaxy S10 Family

Poll: Are You Buying a $1980 Galaxy Fold?

Tim — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 16:41:38 +0000

First reported to cost around $1,700 at launch, we now know that the Galaxy Fold, Samsung's highly-anticipated foldable device, costs just under $2,000. At $1,980 to be exact, it's three OnePlus 6T phones ($549) and still some change left over. Samsung is not shy in calling this a luxury device and knows that it won't be for everyone. However, Samsung did share a few cool tricks the device can accomplish. For example, if you're browsing at something on the outside display, you can flip open the device and browse the same content on the larger display. When folded, you have a 4.6″ HD+ Super AMOLED cover display, and when unfolded, you have a 7.3″ (QXGA) Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex display to use as a tablet. It also has six cameras, 512GB storage (UFS 3.0), 12GB RAM, a 7nm 64-bit octa-core processor, side-mounted fingerprint reader, and 4,380mAh dual battery system (with fast wired and wireless charging). The question is, are you going to buy it when it launches on April 26? [poll id="507"]

OMG: We Played With the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+,and S10e

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 15:13:43 +0000

WE SPENT TIME WITH THE ENTIRE SAMSUNG GALAXY S10 FAMILY. WE DID! WE PLAYED WITH THE GALAXY S10 AND THE GALAXY S10+ AND GALAXY S10E. THEY WERE PRETTY. THEY WERE FAST. THEY FELT REALLY NICE IN HAND. THE IN-DISPLAY FINGERPRINT READERS WERE QUICK. THE CAMERAS WERE QUICKER. THE SOFTWARE WAS NICE, FOR SAMSUNG. THE HOLE PUNCHES WERE HOLE PUNCHES. THE WALLPAPERS TRIED TO HIDE THEM, LOL. I LIKED THE S10E BECAUSE I LIKE SMALLER PHONES. I LIKE FLAT PHONES OVER CURVED PHONES TOO. THE S10 IS BASICALLY THE SAME SIZE AS THE S10+, SO MAYBE JUST BUY IT AND SAVE YOURSELF MONEY, GUY WHO LIKES CURVED PHONES. WE'LL HAVE MORE SOON ENOUGH. ENJOY, FRIENDS.

GALAXY S10 PRE-ORDER LINK

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYXKvIsQj8s

Poll: Which Galaxy S10 are You Buying?

Tim — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:48:38 +0000

The time to make a decision has come. You now know all of the specs, as well as pricing. What's it going to be? Which Galaxy S10 are you buying? Unlike past years, we now have three Galaxy S models to choose from, not including the 5G variant that is launching a little later down the road. Right now, we have the completely specced out Galaxy S10+, just as specced out Galaxy S10, and the Galaxy S10e which is no slouch either in the spec department. These phones range from $750 to $1,599, but don't forget, Samsung has a pretty good trade-in program. Based on your first impressions and what you've learned today, which phone are you buying? [poll id="506"]

DEAL: Skagen Falster 2 in Black for Only $123 ($152 Off)

Tim — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 14:19:54 +0000

Red alert, this Skagen deal is pretty much in insta-buy territory. For a limited time, you can pick up a Falster 2 (Black Silicone) for only $123, which is $152 off of its usual $275 price. Falster 2 features basically everything you need for a Wear OS device. It has GPS, NFC, and heart rate monitoring, but does lack the latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset. Other than that, it looks to be an ideal wearable, complete with good looking hardware. Unfortunately, it is only the black silicone model available for this price. Who knows, maybe that could change, but considering you can easily swap straps on these devices, you can always purchase your own 3rd-party strap and customize the look that way. Have at it! Update: Annnnnd it's sold out. Hope you were quick enough!

Skagen Store Link

Cheers David!

Samsung Announces Galaxy S10 Family, Starting at $900

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:25:07 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 5G, and Galaxy S10e have been so leaked and over-talked about that I'm just going to skip all the bullsh*t and give you what you want to know here. They are official. Samsung just announced them. All of the specs can be found right here. They have hole-punch Infinity O AMOLED displays instead of notches, dual and triple camera setups, 7nm processors, 6GB/8GB/12GB RAM depending on the phone, storage options from 128GB up to 1TB, decent-sized batteries, fun paint jobs, reverse wireless charging tech, headphone jacks, and big price tags.

RELATED: Checkout the Galaxy Fold, Samsung's first foldable phone

You'll be able to pre-order the Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e starting tomorrow, February 21. All of the phones will then arrive on March 8. The Galaxy S10 starts at $899.99, the S10+ starts at $999.99, and the S10e will cost $749.99. They come in many colors, but the S10+ will also come in special, premium ceramic finishes. The Galaxy S10 5G will first launch with Verizon in the US. We are waiting on timing and other launch details. We'll have much more on the Galaxy S10 family throughout the day. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCfgkIyD9g0 // Samsung

Samsung Announces New Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit, and Galaxy Buds

Tim — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:11:20 +0000

Samsung's wearable lineup for 2019 is now official at Unpacked, consisting of the Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit, and Galaxy Buds. Galaxy Watch Active sports a 1.1” (28mm) 360 x 360 Full Color display, 230mAh batter, Exynos 9110 processor, Tizen operating system, heart rate monitoring, and comes in either Silver, Black, Rose Gold, or Sea Green. As Samsung puts it, "Packing premium features comparable to Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active comes with sporty new design that is thin, light and versatile that makes it easier to maintain a balanced lifestyle."

RELATED: Galaxy S10 and pricing announced!

For those who don't need a large display with a ton of features, there's the Galaxy Fit, available later this year. The Fit is focused directly on fitness tracking, with a built-in heart rate monitor, gyroscope, and accelerometer. Galaxy Fit comes in either Black or Silver (although the main press render shows a Yellow model). For the music people, there's the new Galaxy Buds. Available starting March 8 for $129, the Buds feature Bluetooth 5.0, active dual microphones, sound by AKG, Quick Ambient Sound settings, wireless charging, support for device-to-device power sharing (wink wink, Galaxy S10 buyers), and up to 6 hours of music playback.

Availability and Pricing

Galaxy Watch Active will be available in the US starting March 8 for $199.99 at Samsung.com and major retailers. People who pre-order Galaxy Watch Active starting February 21 through March 7 will receive a free Wireless Charging Pad. Galaxy Fit will be available in Q2 and Galaxy Buds will be available for $129.99 starting March 8 at Samsung.com. For a limited time, anyone who pre-orders a Galaxy S10 or S10+ on Samsung's website will receive a free pair of Galaxy Buds. // Samsung

Official Specs: Samsung Galaxy S10, S10+, S10 5G, and S10e

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 12:06:59 +0000

Hey, guys, the Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 5G, and Galaxy S10e are now official. They've leaked plenty, so there aren't really many surprises to share, but we thought you might want to see the official specs laid out, side-by-side for each device. The Galaxy S10 family (outside of the 5G version) goes up for pre-order tomorrow, February 21, starting at $899.99 for the S10, $999.99 for the S10+, and $749.99 for the S10e. The S10 family will hit stores on March 8.

RELATED: Galaxy S10 and pricing announced!

Samsung Galaxy S10 Family Specs

[table responsive=scroll id=157 /]

Here is the Samsung Galaxy Fold (Updated: $1,980!)

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 11:12:21 +0000

We're at the Samsung Galaxy S10 event and they kicked things off by showing off the Galaxy Fold, their first foldable device. We've got a bunch of pictures of the device, which is both phone and tablet, in this here first look. You'll find specs and pricing too. When folded, you have a 4.6" HD+ Super AMOLED cover display, but when unfolded, you'll get a 7.3" (QXGA) Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex display to use as a tablet. It also has several cameras (6 to be exact), 512GB storage (UFS 3.0), 12GB RAM, a 7nm 64-bit octa-core processor, side-mounted fingerprint reader, and 4380mAh dual battery system (with fast wired and wireless charging). While charging, you can reverse wireless charge another device too, using Samsung's Wireless PowerShare.

RELATED: Galaxy S10 and pricing announced!

For those cameras, you have a front "cover" camera at 10MP and f/2.2, dual camera inside (10MP + 8MP), and a triple camera on the back. The triple camera is made up of a 16MP ultra-wide (f/2.2), 12MP wide-angle dual pixel (f/1.5-2.4), and a 12MP telephoto lens at f/2.4. For software tricks, Samsung is using something called App Continuity, which is a fancy way of saying you'll be able to use an app on the front cover, then seamlessly transition to where you left off when you unfold the phone to the tablet portion. Additionally, the tablet part of the Galaxy Fold can multi-task with up to 3 apps at a time. The Galaxy Fold will arrive April 26 at a starting price of $1,980. AT&T and T-Mobile plan to sell it in the US. Available colors include Space Silver, Cosmos Black, Martian Green and Astro Blue.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7r_UgNcJtzQ // Samsung

DEAL: Woot has Pixel 3 and 3 XL Refurbs Today for $550 and $600

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 09:04:21 +0000

Ready for one of the first big refurbished Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL deals? Woot has it today, with prices as low as $549.99 for the Pixel 3 and $599.99 for the Pixel 3 XL. Supplies appear to be limited, but you can grab either Pixel 3 from Woot right now in "Just Black" with 64GB storage for the prices I just mentioned. They are listed as "Verizon Unlocked," which I'm going to assume means they were sold as Verizon units from Best Buy or Verizon. Since these are Pixel phones from Google, they'll work on any carrier, though. At $550 and $600, we're looking at $250 and $300 discounts over brand new phones from Google. That's not bad at all!

Shop Pixel 3 at Woot

Watch Samsung's Galaxy S10, Galaxy Fold Event Live at 11AM Pacific!

Tim — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 08:20:58 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy S10, Galaxy Fold, and Galaxy wearable everything event takes place this morning at 11AM PST (2PM EST). I hate to say that there won't be any surprises, but I don't know if there will be. We already know everything about the Galaxy S10 and 10+, though, there's a lot to learn about the Galaxy Fold. We also know a bit about the Galaxy wearables lineup that's coming. Watch all of the excitement through the stream below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ISjiJQGJ72o Teaser Trailer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KIKaS2221I

Google FCC

Kellen — Wed, 20 Feb 2019 03:44:08 +0000

d // FCC [2]

You Should be Getting the Big White Gmail Update Right Now

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 17:21:21 +0000

The super extra all-white version of Gmail for Android that Google announced back in January is rolling out widely at the moment. If you did not let yourself become an APK brodog on that sideload game, now is your time to see if the new Gmail is for you. What's new in the new Gmail (v9.1.13)? Well, outside of the whiteness, you’ll be able to easily view attachments without opening or scrolling through a conversation. It's all "Material" and stuff now, plus account switching has been made easier too, and is accessed in the top right corner of the search bar. You can choose from different density views that will show you more or less in your inbox (Default, Comfortable, and Compact). And that might be it. It's still no Inbox. RIP.

READ: Google’s Inbox is still going away and it’s depressing me

To check for the update, hit up that link below from your phone or open Google Play and see if you have updates available (you should). Google Play Link

Samsung Galaxy Fold? Samsung Galaxy Fold.

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 13:17:35 +0000

Galaxy Fold. Samsung has apparently settled on that as the name of the foldable phone they'll show off tomorrow alongside the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+. Not the Galaxy F. Not the Galaxy Mortgage. Not the Galaxy Flippity Doo Dah. The Galaxy Fold. That's according to @evleaks who has a couple of leaks under his belt. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1097783007094685696 It probably won't look like the image at the top of this post, just so we're clear. That was a concept phone from a Samsung video. Instead, it'll look like this phone, only sans case. It will be a small-fronted phone that folds open like a book to reveal a larger screen. It's like a tablet phone, a phone tablet, a phabl...stopping there. Tomorrow!

Unlocked Razer Phone 2 Getting Pie Starting February 27

Tim — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 13:08:30 +0000

Razer Phone 2 owners can start getting excited for a taste of Pie, as Razer announced this week that Android 9 will soon be rolling out to owners. First up will be the unlocked models, with the rollout for Pie set to begin February 27. Following that will be carrier models on March 14, except for AT&T models which should have the update on April 4. Naturally, those dates are subject to change, but unlocked models will definitely be receiving the update starting next week.

Related: No Razer Phone 3?

When Pie comes, users can expect the gesture navigation changes, a spruced up UI experience, as well as the Adaptive Battery feature. Bring on the Pie. // XDA

AT&T

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 12:29:29 +0000

Is Google About to Get Serious About Gaming?

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 11:01:34 +0000

The Game Developer Conference (GDC) kicks off next month and Google plans to host some sort of event. That's a pretty ambiguous note, but Google has been hinting at some gaming initiatives lately, leading us to wonder if they have some special, serious gaming-related plans to unveil. Google invited select press this morning to a press event at GDC. As noted by The Verge, previous Google GDC events were mostly developer-focused, while this event should be more of a keynote-style session. In other words, it could be used to announce something big in gaming. What could they announce on March 19 at 10AM Pacific? Most recently, Google opened up a game streaming test project called Project Stream. Stream allowed invited users to play Assassin's Creed Odyssey within a Chrome browser. While doing so, users were supposed to get the full AAA gaming experience with "graphically-rich" content that produces "near-instant interaction between the game controller and the graphics." It was meant to give users a real gaming experience, just one that was streamed via internet browser. Project Stream has since finished its test and we've heard nothing from Google since. Before Stream kicked off, a previous report led us to believe that Google may have codenamed a game streaming service as "Yeti" and that it could lead to a standalone console of some sort or ways to stream games through other Google products, like a Chromecast. Details were scarce at the time, but with Project Stream going live temporarily, it's clear that Google is interested in gaming as a part of its future. Will we see Project Stream open to more users with more games available, possible as a full game streaming store? Will Google announce a console or way to stream AAA games through other devices, like a Chromecast? GDC is only a month away. We can't wait to find out. // The Verge

Razer Cuts 2% of Workforce in Realignment, Phone Division Future Questionable (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 09:15:30 +0000

Over the weekend, Razer announced that it was closing the Razer Game Store as a part of company realignment plans. What the news surrounding that closure missed was that the realignment will include layoffs from the company, possibly in the phone division, leaving its future in limbo. We received an anonymous tip suggesting that Razer had laid off the majority of its mobile device and hardware engineer staff on Friday, as well as some in marketing. The tip also said that some will remain with Razer to work on last Razer Phone 2 (review) updates, but that a future Razer Phone 3 has been cancelled. While looking for company departures to back up this tip, we found several engineers - many of which worked on the Razer Phone and Razer Phone 2 - who left the company this month. We then reached out to Razer for comment on cuts to the mobile division and received the following response:

Razer has made changes to realign our organization and strengthen our path to growth. We will centralize our resources to focus on key projects and improve our profitability. As part of the realignment, we shut down several projects and unfortunately had to part ways with about 30 employees (about 2% of our total workforce). Other employees of the affected projects will be moved to different parts of Razer to work on other key focus projects and initiatives which will continue to scale and hire.

While that statement doesn't single out the mobile division and the Razer Phone, that's what we specifically asked about. So Razer did indeed cut about 30 employees (or about 2% of its workforce) from several projects that have since been shutdown. One could assume that is related to the mobile phone division, since again, that's what we were looking for comment on. If that's the case, you have to wonder about future support for both the Razer Phone and Razer Phone 2, two niche phones that we had mostly good things to say about. As has been made clear in recent years, it's hard to sell phones. LG can't seem to sell them. Sony and HTC have struggled through multiple releases. And Samsung and Apple just reported awful quarters. While the Razer Phone and Razer Phone 2 featured top tier specs, industry-leading 120Hz displays, and clean Android software experiences, we have no idea if either was actually successful. We'll keep you updated as we learn more. UPDATE: Following our original story, Razer has clarified more on how the recent cuts affect their mobile division. Below is the newest statement.

In our mobile division, there were some staff members who were let go, and others who were reassigned to other new projects. We see great opportunities in the mobile gaming space that we created with the Razer Phone and will continue to invest in this category through a combination of hardware and software initiatives. We are working on new exciting mobile projects and will share the news when we are ready. The Razer Phone 2 will continue to be on sale and we are committed to supporting it with the latest updates and features.

That's all semi-confusing. There were cuts in the mobile division and others were reassigned to new projects, yet there are still mobile-related projects that Razer has in the works, both software and hardware. Got that? The good news is that they plan on supporting Razer Phone 2 for a while with updates. Again, we'll keep you updated as this story unfolds.

And Here's a Samsung Galaxy S10 Promo Video Leak

Kellen — Tue, 19 Feb 2019 08:08:20 +0000

THE SAMSUNG GALAXY S10 AND GALAXY S10+ WILL BE HERE TOMORROW. WE NOW HAVE A PROMO VIDEO LEAK, THOUGH! LEAK. LEAK. LEAK. LEAK. LEAK. LEAK. GALAXY S10 LEAK. GALAXY S10+ LEAK. SAMSUNG SUCKS AT KEEPING ANYTHING WRAPPED UP, BEHIND THE SCENES, OFF THE YOUTUBES AND TWITTERS AND BLOG BRO SITES. THE VIDEO SHOWS THE PHONE, WHICH WE'VE SEEN 1,0000000000000 TIMES. THERE IS A BOAT. FRONT CAMERA PUNCHIE THINGS. IN-DISPLAY FINGERPRINT READER. HEADPHONE JACK. 17 CAMERAS. REVERSE WIRELESS WORTHLESSNESS. GALAXY BUDS TOO. BUD BUD BUD BUD BUDS. COOL SKATEBOARD, GUY. OMG I CAN'T WAIT. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNCBzZXxgYo // TEK.NO

Verizon LG G6 and V30 Grab February Security Update

Kellen — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:30:32 +0000

LG opened a Software Upgrade Center almost a year ago as a way to try and convince us that they were ready to take Android updates seriously. We have seen no real proof of that happening, of course, and the dedicated update center has produced little. We still don't have a single LG phone in the US on Android Pie, while Samsung has updated many. I'm not even sure if we're expecting it on LG phones any time soon either. With that said, the Verizon LG G6 and V30 are (surprisingly) set to grab the February Android security patch today. The February patch only arrived a couple of weeks ago, so that's good news! Why LG is pushing it first to a couple of older phones (G7 and V40 are both newer), I do not know. The LG G6 will see software version VS98820g, while the LG V30 will see VS99620i. Be on the lookout, G6 and V30 owners. // Verizon [2]

LG Bets 5G Can Turn Around Sinking Smartphone Business, Not Foldables

Tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 15:10:47 +0000

There are two major hype trains currently motoring around the smartphone industry: 5G and foldables. LG is betting that the former can help nestle its smartphone business into some profit, after 15 straight quarters of losses. Speaking to Korea Times this week, Kwon Bong-seok, LG's president and head of the mobile communications says, "LG has achieved technological innovation in the smartphone business for years but also witnessed market failure. As there is a market expectation that 5G network will become an opportunity to grow the smartphone business, we will try to release a higher quality 5G smartphone to lead the market." Hence the V50 ThinQ with 5G connectivity that is set to be announced alongside the LTE-running G8 ThinQ on February 24. LG's bet is that if it gets into 5G quickly and with a good enough phone, it can be a leader in the space and not have to follow the likes of Samsung and Huawei.

Samsung's Foldable Phone

However, as I said, foldables still need to be considered in 2019. We expect Samsung will be fully unwrapping its foldable device later this month and there is considerable hype surrounding it, even with a rumored retail price of around $1,700+. LG will be watching this launch closely. Kwon mentions, "In terms of technology, we are fully ready to respond depending on consumers' reactions (to foldable smartphones)." This means if the people are clamoring for foldable phones, LG will be ready with its counter to Samsung. We've already talked about 5G at length, but the main takeaway I'd like to leave you with is that 5G, in its current state, is nothing too exciting. It's only available in a limited amount of markets, and limited even more to select areas inside of those supported markets. Only a small percentage of Americans will be able to connect to 5G networks throughout the course of their day, and until that changes far down the road and 5G technology matures and expands to new areas, it's not what I'd be betting on to save my struggling business. // Korea Times

DEAL: Get AUKEY's Wireless HiFi Earbuds for Just $39 ($20 Off)

Tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:39:28 +0000

From now until February 21, you can snag a pair of AUKEY's wireless HiFi stereo earbuds for just $39 on Amazon, a $20 savings from the usual $59.99 price. AUKEY's description of the earbuds lists 12 hour battery life, a built-in microphone for taking calls, Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity, charging case included, as well as differently sized ear-tips for a good in-ear fit. To get the discounted price, simply apply the coupon code during the checkout process associated with the Black or White model you want. Easy peasy.

Amazon Links

White (Code: AUKEYPT6)
Black (Code: AUKEYPT16)

Samsung Internet Gets One UI Makeover, Complete With Dark Mode Support

Tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:58:44 +0000

Moving forward, whenever you see the Samsung Internet brand, you'll find a new icon, as well as a completely revamped app interface that aligns with Samsung's new One UI. The big UI changes focus on one-handed use, with many of the user-accessible menus and functions being moved to the bottom of the UI. Along with updating the engine to Chromium 67, Samsung Internet will now also feature Smart Anti-Tracking, available first in beta form. This technology combats cross-site tracking, which is a growing privacy concern. Oh, and of course, it has Dark Mode support!

If you want to get access to all of this new stuff now, you can download the beta here. For those who are fine with waiting, you can expect all of this on your new Galaxy S10 once it ships. // Samsung Internet

Android Q Might Ditch the Back Button in Gesture Navigation!

Kellen — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 11:46:11 +0000

The new gesture navigation that Google introduced with Android Pie has always felt a bit half-baked. There are portions of it that swipe and others that don't. I'm talking about the oddly-appearing "back" button that remains even as the rest of the navigation experience has switched to mostly swiping. That could change with Android Q this year. The folks at XDA have been playing with a super early build of Android Q in recent weeks and discovered that the navigation gesture system may ditch the back button in favor of a gesture. Instead of tapping on a back button that comes and goes depending on the screen, you'll be able to swipe from right-to-left to tell the system to perform a "back" action.

This is how Motorola's gesture navigation has worked and is exactly what we hoped Google would implement. In fact, I'm still sort of surprised that Google didn't do this out of the gate. I can't believe they decided that a reappearing back button was a good look. If you watch the video below, we talk about just this at the 3-minute mark (this post too). If this passes and is changed in Android Q, you'll still be able to long-press the home pill button to launch Google Assistant, tap it to go home, and swipe from left-to-right to get switch apps. This is a smallish change, but we'll take it. It should have been there from the beginning. // XDA

Whitestone Screen Protector 2-Pack for Galaxy S10 Costs $60, Doesn't Have Giant Hole

Tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 10:15:54 +0000

We had a solid chuckle at a recent photo to the hit the web, showing a screen protector for the Galaxy S10 that had a hole in the middle to allow for owners to utilize the ultrasonic fingerprint reader. Apparently, it's a real thing, but other companies, Whitestone in particular, are now taking the opportunity to let potential buyers know that their Dome Glass screen protectors do not have giant fingerprint holes and are also the only tempred glass accepted as a partner for the Samsung Mobile Accessory Partnership Program (SMAPP). We actually guessed that Samsung or another 3rd-party accessory maker would announce a screen protector with no hole for about $50 a pop, but Whitestone is now selling a 2-pack of its Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ Dome Glass for $60. That's $30 each, which doesn't seem terrible. Interestingly, the Dome Glass protectors do have holes, but for the front-facing camera(s) and not the fingerprint reader. My guess is that allows for better looking selfies, but still, these aren't completely hole-less. Should you be big on screen protection, you can pre-order Dome Glass right now. Whitestone Store Link: Galaxy S10 | Galaxy S10+

This Galaxy S10, S10+ Video Wasn't Supposed to Arrive This Early

Kellen — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 09:11:19 +0000

We are two days away from Samsung announcing the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ and the leaks haven't stopped. Today, we've got a video that is (obviously) from an embargoed pre-briefing that has found its way online a bit early. It details some big stuff! The video was made by TechRadar, though I can't imagine they meant for this to show up today. Also, only a portion of a full video has been published to YouTube on various channels, so we're missing some stuff here. Its owners are trying to fight the internet and have re-uploads pulled, but they are losing that battle. This is the internet. What does the video show us? We have two models, the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+. The S10 has a 6.1-inch Super AMOLED QHD display, while the S10+ has a 6.4-inch QHD display. The S10 has a single front camera that peaks through via hole punch and the S10+ has a similar front camera setup, only with two cameras instead of one. Each phone has a triple camera (standard, telephoto, and ultra-wide lenses) on the back, 3.5mm headphone jack, in-display fingerprint reader, USB-C port, and reverse wireless charging. All of this lines up to a previous specs leak. No pricing info revealed, but we'll know that in a couple of days. Samsung, feel free to invite us for the first time in like 5 years to one of these fun briefings - we're good with embargoes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmvBkjcgtr0

LG V50 ThinQ With Sprint 5G Render Spotted Ahead of Unveiling (Updated: High-Res Image)

Tim — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:56:39 +0000

Thanks to @evleaks yet again, we got our first look at the upcoming LG V50 ThinQ over the weekend, ahead of its expected unveiling on February 24 at MWC. It's been reported that LG would push up the usual V series launch in the second half of the year to MWC and announce this phone alongside the G8 ThinQ because of 5G. While the G8 ThinQ will not have a 5G model, the V50 ThinQ will, as we can see from the render provided by @evleaks. From the image below, we can see the V50 looks a lot like the V40 from only a few months ago. There is a notched display, triple rear-camera setup, rear fingerprint reader, some type of yellow Sprint 5G logo on the back, and what appears to be a dedicated Google Assistant button on the left side of the phone. We aren't yet sure if the phone has a headphone jack, but considering LG's approach to mobile audio, it seems like a safe bet that it will have one.

As for the 5G connectivity, this news dates all the way back to last August, when both companies (LG and Sprint) partnered and said they'd launch the first mobile 5G smartphone in the US. At that time, we assumed it would be the G8 ThinQ. The issue is, Sprint's 5G network seems hardly suitable for a nationwide phone launch. While the cities listed below are some of the largest in the country, don't expect to have 5G connectivity on every block throughout.

Sprint 5G Markets

Atlanta
Chicago
Dallas
Houston
Kansas City
Los Angeles
New York City
Phoenix
Washington, D.C.

Unless you want to end up owning the next HTC Thunderbolt, I don't know if I'd jump out of my seat to recommend a V50 running Sprint's 5G, but I'll hold judgement until LG and Sprint make the news official and we get more details concerning the network. // @evleaks [2]

US Unlocked Galaxy S9, S9+ Now Receiving Android Pie, One UI Update

Kellen — Mon, 18 Feb 2019 08:03:20 +0000

Last again. The US unlocked Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are now receiving the update to Android Pie and One UI. This is the same update that hit Verizon, AT&T, Sprint, and T-Mobile models in recent weeks, but as we wrote last week, had not been pushed to the unlocked models. That's noteworthy because the unlocked models in the US are the test models - they've been running Android Pie and One UI in beta form since last November. The update will show up as G960U1UEU3CSA8 (S9) and G965U1UEU3CSA8 (S9+) and weighs in at roughly 1.7GB if you are coming from Oreo and not Pie betas. If you are on the beta, we're seeing suggestions that the update is around 288MB. I have yet to receive it, so I can't confirm. To check for the update, head into Settings>Software update>Download and install. What's new in Android Pie and One UI for Samsung phones? You should watch the video below. Cheers Jacob!

Motorola's 5G Moto Mod Stops by the FCC

Kellen — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:51:34 +0000

The Motorola Moto Z3 was announced back in August as one of the world's first 5G phones. The phone didn't have 5G built-in, but would be able to connect to Verizon's future 5G network using a 5G-equipped Moto Mod. When the phone arrived shortly after being introduced, we knew it wouldn't see that 5G Moto Mod until some time in early 2019. I think we're finally getting close to that happening. After successfully being tested on the Moto Z3 back in November, the 5G Moto Mod has stopped by the FCC in preparation for launch. In the image directly below, we get a screenshot of the 5G Moto Mod's regulatory information screen, which is a part of the Moto Z3's settings screen for Mods. The screen lists it as model "MD1005G" and references it being a Moto Mod.

As for testing, the FCC lists out the bands they looked at from the Moto Mod, including LTE bands 2, 4, 5, 13, 66, and 48. For 5G, they tested 5G NR n261, which is 28GHz millimeterWave (mmW) 5G. We knew the 5G Moto Mod would connect to Verizon's mmW 5G, as well as LTE, so this all makes a lot of sense.

And in case you forgot, the 5G Moto Mod still looks like it did when first introduced last year:

We still don't know how much this bad boy is going to cost. We do know that support for it is arriving with the Android Pie update for the Moto Z3, though. We've got to be close to some Verizon 5G news. // FCC

DEAL: $300 Off Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Today With Code

Kellen — Sat, 16 Feb 2019 14:21:53 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is $300 off today at Samsung's store in one of the better deals we have seen on this phone. All you need is to apply a coupon code at checkout and the discount will be immediately shown. No trade-ins are required here. With $300 off a Galaxy Note 9 (review), we're talking about a starting price of $699 for the 512GB model, down from $1,000. That's good, folks! Now, don't forget that Samsung always has its best-in-the-business trade-in program going. With Samsung's trade-in deals, they'll give you the value of your phone trade-in today, so that the discount is applied to your purchase today. Once you get your new phone, they will then ask that you send in your old phone to confirm that you weren't lying about it. It's that simple. How much could you get for trade-ins? Samsung is offering $350 off for a Galaxy S8, S8+, or Note 8 right now. You could get $200 off from a Pixel 2 as well. To get the $300 off the Note 9, use code "SAMSUNG300" at checkout. Hurry, this appears to be a one-day sale. The unlocked Galaxy Note 9 works on all major US carriers.

Shop Samsung Galaxy Note 9

OnePlus Details 'Deep' Duo Integration for OnePlus 6T, 6, 5, 5T, 3, and 3T

Tim — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 14:18:49 +0000

If you have a OnePlus phone dating back to the OnePlus 3, your phone will eventually be running deep integration with Google's Duo video calling service. We actually wrote about this previously when the change was made for the OnePlus 6 and 6T in a recent OxygenOS update, but now the company has announced that the same will come for most of its previous phones, too. Detailed by OnePlus, "We’re now introducing Google Duo as a native function for video calls on our devices and are providing enhanced video calling quality for all OnePlus users." Following the change, OnePlus owners will see Duo integrated into multiple native functions, such as call logs, Contacts, the dial pad, and messaging. If you're a OnePlus user and Duo lover, this is nice to see. // OnePlus

DEAL: Nest Hosting President's Day Sale on Cams and Secure Alarm System, Discounts Range From $30 to $100 Off

Tim — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:07:03 +0000

For President's Day, Nest is hosting deals on four different products, with savings ranging from $30 all of the way up to $100. The $100 off deal is for a complete Nest Secure alarm system, which includes two Nest Detect units and two Nest Tag units. Other offers include $50 off of a Cam IQ, as well as $30 off of a Nest Hello video doorbell.

READ: Nest Hello, Nest x Yale Lock Great Smart Home Additions

For the cameras, Nest has always allowed buyers to purchase discounted packs of them, so you'll find even bigger savings on those, too. For example, a two pack of Outdoor Cam units are $160 off (total of $238), while a six pack is $504 off (total of $690). Find all of the links you need right below.

Nest Store Links

Nest Cam Outdoor - $169 ($30 off)
Nest Cam IQ Indoor - $249 ($50 off)
Nest Hello Doorbell - $199 ($30 off)
Nest Secure Alarm System - $299 ($100 off)

Podcast: We're Back!

Kellen — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 10:00:36 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we are back! Apologies for not having shows over the past month, but we ran into some frustrating software problems. We think we have them fixed, so let's talk about stuff! The Galaxy S10 is coming next week, the LG G8 is coming soon, we've got new Google device rumors and Android Q, and Sprint is going after AT&T because of their 5Ge bullsh*t. Fun times! Trivia is back, this week with prizes brought to you by AUKEY. They are giving away five B60 wireless earbuds with voice assistant! Be sure to keep up with them on social channels:

We'll be live at 12:00PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

Samsung Outs Its Entire New Galaxy Wearable Line Early

Kellen — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 09:37:02 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Wearable app picked up a new update yesterday and it revealed all of the new wearable products that Samsung will announce next week alongside the Galaxy S10. The Galaxy Watch Active, Galaxy Fit and Fit e, and Galaxy Buds are all seen here, thanks to an early app update. The devices have leaked several times in recent weeks, like the Galaxy Buds doin' some wireless charging action on the back of a Galaxy S10. The Galaxy Watch Active has also been thoroughly detailed, depressing some because it won't have a rotating bezel like previous Samsung watches. I'm not sure the Galaxy Fit has been talked about much, but it's a fitness band - snooze. I'm stuck now wondering if there is additional commentary to provide around them. I mean, they are just new Samsung fitness products. The Galaxy Buds are probably just slightly improved IconX buds. The Galaxy Watch Active will run Tizen, not have any app selection, and be bad at notifications. It might look OK, though. None of these run Android. Fun.

When they are announced, we'll try to provide you pricing and release info. // @MishaalRahman

LG G8 ThinQ Probably Just Cruised Through the FCC

Kellen — Fri, 15 Feb 2019 08:31:00 +0000

The LG G8 ThinQ made its way through the FCC this morning as LG prepares to announce it at MWC in a couple of weeks. How do we know that the LM-820 is the G8? Well, the documents here don't say "THIS IS THE LG G8, KELLEN," but the LG G7 ThinQ was the LM-G710. This is a good candidate for a follow-up number. Also, the "G" in the model number gives it away a bit. The phone, under model number LM-G820, sports all of the major US LTE bands, as you'll see below. You'll find an NFC mention as well as an MST mention too. MST stands for Magnetic Secure Transmission, and is the tech that Samsung has used for years with Samsung Pay. You have to wonder if we'll get LG Pay in the US after it was rumored to launch here last year.

What else? We aren't seeing WiFi 6 like we did with the Galaxy S10, so that's somewhat disappointing. We get a preview of some of the UI too and it looks very LG-ish. That's not necessarily a compliment, since LG's skin on Android has been one of our least favorites for years now. Tim talks about that some here.

The LG G8 ThinQ! // FCC [2]

Unsurprisingly, Unlocked Galaxy S9 Comes in Last for Pie Update

Kellen — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 16:26:09 +0000

Like with previous unlocked Samsung phones, the unlocked Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ are last to the party. The Android Pie update has still not arrived on either phone as a stable build, even as all the carrier models have been upgraded. As noted, this isn't a new theme emerging here, but it's worth pointing out for those who continue to choose the unlocked versions over carrier variants. You see, going back to the unlocked Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung has proven with each new unlocked release that they aren't in a hurry to update them. I've penned several articles about it all. I've written that Samsung "hates" their unlocked phones, is generally failing to update them like they do carrier variants, and tossed around a handful of "finally" takes when they do get big OS upgrades. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge update from Marshmallow to Nougat was 2-3 months later than the carrier models. With the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+, that wait from Nougat to Oreo was shortened to a few weeks. So far with the Galaxy S9 and S9+, we could be on schedule for a similar rollout. All carrier models of the S9 are updated from Oreo to Android Pie and Samsung's One UI, so we really are only waiting on unlocked. It's tough to know for sure why Samsung updates its unlocked phones last. These are the phones that are always allowed to participate in beta builds, remember? My unlocked Galaxy S9 has been running One UI and Android Pie since last November, yet still sits on a beta as the carrier models that weren't a part of the test are on stable Pie. The same thing happened with the Galaxy S8. A Samsung forum moderator said at one point that unlocked models might be tougher to update than carrier variants, because they go through rigorous testing for all of the networks they support. That sort of makes sense, except they are always a part of the beta, as if they are easier to work with. How do you explain that? In the end, we'll probably see Android Pie and One UI on the US unlocked Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ within the next week or few days. I can't imagine it will be much longer. But if you are a Samsung unlocked phone owner because you like freedom and flexibility, understand that you may not always be leading the charge in software.

DEAL: Save $100 on a Lenovo Smart Display, $99 for 8" and $149 for 10"

Tim — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 15:39:40 +0000

If you still have yet to pick up a Smart Display for your home, Lenovo's option is currently on sale for $100 off the usual pricing, including both the 8" and 10" models. At $100 off, the 8" model drops to just $99.99, while the 10" model goes for $149.99. That's really good pricing. We've reviewed the Smart Display already when it first launched, but thanks to updates, they've become really nice little info-providing and content-viewing displays. Now that I've had one in my office for quite a few months, I can't imagine not having it sit there for streaming TV and casting Twitch streams. Follow the links below to get the model you want. Walmart Links: 8" Model | 10" Model

Poll: Is Your Phone on Android Pie Yet?

Kellen — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:41:07 +0000

Google doesn't seem all that interested in sharing the percentage of Android phones running Pie, their latest release. After dropping Pie on us in August, they released two months of Android distribution numbers that would potentially reveal its adoption, it's just that neither of them showed Pie making a debut. Since October, Google has stopped producing those numbers while they fix something. We're now four months without updated numbers and no idea how many phones are running the current version of Android. So, a year ago, we asked how many of you were running Android Oreo because we wanted to see how our readers' adoption compared to Google's. Those numbers were also important with Project Treble a year old. As you know, Treble is one of Google's keys to improving update adoption. Semi-surprisingly, 51% of DL readers were not yet running Android Oreo. Fast forward to today and Treble is two years old, bringing it to a place where you would hope it would start to make a difference. Since we don't have Google numbers to compare to, I'm still interested to see how many of you are on Pie or not and if there has been an update release improvement in this community. After all, we have three years' worth of Pixel phones all on Pie, some OnePlus phones there too, and a handful of Samsung's latest, thanks to a year-to-year improvement from Android's biggest phone maker. Talk to us - is your phone running Android Pie yet? [poll id="505"]

Human: Fall Flat is Coming to Mobile, Launch Date Still TBD

Tim — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 12:12:35 +0000

Announced this week, Human: Fall Flat is making its way to mobile devices, both Android and iOS. The launch date is still to be determined, but thanks to a partnership between 505 Games and Curve Digital, the very popular PC/console title is definitely on its way. If you're like me and not overly deep into indie games, Human: Fall Flat is an open-ended physics-based puzzle game featuring a feature-less humanoid character called Bob. The fun part of the game is not only solving puzzles using Bob, but seeing what type of shenanigans you can get Bob into using the game's highly detailed physics engine. Watch the trailer above to get a feel for potential antics. The mobile version of Human: Fall Flat is currently in development with Dutch developer Codeglue who were responsible for the original Terraria mobile ports. As soon as we have launch details, we'll update you. // 505 Games

DEAL: Moto X4 is Old, But at $140 is a Good Buy

Kellen — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 11:00:28 +0000

The Moto X4 isn't exactly a new phone at this point, but it's still a pretty good one, thanks to updates and connectivity on the major carriers. Today, it's super-discounted to as low as $140. Released in late 2017 and selling for $400, the Moto X4 sports a 5.2" FHD display, IP68 water and dust resistance, Snapdragon 630 processor, 3GB RAM, 32GB storage (with SD support), 3000mAh battery, fingerprint reader, and dual rear camera. Amazon has the best price on the Moto X4 (review), if you buy the Prime Exclusive model. That version has dropped to $139.99, but keep in mind that it comes preloaded with Amazon apps and requires that you sign-in with an Amazon account. If you don't want to deal with any of that nonsense, the regular unlocked and Android One versions are $149.99. There are blue and black models available.

Amazon Link

Google Celebrates V-Day With Set of Sticker Packs and Playmoji Pack

Tim — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 10:23:37 +0000

Should you be an emoji-loving Pixel owner, Google has a set of new sticker packs and Playmoji pack to celebrate Valentine's Day. You can see a few of the included examples above in the header image, but for the most part, think really cutesy hearts, lips for the kisses, and fancy champagne glasses. To access this new content, open up your Pixel camera, then head into the Playground setting. From here, click the Stickers button, then look under the Playmoji and Stickers categories to for access. Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! // Google

Our First Look at the Galaxy S10+ in Luxurious Ceramic White

Tim — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:55:29 +0000

I can easily recall the first time I felt a ceramic phone in my hand, that being the OnePlus X. The phone didn't really see too much action here in the US, but man, it was a sexy phone. Then there was the Essential Phone, which again, is one of the best looking and feeling phones to ever grace the Android realm. Now Samsung is planning to launch a ceramic variant of the Galaxy S10+?

Yaaaas, Queen!

We've seen listings for the Luxurious Ceramic model, but so far, no images. That changes today, thanks to a leak from mysmartprice. Naturally, images do little when it comes to hardware material, but just from seeing the matte look of the backside compared to the glossy Prism White model next to it (which also looks pretty hot), my body is ready for a ceramic Galaxy phone. The main issue with this? Pricing. The Luxurious Ceramic models are only available to the Galaxy S10+, and on top of that, it's limited to the 12GB RAM + 1TB storage option. We still don't have confirmed pricing for this model, but you can assume it's going to be insane. $1,500? Yeah, probably somewhere around there. If you're hoping to get your hands on one, make sure you have your trade-in ready to go. I feel like Wayne in Wayne's World when he's ogling over that white Fender Strat in the music shop's window. "It will be mine. Oh yes, it will be mine." What's your take on an extremely expensive ceramic Galaxy S10+? Gotta have it? // mysmartprice

Use This Google Play Code, Get $1 Off Apps and Games

Kellen — Thu, 14 Feb 2019 08:25:13 +0000

Hi, friend, since it's Valentine's Day, we want you to have something. Have this Google Play code that will save you a $1 off paid apps and games at Google Play. Google is sending out Google Play $1-off codes right now that you can redeem. However, in the email, they told me to "share the love" and offered up a code to get all of my friends $1 towards apps and games that cost over $3. You are all my friends. The code? Use "VALENTINE2019" in Google Play. You'll enter that in the "Redeem" link from the side menu in the Google Play app or in the sidebar on the web. Go get 'em. Google Play Link

LG G8's OLED Display has a Special Sound Trick

Kellen — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 17:34:40 +0000

Tonight, LG has continued its tease of the set of features they hope will help their next phone, the LG G8 ThinQ, standout from a crowded field. After first revealing its special selfie camera, LG now says that the OLED display used in the G8 is going to bring a cool new sound trick. The OLED display used in the G8 is called a Crystal Sound OLED (CSO). It's an in-house tech developed by LG that repurposes the display in the phone to act as a diaphragm, allowing for vibrations from the surface of the phone to produce sound, improving clarity and making voices "easier to discern," LG says. If you were to use the G8 in speakerphone mode, you'll get bass through the bottom speaker. With CSO, you also get 2-channel audio. Not impressed by vibrating displays? In other LG G8 audio news, we've got DTS:X 3D Surround Sound, the return of the HiFi Quad DAC, MQA support, and the Boombox Speaker that we first saw in the G7. Again, the LG G8 is coming at MWC at the end of this month. // LG

Fossil Sport Still $199 Thanks to Valentine's Day

Tim — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 14:03:09 +0000

Fossil Sport, the Wear OS device we're currently recommending to basically anyone shopping for a smartwatch, is still on sale priced at $199 (down from $255) for a short period of time because of Valentine's Day. To briefly recap the device, the Fossil Sport is one of the first watches to run a Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip, includes NFC and a heart rate sensor, provides decent battery life, has a pleasant design, and comes in a bunch of fun colors. With its 43mm case (plus the smaller 41mm option), it should fit nicely on almost any wrist.

RELATED: 5 recommended Wear OS watch faces

If you haven’t already, be sure to check out our Fossil Sport review. Free shipping is included.

Shop Fossil Sport

Want a Pixel 3 XL Deal? $150 Off if Bought With Google Fi

Kellen — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 13:14:49 +0000

Google Fi is hosting a $150-off Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL deal right now. The terms are pretty simple too, and only ask that you activate either of those phones with Google Fi service. That's it. If interested, you'll get the $150-off discount at checkout, today. In order to keep that discount, you have 30 days to activate the Pixel 3 (review) or 3 XL (review) with Google Fi. Google says that there is "no minimum activation period needed," though, so you may not even need to hangout on Fi for long before switching to your carrier of choice with your new Pixel 3. The deal is limited, so don't wait too long.

Shop Google Fi Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL

Google Play Hosting Solid $5 4K Movie Deal Right Now

Tim — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 11:02:02 +0000

Google Play is hosting a hot little deal on 4K movie titles right now, and considering 4K movies are never the cheapest option when purchasing digital content, this may be a good option for you to spend your squirreled away Google Play credit on. To give you a few examples of what's available, there's The Matrix ($5), The Dark Knight ($5), Suicide Squad ($5), Man of Steel ($5), War Dogs ($5), The Shining in HD ($5), and plenty more great flicks. Do note, not all of the titles are available in 4K, such as Gran Torino and The Green Mile, but they're still $5, so that's not bad at all. Movie fans, get on it. Google Play Link

Verizon Takes Top Honors in Reliability and Speed in Latest RootMetrics Report

Tim — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 10:16:52 +0000

RootMetrics published its findings for the second half of 2018 this week, ranking the major US carriers in terms of Reliability, Speed, Data, Call, and Text. Combining these scores, RootMetrics provides an Overall score, which then allows carriers to call themselves the best in any particular category or simply the best overall, which is exactly what Verizon can do following this report. Ranked from first to fourth in the Overall standings, it goes Verizon (94.4), AT&T (92.6), T-Mobile (86.9), and Sprint (85.7). Looking over the data, Verizon was given top honors in all categories, but not all of them were crushing victories. For example, in the Speed department, Verizon came in at 90.4, but third place T-Mobile came in at 88.7, right behind Big Red. The same can be said for the Data category.

Where Verizon and AT&T both really get ahead of the pack is Reliability. Verizon scored a 96.1 and AT&T scored a 94.4, while T-Mobile came in at 88.2. Slightly below that is Sprint with a 87.5. According to RootMetrics, Verizon has won United States RootScore Awards outright in the categories of overall performance, network reliability, data performance, and call performance for 11 consecutive test periods. For a detailed look at the findings, follow the below link. // RootMetrics

Haha, This Galaxy S10 Screen Protector has a Giant Hole

Kellen — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 09:55:28 +0000

Fingerprint readers placed underneath a display are a mostly-cool innovation that allows for prettier, better-designed hardware. They do create some problems, though, particularly when it comes to screen protectors. If this Galaxy S10 leak is legit, then friends, I feel for those of you who often need extra display protection. The video below comes from the folks at MobileFun, who peddle "leaks" of upcoming phones in an attempt to sell accessories. It shows someone with a Galaxy S10+ in hand as they test out a screen protector that, well...just look at it. The screen protector has a giant hole, man - a really, really large hole where the rumored in-display ultrasonic fingerprint reader will sit. It's there because if the screen protector covered the fingerprint reader, it might not be able to read your fingerprint. And that's one of the problems I was referring to above. We've seen this before. When the OnePlus 6T launched, it came equipped with a cheap screen protector that OnePlus said would work with its in-display fingerprint reader. They warned that others may not allow the reader to function properly, though. Can you imagine spending $1,500 on a Galaxy S10+ and installing a sh*tty screen protector on it that features a massive hole you'd have to swipe over and around throughout the day? Please don't do this. Please skip the screen protector until someone comes out with one that works that doesn't have a giant hole in it. You'll be fine until then. Someone has to come out with one that isn't this. Take care of your expensive electronics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1WoksGm0h-s

Pixel Watch Once Again Rumored for Arrival, New Google Home Too

Kellen — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 08:41:13 +0000

A Pixel Watch has been rumored off and on for years, ever since Google began pushing its own branded hardware not named Nexus. We thought last year might be the year, but Google shot down any hope before the Pixel 3 was announced. And look, Google can't keep anything secret, so if one was coming in 2018, we probably would have seen a review of it three months before launch. This morning, we've got a new Pixel Watch rumor, one suggesting that 2019 is the year! The report also states that a refreshed regular Google Home is coming, as is the cheaper Pixel phone that has leaked numerous times. For the Pixel Watch, the report from Nikkei Asian Review simply states that Google will aim to compete with Apple in the smartwatch world. That's all it says. There are no other details at all, no specs, no pricing information, and no feature teases. I'm sorry to disappoint you. I think it's safe to assume that the Pixel Watch will show up alongside the Pixel 4 or whatever Google's next big phone is. Hopefully, a wearable chip miracle happens before then and it isn't stuck with the Snapdragon Wear 3100. As for the Google Home refresh, this is much needed. The original Google Home will be three years old this year. It's design is dated and doesn't fit with the rest of the Google Home line-up and it could use upgraded parts all around. Like the Watch rumor from this report, there are no other details to share. I'd guess that they'll improve the audio quality and look, but the real improvements will come via software that will likely arrive on other Home units too. On a surprise note, there is a quick mention here of a possible Google WiFi camera being sold. As you know, Nest's team was folded into the Google hardware team last year, so you have to wonder if that will mean the first Google-branded security stuff, like a new WiFi cam or if we're only talking about a new Nest camera. Tough to tell. And finally, we have a fresh rumor surrounding upcoming cheaper phones from Google. You know a lot about these cheaper phones. You've seen them. A lot. There aren't many secrets surrounding them outside of a launch time. Today's report does not give us one. Again, not to sound like a broken record, but I'm sorry I have so few details to share. To recap, we think a Google Pixel Watch, refreshed Google Home, Google security camera, and cheaper Pixel phones are all coming this year.

T-Mobile Galaxy S9, S9+ Get Android 9 Pie Update and RCS Universal Profile 1.0 (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 13 Feb 2019 08:00:15 +0000

T-Mobile may be one of the last to do it, but as of tonight, they have started rolling out the Android 9 Pie update to the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. Not only that, but they are activating RCS Universal Profile 1.0 for each phone too. The updates arrive as build G960USQU3CSAB for the Galaxy S9 and G965USQU3CSAB for the Galaxy S9+. Each weighs in at around 1.9GB, so be sure you have plenty of open storage and battery life before trying to apply it. The Pie update for the S9 and S9+, for those not familiar, includes a big UI update from Samsung called One UI. It's a pretty major upgrade over the previous Samsung Experience software, so I urge you to watch the video below to see what's new. Things will look different, Samsung has moved items around, there is a system-wide dark mode now, and the app switcher is new. Again, it's pretty cool too! What is RCS Universal Profile 1.0, you ask? It's a messaging upgrade that will let you send and receive bigger media files, have bigger group chats, and know when someone is talking (more info here). It works between supported carriers when phones are also supported and is thought to be the future of text messaging. Other T-Mobile phones to receive RCS support are the Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, all Galaxy S8 variants, Galaxy Note 8, and Galaxy Note 9.

UPDATE 2/11 10:37AM: T-Mobile added to the changelogs, now saying that the updates include Band 28 roaming support too. UPDATE 2/11 4:20PM: T-Mobile has now placed the update on hold! The changelogs now say that they'll resume the updates at a later time. UPDATE 2/13 8:00AM: The update has begun rolling out. Go check for it!

To check for the Android Pie update on your T-Mobile Galaxy S9, head into Settings>Software update. As a reminder, Sprint, AT&T, and Verizon have all pushed the Pie and One UI update to their S9 units. // T-Mobile [2]

And Here's the LG G8 ThinQ

Tim — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 15:38:37 +0000

With impeccable timing, considering I just posted up a lengthy rant concerning LG and the upcoming G8 and V50, @evleaks has posted up what appears to be our best look yet at the G8 ThinQ. These images align incredibly well with the past leaks we've seen from other outlets, all but confirming that at least one LG executive was mistaken when saying they were "speculative renderings." We assumed as much, and again, we're kind of disappointed in what we have here. We can see there is a display notch, 3.5mm headphone jack on bottom (that's a good thing), USB-C port, dual rear-facing cameras, a hardware button for dedicated Google Assistant access, and a rear-facing fingerprint reader. We can also get a look at that fancy selfie cam LG already detailed. Again, this looks a lot like last year's G7 ThinQ. MWC 2019 is right around the corner! // @evleaks

Samsung's Galaxy S10 Arrives March 8, Get Up to $550 Off With Trade if You Reserve Now

Kellen — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 14:42:11 +0000

UPDATE: Samsung Galaxy S10 now available for purchase with up-to $550 off via trade-in.

BUY GALAXY S10, S10+, S10e

Samsung hasn't announced the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, or Galaxy S10e yet, but you can can already reserve them. And if you do, you'll be one of the first with access to pre-orders, get up to $550 off with a trade-in, and possibly receive your phone by March 8, which appears to be launch day. Yes, Samsung has confirmed that March 8 is the day you'll own a Galaxy S10. The info showed up on a reservation site this week, with a simple form that lets you put in name, email, and zip code, before choosing which model of the Galaxy S10 you might want (full specs). You can choose the unlocked version, as well as those from Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, Sprint, and US Cellular. This form doesn't necessarily lock you in to buying anything, in case you were wondering. Instead, you should see an email the minute the phones go up for sale, so that you can then decide to pull the trigger on one of the most expensive (and advanced) phones ever made. The $550 trade-in value will depend on the phone you have to trade-in. Samsung has been extra generous in the past on launch days, like when they offered up-to $450 off or trade-ins when the Note 9 arrived. $550 is super nuts, though! You can find your trade-in value at the link below, but so far we're seeing the Note 9 eligible for the full $550, as is the Galaxy S9, and S9+. In addition to the trade-in deal, Samsung will hand you a $50 instant credit to be used towards accessories. You could then grab a case, possibly get a discount on the new Galaxy Buds, that sort of thing. You ready? Might as well put your name in, right?

Reserve Samsung Galaxy S10

LG Needs a Winner in 2019 More Than Ever, But I'm Not Expecting One

Tim — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 14:27:26 +0000

I'm quite interested in the current state of affairs for LG. Basically, we see 2019 as a must-win for its mobile division, while other parts of the company, like home entertainment and appliances, seem to be doing just fine, if not really, really well for themselves. No, they don't need to outsell the Samsung Galaxy S10 or anything crazy, they just need a good phone that's nearly unanimously popular among buyers. I can't recall off the top of my head the last time LG had a phone like that which wasn't a Nexus-branded device. So, as we find ourselves just weeks away from MWC 2019 in Barcelona, can the expected G8 ThinQ or reported V50 ThinQ, with its reported 5G connectivity, turn the tide?

G8 Expected to be More of the Same

We're rather confident in that we know what to expect from the G8 ThinQ, and if I'm being honest, it's not great. Thanks to renders posted online recently, which were essentially summed up as fake news by an LG executive, then later shown again in an even more detailed renderings, makes it look like the G8 is a lot like the G7 ThinQ from last year. While some device manufacturers like Samsung and Huawei are pushing past the notch after a 2018 filled with limitless notched devices, it appears the G8 ThinQ will embrace the notched display once more, making it look already dated to a period in which people generally did not appreciate the way smartphones looked. For features, the only thing LG has announced so far is a fancy selfie camera. Needless to say, I think we're going to need more than a new front-facing camera to get the people excited.

5G Ain't It, Chief

As for the rumored V50 device, whose launch is reportedly being pushed up by months in order to ride the ridiculous wave of marketing ~~hype~~ lies for 5G in the US? Let me tell you right now, if any company is expecting 5G to be a sort of "Ace in the hole" in a country where there appears to be relatively zero points of 5G access, you're setting yourself up for a disaster. While companies such as AT&T have no problem touting a 5G E logo via devices that run on its network, we don't expect 5G to be a tangible and honestly marketable feature at least for another year or two. Does that make the race to being the first to launch a phone with 5G connectivity silly? Yes, it absolutely does. We already know pricing for said devices will be more than non-5G capable devices, so I don't picture thousands of people rushing off to spend more money on a device that they aren't getting any added benefit from.

Free Advice for LG

I'm here to help, LG! Now, because the G8 hardware is likely finalized and in some stage of production, let's talk about software and what we can do to sell this thing. Whatever we're using right now, we have to scrap it. Samsung recently unveiled its One UI, built atop Android 9 Pie, and it's my belief that we need to do something along those lines. We're not going to copy and paste Samsung, but instead, we'll take a more vanilla approach to advanced features. Think something between OnePlus and Essential. It'll be stock Android, but rich in features. Instead of a skin that blankets every single thing, let us utilize Google's broad suite of apps to our advantage, as well as focus heavy resources on ensuring buyers of our next phone are met with timely updates. I know those pesky Android blogs and tech reviewers are always complaining about our update speeds, and since they're the ones who are recommending our devices to thousands upon thousands of people, let's surprise them and show the public that our Global Update Center isn't just an abandoned building. Remember, it wasn't long ago when we were the first OEM to launch a phone with Nougat and we're also well known for adopting Google software into our hardware. I mean, we have a damn dedicated Google Assistant button while Samsung is over here thinking people actually use Bixby. We have the advantage there. Couple this approach with a decent marketing campaign and I think we can take a few points away from Samsung, but you have to believe! People are rooting for us!

What say you? What can LG do to earn your business in 2019?

Reminder: You Get Free Taco Bell From T-Mobile Today

Kellen — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 12:19:42 +0000

It's Tuesday and that can mean only one thing - free Taco Bell tacos through T-Mobile Tuesdays. After kicking off last week, thanks to a Super Bowl announcement, T-Mobile is once again doing a free taco from Taco Bell for its customers. All you have to do to get the free taco is install the T-Mobile Tuesdays app (link), claim it, and then order one through tacobell.com for pickup. In addition to free tacos, T-Mobile announced that it will save customers $0.10 per gallon of gas up to 20 gallons per week, thanks to a partnership with Shell and their Fuel Rewards program. If that doesn't excite you, then maybe attending an Ariana Grande concert will. Starting February 19th, you'll have a chance to buy tickets to her soldout concerts through the Tuesdays app. Finally, T-Mobile Tuesdays is offering $4 movie tickets to see Alita: Battle Angel. // T-Mobile

OnePlus 6, 6T Updated With 'Deep' Duo Integration, January Security Patch

Tim — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 10:59:13 +0000

OnePlus is beginning its rollout of OxygenOS 9.0.12 for the OnePlus 6T and 9.0.4 for OnePlus 6. Inside, both phones can expect to see the January security patch, but most notably, "deep integration with Google Duo." In addition, display optimizations for the OnePlus 6T are mentioned. Here's the full list of changes. What's New

Updated Android security patch to 2019.1
General bug fixes and system improvements
Deep integration with Google Duo
Optimizations for display (only on 6T)

With an incremental rollout, a small portion of users will see the update today, followed by everyone else over the next couple of days. // OnePlus

AT&T Adds More Cities to 2019 5G Roadmap

Kellen — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:55:50 +0000

As AT&T continues to build out its true 5G network, it has added new cities expected to go live in 2019. The two newest to land on the list are Chicago and Minneapolis. AT&T announced the new additions today, the two of which join Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco, and San Jose as 2019 launch cities. I'm pretty sure there were more than that when AT&T 5G went live in December, but this could just be AT&T only naming a few.

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

With AT&T 5G, AT&T says that some early customers have already seen speeds in the range of 200-300Mbps, with highs peaking at around 400Mbps. That's not bad! It's also a long ways away from the 1-2Gbps speeds we keep hearing about from wireless companies and Qualcomm. Remember, AT&T calls their 5G network "5G+" for some reason, as if it's an upgrade over a different 5G. The thing is, there is only one 5G at this time and so AT&T is doing the "+" add-on to try and standout. That's silly, but not surprising coming from the company showing "5GE" logos on phones that don't and won't ever run 5G. As of today, AT&T's 5G network can still only be accessed by specific hotspot devices, like the Netgear Nighthawk 5G you are seeing at the top of this post. The first 5G phones aren't expected until later this year. // ATT

Galaxy S10, S10, S10e Finalized Specs Reportedly Detailed in Full

Tim — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 09:24:41 +0000

According to a massive leak from GSM Arena, we now have the complete spec rundown for the Galaxy S10 lineup. This includes specs for the Galaxy S10 itself, as well as the Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e. From the spec sheet provided, even the least expensive model, the Galaxy S10e, is by no means a slouch in the spec department. Each phone appears to be well equipped with Dynamic AMOLED displays, multiple cameras, a ton of RAM, plenty of processing power, and healthy battery sizes. I'll just let you look over the below details without wasting too much of your time. If I may draw your attention to one spec, though, is the 12GB RAM + 1TB storage option for the Galaxy S10+. Holy moly. And did someone say Luxurious Ceramic, too? Yes, please.

Galaxy S10 Lineup Specs [table responsive=scroll id=157 /] // GSM Arena

Huawei Watch GT Arrives in US, Starting at $199.99

Kellen — Tue, 12 Feb 2019 08:31:25 +0000

The Huawei Watch GT, a fitness-focused wearable that's more like an advanced fitness tracker than smartwatch, has arrived in the US. Starting at $199.99, this is a watch for those needing something to track your daily health adventures. Just don't buy one looking for smartwatch features. First introduced in October of last year, the Huawei Watch GT really is an advanced fitness tracker. It has a big beautiful 1.39-inch AMOLED touch display in a 46mm case made of metal, ceramic, and plastic. It features 5ATM water resistance, GPS, optical heart rate sensor, Bluetooth 4.2, and 14-day battery life. It'll track your sleep, your workouts, and then some. A typical charge should last through all-day wear, sleep tracking, and up to 90 minutes of exercise. If you don't do exercise tracking, it could last for 30 days, Huawei says. Why did I take shots at it not being a smartwatch? They weren't shots, it's just that we're used to Huawei making really good Wear OS smartwatches that do smartwatch things. This watch, before you go into it hoping to have smart stuff happen, is not a smartwatch. Huawei even refers to it as a "smart wearable," so we are clear. For smarts, all this watch really does is try and mirror notifications as they come in. They pop up on the watch in a basic UI, don't offer any actions, and aren't handled very well from phone to watch and back again. Just be aware of that. This watch is for full-on fitness and sleep tracking, not to be a smartwatch companion. And that's OK! I wore a Huawei Watch GT for a few days last week and thought it was solid as a fitness tracker. It also looks really nice and wears well, even if it is a tad large. Still, it's slimmer and trimmer than my Garmin Fenix 5, the device Huawei wants to compete against, and is hundreds of dollars less. I actually think this could be a great fitness tracker for most people. The Huawei Watch GT comes in two options: Graphite Black and Saddle Brown. The black model is $199.99, while the Brown version is $229.99. Pre-orders open today and Huawei didn't tell us when they'll ship.

Pre-order Huawei Watch GT

DEAL: Google Store Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL is BOGO 50% Off

Kellen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 15:16:25 +0000

Google kicked off this Valentine's Day week with a special BOGO deal on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. If you are interested in owning two of either of those phones, you can get up to 50% off one of them. Starting today, if you buy a Pixel 3 (review) or Pixel 3 XL (review) from the Google Store, Google will give you up to $450 off a second phone. To get the full $450, you'd have to buy two Pixel 3 XLs, though. If you buy a Pixel 3 XL and a Pixel 3, you would save $400 off the Pixel 3. If you go with two Pixel 3 phones, that would be $350 off. The price differences there are because you get the deal on the same or lower-priced phone. Make sense? The deal should work with any model (unlocked, Fi, or Verizon) and lasts through February 25. Just add both phones to your cart and the price drop will automatically happen.

Buy Google Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL

Amazon Acquires Eero, One of the First Mesh WiFi Companies

Kellen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 14:17:23 +0000

Whoa - Amazon just announced that it is acquiring Eero, one of the first (and best) mesh WiFi companies. All of the details for the future of Eero were not laid out today, but Amazon did confirm that they will continue to innovate in the WiFi space. For those not familiar, Eero was first introduced in early 2016 as a whole-home WiFi solution. It featured WiFi modules that could be placed throughout a home to expand coverage beyond just your typical WiFi router that sits in a corner in your office. The devices looked minimal, blended in with decor, and produced pretty good speeds. The entire experience was controlled through a slick and oft-updated app, available on both iOS and Android. In case you didn't know, I'm a big Eero fan. Eero has since released new versions and added new features and (paid) services to its app. It has also seen stiff competition arrive, with companies like Google and other network leaders creating similar mesh systems. Eero has likely struggled to compete some, because it hasn't been able to keep prices as low as competitors, even if its product is probably as good-if-not-better than most. Should Amazon complete its acquisition, I can't imagine this won't be great news for Eero owners and those interested in their products. No promises were made about prices being lowered, but Eero's CEO Nick Weaver said that this move helps them accelerate their mission to "bring eero systems to more customers around the globe.” If anything, this is an investment in Eero by a company that can help them continue to make WiFi magic happen. // Amazon

Right-Clicking in Gmail on Desktop Will Soon be Useful!

Tim — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:54:13 +0000

When you right-click inside of Gmail on a desktop computer, you get only a few options: Archive, Mark as Read, and Delete. With an update that is rolling out now to G Suite users, the right-click just got a helluva lot more useful. As you can see in the header image above, a right-click in Gmail will now offer a ton of options, including Reply, Reply All, Forward, Move to, Label access, and plenty more. Basically, anything you could do from within an email can now be done outside of the email with a right-click. It's a small change, but very welcomed. According to Google, this change will first be available to users of G Suite. Should all go well, it'll likely hit regular Gmail accounts shortly after. // Google

DEAL: Anker Wireless Spirit X Buds Drop to $26, Fast Wireless Charging Stand to $18

Kellen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 12:49:55 +0000

After sharing a couple of really good Anker deals last week, we have more you might want to consider, assuming you are in need of new wireless headphones or a wireless charging stand that'll prop your phone up some. Anker, through Amazon, has dropped the price of its Spirit X Bluetooth sport headphones from $39.99 to $25.99, a $14 discount. If those don't look appealing because of the over-ear looping design, Anker's Soundcore Spirit Pro headphones are also on sale, dropping from $49.99 to $32.99 ($17 off). Both headphones have 4-star ratings, offer hours and hours of use, are sweatproof, and offer multiple fits. If you don't need headphones and passed on last week's wireless charging pad (which is still live), the Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charging Stand is in sale this week. The discount code we have below drops it to $17.99. At 10W speeds, you should be able to quickly charge almost all of Samsung's phones, while providing regular wireless charging to other capable devices.

Amazon Deal Links:

Anker Soundcore Spirit X Headphones - $25.99 ($14 off)
Anker Soundcore Spirit Pro Headphones - $32.99 ($17 off)
Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charging Stand - $17.99 (Code: ANKER524)

Pushbullet Beta Gets Material Design Update, Dark Mode for Pro Users

Tim — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 10:30:16 +0000

Last time we talked about Pushbullet? October, 2016. The company is back this week with an announcement that beta users of the app (you can sign-up for the beta below) can now access a completely revamped Material Design UI, as well as a dedicated Dark Mode aesthetic if you're a Pro user. Mmm, paying for Dark Mode. Sweet. The big changes for the UI center around bottom tabs for navigation, instead of a pullout drawer. And when you're typing in Pushbullet, don't worry, the tabs are hidden to prevent accidental clicks. Additionally, the app has an updated adaptive icon. Again, you can access all of these changes by becoming a beta tester right now or you can wait for the update to roll out on a larger scale. However, keep in mind that the Dark Mode is only accessible to Pro users, which costs as little as $3.33/month. Become a Beta Tester Google Play Link // Pushbullet

Google Fi SIM Cards Now Available at Best Buy Stores

Kellen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 09:29:35 +0000

Google Fi is easier than ever to sign-up for today, thanks to new availability of Google Fi SIM cards at Best Buy stores. The Fi team announced the news today, suggesting that you'll be able to find Fi SIM cards in 500+ stores. If interested, there isn't a tool to help you find which stores carry them, so Google is recommending you call ahead to check. Should you find a store, the Google Fi SIM will cost you $9.99, but you'll get a $10 service credit once you activate it (shows up within one week of activation). Also, keep in mind that Best Buy stores aren't activating Fi service for you. Instead, you are simply buying a SIM card for Google Fi and doing the activation work on your own (instructions), just like if you bought a prepaid SIM for another carrier. https://twitter.com/googlefi/status/1095006783813419013 Why is this big news? Previously, if you wanted to sign-up for Google Fi service, you had to sign-up with Fi, order a SIM card, and wait for it to arrive. Now, you might be able to head into a Best Buy store and get service going the same day. Why would you want to sign-up for Google Fi? Because its the closest wireless service we have to a pay-as-you-go service. You pay an upfront fee of $20 for calling and texting, followed by $10 per GB of data. You only pay for the first 6GB, though, so if you use more, your bill should never be higher than $80/mo. The best part is that if you use less, your bill is less. Google Fi also has a fantastic app to keep track of your service, uses T-Mobile, Sprint, and US Cellular networks to help find you the best signal at all times, and now works with most Android phones. // Google Fi Help

Recent Report Finds Pixel is Fastest-Growing Smartphone Brand in US

Tim — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 08:48:55 +0000

According to a new report from Strategy Analytics, Google's Pixel is the fastest-growing smartphone brand in the US. To us, this is no shock, but from what SA has found, the Pixel brand represents three main things to US consumers: A really good camera experience, timely software updates, and Google Assistant. Basically, our reviews of every Pixel smartphone to launch aligns with this finding rather well, though, we're still not major fans of the 3 XL's notch. While US sales are apparently on the up and up, Pixel still doesn't register in the top 5 globally, but Google faces stiff competition across the seas. Not only does Samsung and Apple find themselves high on the list (#1 and #2, respectively), China's OEMs are also extremely popular in markets outside of the US. And to think, all it took was a massive marketing campaign in TV, print, and online mediums to get people aware of Pixel's existence. // Strategy Analytics | Forbes

What Exactly is Samsung Trying to Tease Here?

Kellen — Mon, 11 Feb 2019 08:32:22 +0000

I'm playing dumb - of course I know that Samsung is teasing its upcoming foldable phone for unveiling at the Galaxy S10 event on February 20. It's just that this is the least exciting teaser for something as potentially-cool as a the phone we think Samsung will show in 9 days. We've got a title of "The Future Unfolds," followed by a bunch of text that contours to the outline of curved displays and things that curve and fold and bend. That's it. OK, so what do we know about Samsung's folding phone? We know it's a book-style foldable in that you have a device with a smaller exterior screen that opens like a book to reveal a bigger screen (full display specs here). Samsung has shown it off, only in a case that hid the design and most of the experience. It might be really, really expensive. It's a lot different than what Xiaomi is working on in foldables. This future tease was cooler. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KIKaS2221I

A Fresh, Clean, High-Res Look at Samsung's Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 09 Feb 2019 08:41:49 +0000

Saturday morning brought us clean, high-res renders of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10e. The pictures don't necessarily reveal anything new, but we love looking at images like this because it lets us see a close-up of all button placements, cameras, display setups, and how each differs. The images arrive this morning from @evleaks and show both the high-end Galaxy S10 in black sitting next to its supposedly cheaper brother, the Galaxy S10e. The Galaxy S10+ isn't here, but I'm OK with being spared another view of that front camera setup. So, here is the Galaxy S10 with its (unofficial) 6.1" QHD AMOLED curved display, front camera hole punch setup, minimal bezel, triple rear camera, power/volume/Bixby button configuration, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and no visible fingerprint reader (because it's embedded in the display).

And here is the Galaxy S10e (also in white), with its (unofficial) 5.8" QHD flat display, front camera hole punch setup, minimal bezel, volume/Bixby buttons, USB-C port, and 3.5mm headphone jack. While there is no fingerprint reader showing on the front or back, we're pretty sure that Samsung is using the side home button to double as a fingerprint reader, similar to what Razer and RED have done in recent years.

Because we like such clean images, here are cropped shots of the top of the Galaxy S10 and S10e, where you can really see that skinny top bezel and how Samsung is tucking the speaker/earpiece within it, just under the frame. Oh, and there are those front cameras too, looking just fine in both curved and flat displays.

Like camera images? Here are close-ups of the Galaxy S10's triple cameras followed by the double shooter in the Galaxy S10e.

Great, great. UPDATE: And here is the Galaxy S10+ in multiple colors.

DEAL: Anker Soundcore Wireless Over-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones for $45

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 15:22:42 +0000

I've decided to attempt a purely wireless existence with my smartphone usage lately. I'm not sure if it's because I'm expecting the whole holeless thing to catch on, but mostly, I'm sick of dongles. With that being said, I've been actively trying out as many different kinds of wireless headphones I can find. Fittingly, Anker posted up its Soundcore over-ear headphones with noise cancellation recently, and for a limited time on Amazon, you can get them for just $45 -- $10 off the usual $55 price. According to the listing, these headphones feature BassUp technology for real-time bass deepening, active noise cancellation, 30 hours of playback time, memory foam ear cushions, plus a travel case. To claim the deal, simply follow the link below and apply the coupon that's provided on Amazon's website. Easy! Amazon Link

Google is Looking for a VP of Hardware and Design Manager for Wearables Team

Tim — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 11:22:27 +0000

In May of last year, a source of @evleaks told him, with high confidence, that a Pixel-branded smartwatch would launch alongside the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. As we now know, that didn't happen. However, not all faith is lost in that Google isn't still working to cook up some type of wearable device(s). According to two separate job listings, Google is currently searching for a VP of Hardware Engineering for its wearables team, as well as a Wearable Design Manager. The top listed responsibility for the VP position is, "Develop innovative devices addressing a broad spectrum of uses, features, and price points." As for the Design Manager role, Google details, "Create and guide the design of forward looking, iconic products that delight our consumers." By no means does any of this point to something coming soon from Google, but it at least provides a bit of hope that Google is still taking wearables seriously. There is no information provided for compensation, but given the minimum and preferred qualifications, you can expect quite the salary and benefits package. Think you meet the requirements for one of these positions? Feel free to follow the links below and give the job details a look over. Apple Here: VP Position | Design Manager Position // Android Police

DEAL: Anker's 10W Fast Wireless Charger Drops Another $1 to $11.99

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 09:57:45 +0000

The Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charger deal we shared the other day is now better. Should you decide to buy one today, you'll be able to attach an extra $1-off coupon from the product page before checkout to drop the price to $11.99. Normally a $22 wireless charger, the $12.99 deal from earlier in the week was already a good one, but at $11.99, what are you waiting for? With 10W wireless charging speeds, most Samsung phones should see faster wireless charging. Just keep in mind that we doubt that your Pixel 3 will, since Google is using its own proprietary wireless charging tech (which is dumb). The charger is also a minimal charging pad that shouldn't take up much room on your desk. When buying one, be sure to attach the coupon I mentioned above. This is what it looks like. By doing so, when you checkout, you'll see the extra $1 come off. Prime shipping included.

Buy Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charger

AT&T is Full of Sh*t, so Sprint is Suing Them Over 5GE Logos

Kellen — Fri, 08 Feb 2019 09:20:25 +0000

After being mocked by the internet and other carriers, AT&T is showing no signs of slowing down its push to mislead customers with a "5GE" connectivity logo on phones that do not support any sort of 5G connection. Sprint is less cool with it than Verizon and T-Mobile and has decided to file a lawsuit in federal court to try and stop AT&T from using its sneaky, completely made-up evolutionary network technology term. Sprint's lawsuit lays out the idea that AT&T is using the same 4G LTE Advanced technology as they are, as Verizon is, and as T-Mobile is, yet is referring to it as 5G Evolution. Of course, AT&T has been using this term for a while now, it's just that they have now embarked on a nationwide advertising campaign to sell the "5GE" dream, going as far as issuing updates to phones that show a "5GE" network icon when the connection is most definitely not 5G.

READ: Your AT&T phone does not have 5G now

While we have laughed at and scolded AT&T, Sprint says that real damage is being done here. Sprint commissioned a survey over 5GE with results showing that 54% of respondents believe that "5GE" is the same or better than 5G, while 43% believe that if they buy a phone from AT&T today, it'll be 5G capable. None of that is true. 5GE is not 5G, it's not better, and no current AT&T phone will ever connect to a real 5G network. Sprint wants a court to order AT&T to stop with the 5GE logos as both Sprint and the public are being "irreparably harmed." It even wants a trial by jury to determine damages related to AT&T's use of 5G Evolution and 5GE logos. AT&T has already responded with the following statement to us, which is some next-level bullsh*t:

“We understand why our competitors don’t like what we are doing, but our customers love it. We introduced 5G Evolution more than two years ago, clearly defining it as an evolutionary step to standards-based 5G. 5G Evolution and the 5GE indicator simply let customers know when their device is in an area where speeds up to twice as fast as standard LTE are available. That’s what 5G Evolution is, and we are delighted to deliver it to our customers. We will fight this lawsuit while continuing to deploy 5G Evolution in addition to standards-based mobile 5G. Customers want and deserve to know when they are getting better speeds. Sprint will have to reconcile its arguments to the FCC that it cannot deploy a widespread 5G network without T-Mobile while simultaneously claiming in this suit to be launching ‘legitimate 5G technology imminently.'"

The basics here are that AT&T believes what they are doing is fine. They don't think they are misleading customers, will continue to push the 5G Evolution message, and will fight Sprint's lawsuit. But let's look at this. Their argument is that 5G Evolution and the 5GE logo "simply let customers know their device is in an area where speeds up to twice as fast as standard LTE are available." You couldn't do that with a "4G LTE+" or "4G LTE-A" or "4G LTE-ADVANCED" or "4G LTE-2X" or "SUPER 4G" logo? Remember, 5G Evolution is still 4G LTE. It's LTE Advanced. It's not 5G. And the word "Evolution" on the end, actually signals an evolution on 5G, as if 5G were a thing being evolved, when it's really just an evolution of 4G LTE. It's 100% misleading garbage, that AT&T is fully aware of. There are countless ways for AT&T to share the message that they are delivering an upgraded 4G LTE experience to customers that do not involve telling them their phone now connects in some way to 5G. Telling a customer whose 4G LTE phone is connecting to an upgraded network with a logo and term for a network that they will never actually connect to, is the epitome of shady. We'll continue to update you on the situation. Don't expect AT&T to stop with 5G Evolution any time soon, though. // Engadget

Google Intros Adiantum for Devices That Can't Encrypt Local Data Efficiently

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 15:27:51 +0000

Whether you're buying a low-end smartphone, smartwatch, or smart TV, Google wants to make sure the information on the device can be encrypted properly. To reach lower price points for devices, some manufacturers utilize hardware that doesn't offer support for efficient data encryption. To combat this, Google announced Adiantum this week, yet another part of its Safer Internet Day week-long celebration. What is Adiantum? Google provided an extremely comprehensive breakdown of the tech in its security blog, which I'm sure others will appreciate, but in layman's, "Adiantum is a new form of encryption that we built specifically to run on phones and smart devices that don’t have the specialized hardware to use current methods to encrypt locally stored data efficiently. Adiantum is designed to run efficiently without that specialized hardware." So, as more individuals in developing areas access the web on portable devices, Google is looking to ensure that their information is secure. That's a good thing. For more info on Adiantum, follow the link below. // Google

DEAL: Mobvoi Hosting a V-Day Sale, $50 Off TicWatch Pro ($199) and More

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 14:44:10 +0000

I suppose I never really thought of Valentine's Day as a big deal day, but you'll never see me complaining about price drops on tech. Announced this week, Mobvoi will be hosting deals starting tomorrow, February 8, on select TicWatch models. For specifics, the TicWatch Pro will be available for $199, which is $50 off its original $250 price. The TicWatch C2 can be had for 10% off ($180), but if you buy two C2 units, you'll get $40 off the total price.

READ: TicWatch S2 Review!

And lastly, in all colors except black, the TicWatch S and TicWatch E will be 15% off. That 15% discount brings the TicWatch E all the way down to $110. Again, these deals kick off tomorrow on February 8. Mobvoi Store Link

Better Verizon Pixel 3, 3 XL Deal: Best Buy Drops $450 Off

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 14:09:08 +0000

Verizon's current $300-off deal on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL is a solid one, but Best Buy just made it even better. If you buy a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, you'll get the $300 off plus another $150 instant discount. That's $450 off! Like Verizon's, you will need to buy them on a 24-month contract (payment plan), but with the extra discount, the monthly payments are pretty reasonable. The Pixel 3 drops to $14.58/mo (64GB) and $18.74/mo (128GB), while the Pixel 3 XL drops to $18.74/mo (64GB) and $22.91/mo (128GB). The $300, so you know, is being spread out across the 24 months. However, the $150 extra off from Best Buy is an instant discount. All colors and storage variants available. As you should know, Best Buy only sells the Verizon Pixel phones.

Shop Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL at Best Buy

Cheers @NeoInFlames! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AdvTe_iTvYw&t=

Fossil Sport, the Wear OS Watch We Recommend, is $56 Off Right Now

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 13:52:47 +0000

To celebrate the love holiday coming up next week, Fossil has discounted most of their Wear OS watches to $199, a drop of $56 from their usual $255 price. In that bunch of discounts is a price drop on the Fossil Sport, the watch we just dubbed the best you can buy. To recap, the Fossil Sport is one of the first watches to run a Snapdragon Wear 3100 chip, has NFC and heartrate, decent battery life, a pleasant design, and comes in a bunch of fun colors. With its 43mm case (plus the smaller 41mm option), it should fit nicely on almost all wrists. It pretty much has everything you would need in a smartwatch.

RELATED: 5 recommended Wear OS watch faces

If you haven't already, be sure to dive into our Fossil Sport review. Free shipping is included.

Shop Fossil Sport

Google Fiber Messed Up Big in Louisville - Instead of Fixing, It's Leaving

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 12:13:18 +0000

The story of Google Fiber in Louisville, Kentucky is a long and sad tale. I'll spare you a lot of the details, but what you need to know is, the service is officially shutting down in Louisville on April 15 and Google is providing the remaining time of service until then free of charge to customers.

Why is Fiber shutting down in only Louisville?

In Google's own words, the company attempted to do something different with regard to construction of the network than it did in other cities. In Louisville specifically, it attempted to use shallower trenches for placement of its fiber cable. What became quickly apparent was that this employed method was absolute dog sh*t, spawning a whole lot of local drama in the community. Google Fiber has since realized that the shallower trench method is simply not good enough, and in order to get service up to its standards, would have to redo the entirety of the network. Naturally, such a job would cost a ton of money and Fiber is apparently in no position to do that.

We would need to essentially rebuild our entire network in Louisville to provide the great service that Google Fiber is known for, and that's just not the right business decision for us.

For other areas that aren't Louisville, Google Fiber essentially thanks the good folks of Louisville for allowing them to test this poor construction job on their beautiful city, but they're officially done with you. I love this next part.

The lessons we’ve learned in Louisville have already made us better in our other Google Fiber cities. We’ve refined our micro trenching methods and are seeing good outcomes elsewhere.

So, basically, sorry for messing up in your town. Instead of fixing the problem and giving the city of Louisville the Google Fiber service it begged for, we're just going to leave and you get nothing. Man, that's brutally cold of Google. https://twitter.com/christopherotts/status/1093581818765414402 Louisville residents, feel free to drop down and share your take on Google Fiber below. Did you like the service when it was up and running? Sad to see it go? // Google Fiber | The Verge | CNET

Verizon Valentine's Deals Aren't Awful: $300 Off Pixel 3, BOGO Samsung (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 11:15:43 +0000

Verizon kicked off a set of Valentine's Day deals this morning and they aren't terrible. That's saying something too, since most of their big "deals" are hardly deals and feature far too many ridiculous requirements in order to be taken advantage of. These deals, I can get down with.

UPDATE: Best Buy has a better deal on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. They are offering $300 off like Verizon, plus another instant $150 discount ($450 total). Details here.

You've got deals like $300 off the Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, with no trade-ins required or new lines needed. That means you can actually just upgrade and get $300 off. I almost can't believe I was able to write that line - feels like it has been years. Of course, to get $300 off, you still need to buy either phone on a 24-month contract (device payment plan), with the discount being spread out over those 24 months. Want Samsung or LG phones? Samsung's best phones are buy one, get one $800 off, while LG's are buy one, get one $750 off. To get the Samsung deals, you'll need to buy a Galaxy S9, S9+, or Note 9 on a device payment plan. You'll then get $800 off another S9, S9+, or Note 9, spread out over 24 months. One of the two phones you buy will need to be activated on a new line. No trade-ins required. The LG deals work the same as the Samsung deals and include the V40 ThinQ and G7 ThinQ. There is a similar BOGO deal for the RED phone, but I would never recommend you buy one of those, let alone two.

Shop Verizon Valentine's Deals:

Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL ($300 off)
Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+ (BOGO $800 off)
Galaxy Note 9 (BOGO $800 off)
LG V40 ThinQ (BOGO $750 off)
LG G7 ThinQ (BOGO $750 off)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4nICi3n6RQ&t=

FINALLY: Toyota Announces Android Auto Support for Select 2018-20 Models

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 10:05:04 +0000

Toyota, one of the last major automakers that had yet to announce support for Android Auto, announced today that it's bringing Google's in-vehicle infotainment platform support to select 2018 through 2020 vehicle models. Proceed with the happy dance, 'Yota fans. The supported vehicles are as follows.

4Runner 2020-
Aygo 2018-
Sequoia 2020-
Tacoma 2020-
Tundra 2020-
Yaris (Europe Only) 2019-

Today is a good day for Android Auto. // Toyota [2] | Android Auto

Pixel 3 XL Owners, How's the Notch?

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 09:27:54 +0000

Alright, the time has come. Pixel 3 XL owners, you have owned your phone for months now. You've stared into those eyes, that speaker mouth, and dealt with the double wide. You know 😐. That one super nerdy friend of yours who wears Crocs in sport mode with socks, knows about landing strip jokes and followed the Russian Pixel 3 leaks, probably made fun of you once. But you survived, it seems, if you are reading this post. You survived having that notch. I've spent some time with it, even as the Pixel 3 has become the phone for me, just as I said it would. There is a Pixel 3 XL on my desk. It gets used from time to time when Wear OS has destroyed the battery life of my regular Pixel 3 by 4PM. The notch doesn't offend me as much as the overall size of the 3 XL does. It's still an eyesore, though. I still feel the same about it as I did after my review. It's still a thing I get to look at as it sits on my Pixel Stand, before shaking my head at Google for approving this bad of a design. It's most definitely not for me. I like my Pixel 3. But for you, how has life been? How has life been with the Pixel 3 XL's notch? Do you now feel disappointed in other personal life choices every time you pick-up your phone? Do you envy us Pixel 3 owners (it's OK if you do)? Has it become a notch of pride, of importance, and status? Has it become a slice of your identity? Are you and the Pixel 3 XL notch an unbreakable bond? Will you now defend it until ~~you buy a Pixel 4 XL in 8 months~~ death? Will you mock hole punch displays as if they are a downgrade from your perfect world? I need to know.

Nissan Brings Android Auto Support to Numerous 2019 Vehicle Models

Tim — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 08:24:17 +0000

Nissan announced support for Android Auto in six 2019 vehicles models recently, bringing the total number of supported vehicles to 12. The 2019 models include the Rogue Sport, TITAN XD, and Versa Note, with the whole list of vehicles shown below. Supported 2019 Models

Rogue Sport
Sentra
TITAN
TITAN XD
Versa Note
Versa Sedan

We love you, Android Auto. // Android Auto Cheers flosserelli!

Motorola's Moto G7 Family is Here

Kellen — Thu, 07 Feb 2019 07:50:15 +0000

Motorola's most popular mid-range line has been refreshed for 2019 as the Moto G7. We have four models in total to share with you today: Moto G7, Moto G7 Plus, Moto G7 Power, and Moto G7 Play. Why Motorola needs four is something I'll never understand, but that's the story. What do you need to know? First off, the Moto G7 Plus, the version most of you in the US would likely buy, is not coming to the US. Sorry! What we'll be able to buy are the regular Moto G7, Moto G7 Power, and Moto G7 Play. All phones are certainly mid-range, but do feature that newish-school design with a bigger and notched display that stretches to the corners. Depending on the version, that notch differs in size. The Moto G7 has a Full HD display (1080p), while the Power and Play both clock in at 720p. All do run the Snapdragon 632, have fingerprint readers, and that clean version of Android we've come to expect from Motorola. None have NFC, as has been the case with the G line for a while. To see the rest of the specs and images for each, start scrolling a bit and then we'll talk release dates and pricing.

Moto G7

Moto G7 Power

Moto G7 Play

Moto G7 Specs

[table responsive=scroll id=156 /] For pricing and availability, the Moto G7 ($299), G7 Power ($249), and G7 Play ($199) all arrive unlocked "this spring" at Best Buy, B&H Photo, Walmart, and Amazon. The Moto G7 will be sold at Google Fi too. The Moto G7 Power will also be sold at T-Mobile, Verizon, Cricket, and a number of other carriers. The Moto G7 Play's carrier partners are US Cellular, Boost, Virgin, and Republic Wireless.

Shop Moto G7 Family

LG Says the G8 ThinQ is Coming With a Special Selfie Cam

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 17:28:37 +0000

It's official - the LG G8 ThinQ will be announced at MWC later this month. LG confirmed the news tonight while simultaneously announcing that it will have a special selfie camera that uses a Time-of-Flight (ToF) image sensor. What the hell is a ToF image sensor, you ask? The chip is a REAL3 image sensor chip provided by Infineon. It "delivers more accurate measurements by capturing infrared light as it is reflected off the subject," according to LG. That should mean better performance in poorly lit situations, with less power consumption. It also captures 3D imagery (or sees in 3D), so light isn't as much of a factor when used for things like biometric purposes (face scanning). The takeaway here is that this REAL3 image sensor provides a "secure verification system without sacrificing camera capabilities." You'll be able to get all-up-in some facial scanning while still taking those pretty club selfies. What else are we expecting from the now-official LG G8 ThinQ. It'll probably look like this, even though their communications boss said it wouldn't. The rest should be high-end level specs we've always gotten with the G series. // LG

A First Look at the Galaxy S10 In-Display Fingerprint Reader is Here

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 16:04:10 +0000

The numerous leaks of the Samsung Galaxy S10 have led us to believe that Samsung will use an in-display fingerprint reader and ditch the capacitive touchpad versions that have been used for years. We believe that because none of the renders or device pictures show a fingerprint reader on the exterior. Today, thanks to a since-deleted Twitter post, we think we've got a first look at Samsung's in-display fingerprint reader implementation. Have you used a OnePlus 6T? This should look familiar then. As you will see in the image below, the lock screen is showing a spot that the user will place their finger on to unlock the phone. It's a subtle hint of a placement, but it's there right between the phone and camera shortcuts. To unlock or securely pay for something, all you'll need to do is place your finger on that spot as it pops up. Most of us expect Samsung to use one of Qualcomm's ultrasonic in-display fingerprint readers, which should be an upgrade over the optical sensors used by companies like OnePlus. The ultrasonic readers don't need to use a light burst like optical units, plus they should be able to read your fingerprint in a wider area while grabbing more detail. Better put, they should be more secure and work in more situations. As someone who wasn't a fan of the fingerprint reader in the OnePlus 6T, I'm excited to try out the implementation in the Galaxy S10. Fingerprint readers are still a necessary security measure in phones, in my opinion, but as phone makers try to tighten up phone design, we need tech like in-display fingerprint readers to get better in a hurry. The Galaxy S10 might be the preview of the future.

// SamMobile

How Did You Decide on Your Current Phone?

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 13:35:36 +0000

It has been a couple of years since we last asked about your phone buying decisions. We've often asked if there are features you can't live without or which of the current crop of upcoming phones you've got your eye on, that sort of thing. But I'm more curious at this point, in this mature phase of the smartphone world, what goes into your decision-making process when buying one. I ask because almost every single phone released today has a good enough camera, solid performance, all the specs, premium hardware and design, and wide availability and carrier support. There isn't much differentiating one phone from the next, especially in the $600-$1,000 range. You guys know that I happen to prefer Google's phones. I like the software on them over anyone else's, the cameras included are pretty great, and the hardware designs don't offend me because of their simplicity. I'm also fully aware that they are arguably overpriced, don't really compare in the feature list department to phones from Samsung, and are often filled with both hardware and software issues out of the gate. But again, I'm willing to put up with some stuff because the overall experience is how I like my Android. A number of you will never be on my side with favoring Google's phones and that's fine. You like Samsung's or OnePlus' phones over Google's, which is part of the beauty of Android as a platform. But with phones being so similar there has to be something in particular you look for when deciding to buy one. If you chose the Galaxy S9, tell me why you didn't go with the G7 or wait a couple of months for the OnePlus 6. If you skipped the Pixel 3 and Note 9 for the OnePlus 6T, why? Was it just price there or something else?

Reverse Wireless Charging in the Galaxy S10...OK?

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 12:30:04 +0000

Samsung is going to be the next phone maker to allow both wireless and reverse wireless charging. The evidence, as suggested in FCC docs and the image below, makes that obvious. But, should you care about reverse wireless charging in the Galaxy S10? To back up a minute, let's talk about what reverse wireless charging is. We saw the tech first in the Huawei Mate 20 Pro last year. The idea here is that you can use a phone, its battery, and the wireless charging it comes equipped with, like the Mate 20 Pro or Galaxy S10, to wirelessly charge another device. Maybe your wireless-chargeable ear buds need some juice or your friend's phone is about to die - you could charge them with your phone! On paper or when spoken, that sounds like somewhat of a cool technological advancement, right? As it turns out, the implementation in the Mate 20 Pro was pretty bad. Every test I've seen written up sure made it sound like something you would never want to use. For example, when Gizmodo ran a 23-minute charge test from the Mate 20 Pro to a Galaxy Note 9, the Note 9 gained 3% juice while the Mate 20 Pro lost 10%. That's bad! Why would you ever want to do that? Of course, the other charging option is like the image below, which Samsung will try to sell you. "You can charge your new Galaxy Buds on the back of your new Galaxy S10!" Cool! But again, we're talking about giving up precious battery from your phone (important) to some ear buds that you should have charged for 5 mins before you left the house. This idea also assumes that you want to own Galaxy Buds that can utilize this feature (you should buy these instead).

IMAGE: @rquandt

To be fair, Huawei's Mate 20 Pro charged at stupidly slow rates while the S10 could charge at 9W. That's pretty quick, but I'd also be worried about how much more quickly that might drain your phone's battery as you charge something. There are heat concerns there too. Like, I'm curious if you'll be able to utilize it while charging your S10 too. For example, if you are wired charging your S10, being able to drop your Galaxy Buds on the back to charge at the same time could come in handy. But again, is that safe? I guess what I'm getting at here is the idea that you are going to hear a lot about reverse wireless charging with the Galaxy S10 over the coming weeks. It makes for a super cool demo. When Huawei showed it off on the P20 Pro, it was the feature most talked about. If you Google "Huawei Mate 20 Pro," the first feature listed in the title is "Wireless Reverse Charging." It's kind of a neat idea and innovation. I'm just not sure it should in any way be a part of whether or not you will buy the Galaxy S10.

Holy Sh*t Look at This Wild Sony Phone

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 09:49:33 +0000

I don't know what Sony is thinking here, but this new Xperia XA3 is wild as hell and I kind of like it. Look at this thing! That display sure looks like a 21:9 display, which means it's extra long in ways we have yet to see on a smartphone. People refer to phone styling like this as "candy bar," and I think this Sony phone is the first to truly fit that name. Now, we don't know much about the XA3. It'll probably show up at MWC in a couple of weeks where Sony will talk resolution, camera specs, and why they decided to make a phon that is this long. Previous reports suggested we'll get a Snapdragon 660 powering it, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a 3500mAh battery. While that may not seem super high-end, there could be an Ultra variant that might be. Still not seeing the ridiculousness of this phone? It has a well-hidden top bezel, if you couldn't tell by the sneaky imagery, but at the bottom there is almost no bezel.

See!

Is this a practical design? Well, it's not a notch. It's also not a hole punch that will shift status bar and notifications icons around. It could make watching video a pretty awesome experience. I don't know how you'll hold it and ever reach the notification area, but hey, Sony can come up with tricks for that. We talking future here or is this another dumb Sony design? // WinFuture

Your Next Galaxy Note S Pen May Double as a Camera

Kellen — Wed, 06 Feb 2019 08:31:04 +0000

Samsung might have upgraded the Galaxy Note 9 S Pen significantly by adding Bluetooth, but a new patent shows they aren't stopping there. The patent describes an S Pen idea that would allow the famed Galaxy Note accessory to take pictures. The figures below show how the setup might work. The top portion of the S Pen would be the optical (!) lens with image sensor. Further down the pen, you would then find a control button and possibly another control to work the optical lens for zooming in or out. The S Pen will connect wired or wirelessly to a phone, likely to be able to transfer images over. And I say that with some concerns over the device being used as a remote spy cam, should Samsung let you control it from phone.

Samsung filed for the patent in 2017 and was given it yesterday, February 5. // Patently Mobile | USPTO

New 2019 Emoji!

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:18:34 +0000

The new emoji for 2019 have been revealed, thanks to the folks at Unicode and Emojipedia. There are 230 in total as a part of Unicode 12.0, with new emoji for the sloth, otter, ice cube, drop of blood, waffle, people holding hands, and more. You'll also find new emoji for yawning face, pinching hand, flamingo, wheelchair, onion and garlic, snorkling gear, skunk, bandaid, chair, and banjo. In the video below, you'll get a look at most of them. When will you start to see the new Emoji 12.0 on your phone? Unicode says that most phone companies will probably roll them out in September or October (possibly with a big software update), but some may arrive earlier, depending on the phone maker. We'll let you know once we see them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HJhBUIVul8 // Emojipedia | Unicode

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 54 Answers

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 15:07:37 +0000

Alright, it's time for Volume 54 answers of the Droid Life Q&A Sessions. Last week, a ton of you submitted great questions, such as our thoughts on buying a Huawei phone given the current political climate, if we believe in the future of portless and holeless phones, as well as our biggest hopes and/or fears for the industry in the next 20 years. Sorry for the tardiness on these answers, folks! Let's get right to it. Reminder: K is Kellen and T is Tim.

Do you still feel comfortable buying Huawei phones?

K: Yeah, the concerns from the US government don't necessarily leave me worried. I just don't buy their phones because their software is pretty awful. As great as their hardware design is, they have a super bloated skin that isn't that fun to use. T: For the most part, yes. However, I do understand that there are legitimate concerns regarding the company and its practices. While it's still possible to buy Huawei phones in the US, the selection is pretty limited and I think anyone doing a bit of research on phone buying isn't likely buying one or importing one. My point is, even if you want to buy a Huawei phone in the US, it's not the easiest thing to do right now.

When did Droid Life become more than a hobby for you?

K: August 2010 was the month I quit my job to do this full time. It was scary, but corporate jobs were never my thing. I always wanted to do something that let me be the boss that didn't require 20 years of slowly climbing a ladder. T: I don't recall the exact timing right off, feels like a decade ago now, but I knew I was very excited to be quitting my current job and to start focusing on Android and the Android community full-time. It's a little nerve wracking because you have no idea what to expect, but looking back, I don't regret a single thing about the decision.

Do you believe the US smartphone market will eventually get left behind by all the innovation that is going on in China?

K: We're starting to see the US smartphone market behind already. Chinese phone companies are constantly trying out new things. We talked about 2 or 3 Vivo phones last year alone that all had some new tech or design idea. And then at the end of the year, Google released the Pixel 3 XL, with the worst, most dated notch design in history. So yeah, I think the US is going to get left behind because phones sold here arrive late and without the newest of the new. I think that's part of the reason we'll continue to see OnePlus have success. T: When has the US market not been behind the Asian markets? The pace at which they evolve is incredible. The one thing I know we're all on a level playing field with right now is 5G, but if history serves us well, I suspect their rollout will be much faster than ours. Basically, we've already been left behind in my opinion.

Image Credit

What are you hoping to see (or dreading) most in the industry by 2040?

K: 20 years from now? I have no idea. Maybe we won't have phones by then. Hopefully, in 20 years, our lives will be less plugged in and more efficient. Screen time is a bad thing and we all get too much of it. T: I'm dreading the monopolization of American broadband. Without proper regulation, it seems like only a matter of time until we're all just poor and helpless kittens suckling at Comcast or Charter's nipples. Oh wait, that's already happening. I can picture it right now, Comcast and Verizon merging to become some ultra company in control of basically all things digital access. Yucky!

Do you see portless phones becoming a thing?

K: They could be, I just don't know that I want them to be. Making charging your phone such a pain or transferring a file around or forcing someone to go wireless for everything isn't a great move. Ports are fine. Portless phones are gimmicks. T: Oh, absolutely. I've been giving it a bit of thought and besides the eSIM, only because I like to be able to swap phones very quickly at any time, I think I could manage just fine with no USB-C, headphone jack, or anything else. I guess the lack of external speaker situation would also suck, but I can always Bluetooth it. I say, "Bring it on!"

Are you getting on the hype train for the resurrected Razr line?

K: Oh hell yes. I don't think I ever owned one of the original flip Razr phones, but if Lenovo can bring us a foldable display Razr, it'll be awesome. The Razr is so iconic and it deserves to return with next-gen tech, not like that garbage carbon fiber design Moto tried to do a few years back with 18 different Razr models. T: I remember the "cool kids" in high school had Razrs. I was not one of them. Instead, I spent my time in a dark bedroom, playing guitar and listening to music you'd hear at Hot Topic. I think I had some random Nokia phone or LG flip phone, I can't remember. Either way, I have no strong ties to the Razr branding as others in this industry might. And no, I don't plan on spending an estimated $1,500 on a Motorola phone, but I'll gladly review one!

What was your favorite show from the 90's?

K: Definitely the Simpson's and all the basketball I could consume. T: I was born in 1989, so 90's TV was my babysitter. I enjoyed The Simpson's, Seinfeld, X-Files, Fresh Prince, All That, Mad TV, and plenty of South Park. Man, 90's TV was kickass, dude!

Google Releases Password Checkup Chrome Extension

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 11:22:04 +0000

To highlight Safer Internet Day, Google announced the launch of a new Chrome extension called Password Checkup. With it, users will receive a notification via Chrome should your login credentials be compromised on any particular site you visit. As Google puts it, "If we detect that a username and password on a site you use is one of over 4 billion credentials that we know have been compromised, the extension will trigger an automatic warning and suggest that you change your password." Easy enough, right? Beyond that, Google also announced Cross Account Protection. Honestly, this feature is a bit more focused on the technical backend, so I'll let Google explain this one.

In the rare case that an attacker is able to find a way into your Google Account, we’ve built useful tools to help you quickly get back to safety. Unfortunately, these protections haven’t extended to the apps that you sign into with Google Sign In. Cross Account Protection helps address this challenge. When apps and sites have implemented it, we’re able to send information about security events—like an account hijacking, for instance—to them so they can protect you, too.

According to Google, it has worked closely with major technology companies, like Adobe, plus the standards community at the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and OpenID Foundation to make it easy for all apps to implement Cross Account Protection. Now feels like a good time to remind you to safeguard your online credentials, people! Password Checkup Extension // Google

DEAL: Get an Anker Fast Wireless Charger for $12.99, $11 Off (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 10:52:53 +0000

UPDATE: The deal just got better and is now an extra $1 off.

From now until February 17, you can pick up a Fast Wireless Charger from Anker on Amazon for just $12.99, down from its usual price of $23.99. There is no coupon code or anything like that to apply, just an instant discount that's available right now. Rated at 10W, the charger should have no issue fast charging select devices from Samsung and others, though, Pixel owners likely won't see the great speed increase. This kit comes with the charger only and no AC adapter included, so you'll have to provide your own. Still, though, $13 for a wireless charger is not bad at all. Follow the link below to take advantage. Amazon Link

Newton Mail App is Back, Same Goes for Its $49.99/Year Price

Tim — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 08:50:01 +0000

Newton Mail is back! After a somewhat brief shutdown, followed by an acquisition of its maker by Essential, the subscription-based email application is available again. I've never used Newton Mail, but according to the app's description, it appears to offer plenty of useful features. For example, it offers read receipts, Send Later, plus a Recap feature. It also has familiar features like Snooze and Undo Send. For me, the issue is the $49.99/year price tag for an email app. I understand that people may swear by this app and the amount of productivity it allows for, but considering Inbox was free, and Gmail will probably always be free, it's hard to dive into the world of paid email services. For you Newton lovers, follow the link below to get yourself setup. If you're curious about the service, you can signup to receive two free weeks of Newton. Google Play Link Cheers Jared!

T-Mobile Promised Lower Prices With Sprint, Now Says No Price Hikes for 3 Years

Kellen — Tue, 05 Feb 2019 08:41:54 +0000

T-Mobile is still trying to complete its acquisition of Sprint and merge the two into the New T-Mobile. Since announcing their plans, they promised that a merger would bring about a bunch of stuff, like more jobs, more competition, greater value, and lower prices. This week, they gave their word to the FCC that they also don't plan to raise prices for the next 3 years as they combine. Wait, how did we get from a promise of lower prices to only promising no price hikes? Well, T-Mobile's John Legere suggested that the New T-Mobile will deliver the "same or better rate plans" with Sprint joining them. And look, that's proper marketing wordplay at its finest. T-Mobile keeps suggesting "lower" prices all over its merger promo kit, like they are doing with the FCC, but could just mean lower prices than Verizon and AT&T, not a price drop. See the difference there? T-Mobile added that they'll try and avoid price increases, but could have to change policy and make customers pay for taxes and fees. As you know, part of the beauty of T-Mobile ONE is that the taxes and fees are all built-in to the plan price. That sure sounds like a price hike. As I mentioned shortly after they announced the merger, it would be pretty surprising to see T-Mobile lower prices. They want to build a massive 5G network and you shouldn't be shocked if that means price hikes at some point. After all, these carriers are all investing billions in 5G and I can't imagine they all want to absorb those costs. // Reuters

I See Why Verizon has Been Hiding Its 5G Home Maps

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 15:10:43 +0000

Since launching 5G Home in early October, Verizon has been reluctant to show maps of its coverage areas in the four original cities. We assumed it was because the 5G footprint in them was tiny and that may have been confirmed, thanks to maps put together by PC Mag. The maps were created based off of neighborhood lists for Houston, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Indianapolis that were then converted into neighborhood boundaries before being mapped by ZIP code. The maps show Verizon 5G Home coverage is extremely limited and could overstate the coverage. In other words, it could be worse than this. Now, we can't forget that Verizon said last week that they were done deploying 5G Home service until they could use proper 5G standards-based equipment. Because remember, Verizon wanted to be "first on 5G," so they used a bunch of non-standards-based 5G equipment to arrive in this four markets before anyone else could push 5G. It's not real 5G that will be around for much longer. It really was used so they could make the logo at the top of this post. As we approach the second half of the year, Verizon will once again begin to expand its home 5G internet service, because that's when the proper equipment will be here. They'll replace a bunch of the equipment they already used too. Ready to see the Verizon 5G Home maps? Here you go.

Verizon 5G Home Map - Sacramento

Verizon 5G Home Map - Houston

Verizon 5G Home Map - Indianapolis

Verizon 5G Home Map - Los Angeles

Was this worth it, Verizon? // PCMag

Instant Tethering Comes to More Chromebooks and Android Devices

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 13:59:00 +0000

Released in early 2017, Instant Tethering allows for a quick data connection between two devices. This week, Google announced that it is bringing Instant Tethering to even more Android devices, including plenty of Chromebook machines. As Google explains, Chromebooks are great for accessing webpages, but what if you're nowhere near a WiFi hotspot? Using Instant Tether, you can seamlessly connect to your mobile phone's data plan, then browse the web however you need to. According to Google, Instant Tethering is now available to over 15 different Chromebook models, as well as 30+ Android phones. This functionality is rolling out to supported devices this week. See the full list of supported Android phones here. // Google

Essential Continues to Show Other OEMs How Updates are Supposed to be Done

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:45:19 +0000

Should you care about timely updates, there are only a couple of Android makers you should be buying from. Technically, there's only one, because one of the companies doesn't make phones currently, but we've already discussed that at length. Anyway, we're talking about Google and Essential. Like clockwork, as soon as Google publishes its monthly security patches, Essential is right behind them with the same patch for its Essential Phone. It's a beautiful thing, especially when you think about how long some Android phone owners have to wait in order to see updates, sometimes even the smaller monthly patches. Again for the month of February, Essential has released the patch moments after Google did the same. We understand that Essential doesn't have a ton of work to do with its extremely light Android build, unlike other skins from Samsung and LG, but damn. Essential Phone owners, go grab your February patch. https://twitter.com/essential/status/1092500391768379392

The Huge Change Included in February's Android Update

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:22:09 +0000

Big things are happening in this month's Android security update, guys. Google is referring to it as a quarterly update and has said that it contains "many functional updates and improvements to various parts of the Android platform and supported Pixel devices." What are those changes? The "About Phone" section has been moved out of the "System" section in Android settings. It now stands alone. It even got its own icon. Huge.

You're welcome.

Nest Guard Picks Up Google Assistant Functionality

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 11:05:12 +0000

Starting this week, Nest is adding Google Assistant functionality to its Nest Guard product, the brains of its Nest Secure system. Announced in late 2017, Nest Guard is a keypad-featuring hub that should typically sit right by your front door. That means it's in an ideal location for quickly sharing useful information via Assistant, such as weather forecasts or traffic information for your drive to work. Here's how Nest thinks you should use the added Assistant feature.

Get real-time information: Ask for traffic conditions, your flight status and the weather before you leave for the day, so you’re prepared for what’s coming.
Control smart home devices easily: In addition to arming Nest Secure with your voice, you’ll now be able to initiate a Routine (for example, “Hey Google, I’m home” to turn your lights on and your Nest Thermostat up as you walk in the door), lock your Nest x Yale Lock or announce who’s at the door with Nest Hello ( Familiar Face alerts require a Nest Aware subscription and are not available on Nest Hellos used in Illinois).
Manage tasks: Set reminders, create calendar appointments (“Hey Google, add a meeting to my calendar”) or add items to your shopping list (“Hey Google, add milk to my shopping list.”)

The one thing Nest says you will not be able to do, though, is unlock your system with your voice. Our guess is that could be too insecure for the system, so it's not available. // Nest

February 2019 Android Security Update Goes Live for Pixel Devices

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 10:05:49 +0000

Google just released the February 2019 Android security patch for Pixel devices. It appears that we already have both factory image and OTA files ready to be downloaded for those willing to do some manual labor, or as always, you can sit back and wait for the update to arrive over-the-air (OTA) to your device. So far, we are seeing new 9.0.0 files for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (PQ2A.190205.001), Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (PQ2A.190205.002), and Pixel and Pixel XL (PQ2A.190205.003). The only other Google device that is still receiving security patches on Oreo is the Pixel C and it’s getting build OPM8.190205.001. Google did not include a list of functional patches this month. 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. To check for the update, head into Settings>System>Advanced>System update. As more details arrive, we’ll update this post.

RELATED: Here is the huge change included in this month's update

Links:

OnePlus Seemingly Out of New Software Ideas, Asks Customers for Theirs

Tim — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 09:05:13 +0000

Do you have the next great smartphone software idea bouncing around in your noggin? If so, OnePlus would very much like to hear it. Thanks to a new contest the company is running, OnePlus is accepting any idea for software features you may have. If you have a feature OnePlus deems worthy of building into OxygenOS, its team will take your idea, build it, then release it in a future build of OxygenOS. As a "Thank you," OnePlus says it will invite and fly you out to its next launch event, as well as give you a phone. Keep in mind, though, OnePlus is looking for a bit more than just a random sentence offering a software idea. Here's exactly what they're looking for from each submission.

Who are the users?

What is the proposed function?

What is the user value?

If there are existing comparable functions in the smartphone industry, how is your proposed feature superior?

Be sure to:

Explain the logic behind this product and how you want it to be implemented

Include directions and details via diagram sketches. Draw each screen and show the flow from screen to screen. (See the design principles post if you’d like an example.)

Now, as a regular user with no software engineering background, I can't think of a better way to get a software idea into a major smartphone maker's software, but there's something about this pitch that seems off to me. OnePlus undoubtedly has a team of well paid software engineers. That means they have a team of people dedicated to brainstorming new features, testing them, and then implementing them into the software should they be good enough for global use. It seems plausible that OnePlus is doing this contest simply as a way of looking open to new ideas, but doesn't expect to hear anything innovative. No knock on the pitches already submitted, but I've seen "ideas" for AR Emoji, an antivirus app, ad-blocker app, a more customizable theme, and a few more pitches that hardly border the "next OxygenOS feature." Who knows, maybe a Droid Life reader will have the next great OxygenOS feature. It's entirely possible! If you'd like to submit an idea, follow the link below. // OnePlus

Google Releases Two New Apps: Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier

Kellen — Mon, 04 Feb 2019 08:34:05 +0000

Google dropped two new apps on us this morning, both of which should help deaf and hard-of-hearing people. The apps are called Live Transcribe and Sound Amplifier, and they are available right now for download. The names for the apps explain pretty well what they do. For Live Transcribe, you have an app that transcribes in real-time as you have a conversation with someone. It puts the words on an easy-to-read black screen using cloud-based automatic speech recognition. It's like having captions as you move around your daily life. Live Transcribe is available in over 70 languages and even enables conversation via type-back keyboard.

With Sound Amplifier, you get an app that tries to make sound clear and easy to hear. Google says that it "works by increasing quiet sounds, while not over-boosting loud sounds," and works with wired headphones to filter, augment, and amplify sounds in the environment too. There are settings for noise reduction and to minimize background noise. Both are free and available at the links below. Google Play Links: Live Transcribe | Sound Amplifier https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=jLCwjIaPXwA // Google

T-Mobile has Free Tacos for You

Kellen — Sun, 03 Feb 2019 18:36:24 +0000

T-Mobile Tuesdays got a big boost on this fine Super Bowl Sunday, thanks to a new partnership with Taco Bell. Every Tuesday, starting February 5, you'll get a free taco (Soft Taco or Crunchy Taco) as a T-Mobile customer. How do you get free Taco Bell tacos for T-Mobile Tuesdays? You need the T-Mobile Tuesdays app (download), for one, plus you will need to redeem the offer each week within the app. You'll also need to create an account at tacobell.com, add a credit card with your T-Mobile number associated, and then order your free taco online. Yes, you have to do these free taco orders online and then schedule a pick-up. You can order more stuff or just go with the free taco. T-Mobile says this is a straight-up free taco deal too, rather than a buy one, get one free promo. And even though you need to add a credit card to your Taco Bell account, you won't be charged if you just order your free taco. Let's just hope it lasts longer than the free pizza deal. Related note: In addition to free tacos, T-Mobile also announced a February promo with Lyft that can land you a free $10 ride. Details here. // T-Mobile

Cool if Real: Supposed Gmail Leak Shows Incoming Inbox Features

Kellen — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 15:43:31 +0000

You guys know that when Inbox is officially retired in about a month, I may retire from tech for good and go back to a flip phone. I can't stand Gmail after using Inbox since the day it was released over four years ago. The transition away is going to be rough, because Google has yet to pull over the stuff I really love about Inbox. Here's a list of missing stuff, in case you were wondering what I'm referring to. All of that over-the-top drama aside, Google does still have some time to save the day and is apparently working on multiple versions of Gmail that have a bunch of features from Inbox, according to a supposed leak. A redditor posted a screenshot you'll see below of one of those internal builds, though I'm a bit skeptical over whether or not it's real. If it is, great! If it isn't, well, Google should do this stuff in some way. The user who posted the screenshot says that an engineer friend provided it to him, showing a toggle for pinned emails, Inbox reminders, a clear-all/archive-all shortcut and possible bundles. It certainly looks like a mash-up of Gmail and Inbox. Again, I'm not sure if this is real because it doesn't really make sense the way it's setup. Like, why have pins and stars? They are sort of the same thing. Also, a clear-all button (the little check with 3-lines next to the pins toggle) for an entire inbox is a dumb idea. It made sense in Inbox because it was broken out by day, week, and month, but it doesn't work in Gmail unless Google separates by time like that. In this screenshot, they clearly aren't doing that from what I can tell. Speaking of actual bundles, they aren't shown here, only a label called "Tech news" is. That's not an Inbox bundle, for those wondering. But hey, reminders at the top of a Gmail inbox would be great!

is.

What do you guys think? I'm hesitant to buy into this. // reddit

DEAL: Lenovo Smart Display 8 is $100 Off Today

Kellen — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 10:37:32 +0000

Super Bowl weekend usually brings out all sorts of deals and Best Buy is ready with a bunch. They've got crazy TV deals, as you can imagine, but in our realm, it's the deal on the Lenovo Smart Display 8 that caught our eye. For a limited time (maybe just today), you can grab a Lenovo Smart Display 8 for $99.99 ($100 off). Is that a good deal when the Google Home Hub is also discounted to $99.99? For sure. It has a bigger display, better speaker, front camera for video chats, and a more modern design. To know more of our thoughts, check out the review we did on the Lenovo Smart Display 10, the bigger brother to the 8.

Buy Lenovo Smart Display 8

Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+ Stop by the FCC

Kellen — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 09:46:25 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ made their way through the FCC this week as we get closer to a February 20 unveiling. I'm not sure that the news is all that exciting, since we know so much about these phones and have seen them plenty, but here they are. The Galaxy S10 will arrive in three model numbers of SM-G970U, SM-G973U, and SM-G975U. Why the third model? SM-G970U is thought to be the less expensive, possibly flat model with only a dual camera called Galaxy S10e. You can see it here. SM-973U will be the regular Galaxy S10 and the SM-G975U will be the Galaxy S10+. Here is an outline of the S10 that shows where its FCC label will sit:

Here is an LTE band chart (yes, all the big LTE bands from all carriers are here):

The FCC docs confirm Bluetooth LE, NFC, and MST (for Samsung Pay) too. They also confirm 802.11ax WiFi, which is better known as WiFi 6. That's fantastic news if you want an ever better WiFi experience (faster speeds, easier on battery life, more efficient networks, etc.). And that's mostly it. Again, we've already seen these devices, know most of the specs, and aren't expecting many surprises. This is just another step needed before we can all buy one of Samsung's new phones. // FCC [2] [3]

What is Google Doing With In-App Account Management Design?

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 17:56:30 +0000

My Google Voice app just updated and I have been blessed with the newest "Material" update. That means almost nothing in terms of functionality, of course. The thing is hella white now with a different font or something, but I've got other beef here. What the hell is Google doing with its in-app account management these days? I'm referring to the system within Google apps that lets you toggle between different accounts. For years, it has been buried within a side slidout menu that often has icons for each of your accounts, along with a dropdown menu that lets you choose one. You know this menu, it's still in the Google Play store, Google Maps, Google Play Movies, Google Express, etc. You can see it below.

Looks familiar, right? OK, so that's apparently the old stuff and some freshness is coming to replace it. The future more than likely looks like what we find in the Google News app and Google Keep. In this setup, you get an account icon in the top right corner that when tapped, gives you a bottom rising menu with access to the rest of them. You might find settings in there too. It looks slick and feels like a much more modern and efficient design for such an action . It's pretty great! However...

Below is the newly refreshed Gmail that just came this week. What the hell, man? This isn't like what I just showed you above that I assumed was the new new. Instead, it's a damn pop-up, although it's accessed with that same top-right account icon. It's kind of like the new new, yet not it. It's new-er than the new.

It gets weirder, though. Anyone been in the YouTube or YouTube Music apps, or the new Google One app, lately? They also feature account icons in the top-right, but touching them brings up no such new school menu. Instead, you get everything from pop-ups to full-screen pages that might ask you to tap another area before you can "Switch account" and activate another pop-up. We're talking 2-3 extra steps over the new account menu in Gmail or News. It's not good!

And again, I bring all of this up because Google Voice was updated with what I assumed was the new school styling with all the whiteness. But it has certainly not adopted the new account switching design. No sir, instead you'll find a weird mash-up between that old Google Play account switch and the stuff seen in newer apps. We have the slideout menu and dropdown, but now the top account area has been shrunken down to smaller icons. When you drop it down, it then looks like that menu from Google News or Gmail! What...is...this?

Am I complaining just to complain? Yes and no. Mostly it's because the lack of consistency here is something on another level I'm not sure I understand. When I open numerous Google apps in a day, I actually have to stop and think about where things are. And that's because they keep changing it! I just showed you screenshots from 8 different apps, all of which receive regular updates, yet few of them offer a similar experience for something as simple as switching between two Google accounts. If this stuff is throwing me off, I can't imagine what it might do for the not-so-techie friend or family member or co-worker. Why can't we get a familiar approach from one app to the next? And we don't need every single app to look the same with different accent colors. But if I want to switch accounts, I shouldn't have to stop and wonder where that setting might be. Oh, and yes, I get that different Google teams are building these apps. I am fully aware that Google is the worst at consistency from one group or service to the next. I don't care! This is a simple piece of their Android ecosystem and it should be better!

Google Store Valentine's Offers Keep $150 Off Pixel 3, More Google Home Discounts

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:50:26 +0000

The start of February, as it does almost every year, brought with it Valentine's Day deals and promos on your favorite tech gadgets. The Google Store is hosting one of the better line-ups of discounts on devices like the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Google Home Hub, Pixel Buds, original Google Home, Home bundles, and more. The featured list of Google Store deals is as follows:

Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: $150 off, plus up to $400 off with trade-in
Pixel Buds: 50% off with purchase of Pixel 3 or 3 XL
Pixel 2 XL: Now priced at $599
Google Home Hub: $50 off
Google Home: $40 off
Google Home Mini: $20 off
Google Home Mini 2-Pack: $48 off
Google Home Mini + Chromecast Bundle: $35 off
Chromecast Audio: $20 off

Those aren't everything, though. There are deals on Pixel 2/2XL cases, all of AIAIAI USB-C headphones, Libratone headphones, and more. To check out the deals, head over to the Google Store.

Nintendo Launching Dr. Mario World Later This Year for Android

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 13:30:20 +0000

Nintendo announced this week that it is bringing Dr. Mario to Android and iOS soon, in the form of Dr. Mario World. Not many details were shared, but from what Nintendo does say, it'll be a "Puzzle" game. For you Mario fans, you'll already know that this won't be the first time we've seen Mario in a lab coat. Dr. Mario goes all the way back to 1990 when he was first tasked with eliminating a killer virus outbreak. Bless you, Dr. Mario! The game is scheduled to launch in the early summer and will feature optional in-app purchases. // Nintendo

Verizon Moto G6, G6 Play, LG V40, Galaxy Note 8, and RED Hydrogen One Get Security Patches

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 12:00:24 +0000

Verizon is shipping out plenty of updates this week, although, none of the following are as exciting as the Galaxy S9 and S9+'s update to Pie with One UI. Regardless, we have updates for the Moto G6, Moto G6 Play, LG V40, Galaxy Note 8, and RED Hydrogen One. For both Motorola devices, the update is the January security patch. For the V40, owners will see December's patch. The Galaxy Note 8 is picking up January's patch, and last but not least, RED's Hydrogen One is getting December's patch. All updated software build numbers can be viewed below.

Moto G6 - ODSS27.104-95-2
Moto G6 Play - ODPS27.91-106-4-6
LG V40 - V405UA10d
Galaxy Note 8 - R16NW.N950USQS5CRL1
Hydrogen One - H1A1000.010ho.01.01.01r.109

Go grab those updates! // Verizon [2] [3] [4] [5]

DEAL: Samsung Galaxy Note 9, S9, and S9+ are $150 Off

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 11:16:32 +0000

Sure, we might be less than a month away from Samsung announcing the Galaxy S10 and you may be hesitating to pull the trigger on the Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9, or Galaxy S9+, but the deals are solid right now. Samsung is hosting a $150-off deal on any of those phones, as long as you buy the Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint models from the Samsung store. The only real catch here is that you'll need to buy the Note 9, S9, or S9+ on a device payment plan from those carriers. That's just the world we live in. Still, at $150 off, that's a Galaxy Note 9 for as little as $850, a Galaxy S9 for $569.99, or a Galaxy S9+ for $689.99. These aren't the lowest prices yet, but they are the best at the moment. And don't forget that Samsung's instant-discount trade-in program is available too. They'll give you up to $300 off today, depending on the phone you trade in. Shop Galaxy Note 9 | Shop Galaxy S9

Here's the Galaxy S10e, the Lower Cost Model

Tim — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 09:04:52 +0000

After seeing high-res images of the Galaxy S10 and S10+ yesterday, we're now being treated to images of the upcoming Galaxy S10e, the supposed low-cost model of the Galaxy S10. Now, when we say low cost, keep in mind that pricing is relative. It's reported that the S10e will cost around $859, which by current standards isn't exactly cheap. It seems most likely that the S10e is Samsung's answer to the iPhone XR from Apple, which sells for $799. We say that because while it would be the least expensive option, it still packs a healthy punch in terms of specifications. For specs, Galaxy S10e is reported to feature a 5.8" display, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, dual rear cameras, single front camera in Infinity-O configuration, 3,100mAh battery, and power button that doubles as the fingerprint reader. February 20 is coming up quick! // WinFuture

Huawei is Folding Sh*t Now Too

Kellen — Fri, 01 Feb 2019 08:00:21 +0000

2019 is the most definitely the year of the foldable phone. The wireless industry wants it to be 5G, but device makes have decided that the overhype there can wait while they get crafty with design. Huawei is the latest company to tease something that'll fold, thanks to a teaser posted to Twitter that has announced an MWC unveiling of some type. The image says they are "Connecting the future," and clearly shows a phone with a hinge that is folding together. There isn't much else to take from the picture, outside of the date (February 24) and the crooked Huawei logo that isn't centered in the bottom V-shape. Is that bugging anyone else or just me? Huawei will join Samsung and Xiaomi as early foldable phone makers. Samsung is thought to show a working foldable at its Galaxy S10 event on February 20, while Xiaomi has teased a working prototype. The glowing outer edge here might suggest that Huawei will use a foldable design closer to Flexpai's recent prototype rather than Xiaomi or Samsung's. Let's just hope that Huawei hinge is implemented better than this one. Excited? Do you still barely care about foldable phones? https://twitter.com/HuaweiMobile/status/1091287598142840832

Samsung Teases Foldable Phone in Futuristic Concept Video (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 15:20:23 +0000

Samsung's Vietnam YouTube channel posted a pretty cool video today that shows off a bunch of conceptual ideas, stuff that could one day be a part of lives. Some of it might be a little farfetched, but one thing is there that we know for sure is coming soon - a foldable device. In the video, which we've captured shots of above and below, a short preview of a foldable device is seen in action. The device appears to feature a mostly full-screened front that then opens up like a book to reveal a bigger screen. It's the same setup we saw from Samsung back in November, when they teased their folding device, only this looks much more finished. That November device had a smaller front screen, although it was housed within a heavy case to hide its true identity. Is this a preview of the foldable Galaxy phone from Samsung? I mean, this video is a mixture of real and not real, so yeah, this could be a preview. We have no way to know for sure, though, only a rumor that we'll see a fully functional foldable phone from Samsung in February at the Galaxy S10 reveal.

Outside of the foldable phone tease, Samsung shows off a motion tracking 3-way mirror-like display setup, an ultrasound USB-C attachment for a Galaxy Note 9, some fun AR gaming action, and a really cool tattoo app that let's a guy tattoo someone from afar with a robotic arm. Pretty cool stuff. UPDATE: Samsung pulled the video. Here are a couple of screenshots we grabbed earlier of the ultrasound machine and an almost-bezel-less phone.

UPDATE 2: We've got a reupload! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajD2WZioOOc

We've Got a First Galaxy Note 9 Pie Update in the US!

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 13:58:32 +0000

Our first Samsung Galaxy Note 9 update with Android Pie and One UI has arrived on a US carrier! The AT&T Note 9 is the lucky recipient today, before Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, and unlocked models have tasted the treat. The update appears to be live right now, so if you have plenty of battery and storage open, try to grab it. Head into Settings>System update and it should be there. We are getting multiple reports that it is there for the taking.

READ: Good job with the Pie updates, Samsung!

The update arrives as build N960USQU1CSAA and weighs in at roughly 2GB (1,850MB). What's new in Android Pie for Samsung phones? Well, One UI is a big update, probably one of the biggest Samsung skin updates in memory. You've got a modernized skin, system-wide dark mode, updated app switcher, optional gesture navigation, rounded corners throughout, and an easier-to-read interface when in apps and settings. To get a view of One UI, be sure to watch the video below. UPDATE February 4: Sprint Note 9 too! (via) The AT&T Note 9 joins the Galaxy S9 and S9+ from Verizon, Sprint (AT&T too), and Xfinity Mobile with Pie updates. AT&T Note 9 owners, you get it? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsGJegE7DIw&t=1s Cheers Corey and Justin!

Mobvoi TicWatch S2 Review: Great for the Price, Lacks NFC

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 12:46:34 +0000

Mobvoi has made a name for itself in the Wear OS space over the past couple of years, thanks to solid smartwatch releases. I never used an original TicWatch, but from what I've read about them, they seem to be very popular. Now, Mobvoi is back with the second rendition of the TicWatch E and TicWatch S, known as the TicWatch E2 and TicWatch S2. Very fitting. Mobvoi sent over a TicWatch S2 for me to use, so over the past week, I've been attempting to get back in the hang of using Wear OS as a daily timepiece. The following is a rundown of my experience. This is our TicWatch S2 review.

Specs: TicWatch S2 features a 1.39" AMOLED display (400 x 400), Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, 415mAh battery, Bluetooth 4.1, rear-facing heart rate monitor, built-in GPS, 5 ATM water resistance, 22mm width between lugs, and Wear OS. From side to side, the watch measures in at nearly 50mm and for thickness it's half an inch (12.9mm), so it's quite large. The only two things this device is missing that folks may care about is NFC for mobile payments and the latest Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor, but at this price ($179.99), you're doing okay. Hardware: TicWatch S2's body is all plastic, feeling extremely light on the wrist. For a device that's made to be attached when you're running or even swimming, the light weight design makes sense. Unfortunately, while it's light, it's also huge. When sitting next to a traditional watch I have, TicWatch S2 is easily twice as thick, which does take a bit of getting used to. The body is somewhat busy looking, reminding me a little bit of the G-Shock watches you see around town. The bezel features four minute markers, when dashes representing the rest of the hours. Outside of those markers is an etched design which is similar to carbon fiber, but again, this thing is all plastic. The watch bands are interchangeable, which I'm grateful for. The included black rubber strap is as boring as you'd expect a plain black rubber strap to be. I threw on a Barton canvas strap (22m is the watch's band size), which really helped make the overall appearance of the device more attractive. For buttons, there is only one at the 3 o'clock position that lets you access your installed applications. There is no rotating bezel or other buttons, but we wouldn't necessarily expect anything too fancy on a $179 smartwatch. Battery Life: Mobvoi advertises up to 2 days of battery life on the TicWatch S2. From what I experienced, that seems about right, but only if you're not using the device a lot. If you plan on using this device for workouts, runs, or longer events, there is no doubt you won't see that kind of juice. For me, who just sits at home and takes his dogs on the occasional walks and goes out to dinner at night, I was getting about a day and a half of battery life. I'd wake up and throw it on at about 7:45-8AM, then have to charge it the following day around noon. This is the typical Wear OS experience in my book. Wear OS: Wear OS is still a very boring platform, especially when one of the key features (NFC for mobile payments) is stripped out. Because I'm not an overly active person these days (winters suck), I don't really see a benefit of wearing a smartwatch with regard to the fitness aspect (more on this below). Wear OS is useful in reading out notifications when my phone is tucked away, but really, I'm sort of over the constantly connected aspect of smart things. I don't mind taking a break from the news and social media, so having a link to the internet on my wrist isn't what I need right now. I will say that Wear OS has improved greatly from what it was. For example, the quick swipes into Google Assistant is nice, as well as Mobvoi's quick swipe into fitness data. Inside of the Settings menu, you'll find options for gesture controls, plus the options for watch faces has gotten fantastic over the years. Fitness Software: While Wear OS bores me to tears with its lack of apps and general usefulness, the fitness software that comes on the TicWatch S2 should have buyers pumped up. Fitness is the main reason people buy this stuff after all, right? The device comes preloaded with Google Fit and Fit Workout, but Mobvoi also installed its own custom software. In the apps section of the watch, you'll see TicExcercise, TicRanking, Pool Swim, and more. All of these apps benefit greatly if you have the Mobvoi app installed on your phone, but basically, these will be your go-to apps for tracking your fitness goals when using the TicWatch S2. Thanks to built-in GPS and heart rate monitor, you can just take the watch out on a run and you'll have all of that great data on the device when you want to look it over. Pricing: TicWatch S2 is available directly from Mobvoi and Amazon. The price is set at $179 and comes in this Black color. If you're looking for something similar, but even cheaper, there's the TicWatch E2 for $159. Buy TicWatch S2

TicWatch E2: Mobvoi | Amazon
TicWatch S2: Mobvoi | Amazon

Gallery

Should you buy it?

When you think of a sub-$200 Wear OS device, the TicWatch S2 looks to be one of the best options available. It has nearly everything you might want or need, but it does lack the NFC and there's no new Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor. Really though, at $179, this is probably one of the best options available. It also wouldn't hurt to check out the Fossil Sport or TicWatch C2, though. The Fossil Sport has the latest processor, GPS, and NFC, but costs a bit more at $255. The TicWatch C2 runs $20 more, features a metal case and NFC.

READ: Which Wear OS device should you buy?

The Wear OS ecosystem seems full of compromise to me, but should you be in the market, there's no reason to overpay. Mobvoi is continuing to offer good hardware and software experiences at a completely reasonable price. I applaud that.

Here's a High-Res Image of the Galaxy S10+ (Updated: More Pics!)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 11:22:57 +0000

This is the Galaxy S10+. You've seen it plenty. You've seen its double-wide, landing strip punchout that is bad. You've seen the 16-camera module on its rear, designed by someone without taste. You know it has a Bixby button, which is...hah. But this picture below is pretty high-resolution. You should look at it. Here it is.

Well, that was fun. Maybe it will launch March 8 in stores. UPDATE: Hold up! The folks at WinFuture have even more pics, this time of both devices.

Great. // 91 Mobiles | WinFuture

Which Wear OS Watch Should You Buy?

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 10:22:36 +0000

To answer that question - "Which Wear OS watch should you buy?" - we are going to skip by the conversation over whether or not you should even consider a Wear OS watch at all. I'm assuming that if you got to the point where you want to buy one and are looking for the best Wear OS watch, you are well aware of limitations with the platform and are still ready to move forward, right? OK, let's dive in then.

READ: Best Wear OS watch faces

Start with a list of features

When buying a smartwatch, your decision should ultimately come down to what you need it to do. Do you need the fitness stuff like GPS and heartrate monitoring? Do you want to be able to make mobile payments? Do you just want it to look nice and do notifications? Do you need it all?

I tend to think you should buy a smartwatch that has everything because the last thing you want to do is fork out $200+ for one, skip on a feature, only to realize in a month you wish you had it. Maybe you don't workout much today and decide to pass on the GPS and heartrate monitor, but come to the conclusion on your birthday in a couple of months that maybe you should get in some shape. And here's the thing - most smartwatches released today, have it all. The choices you have over watches that have a full-round screen, a classy look, GPS, heartrate, NFC, and easy-swap band support are everywhere. I really don't think you should buy a watch that doesn't have the full suite of hardware onboard - you may regret it later.

Next, pick a processor

At this point in the life of Wear OS, you don't have much choice in terms of processor. Google mistakenly attached the world of Wear OS to Qualcomm and that has led to little innovation, slow performance on watches, and uninspiring battery life. It started years ago with a modified phone chip that Qualcomm put in watches, which was followed up by the now-3-year-old-still-used Snapdragon Wear 2100 that has since been semi-upgraded through the recently released Snapdragon Wear 3100. Neither the 2100 or 3100 are great chips because their performance is sorry. In fact, they are basically the same exact chip, it's just that the 3100 includes an additional low power co-processor that wants to help with battery life. As a fun little side note, I often like to point out that the two watches I consider to have the best overall performance ran chips not made by Qualcomm. The original TAG Heuer Connected (review) ran an Intel chip and was a great wear. The other is the Mobvoi Ticwatch S, which runs a MediaTek chip. It's a buttery smooth watch that is almost perfect other than the fact that it lacks NFC and mobile payments.

Wear 3100 Modes

Anyways, back to the Qualcomm topic at hand, since your choices really come down to whether or not you want a 2100 watch or a 3100 watch. Which do you go with? Again, there isn't much of a different between the two, the 3100 simply has an extra co-processor that will one day do things. It'll one day help with sport tracking and currently allows watches to run in a watch-only mode for days. So the basics are this. If you want to buy a watch that has some future potential for upgrades, a Wear 3100 watch is probably your best choice. However, if you don't care about a better sport mode or watch-only modes, then a 2100 watch is probably fine. You will get the same performance from both. Unfortunately, as of today, your choices of 3100 watches are limited, while there are numerous 2100 watches.

Price?

How much should you spend on a Wear OS watch? Wear OS is a funny platform because you can spend $160 on a just-released watch that does almost everything or you can spend $2,500 for a brand name. Spending more than $300 on Wear OS is pretty foolish, unless you've got all the cash and price isn't something you worry about. For example, if we all had $1,000 to spend on a Wear OS watch, I'd tell everyone to buy the Montblanc Summit 2 (review). It runs the 3100, has all the features you could ask for in a smartwatch, performs well, and looks absolutely amazing on wrist. But it's $1,000. You shouldn't buy it. There is a nice pocket in Wear OS that runs from $200 to $300 and you might as well stay within it. You can get everything you need for that price. If you drop below $200, you'll find that companies start to cut features, like NFC.

Which Wear OS watch should you buy?

I think there are two choices for most people to consider today: Fossil Sport (review) and Mobvoi TicWatch C2. Both watches are new and both watches have all the features. The difference here is that the Fossil Sport runs the Wear 3100 chip and the TicWatch C2 runs the Wear 2100. The Fossil Sport costs $255 because of that, while the C2 starts at $200. Both of these watches have classic, round displays, 43mm cases, NFC, heartrate monitors, GPS, water resistance, and easy-swap bands. The C2 has a nicer metal case, but the Fossil Sport actually comes in an additional 41mm option for smaller wrists. Deciding between the two comes down to whether or not you want the newer Wear 3100 and the cheaper plastic case or the older 2100 and the nicer case. I'd probably lean Fossil Sport, because it may do a bit more down the road, thanks to the 3100. You also get an extra set of color choices. Fossil has been really great about updating their watches too. You can't go wrong with the C2 either, though.

Buy Fossil Sport | Buy Mobvoi TicWatch C2

LG G8 Launch at MWC Not Exciting Enough? Would the V50 With 5G Change Your Mind?

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 09:36:31 +0000

On February 24, LG is expected to announced the G8 ThinQ smartphone. We've seen two supposed device renders for the G8 ThinQ, and if we're being honest, the hardware has left us wanting. Interestingly, a new report from ETNews states that the G8 may not be the only device LG unveils at MWC. In a major step away from the norm, it's being reported that the company will also announce the V50, complete with 5G connectivity. For those who keep track, the LG V40 was launched last fall, October to be exact. In what's likely a move to keep up with Samsung, who is also on record to release a 5G device this year, LG may push up the launch of the V50 with a 5G modem to MWC in order to not fall too behind the hype. And with a push up to MWC, it's said in the same report that the phone will be available in North America sometime in March, which aligns with the previous announcement from Sprint that said it would launch the first 5G phone with LG in early 2019.

A move like this is textbook LG.

It always seems that when Samsung is on the verge of announcing an industry first, such as a 5G device or curved smartphone display, or first QHD display, LG comes in right before them and steals a bit of their thunder. We're fine with this because competition drives innovation. However, for LG to announce the G8 with no 5G at MWC, then also announce the V50 with 5G, we're thinking it might be difficult for LG to sell the G8. It's like shooting yourself in the foot, and at a time when LG device sales appear to be struggling, that doesn't seem like a smart move. What's the rush to 5G anyway? What we know about 5G already has us worried. We know it's going to make phones cost more, early iterations of it won't really deliver the crazy speeds that industry marketers have been teasing us for years with, and again, it's causing the biggest jump in smartphone pricing we've ever seen. I'm a firm believer that 5G is one of the technologies you won't want to be an early adopter of. Regardless, MWC is only a few weeks away at this point. We'll see what LG has in store for us all. // ETNews

UltraViolet Shutters on July 31

Tim — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 08:44:12 +0000

UltraViolet, the digital locker that holds your purchased movies and TV shows, will shutter on July 31. If this is the first you're hearing of this, don't panic. According to UltraViolet, once July 31 comes, the majority of content you have stored will remain accessible via previously-linked retailers. If you haven't yet linked your account to a retailer, we recommend doing that now. As the company puts it, "Linking your UltraViolet Library to additional retailers can maximize your access to your Library and help avoid potential disruption." And that's basically it. Once July 31 comes, you'll still be able to make purchases and redeem codes, but the purchases may only be watchable via that select retailer and will not be added to your existing UltraViolet library. RIP, UltraViolet. // UltraViolet

Sprint Galaxy S9 Gets Android Pie, One UI Update Too (Updated: AT&T!)

Kellen — Thu, 31 Jan 2019 07:59:24 +0000

Following releases on Xfinity Mobile and Verizon, Sprint Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ units are now receiving the Android Pie update with Samsung's One UI. The build arrives as G960UOYN3CSAB for the Galaxy S9 and G965UOYN3CSAB for the S9+. It weighs in at around 2GB, so make sure you have plenty of space on your phone for that big of a file and plenty of battery for such a large update. To check for it, head into Settings>System update.

UPDATE: AT&T Galaxy S9 phones are receiving the update as well.

What's in One UI? Watch the video below. There is a lot to cover. Cheers @joshua_Texas!

Google+ for Consumers Shuts Down April 2

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 14:25:14 +0000

Google has published the exact date at which Google+ for consumers will cease to exist -- April 2, 2019. We already knew April was the month, but now we have an actual date, so mark the calendar! On April 2, Google will begin deleting everything associated with Google+ on the consumer side. That means Pages, photos, videos, and everything else on the site.

Photos and videos from Google+ in your Album Archive and your Google+ pages will also be deleted. If you have Google+ content that you would like to save, you must do so before April 2nd.

If you have data on Google+ that you want to download save, now is the time to get it done. // Google

Verizon 5G Home's Early Launch is as Dumb as We Thought

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 13:53:09 +0000

Verizon did its earnings call thing yesterday and admitted what we all assumed - 5G Home was created and pushed in four markets so that Verizon could say they did 5G first. That's it. During the call, which Venturebeat picked up on, Verizon said that they won't expand their 5G Home offering until the second half of 2019. Why the pause? For a couple of reasons. First, as you know, Verizon used non-standards based 5G equipment when they rolled out 5G Home, knowing that one day they would have to replace it. That was a dumb move outside of the fact that using that equipment allowed them to be first to market with a "5G" network. Verizon knew all along what they were doing, but because they needed to do it before anyone, didn't want to wait for standards based 5G equipment. So now, with their network spread throughout a 4-block radius (kidding) in four markets, they need to decide if they should spend the money and continue expanding this non-standards based stuff or start making the switch over to standards based equipment. They've decided not to expand because the standards based 5G home equipment isn't ready. Verizon considers themselves "fully deployed in the four cities [they] have decided" to launch in, which are Houston, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, and Sacramento.

RELATED: Verizon 5G Home quick facts

And why isn't the proper 5G home equipment ready? Well, this is the second reason they won't expand, and that's because the industry is focused on launching handsets and mobile 5G first. In other words, the industry sees more reason to launch mobile 5G and mobile handsets (like the Galaxy S10) than stuck-at-home-internet. That should surprise no one. Of course that's what the wireless industry was going to care the most about. If you were waiting around for Verizon to expand 5G Home to a neighborhood near you, you can stop waiting. It's going to be a while.

Sonos Now Supports YouTube Music

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 11:57:25 +0000

The official YouTube blog announced today that its YouTube Music service is now available via Sonos. Should you hold a subscription to the service, you can now access all of YouTube Music's content, such as Recommended playlists, Charts, and your Library of tunes, all from a connected Sonos speaker. This integration is now live, so have at it. This reminds us, though, that YouTube Music still isn't the replacement to Google Play Music that we were promised. What's going on over there, Google? // YouTube

Verizon Galaxy S9, S9+ Now Getting Android Pie and One UI Update! (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:27:56 +0000

Shortly after the Android Pie and One UI update arrived on the Xfinity Mobile Galaxy S9 and S9+ yesterday, I said that I wouldn't be surprised if the Verizon units then received it in a matter of days. Today, the update has officially arrived. We have at least one confirmed update from a reader of ours who grabbed build G960USQU3CSAB for his Galaxy S9 (G965USQU3CSAB for S9+), which is the exact same build that those Xfinity units picked up. So if you own a Verizon Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+, head into Settings>System update to check. It is actively rolling out this very minute.

What should you expect in Android Pie for the Galaxy S9? A lot! You'll get a revamped UI throughout with a cleaner appearance with easier-to-read info as you jump around settings and apps. The app switcher menu has changed, as have so many other items. To see the best overview, you'll want to dive into the video below. UPDATE: Verizon has posted changelogs for each phone's update. Not only are you getting Android Pie and One UI, you are getting the January Android security patch. Let us know what you think! Cheers @nerdyxj97!

Do You Need 1TB Storage in Your Next Phone? Maybe.

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 10:18:07 +0000

Is 1TB storage in your smartphone overkill? That's going to be the discussion we have over the next few weeks as Samsung prepares to announce the Galaxy S10, which should arrive with a model that has that much storage. Here's the thing - it might be worth it for some of you. There are a few reasons to consider forking out that extra cash for the most storage we've seen to date in a phone. For one, you guys aren't upgrading as often. Two, we're taking more photos and video than ever. And three, internal storage is so much faster than a microSD card. Breaking those down, if we look at upgrade rates, things are slowing these days. In a casual poll we ran just last month, the majority of you (72%) said that you upgrade every 2 years or longer. That's a complete flip from the year prior, where only 33% of you said that you hang on to phones for 2+ years. And it's not just our numbers that suggest a slowing of upgrades. In July of last year, a report stated that from 2016 to 2017, the average upgrade cycle for smartphones jumped from 25 months to 32 months. And that sort of leads us into point two, which has to do with the amount of photos and videos you take with your phone. As the camera quality of devices has reached incredible levels, we use them more. According to a report from 2017, the industry was expected to see a jump of 100 billion more photos per year taken. I can't even imagine how much that has increased since. So as we take more photos and keep phones for longer, the quality and resolutions have gone up in many cases. That requires more storage. At 1TB of storage, Samsung says that you could store 260 10-minute 4K videos. That should also mean enough room for thousands and thousands and thousands of high-resolution photos. Of course, Google Photos gives you unlimited storage (for the most part), but unless you have a Google Pixel phone, the quality on those photos that are uploaded is reduced. If you want full resolution photos for use later on in life, those are going to live on your phone and having 1TB of storage isn't a bad thing there. Should you take into account the file sizes of 4K video, especially as companies introduce HDR, more storage becomes even more important. Finally, because you'll be storing all of that for years to come, you'll want to do it in the fastest way possible. Having internal UFS 2.1 storage, like Samsung has been putting in its phones, you get the best experience. The new 1TB card they just announced has read speeds of 1000MB/s and write speeds of 260MB/s. The fastest microSD cards top out at around 275MB/s read and 100MB/s write speeds. So as you move files around, run apps and games, and generally use your phone, that internal storage is what you should prefer. Pricing for a phone with 1TB is not going to be wallet-friendly, we can assume that. But if you plan to buy a phone this year, look back at how often you upgrade. Phones are better than ever. Phones last longer than ever. As you hang on to this next phone purchase, it may be worth spending just a bit more.

Galaxy Buds Reported to Launch Alongside Galaxy S10

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 09:59:36 +0000

According to a stop at the FCC, as well as a Bluetooth SIG filing, it's looking pretty solid that Samsung will soon launch the Galaxy Buds. If you've heard of Samsung's Gear IconX wireless earbuds, possibly one of the worst names for a product ever, think those, but Galaxy-branded. Little is known about the Galaxy Buds, but thanks to a Bluetooth SIG filing, it's believed they will house Bluetooth 5.0. And thanks to the FCC, we know they will be housed by a charging case when not in use. In lieu of additional details, allow me to take a guess about what we can expect. Samsung still seems to love Bixby, so I could see the company's digital assistant being onboard, similar to what Google has with Assistant in select audio products. That would at least make them a bit more interesting than just another pair of wireless earbuds, something the market has been incredibly flooded with over the past year. Samsung is hosting its Galaxy S10 launch event on February 20. Will we see Galaxy Buds announced there, too? We think that's a safe bet. // The Verge | FCC | Bluetooth

Meizu's Holeless Phone of the Future Hits Indiegogo for $1299

Tim — Wed, 30 Jan 2019 08:47:16 +0000

Thanks to wireless charging tech, Bluetooth, eSIM tech and high speed wireless data transmission, Meizu is confident that you don't need/want any holes in your smartphone. Because of this, the company has put a holeless smartphone, known as zero, up on Indiegogo for pre-order, priced at $1,299. This announcement took us a bit by surprise, only because Meizu teased this phone only a few days ago. The details of the phone have already been laid out mostly, such as a few specs and how life without holes and ports will work. Here's how Kellen put it in our initial coverage.

The phone wirelessly charges when battery is low, transfers files over wireless USB 3.0, features an eSIM for connectivity, plays sounds through its display, hopes you have wireless headphones, and gives you volume controls through touch points on the side of the phone. Oh, and it’s fingerprint reader is an in-display reader.

Sounds fancy enough, right? For specifications listed, the ceramic unibody zero features a Snapdragon 845 processor, 5.99" AMOLED display, and 18w Super mCharge Wireless. That's all we now so far. If you're interested in welcoming our holeless overlord with open arms, you can pre-order zero right now on Indiegogo for $1,299. It appears that there are only 100 units available, each of which comes with Meizu's special fast wireless charger/data transfer station. Shipping is expected in April, 2019. Indiegogo Link

There's Going to be so Much Storage in the Galaxy S10

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 23:57:55 +0000

Don't' be shocked if the Samsung Galaxy S10 comes in a model with 1TB of internal storage. The company announced a new embedded UFS 2.1 storage chip tonight that does indeed go up to 1TB for the next wave of smartphones. The new chip arrives only four years after Samsung brought a 128GB UFS chip and three years after a 256GB chip, which were certainly exciting at the time. But man, 1TB? The Galaxy Note 9 had a 512GB option with an SD card slot that could double it to 1TB. We're now talking about straight 1TB internal storage, though. With 1TB of storage, you could store 260 10-minute videos in 4K. How wild is that?

RELATED: Do you need 1TB storage? Maybe.

Worried about the size of 1TB of internal storage? Don't be. Samsung says that it's the same size as last year's 512GB chip and shouldn't have any impact on phone design, which we already know looks pretty good. Not only that, it'll produce 1,000MB/s read speeds too, as well as 260MB/s write speeds. Those are all speed bumps over that 512GB UFS from the Note 9. At those new speeds, you could move a 5GB of HD video in 5 seconds. We don't know what kinds of price adjustments will arrive thanks to this new 1TB UFS storage, but I can't imagine it'll be cheap. Then again, the Galaxy S10 isn't expected to save you any money anyway. // Samsung

DEALS: Save Big on Many Anker Products With These Coupon Codes

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 13:57:05 +0000

Anker is hosting a big sale over on Amazon, letting folks save pretty big on a whole assortment of different products. For us mobile-focused people, there are a few good pickups. There's the Fast Wireless Charger for $24, Soundcore wireless earbuds for $48, USB-C Hubs starting at $20, as well as Anker's PowerPort Cube for $20. Follow the links below and mind the codes to get the savings. If you see a coupon + code for some items, ensure you apply the coupon on Amazon's website, add the item to your cart, then enter the additional code for max savings. Amazon Links

Soundcore Wireless Earbuds ($48 w/ coupon)
2-Port 12W Wall Charger ($12.79 w/ code ANKERW26)
Fast Wireless Charger Stand ($24 w/ code ANKER521)
4-in-1 USB-C Hub ($20 w/ coupon and code AKCUB23)
5-in-1 USB-C Hub ($22.39 w/ coupon and code AKCHUB44)
Roav Dashcam A1 ($56 w/ code ROAVC6AP)
PowerPort Cube ($20.79 w/ code ANKERP27)

Hey, Samsung, Better Job With Pie Updates so Far!

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 12:33:50 +0000

It's probably way too early for this, but Samsung is off to a ~~decent~~ better start with Android Pie updates. Before you freak and tell me that Pie was released back in August and they are still super late and should be screamed at, let's talk about what Samsung has done so far that I like or that they at least deserve semi-props for. This morning, Samsung began pushing a stable Android Pie update to the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ in the US. So far, only the Xfinity Mobile versions are getting that update, but still, it's a first update. They told us they were starting in January and have essentially hit that, even if it is for six S9 owners on Xfinity Mobile.

UPDATE: Yep, Verizon's Galaxy S9 phones now getting Pie!

The major carrier models, like Verizon and T-Mobile's, do not yet have the update. The unlocked model, which has been a part of multiple Android Pie beta updates, did not see the update today either. We also don't have stable Pie builds for the Galaxy Note 9 or any of last year's Samsung phones, like the S8 and Note 8. Still! This is better than last year. At the end of 2017, Samsung started Android Oreo beta programs for the Galaxy S8 and S8+. They didn't deliver stable Oreo updates to an S8 or S8+ in the US until March of 2018. Most of the major carrier models all received it that month, while the US unlocked units were a week or two later. So for the S9 and S9+, we're two months ahead of that schedule. And look, if the Xfinity versions are ready, Verizon's shouldn't be much longer since Xfinity operates on Verizon's network. Don't be surprised if Verizon pushes updates within days. But here is something else to remember - this isn't just the Android Pie update. Last year, Samsung might have updated its Samsung Experience skin some with Oreo, but this year they are delivering an entirely updated UI in One UI. So not only are we getting Pie, we are getting a major skin overhaul from Samsung. It's like a double-duty update that is two months earlier. That's somewhat impressive! Do we thank Google's Project Treble for helping? Probably some, yeah. After all, Qualcomm announced last year that its Snapdragon 845 platform was ready for Android Pie because of Treble and could help companies push the big update quicker than ever. The S9 and Note 9 run the Snapdragon 845, in case you forgot. Or maybe Samsung decided to care after years of not caring about updates? That's the likely scenario. Pie probably isn't that exciting to them, but One UI certainly is. And it's exciting enough of a UI change that Samsung didn't wait to show it off on the Galaxy S10 as a part of the sales pitch. Instead, they are giving it to S9 and Note 9 owners before the S10 ever gets here. We still may be early in this little bit of praise. Samsung could fail to release Pie to carrier and unlocked US models for weeks and piss us all off again. But as of today, with our first US carrier models getting the update, we're ahead of last year's schedule.

Ooooh, Gmail is Gettin' That Super White Update

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 10:22:25 +0000

Gmail is getting an update "in the coming weeks" that will bring it in line with other Google app updates from the previous year. That's the long way of saying that it's going to get a hell of a lot whiter. The big "Material" update for Gmail is here.

READ: Google's Inbox is still going away and it's depressing me

In an announcement this morning, Google showed off a bit of the new design, also noting that in the new look, you'll be able to quickly view attachments without opening or scrolling through a conversation. You'll be able to easily switch between accounts now too, similarly to how you do it in the newest version of Keep. That's cool. Of course, Google has already admitted that white apps are terrible for battery life, so don't get too excited. Well, maybe this will mean a dark mode for Gmail? Eh? Maybe? That's all we know so far, as the update has not hit our devices yet. Again, they said it'll roll out in the "coming weeks." Staged rollout hell is as hellish as ever, folks. Google Play Link // Gmail

Fortnite Mobile Now Supports Bluetooth Controllers, 60Hz Gameplay on Select Devices

Tim — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 08:50:11 +0000

Epic Games posted v7.30 patch notes for Fortnite this week, announcing Bluetooth controller support for those playing Fortnite Mobile. While Epic states that "most" Bluetooth controllers are supported, they did drop a few specific names.

READ: Everyone gets to play Fortnite on Android now

Named Bluetooth Controllers Supported

Steelseries Stratus XL
Gamevice
XBox1
Razer Raiju
Moto Gamepad

In addition to that, Epic Games also announced 60Hz support on select devices. For now, it's only on three devices, but should be coming to more down the road. 60Hz Supported Devices

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (USA variant)
Huawei Honor View 20
Huawei Mate 20 X

// Epic Games

Samsung Galaxy S9 Gets Android Pie, One UI Update on First US Carrier

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jan 2019 07:59:03 +0000

After a couple of months of beta builds, the stable Android Pie build with One UI for the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ is ready. Well, it's ready for the S9 and S9+ on Xfinity Mobile. I know that is probably somewhat disappointing to those on major carriers, like Verizon or T-Mobile, but that's the situation here. And again, we had the first beta builds in November followed by numerous updates thereafter. Samsung also told us that January would be the month that they widely rolled out stable One UI to the two S9 phones. Here we are! The build arrives as G965USQU3CSAB, weighs in at almost 2GB (1998.8MB), and includes the January security patch. It's a big update. Why nothing on the unlocked models? Tough to say, but this same thing happened last year with the Galaxy S8. Samsung opened up a beta program for unlocked, Sprint, and T-Mobile units, only to then issue the Oreo update to the Verizon version first (in the US), which wasn't a part of the beta.

READ: Hey, Samsung, Better Job With Pie Updates so Far!

Samsung appears to be pushing harder with Pie this year, possibly because they want One UI in the hands of owners before the Galaxy S10 drops in a few weeks. January is good timing, though. To grab the update on your Xfinity Mobile Galaxy S9, head into Settings>System update. Cheers Joshua!

US DOJ Charges Huawei With Fraud, Obstruction, and Stealing Tech From T-Mobile

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 15:24:46 +0000

There has been an ongoing battle between China's Huawei and the US Department of Justice ever since the US DOJ, in partnership with Canadian authorities, took the company's CFO into custody on suspicion of violating US sanctions against Iran. Today, thanks to the unsealing of two indictments, we're learning that the US DOJ has officially charged Huawei with a series of federal crimes. In one of the two indictments, the Justice Department prosecutors accuse Huawei employees, including CFO Meng Wanzhou, of fraud. Additionally, and seemingly unconnected with regard to the sanctions violation, the Justice Department also accused Huawei of stealing intellectual property from T-Mobile. According to prosecutors, Huawei may not have only violated confidentiality agreements, but may have also stolen a physical piece of a robot used for testing smartphones.

As of right now, the US DOJ is continuing its effort to extradite Meng Wanzhou to the US, with US officials giving Canada until January 30 to hand her over.

// TechCrunch

You Should Never Pay Full Price for a Google Home

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:59:26 +0000

In almost every industry - tech maybe more heavily - unless you need the newest of the new the minute it drops, it's typically a good idea to be somewhat patient and wait for a discount. However, when it comes to Google Home products (Home, Mini, and Hub), you should never pay full price. Why? Because they are always discounted. Google Home Max is probably the exception here, as it rarely sees price drops, but the regular Google Home, Google Home Mini, and Google Home Hub are always on sale. I know that you can figure out the best prices for things on your own, I just want you to stop and wait a minute the next time you decide to buy a new Google Home. There is a good chance it'll be on-the-cheap. Take for example Google Home Hub. It was introduced in October, alongside the Pixel 3, then went immediately up for pre-order at Home Depot for $99 ($50 off). That was probably a mistake, but that same $99 price showed up at Black Friday, on Cyber Monday, for most of December, and again on January 9. It's still available for $99 at most retailers and it's almost February. To recap, the Google Home Hub, which is Google's newest Home device, has been $50 off every single month since it was released. Of course, Home Mini is typically on sale too, as is the older Home. It's pretty obvious that Google has decided to price most of its Home products as aggressively as possible to get them in as many households as possible in this never-ending battle with Amazon and Alexa. That's great news for you and I.

Droid Life Q&A Sessions: Volume 54

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 13:43:50 +0000

It's been a few months since our last Q&A Session, and since then, we've seen a few major developments in the smartphone/Android space. For one, display notches are out and hole punch cutouts are in. We're also seeing 5G and folding device hype grow, as well as reports concerning Android Q pop up all over the web. If you're an Android fan or care about smartphone hardware design, 2019 is shaping up to be a very important year for the platform as a whole. If you're unfamiliar, the Q&A Sessions is your chance to ask us, the DL staff, whatever might be on your mind concerning Android. Are you on the fence about getting a 5G phone? Seriously debating the notion of dropping $1,500+ for a folding device? Or maybe you're curious about our take on notches vs. hole punches? We can discuss anything with you, even if it's not tech/Android-related. We're here to help and have fun. Shoot any questions you have down below in the comments, then this upcoming Friday, we'll round them up and post our answers.

DEAL: Get a Pair of AUKEY's New Key Series Wireless Earbuds for $45 ($15 Off)

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 12:05:26 +0000

AUKEY has a new line of audio products known as the Key Series, and basically, it's AUKEY attempting to throw all of the latest earbud tech into a very affordable package. For a limited time, you can get the B60 Magnetic Switch wireless earbuds in Grey for only $45, which is $15 off of the usual price. Sorry, it appears the other colors aren't on sale. The earbuds feature a magnetic On/Off switch, IPX6 water resistance, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, a USB-C port for charging, and 8 hours of playback time. The earbuds also come with a carrying pouch to keep them safe when not in use. I was going through the reviews for these earbuds and it's overwhelmingly positive. The highlights appear to be sound quality, water resistance, and the battery life, none of which are bad to hear about when looking for new wireless earbuds. Follow the link below to take advantage. Amazon Link (Code: AUKEYKS6)

Need a Wear OS Watch Face Recommendation? Here are 5 Favorites

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 11:02:08 +0000

As much as I rag on Wear OS for being a sad platform that has failed to evolve, mostly because Google mistakenly attached itself to Qualcomm as the main chipset provider, I do now wear a Wear OS watch every single day. I'm actually quite a fan of Wear OS, if you can believe that, and switch between a Fossil Sport (review) or Montblanc Summit 2 (review) between battery charges. I think most of my appreciation for Wear OS stems from my love for mechanical watches. A great timepiece really can be the ultimate fashion accessory and that can be the case with a nerdy smartwatch too. Which brings me to today's topic on how best to dress up your Wear OS watches. Yep, we're talking best watch faces for Wear OS. Below, I've got 5 of my favorite Wear OS watch faces that I regularly rotate through. Now, these are single watch face downloads, not the watchmaker apps or stores that offer multiple options. While I'm a fan of some of those (like Pujie Black), sometimes you just want all of the work to be done for you out of the box, in a single download, and that's what I'm showing off here.

A/D Watchface

Google Play Link (Free) The A/D Watchface probably gets the most run on my watches at this time. It's super clean and minimal, offers just the right amount of adjustable settings, and will help your Wear OS watch look more like a traditional watch than most. As you can see in the shot above, you can customize a couple of complications, change hand colors, choose from different fonts, tweak ambient settings, choose smooth or ticking second hand, and more. This is a must have watch face. A/D is free with an in-app purchase to unlock all features.

70s Watchface

Google Play Link (Free) 70s Watchface is probably my all-time favorite for its simplicity and cool retro vibe. It goes great on almost any round Wear OS watch and most bands outside of your classic black rubber. It has few options outside of four different color profiles. That's all you can change, but it looks so nice that I don't care. Over the years, 70s has spent more time on watches than any other I've downloaded.

Dieterist Watchface

Google Play Link (Free) Like 70s, Dieterist offers little customization. In fact, the only options you have to pick through are three different set of hands. You can't change the color, choose complications, adjust the ambient mode, or anything else. So, to appreciate this face, you'll have to love a minimal appearance and the color yellow.

Odyssey Watch Face

Google Play Link ($0.99) If I'm feeling a little more complex, I'll choose one of the watch faces from Zuhanden, like Odyssey. All of this developer's faces are solid, but this one has a bunch of settings to play with like accent color, brightness in both ambient and interactive modes, etc. Unlike the other watch faces I just ran through, this very much finds a nice balance between traditional timepiece style and smartwatch tech. It does cost $0.99, but it's 100% worth it.

Radii Watch Face

Google Play Link (Free) Finally, if you want to ditch the minimal timepiece styling I keep showing and go a little deeper into the techy side, Radii is a solid choice. It's minimal, yet isn't confusing to look at. You can quickly pick out the time, date, and your battery level without having to think about, unlike so many watch faces. It does offer just the right amount of settings too. You can choose between colors for foreground, background, and accent, plus there is an option to "always stay colored," which is like a amplified ambient color mode.

If you don't like the 5 watch faces I showed above, your next stop in Wear OS watch face land should be through the links below. The three major watchmaker stores are Pujie Black, Facer, and WatchMaker, all of which will give you a ton of choices with infinite customizations.

Watch Face Stores

Pujie Black ($1.99)
Facer (Free)
WatchMaker (Free, $7.99)

Need a Watch Band?

Need a watch band recommendation, like the two I'm showing here? I'm a big fan of Barton's canvas (buy) and silicon (buy) straps. They are inexpensive, come in a bunch of different colors and widths, and are great quality.

What Should Android "Q" be Called?

Tim — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 10:28:13 +0000

Android Q talk has really been heating up as of late, but that has us thinking -- What on Earth will Google call Android Q? For almost every other letter in the English alphabet, there's a solid list of delicious treats that fit under Google's naming methodology for Android, but Q is one of the letters that does not.

READ: Android Q might let you rollback app updates

To freshen your memory, the first public build of Android was called Cupcake, followed by Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread, Honeycomb, Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean, KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo, and now Pie. We could typically head over to Wikipedia and see a long list of desserts and treats by name, but under Q, there's hardly anything that resonates on a global scale as a dessert.

What are the options?

When looking through the options, there aren't a lot if Google sticks with Q. There is Quench gum, Queijadinha (Brazilian baked sweet), Qurabiya (shortbread-type biscuit), Queen of Puddings, Quindim (another Brazilian baked dessert), and Quesito (cheese filled pastry). I have a hard time believing Google would choose any of these to represent the world's most popular mobile OS, but that's just my opinion.

Quindim, one of Google's Android Q options.

Skip Q entirely?

If it were up to me, I'd skip Q altogether. Having a lackluster name isn't worth the stress and if you simply skip Q, then you're opened up to a world full of delicious R-named treats. You could name it Red Velvet Cake, Rocky Road, Rainbow Sherbet, or even Rice Pudding. And please note, I refuse to include Rhubarb Pie in this list. Sorry, rhubarb pie lovers. If Google goes down the branded route again, such as they with Oreo and KitKat, we could have Ring Pop, Red Hots, and Red Vines. Who wouldn't want an Android Ring Pop, am I right?

What's your take on this seriously important matter? Does Google tough it out for a year and go with one of the Q options? If so, which one? Does Google skip Q entirely and go straight to Android R?

Google Keeps Reminding Me That Inbox is Dying Soon and It's Depressing

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 09:24:03 +0000

Google Inbox, the best email app ever made that will leave the world to the red-accented, ill-equipped hell that is Gmail once it dies in March, keeps reminding me that my life is going to be less efficient here in a few more weeks. No coat of "Material" paint will make Gmail a quality replacement for Inbox, Google.

RELATED: Gmail is getting its big white paint update

A few weeks back, Google started posting notices in Inbox on desktop, letting folks know that Inbox would be "going away." Within the past week or so, they ramped things up by posting the same notice to the Inbox app. I dismissed mine as quickly as I could, as to not let 2019 depress me so early on, but now readers are sending us their screenshots. This is a hell I cannot escape.

For those not up to speed here, just know that Google is killing its Inbox email app. It's a fantastic app. It's the best email app. It's better than Gmail. Google wants us to leave Inbox for Gmail, though, so they keep saying that Gmail is getting fun Inbox features. Unfortunately, as of today, weeks before Inbox dies and we are forced onto Gmail, Google's main email service is still missing a number of Inbox's best features. I've got a list of them here that I wrote up in September. As far as I can tell, Google still hasn't added any of them to Gmail. Anyways, if you use Inbox, Google is going to tell you that you can't for much longer. It's depressing. Please stop sending me screenshots because I want my day to be happy. Cheers @duval_teal and enigmaco!

Android Q Might Help You Rollback From Bad App Updates

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jan 2019 08:13:50 +0000

Bad updates are a very real thing. One minute your phone is working perfectly and the next minute you are no longer receiving Google Assistant reminder notifications, all because of an update to an app you regularly use. Android Q might help you go back to the way things were. According to a leaked build of Android Q that the folks at XDA have been poking around in, there could be an option in the new version of Android to downgrade or "rollback" apps. In other words, if you install an app update that breaks functionality, drains your battery life, or cause you to want to smash your phone, you may be able to downgrade from that update to the previous version.

RELATED: What should Android Q be called?

Now, they weren't able to perform a downgrade and that could be because Google hasn't allow apps to actually do such a thing yet. They did find a bunch of related strings in Android Q code that references managing rollbacks and a rollback agent. We aren't really sure what else those could be talking about, other than you having the power to back up a build on an app. Again, this is potentially huge news even if I'm not selling it well on this Monday morning where my first cup of coffee is already too damn cold to drink. But think about how often we've written up articles suggesting that an app update is bad or that you should avoid one for the time being. Or how many times have we said that an update broke something and that a developer is working on a fix? This move could allow you to get off the broken version and rollback to a working version while the developer fixes things, rather than have to tough it out. // XDA

Verizon Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL Still $300 Off at Best Buy

Kellen — Sat, 26 Jan 2019 07:40:27 +0000

The $300-off Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL deal that Best Buy kicked off a couple of weeks back is still going this weekend. This is one of the best chances you have had to get into Google's vision for Android for as little as $20 per month. Now, Best Buy only sells the Verizon versions of the Pixel 3 (review), which means you have to buy the phone with Verizon service and sign-up for a device payment plan in order to get the $300 off. That may not work for some of you, but once you pay the phone off, it will work on any other carrier. Best Buy has all colors (white, black, and "Not Pink") and storage options (64GB or 128GB) for both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. For a monthly price breakdown, this is what you are looking at:

Pixel 3 64GB: $20.83/mo
Pixel 3 128GB: $24.99/mo
Pixel 3 XL 64GB: $24.99/mo
Pixel 3 XL 128GB: $29.16/mo

Shop Pixel 3 at Best Buy

Android Q Code Points to Native Facial Unlock Feature From Google

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:39:43 +0000

Remember Face Unlock from Ice Cream Sandwich? There's a screenshot of it above, along with my dog Thor. It was okay as an unlocking method, but not ideal. These days, Google includes Trusted Face on phones, which is part of the Google Play Services package. Additionally, some OEMs, like Samsung and OnePlus, include their own facial unlocking software on devices. According to XDA, Google is working on a completely new facial unlocking feature for release in Android Q. As XDA details, this new facial unlocking feature will not only be able to unlock your device, but even authorize the purchasing of goods. That means if holding your fingerprint to the phone or typing in your password is too much work, your gorgeous face can do the work for you. Also, it's expected that to take advantage of this new feature, the phone running it will need to have dedicated facial recognition hardware, not just front-facing camera(s). Think iPhone with its IR illuminator and dot projector setup that is much more accurate in positively ID'ing a face. For a full breakdown of the code, follow the XDA link below. Will we likely hear much more about this at Google I/O in May? You best believe it. // XDA

Louis Vuitton Shares More Details on Its Upgraded Tambour Horizon Wear OS Watch (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 14:20:10 +0000

After a short tease at the end of 2018, Louis Vuitton has shared full details for its upgraded Wear OS watch, the Tambour Horizon. The new model will be available in polished steel, matte black PVD, white ceramic, white ceramic with gem-set horns, and matte brown PVD. The case is unisex at 42.9mm, so choosing is as simple as deciding which finish and color you like best. Within the software, LV has included special watch faces and apps to count steps as you cruise the globe, inform you of the air quality, and keep up with your travel plans. There are additional "special" watch faces that are new too that are exclusives, designed with the Louis Vuitton Studios. For specs, the new Tambour Horizon has almost everything you could ask for in a Wear OS watch at the moment. You have a 1.2" full round AMOLED display (390x390, 327ppi), 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, NFC for Google Pay, Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset, 30 meter water resistance, 300mAh battery, rotating crown, and nicely sized 42.9mm case. There isn't a heartrate monitor, though, plus Louis Vuitton uses some sort of patented strap system, so you may not be able to slap on any old watch strap should you decide to buy one. We're still waiting for confirmation on pricing and a launch date. UPDATE: For pricing, the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Horizon starts at $2,250 and tops out at $8,500. You can shop the new collection here.

// Louis Vuitton

Honor View20 Quick Review

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 10:43:12 +0000

Honor's View20 smartphone is currently the only globally available device with a hole punch in its display, so over the past week, I've been using it to get ready for the upcoming Galaxy S10 that is also expected to feature one, albeit on the opposite side of the display. It may seem rude to only use this device as a warmup for what's to come, but considering Honor has yet to announce US availability,yet has launched the phone for almost all other markets, it seems entirely possible it may never be sold here. Because of the aforementioned US availability issue, we won't dive as deep as we usually would in this review, but instead, give you the overall gist of my experience with the View20 and its hole punch display design. Should the phone come to the US market, I'll be sure to leave you with a yay or nay vibe in case it's on your radar. This is our Honor View20 review.

What's good and what's bad?

Specs: The Honor View20 features a large 6.4" FHD+ display (2310 x 1080) with punch hole cutout in the top left corner for the front-facing camera, Kirin 980 chipset, up to 8GB RAM, up to 256GB internal storage, 48MP rear-facing dual camera system, 25MP front-facing camera, 4,000mAh battery, rear-facing fingerprint reader, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, an internal liquid cooling system to dissipate heat, triple antenna WiFi system, and Magic UI 2.0.1 running atop Android 9 Pie. This spec sheet is solid for any phone, let alone a phone priced at only 569€ in Europe. It's directly comparable to the OnePlus 6T, and from my experience, they're very similar devices. The software is the biggest difference, of course, but if you were attempting to decide which one to get, that might be difficult to do. Honor has a really attractive package in this phone and I think they priced the View20 just right. Display: While a FHD+ display isn't anything to write home about, the headlines for this device always surround the hole punch cutout for the front camera. What is it like in the day-to-day operation of a phone? It's fine, certainly better than the massive notch on the Pixel 3 XL. In terms of getting in the way, it's somewhere between the teardrop notch on the OnePlus 6T/Essential Phone and a bigger notch. For the most part, not much is ever happening in the top corners of your phone besides system icons and notifications. When playing movie titles from Google Play Movies, the content never expands over the cutout, so it's not blocking any viewing area. On YouTube videos, you can expand the content to completely fill the screen, which will then have the cutout blocking a small portion of the screen. However, most of whatever it is you're watching likely won't have much action in the bottom corner, so in my experience, having the cutout was never an issue in terms of something's watchability. For me it comes down to this: Would I rather have an all-display experience or hefty bezels? This phone seems like a happy middle ground, with the very large screen-to-body ratio, but still enough bezel to operate the phone however I need to. I can hold it comfortably with one hand and send out a text or lay in bed and watch a video without fear of covering the screen up due to a lack of bezel. I don't mind the cutout at all, with exception to how it affects notifications. This point will be different on the Galaxy S10 because its cutout is apparently on the right side, but the View20's cutout does force everything to be pushed to the right. That means more icons creeping towards the center of the screen, which kinda drives my minor OCD crazy. My entire beef, albeit a small beef, could be squashed if companies put the cutout in the middle of the notification bar. With that placement, we'd at least have a bit of symmetry and no need for cramped notification bars and oddly placed system icons. Because we're not seeing that placement, I assume there's some type of technical/mechanical limitation. Notches are always in the middle, so why are hole punch cutouts being treated differently? I have no idea, but I do know it would look better and at least symmetrical. At the end of the day, I can happily report that the cutout has yet to affect how I use a phone, which I suppose is the most important point of all. I'm #TeamHolePunch, folks. Hardware: The backside of the View20, both the Red and Blue versions, are total stunners. From what Honor says, it's called an Aurora Nanotexture design, but regardless of what it's called, the reflections you get off of these phones is pretty awesome. Beyond the backside, it's a pretty unassuming phone design. On the back you'll see the cameras and fingerprint reader, on the right side there are buttons for volume and power, the bottom has a USB-C port and speaker, and then the top has the headphone jack. It's not a very heavy device, listed at 180 grams. For perspective, the OnePlus 6T is 185 grams, so it's very similar to that phone in the weight category. Software and Performance: This Magic UI 2.0.1 on top of Android Pie is just okay. It's not great, but it's not the worst ever. For one, customization options are very lacking, Even with a dedicated Themes option on the phone, you can't actually customize all that much. You can change up the icons ever so slightly, but there is no Dark Mode or system wide themes like those on the OnePlus or Samsung phones.

One portion of the software I'm happy to see, dating back to my time with the Honor 8, are the knuckle gestures. I love this. Instead of a tap with your finger, you can knock on the screen with your knuckle, then draw a letter to open an associated app. For example, draw an M for music, C for Camera, or W for web browser. It's a nice little addition that gets you into apps quickly from wherever you are.

As for performance, Honor sent us the 8GB/256GB model, and performance has not been an issue in any capacity. Apps open up snappily and quickly switching over to something else proves to be just as quick. The phones overall responsiveness is a welcomed change over the sometimes dragging experience I have on the Pixel 3 XL. No knock on that phone, but it does tend to stutter here and there. On this phone, I have none of that. Now, am I saying that all phones should have a minimum of 8GB RAM? No, but I don't mind it one bit. Camera: It's hard not to get excited about the idea of a 48-megapixel rear facing camera. That's a lot of pixels, and inside of the camera app's settings, it shows you can achieve a resolution of 8000 x 6000. Big files. On the back, you'll notice there are two cameras, but not a lot of attention is brought to that second sensor. I've used the phone for a week and haven't seen any usage from it and I actually had to open up this phone's reviewer guide to see what I can do with it. Apparently, it's for 3D stuff, so I'll just leave it there and probably not ever use it. Sorry, Honor.

As for image quality and taking photos with the device, it's a solid shooter. There's an available Night Mode, not quite as good as Google's Night Sight, but still completely usable. In some instances, when there is a lot of sunlight, some photos can be a little blown out, but when the lighting is just right, there is a lot of detail retained in the images. Offering even more detail is the phone's AI Photography feature. With this, the phone takes multiple shots, then stitches the images together to create a very clear, sharp photo. This will help when taking landscape shots and retaining a high level of detail when zooming in. If I had one negative thing to point out, it's that the software is rather aggressive when edge blurring. I think you'll see what I mean in a few images below. I'll share some samples below, but overall, I've been enjoying this phone's camera setup quite a bit.

Battery Life: So far, the View20 has some of the best battery I've ever seen. I don't usually get two full days of battery life from phones, but with this one, I have been with no problem. I've consistently gone from 7:30AM to the following night three times in a row now, and with all of the Twitter browsing, camera sample snapping, and Words With Friends tile laying I do, I'm loving it. I can never do this on the Pixel 3 XL, so in the battery department, I'm stoked.

External Speaker: The single bottom-firing speaker on this phone is not loud and doesn't sound great. I've officially been spoiled by the many phones with dual stereo speakers now, so going back to a phone with a single external speaker has been a little rough. It's forced me to remaster the fine art of cupping your hand to create a resonating effect for the phone, which honestly, kinda sucks. But hey, at least it has a headphone jack! Availability and Price: Honor has announced that the phone is now available in many markets across Europe and Asia, but there is still no word on US availability. The price is set at 569€ for those markets, so if it does come to the US, expect something similar. Speaking candidly, we haven't heard even the slightest peep from Honor or Huawei that would lead us to believe we'll see this phone launch here. It most certainly could, but they can't wait forever with plenty of other phones on the horizon. Naturally, we'll keep you posted if we hear anything regarding a launch in the US.

Video

First Look and Impressions https://youtu.be/ZcDJ4RaFhOI

Gallery

Should you buy it?

If you live outside of the US, I could easily recommend this phone to you. However, due to software that seems rather boring and tough to look at, I'd probably suggest the OnePlus 6T. If you want this hole punch cutout instead of the notch, by all means, check out the Honor View20. It's been a lot of fun to use with its smooth performance and the battery life has been most impressive. Now, for you US folk, I obviously can't suggest you go buy a phone that isn't available to you. However, should the View20 make its way here, it should at least be on your radar. And seriously, don't knock the hole punch design. It's really not that bad, unless you're Samsung and are doing this.

Android Pie Beta Now Open to US Galaxy S8, S8+, and Note 8

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:34:14 +0000

Ready for Android Pie on your Galaxy S8, S8+, or Galaxy Note 8? After starting an initial rollout of the Pie / One UI beta in international markets a week ago, last night, the beta update showed up in the US. The update may only be available to unlocked units of each phone, rather than carrier models. However, you should double check that on your own phone. How do you do that? Open the Samsung Members app (make sure it's updated too) and if available, you'll see a banner at the top of the app asking if you are interested in joining the One UI beta. Should you decide to join, you'll opt-in to the program to start. Once done, give it a few minutes and you should then find an update available to download through phone Settings>System update. What's the big deal with the Samsung One UI / Pie update? It's a huge change in terms of looks and functionality for Samsung phones. It's pretty great, actually. To get a complete overview, dive into the video below. S8 and Note 8 owners, how's the update so far? Cheers Brian and Jeremy!

Latest LG G8 ThinQ Render Aligns With Previous Leak, the One LG's Head of Global Comms Said Was Fake News

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 09:25:14 +0000

Earlier this month, we received our first look at the supposed LG G8 ThinQ via OnLeaks. Shortly after those CAD renders hit the web, LG's head of global communications for consumer electronics, Ken Hong, took to Twitter to refute all reports surrounding it. Ken called us out, called Phandroid out, and also said it's, "tiring to see rumors and speculation treated as 'news'." Fast forward to today and this time, it's XDA with another image of the G8 ThinQ (pictured above), aligning extremely well with the previous CAD renders. As we can see in this new image, the phone very much looks like a baby step from the G7 and V40 of last year. Kellen has already gone over why the G8 ThinQ has us worried for LG's 2019 in this post. We are getting very close to MWC, where it's expected LG will unveil the G8 ThinQ. At this point, we're basically 99.9% sure that this is the phone LG will announce. // XDA

New Google Device Codenames Surface, Time for New Pixel Hype

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:45:40 +0000

Too early for Pixel 4 hype?

Rumors surrounding upcoming Google Pixel devices, outside of those confusing mid-range Pixel 3 Lite phones, have been scarce. In years past, we've known codenames for in-the-works Pixel phones as much as a year in advance. Whatever the reason for the slow leak of this info this year, we may now have some to focus on. Codenames of "salmon" and "medaka" surfaced yesterday, thanks to the developer behind the popular Lawnchair Launcher app. In a Tweet that revealed the names, we also got some speculation as to what the devices may be. https://twitter.com/deletescape/status/1088702125675368448 To recap that, we have codenames of "salmon" and "medaka," with behind-the-scenes info suggesting that neither will have a notch. There isn't confirmation that either is a phone, but the speculation here is that "medaka" might be a watch, possibly the long-awaited Pixel Watch. We aren't sure what "salmon" is, although it could be the next Pixel phone. While the names are certainly new to us, we do have a first appearance by both at AOSP just yesterday. We've captured a screenshot below, as they are accompanied by the name "walleye," which is the Pixel 2.

The names are very aquatic as well. That's important, since Google names almost every single Pixel or Nexus device after something fishy. We've had walleye, shamu, blueline, crosshatch, hammerhead, etc. These two names align nicely with that history. As for the suggestion that "medaka" could be a watch, well, the medaka fish is a tiny Japanese fish, so sure, that makes sense. After all, the Nexus 6, which was a whale of a phone, was codenamed "shamu." We'll be digging for more.

Google I/O 2019 Takes Place May 7-9 in Mountain View

Tim — Fri, 25 Jan 2019 08:38:06 +0000

Google loves puzzles, especially when it comes to Google I/O. Earlier today, Google kicked off a code breaking puzzle online for all to enjoy, and already, it's been solved. The answer just so happens to be Google I/O 2019 event dates, now confirmed to be May 7-9, taking place in Mountain View, CA. Google has yet to confirm these dates via its social channels or an announcement and there's no word yet on when ticket sales go live either, so stay tuned. Cheers to @deletescape on Titter for breaking the code in a very timely fashion. You'll likely be seeing a free ticket to Google I/O for your work. // @deletescape

Are You Ready for Phones With No Buttons, Ports, or Holes?

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 14:43:26 +0000

The future of smartphones, if you believe a company like Meizu, is a future filled with phones without holes. No USB ports. No headphone jacks. No speaker grills. No SIM card slots. The future will be unibody construction without the need for plugs. Are you ready for it? This week, they unveiled the Meizu Zero, a ceramic phone without holes or ports. It runs a Snapdragon 845 and has 18W fast wireless charging, IP68 water and dust resistance, a 6" AMOLED display, fingerprint reader, and virtual side buttons that hopefully don't take after HTC's U12+ buttons. But the big thing here is the lack of any port or hole. Wait, so how are they doing things like charge, connect, listen, transfer, and control with the Zero? The phone wirelessly charges when battery is low, transfers files over wireless USB 3.0, features an eSIM for connectivity, plays sounds through its display, hopes you have wireless headphones, and gives you volume controls through touch points on the side of the phone. Oh, and its fingerprint reader is an in-display reader. Now, I don't know if anyone else has been smoking what Meizu has been smoking, but a future without holes just isn't something the industry is ready for. Wireless charging, which would be required, still isn't as fast or stable as wired charging at this stage, though Meizu claims their tech is super fast and reduces heat. Headphone jacks could possibly go and have from numerous phones, but killing the USB-C port means we really have no options for headphones other than to go fully wireless. Dongle life would be over. No speaker grills? We could probably live with that, assuming the tech in-screen speaker tech used by Meizu in a new phone is any good. eSIM technology is great, but carriers in the US hate it so far. OK, now that I type all of that out, it sounds like a challenge that could be fun to take on. Could you use a phone for an extended period of time that had no ports or holes? I kind of want to try it. Their solutions are real solutions, not just made up concepts. This could be a possibility. You ready? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=76cmqlVN2Go

This is Bad, Samsung

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 12:40:46 +0000

No, not the Galaxy S10 in general. But this. This is bad.

This isn't super great, but not bad.

This is, though.

This is better.

This is better too.

This, though, is yikes.

Thank you.

Uh Oh, T-Mobile: Verizon Speeds Catch Up in Latest Report

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 10:35:51 +0000

For the past couple of years, every time OpenSignal drops a new network report on us, T-Mobile comes out on top in convincing fashion. To start 2019, the latest report shows that things are changing as Verizon has topped them in almost all categories that OpenSignal tests for. We saw some of this beginning to happen mid-2018, with another report showing that Verizon's speeds were close to matching T-Mobile's. But this new report has Verizon slightly topping T-Mobile for the first time in a while. The scores here are incredibly close. For example, Verizon 4G availability scored a 94.2, while T-Mobile racked up a flat 94.0 in the same category. That's essentially a tie. For download speeds, T-Mobile actually topped Verizon with a 21.1Mbps vs. 20.9Mbps, which OpenSignal called a "draw" for some reason. In upload speeds, Verizon showed a 7Mbps speed, while T-Mobile ran a 6.7Mbps speed. These are national scores, by the way.

In other categories, AT&T dominated in latency, but all carriers were knocked by the report for their video experience. OpenSignal attributed that to bad carrier policies that downscale video to low resolutions. Verizon topped the poor ratings with a 52.1. The report does a nice breakdown by region too, for those interested in the carriers that performed best near them. You can find all of those individual scores through that link below. What should you take from this report? The basic takeaway is that Verizon and T-Mobile networks perform about the same today, according to this report. But in the end, it only matters which network is the best for you and where you spend most of your time. Is that Verizon or T-Mobile? Maybe. It could be AT&T or Sprint too, which is why you should always check out the broken-out ratings in these reports. Nationwide coverage is important, but is mostly something for carriers to brag about. // OpenSignal

A Spicy New Look at the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 09:32:09 +0000

Leaks can get old. When it comes to Samsung, Google, and Apple phones these days, there are rarely surprises leftover for the date that each company decides to announces them. I don't feel like we're at the "old" point with the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+, though, mostly because the high-quality leaks are only just beginning. Today, we've got a spicy new Galaxy S10 and S10+ leak too. These are supposed to be prototype devices, but they sure do look clean and polished. We get a great view of the front of each, with front camera cutouts included, as well as looks at the familiar Samsung back design.

Also read: This is bad, Samsung

On that Galaxy S10, the single front camera hole in the display, which looked large yesterday, looks tiny next to the S10+'s double punch for its dual-front cameras. As I mentioned yesterday, I'm cool with these holes vs. notches, but that double hole is really messing with the top status bar in ways that make me uncomfortable. Overall, the frontside (above) looks like the most Infinity yet. Those top and bottom bezels are greatly reduced from past Samsung phones, leaving a look that really is all-display.

The backside looks like so many previous Samsung phones. It has curved glass and an unsightly camera housing that seems to grow with each phone release (dual camera on the S10; triple camera on the S10+) in a bad way. Seriously, how can you design a phone to look this pretty and premium only to install a giant rectangular eyesore smack in its middle backside? We do still have bottom-situated speaker, USB-C port, and headphone jack, so that's good news. The phones look nice! And that's One UI! Fun. // All About Samsung https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsGJegE7DIw&t=1s

Alien: Blackout Now Available on Android, Priced at $4.99

Tim — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:46:04 +0000

Alien: Blackout, the latest Xeno title to follow Amanda Ripley, is now available on Android. As most game reviewers are saying, Blackout is very much like 5 Nights at Freddy's. Instead of personally experiencing the space station and running from the Xenomorph through its corridors like in Alien: Isolation, you are in command from a remote comms station that has video feeds from all over the ship. The choices you make from this station will either save or cost the lives of those aboard. As the game description reads, "Using only the space station’s limited power supply to operate a holographic map, surveillance cameras, and motion tracker, attempt to remain hidden and protect your crew from the perfect hunter in seven fear-inducing levels." Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of this gameplay. That's just me, though. If you love 5 Nights and love the Alien franchise, this game could be the perfect marriage. Grab it by following the link below. Google Play Link ($4.99) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzWQwBEmkGw

Verizon Prepaid Promo Gets You 15GB Data for $45

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:21:39 +0000

Verizon kicked off a new promo today in the prepaid realm that is a heck of a deal. For a limited time, you can get into Verizon Prepaid for $45 and get 15GB of data to use each month. That's a lot of data for $45. The limited time deal is really an upgrade to the already-available $50-8GB plan, but Verizon is tossing in a bonus 7GB of data each month. With autopay added on, the price drops $5 to $45/mo. That make sense?

Related: What is Verizon's best data plan?

Verizon says that the deal is available to new and existing customers who "upgrade to or reactivate" on the $50-8GB plan. The 7GB in bonus data is added each month as long as the account remains active on that plan. Not familiar with Verizon Prepaid? This particular $50 plan gets you unlimited talk and text with 8GB data plus the 7GB bonus data each month, so that's 15GB to use every billing cycle. You can use that data with mobile hotspot, call to Mexico and Canada, and send international text messages. You get full 4G LTE speeds, just know that in times of congestion, you could see those speeds drop temporarily. Again, this deal won't be around for long, so sign-up while you can.

Sign-up for Verizon Prepaid

Visible Phone Service Arrives on Android for Select Devices, Adds Device Sales

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jan 2019 08:09:03 +0000

Visible, the "Verizon backed" prepaid phone service we've been talking about for the better part of a year, has launched on Android after being an iOS-only thing for months. That means simple phone service sign-ups through an app for Android folks, just like iPhone owners have been able to do. What is Visible? Again, it's a "digital carrier" service that runs on Verizon's network, but everything is accessed via app. So to get signed up, you basically just install the app we've linked below and request a SIM card to start service. It's pretty simple, plus there are no contracts (it's month-to-month service) or people to talk to, which means no physical stores. It's all app-driven. The plan they offer is $40 and includes unlimited talk, text, and data. Speed is capped at 5Mbps, but that does give you hotspot usage too. In today's news, Visible has announced Android support for the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+. More Android phones will come to the platform in the near future. In addition to the big Android news, Visible has announced that they will now sell devices with 0% financing payment plans through Affirm, with $0 down and free overnight shipping. They currently sell 11 iPhone models as well as the Galaxy S9 and S9+. Their S9 prices aren't great, just FYI. For those looking for protection on devices and wondering how to get in-person support, since Visible is a digital entity, they are launching VisibleProtect. This protection plan costs $10/mo and includes access to AppleCare services, with coverage for accidental damage, loss, theft, and out-of-warranty mechanical breakdown. They'll offer protection for Android phones too. Interested? You can sign-up below. Sign-up for Visible | Download Visible App

Whoops: Moto G7 Lineup Detailed in Full on Motorola Website Ahead of Unveiling

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 15:12:19 +0000

While a lot of hype has been built around the reported return of the Razr phone, complete with a foldable display, we're here to remind you that Motorola still makes other phones, too. Back in November, we began seeing new Moto G7 devices go through the FCC, and now this week, it appears Motorola's own Brazilian website has detailed each and every single one of the upcoming four devices in the Moto G7 lineup. From what was published to its website and then shared by CNET, the four devices we now expect to see soon include the Moto G7 (pictured above), Moto G7 Play (pictured below), Moto G7 Plus, and Moto G7 Power.

For specifications, all the phones are somewhat similar. For instance, most models of the G7 include a Snapdragon 632 processor, except for the Moto G7 Plus that runs a Snapdragon 636 chipset. All phones vary in the amount of RAM from 2GB to 4GB, 3,000mAh batteries (5,000mAh for the G7 Power), slightly varying rear camera systems, and display sizes that range from 5.7" to 6.24". The most premium of the bunch is the Moto G7 Plus, featuring a 6.24" display (2,270 x 1,080 resolution), Snapdragon 636, 64GB storage, 16-megapixel front-facing camera, 4GB RAM, 3,000mAh battery, backside fingerprint reader, and Android Pie.

Moto G7 Lineup

According to CNET, Motorola will be hosting an event in early February where we will learn exact pricing and availability for each model. Do any of these interest you? // CNET

Haha, What: Galaxy S10 Leak Reveals a Blockchain KeyStore

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 13:09:13 +0000

Samsung is eyeing the world of cryptocurrency it seems. A leak surfaced today showing a Galaxy S10 with its big ol' hole punch display and a "Welcome to Samsung Blockchain KeyStore" app open. What the hell, man. I'm more interested in the device leak, which is of the Galaxy S10. We get two new images of the phone showing off a top-right front camera hole in the screen that looks quite big. That camera hole has shifted status bar icons for your WiFi, cellular, and battery icons, causing me an ounce or two of anxiety. It even shifts everything when a screenshot is taken, unlike the notches of 2018.

Related: Galaxy S10 pricing looks nuts

Overall, I think the hole punch is an improvement over the notch and I'm not trying to complain too much here, I just don't know that it's massive improvement. I'll take it, though, as long as Google adopts and avoids making another Pixel 3 XL.

As for the Samsung Blockchain KeyStore, I don't have much of a reaction to it. The screenshots suggest that you'll be able to "secure and manage your blockchain private keys" and is a "secure and convenient place for your cryptocurrency." I know absolutely nothing about cryptocurrency, what blockchain is, and if this is good or not. I'll leave that to cryptobros. // SamMobile | @VenyaGeskin1

Galaxy S10 With 5G Reported to Cost Over $1,500

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 12:52:32 +0000

The latest info concerning the 5G-capable Galaxy S10, known right now as the Galaxy S10 X, concerns its price. And if you're wanting to be one of the first to experience 5G in the US, you best get that credit card limit raised.

Related: Everything we know about the Galaxy S10 so far.

According to an Italian tech blog, the price for the S10 X (reported specs) will be 1,599€. Interestingly, a lot of outlets we're seeing like to convert that European pricing to US dollars, which puts the phone at around $1,820. From our time covering this industry, it's more common we see a very similar price in USD from Euros in terms of the numerical figure. As an example, the OnePlus 6T costs 549€ in Germany, but it also costs $549 in the US. It seems hardly ever that the exchange rate is taken into account, but the point is, it's apparently a very expensive device. Pricing for the other models of the Galaxy S10 was also disclosed in this report, but as always, nothing is confirmed. Pricing

Galaxy S10 Lite - 6GB RAM + 128GB (779€)
Galaxy S10 - 6GB RAM + 128GB (929€)
Galaxy S10 - 8GB RAM + 512GB (1179€)
Galaxy S10+ - 6GB RAM + 128GB (1049€)
Galaxy S10+ - 8GB RAM + 512GB (1299€)
Galaxy S10 X - 12GB RAM + 1TB (1599€)

As I mentioned, Samsung has yet to confirm pricing of its upcoming phones and that won't happen until February 20 when its press event takes place. It could be even a little later for Galaxy S10 X pricing. While the three non-5G variants of the Galaxy S10 are expected to launch March 8, the S10 X is expected on March 29. Come on, February 20. Hurry up and get here already. // TuttoAndroid | SamMobile

Verizon Moto Z3 Will Get 5G Support When Its Android Pie Update Arrives

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 09:41:04 +0000

We are almost a month into 2019 and still don't know when the 5G Moto Mod for the Moto Z3 will arrive or how much it will cost. Verizon has said to expect their mobile 5G network to go live in the early part of this year and the Moto Z3 will be one of the first to access it, a specific timeline for that happening just hasn't presented itself. We do know at least one item to lookout for as a sign that 5G is coming, though. When the Moto Z3 is updated to Android 9.0 Pie, it'll get 5G support. That's according to a set of release notes for the Z3's Pie update that was spotted on Motorola's support site, which says that one of the enhancements is "Support 5G through 5G moto mod." So it'll still need the 5G Moto Mod and Verizon will have to begin selling it, but this is a key step. Of course, the update will bring other Pie goodies like adaptive battery and brightness, redesigned settings, improved audio controls, new emoji, other UI changes, notification tweaks, security enhancements, etc. That's great, but the 5G support is the story here. I say it's the story because the Moto Z3 will be one of the first phones on the planet to be able to connect to a 5G network. Depending on when this update and the 5G Moto Mod arrive, it could be the first. AT&T has an active 5G network in select locations, but it can only be accessed via hotspot device. There aren't any phones in the US that are 5G at the moment. With release notes posted, Motorola could push this Pie update at any time. However, Verizon only released a security patch (December's) update yesterday as build ODX28.66-18-6-2. We could be another week or so from Pie and 5G. // Motorola

Xiaomi Just Revealed Its Prototype Dual Foldable Phone and a Bit of the Future

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 08:44:18 +0000

Flexible or foldable phones are coming, more than likely with Samsung leading the way. Don't forget about companies like Xiaomi, though, who just showed off a prototype of a foldable phone that looks like a future I'm not sure many of us thought was possible. Xiaomi's co-founder Lin Bin posted a video on Weibo yesterday of a prototype foldable phone they are working on. He didn't say that it'll be released any time soon, nor do they have a name for it, but man, it looks fun. The video of it is below. Unlike the supposed foldable new Moto Razr phone or the Samsung phone that folds, this Xiaomi device actually has two folds in it. In the clip, Lin Bin is looking at a device that has the appearance of a mini tablet. He then turns it sideways, while using it, and folds not one but two sides around to the back, leaving a device the size of a phone. And while he's folding, the UI intuitively flips with him, even shrinking the viewable space down to just the front portion that hasn't been folded. Seriously, just look at this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK6MznCPc18 Is it practical or something you'll want to buy? I don't know. I just think it's cool. This dude just took a mini tablet and folded it twice. It worked the whole time. // Weibo | Engadget

YouTube TV Goes Nationwide, Covering 98% of US Households

Tim — Wed, 23 Jan 2019 08:42:09 +0000

In February of 2017, YouTube TV was announced. Today, nearly two years later, the folks at YouTube announced that the service is going nationwide, now covering 98% of US households. To do this, YouTube TV is launching in 95 markets this week, essentially doubling the amount of markets currently available. As YouTube put it in the announcement, the service wanted to ensure that folks in the top 100 markets in the US could watch their favorite sports, news, and shows - without the hassles that come with traditional cable TV. To see the full list of new markets, click this. Importantly, with this expansion, YouTube TV says it will be offering plenty of the local and national TV coverage you'd expect in your hometown.

As part of that effort, we've offered local feeds from broadcasters, allowing you to catch up with the content that matters to you. With this national expansion, we're providing complete local affiliate coverage by providing local feeds from the four largest broadcasters in over 90 percent of the markets where YouTube TV is available.

YouTube TV is priced at $40/month with unlimited cloud DVR and apps for various platforms, plus offers access to purchasable premium networks and content. I've been using it since launch in Portland and I still have nothing but great things to say about it. Sign-Up for YouTube TV // YouTube

LG is Cooking Up Touchless, Wavy Magic for MWC Reveal

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 17:23:28 +0000

On Sunday, February 24 at MWC, LG is going to reveal their next big thing. It could be this tired-design-of-a-phone or it could be something unexpected. The teaser that LG just sent out hints at something unexpected. In the video below, a short video shows a hand waving over the top of a piece of paper as the words "Goodbye Touch" appear. The hand then performs a pushing gestures to announce that the event is called "LG Premiere." What should we take from this? LG might have built something into their next phone that uses a lot of gestures. The thought of waving "goodbye" to touch can really only mean that LG has something planned to let you control a gadget without having to physically touch it. And look, I'm all about the gesture controls that look like mid-air magic. Your thoughts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-O1KLGxJE40

Classic Hangouts Gets a Slow Death Start Date

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 15:15:56 +0000

Remember the report at the end of last year that described the eventual death of Hangouts, the one that caused the Hangouts boss at Google to throw a bit of a Twitter fit? And then remember when Google followed up to confirm the general theme of that report, that yes, Hangouts would eventually die and people who be able to move over to the newer Hangouts Chat? Today, the company behind Hangouts has given us some beginning-of-the-end dates to mark on the calendar. Here's what you need to know. Hangouts (which Google refers to now as "classic" Hangouts) will begin a retirement phase in October 2019 for G Suite customers. Most of you are not G Suite customers and that date won't affect your use of classic Hangouts. G Suite customers are those who pay Google for corporate-esque access to their services. If you access Gmail with a @gmail.com address, you aren't a G Suite customer. For consumer users (most of you) of classic Hangouts, Google doesn't have a beginning-of-the-end date to share at this moment. Just know that you won't need to think about switching over to Hangouts Chat until G Suite users have. My guess is that that'll happen in 2020. Google plans to share a date with us later on. For G Suite users worried about October coming up quickly and wondering if Google is ever going to make Hangouts Chat a good app, we have additional news there. Google plans to begin implementing features from classic Hangouts into Hangouts Chat between April and September 2019. What are those features? Specifically, you'll see the following move over to Hangouts Chat before the October 2019 shutdown:

Integration with Gmail
Chatting with external users
An improved video calling experience
Making calls with Google Voice

To recap, classic Hangouts will begin to retire in October of this year for G Suite customers. Before that happens and Google forces G Suite users from classic to Hangouts Chat, they'll add a handful of features that are necessary. For most classic Hangouts consumer users, you probably have another year before you need to worry about whether or not you'll need to ditch Hangouts for something new or prepare to switch to Chat. // G Suite Updates

Jesus, Finally: Target Will Soon Accept Google Pay, Samsung Pay

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 14:20:06 +0000

Paying at Target has always made me feel like the company was anti-payment evolution. I can't tell you how many times I've been in a Target, hit the check stand, had my phone in hand, and then tapped it a couple of times in an attempt to pay for the goods like I do at most retailers these days, including small local grocery stores. It has never worked at Target, of course, because they have for some reason held out on integrating NFC broadly. That will soon change. The mega-retailer announced today that it will "soon" accept all of the major mobile payment systems, including Google Pay, Samsung Pay, and Apple Pay. NOTE: We are well aware, folks, that Samung's MST in Samsung Pay has enabled payments at Target for years. This post is about the NFC portion at terminals, hence the reason for bolding NFC above. Sorry for any confusion. While don't have a specific date, Target did state that "all" stores will get mobile payment access. They offered a fun little graphic to show you how it'll work too.

I know that people hate this term, but - FINALLY. // Target

Sonar Beat Now Available on Android for $2.49, Tough Yet Fun Gameplay

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 14:14:18 +0000

I never heard of Sonar Beat until today, but as of this week, it's available on a mix of platforms (Windows, Mac, iOS, etc.) that also includes Android. To explain the game, picture yourself manning the sonar station in a submarine. Each blip on the screen is an enemy that is closing in on your position. Using rhythm and a mechanic that is very similar to that of Guitar Hero or Rock Band, you press on the screen when your strobe is over aforementioned targets. On some targets you will tap on the screen, while others require you to hold down a finger. If you miss a target, they'll get closer to your position. If you fail to destroy a target before it reaches you, game over. What attracts me to this game is its use of the music. As the developer describes it, "[They are] balanced between rhythm and randomness so each song is different every time you play." And the same goes for the enemies. Each time you play, nothing will be the same, but that's where the challenge lies. I thought after playing the tutorial I could get the hang of the game rather quickly, as I'm a fantastic Guitar Hero player, but this game is flippin' tough. I was dead within no time, so a bit of practice will do me some good. The game costs just $2.49. If interested, follow the link below. Google Play Link ($2.49) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JAASuDbCaM

Don't be This Verizon Customer Whose Bill is $700 Because He Doesn't Know What a WiFi Toggle Is

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 12:23:18 +0000

The animation in the image at the top of this post is subtle, but most of you can probably see the difference. For those missing it, the difference is a toggle between WiFi and LTE. That minor icon change almost cost a Verizon customer an additional $700 on their bill. What's the story here? A Verizon customer took to reddit this week looking for help from the Big Red subreddit, which is filled with actual Verizon employees who regularly share useful insight into the company. The customer stopped by there looking for help because they had run into an issue that caused an excessive use of data over their 5GB data limit, jumping their bill to the $700 status I noted above. What was the issue? At "at some point this month," they began, "me or someone else turned off my wifi on my phone." That's it. Their WiFi got turned off and didn't notice for days or weeks or a month and ended up using 46GB of data, raising their bill to $700. Think about that for a second, take a look at the image at the top of this post again, and then feel free to shake your head some. Now, to be fair, not everyone in the world is super tech savvy and has a great understanding of all phone icons. This person also said that they recently made the switch from an iPhone to a Galaxy S9. Things certainly change from one phone to the next. But come on, man! You have got to know if you are on WiFi or not! You have a limited 5GB plan - worrying about data usage should be a never-ending itch in the back of your brain. I have unlimited and I still (for some reason) care whether or not I'm on WiFi or LTE. In the end, this customer did the right thing by stopping by the Verizon subreddit. A number of people recommended he call Verizon and see if they would let him change his plan to an unlimited option before the billing cycle ended to wipe away the charges. Sure enough, Verizon did just that, saving him hundreds of dollars and allowing him to enjoy a vacation with the family instead of stressing over $700 in overages. A WiFi toggle. A freakin' WiFi toggle. // reddit

Honor View20 Pricing for Europe Set at €569, Still No Word on US Availability

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 10:22:02 +0000

Honor announced European pricing and availability for its new View20 smartphone this week, but for US consumers, there's still no word on when or if this phone will come. For Europe, the price has been set at €569, converting to about $650. Buyers in the following markets will be able to purchase the phone starting today. The markets of availability are France, United Kingdom, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Czech Republic, Poland, Russia, Malaysia, India, United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia. Basically, anywhere but the US. For specs, the View20 offers a 6.4-inch LCD display (2310 x 1080), Kirin 980 processor, 48-megapixel rear-facing dual camera system, up to 8GB of RAM, up to 256GB of internal storage, 4,000mAh battery, rear-facing fingerprint reader, and Android 9 Pie with Honor's own custom UI on top. The main headline grabber is definitely the hole punch design on front, though, with the selfie camera labeled at 25-megapixels. Feel free to watch our hands-on video below and be sure to watch out for our full review soon. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDJ4RaFhOI

DxOMark Now Ranks Selfie Cameras, Pixel 3 and Note 9 are Early Kings

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 09:01:18 +0000

We've always known DxOMark for scoring rear-facing cameras, but now, they are introducing DxOMark Selfie scores to help folks determine which smartphones offer the best front-facing cameras. Honestly, it was only a matter of time. Along with this announcement, DxOMark has published the first batch of Selfie scores, including scores for phones like the Pixel 3, Galaxy Note 9, a bunch of iPhones, Mate 20 Pro, and plenty other devices. These scores will be displayed right alongside the rear camera scores, as you can see in the image below. As you'd expect from DxOMark, its process for producing these scores is rather comprehensive.

A first of its kind, the DxOMark Selfie score is generated using a dedicated scientific protocol based on both objective measurements and perceptual analyses of images taken with the tested device. Complementing the existing DxOMark Mobile for smartphone main cameras, DxOMark will now be able to provide a complete assessment of a smartphone’s photography abilities.

If you're concerned about how your current phone stacks up, here's the latest Selfie scores from DxOMark. Feel free to brag amongst yourselves should your phone be high on the list. // DxOMark

DEAL: US Unlocked Galaxy Note 9 is $754 at Amazon Today (Updated: Cheaper Now!)

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 08:27:09 +0000

The best Galaxy Note 9 deal you'll find today is on the US unlocked model at Amazon, where the price has dropped to $754.45. That's a $245.54 discount on Samsung's newest phone. This might be its lowest price to date.

UPDATE: Since posting, the price on the blue Galaxy Note 9 has dropped further to $729.99! That's $270 off!

Currently, Amazon has this $245 price drop on the blue and purple Note 9 (review) models, with the black reduced by $226. Oh, and this is a deal on the 128GB model, not the 512GB model. The 512GB model is only $100 off across the board. As a reminder, the US unlocked Galaxy Note 9 works on all major carriers, including Verizon.

Shop Galaxy Note 9 at Amazon

Mobvoi's Latest Wear OS Watches Now Available, Start at $159

Tim — Tue, 22 Jan 2019 08:00:02 +0000

On January 8, Mobvoi announced its latest Wear OS-powered smartwatches, the TicWatch E2 and TicWatch S2 (pictured above). Both devices were on display at CES this year, and starting today, they're available for purchase via Mobvoi's website and Amazon. The big changes are Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipsets powering both devices, as well as bigger batteries for both. Buyers will also notice water resistance for the E2 and S2 models, complete with new software for swim tracking capabilities. The only thing lacking right off the bat is NFC, meaning no mobile payments. For complete specifications for each model, look right here.

TicWatch E2 Modeled

These are Wear OS, so any favorite app you may have for the platform should be entirely supported on these devices. Follow the links below to get one for yourself. Buy

TicWatch E2: Mobvoi | Amazon
TicWatch S2: Mobvoi | Amazon

DEAL: Both Anker and Mobvoi's AirPods Alternatives Have Big Discounts Today at Amazon

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 13:08:25 +0000

I'm probably going to do a bigger piece on this some day soon, but I'm fully ready to admit that AirPods won. As someone who mocked them endlessly when first launched, it's obvious that the silly look has become accepted as not only the norm and also as a fashion accessory. So yeah, I have no problem in telling you to buy clones of them for cheaper price points. And there are deals to be had today. Both Anker and Mobvoi are running discounts on their AirPods alternatives. The semi-new Liberty Air from Anker are normally priced at $79.99, but you can grab a pair in black or white for $63.99 with coupon code. That's a $16 discount! For Mobvoi, their TicPods Free in white, blue, or red are dropping from $129.99 to $89.99, thanks to a $40 off coupon. Are they any good, though? I've used both! I prefer the Anker Liberty Air over the Mobvoi TicPods Free. Not only are the Liberty Air cheaper, the sound quality is night and day better. Volumes are louder and the audio is richer, plus the TicPods Free have a gesture pad that can be a pain to use. The TicPods are more comfortable, though, and they stayed in my ears better during workouts. There are pros and cons for each. To get the Anker Liberty Air deal, use coupon code "SDCAIR02" at checkout on Amazon. For the Mobvoi deal, you just need to apply a coupon from the product page at the link below.

Buy Anker Liberty Air | Buy Mobvoi TicPods Free

Verizon LG V30, Galaxy S8, and S8+ Updated With January Security Patch

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 12:07:07 +0000

Verizon is shipping out updates to the LG V30, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8+. While the S8 (new software version R16NW.G950USQU5CSA4) and S8+ (new software version R16NW.G955USQU5CSA4) are only seeing the January security patch, V30 (new software version VS99620h) owners will see non-detailed camera changes alongside the January patch. If you own one of these phones, be on the lookout! // Verizon [2] [3]

First Bad Android Q News Arrives, Because It Involves Carriers

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 11:44:47 +0000

The Android Q news cycle kicked off last week, thanks to a leaked build that revealed mostly positive changes coming our way. The new permissions controls look great, as does the dark mode. It might not all be great, though. Android Q appears ready to include additional controls for carriers to lock down their phones. Woof. Four particular commits were spotted by the folks at 9to5Google, filed under "aosp_simlock_q_enhancements." The commits are focused on "carrier restriction enhancements for Android Q," which when detailed further, sound even worse than that may lead you to believe. The basics here are that carriers will have more control over which networks they'll allow their phones to work on, almost like a whitelist/blacklist sort of way. However, there will be new controls so specific to blocking or allowing phone use on specific carriers, that limiting use on MVNOs (prepaid carriers) won't be out of the question. In other words, you could have a AT&T phone that you want to take to StraightTalk, but AT&T could single out StraightTalk and not let your phone work there. Want more bad news? For dual SIM phones, carriers will be able to completely lock out the second SIM slot unless an approved SIM card is in the first slot. Great. Phone freedom has always been a never-ending battle around these parts, which is why we've always suggested you buy unlocked phones. But man, you may want to now more than ever, especially if you are interested in changing carriers at any time. // AOSP | 9to5Google

Amazon's Lightning Deals Today are Lit: TicWatch Pro, Wireless Chargers, Bluetooth Buds, Smart Cams

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 10:10:29 +0000

Amazon's lightning deals don't usually grab my attention, but today, they've got some nice ones that are running out quickly. I don't want to waste your time with excessive text to describe the deals, so let's just look what's available.

TicWatch Pro: $199.10 ($50 off)
TP-Link Kasa Cam: $59.49 ($40 off)
Anker Ultra-Slim Wireless Charger: $11.03 ($2 off)
Anker SoundBuds: $18.99 ($9 off)
Anker 2-in-1 USB-C Reader: $7.99 ($6 off)
Bezalel Wireless Charger: $7.98 ($5 off)
Google Home Mini Outlet Mount: $10.19 ($1.80 off)

Since these are lightning deals, they are only available until they sell through however many were put up for sale. You should hurry, as some are already almost sold out.

DEAL: SHIELD TV Models are $30 Off, Get One as Low as $149

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 09:32:26 +0000

SHIELD TV, our favorite Android TV set-top box, is $30 off at multiple retailers this week. Most models are eligible for the $30 savings, bringing the standard box to $149, while the Gaming Edition can be had for just $169. If you need to get your smart home kicked off, the Smart Home Edition can be purchased for $189.

Related: NVIDIA SHIELD TV still the best Android TV experience.

Considering NVIDIA is still updating this box like a bunch of pros, it's hard not to continue recommending it. However, we are curious if NVIDIA intends to offer a new SHIELD TV at some point down the road. Maybe at CES 2020? Maybe sooner? My fingers are crossed. Buy SHIELD TV

First Look at the Foldable Moto Razr?

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 08:48:35 +0000

Should Lenovo and Motorola revive the Razr brand (again), a report from just last week stated that they may do so with a $1,500 foldable phone that has a foldable display inside. A filing with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) could have given us our first look this morning. The filing shows off a dual-screened phone that looks a lot like previous Moto Razr flip phones. In fact, if you know the older Razr phones, the images at the top of the post might bring back some memories. There aren't many details revealed by this possible-future phone, but you can see that when shut, you've got a smaller screen that sits above a camera. When opened, that small screen and camera move to the backside and you get a lengthy display inside. That display features a notch up top, iconic chin at the bottom, and a whole bunch of the 2005.

Why do I want one? // WIPO | 91 Mobiles | The Verge

Wow, Look at These Galaxy S10 Cases

Tim — Mon, 21 Jan 2019 08:42:40 +0000

Thanks to @evleaks over the weekend, we can confirm that protective cases will be made and distributed to retailers for the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and as Mr. Blass labels it, the Galaxy S10 E. As you may have guessed, I'm being a little playful, because the above photo that was tweeted out over the weekend is not about the cases at all. While the cases are fine and dandy, let's discuss the devices they are on instead. According to @evleaks, left to right, we have the Galaxy S10 E, S10, and S10+. If the image is accurate in terms of size, the S10 E appears to the be smallest, which does align with the most recent reports. The largest in this lineup would be the Galaxy S10+, sporting not only three rear-facing cameras, but dual front-facing cameras as well.

Related: Everything we know about the Galaxy S10 so far.

Two other extremely important notes, you won't see a fingerprint reader on the outside of the phone, as it's expected Samsung will incorporate an ultra-sonic reader inside of the display, and along that same thought path, each display features a hole punch for the front camera(s) on the different models. For those wondering about the reported 4th model of the Galaxy S10, the 5G-capable Galaxy S10 X, we assume it's not in this image lineup because it's coming a little after these three devices are launched. If it matters to you, given the logo on the cases, these appear to be made by Speck, a well known case maker. You can assume they'll be available for purchase alongside the new Galaxy S10 phones. Galaxy S10 is scheduled for official unveiling on February 20. // @evleaks

Speed Limits in Google Maps, They are Here After All These Years

Kellen — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 10:25:24 +0000

Two years after starting a limited trial run, Google Maps is getting speed limits while navigating. We made it, guys. The new addition starting arrive to more users this week and is confirmed to be rolling out widely in the US, UK, and Denmark. As we noted earlier in the week, speed traps are being added as well, and those are going live in UK, US, Australia, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Canada, India, and Indonesia, according to Mashable. Can we drop a "finally" here? I mean, this is a feature that has been in other navigation systems and apps for years, right? I don't know what took Google so long, but I'll take it. If you aren't seeing them, again, you'll only see speed limits in Google Maps while navigating. Also, while navigating, if you swipe up on the estimated time panel, then tap Settings at the bottom of the screen, you should have an option to toggle speed limits on or off. Google Play Link // reddit | Mashable Cheers Anthony!

DEAL: Pixel 3 and 3 XL $150 Off From Google, Plus Up to $400 Off for Trades

Kellen — Sun, 20 Jan 2019 09:59:38 +0000

The 2019 Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL deal you've been waiting for has arrived. The Google Store is running a $150 off deal on either phone in any color and with any amount of storage. At those discounts, you've got a Pixel 3 (review) starting point of $649 ($27.04/mo) and a Pixel 3 XL (review) starting point of $749 ($31.21/mo). Those are 64GB prices, of course, so if you want double that to 128GB, just add another $100 on. In addition to the $150 price, Google is offering up to $400 in refund credit for trading in an old phone. I took a quick glance through the prices they are offering in exchange and the $400 price point seems to be mostly for Apple phones (iPhone X). Samsung's Galaxy S9+ tops out at around $300, while Google's Pixel 2 XL was around $250. Been waiting to pull the trigger? This is a good time.

Google Store Link

What is AT&T's Best Data Plan?

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 11:30:20 +0000

AT&T, for whatever reason, often feels like it's now the forgotten carrier. We rarely talk about the moves that AT&T is making, while Verizon and T-Mobile are constantly getting coverage for this change or that network move. Well, that's not totally fair - we do talk about AT&T, just not exactly in the most flattering ways. But look, they may have the best coverage where you live or maybe you really like the media options they now offer, thanks to a couple of big acquisitions. So let's talk about what AT&T's best unlimited data plan is today.

RELATED: What is Verizon’s best data plan?

AT&T Unlimited for the media

Yes, I said "unlimited" there, because like our Verizon and T-Mobile write-ups similar to this, we're going to focus on unlimited. AT&T does offer Mobile Share Plus plans with shared data buckets, I'm just not sure there is much value there unless you and your family don't use much data, like low quality video streaming, and don't want free TV. So what does AT&T offer for unlimited? A couple of oddly named plans that we have laid out for you below.

AT&T Unlimited Data Plans

[table responsive=scroll id=155 /] Since there are only two plans here, the basics are this: you have a cheaper plan without features or a top tier plan with them all. They are quite different too, so you really need to decide what's important and what your budget is. To me, the Unlimited & More Premium is the plan most should consider because it includes some key features that the Unlimited & More plan just doesn't have access to.

RELATED: What is T-Mobile’s best data plan?

At $10 more for a single line (even less with more lines), you not only get faster unlimited data at all times (throttling at 22GB), you get 1080p video (don't forget to turn off Stream Saver), 15GB of 4G LTE hotspot data, and a free perk that could be a monthly subscription to HBO, Amazon Music, Showtime, etc. Again, you pay just $10 more for Unlimited & More Premium, yet are getting add-ons worth well over that should you buy them individually. Of course, the plan still includes talk, text, and data with Canada and Mexico, and free AT&T Watch TV service, which includes 30+ live channels. If you were to choose the lower Unlimited & More plan, you don't have any options for hotspot, video quality is 480p (DVD), and the free HBO or similar service isn't there. So as I mentioned above, you need to decide priorities and budget, but overall, the choice here is pretty simple if you want the best plan with the most benefits.

Sign-up for AT&T Unlimited Plans

Spotify's Car View for Android is a More Simplistic, Minimal UI While You Drive

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 11:20:13 +0000

Driving on the road is a sketchy thing at times, so why are you trying to make it harder on yourself by fumbling around a chaotic UI with endless buttons and things to look at? To combat the dangers of an overbearing interface, Spotify introduced Car View for all Android users this week. Car View is a super minimal and very simplistic UI for when you're driving around town. Instead of the normal Spotify UI consisting of album covers and buttons to dive into playlists and radio stations, Car View consists of just a song title and artist name, plus big white buttons for Play/Pause, Next, Back, Heart, and Shuffle. Spotify says Car View is rolling out right now to all users, so head to Google Play and grab that update. Google Play Link // Spotify

DEAL: Verizon Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are $300 Off at Best Buy

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 11:06:11 +0000

Alright now, here's a good Friday deal - Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL for a cool $300 off at Best Buy. These are Verizon models, because that's all that Best Buy sells, but that's a really great price on either phone. At $300 off, you could get into a 64GB Pixel 3 for $500 or a 64GB Pixel 3 XL for $600. If you want to double the storage to 128GB on either phone, it's still $300 off. Since this is at Best Buy and Verizon is involved, in order to get this deal, you do have to buy it on a 24-month device payment plan. I know, I know, that sucks and we are well aware that folks on other carriers would rather just buy it outright and take it away from Verizon. Blame Google for doing Verizon exclusives, OK? For a monthly price breakdown, this is what you are looking at:

Pixel 3 64GB: $20.83/mo
Pixel 3 128GB: $24.99/mo
Pixel 3 XL 64GB: $24.99/mo
Pixel 3 XL 128GB: $29.16/mo

Pretty good Pixel deal.

Best Buy Deal Link

LG G7 ThinQ Getting Pie Update in South Korea, Other Countries Need to Stay Patient

Tim — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 09:16:17 +0000

For G7 ThinQ owners, it's now safe to get a little excited about the potential of Android Pie coming to your phone. LG has begun to push the Pie update to owners of the device in South Korea, meaning it shouldn't be too long before it heads elsewhere. This move by LG aligns perfectly with the depressing roadmap that it posted, detailing that the G7 would indeed be the first phone in its lineup to see Pie in Q1. Other phones, like the V40 and others, weren't even listed to receive Pie this quarter. Things could change, though, if all goes well. Let's hope this update flows smoothly and LG has no reason to hold back on releasing it to the rest of owners. People want that Pie, dammit. // ruliweb | Android Police

Reminder: Your Verizon Plan Probably Includes Free Apple Music Now

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jan 2019 08:43:13 +0000

Just a quick reminder here, but if you are on Verizon, there is a good chance you now have access to a free Apple Music subscription. Yesterday, Verizon added Apple Music as an ongoing, free-to-use service for its Beyond Unlimited and Above Unlimited plans. It used to be a free 6-month trial, where you'd have to pay $10/mo after, but it's now free until Apple and Verizon get in a fight and take it away. In other words, you are good for a while. Since Apple Music is on both iOS and Android, everyone can get in on this action, not just iPhone users. Galaxy S9 bros, Google Pixel homies, and OnePlus cult members, all of you are eligible as long as you subscribe to the proper Verizon plan. To get Apple Music added to your account, hit up this link and follow the instructions. Once you've done that, you'll need to install the Apple Music app on your phone. After adding the service to your account, the first time you open the app on your Verizon phone, it should ask if you signed-up for free with Verizon. Confirm that, sign-in with or create your Apple account, and enjoy. Download Apple Music (Android)

Verizon to Soon Offer Its Robo and Spam Blocking Tools Free of Charge

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 15:21:10 +0000

Beginning this March, Verizon is rolling out spam alerting and call blocking tools to all wireless customers absolutely free of charge. In a recent third-party study, Verizon's tools for identifying potentially spam and robocallers was deemed most accurate among wireless carriers. In an effort to bring these tools to the masses, anyone with a supported iPhone or Android phone will have access to these tools. For a breakdown of these tools, what Verizon is continuously referring to in this context is its Call Filter service, which currently costs $2.99/month. So, what's exactly happening?

In March, we will be rolling out our free spam alerting and call blocking tools to all of our wireless customers whose smartphones support these features, including iPhone and Android devices. There will be more information on how to sign up for the free service as we get closer to launch.

There you go. If you have a supported device on Verizon, you'll soon have better protection against spammers and robocallers. If you're not on Verizon and you're on T-Mobile instead, don't worry, the Uncarrier announced something extremely similar for its own wireless customers. F*ck you, spam. // Verizon

If This is the LG G8, Then Welp... (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 14:11:16 +0000

The LG G8 has more than likely been revealed, thanks to a set of 3D CAD renders. These renders are rarely wrong, because they come from the case manufacturers that need to prepare cases for launch. And assuming they are correct, well, prepare to not be amazed by smartphone design innovation.

UPDATE: As you dive into this post, know a couple of things. Since publishing, Ken Hong, LG's global PR boss, said that this is just a "speculative rendering" and that it's "not real." https://twitter.com/visitken/status/1086051792444477440 As an added note, the site that published the renders referred to the phone as the "LG G8," but @onleaks, where the images originated from, called this the LG "Alpha" and would only say that it will "very likely be marketed" as the LG G8. As noted in the opening, these CAD renders have rarely (if ever) been wrong. So what's the story? Is this the LG G8 or another phone? Hopefully, it's something else and not LG's next flagship. Guess we'll find out soon enough - MWC is only about a month away. https://twitter.com/OnLeaks/status/1085988089774989312

The leak comes to us via @onleaks, and the images show a device that looks like an LG V40, only with one less camera. It has the same sleek exterior with rear camera situated similarly to the V40's, it's just got a dual camera setup instead of triple. The front of the phone features a similar notch to the V40 and G7, as well as a chin. The bottom speaker grill, USB-C port, and headphone jack are all in familiar spots.

I don't mean to dump on LG, but if this is it...yikes. We've got no in-display fingerprint reader or modern display with either hole punch cutout or teardrop notch. Rumors suggested it might at least have an upgraded display appearance, but this proves that to be false. An earlier report from today talked about a future LG phone that may be upgradable with a secondary display attachment, I'm just not seeing how this phone would be able to do that. We know Samsung is about to go nuts with super-duper infinity hole punch displays and advanced in-display fingerprint readers. They are going to step their design game up, just like Huawei and other device makers have done. What is LG doing? // 91 Mobiles

DEAL: Save Money on AUKEY Wall Chargers With These Discount Codes, Low as $7

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 13:38:19 +0000

If there's one thing my momma taught me, it's that coupons are awesome. It's not only the paper ones that you take into the grocery store with you, though. Digital coupons are also very dope, just like the ones we have for the below AUKEY wall chargers. With the below codes, you can save $4 on a 4-port 40W / 8A wall charger (bringing the price down to $16) or save $5 on an ultra compact dual-port 4.8A charger, bringing your grand total to just $7. Different amount of ports for different folks, as I always say. Follow the links below to get the savings.

AiPower USB Wall Charger with 4 Ports - $16 (Code: AUKEYD48)
AiPower UC USB Dual Port Wall Charger - $7 (Code: AUKEYD49)

Android Q's New Permissions Controls Look Incredible

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 12:18:21 +0000

Android Q probably won't be released in stable form until August, if Google keeps to previous schedules, but we could see the first developer preview of it in March. Should that happen, there is a good chance that Google hypes the version's focus on security and privacy. After yesterday's leak of an early Android Q build gave us an initial overview of what Google might include, we now have a video tour that really dives into the most important pieces. We get to see the system-level dark mode and subtle UI tweaks, but the change that stuck out the most to me is without a doubt the new permissions controls. As you'll see in the video below from XDA, the new permissions settings give you a better layout to see exactly which permissions an app is attempting to access. As we discussed yesterday, Q also lets you tell an app that it can access permissions all times or only when active, a major improvement for those not wanting apps doing anything in the background when they don't know it. In addition to those changes, when a permission is being used on your phone running Android Q, a new statusbar icon shows up. That new statusbar icon for each permission being used can be tapped to then reveal which apps are using it. So when you see the location icon or camera icon appear, you can tap a button to see which apps are using them. That's a huge change. While a lot of this can change or be left out by Google, since this is a hella-early Android Q build, it's clear that the permissions change is going to be a major focus. Be sure to watch the video below to get the full experience there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6L8Q61N4fM

Fossil Sells "Under Development" Smartwatch Tech to Google for $40 Million (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:04:54 +0000

Whoa - Google just bought smartwatch tech from Fossil for $40 million. The two companies announced that Google has acquired intellectual property (IP) related to Fossil's smartwatch technology that is "currently under development." As a part of this transaction, a portion of Fossil's R&D team working on this tech will join Google. Of course, we're assuming this all related to Google's Wear OS platform and could be a sign that Google will finally build its own smartwatch. After supposedly cancelling a Pixel-branded smartwatch last year, maybe 2019 will finally be the year? In statements, neither company said anything revealing. Fossil said that they are fabulous partners with Google and will continue to work on wearables, while Google said this acquisition shows their commitment to the wearable industry. Just give us a Pixel watch.

UPDATE: The folks at Wareable were given additional details that sound quite spicy. The tech purchased by Google is something Fossil created after buying Misfit and is a product "that has features and benefits that aren't in the category today," according to Greg McKelvey, an EVP with Fossil Group. Google's Stacey Burr, the VP of product management of Wear OS, added that they "saw some technology that [Fossil] were developing that we thought could be brought out in a more expansive way if Google had that technology, and was not only able to continue to use it with Fossil but bring it to other partners in the ecosystem." In other words, Google bought this tech to be able to bring it to more Wear OS watches and not have it just be a Fossil exclusive. See, that's spicy talk. // Fossil (PDF)

New Year, New SwiftKey: Keyboard App is Now Faster and Smaller After Latest Update

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 10:00:26 +0000

SwiftKey announced a big update for its keyboard app this morning, one that should have performance increased across the board by a whole lot. According to its blog post that details the update, the keyboard should, on average, be 20% faster than other keyboard apps when loading and as much as twice as fast on first load after a phone restart. Additionally, the size of the app has been trimmed and upon internal testing, lag has been reduced by as much as 50% on most devices. Here's a look at the details. That Freshness

SwiftKey is on average 20% faster loading than our closest competitor across a range of devices, and as much as twice as fast on first load after a phone restart.
SwiftKey has the smallest app install size on fresh install – without sacrificing features or functionality – on some devices this is as much as half the size.
Internal testing shows improved frame rendering, reducing lag by over 50%, even on older phones.

You can grab the latest update by following the Google Play link below. For more info on all of the work SwiftKey did to make it a better keyboard app, follow the other link. Google Play Link // SwiftKey

Verizon Hosting BOGO Deal on Pixel 3 and 3 XL, But It's Got Garbage Requirements

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:54:50 +0000

Verizon will be in deal headlines today with a fresh BOGO (buy one, get one) deal on phones like the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9, iPhone XR, XS, X and more. It's a bad BOGO deal, though, unless you are in need of a new line at Verizon. Let me explain. The wireless industry's deals these days are not great. They offer up freebies and huge discounts and BOGO fun, only to require you to lock in extra lines on 2-year device payment contracts in order to get them. They are borderline scams, but they are technically "deals." This new BOGO from Verizon is on that level. How does it work? You pick a phone that is a part of the offer (like a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL) and buy it with a 24-month device payment plan. After that, you then decide on a second phone. Verizon will give you up to $800 off the second phone in the form of bill credits spread out over 24 months, since you'll also be buying that second phone on a 24-month plan. To make matters unreasonable for most, that second phone needs to be purchased with a new line too. To recap, the first phone you buy is attached to a 24-month contract, locking you in with Big Red for two years. The second phone is only semi-free because you've added a new line (that you might not need), while also requiring a 24-month contract as well. Cool! You may have a semi-free second phone, but you just locked in two lines for two years with Verizon. Hope that's OK.

Shop Verizon BOGO "Deals"

Report: LG Launching a Phone That Supports an Attachable Second Screen

Tim — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:40:10 +0000

Whether you're a fan of LG's attempts at making things that stand out from the crowded world of smartphones or not, you can't say they aren't trying. While talk of the town has been foldable displays for phones, LG is reported to be taking a different approach for at least one phone that is scheduled to be shown off at MWC this year. According to someone who is familiar with LG's plan, the reported phone supports an attachable second screen that is apparently embedded in a case of some kind. There really are hardly any details with what it will look like or how it will operate, but it's said that it will about double the phone's display size. It's also unknown if this device will fall under the G series branding or something else entirely, but really, we don't think the name matters all that much. Let's face it, LG needs a winner in 2019. It's safe to say that ever since the G5, and maybe even a bit before that, LG has been trending downward quite substantially. While the company still releases phones that are good by any standard, they continue to be outshined by Samsung and Google offerings. Let's see what you got for 2019, LG. // CNET

DEAL: Unlocked Galaxy S9 at $525 is a Good Price

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 09:28:50 +0000

Before you say it, I know - I know that Samsung is going to announce the Galaxy S10 in 16 variations on February 20 and the world will forever change, thanks to the instant economic boost from all of you suckers spending $1,200 on a hole punch screen. However, not all want to take out a variable rate mortgage on a smartphone or trade-in every last possession in order to see a $15 discount. Some just want a fresh new phone from last year that is still as good as it was when it first released, but at a cheaper price. For those, the Galaxy S9 is here. Amazon has the US unlocked Galaxy S9 (review) and Galaxy S9+ at solid discounts of around $200 off right now. These are the 64GB models and you'll need to go with "Coral Blue" to see the biggest price drop, but the other colors have discounts too. As a reminder, these US unlocked models work on all carriers, you just need to get a SIM card to insert. Prime shipping is available. Amazon Deal Link

Here is a Video Hands-on of the Pixel 3 Lite Months Early

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jan 2019 08:34:34 +0000

The Pixel 3 Lite, which is still a bad name, showed up in a lengthy hands-on video yesterday. We don't believe this phone is coming for months, so this is dumb. But here we are! Let's get it! The video arrives through a YouTube channel that has all of three videos. It's probably loosely affiliated with the guys who first outed this phone, but whatever. And yes, the phone here is "sargo," the phone we believe to be the smaller of the Pixel 3 "Lite" phones. What does this video tell us? It shows off the plastic body, the headphone jack, talks about how amazing the camera could be, the battery life, and not much else. We're really just here to see the phone in prototype form in the hands of someone. Oh, they do mention specs again, which include a 5.56" FHD display, Snapdragon 670 processor, 32GB storage with 4GB RAM, 12.2MP (f/1.8) camera, and 2915mAh battery. Cool. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqnSkALsdkk

VIDEO: Honor View20 First Look and Tour!

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 16:06:57 +0000

Honor granted us an opportunity to look at the View20 smartphone at CES this year, but now we have one in-house. Since we're expecting a similar hole punch display from Samsung with the Galaxy S10, we're using this device as a way of getting used to having a hole in our phone's display. Awesome. For specs, View20 features a 6.4" FHD+ display, Kirin 980 processor, 8GB or 6GB RAM (depending on model), up to 256GB storage, rear-facing fingerprint reader, 48-megapixel dual-camera system on the backside, 25-megapixel front-facing camera, 4,000mAh battery, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Magic UI 2.0 on top of Android 9 Pie. We'll have plenty more hole punch coverage coming up. Stay tuned.

First Look and Tour https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcDJ4RaFhOI Gallery

Oh Boy, the First Big Android Q Leak is Here

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 13:30:59 +0000

Having to think about the release of Android Q already is both exciting and a reminder that Android is a disaster when it comes to updates. Few phones have Android Pie, yet here we are getting closer and closer to the release of what should be the first Android Q Developer Preview. We'll try to push those bad thoughts aside because a leaked Android Q build has arrived with some fun new details to discuss. The folks at XDA picked up the leaked Android Q build with February's security patches and flashed it on a Pixel 3 XL. After diving in, they found a system wide dark mode toggle, permissions overhaul, hints at an Android desktop mode, and a screen recorder.

Android Q Dark Mode

The system wide dark mode is probably what you care the most about right? A full dark mode means that you'll get more than just a dark portion of the notification settings shade and app drawer. This mode we're talking about would mean dark settings, dark notifications, and more. Right now, stock Android has a "Dark Theme" that can be toggled to only darken portions of the UI. Taking that a step further, it could also mean forcing apps to flip to dark mode even if they don't have one. This leaked build has a developer setting that might try and override apps, forcing them to switch to dark. That's big, because instead of having Google and other app makers enable their own dark modes, Google may (finally) be letting you, the user, choose.

Other Android Q Goodies

Permissions changes: The leaked Android Q build features a big change to permissions that apps ask for. The basics are that you get even more controls. For example, if an app wants location access, you can give it permission to only access location when in use. That's a pretty important change, especially during a time where we're all a bit annoyed at the excessive location tracking done by almost anyone involved in the wireless industry.

Android Desktop Mode?: There is some sort of embedded experimental desktop mode in this Android Q build, but XDA was unable to get it to work. What would an Android Desktop Mode do? I don't know, but you immediately have to think of Samsung's ~~awful~~ DeX software, right? If anything, I'm at least interested in seeing what Google envisions for Android on a desktop. I won't get my hopes up for it being great, though.

And those are ultimately the biggest things for now. Other bits they found involved the system file browser and sorting, lock screen controls moving to the Display section, additional evidence of a freeform multi-window experience, and a screen recorder, which is accessed like the screenshot tool is, by long-pressing the power button. When can we expect a first taste of Android Q? The first Android O and Android P developer previews each dropped in March, so penciling in two months from now is probably a good move. Seeing anything in there you can't wait to have? // XDA

Bwoop Bwoop: Google Maps Users Spotting Icons and Audible Alerts for Speed Traps

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 12:36:16 +0000

Spotted by at least one user, visual icons and audible warnings for speed traps are being displayed inside of Google Maps, bringing the app just a tiny bit closer to the awesomeness that is Waze. According to this user, the speed traps icons are viewable when simply looking around an area and also during navigation. As you come closer to a speed trap, you apparently hear an audible alert, which is helpful when you're driving and not eyeing your phone. This appears to be a very limited rollout. I've looked on my phone inside of Google Maps and haven't seen anything like this, but check yours and let us know if you spot anything. Here's a screenshot of what the icons look like.

// Android Police

Wear OS 2.3 Update Rolling Out

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 11:43:48 +0000

A fresh update is rolling out to Wear OS watches today as Wear OS v2.3. The update has already hit both my Montblanc Summit 2 (review) and Fossil Sport (review), so my guess is that it has been made widely available to all. What's new? Good question! Ummm, the Home App has been updated to 2.21 from 2.20, so you'll get a watch home screen refresh once the update finishes. Other than that, Google Play Services, Android versions, and security patches aren't affected by it. It could just be a bug fixer. We'll update this post if Google shares any details. To check for it, head into the Play store from your watch and you should find an update waiting for Wear OS. Semi-related, but whatever happened to the Wear OS H update?

Galaxy S8, S8+, Note 8 One UI Beta Now Open in Select Markets

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 09:20:33 +0000

Are you the owner of a Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, or Galaxy Note 8? Ready for your first taste of Android 9 Pie and One UI? Samsung has officially opened up the beta for this software in select markets, so now appears to be the time. For specifics, this beta appears to first be hitting unlocked models of each phone in the UK, India, and South Korea. The beta doesn't appear to have hit US devices just yet, but at this point, it should be coming soon. In order to make sure your device is ready for this update, ensure you have the latest Samsung+ app installed on your phone. Once available, you should see a section on the Home page that says “One UI Beta." When you see it, tap on that and register your device/account. As soon as we know it's hitting US devices, we'll let you know. In the meantime, check out our walkthrough video below. // SamMobile [2]

Visible is Adding Android Support This Month

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 09:00:21 +0000

Visible, the prepaid option (they actually prefer the title "digital carrier") that runs on Verizon's network and has been an iOS-only service since it launched in May of last year, is adding Android support this month. The company Tweeted this bit of news just after the new year began and confirmed it to us at CES. January is the month for Visible on Android, for those who have been waiting. What is Visible and why should you care? They offer a single $40 plan with unlimited talk, text, and data on Verizon's 4G LTE network. Their entire service is accessed through an app, rather than a physical store or with you talking to another human. That means you get customer service via app, order your SIM for Visible via app, and pay your bill via app. On that $40 plan, download speeds are limited to 5Mbps with video streams likely rolling onto your super-duper quad HD panel as 480p. Also, while you technically have unlimited data, you could see slower connections when on a congested tower. $40, though. Their whole sales pitch seems to be based around the idea that they are simplified for this modern life you live, because apps are simple or something. They feel they can adapt and change as their customers demand it too. For example, shortly after launch, customers asked for hotspot and they delivered that. So yeah, they are arriving this month. On which devices? We should know soon, but since this is all on Verizon's network, I'd imagine you can guess some. https://twitter.com/visible/status/1080879953393127425?s=19

Report: Motorola Razr Making a Comeback With Foldable Display and $1500 Price Tag

Tim — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 08:12:06 +0000

Lenovo will soon make a push to cash in on the distinguished Razr name, with a report from The Wall Street Journal detailing a partnership between the device's maker and Verizon to sell a new foldable Razr phone in the US as early as February. According to the report, the device will feature a foldable display, not like the DROID Razr's we've seen before, as well as a price tag unlike any past Razr -- $1500. It's said that a total of 200,000 units are being produced. Now, this report is a bit of a surprise, though, as WSJ reports, a recently granted patent to Motorola depicts a clamshell-style device with a hinge. That filing described a flexible screen that folds inward when closed, but doesn't crease. February is right around the corner, so we suppose we might be hearing more about the return on Razr before too long. $1,500 Razr flip phone, anyone? // The Wall Street Journal

Pixel Phone Missing "At a Glance" Weather? Blame the Latest Google Beta (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jan 2019 06:50:36 +0000

UPDATED JAN 16: A fresh Google app beta update to v 9.0.4.21 has brought back weather.

An update for the Google app arrived on my Pixel phone at the end of last week and now my weather has been missing from the "At a Glance" widget on the home screen ever since. It's sad. Looking outside through the two windows in my office is difficult. I need Google to tell me the temperature (it looks cold af) and if it's cloudy or not (it's not at the moment, although my cave troll eyes are now burning after squinting between the blinds to check). If you also happen to be missing that little weather shortcut on both your home and lock screens, I have news to share. The culprit for this next-level disaster appears to not just be a Google app update, but an update to the Google app through the beta channel. Yes, I'm enrolled in the Google app beta, as are so many of you, and that's the reason that weather has disappeared. Want weather back? Ditch the beta channel and go stable and you should be good. At least that's what the good kids at reddit seem to believe. Or, you could wait (like me, who is lazy) for Google to push another update or flip something behind the scenes that will undoubtedly fix the problem. Google wants no one looking outside and taking a guess as to what the weather may be. Google Play Link

Verizon Adds Free Apple Music to Beyond Unlimited and Above Unlimited Plans

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 15:16:11 +0000

Back in August of 2018, Verizon began to offer six months of Apple Music to those on unlimited plans. Today, it announced that this will no longer be a trial offer, and instead, anyone on a Beyond Unlimited or Above Unlimited plan gets free access to Apple Music as a perk for being a customer. Verizon stated in a press release issued today, "With Apple Music included in Beyond Unlimited and Above Unlimited, you can either stream your favorite songs over 4G LTE or WiFi, or download songs for offline playback." This offer will be available starting January 17, which is only a couple of days away. Do note, though, new Go Unlimited customers aren't eligible for this offer. Instead, they will continue to receive a six month trial of Apple Music. If you're a happy Android user, but still want to check out Apple Music, which typically costs $9.99/month, this isn't a bad offer at all. // Verizon

Poll: Do You Buy Phone Insurance or Protection Plans?

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 14:42:31 +0000

The last time I broke a phone was the Pixel 2 XL last year when I tried to pull the phone out of a pocket and it slipped a bit, causing me to quick-swipe at it, only to miss the mid-air grab and instead accelerate the phone's fall into the bathroom tile that ended its display's life. It sucked, especially with no insurance and a dislike of all other phones sitting in my desk drawer. I took the phone to uBreakiFix, where I had to fork out $220 for a genuine replacement display. I don't bring this up today because I've broken another phone, it's just that I have been playing with carrier sites this past week and noticed that they still really want you to sign-up for protection and phone insurance plans. I've never signed up for them, even before I played with phones for a living, but I am curious if you all do. The last time we asked was in 2011 and the split was almost 50-50 for those who do and don't. As phones continue to climb in price, I'm wondering if that number has flipped. Anyone buying insurance or protection plans? [poll id="504"]

Twitter for Android Gets Quick Toggle for Showing Latest Tweets

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 13:06:52 +0000

It's only taken multiple months since Twitter said they were working on it, but a quick toggle to flip your timeline from the "top" Tweets to the "latest" has arrived on Android. If you open the Twitter app for Android today, you should see a little star icon in the top right corner that will bring up the menu at the top of this post. It's a simple toggle to flip between two different timelines - one with an algorithmic timeline that presents the "top" Tweets or one where your timeline is simplified down to the most recent Tweets, in chronological order. My Twitter app is already showing the new button and I'm not sure that an update triggered it. This could be some sort of server-side switch from Twitter. If you aren't seeing, hit that link below and look for an update. Google Play Link https://twitter.com/Twitter/status/1085265146644058112

Nike's New Adapt BB Shoes Self-Lace, Wirelessly Charge, Connect Via App (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 10:06:58 +0000

Nike had a big tech-related announcement today in the form of a new basketball shoe as a part of their Adapt line. The new Nike Adapt BB is a self-lacing, wireless charging, phone-connected sneaker that they believe is an actual performance shoe that will be game-worn. To back up a bit, this isn't the first Nike Adapt shoe that tries to self lace. The first was the Nike HyperAdapt 1.0 in 2016, a motorized lacing shoe that brought us a step closer to one of the most iconic shoes in history, the Back to the Future II Air Mag. Because of that shoe that debuted on film in 1989, sneakerheads have dreamed of a time where they'd be able to slide their fit into sneakers and let tech do the work from there. The Nike Adapt BB is the closest we've gotten, since that HyperAdapt 1.0 was more show and proof of concept than anything. The Adapt BB, on the other hand, will be worn in an NBA game by Boston Celtics player Jayson Tatum. Not only that, but Nike plans to bring this latest Adapt tech to other sports and lifestyle products soon. As far as how this is tech or DL related, well, the shoes will connect to your phone via a new Nike Adapt app. That app lets you tighten and loosen each shoe individually, change colors on the side shoe lights, and set presets depending on the situation. Like your shoe looser in warmups than the game? Those can be individual presets. Nike dreams of a customized fit for each person, plus they plan to issue firmware updates from phone to shoe over time.

I mentioned these shoes wirelessly charge, and they do. To charge them, you simply leave them sitting on the included charging pad. The lights on the shoes will indicate battery status. And yes, if the battery dies while you are wearing them, you can still unlace. In the past, Nike has been extra close with Apple and shunned Android, but all marketing materials here just say "app" and "phone," without any indication that this will be an iOS-only thing. We'll find out soon enough. UPDATE: Yep, there will be an Android app with support for the Pixel 3, Pixel 2, Pixel, Galaxy S9, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S7, Huawei P10 Lite, and Galaxy A5. That's a random as hell list of phones, but it's what this support site says. The Nike Adapt BB will cost $350 and arrives February 17. Nike Store Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uZJ2bq12JSI // Nike [2]

PSA: Price of Your Netflix Account is Going Up

Tim — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 09:05:56 +0000

In order to continue its aggressiveness approach to content, Netflix is bumping up the price for all of its service tiers. At first, this will only affect new customers, but according to the streaming company, the changes will be seen by all customers over the next three months. Here's the new pricing scheme. Pricing

Basic: Now $9, up from $8.
Standard: Now $13, up from $11.
Premium: Now $16, up from $14.

The last time we heard about a price increase for Netflix was late-2017. Not that long ago. While there are plenty who will argue that a price increase could lead to people cancelling their accounts, I don't think a $1-$2 price increase per month is going to scare anyone away from the amazingness that is Netflix. Not only are good shows and movies there already, but new content is constantly being added. I get my money's worth out of Netflix on a daily basis, so I'm not unhappy about giving them a couple more bucks. What say you? Mad? Indifferent? Share your thoughts below. // Wall Street Journal

Sprint Announces SprintT-Mobile Tuesdays With Free Pizza

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jan 2019 08:47:21 +0000

It's actually called My Sprint Rewards.

While Sprint and T-Mobile continue to wait for approval to merge, we've still got Sprint happenings to share with you. Today, the soon-to-be-deceased carrier in the yellow suit has announced a rewards program that has free pizza for you. It's basically Sprint's own version of T-Mobile Tuesdays, but called My Sprint Rewards. How does it work? You, the Sprint subscriber, download an app on Android or iOS and sign-in with your Sprint number. Once completed, you check the app regularly for offers. To kick things off, Sprint is giving everyone a free large one-topping pizza from Papa John's. The My Sprint Rewards program wants to do more than pizza, though. They plan to offer tickets to shows, trips to fancy tropical places, electronics deals, fashion stuff, and more food. The program is live now and you can grab the app at the link below. Google Play Link | More info // Sprint

DEAL: Amazon's Echo Input, Brings Alexa to Most Speakers, is $20 Right Now ($15 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:44:28 +0000

With Chromecast Audio on the way out, your next best bet for turning your old and dumb speaker into a smarter tune box is Amazon's Echo Input. Introduced back in September, the Echo Input in either black or white has been discounted to $19.99 from $34.99. What does it do? Echo Input connects via 3.5mm audio cable or Bluetooth to speakers, then gives you voice commands as if that speaker had Alexa. That means having Alexa stream your music, answer questions, check the news or weather, set alarms or timers, playing games, checking traffic, etc. Again, since Chromecast Audio is dead, this is currently a fantastic option, especially at this discounted price.

Amazon Deal Link

What is T-Mobile's Best Data Plan?

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 15:05:51 +0000

As has been made evident by T-Mobile's latest earnings report, wireless customers in the US are still moving their way over to the Uncarrier. T-Mobile continues to add new customers at an industry-leading rate. So, if you are thinking about jumping on that bandwagon, you might be wondering which data plan of T-Mobile's is the best? We've got a suggestion.

RELATED: What is Verizon's best data plan?

T-Mobile Essentials, ONE, or Prepaid?

T-Mobile, at one point, made it incredibly easy to choose one of their plans, but those times have changed some. Within the past year, T-Mobile took away their International option, added a new Essentials choice, and seems to be making it harder and harder to find their prepaid offerings. For this comparison, because their prepaid plans are basically the same as T-Mobile Essentials without much of a price difference, we'll ignore them for now. This post will help you decide between T-Mobile ONE, ONE Plus, and Essentials. Cool?

T-Mobile Unlimited Data Plans

[table responsive=scroll id=154 /] I think the choice from T-Mobile is pretty easy and that choice is the standard T-Mobile ONE plan. T-Mobile positions it as the base plan that you have to choose, assuming you don't go with Essentials, but then lets you upgrade it to ONE Plus as needed. In other words, it's semi-flexible in a good way. Why not Essentials? It's not that I don't think you should consider Essentials. In fact, if you are an individual looking for a single line plan, don't need hotspot and don't do traveling outside of the US, you should consider it. It's a great deal at $60 that also gives you the opportunity to add 10GB hotspot data for $10 per month. The thing is, if you want 2+ lines, T-Mobile ONE gives you some nice upgrades that basically offset that price increase. Also, keep in mind that taxes and fees for Essentials are not rolled into the plan price like they are on the T-Mobile ONE plans. Why T-Mobile ONE? For the most part, the standard features are that of Essentials, but you probably will get a faster every-day data connection up to the 50GB throttling threshold. However, you do get 5GB of LTE data in Canada and Mexico, plus texting and data in a 200+ other countries. Even if you don't do much out-of-US traveling, those are just there for not much more money than Essentials. But where this plan pays for itself, is if you go with 2+ lines and happen to subscribe to Netflix. T-Mobile will cover your standard 2-screen Netflix account. Additionally, if you fly around the US regularly or even a couple of times per year, you get 1 hour of free in-flight WiFi, as well as free texting throughout. Have you looked at in-flight WiFi prices in a while?

READ: What is AT&T's best unlimited plan?

Now, I mentioned earlier that this plan is flexible, and what I mean by that is the option to add-on T-Mobile ONE Plus. ONE Plus isn't necessarily a stand-alone plan, but an upgrade to ONE. For a single line, you'll pay $15 extra per month for it. However, at 2+ lines, it's only a $10 per line upgrade, giving you 20GB 4G LTE hotspot data, 2x international data speeds, HD streaming, and unlimited in-flight WiFi. Those four features are probably worth more than $10. So again, the regular T-Mobile ONE plan is probably the best, and that's because it gives you a simple way to upgrade it as necessary to T-Mobile ONE Plus if you get to the point where you need more.

Sign-up for T-Mobile ONE Plans

Marshall Stanmore II Voice Speaker With Google Assistant is My Favorite Thing Right Now

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 14:00:49 +0000

Marshall's Stanmore II Voice smart speaker has been available since mid-December, priced at $399. You may be thinking, "Holy moly, $399 for a smart speaker? Tim, you crazy!" Usually, I'd be right there with you, but considering Google has its own $399 smart speaker in the Google Home Max, and Kellen seems to like his just fine, I don't feel bad about loving this thing so damn much and recommending it. A bit of background for you, I have had a standard Stanmore II in my office for years now, back from when they first launched. I've basically used it every day since then, simply because I love the look of it, the sound, and the Marshall brand is something that has resonated with me ever since I was a little kid and introduced to people like Jimi Hendrix and Slash. A Marshall amplifier was the first guitar amp I ever bought and I consider myself a creature of habit. A bit more background for you, the Marshall speakers and headphones you have seen over the years are not produced by Marshall the amp-maker. Instead, a global licensing deal between Marshall and Stockholm-based Zound Industries allows Zound to design, develop, manufacture, and market headphone and speaker products under the Marshall brand. A renewal of this deal was struck last year, ensuring Zound will be making Marshall-branded goods until at least 2033. Now, onto the Stanmore II Voice smart speaker itself.

The Sound

What good is a $399 speaker if it sounds like crap? Thankfully, I've done nothing but enjoy the sound coming from the Stanmore II Voice. What I appreciate about this speaker's design over something like Google Home Max with regard to sound is the ability to tweak the sound how I see fit with the tone knobs, just like those found on an actual Marshall amplifier. There is a dedicated knob for volume, treble, and bass. Since I listen to a lot of bass-heavy music, I always have that bass cranked up to 10 while I ease up on the treble a bit, unless I'm listening to something a bit more vocal focused. The point is, just having the ability to hone in the sound you want is nice. The knobs themselves feel so damn good when you turn them, too. There's a slight resistance to them, which makes the whole tone tweaking experience feel very premium. The speaker is of course designed to stream music over WiFi using Google Assistant and Google Cast from whatever service supports it (I mainly use Google Play Music), but the speaker also offers a 3.5mm input for direct tune jamming, Bluetooth for wireless head banging, as well as RCA inputs. When compared to others, it's a very versatile speaker in terms of playing along nicely with whatever you're attempting to play music from.

The Look

The speaker looks like a Marshall combo amp, which is a speaker and amplifier built into a single piece. As a musician, it turns me on. On top of the speaker, the use of brass finishing and bold black lettering can easily take you on a trip down memory lane if you're familiar with Marshall hardware and the fit and finish of everything oozes luxury and sex. Sorry if this is getting NSFW. On the front you have a tightly woven material, much like the speaker grills found on a Marshall amp. Again, everything about this smart speaker screams Marshall, so if you're a fan of the brand, you'll be a very happy camper. One of the things differentiating Stanmore II Voice and the old Stanmore II are the four circular lights on the bottom frontside. These are the Google lights, which are usually off unless you're speaking with Google Assistant. When activated with the "Hey Google" or "OK Google," you'll see the the lights shine in a nice White glow.

Back to those tone knobs I mentioned earlier, they have also been upgraded from standard black lettering stickers to red LEDs. There's an LED for each notch of volume and tone, 1 through 10, making for a pleasing aesthetic when you're messing with them. Naturally, a large Marshall logo in the well-known cursive lettering is on front, along with an Est. 1962 marking on the bottom frontside.

The Smarts

With Google Assistant built directly into the speaker, it's designed to stream tunes from any supported service, such as Google Play Music, Spotify, and others. You can also control plenty aspects of your smart home as well, just like you can on any Google Home or Assistant-supported device. Setting it up is ridiculously easy, too, thanks to the Google Home app. When you plug it in, open the app, you'll see it appear in there for set up, then you're off to the races. You can also add it to any existing speaker group in your home, making for a very entertaining night at home. Marshall states that the speaker has a dual microphone array with acoustic noise cancellation for far field voice interaction. After my testing, the mics pick up my voice through music that is playing fairly well, unless you have the speaker really loud. Since this speaker does get quite loud, I probably ended up with more missed "Ok Google" hotword commands than you will. When at a reasonable volume, the speaker has hardly any issue hearing you, so I'm happy to report that.

The Price

I get it, $399 is crazy, but if you were thinking about picking up a Google Home Max or something similar, may I recommend the Stanmore II Voice instead? In my mind, you're getting much more satisfying experience with Marshall's offering than Google's, and honestly, they do the exact same thing -- play music at loud volumes. With the Marshall, you're getting something you can talk about with friends who visit your home, while with Google Home Max, you're getting a boring, cloth-covered speaker that just connects to the internet. No knock on the Max, I'm sure it's splendid, but for $399 I want to be blown away. Want to know something awesome? There's a less expensive model, too! At $299, the Acton II Voice looks nearly identical to the Stanmore II, but it's a bit more compact. If you don't need as much sound as you'd get from Stanmore II Voice, Marshall has you covered there. In the expanding market of overly expensive smart speakers, I'm taking this Marshall over all others.

Marshall Store Links:

Google Fi is Getting RCS!

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:56:36 +0000

Google has been pushing Rich Communication Services (RCS) as the future of mobile messaging for at least three years now. They've attempted to add partners, both carrier and manufacturer, to advance the technology in what is arguably the slowest, most frustration feature rollout in Android's history. What's been missing, though, is RCS support on their own wireless service. Google Fi does not yet support RCS. It's coming. Finally. Google announced this morning that Google Fi is getting RCS starting today on "phones designed for Fi." As you might expect, this will be available within the Android Messages app as a part of advanced "Chat" features. Once live, you'll get to have better and bigger group chats, see typing indicators, send higher resolution videos and photos, message over WiFi, etc. You can find a big list of RCS "Chat" features at this post. Of course, all of those features will only be available when messaging with phones on carriers that support RCS. There aren't many, but Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon have all started slowly adding devices.

In addition to the RCS news, Google says that they will upgrade 33 supported roaming countries to faster 4G LTE over the next few weeks.

How's Fi, Fi subscribers? // Google

Here's Everything We Know About Samsung's Galaxy S10 so Far

Tim — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 09:39:45 +0000

We now have a date for Samsung's unveiling of its 10th anniversary device, the Galaxy S10. February 20 will come very quickly, so to give you an idea of what to expect in 2019 from Samsung, let's break down everything we think we know with this post. We've had reports concerning how many variants of the Galaxy S10 we can expect, posts covering the specs, as well as new features and hardware design changes. Overall, the Galaxy S10 will very much be a Samsung phone, but with lots of tweaks and upgrades to look forward to. There is quite a bit to cover, so let's dive in.

Number of Variants

Dating all the way back to September of last year, it's been reported that we would see four variants of the Galaxy S10. As of this morning, that hasn't changed. We're expecting Samsung to release the Galaxy S10 Lite, Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10 X in 2019. The Galaxy S10 X is the variant that features 5G connectivity and it is reported that it will only launch where 5G networks are actually live. What that means for the US isn't concrete, but Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint have all confirmed that they will carry a Samsung 5G phone at some point. Each Galaxy S10 has its own display size and the Galaxy S10 X is said to have some insane amount of RAM, so let's dive into reported specs.

Specs

For specs, not too much is solidified, but we do have information on reported display sizes and it's always a safe bet that Samsung will utilize Qualcomm's latest chipset (the Snapdragon 855) in its flagship phones. The Galaxy S10 Lite is expected to feature a 5.8" display, 6.1" for the standard Galaxy S10, 6.4" on the Galaxy S10+, and big ol' 6.7" display on the Galaxy S10 X. While we can expect somewhat usual specs for the first three phones, though the Lite will undoubtedly have more modest specs, the Galaxy S10 X is reported as some type of mega-beast phone. ET News reports that it will feature four rear-facing cameras, 1TB of internal storage, 5,000mAh battery, as well as 10GB of RAM. Why is this phone specced out so insanely? I'm happy you asked. You see, 5G isn't the only thing that Samsung tends to include on the phone that is reported to cost around $1,600. For that price, you're not only getting access to 5G in very limited areas of the world, but specs we haven't even really talked about in the mobile space before.

Hole Punch Display

Each model of the Galaxy S10 is expected to feature Samsung's Infinity-O display technology. That means no notch, but still something that gets in the way of your eyeballs as you look at the phone's display. While the Galaxy S10 Lite and Galaxy S10 should only see a single cutout, the Galaxy S10+ and Galaxy S10 X are expected to feature dual front-facing cameras, meaning we could see a larger hole punch in the front display (like the image above, tweeted by @VenyaGeskin1). We still don't have a ton of experience with this design, but Kellen and I recently spent time with an Honor phone that features it and I can say, it's not the worst thing ever. I'd take a hole punch cutout over the Pixel 3 XL's notch any day of the week. Sorry, Google. Recently, @evleaks shared a photo of a reported Galaxy S10 on Twitter. If that's the real deal, it's not terrible to look at, but much like the notch of yesteryear, it could be an acquired tasted.

New Features

The one major thing we can expect on all of these Galaxy S10 variants is Pie. Actually, Samsung's One UI running on top of Android 9 Pie, to be exact. We already know plenty about One UI because Samsung has been publicly testing it since November. We have a full hands-on with One UI down below, in case you're curious about what it's like. As some of you may know, Kellen has never been a major fan of Samsung's software, but he actually enjoys using One UI, so it'll be interesting to see if that feeling stays for him or if it fades away like it has before. For now, One UI's complete revamp for Samsung's skin seems to be sticking. On top of a new skin and version of Android, Samsung is also intending to have ultrasonic under-display fingerprint readers on these smartphones. Ultra-sonic tech differs from optical fingerprint readers in a pretty big way. Instead of the phone having to shine a light on your finger using the display's energy, these readers use ultra-sonic waves to penetrate whatever is between your finger and the reader, allowing for a much more accurate reading. Additionally, debris on your finger or water will not hamper the reader's ability to do its job. It should be a much faster and accurate rendition of the under-display fingerprint reading tech we've seen implemented in phones like the OnePlus 6T. The other area Samsung is looking to improve on with these phones are the cameras, of course. Much like the Pixel's Night Sight, Samsung intends to launch a competing feature, apparently called Bright Night, able to snap what should be amazing shots in low light conditions without the need for a flash. I've already preached how Night Sight from Google has been a complete game changer for mobile photography, and with OnePlus also getting into this game, it's no surprise that Samsung wants to do the same.

Pricing

Want to know how much a Galaxy S10 will cost you? A lot. According to the latest information available, the Galaxy S10 Lite will cost around $800, with the Galaxy S10+ going all of the way up to around $1,400. And don't forget the Galaxy S10 X that's supposed to be around $1,600. Those prices could reflect the top tier versions of the specific models, but since none of this is yet confirmed by Samsung (and won't be until February 20 when they're unveiled), don't start hyperventilating just yet.

Release Date

All of these devices are expected to be unveiled on February 20 at Samsung's next press event. Following that, the latest report from SamMobile states that the three phones not featuring 5G connectivity (Galaxy S10 Lite, S10, S10+) will launch March 8, just a couple of weeks after the initial unveiling. Those phones will be followed by the Galaxy S10 X, reported to be released on March 29. Honestly, given the current state of 5G affairs in the US, I think you'd be silly to spend money on a 5G phone right now. It looks like a safe bet that we won't see a true mobile 5G experience in the US until well into next year and beyond, so you're probably better off buying one of the non-5G variants. That's just our opinion, though.

As we get closer to February 20, you can expect this post to see a few updates.

Samsung's 5G Galaxy S10 Might Add an "X" to Its Name, Go Nuts With Specs

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jan 2019 08:52:09 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S10 will be announced at an Unpacked event in San Francisco on February 20. We know we'll see the regular Galaxy S10, plus Samsung could show a functional version of its upcoming foldable phone. What about the 5G Galaxy S10, though? According to a new report, it might be right around the corner with quite the set of specs. The folks at ET News are under the impression that Samsung has settled on "Galaxy S10 X" for the name of the 5G model of its popular Galaxy S line. Yes, that reads Galaxy S10 TEN if you live your life with a slice of Apple in it. We'll go with it as being an "X."

RELATED: Everything we know about the Galaxy S10

For specs, this report expects an in-display fingerprint reader, six cameras (quad camera on the back, dual upfront), up to 1TB storage, 10GB RAM, 6.7-inch AMOLED display, and a 5000mAh battery. There may be something included called "Life Pattern" too, that will use AI to try and automate functions of your smartphone. As for release dates, after being announced on February 20, we could see the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ in stores by March 8, with the 5G "Galaxy S10 X" arriving March 29 in Korea. This is all happening so fast. // ET News

Chromecast Audio Still $15 Because It's Been Discontinued

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 11:22:13 +0000

Over Black Friday weekend, Google dropped the price of the Chromecast Audio to $15, while noting that the price drop would be good through the end of February. That long of a massive price drop seemed odd and would typically only be a move a company would make if the product was being discontinued. As it turns out, the Chromecast Audio has indeed been discontinued. A post over at reddit first brought up the idea that it was discontinued, but the crew at Android Police has now confirmed it with Google. The $15 price is still available, though, assuming you can find it in stock anywhere. That price drop has helped it sellout at most retailers. Not sure why you would want Chromecast Audio? It's a product that adds Google Cast abilities to dumb speakers. I can't imagine that the world was ever flocking to buy these, but they did serve a purpose for those with older speakers needing to be modernized. I've used a Chromecast Audio since it launched with a pair of Polk bookshelf speakers. I love Chromecast Audio. If you have older speakers lying around your house that you have been hoping to bring life back to, now is your final chance. Chromecast Audio Links:

Podcast: CES 2019, RIP

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 10:14:27 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're back from CES 2019 and ready to recap. It was a weak CES, but there were still some decent announcements out of it, like Lenovo's sweet little smart clock. Google Assistant dominated too, so we'll talk about a bunch of related product announcements there. We'll also dive into other big news from the week, like new headphones, the first BFGD, AT&T's fake 5G rollout, and the end of the Nexus 6P and 5X. No trivia this week. We'll be live at 12:00PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

DEAL: Samsung Galaxy Note 9, S9, S9+ All $200 Off With Up to $300 Off in Trades

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 09:48:47 +0000

Samsung has decent deals this weekend for its current flagship phones, the Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9, and Galaxy S9+. If you buy any of those phones from the Samsung store and choose Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint models, you'll get $200 off. In addition to the price drop, Samsung is offering $300 off instantly for trade-ins. Any catch? Of course. You have to buy the phones with device payment plans in order to get the $200 off. That's not surprising, of course, because the industry has switched to this model for a good couple of years now. This is how we really feel about them. To get the instant trade discount of up to $300, you'll need to trade-in a specific set of phones. Some examples of $300 off phones are the Note 8, S9, S9+, and iPhone X and 8 Plus. Other phones will get you a solid $250 off, like the Pixel 2 XL, S8+, iPhone 8 or iPhone 7 Plus. And again, that discount comes off today, you just have to send your phone in later. The Galaxy S10 is coming, but that doesn't mean these 2018 flagships from Samsung aren't still great buys. Samsung Deal Links: Galaxy Note 9 | Galaxy S9, S9+

Verizon Galaxy S8, S8+ Get December Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 08:44:16 +0000

Verizon is shipping out the December security patch to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ owners this morning. For software versions, S8 owners will see R16NW.G950USQU5CRL2 following the update, while S8+ owners will see R16NW.G955USQU5CRL2. Have at it, Verizon Galaxy owners. // Verizon [2]

Google Play Gets Handy Storage Space Status Shortcut

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jan 2019 08:32:07 +0000

The Google Play store picked up a new addition this week in the form of a storage space status button that shows you how much storage you've used and have free. You shouldn't have any confusion around the open space left for you to install another six games for your child. The new shortcut was first spotted by reddit users and Tim and I are both already seeing it. All you have to do is open Google Play, head into the My Apps & Games section, then swipe over to the "Installed" tab. You should see it at the top. If you are at the point where storage is tight, you can tap on the shortcut to enter the "Free up space" feature within your phone. That'll let you quickly remove apps you aren't using or can get rid of to make room for something else. Cool.

Google Sued Over Payouts to Ex-Execs Accused of Sexual Harassment

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 15:04:11 +0000

In the later part of October last year, we learned disturbing news about Andy Rubin and other ex-Google executives, thanks to a piece from The New York Times. If you missed it, I suggest you go ahead and read it. The gist is, the accused ex-executives were let go from their positions at the company and are still being paid large sums of money, while the company essentially tried to conceal from the public the real reason for their departures. In a new lawsuit brought up against Google by its own shareholders, lawyers are arguing that the payouts received by the accused should be returned to Google and that three independent directors should be placed on Alphabet's board, diluting control of the company from co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. Louise Renne, one of the lawyers who filed the suit, offered the following during a press conference.

We are saying to the board of directors that it’s time they stand up and do what Google says — ‘do the right thing.' There has been substantial evidence of sexual harassment at Google. And yet there hasn’t been the appropriate follow-through. In fact, quite to the contrary. The perpetrators of the sexual harassment have been rewarded handsomely — in one case, by a $90M payout. And that’s just wrong.

The suit was filed this morning in San Mateo Superior Court by Alphabet shareholder James Martin. We'll keep you posted. // The Verge

What is Verizon's Best Data Plan?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 14:04:14 +0000

So you are in the market for a new wireless data plan or new carrier and have decided that Verizon is for you? Or maybe you are with Verizon and want to switch to whatever the best data plan is that they currently offer? We think we know which plan you should go with and have a suggestion for the best Verizon data plan at the moment.

RELATED: What is T-Mobile's best data plan?

Verizon Unlimited, Shared, or Prepaid?

That's probably the place to start - which type of plan do you need? When it comes to Verizon, if you want the most features in a plan, their unlimited plans offer just that. So when we're talking the best Verizon data plan, I'm going to focus here on their unlimited options. Why not shared or prepaid? With shared data plans from Verizon, you get options where you have limited data buckets, no hotspot features, and line access charges that can quickly raise the price on your bill to that of unlimited, especially when you add on the monthly device payment you'll be paying too. They also don't give you much protection for months where you and your family might use an extra bit of data unless you've saved some from the month prior. As for prepaid, I'm actually a big fan of prepaid, but prepaid plans are better for those who already own a phone or are fine paying full price for one. And I say that because if you need to buy a phone from Verizon and go with prepaid, they won't give you the same phone purchase options, which is a nice way of saying they won't sell you the best phones. If you want the best phones from Verizon on a device payment plan to help lower the upfront costs, you'll have to buy them with an unlimited or shared data plan. Additionally, when you see those "buy one, get one free" promos or the $300 and $400 off deals, they aren't for prepaid very often. And that's why we're suggesting you just stick with their flagship plans, which fall under the unlimited plan section.

Verizon Unlimited Data Plans

[table id=153 responsive=scroll /] Those are the current three unlimited plans that Verizon offers. They all have weaknesses, because this is Verizon we're talking about, but in our opinion, the middle plan is probably going to be the best for most people. We believe that Verizon's Beyond Unlimited is their best. Why? For a few of reasons. I wouldn't recommend very many of you subscribe to Go Unlimited because Verizon is telling you that they will throttle your data connection at any moment, assuming you are near a tower that is seeing heavy traffic. They'll limit video quality to 480p too, which is on the level of a DVD, and not something you'll want to view for long periods of time on that high-resolution display your phone has. Finally, they include hotspot, but at 600kbps you will never be able to get anything done. This plan is for those who aren't worried about having the fastest connection at all times, will never hotspot, and rarely stream video.

READ: What is AT&T's best unlimited plan?

I'd tell most people to skip the top tier plan, Above Unlimited, because it has add-ons that a lot of people just won't need. The benefits of it over Beyond Unlimited are a higher data throttling ceiling (75GB vs. 22GB), 5GB extra of high-speed hotspot (20GB total), and 5 Travel Passes per month. This plan is made for those who use a massive amount of data and who also travel regularly. And that's why I'd settle on Beyond Unlimited. It has the premium high-speed 4G LTE without throttling until you use 22GB in a month. That's still a lot of data and something you'll likely never come close to using. You also get 15GB of high-speed hotspot, in case you do want to share that data connection with a computer or friend. You get the same 720p video as the Above Unlimited plan, with the option to upgrade it to 1080p, should that be a priority. You don't get the Travel Passes, but unless you are a frequent international traveler, I'm not sure you'll mind.

Sign-up for Verizon Beyond Unlimited

10 Years of Samsung Galaxy S Phones: Which Stands Out the Most?

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:57:21 +0000

Now that we have a date set for the Samsung Galaxy S10 to arrive, Samsung has started celebrating 10 years of their popular flagship phone series. A post to their press site shared some of their own thoughts on the history up until now, but I'm more curious about your views of the Galaxy S line. Is there a particular release that stands out the most? For me, it's probably the Galaxy S6 (review) line, even if the many versions of it had some serious flaws (no SD, water resistance, or removable battery, plus horrible battery life). I think the Galaxy S6 brought big change for Samsung, where they became a premium phone maker after being laughed at by the industry for continuing to produce plastic trash for so long. Remember, the Galaxy S5, released the year before the S6, was a disaster of a phone in terms of design and materials. Not only was it it full plastic, Samsung embarrassingly painted plastic to look like metal and the design often invoked jokes because of its band-aid aesthetic. They also included a USB port flap to help it stay water resistant. The phone had a f*cking flap. But with the Galaxy S6, Samsung was new again. The Galaxy S6 had a metal frame, glass all over, and was certifiably gorgeous. The S6 also brought with it the era of curved displays, moving them beyond just a one-sided gimmick. While I'm no longer a fan of the dual-curved edges, there is no denying that they are a thing of beauty and that the industry has followed Samsung's lead there some. Since the release of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge, we have had three additional Galaxy S releases, all of which look like evolved S6s. As Samsung transitioned from Galaxy S to S2 to S3, S4, and S5, it often felt like Samsung was either trying all sorts of different design ideas when they were copying Apple. For the past four years, the design language has been established. You know a Samsung phone when you see it and that all started with the S6.

IMAGE: SAMSUNG

As we await the arrival of the Galaxy S10, the most recent leaks show a phone that will undoubtedly still resemble the Galaxy S6. Sure, it'll show major improvement, but you'll know exactly what it is the minute you see it. So tell us - which is the Samsung Galaxy S phone that stands out the most to you?

RIP: LG G5 and LG V20 Updates Ceased

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 10:51:41 +0000

According to information discovered on LG's own security bulletin webpage, we've reach end of life for the LG G5 and and LG V20. We can't say we're shocked, but considering neither device has been updated to Pie, we and the owners of these phones are surely a little disappointed. Looking back at the update history for both phones, neither device received glowing support from LG, but they were updated to Oreo in late September, 2018. Just thinking about that timing, Pie was released by Google in August, with plenty of developer previews before that. It's not like LG didn't have time to ensure these near-death devices were running the latest Google software before ceasing support, but that's the outcome we've reached. With this information now known, it appears the G5 will not be updated past September's security patch on Oreo and the V20 won't receive anything past November's patch on Oreo. This feels like a good time to remind you that LG has an entire building dedicated to software updates that doesn't appear to do anything of the sort. // XDA | LG

T-Mobile Introduces "Caller Verified" Service for Better Spam, Spoof Call Protection

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 08:50:19 +0000

Illegal caller ID spoofing is a big problem right now in the spam call space, so big that the FCC has demanded wireless carriers take action. One of the first to do so is T-Mobile, who just introduced "Caller Verified," a service they hope will help customers avoid spoof and spam calling. Caller Verified informs customers on the call screen whether or not the incoming call has been verified to be authentic and not intercepted by scammers or spammers. It's not a call blocker, though, in case you were wondering. Instead, it aims to inform you of the type of call coming through and whether or not you should answer it. The service implements STIR (Secure Telephony Identity Revisited) and SHAKEN (Secure Handling of Asserted information using toKENs) standards, which the industry developed for this purpose and has been promoted by the FCC for use right away. The basics of it are that every call that comes through a carrier to your phone should have a certificate of authenticity attached. To start, a software update will push to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 with Call Verified attached. Throughout 2019, additional phones will gain support. Call Verified is free for T-Mobile customers. // T-Mobile

'Fully Functional' Foldable From Samsung Coming on February 20, Too

Tim — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 08:25:58 +0000

Samsung confirmed this morning that it will unveil the Galaxy S10 lineup on February 20 in San Francisco, but in addition to that, Wall Street Journal reports that the company will also showcase a "fully functional" foldable device, too. If you'll recall, Samsung showed off the Infinity Flex-toting device in November, but it was essentially hidden behind a protective case. We saw the device fold, the display, and learned about specs, but all other hardware was kept secret.

RELATED: Which past Galaxy S phone stands out the most?

On February 20, we should see exactly what Samsung has up its sleeve. It's reported that Samsung's foldable will be available for purchase starting in April, but that has yet to be confirmed by Samsung. // Wall Street Journal

Samsung is Announcing the Galaxy S10 on February 20

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jan 2019 07:15:20 +0000

Samsung just made it official - the Galaxy S10 will be announced on February 20 in San Francisco. While they didn't mention the "Galaxy S10" by name, the announcement for the next Unpacked event mentions 10 years of innovation and shows a "10" throughout teasers.

RELATED: Which past Galaxy S phone stands out the most?

For those who keep track of dates, February 20 is quite early. Samsung often waits until Mobile World Congress to show off its Galaxy S line, but MWC isn't until the following week. My guess is that Samsung isn't about to share the spotlight for their 10th S series phone with a bunch of other phone makers. Still excited for the Galaxy S10? Maybe some foldable action too? // Samsung

Verizon RCS Features on Pixel 3 Disappearing Today (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 14:09:00 +0000

The new RCS features that arrived on Verizon Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones a few weeks back are disappearing from phones this afternoon. Verizon customer service doesn't seem to know what's going on, but reports are coming in from all over. Not only are there multiple reddit threads with Pixel 3 owners no longer having access to the set of "Chat" RCS features, they are gone from our own Verizon Pixel 3 too.

UPDATE: Verizon got back to us and said that Google updated RCS on some level today, which caused a problem with a limited number of users. That should have been corrected by now or will be shortly for those affected. Let us know in the comments if you don't see RCS pop back up by the end of the day.

Here is a running Verizon support thread on Twitter that we'll be paying attention to. We'll check with Verizon as well. https://twitter.com/VZWSupport/status/1083110413276008467?s=09 Anyone else lose RCS features on their Verizon Pixel 3? Cheers Nick!

Lenovo's New Alexa Powered Smart Tab is Where Google Should Take Smart Displays

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 11:15:58 +0000

After last year's initial debut of smart displays at CES 2018, it shouldn't surprise anyone to see new models show up for CES 2019. Lenovo gave us that cute little clock version and KitchenAid introduced the ultimate kitchen version. But it's another Lenovo smart hub like product that is probably the most important of the lot, it just doesn't run the Google Home platform. If Google is paying attention, this is an idea they should go after. The device is called the Lenovo Smart Tab with Amazon Alexa (buy). As you can tell from that name, it's a smart home hub with Alexa instead of Google Assistant. This one differs from most, though, because it is more than just a hub that'll never move off of your counter or desk. The Lenovo Smart Tab, as you can see above, looks like a normal smart hub. If you look below, you'll see why it might be the future Google should explore. Not only does this Smart Tab do the classic home hub stuff, you can undock it and take it with you as a tablet.

Why is that so important? Well, for one, it gives you more uses for the tech you spent a couple of hundred dollars on. While the Google Home Hub on your counter sits there after being used to cook dinner, the Lenovo Smart Tab, because it's detachable, can join you on the couch later, in the bathroom as you get ready for bed, or on your nightstand until you get up and dock it the next morning. Think about things like Nest integration, where Google smart displays can fire up your camera as someone rings your Nest doorbell. Is that useful to you if your Home Hub is in the office and you are in the kitchen? What if you want to listen to your morning briefing as you move throughout your house or have the step-by-step recipe you are following, follow you from one side of your kitchen to the next? Because smart displays are stuck in place, those are unfortunate limitations. Now, while this particular tablet runs Android and is powered by a Snapdragon 450 processor with fingerprint reader, cameras, speakers, and a big display, it's certainly not a fully spec'd out beast that you'd want to do any serious gaming or tasks on. But it will probably do a good job as a house companion. And if that's all you need it do - act as a home control hub as you move around your house - it should be enough. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=is26Zrh46DU I'm also not sure the tablet needs to run full Android when undocked either. Or maybe you could flip between a Home Hub experience and full Android (for those who want it), but I wouldn't have a problem with it staying simple and really just acting like a portable home control slate. Google has introduced some nice updates to smart displays in recent months to give them more touch controls, which would only see more use if portable. It all makes a lot of sense as a concept, we just need one that doesn't run Amazon's bad software.

DEAL: Google Home Hub is $50 Off, Home is $40 Off, and Minis are BOGO

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:37:24 +0000

Since there isn't anything interesting to talk about out of CES 2019, let's instead find ways to spend money to feed our tech addictions. To help with that, we've got Google Home deals everywhere. At almost any retailer that sells them, you'll find Google Home Hub at $50 off ($99), the original Google Home at $40 off ($89), Google Home Mini at $20 off ($29), or Google Home Mini 2-packs for $50, which is like buying one and getting another free. Also, Chromecast Audio is now just $15 ($20 off). Shop away!

Google Home Deal Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9nCEiNpxUc&t=43s

Google Search Gets Activity Cards to Pick Up Where You Left Off

Tim — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 10:34:30 +0000

Beginning today, Google Search users will see activity cards at the top of certain search results, allowing you to dive directly back into previous search categories. For example, let's say you search for "healthy eating" to kick off 2019 the right way. You may find some helpful information in there, but don't have time to digest it all. Google will essentially bookmark your search, then allow you to dive directly back into whatever it is you were looking at previously. As Google explains, "You’ll find links to pages you’ve visited in the past along with searches you’ve done. From there, you can easily click back to that recipe that you tried and loved, or re-issue a search to discover new facets of that topic." If for any reason you want to mark a page to read or reference later, you can touch and hold the link to quickly add items on your activity card to a Collection. Users can access Collections by tapping the menu on the top left of the Search page (on mobile web), or through the bottom bar of the Google app. You'll find these new activity cards rolling out on mobile search starting today!

// Google

Verizon's HumX Gets Google Assistant Integration

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jan 2019 09:23:40 +0000

Verizon's HumX, their connected car solution that keeps track of car diagnostics, location, gas mileage, and more, is getting Google Assistant, the company announced at CES 2019. For those not familiar, HumX is an accessory that costs $69 and requires a $15/mo service payment. That gets you LTE connectivity for hands-free calls, NumberShare, and a hotspot for passengers to access. It provides you with vehicle diagnostics, responds to crashes, can get you roadside assistance, and allows you to share your location with friends and family. It's made up of the car diagnostics dongle and a Bluetooth connected speaker that you can attach to something like your driver-side visor. It has an app too, so you can always check on car info. How does Google Assistant play with HumX? With Google Assistant, you can ask Google to perform HumX actions, like locate a vehicle, access trip history, set a speed alert, and get a vehicle's fuel status. Verizon says you'll be able to buy HumX with Google Assistant in Q1 of this year. For those who already own the 2nd gen model, an update will be automatically pushed to your device with Assistant onboard. // Verizon

Google Assistant and Smart Displays Get an Interpreter Mode

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:18:42 +0000

Need to have a conversation with someone in a language other than the one you know? Google Assistant is getting an Interpreter Mode that will provide real-time translations over audio, while also showing written translations if using a smart display. You can kick off an Interpreter Mode session by simply saying "Hey Google, be my French interpreter," to which it will then fire up its French skills. Assuming you are standing next to someone who speaks French, you'll have an easier time understanding one another. This very much seems like a further expansion of the real-time translations that Google has been pushing over the past year, first through the Pixel Buds and then other headphones. And that's a good thing! This new mode will rollout over the next few weeks. // Google

Flying United? That's Too Bad, But Google Assistant Can Now Check Into Your Flight for You

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 14:14:22 +0000

If you plan on traveling with United Airlines in the future, you'll soon be able to check into your flight and even retrieve your boarding pass, all with Google Assistant. Said to be coming very soon, if you book a United flight and the itinerary is in the Gmail account associated with your Google Assistant, Assistant will automatically let you know when it's time to check-in for your flight. Once checked in, you can get your boarding pass right in Assistant's interface, then continue on your way to an overbooked flight where you'll undoubtedly be forcibly removed from the plane, resulting in what could be a very lucrative settlement. Not bad, not bad!

On top of the United news, Google also announced support for booking hotels via Google Assistant. To get this working, it appears that you'll need to have a specific hotel in mind. Once you know the hotel, you can choose your dates, then pay via existing Google Pay credentials associated with your account. For example, "Hey Google, I’d like to book the Cambria Hotel in New York on January 12th.” From here, you'll view availability, different pricing options, then reserve the room. As for which hotels you can book via Assistant, here's what Google says.

We’re working with a range of companies to enable fast, simple hotel bookings, from hotels like Choice Hotels, AccorHotels and InterContinental Hotels Group to online travel agencies and partners such as Priceline, Expedia, Mirai and Travelclick - an Amadeus company.

Google says hotel booking is now available to Assistant users in the US on Android and iOS. // Google

Sure Thing, Guys: Google and Sonos Say Again That Google Assistant Support is Coming

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 13:57:10 +0000

At CES today, Sonos and Google are back together, announcing that Google Assistant support is finally coming. They've been saying this off and on for a year and a half now, and this comes after the previous update on the situation from Sonos at the end of 2018. Headlines today suggest the time has come, but we're really in the same spot today that we were yesterday and a year ago. Here's the news today - Google talked a lot about Google Assistant today because a lot of fun Assistant stuff has arrived (like this and this). Sonos and Google Assistant support is not one of those things, they've just further acknowledged that some day, Assistant and Sonos will be friends. The Sonos One and Sonos Beam will get Google Assistant. We're pretty sure. Like, this is said to happen in 2019, which we were told a couple of months ago after being told the holidays were the time. In what might be even bigger related news, Google announced that they'll find a way to bring Assistant to older Sonos models too, saying "earlier speaker models will be updated to work with the Assistant." We don't know exactly how that'll work, since I'm not sure any of those older models have microphones, but we'll take it. // Google

Now Arriving: Google Assistant Available in Google Maps Starting Today

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 13:49:56 +0000

Google announced today that it is now rolling out Google Assistant to Google Maps. Now, with just your voice, you'll be able to share your ETA with friends, reply to incoming messages, play music or podcasts, search for places along the way to your destination, and can also add a new stop to your existing trip. Not only that, but Google adds, "When you’re driving, the Assistant automatically calculates your ETA from Google Maps if you want to send your arrival time to friends." As I said, this is rolling out starting today! Google Play Link // Google

Lenovo Smart Clock With Google Assistant Launches This Spring for $79

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 13:33:47 +0000

This is what we've been waiting for! And no, I'm not joking. This week at CES, Lenovo and Google introduced the Smart Clock, basically a smart alarm clock that can sit next to your bed on the nightstand. Think of it like a Google-powered Echo Spot, complete with a 4" touchscreen display, alarm suggestions based on your daily routines, settings for gently waking up with auto-adjusting screen brightness and animations, as well as the ability to control your smart home devices. Smart Clock launches this Spring for $79. // Google

Google Assistant Comes to Your Car With New Cigarette Lighter Plugs

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 10:03:54 +0000

Google Assistant really is almost everywhere at this point - it's in smart mirrors, for example - but Google has not yet fully entered the older car scene on any great scale. That will change some this year, thanks to new products from companies like Anker and JBL, who are bringing Google Assistant-equipped cigarette lighter dongles to market. Both companies announced new in-car Assistant accessories this week at CES. With Anker's Roav Bolt or JBL's Link Drive, you can add Assistant to your non-Android Auto equipped car and get all of the voice commands one could ask for (directions, weather, nearest gas station, etc.). The setup is supposed to be incredibly easy, with quick pairing between your phone and the dongle, once it has been plugged in. Both options also include fast charging to your phone, connect over Bluetooth (or Aux), and feature noise cancelling mics.

Now, to be clear, this concept is not at all new. There have been Amazon Alexa cigarette lighter smart accessories available for a couple of years now. I'm not sure how useful they are with no interface, but Google's partners think they'll be in demand enough to give them a push. You can pre-order the Roav Bolt today for $49.99. The JBL Link Drive will arrive this sprint for $59.95.

Refreshed TicWatch E2 and S2 Feature Bigger Batteries, Snapdragon Wear Chips

Tim — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:51:28 +0000

Mobvoi announced two refreshed Wear OS-powered smartwatches this week at CES, the TicWatch E2 and TicWatch S2 (pictured above). Both watches received four main things to note: Waterproofing in the form of 5 ATM resistance, swim monitoring to go along with that water resistance, 30% battery increases, and both are now powered by Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipsets instead of dual-core MediaTek chips.

Ticwatch E2

What's New

A waterproof rating of 5 ATM (withstands the pressure of being submerged in water up to 50m), making it perfect for shallow swimming in the pool or surfing in the ocean
Comes with a pre-loaded swim-monitoring mode to track your fitness progress in the water
Increased 30% battery capacity from first generation improves battery life to between 1-2 days on a single charge depending on usage
Based on Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 platform

Both devices will be on sale shortly after CES, according to Mobvoi. Specs

TicWatch E2 | TicWatch S2

Verizon, With Its Own Non-Standards 5G, Warns Industry to be "Clear and Consistent" With 5G

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:25:39 +0000

Verizon took a minute to stand on a soapbox this morning and warn the wireless industry that they shouldn't over sell 5G. Verizon is worried that some will "over-hype and under-deliver" as temptation slides in for the awesomeness that is the future of 5G. They have called upon the wireless industry to "commit to labeling something 5G only if new device hardware is connecting to the network using new radio technology to deliver new capabilities." They won't "take an old phone and just change the software to turn the 4 in the status bar into a 5" or call their 4G network a 5G network "if customers don’t experience a performance or capability upgrade that only 5G can deliver." They went on to say that they are leading by example and that they challenge their competitors to only provide a "clear, consistent and simple understanding of 5G" to consumers, and that with 5G on the horizon, talk of 5G "must be measured in truth and fact, not marketing hype." It's obvious that Verizon is pointing directly at AT&T as they say all of this, even though they never mention them by name. And yes, AT&T deserves to be chastised over their 4G LTE to 5G E flip. But this is all pretty rich coming from Verizon. Remember, Verizon was so focused on being "first" to 5G, that they created their own non-standards based 5G that doesn't work with the standards-based 5G that everyone else will deploy. It's currently only used in their 5G Home service, which again, won't work with the wireless 5G that your phone will connect to at some point down the road. Speaking of their mobile 5G, Verizon is already labeling it "5G Ultra Wideband," only adding to the confusion as if it's something more than 5G. So by creating the "first" 5G product in 5G Home and now preparing to launch 5G Ultra Wideband, they've done nothing but move away from truth and fact, all for marketing hype, leading to a message that is by no means clear or consistent. Great. 5G still sounds awful. // Verizon

Your AT&T Phone Does Not Have 5G Now

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 15:10:31 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, AT&T confirmed that it would soon update a number of its phones to show a "5G E" logo in place of the 4G LTE logo when those phones were connected to specific network towers. We mocked them for it then and will continue to do so, but wanted to let you know that the scam change has now begun. AT&T is now updating phones to show a "5G E" logo. Your phone does not have 5G now. It doesn't. It still has 4G LTE, AT&T just likes misleading its customers into believing they are now getting more. And sure, the 5G E logo stands for 5G Evolution, which is the name for a bunch of tower upgrades that AT&T has completed across the nation that should (in theory) give you faster speeds and a better connection. That connection is still 4G LTE, though. It has nothing to do with 5G. AT&T appears to be starting with the Galaxy S8 Active for "5G E" logo enabling. A support page detailing the update says that a January 4 update brings the following:

"5G Evolution indicator support added and December 1, 2018 Security Patch Level."

We don't know which phones are next, but a good guess would be all of the rest of the Samsung Galaxy line, like the Galaxy S8 and S8+, since they are very similar to this S8 Active. Really, though, any major phone from the past two years should be able to connect to a 5G Evolution tower and will probably get the logo change. One last time, so we are clear - the "5G E" logo on your phone does not mean you have 5G.

NextRadio Shuts Down Live Streams (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 14:33:11 +0000

At the beginning of 2018, NextRadio announced that they would make a big push to get FM chips and live FM radio in your next phone. Most new Samsung phones were going to have them, the company announced. A year later, NextRadio might be done and will no longer provide live streaming radio to phones. You have to wonder if the FM radio push will slow now too.

UPDATE: To clarify a bit here, NextRadio seems to have shut down digital streaming over its app, but the FM chip inside your phone still should allow for local FM broadcasts. However, according to a number of reviews, general support from phones may have been cut altogether, though that could just be from phones which don't have an FM chip. We've made edits throughout to better explain this. Sorry for any confusion.

NextRadio actually shut down live radio streams on Android phones in December, according to their support site, but no one seems to have noticed. A reader of ours tipped us off after opening the app today and being shown a message along the lines of, "Unfortunately NextRadio no longer provides radio streams and is now incompatible with your device." NextRadio pushed an update on January 2 to phones with a changelog that acknowledged they are "going back to basics" and that "streaming is no longer available." Reviews following the update are not kind, as you can imagine. The NextRadio app was removed from the iTunes store in December as well. The writing for this end has been on the wall for a while. The folks at Radio World wrote in October that NextRadio's days were limited, before following that up with a story on layoffs and the drawing down of services. What should you use now for FM listening? I'm not sure, to be honest. NextRadio should still work for basic FM broadcasts, you just won't get the advanced features that the digital stream side brought. If you know of another app, drop it in the comments. Cheers Nick!

TIDAL Update Brings Masters Quality Streaming to All Android Handsets

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 13:32:27 +0000

TIDAL has an update for its Android app this week, bringing Masters recordings to all Android devices for HiFi subscribers. Previously, Masters streaming was limited to select LG devices and the Essential Phone, but now, any Android phone can access them. If you're unfamiliar with Masters, it's a level of audio quality above HiFi, with a typical resolution of 96 kHz / 24 bit. This means that if you spent a ton of money on your headphones or in-home sound system, you're about to hear all of those subtle symbol splashes and other nuances not typically heard in lower quality mixes. If you subscribe to TIDAL HiFi, be on the lookout for this TIDAL app update. Google Play Link // MQA

Alien: Blackout Now Up for Pre-Registration on Google Play (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:52:11 +0000

Major news for Xenomorph fans this week, as Alien: Blackout details have been announced by its developer. Somewhat sadly, the game is not for consoles or PC, but instead, is a mobile game. Given I write about mobile games, I suppose I'm a little excited. Now up for pre-registration on Google Play, Blackout follows the same Amanda Ripley from Alien: Isolation, Ellen Ripley's daughter. Instead of the first person experience that made Isolation so terrifying, Blackout opts for a different approach, having the player remotely guide Amanda through emergency controls aboard a damaged space station. According to the description, "Survive seven fear-inducing levels by remotely guiding Amanda Ripley’s crew through increasingly challenging tasks using only the station’s emergency systems. The uncertainty and unpredictability of both the alien and her crew can impose total defeat for Amanda and the entire station." As the description goes on, you'll quickly realize that every decision you make changes the outcome of the game. For example, you'll have the decision to sacrifice other crew members in order to save Ripley, ultimately altering the outcome of the game. We don't have a firm release date yet, but the iTunes store lists the app's price at $4.99. Given this is an Alien title, I will be instantly buying this and reporting my findings to you all as soon as it's released. Update: Title of this post originally called Blackout a sequel to Isolation. It's not a sequel. Instead, it's the same Amanda Ripley, just a different storyline entirely. Sorry for any confusion. Google Play Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzWQwBEmkGw

CES 2019 Google Assistant Headphones: Updating List

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:31:45 +0000

Because CES is a very busy time of year for us, we're going to spare you a bit of spam in terms of announcements concerning Google Assistant-powered things. One category that we expect to see a lot of announcements in are headphones and the fact that many companies will be adding Google Assistant to them. So, this post will be a running list of all the Google Assistant-powered headphones, earbuds, and audio goodness that has Google's digital assistant. You can expect to see it updated quite a bit over the week.

JBL LIVE 400BT & LIVE 500BT & 650BTNC (Pictured Above) JBL announced a lineup of Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa supporting headphones this week, comprised of the Live 400BT, 500BT, and 650 BTNC. Given the name, only the 650 features noise cancellation, but the 400BT and 500BT feature both Ambient Aware and TalkThru technologies. The JBL LIVE Series will be available for purchase at major retailers and on JBL.com starting Spring 2019 in a variety of pricing and color options. // JBL Jabra Elite 85h Kellen already wrote up Jabra's Elite 85h, another headphone that offers support for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. They come in four colors: Black, Titanium Black, Gold Beige, and Navy. The all-black model you see above is a Best Buy exclusive. For all of the details, look here. The Jabra Elite 85h headphones arrive in April for $299.

More to come!

RIP, Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:17:35 +0000

It looks like the end has finally come - the Nexus 6P and Nexus 5X did not receive the January 2019 Android security patch. That's not super surprising, since they were no longer guaranteed to pick-up updates past November 2018, but they did manage to (surprisingly) grab December's, extending their death one final month. These are the last two Nexus devices, so this does sort of bring an end to a piece of Android history. While Google hasn't sold a Nexus branded device in years, these two were the last remaining Nexus devices to still see updates. Unless Google is just holding off on releasing update files, it looks like the end has come. Feel free to share those bootloop memories of your Nexus 5X and also how easily it was to bend your Nexus 6P. RIP.

January 2019 Android Security Update Goes Live for Pixel Devices

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 10:06:16 +0000

Google just released the January 2019 Android security patch for Pixel devices. It appears that we already have both factory image and OTA files ready to be downloaded for those willing to do some manual labor, or as always, you can sit back and wait for the update to arrive over-the-air (OTA) to your device. So far, we are seeing new 9.0.0 files for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (PQ1A.190105.004), Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (PQ1A.190105.004), and Pixel and Pixel XL (PQ1A.190105.004). The only other Google device that is still receiving security patches on Oreo is the Pixel C and it's getting build OPM8.190105.002. RIP, Nexus 6P and 5X. Functional Patches [table id=152 responsive=scroll /] 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. To check for the update, head into Settings>System>Advanced>System update. As more details arrive, we’ll update this post. Links:

NVIDIA Will Trade You Your Old Tech for $20 Off a SHIELD TV

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 09:35:22 +0000

NVIDIA quietly launched a trade-up program for SHIELD TV recently, offering potential buyers $20 off their SHIELD TV purchase if they trade in a select piece of tech. For example, if you have an old Chromecast device or video doorbell you're no longer using, NVIDIA will give you $20 for it so you can buy a SHIELD TV. For some products, like a Chromecast Gen 2, it's not a bad deal. For other accepted products, like an Xbox One console, it's not so great. However, NVIDIA is accepting a ton of different products for the offer. We're seeing almost any Roku device, Nintendo gaming devices, Sony devices, Nest thermostats, plus plenty more. You can view the entire list of accepted items here. It's entirely up to you if whatever you're trading in is only worth $20 off of a SHIELD TV. If you have something laying around and you want a SHIELD TV, follow the link below to get started. SHIELD TV Trade Up Program

House of Marley Has Its Own Google Assistant Speaker, Available Later This Year

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 09:07:33 +0000

House of Marley announced its very own Google Assistant-powered speaker at CES this week. Naturally, now would be a good time to crank some Jammin'. The smart speaker is set to be available in August, 2019, made from bamboo, recyclable aluminum, and a fabric composed of organic cotton, organic hemp, and recycled plastics. It's an eco-conscious smart speaker, which I can definitely dig. With Google Assistant and Google Cast built in, buyers can set this speaker up into a group of other Google Cast-supported devices in the home, and of course, get all your Assistant needs out of it. That means weather checking, telling it to cast things to your TV, and whatever else you use Assistant for in your home. The price is currently set to be $199. // House of Marley

Jabra's Elite 85h Headphones Have Google Assistant and Alexa, Look Hot

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 09:04:04 +0000

Jabra announced new Bluetooth headphones this week at CES that have a couple of standout features worth noting. The Elite 85h are over-ear headphones with Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, active noise cancelling, and more. They look pretty nice too. The assistant integration actually includes Siri as well, plus Jabra says this headphones let you activate Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri without ever pressing a button, a first. They are doing some sort of combination of tech with the Jabra Sound+ app in order to make that happen, but could be a useful feature to explore should you buy them. Other features include 32 hour battery life, Smart Active Noise Cancellation and Smart Sound that will turn on automatically or adjust depending on the situation, audio controls through the Jabra app, 6-microphones, and 40mm custom-engineered speakers. They come in four colors: Black, Titanium Black, Gold Beige, and Navy. The all-black model you see above is a Best Buy exclusive. The Jabra Elite 85h headphones arrive in April for $299. // Jabra

NVIDIA's First BFGD, HP Omen X Emperium 65, Arrives Next Month for $5000

Tim — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 08:36:20 +0000

At CES 2018, NVIDIA introduced the BFGD platform, which is large 4K displays with high refresh rates and Android TV built-in. At the time, three partners were announced to be creating a BFGD: HP, ASUS, and Acer. The first of these three, the HP Omen X Emperium 65, will finally be available starting next month, priced around $5,000. Holy smokes. What are you getting for your $5,000 investment? Unfortunately, panel geeks are quick to say that you will only be getting a 65" 4K LCD HDR 144Hz panel with G-Sync and Android TV powering the operation. As many are pointing out, OLED panels from top TV makers are already challenging BFGD specs for either roughly the same or a lower price. Never mind the fact that this display/monitor isn't really a TV per se, simply because it doesn't have a TV tuner. If you subscribe to YouTube TV or Hulu for your television needs, though, that shouldn't be a dealbreaker.

BFGDs are all about the gaming, though. Because a SHIELD TV is literally built into the display, and the backside features an HDMI port capable of 4K content at more than 60FPS, gamers will have no problem firing up their favorite titles. According to HP, the panel supports up to 95-percent of the DCI-P3 color space and since the early demos we saw last year, its team worked on light leakage and blooming to ensure one of the best display experiences on the market. Ready to drop $5K for this? HP Pre-Order Link // Gizmodo

JBL's Android TV-Powered Link Bar Delayed Until Spring

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 08:12:02 +0000

At last year's Google I/O, JBL announced a soundbar called the JBL Link View that had both Google Assistant and Android TV built-in. It sounded like the perfect home theater product for those looking to add Google smarts to the biggest screen in their home. It was supposed to launch in the fall and then never did. It then missed the holiday shopping season too. Today, JBL further delayed it until this spring. We aren't sure why the delays, but it's probably a product to continue keeping an eye on. It features Assistant and Android TV, as I just mentioned, but also has Chromecast, multiple HDMI ports and a one-cable connection to a TV. JBL does audio, so it should sound pretty good too. Again, JBL is now targeting this spring and it'll still cost $399. There will be an optional subwoofer you can add-on for another $299. // JBL

New ams Optical Sensor Fits Behind OLED Displays, is Here to Shrink Bezels

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 07:56:31 +0000

As companies continue the fight for an all-display front by moving cameras and sensors, a company called ams thinks they have a new solution to help. Today, ams introduced an optical sensor that can fit behind an OLED display to detect ambient light and proximity settings. Why is that important? It allows a manufacturer to skip on having a bezel-situated ambient/proximity sensor, which is the sensor setup you often see next to your front-facing camera for auto brightness adjustments. This chip from ams (TCS3701) is slim at 2.0mm x 2.5mm x 0.5mm, so ams believes it's small enough to easily fit behind a smartphone's display. How does it work? It's some sort of algorithm game that ams describes in the following way:

Despite the constraint of operating behind an emissive OLED display screen, the TCS3701 senses the addition of the ambient light passing through the display to light emitted by the display’s pixels located just above the sensor. ams has developed unique algorithms which enable accurate detection of ambient light levels without knowledge of the display pixel brightness above the sensor.

Cool, right? This little chip is sampling now, so who knows, maybe you'll see it in a smartphone before long. // ams

Sprint's Samsung 5G Phone is Coming This Summer

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jan 2019 07:29:06 +0000

Sprint joined AT&T and Verizon this morning with an announcement for their upcoming Samsung 5G phone. The device, which doesn't yet have a name or many specifics, will launch this summer as Sprint's 5G network opens up. The Samsung device is likely a Galaxy S10 model that supports 5G, which is what we assume AT&T and Verizon plan to launch later this year too. If that's the case, it should be quite high-end. As for connectivity, Sprint says this Samsung phone will offer "dual-mode" connectivity to both their LTE and 5G networks. That means connectivity over 2;5GHz spectrum, 1.9GHz spectrum (band 25), 800MHz spectrum (band 26), and other LTE bands. Sprint's 5G network will go live in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. later this year. Remember, though, this Samsung phone won't be Sprint's first 5G phone. // Sprint

KitchenAid Opens CES With What Might be Your Next Smart Display

Kellen — Sun, 06 Jan 2019 18:02:55 +0000

CES doesn't start for a couple of days, but KitchenAid just surprised us with a Google Assistant powered smart display that might be the smart display to buy. Yep, the KitchenAid that makes appliances for your kitchen is entering the smart space. What's the deal with this KitchenAid smart display? It's the smart display you are seeing above. And since it's a smart display, that means you've got Google Assistant ready to answer questions, tell you the news, show you the weather, play music and TV, and control your smart home. KitchenAid wants you to use it to cook, though, so they've partnered with Yummly to do recipes. With that said, Google has been pushing recipe integration already, so I'm not sure the Yummly partnership matters that much. What does matter is the 10-inch display, which is on the bigger side for a smart display. This bad boy is also IPX5 water resistant, so you should be able to easily wash it off after a wild cooking party. That's pretty awesome. The KitchenAid smart display will arrive in the 2nd half of 2019 and should cost between $200 and $300. // Whirlpool

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 9, Note 8 Get RCS Universal Profile 1.0 Support

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 11:01:52 +0000

T-Mobile updated its Advanced Messaging support page today, the same page that lists out details for RCS Universal Profile 1.0, the messaging standard that may one day be the future of messaging on your phone. In the update, they provided a list of supported devices, two of which had not previously been mentioned as gaining RCS Universal Profile 1.0 support on T-Mobile. The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy Note 9 are now list as being supported with RCS Universal Profile 1.0. They join the Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge, which were the first two devices to gain support, as well as the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Galaxy S8 Active. The S8 line picked up support at the end of October through a software update. We reached out to T-Mobile to confirm and they said that the "devices listed all support RCS Universal Profile 1.0." I'm assuming the Note 9 and Note 8 will still need a software update to enable it, but if they are listing them as supported, it should arrive shortly. What is RCS Universal Profile 1.0? Read this. This too. // T-Mobile

Podcast: CES HYPE, If That's Possible

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 10:27:38 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're catching up after a much-needed holiday break and that means it's CES time. Yes, CES, the Vegas tech conference we aren't sure why we go to every year, is back! Let's preview it some before diving into other topics. Outside of the CES stuff, we want to talk about the first big Galaxy S10 image leak, what's new in Google products, what Essential is up to, when your phone is getting Pie, the first 5G speedtests from AT&T, and more! Trivia is back too! We'll be live at 12:00PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

Poor, Poor HTC

Tim — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:11:33 +0000

If there is a company out there in dire need of a New Year, New Me campaign, it's HTC. Monthly revenue data for 2018 is now public, with most of the industry shaking its head and wondering how this company keeps the lights on. For numbers, I'll give you just a few to paint a startling picture. In total, HTC brought in just 23.74 billion TWD ($770 million) in revenue over the entire year. According to TechCrunch, that’s the first time it has grossed less than $1 billion during a year as a public company. And compared to 2017, that's a massive 62% drop, further confirming that we're a long way from when HTC was one of the hottest smartphone makers on the planet. Total loss for 2018 is not yet known, but when the last three quarterly reports are combined, a total operating loss of 11.13 billion TWD ($361 million) is what you're left with, with one more quarter to add. Words aren't doing it for you? How about two charts, courtesy of TechCrunch. The one on the left shows revenue levels dating back to 2005, while the chart on the right shows monthly revenue levels back to February, 2017.

To put HTC's fall into perspective, it made more money during a single month in 2013 than it did the entire calendar year of 2018. Needless to say, I don't think we'll be writing anymore "I'm excited for HTC" posts for a while. // TechCrunch

LG is Putting Google Assistant in Everything, Including a Smart Mirror

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:01:08 +0000

Once CES officially kicks off next week, expect another year filled with new electronics powered by Google Assistant. We thought that last year was a big year for Google's smart sidekick tech, but 2019 is looking to be even bigger. For example, LG has announced products in at least ~~three~~ four categories already that all include Google Assistant on some level. One of the products is a smart mirror that will steam your damn clothes. Within the past couple of days, these are the products that LG announced that should have Assistant on board:

LG Styler: It's a freakin' wardrobe styler closet thing that steams, refreshes, and kills bacteria from your clothing, . It doubles as some sort of a mirror, while also letting you talk to it using Google Assistant. I don't know who owns this thing, but I will not judge. Do you, rich folks.

LG TVs: LG's 2019 TV line-up is made up of models Z9, W9, E9 and C9 series that feature a new a9 Gen 2 intelligent processor. These TVs have Google Assistant just like last year's, but Amazon Alexa is along for the ride now too. They are smart TVs, I'm not sure what else to say about them. There is an 8K 88-inch OLED panel, though, and someone should buy it for me.
XBOOM Speakers: Also like last year, LG announced new XBOOM speakers that feature Google Assistant. Some are portable, others look silly (see below), and most should support the aptX HD codec for better sounding audio. If you are a DJ looking for a new set of speakers for your karaoke business, here you go. I'm kidding, sort of.

Again, we aren't even at CES yet and LG has announced Google Assistant in ~~three~~ four different types of products. There will be more. NOTE: I forgot that LG also announced Google Assistant in new soundbars, so we're actually at four categories. // LG [2] [3]

Pixel 3 is Getting a Sweet New LTE Band

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 15:53:50 +0000

In the future, Google is going to issue a software update to the Pixel 3 that will enable LTE band 48. That's potentially amazing news that was revealed today by an FCC document. What's important about LTE band 48? LTE band 48 is also known as Citizens Broadband Radio Services (CBRS), which was previously only used for government radar, but is an LTE band that the FCC wants to commercialize for use by networks like Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint going forward. With this band in use, it could be used to add connectivity to a phone in a place where signal issues could be present, as an add-on to pump out LTE-Advanced with carrier aggregation, or for 5G. That's weird network speak, so just know that band 48 should give you a better connection when in use, as well as faster speeds and throughput. It's nothing but beneficial. Verizon is already using band 48 (CBRS) in Boca Raton, Florida, but hasn't said much about other markets. They plan to push it, though, which means we'll see more devices with support. Once we hear more on an update, we'll be sure to let you know. // FCCID.io | XDA

RED Teases Lithium 3D Camera Add-On for Hydrogen One

Tim — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:12:16 +0000

RED, the company behind last year's Hydrogen One, is teasing a full-on 3D camera add-on for its smartphone called Lithium. If we needed any more proof that Hydrogen One wasn't for the general buying public, even though it's available through US carriers, Lithium is it. And that's not a knock, just a factual statement. According to RED collaborator Phil Holland who spoke with Engadget, "Lithium is designed to create very high quality H4V images. It's a lightweight stereo rig featuring two digital cinema sensors. [It] features zoom lenses and is one of the most compact and flexible ways to shoot high quality stereoscopic motion pictures ever." WTF. Maybe it's just me who is crazy, which I've come to terms with, but people still enjoy 3D movies? Even though you have to wear those glasses that dig into the side of your skull for an hour and a half? On the bright side, you don't need glasses to view H4V images and with the Hydrogen One acting as this camera's viewfinder, shooting and editing H4V images should be a total breeze for filmmakers. This doesn't answer how anyone without the phone will view these amazing H4V images or if movie theaters around the world intend to incorporate some new tech to allow for 3D movie watching without glasses, but anyway, this is exciting. We have been dying to learn what add-ons RED intended to introduce for the Hydrogen One ever since we reviewed this device last year, and now with the news of Lithium, I know for sure there is no way this phone was designed with me in mind and especially no way in hell I could ever afford it. Thoughts on Lithium, anyone? // RED | Engadget

I Just Need Samsung to Ditch the Curved Display Now

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 12:07:36 +0000

This is going to sound weird coming from the guy who is regularly disappointed by all things Samsung, but the Galaxy S10 has grabbed my attention. There's just two things left that I need Samsung to address and I'll be fully onboard again. One of them is software related and the other, which I'm about to discuss, is a hardware-related gimmick that needed to go a long time ago. On the software front - just to get this out of the way - you guys know I'm talking about timely software updates. Samsung has shown no interest in speeding those up, even as Google and Qualcomm have given them the tools to do so, so this post isn't going to be about that never-ending battle. Instead, this is me complaining about the obnoxious-to-use curved displays they continue to include in every single damn phone, even as they serve no purpose other than to look pretty. I'm being serious here. Samsung's curved displays are awful. For years now, I've been trying to pinpoint what it is that I dislike so much about Samsung hardware, outside of all the glass, and I think I've figured it out - it's the displays. As pretty as they look while on a desk or as I consume content, they are a nightmare to use because of those curved edges. Android in general is built around swipes, whether they be an up or down swipe to get into apps or notifications, or edge swipes to access menus and change panels within an app. Samsung even built a special app edge feature to highlight the right side of their phones and the edge display they built for them. Almost all of Google's apps contain a left-situated edge menu. Android requires a ton of edge-related swipes throughout a day. On Samsung phones, that regular swipe makes me want to smash things.

Something about those edges typically requires more than one swipe in order to properly register. You'd think I'd have gotten used to the mechanics of that gesture or figured out what Samsung needs for that to work every time. I haven't. It's been a frustration of mine since they debuted the dual-edged panel with the Galaxy S6 Edge. The thing is, I don't understand the point of this much curve. In that image at the top of this post, you can see that Google managed to slightly curve the edges of the Pixel 3. They did it with the Pixel 2 XL too. Most high-end phones have some sort of minor curve to their edges to help with in-hand feel, they just put the entire touch area within the flat portion. But Samsung, for reasons I'm assuming are only marketing related, has to make that curve extra dramatic with the touch area overflowing into it. Again, it does look kind of cool. What purpose does it serve, though? I'm all for changing things up to try and improve usability. We've moved fingerprint readers from the front to the back to the front again as technology has changed. We saw notches run wild as manufacturers tried to go all-display. We've seen various forms of humps come and go, front cameras jump around, additional rear cameras arrive, moving pop-up parts, etc. All of that was done to make things better. A curved display was done because Samsung wanted to say, "Look at this sweet shit we did, bros." Cool, you did it. What does it do? With the Galaxy S10 starting to leak, it sure looks like the curved display is back once again. That's disappointing. It's disappointing because Samsung has finally put together a really nice skin to go on top of Android with their new One UI, knocking off one of our complaints about their phones. The UI is good enough that I tossed a SIM in my Galaxy S9 for the first time in months to give it some serious run. I really liked it. But something about using the phone pissed me off within 24 hours and I ditched it. It was the curved display. It drove me nuts. We get it Samsung, you can curve things. You showed us. Bravo. Can we move on now?

GIVEAWAY: Win a OnePlus 6T in Mirror Black to Celebrate the Start of 2019

Tim — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 11:43:12 +0000

Let's get 2019 started the right way, shall we? We have a OnePlus 6T unit to hand out, one of the better Android phones to be launched in 2018. For your chance to win, we've included a Gleam widget below, granting you plenty of entry possibilities. You can tweet out an entry, check us out on Instagram, let us know your resolution for 2019 in the comment section below, or follow any of the other entry instructions we've listed. Very easy. If you catch our podcast, we recently gave away five OnePlus 6T units, with plenty more awesome prizes to come in 2019. Seriously, if you aren't hanging out with us on the Droid Life Show, you're missing out. Insert winky face. Now, onto the good stuff.

Giveaway

Prize 1 (one) OnePus 6T in Mirror Black, 6GB RAM + 128GB storage option. How to Enter Winner We will select our winner tomorrow, January 4, at 2PM Pacific. Winner must be located in the US for shipping reasons.

Poll: How Often Do You Upgrade Phones?

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 09:03:12 +0000

Apple didn't have a great day yesterday. They lowered guidance for Q1 results because they sold far fewer iPhones than anticipated. The tech world, all of which just want Apple to pet them once, is trying to figure out why the rough holiday quarter. I've seen blame put on China and trade wars, both of which are probably part of the reason. I'm also seeing a lot of talk about upgrades and the fact that people just aren't doing it as often these days. I think I'd tend to agree more with the latter as being a major problem for phone companies. Phones are expensive right now, even with payment plans. Not only that, but phones aren't getting much better from year to year. Tech isn't evolving as quickly as it once did, phones stay faster longer, and the standout features that often help sell a phone aren't as game-changing. We've discussed the idea that the Pixel 2 XL is probably fine and that upgrading to a Pixel 3 XL might not be worth it. We certainly said the same thing for the OnePlus 6T and OnePlus 6. The Note 9 is an awesome phone, but how much better is it than the Note 8? As for iPhones, the differences between the iPhone X and Xs are not at all dramatic, especially since many paid $1,000 for the X and probably aren't about to do that again, 12 months later, for the Xs. Apple also noted that people are using their battery replacement program instead of buying a new phone. Why are they doing that? Because it's cheaper to replace a battery than buy a new phone, especially since most think their phone is fine after getting a fresh new battery. I know that my family shouldn't always be the default example I go to for every argument, but they certainly don't upgrade regularly. My mom and brother both use the original Pixel and still love them. Sure, they are starting to complain about battery life, but otherwise, they love the shit out of those 2-year old phones. My dad is still hanging on to an old-as-hell Galaxy S7 Edge as he hesitates to buy something new. My wife, who has a closet full of the shiniest and newest phones on the planet she could use at almost any time, has little interest because she's fine with her Pixel 2. Even I stuck with the Pixel 2 XL throughout almost all of 2018, as the S9, Note 9, G7, V40, and OnePlus 6 crossed my path. So let's get some numbers here. We asked you at the beginning of last year how often you upgrade. Since the topic is scorching again, we should get an update. How often do you upgrade phones? [poll id="503"]

Actual Photo of Galaxy S10 Emerges, Hole Punch Notch and All

Tim — Thu, 03 Jan 2019 08:39:57 +0000

2019 is off to a good start, with an actual photo of a supposed Galaxy S10 being posted by @evleaks. As we can clearly see, this device aligns with multiple reports from last year, which stated Samsung would skip the display notch entirely and go straight for the Infinity O design that it showcased at its annual tech conference. The industry has coined this the hole punch notch, similar to what Huawei recently unveiled on the Nova 4. What we can also see is that it appears the dedicated Bixby button is not yet dead, with it appearing below the volume rocker on the left side. As for what else can be expected in the Galaxy S10, it's reported that we should see an ultrasonic under-display fingerprint reader, at least one 5G variant, and a camera feature similar to that of Google's Night Sight. Infinity O. Ultrasonic fingerprint reader. 5G. Night Sight-like camera. One UI. I'm sorry, but this phone has me a little hot and bothered right now.

// @evleaks

My Body is Ready for All the 5G Carrier Trash Talking

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 13:01:39 +0000

You've already heard us say that 5G, in its early rollout days, is kinda awful. However, it is fun to watch network operators, such as Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile take jabs at each other concerning who has the best 5G offering so early in the game. We recently posted a story about AT&T's 5G network and the first speed tests we were seeing. The speeds essentially align with what we expected from the first days of 5G network availability, but already, Verizon spokespeople are publicly bashing AT&T's "fake 5G Network." https://twitter.com/kvnhkng/status/1080535924986073089 We're loving the hostility on a Wednesday morning, Mr. King. Now, Mr. King isn't exactly wrong, but he's not entirely correct either. AT&T's mobile 5G network, which can only be accessed by a Nighthawk hotspot device, utilizes the same mmWave technology that we've discussed before. 5G, when fully matured, is a network made up of networks: mmWave, sub-6GHz, and the ever-improving LTE network you know and love today. This chart beautifully shows the whole 5G picture that we're all shooting for. The point is, Verizon's own 5G plans also rely on mmWave technology, such as the planned Moto Mod for the Moto Z3. Even its 5G Home offering is based on mmWave. Right now, mmWave is extremely limited in its connectivity, with location and distance playing critical roles on your connection speed. Really, until the mixture of mmWave and sub-6GHz is a thing, I'm fine in saying that all these so-called 5G networks, even though AT&T wants to call it something different like 5G+, aren't the real 5G networks we've been dreaming of. T-Mobile has been petty, too. Back in January, 2018, the company's CTO Neville Ray coined #Fake5G in a blog post, essentially poking fun at AT&T and Verizon for using mmWave and pawning it off as 5G, though, T-Mobile's 5G future plans also incorporate the use mmWave. For T-Mobile, it's roadmap isn't as rushed as AT&T and Verizon's, being more focused on acquiring Sprint, which would allow it to have a more solid rollout of the sub-6GHz + mmWave combo. As T-Mobile's own CEO John Legere puts it, "AT&T's idea of 5G is basically LTE. Our proposed merger with Sprint will supercharge the Uncarrier, create real broad and deep nationwide mobile 5G." Our issue, albeit a small one, is that T-Mobile doesn't intend to launch its "nationwide 5G" until much, much later down the road. Hopefully, the competition between AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile will lead to better mobile experiences by us, the consumers. We're the people they're trying to impress after all, right? Screw the "First to 5G!" game, just give me the 5G dream each of you keep hyping in your marketing materials and press events. Until then, keep talking all the trash you can because we're enjoying it!

Motorola's Moto Z Line Might Not be Dead

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 12:51:56 +0000

After the release of the Moto Z3 and Moto Z3 Play last year, we wondered if a new set of Moto Z phones would ship in 2019 or if the line would end. Motorola committed to 3 years of Moto Mods for the series, but not much else. With few new or meaningful Moto Mods released over the past year, our money would have been on the Z line getting the axe. We might have been wrong! A set of 3D CAD renders for the Moto Z4 Play showed up today, thanks to @onleaks. The renders, assuming Motorola does indeed bring it to a store near you, show a phone that looks very much like the Moto Z3 Play (review), only with an upgraded display. The Moto Z4 Play seen here has a display with a teardop-esque notch, similar to what we saw on the Essential Phone that released back in 2017. The backside features a single-camera puck, Motorola logo, and familiar Moto Z pins that should allow for Moto Mod connections. Again, it looks like a Moto Z phone with a 2018 front. For specs, we have no idea, but today's info drop suggest a 6.2-inch display, USB-C port, 3.5mm headphone jack, and single cameras galore. I'm cool with Motorola continuing the Moto Z family, I just want them to release an actual flagship version this year. Some useful Moto Mods might be nice too, and I'm not talking about that ridiculous 5G Mod they made so that Verizon could brag for a day over the summer. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAwWCtjY04s // Compare Raja

Google's Magic Gesture Control Tech Gets Approval From FCC

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 10:48:09 +0000

Back in 2016 at Google I/O, on the very last day of the event, during one of the last sessions, Google showed off one of the coolest projects it had been working on. Dubbed Project Soli, the tech used a radar antenna to enable gesture controls over devices. It was incredibly cool to see in action, but movement on the Soli front has been mostly quiet since. That changed a bit with a much-needed FCC approval on the last day of 2018. According to a Reuters report, the FCC has granted Google a waiver to use their Soli tech at a higher power level than is currently allowed. The higher power level allow "Soli devices to meet [their] operational objectives." The FCC document talks about being able to control smartphones with full gesture controls, even simulating button presses that provide feedback. Of course, in the demo that Google showed off in 2016, we saw Soli provide interaction with a smartwatch, as well as a JBL speaker. For the watch, the gestures controlled portions of the UI, but were probably more realistically applied to the speaker, where they controlled volume, songs, and on/off actions. To see Google still working on Soli is good news. This was legitimately one of the coolest tech demos we've seen in recent years, especially since it looked like it was almost ready to go in something like a speaker. Can you imagine how nice it would be to flip through a recipe on your smart display in your kitchen with gestures as your hands are covered in chicken slime? Or maybe the phone on your desk pings you, but you'd rather not pick it up to check on status - a possible hand wave over top, followed by a couple of finger twists could let you read an email. The approval by the FCC gave Google permission to operate Soli after some pushback from Facebook, who suggested the requested frequency might interfere with other tech. The two came to an agreement and then notified the FCC, who also gave Google approval to use Soli on aircraft. And to think, I just said 2019 might suck. To see Project Soli in action, jump to the 26:30 mark of the video below. https://youtu.be/8LO59eN9om4?t=1590 // Reuters | FCC (PDF)

Samsung Provides Different Pie Update Roadmap, Galaxy Note 9 and Note 8 Bumped Up a Month

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 09:50:34 +0000

Samsung, given its presence in nearly all corners of the globe, has varying update roadmaps for its product lineups. This week, we're seeing a slightly different Pie roadmap than the one we saw in late December, with a couple of positives to note. The big difference is for Galaxy Note 9 and Galaxy Note 8 owners. Previously, Pie and One UI were expected to arrive in February for the Galaxy Note 9 and March for the Galaxy Note 8. Now, Pie is apparently coming this month (January) for Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy Note 8 has been bumped up a month to February. Take note, on this roadmap, that puts Galaxy Note 8 ahead of the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ which are still expected to receive the update in March, which is sort of a rare occurence for Samsung. Most other devices haven't changed, so if you see your device listed below, feel free to mark the calendar with these estimates. // SamMobile

Let's Complain About Tech in 2019, Just as 2019 Starts

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 09:46:04 +0000

2019 is here all of a sudden (Happy New Year!) and I feel like we should be looking at what's to come. We should be getting excited about the next wave of tech, right? We should be speculating on who or what the big winner of 2019 will be, analyzing every meaningless Galaxy S10 rumor, wondering how early the Russian blog reviews of pre-production Pixel 4 units will arrive, and preparing to laugh at the 110th story written about this year being HTC's last chance. No? Should we look at our wallets and apologize for the 5G future they will soon experience or pre-write a story about why T-Mobile and Sprint weren't actually able to lower prices after merging? The Galaxy S10 will fully usher in an era of hole-punch phone displays, which will undeniably be better than last year's notch era. But what else are phone companies doing to get us to upgrade? I guess everyone will now copy Google's Night Sight, and that's great. Camera improvements will always be welcomed. What else, though? Displays, which are already large and surrounded by less bezel will get slightly larger with even smaller bezels. There'll (unfortunately) be glass on glass on glass still. We really all going to do these bad gradient paint jobs? Is 2019 really going to be the year of gradients? I'm assuming that more headphone jacks will disappear, more dongles will be required, battery tech won't improve or bring us longer charge life, and updates will remain as slow as ever for non-Google or Android One phones. Samsung will fold shit too at prices most will want no part of. Let's see, what else can I complain about. Oh! Essential is making an "AI" phone which is, lol. If Google sticks to its trend of finalizing hardware to match design trends 8 months too early, the Pixel 4 might be another Pixel 3 XL. There could be a mid-range Pixel 3 line-up coming, which exists for reasons I cannot yet understand, because we know they won't be reasonably priced for the tech offered - this is Google we're talking about. Smartwatches running Wear OS are fully doomed since we're relying on Qualcomm to provide all chips, even as they show no interest in or motivation to actually provide improved chips. We might need a Wear OS update to realize some of the potential of the 3100, but come on, nothing is really going to help this old ass silicon. I think Android TV will see a big boost this year as Google ramps up availability and adds a bunch of new partners. That's great, because Android TV provides a solid media experience today, I'm just not sure more devices running an experience that's been out for a year is something to get sweaty about. Chrome OS tablets are supposed to be a thing, but Google's Pixel Slate feels like all the reason to not get excited there. I can't even bring myself to review the thing, it's so bad. It's jittery in tablet mode (fix coming!), all of the keyboards for it are awful to use, it weighs 8,000lbs, Android app support for it is not good, and the price is embarrassingly high. 2019 won't be the year of 5G no matter what carriers and their partners tell you. 2019's version of 5G is going to suck. It's going to be super limited and expensive. You'll be misled about it. It won't change your life. Maybe it will in 3-4 years, just not this year. Ugh. 2019. Please surprise me. Someone tell me what I can be excited about.

OxygenOS 9.0.3 Update Rolls Out to OnePlus 6, Nightscape Improvements Inside

Tim — Wed, 02 Jan 2019 08:37:11 +0000

This past weekend, OnePlus announced the rolling out of OxygenOS 9.0.3 for OnePlus 6 owners, which should be hitting most units by now. Inside, users should expect to see December's security patch, improvements for the Nightscape camera mode, improved Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, as well as better slow-motion camera performance. The full changelog can be viewed below. Have you received it yet, OnePlus 6 peeps?

What's New

System
- Improved Wi-Fi stability for better connectivity
- Improved Bluetooth stability for better connectivity
- Updated Android security patch to 2018.12
- General bug fixes and improvements
Camera
- Improved Nightscape performance
- Improved slow-motion performance
- Optimized image processing
Earphone
- Audio tuner for Bluetooth earphones
Communication
- Support VoLTE for Bouygues FR

// OnePlus

Louis Vuitton's Wear OS Watch Gets Upgraded With Snapdragon Wear 3100

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 11:19:27 +0000

When Qualcomm announced its new Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform back in September, they told us to expect new watches from Fossil, Montblanc, and Louis Vuitton to be the first watches running it. We've already reviewed Fossil and Montblanc 3100 watches, but have not yet seen the Louis option arrive (it did hit the FCC). That should change soon, thanks to an upgraded Tambour Horizon smartwatch. The folks at Engadget have some details about the new watch, saying that it will not only run the Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform, it'll also have an upgraded display too. Owners should expect slightly improved battery life, just don't expect a single charge to last more than a day. Additionally, the ceramic white option pictured here should be a purchase option once it becomes available, with new 24-hour bezel. How much will this new Tambour Horizon cost and when can you buy it? We don't know. 2019 is hours away from busting down our door, so you'll have to wait until then, obviously. As for pricing, the original LV watch started at $2,500 - I wouldn't expect this to be any cheaper.

// Engadget

LG's Android Pie Update Roadmap is Seriously Depressing Me

Tim — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 11:15:27 +0000

Remember in April when LG opened up an engineering center where the sole purpose was to provide timely software updates? Forgive me, but LOL. According to a new roadmap provided by LG, its G7 ThinQ smartphone won't receive Pie until some time in Q1 (likely in Korea first, then rollout across the globe), but other devices, such as the V40, aren't even listed to receive Pie in that timeframe. Instead, it's set to receive the PentaShot camera mode. And the LG G6? It's set to get a small performance update with no taste of Pie mentioned, not even a slight whiff of sweet Pie aroma. LG, you're bad at software updates and this global update center seems like a joke. Let us quickly compare LG to another massive Android player who has a super heavy custom skin running atop Android -- Samsung. Samsung introduced One UI to run on top of Pie, and while you won't hear me praise Samsung for how quick their updates come, it's certainly doing a better job than LG in this department. As of right now, Samsung is poised to have Pie and One UI running on the Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9, S8, S8+, and Note 8 by March, 2019. Specifically, Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners will have the update in January, meaning Galaxy owners are days away from their Pie update, while LG owners could still be months away. That hurts. LG owners, we'll keep you posted, but you'll need to stay patient for your piece of Pie.

[Planned to be reflected in the first quarter of 19] G6 Performance Update

Improve voice call quality

Improved Talkback voice prompts to improve accessibility

Improvement of the phenomenon that the fingerprint input screen is temporarily invisible when paying LG pay.

V40 ThinQ Performance Update

PentaShot feature on camera

Parking assistant function and subway notification function in context aware setting

Alarm / Clock app with alarm off function on holidays

G7 ThinQ Performance Update

Pie OS upgrade planned

// XDA | LG

As Expected, First 5G Speed Tests on AT&T Leave Much to be Desired

Tim — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 09:19:17 +0000

AT&T's Nighthawk 5G hotspot has seen limited availability this month in very select areas across the country, but now we're starting to get an idea for the company's 5G speeds, thanks to users on reddit who have the device positioned in their homes. From what we're seeing, AT&T's 5G, shown as 5G+ on the Nighthawk, is producing speeds nearly identical to 4G LTE. One owner on reddit, located in Indianapolis, posted the following results.

5G vs. 4G LTE

According to the Nighthawk owner who ran these speed tests, the 5G site is located directly across the street from their location, on top of a 3-story building. Being so close, you'd expect to see much better numbers, but sadly, we're continually reminded that AT&T's 5G is little more than marketing mumbo jumbo for the time being. We feel bad for continually having to be the bearer of bad news when it comes to 5G, but if anyone was expecting 1Gbps down speeds from their Nighthawk on AT&T, I'd set your expectations much lower until we start seeing sub-6GHz devices hit the market. Anyone here using a Nighthawk in their home? What are your results looking like? // PC Mag | reddit

Essential R&D Boss Can't Wait to Sh*t On All the Haters

Kellen — Mon, 31 Dec 2018 08:43:40 +0000

The future of Essential is mostly a mystery. Since releasing a single phone a year and a half ago that only sold after dramatic price drops, nothing has come to replace it or work alongside it in any sort of family of products. The company hasn't delivered on modular accessories for that first phone, likely cancelled both a follow-up phone and its home hub, was rumored to be up for sale, has seen its founder in headlines for all the wrong reasons, and has cut a big chunk of its workforce. While we haven't exactly written off Essential, a number of other writers (apparently) have. That has fired-up the company's head of R&D. In a Tweet over the weekend that should bring some hope to Essential fans, Essential's Head of R&D, Jason Keats, said that "All these stories about Essential's demise," are feeding his "desire to rub their faces in it in the future." He went ahead and suggested that "We aren't done, not by a long shot." See, good news! https://twitter.com/EssentialKeats/status/1079178649662828544 What's Keats referring to, though? Again, we don't know what Essential's plans are, other than they are "now hard at work on [their] next mobile product," according to a statement they sent to us last week. Is that next "mobile" product the silly-sounding AI phone that was reported on back in October? Probably. As long as it's not anything like the new Palm phone, I'll try to reserve judgement for now. So, Essential fans, you've got something to look forward to. And to everyone writing Andy Rubin's company off, well, should Essential do something notable, prepare for R&D trash talking, which I know will keep you up at night.

Report: LG G8 Features Teardrop Notch, 3D Camera System, No 5G

Tim — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 11:31:10 +0000

This time last year, there was a lot of uncertainty concerning LG and what it planned on doing in the smartphone world. We heard reports that LG was considering a big rebrand and even heard it made a phone that would be the G7, then completely scrapped it at the last minute and came up with something new. As we all know, what we got this year from LG was the G7 and V40, both sporting ThinQ monikers. Honestly, none of it was all that exciting or different from what other phone makers were doing in 2018, but that won't stop LG from pushing right along into 2019. This week, we're learning what we might expect from the LG G8, with a launch seemingly penciled in for the end of March. That aligns with past G series launches just fine, but how will the phone be different to get people excited about LG instead of Samsung and others? According to ET News, LG will introduce a teardrop notch display for the device, as well as a 3D camera system. For the teardrop notch, think Essential Phone and OnePlus 6T, a little dip in the top of the display that houses the front-facing camera. Compared to the Pixel 3 XL, we're fine with that design. As for the 3D camera system, not much is known, but it has us worried that LG hasn't opened up their Android history books in a while. If they did, they would know the term "3D" equates to bad times in terms of sales. 5G on the G8 was also discussed in this report. Because 2019 is officially the year of 5G, you'll be happy to learn that the G8 will not have 5G. Instead, LG is said to be planning a separate device for 5G connectivity, one not associated with the G series of devices. Maybe the V series or a separate series altogether? This is LG, so your guess really is as good as ours right now. CES is days away, so I can basically guarantee that we'll be hearing more about LG soon. Right now, what could LG do to get you excited for its 2019 lineup? // ET News

It Looks Like the End has Finally Come to the Essential Phone (Updated: Yep)

Kellen — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 08:46:54 +0000

It wasn't the successful, industry-changing run we had all hoped for from the startup founded by Android creator Andy Rubin, but the Essential Phone might be done. After a good year and a half of price drops and flash sales after a rocky, expensive start, the Essential Phone has begun slipping away into unavailability land.

The Essential Phone switched over to "Out of Stock" on the Essential Shop last week in all colors after not much of a discount (not like this one) during the height of the holiday shopping season. It's now mostly gone at Amazon too, outside of some resellers trying to get rid of remaining devices, with no Prime shipping available in the last couple of color options. Best Buy removed all listings of the unlocked model and now shows it as "no longer available" if you do find a legacy link to it. That change happened sometime around December 14. The only version sold by Best Buy is the Sprint model. And speaking of the Sprint model, Sprint's site seems to think they have it, but the page is broken for me and just spins as it tries to figure out how much to sell the phone for. We reached out to Essential to find out if the phone was indeed done, but have not yet heard back. I'm guessing they are on a solid end-of-the-year vacation with no product to sell and a confusing future possibly filled with an AI phone and email app companies that no longer make email apps. I should point out that they killed off most references to their never-realized smart home hub a while back as well. All Home pages disappeared from their site weeks ago and now 404 if you try to access them. The last remaining mentions of the hub are blog posts from back in May 2017 when the company first revealed its plans. My guess is that the Essential Phone and its Home hub are gone for good. And that's not that surprising. The Phone is a year and a half old, the hub was probably always going to fail because it wanted to do some sh*t that the industry was never going to allow. I still think it's too bad we never saw a follow-up to the Essential Phone, though. As I wrote earlier this year, Andy Rubin and crew didn't need to change much for it to be one of the best phones of 2018. In fact, a couple of component tweaks and a focus on the camera might have made it the phone of the year. Because remember, in terms of design, it was a good year ahead of everyone else. But it has been a rocky year for Rubin and the Essential team, which has been dramatically reduced. Since the Essential Phone arrived, they haven't given us much outside of some accessories and a really expensive DAC that showed up a year too late. That's a long time for any company to go without releasing a new product. If there is one positive, we still believe that the Essential Phone will get major OS updates for a good portion of next year, followed by another year of security updates. Between now and then, though, it's anyone's guess if Essential will take another shot.

UPDATE: An Essential spokesperson reached out with the following statement, confirming that it is indeed the end of the Essential Phone. Also, a new mobile product is coming.

We are sold out of Essential Phone on essential.com and won't be adding any new inventory. We are now hard at work on our next mobile product and will continue to sell accessories and provide speedy software updates and customer support to our existing community.

RIP, Essential Phone.

DEAL: SanDisk 400GB A1 MicroSD Now $89

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 15:48:55 +0000

Your post-holiday storage deal is here - 400GB SanDisk A1 microSD card for just $89. This isn't the lowest ever price - that was $80 for Black Friday - but it's close. For $89, that's a massive amount of additional storage for your phone, tablet, portable whatever device. When first introduced, this card cost $250 and has slowly dropped in price over the past year. For specs, it has 400GB (obviously), but it's A1 rated, which means it has been built for Android phones to handle apps and everything else you do in the fastest way. It has read speeds of 100MB/s, so transferring 4K files or running apps off it should be no problem. Amazon Deal Link

Verizon Moto Z2 Play, Moto Z3 Getting December Security Patch

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 12:48:27 +0000

Verizon's Moto Z2 Play and Moto Z3 are grabbing December's security patch this week, with the updates rolling out now. Once updated, Z2 Play owners will see software version ODSS27.76-12-42-4, while Z3 owners will have ODXS28.66-18-6. Nothing else is listed in the changelog alongside December's patch, so as we always say, have at it! // Verizon [2]

Report: Trump Considers Executive Order to Block US Companies From Buying Chinese Telecomm Equipment

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 11:39:38 +0000

In the latest chapter of our US government versus Huawei, ZTE, and the Chinese government, President Trump is reported to be considering an executive order that would invoke the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, granting our president the authority to regulate commerce in response to a national emergency that threatens the United States. The threat being that the Chinese government is using ZTE and Huawei telecommunication equipment to spy on America. While those familiar with the White House's plans state that ZTE and Huawei won't be specifically mentioned in the order, a source says that it is expected commerce officials would interpret it as authorization to limit the spread of equipment made by the two companies. Meanwhile, ZTE and Huawei already have plenty of equipment installed through our country, most notably in rural regions. In fact, Huawei's vice president for sales of Huawei Tech USA, is on the board of directors of the Rural Wireless Association. RWA represents carriers with fewer than 100,000 subscribers and it estimates that 25% of its members have Huawei or ZTE equipment in their networks. If the reported executive order comes and states that this equipment must be replaced, it's estimated that the cost of such work would be $800 million to $1 billion for all RWA members to replace their Huawei and ZTE equipment. I get the feeling we'll be hearing more about this during CES in a few days. We'll keep you posted. // Reuters | CNBC

Google is so Terrible at Keeping Its Phones Secret

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 09:48:10 +0000

Pixel 3 Lite picks up a release date rumor, possibly spring.

We're pretty sure that Google has two new mid-range phones in the works. They've been dubbed Pixel 3 "Lite" and Pixel 3 "Lite" XL, which are terrible names that I can't imagine are real. Forget that for a second, though, because we now think we know when they'll arrive. According to Android Police, these "Lite" Pixel 3 phones should show up in the spring at Verizon. Is that an exclusive thing? Who knows. Would it shock us if it were? No, Google has foolishly attached itself to Verizon for the past three years and probably won't stop doing so any time soon. There aren't any other new details to share here, but that's because Google is terrible at keeping anything a secret and we know all sorts of details about new Pixel phones. Russians already have the Pixel 3 Lite in hand and have given us a tour with specs. OnLeaks has provided detailed 3D CAD renders of each. There aren't many mysteries outside of price and when they'll be sold. Well, we think we might know that second part. Google, you aren't very good at this whole secret-keeping business. // Android Police

Instagram Testing Horizontal Feed Because They Hate Us All

Tim — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:30:02 +0000

According to a limited number of Instagram users and then detailed by The Verge, Instagram made a big change to its feed early this morning. Typically, an Instagram feed goes up and down, with a user able to flick their finger through a number of photos. Instead of this, Instagram is testing a horizontal feed, with posts -- and advertisements -- taking up what is essentially their own page in an Instagram Story. There is greater emphasis on comments and scrolling through multiple photos at once is made impossible. In the horizontal feed, you have to flick left or right every time you want to see a new photo. I hate this. I hate this. I hate this. Due to some serious blowback from users, Instagram appears to have quickly reverted to the standard vertical feed for those who were given the new horizontal feed. While it's entirely possible that Instagram is doing a bit of A/B testing to get a feel for how folks would respond, this is the sort of thing I'd keep internal. It looks like an awful experience. And while we're at it, let's go ahead and bring back a chronological feed. Were you one of the unfortunate few to be gifted this new feed? How bad was it? The Verge

LG's New Soundbars Have Google Assistant Built-In

Kellen — Thu, 27 Dec 2018 08:14:25 +0000

With CES 2019 about a week away, we're starting to learn about some of the products that will be on display at the show. LG is one of those companies revealing plans a bit early, with an announcement for its new soundbars. The new LG soundbars (models SL10, SL9 and SL8) feature a "sleek, modern design," feature sound that has been given the Meridian Audio stamp of approval, and can do the smart stuff, thanks to Google Assistant. These new soundbars support Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, can up-mix their two-channel audio without generating distortion, and can upscale audio formats to sound like high-resolution. You should get a richer soundstage with more bass, thanks to Meridian's Bass & Space technology too. As for Google Assistant, it's there. You can control the soundbar by voice (volume controls, for example), run your smart home, check the weather, and whatever else you want to do with the Assistant. Again, these soundbars will be at CES where we'll likely get more details around pricing and availability.

// LG

DEAL: Rent Any Movie on Google Play for $0.99, 4K Included

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 11:49:50 +0000

For a limited time and apparently limited to those not using a Google Apps account (that will be a small number of you), you can rent any movie on Google Play for just $0.99. That includes 4K rentals, too. To redeem this offer, simply open up Google Play on your phone or desktop, find that red banner near the top (like in the image above), hit the Redeem button, then you'll then see all rental prices, 4K included, drop to $0.99. We're not sure why Google Apps accounts aren't supported, but when switching to our own personal accounts, redeeming the promotion works just fine. Have at it!

Pixel 2 XL Drops to $599 at Google Store

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 11:09:23 +0000

After an initial $150 price drop when the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL were released, the Pixel 2 XL has been given another discount to end 2018. Google's bigger 2017 phone is now $599. This extra $50 discount is a part of the Google Store's end-of-year special offers, but it could be around for a while. I'd imagine that Google wants to move as many of their old phone inventory as they possibly can. The Google Store currently has 64GB in-stock in both colors for $599 and 128GB Just Black phones for $699. For some reason, the regular Pixel 2 is the same price as the 2 XL (review). You should skip that and just get the 2 XL. Google Store Link

Android TV Has Tens of Millions of Users

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 10:47:07 +0000

We're not quite sure if we've ever heard specific user numbers from Google with regard to Android TV, but thanks to the platform's senior director of product management, we now know that Android TV has "tens of millions" of users, primarily in Asia and Europe. Now, this doesn't mean there are tens of million of Android TV-powered set-top boxes floating around, but instead, it seems most of these users are coming from TV-makers who decide to build Android TV into their units. In fact, you can find Android TV on over 100 TV brands around the globe, according to Google's Shalini Govil-Pai.

Related: Hisense H9E Android TV Review

With all that being said, AT&T's DirecTV has its own Android TV-powered box in beta at the moment, with wider release slated for middle of 2019. And with Tivo also appearing to be working on an Android TV box, times seem pretty good for Google's TV platform. Don't be surprised if we hear Android TV news during CES in a few days. // Multichannel

Samsung's Pie Update Roadmap Won't Make You Envious of Galaxy Owners

Tim — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 09:03:07 +0000

Samsung has shared its Android 9 Pie update roadmap this week, and from the looks of it, some folks will be waiting quite a long time to see Google's latest platform update. Keep in mind, Pie was released to the world four months ago with Google offering developer previews for it all the way back to March. Needless to say, Samsung has had plenty of time to start working on this, as all OEMs do, but the company is also redoing its entire custom interface to One UI, so these things take time. According to Samsung's chart, Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners should have the update in January (which we already knew), followed by the Note 9 in February and Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Note 8 in March. You can see the whole schedule below and things start getting real depressing when you bring up the Galaxy J3 and certain Galaxy Tab devices from only last year. Frankly, I'd be pissed.

If you own one of the devices that appear near the bottom of the list, I'm very sorry. On the bright side, at least you now have something to mark on your calendar. // SamMobile

OnePlus 5 and 5T Owners, Pie has Arrived

Kellen — Wed, 26 Dec 2018 08:27:21 +0000

Now out of beta, the Android Pie update for the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T is here! The update began rolling out last night and will continue to do so, slowly, for the next few days. You can check for it by heading into Settings>System updates. What you should expect from this big update? Quite a bit! The full changelog is below, as is a video tutorial of Pie running on the OnePlus 6, but for the most part, you'll get an updated UI, new navigation options (5T only), the newest security patch, improved Gaming Mode and DND, and integrated Google Lens.

OnePlus 5 and 5T Android Pie Update

System
- Updated system to Android™ 9 Pie™
- Brand new UI for Android Pie
- Brand new navigation gestures (Available for OnePlus 5T only)
- Updated Android security patch to 2018.12
- Other new features and system improvements
New Gaming mode 3.0
- Added text notification mode
- Added notification for 3rd party calls
Do Not Disturb mode
- New Do Not Disturb (DND) mode with adjustable settings
Camera
- Integrated Google Lens mode

// OnePlus

DEAL: Buy Google Home Hub for $99, Get 2 Free Home Minis (Today Only)

Kellen — Sun, 23 Dec 2018 10:16:48 +0000

Target might have the deal of the holiday season, but it's only for today only. If you hit those links below and add a Google Home Hub and two Google Home Minis to your cart, you'll get the Google Home Minis for free. So we've got Black Friday pricing on Google Home Hub, but you get a couple of Google Mini devices too. Since Mini is discounted to $29 at the moment, that's $58 worth of savings. Not only that, but at $99, Home Hub is $50 off from its normal $149 price. This is a hell of a deal. If you need the items for Xmas presents, you can do in-store pick-up too.

Target Links:

DEAL: Nova Launcher Prime is $0.99 Right Now, 80% Off

Kellen — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 18:14:13 +0000

This doesn't happen often, so if you have not yet made the investment in Nova Launcher Prime, the paid license of Nova Launcher that unlocks all of its features, now is the time. As of this moment, Nova Launcher Prime is just $0.99. That's an 80% discount from its usual $4.99 price. Why should you buy Nova Launcher Prime? We tend to think its the best 3rd party launcher you can install on your phone, giving you unlimited amounts of home screen customization and features. If you own a Samsung, LG, or HTC phone, you should go buy it now and get rid of whatever trash launcher they included out of the box. You need an upgrade. But if you don't want to listen to us, check out this poll (Nova is the top launcher of DL readers), as well as the comments, where users shared their reasons for using it. Oh, it's also been around for 7 years and keeps getting better with constant support. Don't forget that Prime is just a license, so you'll need to install the regular Nova Launcher too. Google Play Links:

Nova Launcher Prime ($0.99)
Nova Launcher

Lots of Galaxy Phones on T-Mobile are Getting Security Patch Updates

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 12:32:21 +0000

T-Mobile's lineup of Samsung Galaxy devices are getting security patches, most with December, but a couple are receiving November's patch. For software versions following the update, it should look like this.

Galaxy S9: G960USQS3BRK2 (December patch)
Galaxy S9+: G965USQS3BRJ6 (December patch)
Galaxy Note 8: N950USQS5CRK1 (December patch)
Galaxy S8: G950USQU5CRK1 (November patch)
Galaxy S8+: G955USQU5CRK1 (November patch)
Galaxy S7: G930TUVS8CRL1 (December patch)
Galaxy S7 Edge: G935TUVS8CRL1 (December patch)

If you own one of these phones, be on the lookout! // T-Mobile [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]

Samsung is Coming for Google's Night Sight Camera Magic

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 11:37:22 +0000

2018 might have been a snoozefest when it came to smartphone design and releases, but the camera tricks introduced to better tackle photography in low light situations have been incredible. Smartphone innovation is still occasionally a thing and there is be no better showcase of that than with Google's own Pixel 3 camera and the Night Sight mode it released shortly after launch. Unfortunately, a whole bunch of you were not impressed with the overall Pixel 3 package and passed on it, even if it has what is arguably the best camera experience. Not to fear, Samsung fans, the Galaxy S10 might have you covered. The folks at XDA uncovered evidence buried within the Samsung One UI (Android Pie) beta that references a "Bright Night" camera mode. This mode sure sounds like it's going to attempt to mimic Google's camera magic. Here is the string that talks about how Bright Night should work:

Bright night Suggest mode to take bright pictures even in very dark conditions. Hold your phone steady. Taking picture. Brighten up this shot with Bright night. Take bright pictures even in very dark conditions Night Take multiple shots and combine them to get brighter, clearer pictures in low light without using the flash. Take bright pictures even in very dark conditions.

Holding your phone steady in "very dark conditions" using a mode that takes multiple shots, combining them together to get "brighter, clearer pictures in low light," is exactly how I would describe the Pixel 3's Night Sight or Night Mode. With evidence already showing up inside of the Samsung One UI, Samsung could always release this ahead of the Galaxy S10 launch, but honestly, why would they do that? This will more than likely be a headline exclusive-type feature when the S10 is revealed, even if that exclusivity doesn't last long and eventually makes its way to other Galaxy phones. This should leave Samsung fans incredibly excited. Samsung has made included some of the best smartphone camera experiences dating back years, long before Google and LG and Huawei and HTC had a clue as to what they were doing. Samsung was one of the original camera kings and hasn't slowed while others have caught up. What do you guys think, can Samsung match Google's algorithmic magic? // XDA

Report: Google Assistant Launching on 2019 Samsung Smart TV Lineup

Tim — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:30:38 +0000

According to a report from Variety, Samsung will likely announce integration with Google Assistant on its 2019 Smart TV lineup next month during CES. Why is this huge news? From an Android enthusiast perspective, Samsung is known for touting its own solutions. In this case, Samsung has its own digital assistant already baked into 2018 Smart TVs, known as Bixby. The idea that Samsung is open to bringing a 3rd-party digital assistant to its TV lineup could mean Samsung knows that to offer the best experience to its consumers, it should offer more options than just its own. Are we a little bias because we love Google Assistant? Probably. Beyond the news that Google Assistant could come preloaded on 2019 Smart TVs from Samsung, it is also reported that the company is looking to improve the audio shipped on these televisions as well. Also reported by Variety, the 2019 lineup could feature the same spatial audio tech that is seen in products like Google Home Max and Apple's HomePod. This tech allows the speaker to essentially be aware of its environment, then tuning the speakers automatically to provide the best audio experience. We are just weeks away from the craziness of CES, so we'll keep you posted on this. // Variety

AT&T Will Soon Show Customers a "5G" Network Logo on Their Non-5G Phones

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 09:27:03 +0000

AT&T's 5G Evolution has nothing to do with 5G and has been mocked by most in the industry as a terrible marketing play that does little but mislead customers and create unnecessary confusion. It's sort of like the naming of HSPA to "4G" a few years ago, even though HSPA was no 4G. To make matters worse, AT&T is now going to start showing a "5G" logo on its phones that aren't capable of connecting to a 5G network. Ugh. According to Fierce Wireless, AT&T has confirmed that they will soon show a "5G E" logo on phones that are connected to a tower that supports 5G Evolution. You can see the styling below, where that will mean a 5G logo next to a smaller "E," as if to highlight the 5G portion and fully trick your non-tech friends into believing they are on 5G. It's kind of gross, if I'm being honest. The rollout of this new icon will start soon for a "handful of devices" before arriving on more in spring of 2019. AT&T didn't specify which phones, but it should be almost any newer phone that has been released within the past year or two. After all, 5G Evolution is just advanced LTE, with tech like 4x4 MIMO, License Assisted Access (LAA), and 256 QAM, so your current phone likely supports it. Of course, you'll have to connect to a 5G Evolution tower before seeing the 5G E logo. Thankfully for you, AT&T will have 5G Evolution in 400 markets by the end of this year and expects it to be a nationwide thing in 2019.

On the other hand, congrats to you! Your 4G LTE phone on AT&T will soon be a 5G phone and you didn't have to pay for the upgrade. // Fierce Wireless

Pixel 3's DxOMark Score is Here

Kellen — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 08:04:38 +0000

In recent years, Google made a big deal about the DxOMark score given to its Pixel phone line almost the minute they announce it. That changed this year with the Pixel 3, as the score was curiously missing at launch and only arrived today, two months after the phone has been in the hands of anyone interested. I think we know why the phone's score was missing, because the rankings have changed some and Google's phones no longer stand a chance at holding the top spot. The Pixel 3 DxOMark scored is 101. It's individual Photo score is 101, while its Video score is 98. How does that rank? For single-camera phones, the overall 101 score ties for the best in the business with the iPhone Xr. Its Photo score of 101 also ties the Xr. The 98 Video score, on the other hand, ties for the best in the business with all phones. The camera has improved in all categories over the Pixel 2. You probably noticed the callout of single lens, and that's because there are six other phones with higher overall scores, as well as higher Photo scores, all of which have dual cameras. That's the thing - Google won't rank the highest ever again in DxO scores unless it introduces a secondary zoom lens to its phones. The DxO score is built around a variety of factors that a camera needs perform in, in order for its score to tick up there in the rankings. Without the secondary zoom lens, the testing that goes into the scores we're talking about here, will bring the overall score down in Zoom and Bokeh categories for Google's phones. Take a look at how its Photo score compares to the iPhone Xs and Galaxy Note 9. Many of the categories, the Pixel 3 bests the Note 9 and is right there with the Xs. But when you get to the bottom, where Zoom and Bokeh are, you can see how far behind it is, and that's because of the lack of the secondary zoom lens.

What should you take from all of this? Well, while we don't put much into these scores, they are a ranking system that puts almost all flagship phones up against one another and breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of each from a variety of factors. Take from them what you will, but you may as well use some of this info in your research as you try and decide which phone to buy. The Pixel 3 camera, according to DxOMark, is right there with the best in the business as a point and shoot camera as long as you don't need to do much zooming. It's video capabilities are basically the best you'll find. // DxOMark

DEAL: Lenovo 8" & 10" Smart Displays for $129+ ($70 Off)

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 15:22:26 +0000

In need of a smart display to really tie your smart home together? For a limited time, you can save $70 on either the 8" or 10" model of Lenovo's Smart Display, with the 8" model priced at just $129 and $179 for the 10" model. We already thought these Google Assistant-powered displays were cool when they first launched, but thanks to recent updates, they're only getting better. They really are a hub for all of the smart home tech you may have, so if you've been on the fence, now seems like a good time to grab one. Follow the links below to take advantage. Purchase Links

Best Buy: 10" | 8"
Lenovo
Abt Electronics

Cheers Jeremy!

Poll: How Many Phones do You Carry Each Day?

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:25:44 +0000

In a bit of a rant this morning about a frustratingly absent feature on Wear OS, I got to talking with some DL readers about the number of phones people carry each day. You see, I know a lot of people who carry around more than one phone most of the time. They work jobs that require them to be accessible on a work phone, yet also still want/have-to-have their own personal line. But it's clear that to many of you, that idea is semi-foreign and not something that fits the majority of people you know. So for today's poll, we just want to know - how many phones do you carry each day? [poll id="502"]

T-Mobile was Supposed to Launch TV Service in 2018

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 14:10:48 +0000

T-Mobile isn't launching TV service in 2018, though. According to a report out of Bloomberg, T-Mobile's TV service will possibly arrive some time in 2019. There was supposed to be TV disruption and that just hasn't happened yet, as the high bar that T-Mobile set for themselves has been harder to hit. At the end of 2017, T-Mobile began the process of acquiring TV company, Layer3. Layer3 sells TV service in only select cities, but does some unique stuff that involves a smarter TV box that beams 4K signals to additional boxes throughout a house, can record 8 shows at a time, and store it all in 1TB of space. T-Mobile completed their purchase in January, promising service at some point this year. T-Mobile missing their targeted TV launch is only semi-surprising, and I say that because they are in the middle of trying to acquire Sprint. They announced TV plans long before they made serious moves on Sprint. And look, acquiring Sprint is a much bigger deal than T-Mobile trying to screw with the TV industry. So if you were looking forward to T-Mobile's industry-disrupting TV service that would smack Comcast in the face, it's not happening just yet. // Bloomberg

Google Play Hosting Holiday Sale on In-Game Content, Movies, TV Shows, and Books

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 13:02:14 +0000

Much like prior years, Google is hosting its own holiday sale on Google Play, allowing folks to get deals on in-app content, movie purchases and rentals, as well as deals in other categories. There is a lot going on, so without taking hours to list everything, I'll highlight a few. There are plenty of great movies to own for as little as $5.99 (HD version or better), whole TV show seasons for under $15, movie rentals for $0.99, 80% off books, and loads more. Follow the links below to see all of the good stuff. Google Play Links

In-app Deals
Movie Rental Deals
Movie Deals
TV Show Deals
Book Deals
Audiobook Deals

What fun!

I Just Want to Pair Multiple Phones to My Wear OS Watch

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 11:24:33 +0000

There may be a perfectly technical reason for this, but it's 2018 and I still can't pair my Wear OS watches to more than one phone at a time. At this point, almost every person I know carries both a work and personal phone, yet connecting a watch to one and then the other, so that you are always attached to the phone in your pocket, is not possible. For those not onto Wear OS still to this day, what I'm telling you is that you can't pair the same watch to two different phones. Look at that image above from Google's own support page that I just visited this morning. So if I have a Galaxy S9 as my personal phone and a ~~LG V40~~ (lol no one owns that) Pixel 3 as my work phone, I can pair a Fossil Sport (review) to my personal S9 only. If the battery on my S9 dies or I chuck it in a drawer during work hours, grabbing only my work phone to head out to appointments or sales calls or to get me through the day, my watch is now no longer connected to a phone. I can't just switch the Bluetooth connection over to my Pixel 3 from my Galaxy S9. How dumb is that? Again, I don't know the exact reasoning behind this decision, but it has been there since day 1 for Android Wear and now Wear OS. I keep hoping that with every new Wear OS version, Google will change this, yet here we are. I'd imagine Google could make the OS smart enough to reserve two connections in it, allowing you to choose a phone to attach to. I can't imagine it's a Qualcomm chipset problem, but it could be, since Qualcomm makes sh*t wearable chips that are almost older than the platform they serve. And look, I don't need the watch actively paired to two. That would be bad news, since again, the chipsets involved here might melt your watch. All I'm asking for is the ability to disconnect the watch from one phone and then attach it to another by clicking a couple of buttons. You know how you have to do that today? You have to fully factory reset your watch to then connect it to another phone. Have you ever factory reset a Wear OS watch? Good lord, it's painful. Because they all run old-as-f*ck chipsets from Qualcomm, a company who wants to invest nothing in Google's wearable platform because Google doesn't seem interested in looking elsewhere for its chips, it takes a good 30 minutes to setup a watch. Not only that, but during setup, you are lucky if you get out of it without burning through 50% of the watch's battery. Google, come on, man, help me us out here.

DEAL: NVIDIA Hosting Another Mega Holiday Game Sale, Up to 75% Off on Titles

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:26:39 +0000

NVIDIA is hosting yet another holiday game sale, with select SHIELD TV-compatible titles on Google Play being marked down by as much as 75%. Now I truly understand why they call this the most wonderful time of the year! Games included in this sale include Borderlands 2, Alto's Adventure TV, Teslagrad, This War of Mine, realMyst, Hotline Miami 1 & 2, as well as Riven. Seriously, there are 30 games included in the sale, so now would be a good time to spend that Google Opinion Rewards money if you have it. The full list of games on sale are listed below.

Borderlands 2 – 75% Off
Borderlands: The Pre-Sequel! – 75% off
Ticket to Ride - 60% off
Jackbox Party Pack 5 - 30% off
Alto's Adventure TV- 50% off
Caterzillar - 50% off
Puddle + - 65% off
Teslagrad - 58% off
Snowboard Party Pro - 50% off
Snowboard Party: World Tour Pro - 50% off
Riptide GP: Renegade - 66% off
This War of Mine - 50% off
Battle Supremacy - 50% off
Oddworld: New 'n' Tasty! - 50% off
Fossil Hunters - 50% off
Party Hard - 50% off
Ashworld - 50% off
Kona - 70% off
The Talos Principle - 50% off
Suzy Cube - 50% off
Chameleon Run - 50% off
Death Road to Canada - 50% off
realMyst - 50% off
Riven: The Sequel To Myst - 50% off
Meganoid - 50% off
Heroes of Loot 2 - 50% off
Space Grunts - 50% off
Crashlands - 50% off
Hotline Miami 1 – 50% Off
Hotline Miami 2 – 50% Off

Get on it!

Mobvoi Finally Lets Wear OS Users Choose Google Fit Instead of Their Own Random App

Kellen — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:23:38 +0000

One of the biggest changes to Wear OS 2.0 was the overhaul to the layout from the home screen watch face. It gave you 4 distinct swipes that got you into areas with purposes. Swipe down and you get into quick settings shortcuts. Swipe up and you have the new, smaller notifications. Swipe right and the Google Assistant is there for you. Swipe left and Google Fit is there to tell you about your fitness goals for the day. Well, on all watches not made by Mobvoi. You see, when Mobvoi began pushing out the 2.0 update to its line of watches that include the Ticwatch E, S, and Pro, they replaced the Google Fit panel with their own random TicHealth fitness service. People were (rightfully) pissed. After complaining from the minute the update dropped until today, it appears that Wear OS users have won. Mobvoi is now giving users the choice between their own fitness service and Google Fit. To change to Google Fit, simply swipe over to the Ticwatch fitness panel, long press, and then choose Google Fit (see above). For a platform supposedly controlled 100% by Google, this should have never happened to begin with. Or maybe better yet, Google probably should give people a choice over their fitness service that displays just to the right of the home screen, as this now appears to do. // reddit

OnePlus 6T Open Beta Program Now Available, First Update Rolling Out

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 10:01:18 +0000

The Open Beta program for OnePlus 6T has arrived, with the first update in that program now available for download. Inside, 6T owners will find December's security patch, a call history feature for incoming calls from unknown numbers, as well as iPhone support for OnePlus Switch. Here's the full changelog.

What's New

System
- Updated Android security patch to 2018.12
- Added toast message when parallel apps are unavailable due to data corruption
Communication
- Added call history for incoming calls from unknown numbers
- Optimized UI for Spam messages and calls
OnePlus Switch
- Now supports migrating data from iPhone

Ready to get going? Simply download this file to your phone's root storage, then install via System Updates in the Settings menu. Thank you for making it so easy, OnePlus. // OnePlus

Sign-Up for Google Fi Before January 15, Receive $100 in Bill Credits

Tim — Thu, 20 Dec 2018 08:57:46 +0000

Thanks to Ellen, kinda, but not really, anyone can score $100 in service credits when signing up for Google Fi right now. As you might already know, Google Fi is Google's phone plan, where customers only pay for the data they use. Utilizing 3 existing carrier networks and a countless amount of WiFi hotspots, most users should have pretty good reception wherever they go, even when traveling abroad. However, you will need a phone that supports that tech (like a Pixel phone) or at least a phone that supports Google Fi in general. You can see the full range of supported devices here. For complete terms and conditions of this offer, look here. Below you can watch Ellen give everyone in her audience a Pixel 3 smartphone, along with $100 in Google Fi money. Fun! Sign-up for Google Fi

Huawei Rolling Out EMUI 9.0, Based on Android Pie, to Select Devices

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 15:05:09 +0000

For select Huawei device owners, Pie is headed your way! Should you own a phone in the Mate 10 series, P20 series, or the Honor Play, Honor View10 and Honor 10, the update is now rolling out. Based on Android 9.0 Pie, EMUI 9.0 is Huawei's take on the latest OS upgrade from Google. Folks should expect to see the usual changes for Pie, like an updated Do Not Disturb feature and gesture navigation, but you'll also notice an improved UI as well. Huawei owners, keep your eyes peeled. https://twitter.com/HuaweiEMUI/status/1074975327833645056

DEAL: Samsung 10,000mAh Fast Charge Battery Pack is $15.99 ($19 Off)

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:45:35 +0000

Here's a good stocking stuffer deal - Samsung's 10,000mAh portable battery pack with USB-C cable and fast charging is discounted to $15.99 right now. That's a $19 savings on a device that should give you a couple of charges with each use. This portable battery pack is capable of 15W charging, so it charges at Samsung Fast Charge and Quick Charge 2.0 speeds. With 10,000mAh worth of juice, two USB ports, a USB-C port, LED status lights, and a slim design, you should buy one for someone (or yourself). Happy holidays.

Samsung Deal Link

Dark Sky Now Available on Wear OS!

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 13:12:25 +0000

Dark Sky users can now access the app's weather information directly from a Wear OS smartwatch. With this added support, you can view forecasts, current conditions, as well as hyperlocal down-to-the-minute rain forecasts. On top of this, the app supports different types of complications, such as current temperature, current conditions, and next-hour precipitation. This support is part of the app's subscription plan, which costs only $2.99/year. Dark Sky mentions that this update will be rolling out over the next couple of days, so be on the lookout! Google Play Link // Dark Sky

I'm Not Excited for HTC's 2019

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:39:51 +0000

I'm not. At all. Just clearing that up, guy. For those missing the back story, just know that I wrote this piece back in January. I think I was serious when I wrote it, even as Tim and the DL regulars (rightfully) mocked the hell out of me. Your boy was trying to be an optimist, which is weird for someone who tends to (almost always) be a pessimist. How embarrassing.

Google Fi Customers Can Now Claim a Free Google Photos Photo Book

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:36:55 +0000

Google Fi has a holiday present for customers this week, a free photo book from Google Photos. To claim, you can play a simple web-based game or simply skip that step. The game is an extremely basic task, with a dinosaur jumping over obstacles. How far you make it in the game doesn't matter with regard to getting the gift. Once you have logged into your Google Fi account, you'll receive a code to redeem on the Google Photos website. From there, create your photo book, then place your order with the code you receive. Easy! Play and Claim Here

Bro, You Just Got Fired

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 11:21:06 +0000

OnePlus released the OnePlus 6T only a few weeks ago, but a new image may show off their next device. The image arrives via @IshanAgarwal24, who posted up a shot that appears to be from inside a room of a meeting between OnePlus CEO Pete Lau and others. On a TV in the back, you can see an unreleased OnePlus phone (OnePlus 7?), as well as prototypes sitting on a desk and in the hands of Lau (right). The phone doesn't look like previous OnePlus phones, necessarily, which has us wondering if this is a OnePlus 7 or the possibly-sooner-to-be-released OnePlus 5G phone, assuming this is all real and not just some weird setup photo to screw with people. And I say that because there are all of 4 people in this room, all of which who are going to know the individual who took this photo. Something seems fishy, if I'm being honest. As for the phone, it features a hefty puck chunk in the middle of its back that likely houses a camera and reminds me of older Nokia Windows phones, like the Lumia 1020. It's certainly a different look that I'm not sure I love.

We don't know much else about the phones or this picture, since this is the only picture we have. I'm sure the person sitting next to Pete Lau doesn't have a job any longer, though. Thoughts? // @IshanAgarwal24

Verizon Updates Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, LG V30

Kellen — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 08:52:39 +0000

Verizon is pushing a batch of pre-Xmas updates to some of its not-so-new phones. The Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, and LG V30 are all getting new software as I type this. The Galaxy S7 and S7 Edge are only getting the November Android security patch, so that's nothing exciting. Builds G930VVRS8CRK2 and G935VVRS8CRK2 should be rolling out any minute now. As for the the V30, well, it's actually getting new stuff. Build VS99620g includes camera improvements, like portrait mode and a flash jump cut GIF maker. The update also brings new always-on display designs.

To check for each update, head into Settings>System updates. // Verizon [2] [3]

Our Favorite Android Phones of 2018

Tim — Wed, 19 Dec 2018 08:42:14 +0000

Our resident pessimist, Mr. Kellen, has already declared 2018 the year to forget in terms of smartphones. That happened back in August. While I appreciate the honesty and sound opinions of the bossman, we don't see eye-to-eye on everything when it comes to 2018. For one, the notch situation never really irked me the way it did to others in the industry. The same goes for the headphone jack. I've been living the #DongleLife ever since I got the new MacBook Pro, so the idea of losing a beloved port is something I'm used to as an Apple computer fan. One part of his piece I do agree wholeheartedly on is the Essential situation. We really needed to see an Essential Phone 2 in 2018 and it's unfortunate that it never came. Honestly, I'd be happy just giving this year's Phone of the Year (POTY) award to the Pixel 3 XL, simply for the camera and software experience, but when I look at the year as a whole, it's clear that there's not just one winner for a few particular reasons this year. With that said, we've decided to give our POTY award to three phones in 2018. There are also plenty of honorable mentions and even a not-so-honorable mention to round it out. Let's get started.

Pixel 3 XL

Google makes really good phones. Yes, the Pixel 3 XL (review) has the world's ugliest notch and only 4GB RAM, plus other issues that appear to really bug the tech nerds of the world, but damn it, the camera is amazing and we think the software is fantastic. As a whole, we've enjoyed using the Pixel 3 XL since launch, and until 2019's lineup starts rolling out, this is the phone we'll be using as our daily driver. We're not trying to say the phone is perfect. On top of the things already linked above, plenty could argue that it would be a better phone if it had a headphone jack or maybe more RAM, but let's discuss what the phone does have. It has good battery life, a game-changing Night Sight camera mode that is incredible and makes every other phone jealous, plus updates that roll out moments after being announced by Google -- not months, like other phones. That's the smartphone experience we appreciate and we already know that this phone being awarded a POTY award won't surprise any of you. We're creatures of habit, after all.

Buy Pixel 3 XL

Galaxy Note 9

The Galaxy Note 9 (review) is one of the phones of the year because it's the phone that has it all. You can call out Google for all of the missing pieces from the Pixel 3, but outside of timely software updates, I'm not sure Samsung missed anything with the newest Note. It has options that will lead you down a path of up to 8GB RAM and 1TB of storage. In a smartphone! But you've also got a ridiculously good (probably best-in-the-business) display, large 4000mAh battery, all the sensors, all the fast charging methods, super fast LTE and WiFi, and cameras that are probably only topped by Google's. It even has an included S Pen that now packs Bluetooth and does a whole bunch of cool stuff it didn't before. Sure, the Note 9 is crazy expensive and that might turn many off, but if you've got the budget for it, this is a phone that doesn't disappoint and will probably do something to blow your mind 6 months down the road. Oh, it also has a really sweet update coming with a refreshed UI.

Buy Galaxy Note 9

OnePlus 6T

You could easily make the argument that the OnePlus 6T (review) is the true 2018 Phone of the Year. It's the first from OnePlus to find a carrier partner. It's the first from OnePlus to work on Verizon. It still starts at a really great price point. It has meaningful improvements over the earlier-released OnePlus 6 and introduces tech that no one else in the US has used yet (in-display fingerprint reader). It looks great. It's software is as good as Google's and the updates have been showing up regularly. Battery life on the 6T is nuts. Good lord, it's a good phone. The only things holding it back are the camera that doesn't really stand-up to the two phones above and the new fingerprint reader they used is kind of frustrating to use. Those two things, had they even been slightly better, probably would have made this phone the clear winner. That's not to say that what OnePlus did here isn't something pretty special.

Buy OnePlus 6T

Honorable Mention:

Razer Phone 2: In our review of Razer Phone 2, we declared that this is how a sequel should be done. Razer absolutely killed it with Razer Phone 2, taking the best parts of the original and improving upon them, as well as adding things that were missing from the first. Not only did they make the phone way better in 2018, but they kept the same price of last year's! That makes me smile and if you picked up this phone, you're probably a happy owner.

Not-so-honorable Mention:

RED Hydrogen One: This phone (review) was easily the biggest disappointment for 2018. It was hyped like crazy, with secret illuminati press events and no one able to talk about its features, followed by an insane price tag at launch for a phone that felt completely unfinished when placed in the hands of smartphone reviewers. Kellen knew it wouldn't be great from the day it was first teased by RED, but I had high hopes. I was so wrong.

Do you agree with us or hate our guts for not liking your particular phone? Let us know in the comments below!

Google Launches Web-Based Trivia Game to Wrap Up Year in Search

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 15:18:56 +0000

Google has a new web-based trivia game for folks to play on desktop and mobile devices, based entirely on what folks have been searching for and trending topics in 2018. In the game, you're given three lives, which go away as you miss questions. Naturally, the objective is to make it to the end of the game without losing all of your lives. You'll answer questions about trending searches, determine if things trended more or less this year, and more. I will say, the game is very fun, but as you progress, it gets incredibly difficult. Like, what state searched the term "Mega Millions" the most? Pro tip, it's apparently West Virginia. Anyway, give it a try on your desktop or mobile device by following the link below. Play Here // Google

DEAL: Fossil Sport is Back and Discounted to $199 ($56 Off)

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 13:40:56 +0000

Because of a crazy Black Friday sale, the new Fossil Sport has been sold out for a couple of weeks now, even with last minute Xmas shoppers itching to buy it. Today, it appears to be back in stock in multiple colors and has been discounted to $199 from $255. $56 off! At that price, we're not quite down to Black Friday levels, but $199 is a really good deal. In my review, I find the Fossil Sport to be a standard Wear OS device. That means I found it to be solid, but one that offers nothing exceptional. And that's not necessarily a bad thing, since you need a watch like this to wear nicely, do fitness tracking, look pretty enough, and last a day. It does all of those. At $200, that's about all you can ask for, except the Fossil Sport has all of the new tech in it too. It should only get better.

Buy Fossil Sport

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4osCGF4h3A

T-Mobile One Step Closer to "Supercharged Disruptor" Status as CFIUS Approves Sprint Merger

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 10:33:15 +0000

T-Mobile expects to have its merger with Sprint completed during the first half of 2019. This week, seemingly on track with its expectations, the company announced it has received approval from the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) for its proposed transaction. On top of that, the US Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, as well as the Department of Defense submitted a filing with the FCC that they, "have reviewed the transaction pertaining to potential national security, law enforcement, and public safety issues." The group confirmed that it has no objections to the merger and has withdrawn its request to defer action on the transaction. T-Mobile stated in a press release sent out detailing the approval, "We are pleased to achieve both of these important milestones in the journey to build the New T-Mobile. We are a step closer to offering customers a supercharged disruptor that will create jobs from day one and deliver a real alternative to fixed broadband while delivering the first broad and deep nationwide 5G network for the United States." Of course, there is more work to be done. According to T-Mobile, the deal as a whole remains subject to additional regulatory approvals and other "customary closing conditions." For right now, this deal appears to be going smoothly for T-Mobile. // T-Mobile

Tivo Creek Android Voice Remote Pops Up With Google Assistant Button

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:49:07 +0000

A new Tivo product stopped by the FCC this week, looking like it might have some Android tricks up its sleeves. The remote is labeled as the "Tivo Creek Android Voice Remote" and it features a Google Assistant button. What's this tell us about the future of Tivo? Maybe that an Android TV box is on the way! That's probably somewhat of a reach, since this remote was by itself at the FCC, without a box next to it. Still, Tivo Creek is not a currently available product line, nor is this remote, with that Assistant button embedded. What could this control? It could control other Tivo boxes, I guess, but the remote does differ from the rest. This not only has that Assistant button right in the middle of it, it lacks some of the other controls that other Tivo remotes have. Instead, it's a simplified remote, like you would see with an Android TV box, with a directional pad, back button, Netflix shortcut, and not much else.

Tivo doesn't have a great Android TV presence at the moment. I'm not sure there is even a Tivo Android TV app. But also, Tivo works mostly when you attach it to cable or an antenna, as it uses those feeds to utilize its DVR functionality and the other smart features. How does that all work with Android TV? Is Tivo going to add a cable jack to a new box? Is this just going to be another Tivo fan choice, with a simplified Android TV experience at a cheaper price? I don't know! CES is about three weeks away, so don't be surprised if we find out then. // FCC

DEAL: AUKEY Wireless Chargers Starting at $6.99 on Amazon With Coupon Codes

Tim — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 09:42:55 +0000

Should you be looking to pick up a new wireless charger for your Qi-compatible device, AUKEY has a little holiday sale going on through Amazon via coupon codes. Ah, we love the holidays. Specifically, you can get an "ultra-slim" 5W Qi wireless charger for just $6.99, down from the usual price of $12.99. If you need more juice, you can get the Graphite 10W fast wireless charger for only $12.99, which is $4 off its regular price. To take advantage, follow the links below and use the coupon codes we've listed. Amazon Links

Ultra-Slim Qi wireless charger ($6.99 with code XMASAK06)
Graphite 10W wireless fast charger ($12.99 with code XMASAK04)

AT&T Gives Us the First Taste of 5G Pricing and It's Looking Expensive

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 08:33:48 +0000

AT&T already told us that their first 5G device would be a mobile hotspot brick and not a phone. That device is the Netgear Nighthawk 5G Mobile Hotspot and it'll soon be available to early adopters. Today, we learned pricing for this device, as well as how much data will cost should you decide to buy one. Through an early adopter offer for select customers, AT&T will hand over this Nighthawk 5G hotspot for no cost for "at least" 90 days, they said in a press release. Once spring rolls around, everyone else should be able to buy one and sign-up for a plan. At that time, the Nighthawk 5G brick will cost $499 (!) if you buy it outright and a compatible plan for it will include 15GB of data for $70 per month.

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

How does that compare to current hotspot devices? AT&T sells at least three other devices (like this one) that can access their 4G LTE and 5G Evolution networks and they run anywhere from $125 to $200. So the first 5G-equipped hotspot will carry a $300 premium over LTE-only devices. Good lord. As for the data plan, 15GB for $70 doesn't seem that out of line compared to what they currently offer. AT&T sells a 10GB plan for $50/mo right now. The price per GB is slightly lower on this 5G option. Just keep in mind that 5G availability will be extremely limited for the next year+. AT&T is launching in 12 cities this week, followed by another handful in the first half of 2019. In those cities, access will be limited to select areas, so this $500 hotspot will mostly be run on 4G LTE. 5G, man.

AT&T is Already Calling 5G Something Other Than 5G

Kellen — Tue, 18 Dec 2018 08:11:48 +0000

AT&T announced today that its 5G network will go live on December 21 and that early adopters in select areas within select cities who want to buy a 5G mobile hotspot device, will be able to access it. The chances of you being able to use it are really slim, as we expected, but I'm more concerned about the damn name. AT&T hasn't even fully launched this thing yet and they are already calling it something other than 5G. Instead, AT&T wants it to be known as "5G+." AT&T bros, 5G isn't even real yet and you already want to call it something other than 5G? We laughed and rolled our eyes when AT&T rolled out 5G Evolution, which was in no way any part of 5G, but come on.

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

What is AT&T 5G+? It's just standards-based mobile 5G using mmWave spectrum. It's the same sh*t every other carrier is going to launch first because it's easy to deploy like hotspot WiFi. I'm not kidding, this is just mmW 5G. It'll be fast as hell, assuming the rain or air aren't blocking the signal of it to your phone and you are standing next to a tower, not around the corner from it. What you should really be concerned about here is that AT&T might already be creating their first 5G tier. Remember, AT&T plans to bring out all of the pricing tricks once 5G launches. If they are already calling mmW 5G a different name, almost as if mmW will be extra premium 5G and needs a "+" attached to it, what's normal 5G going to cost? AT&T 5G launches December 21 in parts of 12 cities: Atlanta, Charlotte, N.C., Dallas, Houston, Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Fla., Louisville, Ky., Oklahoma City, New Orleans, Raleigh, N.C., San Antonio and Waco, Texas. In the first half of 2019, they'll expand to parts of Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego, San Francisco and San Jose, Calif. // AT&T

DEAL: TicWatch S Down to $139 ($60 Off), TicWatch E Down to $111 ($48 Off) With Free TicBand

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 15:12:19 +0000

For what we assume is a limited time on Amazon, Mobvoi has dropped the price of the TicWatch S and TicWatch E. For pricing, the Wear OS-powered TicWatch S is down to $139, which is $60 off of its usual price. For the TicWatch E, which also runs Wear OS, the price is $111, which is $48 off the usual price. That's some solid discounting. On top of the savings, Mobvoi is also offering a free TicBand wearable ($50 value) for free with the purchase of either of these smartwatches. To claim, scroll down on the product pages until you see this. From here, you can add both items to your cart for easy checkout. Have at it! Amazon Links: Ticwatch S | Ticwatch E

You Hated the Notch, So You Good With This Look?

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 14:51:03 +0000

I'm not sure I've seen anyone attempt to argue that the display notch trend that took over the smartphone world these past 12 months was a good thing. Some hated it and made their dislike for it well known, while others weren't that offended by it - they just dealt with it. But I don't think anyone said, "These notches are so awesome, bro!" Right? No one said that. OK. Phone manufacturers assured us that these notches were all just a step towards the future and that we shouldn't get too hung-up on them. They had plans for less notch and more all-displayness, it just wasn't quite ready yet. Of course, they still wanted us to buy their ugly notched phones today, but we were supposed to deal with them until the real goods arrived ate some future date. And now the next big change is here. Display cutouts. Samsung introduced one last week using one of its Infinity-O displays and Huawei has introduced another this week in the Nova 4. The Galaxy S10 will likely have a cutout, as will the majority of the rest of the 2019 phones, if I were to guess. In the image above and video below, you are looking at the Huawei Nova 4, taken from this video. This is one of the best hands-on looks we've seen of a phone with that hole punchout in a display. And that means we get to see how it interacts with the Android statusbar, which items are shifting around, etc. We also get to see how it'll work when playing videos and what it looks like to have a giant hole in the corner of your display at all times. So far, my reaction is mostly positive and somewhat mixed. I think it looks a hell of a lot cleaner than the dropdown notches that plagued the industry for most of 2018. But it's also still a black spot on your display that could possibly cover content and will force notifications (and possibly the clock) to shift some to the right, rather than starting in the corner. It's going to take some getting used to. I'm curious what you think, though. You hated the notch, so are you good with this?

Google has All the Trip Planning Tools Now, Including Flight Delay Prediction

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 13:47:15 +0000

When you decide to take a trip with significant others, friends, and family, Google wants you to turn to their services for all aspects of planning. They want you to search for flights with Google Flights, compare hotel prices with their hotel finder, and find things to do with Google Maps. To help in new ways, Google announced some new related features to all of that today. First up, when you want to check on a flight to see if it's delayed, you can ask Google Assistant about it. Google has been working on predicting flight delays and now thinks that it has an 85% confidence rate on doing so. Just ask Google Assistant if you flight is on time or specify a flight and it'll tell you (see image above). Additionally, Google Maps is getting better and better at helping you explore new cities, thanks to the "Explore" tab at the bottom of the screen. Maps will also provide you with all sorts of things to do just by searching for "things to do." And finally, when using Google Flights, you can now filter with checked bag fees to get a true representation of the total ticket price. // Google

LG Watch W7 Review: This Ain't It, Chief

Tim — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 11:45:01 +0000

I recall not long ago when Kellen and I would discuss the potential for hybrid Wear OS smartwatches. You see, both of us prefer traditional timepieces over smartwatches in terms of everyday wear, but we'd still love a watch that is able to deliver notifications or maybe make a mobile payment or two on top of looking great. In our minds, it'd probably have mechanical hands on top of a partially digital display, somewhat similar to what LG has produced with the Watch W7. When first announced alongside the V40 ThinQ, I thought this device was the answer to our smartwatch prayers. I suppose we didn't think long enough about this, because after using LG's Wear OS mechanical hybrid smartwatch for a week, I'm ready for this concept to go away. This is our LG Watch W7 review.

What’s good, what’s bad about the Watch W7?

Specs: Watch W7 features a 1.2" full circle LCD display (360 x 360, 300ppi), Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor, 4GB storage, 768MB RAM, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, IP68 rating, 240mAh battery, and various sensors for added functionalities. LG lists that it has an accelerometer, magnetic sensor, gyroscope, and barometer. Sadly, what the watch is missing is more than what it has. Watch W7 has no heart rate monitor, no external speaker, no NFC, and no standalone GPS capability. Some may also be concerned that it has no Snapdragon Wear 3100, though, LG says this watch has no real use for Qualcomm's latest wearable chipset. And to be honest, that's probably true. Snapdragon Wear 3100's main draw is the low power co-processor. Because Watch W7 features mechanical hands and LG's own Just Watch mode (turns the display and all smarts off and just uses the hands to tell time), the watch can last around 100 days without the need for a special co-processor. Additionally, support for Wear OS's sports mode isn't required since this watch has no heart rate monitor. If I was designing a hybrid smartwatch, I'd probably try to incorporate a heart rate monitor and GPS at least, but LG apparently spent three years creating this device and since it couldn't make that happen, it must not be possible at this time. My hope is that future renditions, if they are any, will attempt to bring more smartwatch functionalities to the classic timepiece look. Software: Watch W7 runs Wear OS, which has become a very usable and feature rich wearable operating system over the years. I haven't actually used Wear OS in some time, only because no hardware has come along to get me excited about it, and sadly, this watch is more of the same in that regard. As I've already mentioned, this watch features no NFC, so that means no mobile payments, and there's no standalone GPS or heart rate monitor, which means this watch won't be great for tracking your marathons or jogs around the block. Because of this, Watch W7 doesn't really offer all that much in terms of being a smartwatch or fitness tracker with loads of useful software. Basically, it can handle incoming notifications or you can access Google Assistant should you need it. Over my course of using it, though, I honestly never came across a time in my mind where I tried to complete a task on my watch instead of my phone. I did download and use the Nest app a couple of times, but I only did that to make sure I was getting some usage out of the thing.

To me, this is not what a hybrid wearable should be. A hybrid needs to bring the best of traditional and smart watches together, not be a device full of compromises. For example, when the display is off and you're relying purely on the mechanical hands to tell the time, we need something better than just a black background. When the smartwatch is out of battery, the Watch W7 is incredibly boring to look at, but there it is, attached to your wrist. And when it is fully juiced, this watch really doesn't do all that much. It's lacking any kind of mobile payments and even a heart rate monitor, something I believe every smartwatch should have. You can find a wearable on Amazon for $20 that has a heart rate monitor, so the idea of this being a hybrid device that looks good and has a bunch of smarts is pure fantasy. Watch W7 is a notification machine, and thanks to the mechanical hands, it doesn't even do that well. For many, the idea of having the mechanical hands hide what's on your display is probably pretty annoying. It's not as bad in person as it looks in photos, but I'm not saying it's great either. The hands are actually in the way of what you're trying to see. LG's usage of a hardware button to hide the hands is okay, but in addition to moving the hands out of the way, the entire UI is lifted up, making a portion of the display completely unusable. It's a very odd thing and I'm still trying to wrap my head around it. Hardware: LG markets Watch W7 as more of a traditional watch, so that's basically how I used it. The overall design of the watch is fine, with a somewhat large non-rotating bezel and casing surrounding the digital display and its mechanical hands. There are two hardware buttons (at the 2 o'clock and 4 o'clock positions) plus the serrated crown that allows for scrolling through the Wear OS interface. On the back are the pogo pins for charging and that's it. The watch's straps are rubber, though, they are easily changed should you want to achieve a different look and feel. On wrist, the watch is rather comfortable, but still a bit on the large side. It's not as uncomfortable as the LG Watch Sport and I think the bands are to thank for that. Out of the box, they are very flexible, so you don't have to worry about wearing them in like you do with some bands. As I've said many times already, the hands are mechanical, with a full gearbox placed underneath the display. It's likely due to that gearbox that this watch doesn't come with other things you may find on a regular smartwatch. We suppose there just isn't enough room for NFC or a heart rate monitor when you have a gearbox getting in the way. This explains why LG markets the watch as it does, more of a traditional piece than a smartwatch, but there are little things LG missed in an attempt to create a traditional watch. For example, the hands have no illumination when it's dark, so you can't tell what time it is when in a dark place and the watch face is off. One of the big selling points of this device is its long battery life when in Just Watch mode, but if you can't tell what time it is in certain circumstances, that's not a great experience. Oddly, the hands are made to look like they have lume abilities, but it's just paint and they do not glow in the dark. Battery Life: Having only a 240mAh battery, this watch provides exactly what I expected -- a single day of battery life, depending on your usage. For me, I'd toss the watch on around 9AM and take it off at night, then throw it on the charger because I knew there was no way I'd see another day of usage out of the battery. One thing I do appreciate, though, are the watch's mechanical hands continue to tell the time, even after the display and smart functionalities have all died off. I'm not exactly sure how long after the watch dies the watch hands will continue to operate, but they definitely kept working for at least 24 hours on one occasion. According to LG, when the Watch W7 is in its Just Watch mode, users should expect to see around 100 days of battery life. Of course, you can switch back and forth between modes depending on what you need from the device.

Performance: For having a processor that launched in 2016, performance of Watch W7 is fine. The interface is rather snappy when navigating it and actions are very responsive. For example, when you hit the hardware button to hide the hands when a notification comes in, there is no stutter. Also, when you open up the app section, there is no lag or wait time. When swiping through pages and scrolling menus, everything feels very fluid. The watch seems well tuned, so I'm thankful for that. Price: Watch W7 quietly launched with a price of $450, but it's seen a couple of sales that bring it down to $250. Currently, there is no way I can recommend this device at $450. I probably wouldn't recommend it for $250 either. I dare not say how much I think the device is worth, but considering what it's capable of, and not capable of, somewhere around $99 seems fair. I understand that a lot of work probably went into its creation, but with hardly any smartwatch functionalities and a battery-operated hand movement, I'd feel better getting a less expensive automatic timepiece instead of this. If you want a few options, there's always the Seiko 007 or Hamilton Khaki Field. There are literally thousands of great options when it comes to watches, but Watch W7 is not one of them as it currently stands.

Purchase Link: Best Buy

Other Notes:

Watch Bands: The size of the bands is 22mm, meaning if you don't care for the rubber straps that it comes with, you can easily swap them out for something else. If you need new watch straps, try Wrist Candy Watch Club or Clockwork Synergy.

First Look and Tour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12MinqM97oA

Should you buy the Watch W7?

Because this device is marketed as a traditional timepiece, with no heart rate monitor or GPS, it's automatically out of the picture for fitness enthusiasts. Because of its price and with so many other options to them, I think genuine watch enthusiasts would also not care for it. I know that an automatic watch I get for $400 will last for years to come, while the Watch W7 will likely degrade to the point of someone not wanting to wear it anymore. For that reason, I wouldn't recommend it to real watch folks either. So here we are, a watch seemingly made for no one. I know that sounds harsh, but if anything, LG can take all the criticism it has received on this device and head back to the drawing board for a possible version 2.0. I wouldn't mind seeing a second rendition, but much more emphasis needs to be put into the smartwatch department. As of right now, this is a hybrid device that isn't good at being a regular watch or a smartwatch. Not even close.

DEAL: Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (Refurbished) at Amazon Today for as Little as $360

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 09:10:13 +0000

Amazon's deal of the day today is a big discount on the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Google's phones from 2017. You can grab a regular Pixel 2 for as little as $359.99 or a Pixel 2 XL for as little as $395.99. This is a better deal than the Woot deal from last week. Now, like that Woot deal, these are refurbished models. That means they were used before a company tried to make them like-new again. Those prices, though, are probably worth any concerns you might have. The Pixel 2 with 64GB starts at $359.99 and jumps to $439.99 if you want 128GB storage. The Pixel 2 XL starts at $395.99 for 64GB and jumps to $464.99 for 128GB. Most colors are available, but the price does vary depending on which you choose. Again, this is a deal of the day, so it's only going to be around for the next few hours.

Amazon Pixel 2 Deal

LG Deals: $200 Off V40, G7 ThinQ, and Watch W7

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 08:57:30 +0000

LG opened up a handful of last-minute holiday deals this week, with discounts on all of their biggest products of the year. The LG V40, G7, and Watch W7 are all around $200 off at the moment. With those price drops, you can get into a V40 ThinQ for as little as $749.99, a G7 ThinQ for just $529.99, or the new Watch W7 for $219.99. Not bad, right? Should you buy any of them? Well, you should do the research on that, and you can start with our reviews of each. Here is our V40 review, here is the G7 review, and the W7 review will be here today.

Marshall's Acton and Stanmore Now Available With Google Assistant Built-In

Kellen — Mon, 17 Dec 2018 08:11:23 +0000

When Marshall announced in August that it would release models of its Stanmore and Acton Bluetooth speakers with Google Assistant built-in, they immediately jumped on our shortlist of must-have tech splurges for 2018. Now, those two speakers have arrived, just in time for the holidays. The Marshall Stanmore II and Acton II are now available in their iconic Marshall shells, with the "legendary" audio you asked for. Acton II is the smaller of the pair, with three dedicated class D amplifiers that power dual tweeters (15W amplifiers) and a subwoofer (30W amplifier). The Stanmore II, the larger speaker, has three dedicated class D amplifiers too, but the sub amp is 50W. You'll find 3.5mm input jacks, an additional RCA input on Stanmore II, Bluetooth pairing on both, individual dials for volume, bass, and treble, and the look you expect from a Marshall speaker. With Google Assistant on board and far field microphones, you can not only tell these two to play music by voice, but you can set reminders, check the weather, control your smart home, and any other thing you'd do with an Assistant-equipped speaker. They also have Chromecast built-in, so that means multi-room audio with your spicy Marshall speakers.

Both speakers look amazing, but being a part of the Marshall brand means a price tag to match. The Acton II starts at $299.99 and the Stanmore II can be had for $399.99. These new Google Assistant speakers from Marshall are available now.

Marshall Store Links:

Verizon Galaxy S9, S9+, and Note 8 Updated With December Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 15:29:35 +0000

Verizon variants of the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 8 are receiving December's security patch. For version numbers, Galaxy S9 will carry R16NW.G960USQS3BRK2, S9+ will have R16NW.G965USQS3BRK2, and Note 8 will see R16NW.N950USQS5CRK1. All owners should be seeing these updates quite soon! // Verizon [2] [3]

DEAL: Buy Google Home Hub & Two Google Home Minis for $129 ($118 Off)

Tim — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 14:19:11 +0000

For a limited time, you can grab a Google Home Hub + 2 Google Home Mini bundle on the Google Store for just $129, which is quite the savings if you were to purchase a bundle like this outside of the holiday season. When purchasing, you can select any color option you want for the Home Hub and the Home Mini. At the time of this writing, each color is available, which includes Chalk, Charcoal, Aqua, and Sand (plus Coral for Home Mini). Follow the link below to get started. Google Store Link

Yep, Verizon Pixel 3 RCS Should Work Between Other Supported Carriers

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 11:51:04 +0000

RCS has been slowly trickling out to Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL owners on Verizon over the past week. That has meant excitement (the message above) before loneliness, because there are so few people these Pixel 3 owners can have a conversation with over RCS. With that said, just an FYI here, if you have friends on Sprint, US Cellular, T-Mobile (sort of), and various MVNOs that have access to Verizon, your available RCS conversation pool includes them. I know that Google and the various players in this Rich Communication Services (RCS) that want a Universal Profile to be adopted are not good at explaining any of this, but yeah, the whole point of RCS is to get you having richer conversations across carriers, between all sorts of phones. And that's probably why this is all taking so long and such a pain in the ass. We're only baby steps into this utopia of messaging, so things are rough and confusing right now. If you have seen the message pictured above in your ~~Android~~ Messages app, giving you all of this sh*t, think about who you know and which carrier they are on. There is a chance you'll be able to RCS-it-up with them! Sprint is all about RCS and has been. US Cellular is about that life too. Samsung is going to try to push it soon. T-Mobile wants you to think they are, but they've only semi-enabled RCS on the Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 Edge. Even some Verizon MVNOs (prepaid) are getting the prompt for RCS. Want to chat with other people over RCS or about RCS because you know no one in real life that can? Reddit is here! This is a good thread to see confirmations of cross-carrier RCS action and others who will get to know you because of RCS. In short, the point of RCS is to get you having better messaging conversations with others on other carriers. Some of you seem surprised by this, and that doesn't surprise me, because Google and its friends suck at this whole messaging thing. So yeah, message away, RCS newbies! Cheers Tom and @jspring86az!

The New Pixel Sounds are So Good

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 10:14:03 +0000

Google rolled out a surprise update this week to the system Sounds app on your Pixel phone. The update arrives as Sounds 2.0, and no, you won't find it in your app drawer. Instead, it updates through Google Play to only be accessible from the notification and ringtone sounds chooser. It's pretty great, though! The previous sound chooser from Google's Pixel line was a standard ringtone and notification sound chooser. It was basically a list of available sounds. Now, you've got categories, a colorful UI that moves around in weird ways I can't explain as you listen to each sound, and Google should be able to add to it over time, like they do with their wallpapers app. There are fun categories like Retro Riffs and Reality Bytes that I think you'll have some fun with. Might I recommend Fraidy Cat for your notification sound, because hissing cats are always fun. The Retro Riffs ringtones will probably bring back some childhood gaming memories too. The Minimal Melodies are almost all good, especially if you actually use a ringtone and don't want to be the guy who everyone stairs at in not-so-friendly ways as a call comes in. The update to Sounds 2.0 should be available to almost everyone who owns a Pixel, Pixel 2, or Pixel 3 at this point. Google Play Link

Podcast: Holiday AF

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 09:01:39 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, it's a festive holiday discussion over the week in Android news. It's actually been a pretty quiet few days, but there are still some good topics to dive into, like the Pixel 3 Lite and its XL friend, as well as Samsung partnering with a counterfeit Supreme company. We also want to talk about Google Play Music still not migrating over to YouTube Music, why people are mad about the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition, who Essential just acquired, and more. Trivia is back too! And you won't want to miss our biggest giveaway ever. Shoutout to all the long-time listeners that join us every single week. We'll be live at 12:00PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

You've Been Using Nova Launcher for 7 Years

Kellen — Fri, 14 Dec 2018 08:34:53 +0000

Want to feel old in Android years? Nova Launcher is 7 years old. You've been using Nova Launcher since Ice Cream Sandwich. That's a long time! I think it's safe to say that it has been the DL go-to 3rd party launcher since the first release, back in December of 2011. It initially arrived as a an alternative launcher to the stock Android launcher that needed to be sideloaded, without many features, and as an option that gave us back some stuff that Google took away (long-press for widgets). Since, it has grown to much more than that, of course. It now has free and paid options ($4.99), contains more customizations than you'll probably ever know what to do with, and can be setup to look and do almost anything you need it to. Whenever we're done reviewing a Samsung or LG phone, it's the launcher we immediately put on to replace whatever awful launcher those companies included out of the box. Anyways, not much else to add here, but boy does time really fly these days. Still your go-to launcher? https://twitter.com/CliffWade/status/1073348494184865793

Robinhood Introduces Checking and Savings Accounts With 3% Interest, No Fees (Updated!)

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 15:35:08 +0000

UPDATE 12/14: Well, that sure escalated quickly. Robinhood, after receiving pretty heavy criticism over how this checking and savings program might actually work (specifically around whether or not they'd be insured accounts), has now rebranded it as a "cash management" program, pulled the announcement blog post of it, and has sort of put it all in limbo. Ummm, yikes. You can find their latest blog post on it right here.

Robinhood, the investment app that has probably changed the trading industry some, thanks to no fee transactions and a super easy-to-use app, announced checking and savings services today. It sure sounds like a pretty big deal too. Within the Robinhood app, you now have access to checking and savings (early access for now), both of which earn 3% interest yearly. There are no monthly fees, no overdraft fees, no replacement card fees, and no minimum balance requirements. And yes, they will hand you a MasterCard debit card and give you free cash withdrawals at 75,000 ATMs. They are taking sign-ups for checking and savings now, with cards starting to arrive in January 2019. If you have questions about how it all works, a good FAQ is here. Google Play Link

// Robinhood

Poll: How Much Phone Storage is Enough Storage?

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 12:49:06 +0000

The new OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition has 256GB storage. The Galaxy Note 9 has a 512GB option with SD slot that can help double that to 1TB. Google's Pixel 3 tops out at 128GB and starts at 64GB. I think someone probably still sells a phone with 32GB storage too. As someone who uses too many phones throughout a year and never comes close to gobbling up a single device's storage, I'm curious what you think enough storage is. So that's the poll today. How much phone storage is enough storage? [poll id="501"]

Find the Latest Bangers With Top Charts, Now Inside YouTube Music

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 11:30:55 +0000

Top Charts are now popping up in YouTube Music, allowing users to find the latest bangers without exerting too much effort. When inside the Top Charts section, you'll have five playlists to choose from: Top songs, top videos, and top trending. The first two of these have global and local charts, while trending is just for local charts. The 5 charts available are as follows.

Top 100 Songs: The most played songs on YouTube (global and local charts)
Top 100 Music Videos: The most viewed music videos (global and local charts)
Top 20 Trending (local chart)

While this is a lovely addition, YouTube Music still has a ways to go before we're jumping over. If you're already using YouTube Music, be sure to grab the latest update. Google Play Link // YouTube

Lenovo Ships Out R5 Update to Smart Displays With Thermostat Improvements, Dismissible Home Tiles

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 10:30:01 +0000

Lenovo detailed the latest Smart Display update this week, and since all Smart Displays run the same software, it's safe to bet you can expect the same goodies to appear on your JBL and LG variants, as well as Google Home Hub. As for what's new, you can read the entire changelog below, but to name a few -- Updated cookbook feature, ability to dismiss certain home tiles, new photo actions, and improved functionality of the thermostat control feature. Here's the whole thing straight from Lenovo.

What's New

Updated Cookbook Feature Planning meals just got easier. Cookbook is your virtual cookbook that allows you to find recipes on your smart display and save them for later. Just say, “Hey Google, save this recipe” and your recipe will be added to your Cookbook. When you’re ready to get cooking, try saying “Hey Google, show me my Cookbook” and find the recipe in just a few seconds.

"show my cookbook"
"add to cookbook"
"remove from cookbook"
“save this recipe”
“show me my saved recipes”

Photo Actions Favorite, Share & Remove Photo Multiple Remote Control Tiles We now support being able to always show the remote control when accessed via voice or the Home View for another device even if you have a local media session. We will also show up to two mini tiles for remote sessions on the homescreen in addition to a local playback session. Dismissible Home Tiles We now support the ability to dismiss tiles from the home screen. Just swipe them up! Note, some home screen tiles are not dismissible, including:

Calendar
Commute
Explore
News, Music & Video Recommendations
Upcoming Reminder

Heat/Cool Thermostat Improvement Heat-cool is one of 5 mode options on the Nest Thermostat (heat, cool, eco, off, and heat-cool) that “will create a schedule that will switch automatically between heating and cooling on the Nest thermostat to keep your home within a preferred temperature range.” The mode is particularly helpful during the shoulder seasons in regions that have cold nights and hot days.

“Turn on heat/cool mode.”
“Set heat/cool mode to 68 and 72 degrees.”
“Set the [thermostat name] between 68 to 72.”
“Turn off the [thermostat name].”

Individual Light Control (Within a group) When the user is shown a group light controller (e.g. Living room lights) they’ll be able to control the brightness and on/off state for each light within that group.

Lenovo specifies that all owners in support regions should see the update within a week. We assume that goes for you, too, Home Hub owners. // Lenovo

Google Assistant Gets Australian and British Accents

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 09:00:08 +0000

Your Google Assistant voice options increased in number this morning, with the introduction of British and Australian accents in the US. To change to one of these two new voices, head into Google Assistant, open the Explore tab (the compass icon in top right), then Settings and Assistant tab. You should see an option for "Assistant voice," which will let you change voices. Google has labeled the new voices as "Sydney Harbour Blue" for the Australian accent and "British Racing Green" for the British voice. Those names and colors will make sense if you are familiar with the semi-new voice chooser. The new voices start rolling out today. // Google

Google Maps Now Lists Lime Scooters and Bikes, With Locations, as Travel Options in Select Cities

Tim — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 08:35:38 +0000

This week, Google announced that inside of Google Maps, users will see Lime scooters, pedal bikes, and e-bikes as transit options when navigating in select cities around the world. For example, you get off the subway and only have another mile or so to get to your destination, and instead of walking or taking a bus, Maps could recommend you take a Lime scooter for $1.50 to get there. If you live in a city littered with Lime bikes and scooters, it's a solid option. As for which world cities are supported at the moment, it's not a huge list, but Google says more are coming. So far, there is Auckland, Austin, Baltimore, Brisbane (AU), Dallas, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, San Diego, Oakland, San Antonio, San Jose, Scottsdale, and Seattle. This option is rolling out today for those on Android and iOS using Google Maps.

// Google

OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition Now Available for $699

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 07:38:58 +0000

The OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is now available for purchase. With super fast Warp Charge 30 charging, 10GB RAM, 256GB storage, and a special orange tinted ~~sticker~~ paint job, this limited run 6T can be yours for $699. The rest of the specs are the same as the regular OnePlus 6T, so you've got the Snapdragon 845, dual camera setup, in-display fingerprint reader, 3700mAh battery, 6.41" AMOLED display, and excellent software experience. It's a really nice phone, which you can learn more about in our review. The OnePlus 6T costs $699 and is the most expensive 6T, but you can get $20 in accessories if you use our special referral link below.

Buy OnePlus 6T, get $20 in accessories

DEAL: Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (Refurbished) at Woot Today for $389.99

Kellen — Thu, 13 Dec 2018 06:56:34 +0000

A month ago, Woot hosted a great deal on the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. Today, they've brought that deal back and the made the price even lower. You can get a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL today for as little as $389.99. For whatever reason, Woot has priced both phones at the exact same price. So even though you get a bigger, higher-resolution screen on the Pixel 2 XL, it still starts at $389.99, just like the smaller Pixel 2. Those are 64GB versions that start at that price, but if you want to double up to 128GB, you'll pay a bit more. The Pixel 2 XL is somehow cheaper with 128GB at $429.99, while the Pixel 2 128GB is $449.99. These are refurbished phones, so they have been previously used and then restored. Woot claims these are GSM-CDMA versions, which should mean US models that work on all carriers. Delivery is supposed to happen by Xmas. Not a bad gift idea there.

Woot Deal Link

This Is the Police Now Available on Google Play, Priced at $7.99

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 15:18:06 +0000

Congratulations, you're now the chief of police for a city on the brink of self destruction! This Is the Police is now available for Android devices, originally launched for PC devices in 2016. In this game, your name is Police Chief Jack Boyd, who is set to retire in 180 days. The goal of the game is to have $500,000 in your bank account before Day 180 arrives. How you choose to make this money is entirely up to you, and in the meantime, you'll have cases, suspects, and plenty of City Hall drama to deal with. I've never played the game myself, but the below trailer has me thinking I should probably spend a bit of my squirreled away Opinion Rewards credit. This Is the Police is available for $7.99 by following the link below. Google Play Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xP77nyl7D9A

DEAL: Samsung Drops $300 Off Carrier Galaxy Note 9, $250 Off Galaxy S9+

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 13:45:44 +0000

Samsung is hosting last minute holiday deals that include big discounts on the carrier models of the Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9, and Galaxy S9+, should you buy any from the Samsung store. The Galaxy Note 9 (review) is $300 off right now if you choose the Verizon, AT&T, or Sprint models. The T-Mobile and US Cellular versions are $200 off. Samsung claims they are "instantly" discounted, but of course, you will need a payment plan to get the discount. If you go with a Galaxy S9+ (review), you are looking at $250 off for Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint, or $200 off for T-Mobile or US Cellular. The regular Galaxy S9 is $200 off from all carriers. And remember, when you buy from Samsung, you should take advantage of their trade-in program. You can get up to an instant $300 off as you order, depending on the phone you swap. You'll get $300 off for an S9, S9+, or Note 8, $250 off for an S8+, and $200 off for an S8. You can trade-in LG, Google, and Apple phones for discounts too. The instant discount is what makes that a good deal, though, since you get the price cut today and then ship them your trade-in later. Good deals!

Samsung Store Links:

Galaxy Note 9
Galaxy S9, S9+

DEAL: Lenovo Smart Display 8" Back Down to $99 Today

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 13:16:34 +0000

The Lenovo Smart Display 8" model is back down to $99 right now at Walmart ($100 off). That's Black Friday level pricing and just in time for the last minute holiday gift buying push. Should you buy one? I like the Lenovo Smart Display! I have the 10" version, but the 8" model does all of the same good stuff. It acts as a mini TV when I Cast YouTube TV or other video to it. It helps me walk through recipes as I cook. It's an amazing digital photo frame, thanks to integration with Google Photos. It also controls smart homes with ease now that its OS has been massively improved. Google Assistant is always just a command away and it looks pretty nice. At $99, this is a really good deal.

Walmart Deal Link

You Can Now Give a Charitable Donation to 10 Different Non-Profits Inside of Google Play

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 11:28:00 +0000

Tis the season for giving, and in that spirit, Google is offering Android users a chance to provide a charitable donation to a number of non-profit organizations with fantastic causes. If you'd like to donate, it's very simple. Using a payment method associated with your Google Play account, you can easily make a donation and 100% of the proceeds go directly to the organization you choose. Our assumption is that Google will send you a receipt for tax deducting purposes, but I'm no accountant, so please don't quote me on that. Here is the list of organizations you can donate to.

American Red Cross
charity: water
Doctors Without Borders USA
Girls Who Code
International Rescue Committee
Room to Read
Save the Children
UNICEF
World Food Program USA
World Wildlife Fund US

To provide a donation, open up Google Play or head here on your Android device. Everyone in supported countries should see it within the next few days. To learn more about the above organizations, follow the link below. // Google

Android Pie Update Rolling Out to Motorola One and Moto X4

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 10:33:46 +0000

Motorola announced this week that it has begun rolling out Android Pie to the Motorola One and Moto X4. Motorola lists the usual changes for the update, including the new Pie look, update to Do Not Disturb, gesture controls, and all that jazz.

From the new Intuitive Navigation and Recent App, an improved Do Not Disturb mode, to anticipated longer battery life, revamped split-screen and more, Android P gives you that piece of pie you’ve been longing for. Android P also brings a redesigned Quick Settings, simplified volume controls, an easier way to manage notifications and more.

Motorola concludes its announcement by stating all units of Motorola One and Moto X4 should have the update by month's end. // Motorola

SHIELD TV Upgrade 7.2 Includes Amazon Music App, 5.1 Audio for YouTube, Latest Security Patch

Tim — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 09:00:04 +0000

A new Experience Upgrade, labeled as 7.2, is rolling out to SHIELD TV owners today. Inside, NVIDIA is including the latest security patch for Android TV, the all-new Amazon Music app for Android TV, as well as 5.1 audio for YouTube. According to the log, this update also includes SMBv3 when connecting SHIELD TV to a NAS or PC, customizable Quick Settings, and an option for automatic download and install of software updates. Important to note, SHIELD TV is back on sale for the holiday shopping season. Every edition, which includes the Gaming Edition, Smart Home Edition, and standard "with Remote" version are listed at $30 off across the web. At $30 off, the standard model is only $149, Gaming Edition is $169, and the Smart Home Edition is $189. Below you'll find links for purchase.

Buy SHIELD TV

With Remote

Gaming Edition

Smart Home Edition

Amazon
Best Buy
Newegg
Walmart

NVIDIA suspects all units in the US will have this update by the end of today. // NVIDIA

OnePlus 5 and 5T Grab Android Pie Update in Latest Beta

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 08:38:13 +0000

The OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T are the latest phones to join the Android Pie crew. While not yet officially available for all, the Pie build arrives as an "open beta" from OnePlus that anyone can dive into if interested. The open beta includes updates everywhere, since it's Android Pie. That means a new UI, new navigation gestures (5T only), better background process handling, adjustable do not disturb settings, parallel apps support, and more. To get a feel for what you should expect, watch our OnePlus 6 Pie video below. Since this is a beta build, you'll have to do a bit of work to get it on your phone (download and then manually apply it). It's not a difficult task by any means, just know that once the stable Pie update rolls around, you'll have to go through a similar manual update process. Each time you do that, you'll have to fully wipe/factory reset your phone. Keep that in mind. All of the details at the link below this video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dYgdHNgdS0w&t=1s // OnePlus

Dead Zebra's Android Mini Tree Ornaments Now Available

Kellen — Wed, 12 Dec 2018 08:23:55 +0000

Your holiday tree likely needs an upgrade in the ornament department and Dead Zebra has you covered. The shop that has released countless Android Mini collectibles over the years has a fresh set of tree ornaments for you to pick-up. The Android Mini Special Edition Ornamental comes in either silver or green and costs $12. They feature a metallic finish, hella glitter, and a topper with S hook. These are real ornaments.

Shop Dead Zebra Store

Galaxy Note 9 Getting One UI Beta 2 Update With Lots of Bug Squashing

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 15:04:55 +0000

Galaxy Note 9 owners enrolled in the One UI beta are getting updated to Beta 2 this week. Inside, Samsung lists plenty of bug squashes and the December security patch. Below are a few of the highlights from the update, but there's a ton listed by Samsung. You can see the entire changelog via the screenshot below. Bug Fixes

Freezing of Dialer
Sometimes Autofill function does not work properly when using Samsung Pass
Night Mode bugs fixed
Alarm does not work
Update error in Play Store and Galaxy Apps
Auto login to Samsung Pass is resolved (iris still not working)
Screen doesn't turn on when receiving or making calls

The update weighs in at 553MB. Hefty.

// SamMobile

T-Mobile OnePlus 6T Grabs New Update With Updated Camera, In-Display Fingerprint Reader

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 14:31:19 +0000

The T-Mobile OnePlus 6T picked up another update today as it tries to catch-up to the unlocked model. Today's update is rolling out as OxygenOS build 9.0.1 (A6013_34_181121). The update includes an updated camera app, updated in-display fingerprint reader algorithm, optimizations in face unlock, improved audio quality, and more. You can see the full changelog in the screenshots below. The update will hit your phone as a 110.2MB file. The whole update situation involving this T-Mobile 6T is a bit confusing at this point. We knew that the T-Mobile model would get updates later than the unlocked model because of carrier involvement, but the numbering is throwing everyone off, I think. This is OxygenOS 9.0.1, yet the unlocked model is now picking up 9.0.7. I'm not sure it is really that many updates behind, though - or is it? Either way, this is the 2nd update for the T-Mobile model and the phone has been out just over a month. That's not bad. To update, head into Settings>System>System updates.

Cheers Srinivas and Mike!

DEAL: Anker's 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad is $12.99 Right Now

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 13:39:22 +0000

Amazon's holiday deals haven't slowed since Black Friday - you can currently grab an Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charging Pad for $12.99. It typically runs around $22, so that's a cool $9 off an already-reasonably priced wireless charger. At 10W, it'll fast wireless charger supported Samsung devices like the Galaxy S9 and S9+, Galaxy Note 9 and Note 9, Galaxy S8, etc. You'll need to attach it to a fast adapter, though, since this is just a pad and USB cable. Grab it! Prime Shipping included.

Amazon Deal Link

Moment Case and Lenses Now Available for OnePlus 6, 6T Version Coming in February

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 12:37:46 +0000

Moment, makers of cases and camera lens attachments for select devices, have a new case available for the OnePlus 6! With this, you'll be able to put your OnePlus device in a protective case for $29.99, then slap on a variety of lenses like wide-angle, fisheye, and more. Specifically, Moment sells three lenses for its case: Wide 18mm ($99), Superfish ($89), and Tele 58mm ($99). Each lens offers its own unique flavor, showcased in the below video. And yes, Moment's Anamorphic lens works as well, but it's sold out. As for the OnePlus 6T, Moment says its case will be available in February, 2019. If you're ready to dive into the world of Moment, you can use the code OnePlus6 to get 15% off your order until tomorrow, December 12. Moment Store Link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdx9ikJjK9g

Shocker: OEMs Sell More Phones in US When on Carriers, OnePlus Finds

Tim — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 10:05:05 +0000

OnePlus is a popular smartphone brand among Android enthusiasts, even before the company made its OnePlus 6T available for purchase through T-Mobile. And now that the phone maker is selling its phone through a US carrier, sales are up bigly, with OnePlus saying US sales were up 249% for the first 30 days when compared to the OnePlus 6. And yes, that's for a phone without a headphone jack. Speaking with PCMag on the heels of announcing its smartphone made in collaboration with McLaren, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau discussed other things besides US sales figures. Considering the talk of the industry is focused primarily on 5G at the moment, the discussion naturally shifted to that subject. To OnePlus, 5G is going to open up a larger cloud business as it matures (since users will be able to access things online quicker than ever), but that means data security issues may rise. According to Lau, OnePlus is auditioning security partners right now, specifying that, "We want to give people a perception that if you work with this company, then you're secure."

Related: Buy a OnePlus 6T, get $20 in accessories.

Lau also mentioned the company's smart TV project. There is still no exact launch date, but Lau says, "We will not launch until we think it's ready and perfect." Things are looking good for OnePlus. The company is continuing to make great phones at affordable prices and with its partnership with T-Mobile to sell phones through the carrier, the company is definitely here to stay. // PCMag

We're Still Waiting for Google Play Music Collections to Migrate to YouTube Music

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 09:50:42 +0000

When YouTube Music (re)launched back in May as Google's music streaming future, we reported that the end of Google Play Music was on the horizon too. While Google has yet to fully confirm that or give us a date as to when that might happen, they made some related promises that have not yet happened that are certainly keeping me from making the switch. Shortly after the new YouTube Music went live, YouTube head of music said that at some point, music collections, playlists, and preferences from Google Play Music would be migrated to YouTube Music. That was in May and it is now December. That's worth pointing out since our source in April said that 2018 would be it for Google Play Music. If that timeline holds, we're weeks away from the end and no migration has happened. Now, again, Google still hasn't given an end-date for Google Play Music, only acknowledging that they only need/want one music service going forward and that service will be YouTube Music. That's fine, but I have an entire collection of music on Google Play Music that I'm not exactly interested in manually bringing over to YouTube Music, knowing that Google is supposed to be doing that for me. And look, I'd be down to give YouTube Music a shot. I like the close tie-in it has to videos. It's UI is pretty slick and not dated like Play Music's. I know that it's supposed to be the focus and that Google brought in the Play Music team to work on YouTube Music, which should mean new features on the regular. It could be great! We've reached out to Google looking for an update and will let you know. In the mean time, has anyone moved on over to YouTube Music without being migrated? Thoughts on YouTube Music?

OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition is a $700 Super Fast Charging Edition

Kellen — Tue, 11 Dec 2018 07:08:19 +0000

OnePlus announced the OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition this morning. The new variant is the latest in a long line of flashy partnerships for OnePlus that have previously included work with Avengers and Star Wars franchises. The McLaren Edition of the OnePlus 6T (review) has a couple of things worth pointing out. First, it has 10GB RAM, so that's the most you'll find in a OnePlus phone. The current options from OnePlus top out at 8GB RAM. Second, the phone features something called Warp Charge 30, which OnePlus says is their new charging standard. This charging tech can grab you a "day's" worth of power in just 20 minutes, thanks to special circuits build into the phone and the charger. And finally, the McLaren Edition features an Papaya Orange trim paint job, McLaren logo, and carbon fiber-like back. The McLaren logo and that fast charging are going to cost you. This special edition 6T costs $699 and arrives in North America in December 13.

Buy OnePlus 6T, get $20 in accessories

https://twitter.com/oneplus/status/1072476095067242496

Google Fit Update Includes a Home Screen Widget, Breathing Coach for Stresses of Holidays

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 12:38:21 +0000

An update for Google Fit is rolling out this week, full of new features for users on Android and Wear OS devices. Google lists two main things as new: Home screen widgets and a breathing coach. For the widgets, they are just as you'd picture, a widget that shows activity tracking, heart points, steps taken, calories burned, and more. If you're big into Fit, and still use widgets, it's a must have. Google also realizes that this time of year may be stressful, with the gift shopping and errand running. To combat this, a breathing coach is now available in Fit, able to guide you through a breathing exercise to help you unwind and relax. All Fit users on Wear OS and Android should see this update this week. Google Play Link // Google

Google+ is Getting Shut Down Even Sooner Because of Another Security Issue

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:20:26 +0000

Update (Dec, 10): Google is pushing up the shutdown date for the consumer version of Google+, now listing the closure to take place in April, 2019 instead of August, 2019. Furthermore, shutdown of all Google+ APIs will take place within the next 90 days. In total, the bug connected to a Google+ API affected 52.5 million users, though, Google states, "No third party compromised our systems, and we have no evidence that the developers who inadvertently had this access for six days were aware of it or misused it in any way."

Google just announced that its failed social network, Google+, is shutting down for consumers. It has been garbage for a long time and neglected by its creators, so it's probably about time this happened. Unfortunately, the reason they are finally shutting it down is because the service possibly exposed the data of 500,000 users' profiles. In addition to shutting down G+, Google is also going to attempt to introduce limits on the access APIs have and give you more control over app permissions. Just as the Wall Street Journal was posting an article that dove into the data exposure, Google announced Project Strobe. What is Project Strobe and how does it relate to this G+ security issue? Google explains Strobe as "a root-and-branch review of third-party developer access to Google account and Android device data and of our philosophy around apps’ data access." In other words, Google neglected Google+, possibly exposed profile info, and is now realizing that it should probably tighten things up a bit. They came to four findings with Project Strobe with four actions to take. They are:

Finding 1: There are significant challenges in creating and maintaining a successful Google+ product that meets consumers’ expectations.
Action 1: We are shutting down Google+ for consumers. Finding 2: People want fine-grained controls over the data they share with apps
Action 2: We are launching more granular Google Account permissions that will show in individual dialog boxes.
Finding 3: When users grant apps access to their Gmail, they do so with certain use cases in mind.
Action 3: We are limiting the types of use cases that are permitted.
Finding 4: When users grant SMS, Contacts and Phone permissions to Android apps, they do so with certain use cases in mind.
Action 4: We are limiting apps’ ability to receive Call Log and SMS permissions on Android devices, and are no longer making contact interaction data available via the Android Contacts API.

What do you need to know from each? A few things. For action 1, Google+ for consumers is shutting down. That's probably a good thing. Google found that no one was using it, saying that "Google+ currently has low usage and engagement: 90 percent of Google+ user sessions are less than five seconds." They do see some companies using it for business purposes and will keep it as an enterprise product, similar to Hangouts. As for the possible data exposure, Google found a bug in an API that developers could use that exposed profile data for up to 500,000 people, even if you had marked it as private. Google says they have no evidence that any developer harvested that data and don't show evidence that any even knew the bug existed. The info that was possibly exposed was only name, email address, occupation, gender and age. That's it, according to Google. Google will take the next 10 months to kill off G+ for consumers, finishing it off by August of 2019. Over the course of this slow shutdown, they'll let you know of ways to download and migrate your data from it. If you want to know more on that, be sure to follow through that source link.

For action 2, Google is preparing to give you more fine-grained controls over permissions in Android apps and the account data you share with them. Above, you can see how those controls will soon look. Rather than seeing all requested permissions on a single screen, you'll soon go through each permission individually to allow to deny. For action 3, this is related to Gmail and is limiting what permissions apps can seek as it relates to Gmail data. Google says that "only apps directly enhancing email functionality—such as email clients, email backup services and productivity services," will be given authorization. And finally, for action 4, Google is going to limit how many apps are allowed to ask for phone and SMS data permissions in Google Play. Soon, only the apps that you have selected as defaults for these apps will be able to make those requests. They'll further limit these permissions by removing contact interaction data for the Android Contacts API. So, quite a few security and privacy changes were announced here. I just gave you the briefest overview, but I suggest you jump through that link below for lengthier details. For timing, these changes will start rolling out right away and continue over many months. RIP, G+. You won't be missed. // Google

Samsung Embarrassingly Partners With Fake Supreme (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 11:15:04 +0000

UPDATE FEBRUARY 4, 2019: Samsung has now cancelled its partnership with fake Supreme.

UPDATE DECEMBER 12: Samsung now says that it is re-evaluating its deal with fake Supreme.

Recently, Samsung Electronics announced we will collaborate with Supreme Italia in China at the launch event of Galaxy A8s. We are currently re-evaluating this cooperation, and we deeply regret the inconvenience caused.

Samsung was doing its song and dance in China today at an event where they announced the Galaxy A8s, their first phone equipped with an Infinity-O display, only to pause midway to announce a new partnership. This new partnership is, um, hilariously bad and I'm not sure they even get how bad it is. The image above should tell you the partnership. Yes, Samsung claimed to be partnering with iconic streetwear brand Supreme. They invited a couple of gentlemen on stage to talk about the deal, including plans for Supreme to enter China next year with a big flagship store. The thing is, those dudes don't work for Supreme and Supreme has no presence in China, nor do they plan to head there next year. Samsung appears to have been duped by a fake Supreme company or just doesn't care that anyone who pays attention to fashion will mock them for decades to come over this partnership. What's the deal? The real Supreme is a US-based company with the logo you are seeing above. They partner with companies often (Louis Vuitton, Jordan Brand) to sell goods to rich hypebeast kids and celebrities too old to be wearing Supreme, but they are without a doubt a big deal in fashion. They started as a skate company and are now so much more than that. The Supreme that Samsung is partnering with is actually called Supreme Italia, which is a fake Supreme brand that is able to sell fake Supreme gear, thanks to some weird legal loophole or decision in Italy. They have no affiliation with the real Supreme. They are counterfeiters. I cannot believe that Samsung would want to partner with them. I'm dead. // Hypebeast

Samsung Galaxy A8s With Infinity O Display Official for China

Tim — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:23:57 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy A8s, with the Infinity O display, is now official for China. For specs, the phone features a 6.4" (2340 x 1080 pixel) display with hole-punch cutout for the front-facing camera, Snapdragon 710 processor, either 6 or 8GB RAM, 128GB onboard storage, microSD slot, triple rear camera setup, and 24-megapixel front-facing camera inside the Infinity O cutout. If you'll recall, Samsung showcased the different cutout designs it was working on for the Infinity display lineup during its annual Developer Conference, with the O being what we would call a fan favorite. Honestly, it doesn't look half bad.

There is still no concrete pricing or availability for Chinese consumers, but importantly for us in the US, it's reported that the upcoming Galaxy S10 will feature a design similar to what you see here. Because of this, now would be a good time to share your opinion of it down below. 😮 // Samsung

Google's New Pixel 3 "Lite" Phones Show Up in High-Res Renders

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 09:03:52 +0000

When a mid-range Pixel 3 phone showed up a couple of weeks ago with a "Lite" tag attached and a codename of "sargo," we wondered if a second mid-ranger would soon surface. A previous "bonito" codename had been shared, yet has been surprisingly absent with all of the other Google leaks around. Over the weekend, that 2nd device may have surfaced in high-res renders. Currently being referred to as the Pixel 3 Lite XL, this new device arrives through @onleaks as 3D CAD renderings, likely from a case maker. While not official images of the device from Google, these types of renderings are almost always spot on. The images actually reveal both the smaller Pixel 3 Lite and Pixel 3 XL Lite from all angles. You can see the comparison is size above, an additional shot below, and a video tour too.

What we're being told by these images is that each body will be a two-tone plastic mold, rather than glass. Neither phone will have notches, but they will be of similar size to the regular Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. The Pixel 3 Lite will have a 5.5-inch display in a body that measures 151.3 x 70.1 mm, while the Pixel 3 Lite XL will jump to around 6-inches and a frame of 160 x 76.1mm. Both phones will sport 1080p displays. Specs are a mystery, but that previous leak I referenced showed a Snapdragon 670 processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB storage, 2915mAh battery, 12MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, and a headphone jack for the smaller Pixel 3 Lite. The XL model might not be all that different, outside of a battery bump. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VO9eW1SRQAM Liking what you see? // 91 Mobiles

Louis Vuitton Slaps Own Branding on Master & Dynamic MW07 Wireless Earbuds (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 10 Dec 2018 08:05:42 +0000

UPDATED January 17: Master & Dynamic announced the ear buds today in partnership with Louis Vuitton, calling them "consistent with the premium materials found" in their MW07 buds. That's probably true, since they are just re-branded MW07s. Price point wasn't announced but could be close to $1,000.

Fans of tech and excess, Louis Vuitton has a product in the works for you. Dubbed the Louis Vuitton Horizon Earphones, the company known for its handbags and iconic prints is jumping into the audio space. The product was revealed today through an FCC filing that forgot to bury external photos. Thanks to the non-redacted device measurements, we get to see both white and black cases for these LV Horizon Earphones, cases that will double as chargers (they'll hold two full charges too). We get to see their orange-ish exteriors, the black backings that will nestle into your ear using special "fit wings," multiple ear tip sizes, and the USB-C charging cable. The draft manual included notes that there is a volume rocker on the left bud, as well as a multi-function button on the right. When not playing, pausing, or skipping around tracks, that multi-function will pull up some sort of "voice assistant." That could be full Google Assistant (doubtful) functionality or it could just let you run simple voice commands, like most headphones do these days. Why would Louis Vuitton make earbuds, you ask? Because it's easy to. Remember at the beginning of the year when I said that Qualcomm has an entire ready-made platform to help almost anyone easily make Bluetooth earbuds? That's probably sort of what you are looking at here. More specifically, these are just re-branded Master & Dynamic MW07 True Wireless Earphones that have been given a new coat of paint. The FCC filing today was a "Change in Identification of Equipment" from a previous filing for those Master & Dynamic earbuds. We have no idea on release dates or pricing, since these are only now stopping off at the FCC. With that said, the M&D earbuds I mentioned cost $299. These could be priced similarly. The reviews look good too.

// FCC

Google Store Holiday Deals Drop $150 Off Pixel 3 XL, $100 Off Pixel 3

Kellen — Sun, 09 Dec 2018 07:05:32 +0000

Google opened up another round of holiday deals today in the lead-up to Xmas. Have last minute shopping still to do? Some of these, particularly those on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, might be worth looking at. The Pixel 3 (review) and Pixel 3 XL (review) are $100 and $150 off, respectively, now through December 22. That's any model too, but the reduction brings the starting point to $699 for the Pixel 3 and $749 for the Pixel 3 XL. Don't need a new phone? Google Home Hub, Home Max, Home, and Chromecast Ultra are all discounted too, as are a bunch of bundles that include Nest products. And finally, if you buy something as a gift, you can customize a little Google-branded card to go with the order and get free shipping on orders over $35. From 12/9-12/22:

Pixel 3 is $100 off
Pixel 3XL is $150 off

From 12/9-12/24:

Save $30 on Google Home
Save $50 on Google Home Max
Save $20 on the Home Hub
Save $10 on Chromecast Ultra

Bundle deals from 12/9-12/24:

Save $100 on Home Hub + Nest Indoor Camera
Save $100 on Home Hub + Nest Outdoor Camera
Save $100 on Home Hub + Nest IQ Indoor Camera
Save $100 on Home Hub + Nest IQ Outdoor Camera
Save $100 on Home Hub + Learning Thermostat
Save $100 on Home Hub + Thermostat E
Save $100 on Home Hub + Nest Hello

Shop Google Store

Pixel and Pixel XL Pick-Up Google Call Screen Feature

Kellen — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 11:41:47 +0000

Google's Call Screen feature, the new robo-call troll software that was introduced with the Pixel 3, is now rolling out to the original Pixel and Pixel XL. To recap, Call Screen allows you to use the Google Assistant to screen incoming calls. With a call on the way, you simply tap the "Screen Call" button, which then allows Assistant to tell the person that you are screening them and that they'll need to give you more info before you pick-up. It's brilliant. You can even get transcripts of screened calls now too. The feature was available on the Pixel 3 out of the gate, then arrived on the Pixel 2 a month ago. We knew it was coming to the original Pixel, just not when. Now is the time. To check to see if you have it, make sure you update to the latest version of the Google Phone app. From within the app, head into Settings>Call Screen. Google Play Link // reddit

DEAL: NVIDIA SHIELD TV is $130 in Amazon Lightning Deal (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 08 Dec 2018 11:01:16 +0000

UPDATE: Lightning deal has expired.

The NVIDIA SHIELD TV, an Android TV box that keeps on slaying, is at what might be its lowest price ever today, thanks to a lightning deal at Amazon. If you hurry (before it sells out), you can grab the NVIDIA SHIELD TV with remote for about $130. The deal is a combination of a lightning deal and a 5% coupon you can apply on the product page before adding it to your cart. Normally priced at $180, we're talking about a price lower than it was over Black Friday weekend. Want to know why it's so great? Read this piece that Tim wrote just last week.

Amazon Lightning Deal

Essential Acquires an Email Company Who No Longer Makes an Email App

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 15:01:09 +0000

Essential, which has had a very confusing year or so, acquired CloudMagic today. The company that formerly made Newton Mail will join Essential to "help accelerate our product roadmap," an Essential spokesperson said. What's the deal here? We don't really know, to be honest. Essential has gone from making phones to a home hub to phones again, all while slashing its workforce and trying to move forward after stories like this one on Andy Rubin. We don't know what they'll do with CloudMagic because we don't even know what Essential does as a company any longer. And look, CloudMagic doesn't even make an email app anymore. They shut down Newton Mail earlier this year. So Essential probably wants them for some smarts, possibly for their rumored AI phone. That's all a giant shrug, though, until one of the two companies lets us know what's up. // TechCrunch

VIDEO: LG Watch W7 First Look and Tour

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 14:28:24 +0000

LG's Watch W7 has finally made its way to us, so what better way to kick off our review process than with a good ol' fashioned "first look and tour" video. This is after all, our first time ever seeing this Wear OS hybrid smartwatch in person. The big thing to note with the W7 is its usage of mechanical hands, instead of everything being digital. While it has all of the same smarts as any other Wear OS device on the block, LG has positioned this device to be much more of a traditional timepiece than something you'll take out for a jog or go swimming with to track your laps. Because of this positioning, LG has not included a few things you'd expect on a smartwatch. For starters, there is no NFC, no heart rate monitor, and no standalone GPS. That already may make it seem like a tough sell at $450 when compared to other smartwatches, but if you're looking for a classic watch vibe with a bit of smarts, like the W7 delivers, it may be something to consider. Full specs can be seen here. Regardless, I'll report back with a full review a bit down the road. In the meantime, watch the video below, then share any feelings you may have down below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12MinqM97oA

Smart Reply Comes to Hangouts Chat

Tim — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 14:25:20 +0000

Hangouts Chat, the enterprise-focused version of Google's chat service, is getting a Smart Reply feature powered by a similar machine learning system to the one that is currently available inside of Gmail and other services from Google. For example, someone asks you to lunch, then Hangouts could recommend, "Sure!" or "Not today." That's just a simple example of what Google's complex Smart Reply feature is capable of. According to Google, "Our technology recognizes which messages most likely need responses, and proposes up to 3 different replies." Here's a GIF of Smart Reply in action.

All Hangouts Chat users should see this feature within the next 1-3 days. Google Play Link // G Suite

Verizon Updates Pixel, Pixel 2, Pixel 2, LG G7, Moto G6, and Others This Week

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 12:52:51 +0000

It's Friday, so we've got a round-up of the updates that Verizon pushed out to various devices this week. It was a pretty big week, mostly because of the Google Pixel phones all picking up the December Android patch, but they weren't the only updates. The LG G7, Moto G6, Moto E4 Plus, Moto Z2 Force, and Samsung Galaxy Tab E (8.0) are getting the November security patch. The Moto Z3 grabbed the October Android patch. Samsung's new Galaxy Watch devices both received Bluetooth enhancers. The Moto G6 and Z2 Force also picked up a bunch of bug fixes.

LG G7: G710VM10g
Moto Z3: ODXS28.66-18-4
Moto G6: ODS27.104-95
Moto E4 Plus: NDRS26.58-33-9-7
Moto Z2 Force: ODXS27.109-34-17-3-1
Samsung Galaxy Watch (42mm): R815USQU1BRJ6
Samsung Galaxy Watch (46mm): R805USQU1BRJ6
Samsung Galaxy Tab E (8.0): T378VVRU3BRK1

// Verizon [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11]

Podcast: 5G Hater

Kellen — Fri, 07 Dec 2018 08:11:20 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're diving into a week filled with 5G and Snapdragon 855 talk, which means we're looking at the future. Our 2019 is taking shape, friends. We'll also look at the December Android security patch, since it should have fixed a whole bunch of issues with the Pixel 3, let you know why I think 5G sounds awful right now, and try and clear up the messaging plans of Google. They are simplifying! Trivia is back too! TaoTronics has partnered up to giveaway 5 of their Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones (over ear) to our winners! We'll be live at 9:00AM Pacific (12PM Eastern).

Facer Launches Subscription Service for 70K+ Watch Faces, Costs $5/Month

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 16:19:22 +0000

Facer, the app that brings thousands of watch face possibilities to your smartwatch, announced a big platform update this week. The big news is that there is now Facer Premium, which is a monthly subscription service netting you access to thousands and thousands of premium watch faces all for the introductory price of $5/month (7-day free trial included). On top of that, Facer is introducing new watchmaker series partners (even more watch faces for the library), Facer Feed for an automatically curated list of cool watch faces, full iPhone support, and of course, support for newly released Wear OS devices. Here is the full list of changes. What's New

Facer Premium: the first watch face subscription for smartwatch users enabling seamless access to Facer’s massive database of premium watch faces on all their devices.
New Watchmaker Series Partners: we’re excited to be adding 3 new brands to our Watchmaker Series collection, reserved exclusively to partners in the traditional watch industry: Mr Jones Watches, AVI-8, and Daniel Will-Harris.
Facer Feed: Facer now automatically curates faces every day based on your favorite designers, brands, and styles. Picking your watch face for the day has never been easier!
Full iPhone support: smartwatch users using an iPhone can finally access the full Facer platform and all its features with the latest to our iOS app — at last!
Support for new smartwatches: Facer now supports over 50 different smartwatches models, including the latest Fossil Sport, Montblanc Summit 2, Samsung Galaxy Watch, and more.

All of these changes are going live right now, so all you Facer users, be on the lookout. // Facer

DEAL: Mobvoi's TicPods Free, the AirPods of Android, are $30 Off Right Now

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 12:44:26 +0000

Mobvoi, who just launched their latest Wear OS watch with a nice discount, has also discounted their TicPods Free, which are sort of like the AirPods of Android. If you cruise over to Amazon and click on a $30 coupon box, any of the three colors (blue, red, or white) will drop from $129.99 to $99.99 in cart. Nice deal! Are these worth it at $100? I tend to believe they are. I've been using a red pair off and on for months that I picked up from the original Kickstarter for the product. I got them much cheaper than $99, but would probably pay $100 today. They offer a truly wireless experience, look only as goofy as Apple's AirPods, survived multiple sweaty workouts (including some runs), and have solid battery life. The sound won't blow you away, but no true wireless buds have great audio, in my opinion. Again, make sure you add the coupon at the link below before checking out.

Amazon Deal Link

5G is Really Starting to Sound Awful

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 11:00:49 +0000

You have without a doubt heard about 5G and its world-changing (in theory) capabilities. Carriers like Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile will have you believe that a 5G connection in your life will only be beneficial. The speeds, the latency, the power, the connected world we've only ever seen in movies - that's all coming. I hate to be that guy, but the current 5G picture being painted is no Picasso. My guys, 5G sounds really bad right now. Like 4G LTE before it, 5G will probably get off to a slow start, where connections will be limited, phone support will suck, and prices will see increases from both carriers and hardware makers. And prepare for a world filled with 5G small cell towers on every damn corner of your home town.

Service price increases

You know these are coming. Sprint has already said that they plan to raise prices with 5G because they don't want to offer discounted service if theirs is finally up-to-speed with competitors. With that said, T-Mobile is looking to merge with them and has said that prices will actually go down should the two join hands, an idea that I'm not sure a single reasonable person believes, especially after the companies invest billions of dollars into this new 5G network. Verizon hasn't said anything about 5G pricing yet, but AT&T sure has. As we noted earlier this year, they are already contemplating a number of pricing tricks. That could be anywhere from a special fee for low-latency gaming service or even more speed tiers than we already have, à la carte service like never before, additional fees for a better Netflix experience, etc. They could straight-up charge you for 5G as a special add-on, while still asking you for your current 4G LTE plan price. When 4G LTE arrived with promise of extra fast speeds and similar world-changing promises, carriers decided to limit our use by introducing data tiers. Sure, downloading a 720p video was only going to take a few minutes on LTE, but doing that twice would probably have eaten through an entire original tiered data plan. It took years before carriers brought back unlimited data plans. Unfortunately, the new unlimited has all sorts of limits on it that nickel and dime you each month. Does anyone actually believe that Verizon or AT&T or T-Mobile aren't going to ramp those ideas up even more with the arrival of 5G?

More expensive hardware

Not only will service prices likely go up, but you know that hardware prices will too. New modem and radio technology in a phone, components that will require hardware makers to shuffle around hardware designs and work within space limits, are going to cost a lot. Qualcomm is going to want a pretty penny for all the new 5G tech they are offering and there is always a good chance that hardware makers will pass that along to customers. How expensive are we talking? OnePlus' CEO Pete Lau said this week that it could raise prices on his phones $200 to $300. Seriously. While OnePlus phones are already (arguably) underpriced for what you get, we're now putting OnePlus phones in the $800+ price range. What if Samsung and Apple and Google push similar price hikes? Google's Pixel 3 XL already starts at $900 - you interested in paying $1,100 or $1,200 for the next Pixel? How about $1,500 or $1,600 for the next Galaxy Note?

Limited connectivity

Here's another issue to consider - you just paid $300 extra for your 5G phone, but can you even take advantage of 5G? It might be a while as carriers start to push 5G throughout the country. Remember, 4G LTE took years to branch out as we tracked each and every new market. A 5G rollout could happen somewhat faster, because a lot of the equipment installed by carriers is ready to be easily upgraded via software. It'll still take years to get a fully matured 5G network, though. Most are starting out with mmWave (mmW) technology in 2019 (Verizon, AT&T), which is the hotspot-esque ultra-fast 5G that could give you the gigabit download speeds. The thing is, mmW doesn't travel that far, is easily blocked, and is typically thought of as a high-traffic coverage product. In other words, we're going to need a lot of mmW small cell cites installed in cities on every damn corner of the block, so that you almost always have a direct line of sight to it. After blanketing cities, carriers will use other 5G spectrum to branch out. T-Mobile plans to first use their 600MHz spectrum to reach further than mmW networks. That network won't be that fast compared to 4G LTE, so I'll let you decide if you want to be excited or not. In the end, the ultimate 5G experience is going to be the combination of a bunch of different 5G bands, something that no one is promising for some time. My guess is that you'll buy a 5G phone and be able to take advantage of it when in the middle of a busy city, otherwise you'll just fall back to 4G LTE for the next couple of years. That's not the worst thing ever, but is that going to be worth paying a $200-$300 premium for? For most of us, waiting is probably the best bet, assuming hardware makers don't force 5G on us and not provide us with LTE-only options. And I didn't even mention the situation we are about to run into with unlocked phones. You know how you can head over to the Google Store today and buy a phone that works flawlessly on all major carriers? Good luck when 5G gets here. We're going to be talking about different bands for different carriers that aren't yet supported on every device, plus carriers no longer being as open to you jumping around between their competitors. How's your headache?

Other concerns?

The FCC recently pushed through rules that should help wireless carriers hammer 5G into your city as fast as possible. When I referenced their need to have a 5G small cell on every corner of your city, I wasn't really exaggerating. These small cells may not be as awful to look at as the current cell towers you are familiar with, we're still going to need a lot more of them. The current carrier-friendly FCC thinks we need to be faster to win a made-up race to 5G. That if we don't get innovation in this country from 5G before the rest of the world, life will stop and we'll all fail, or something. I'm not about to go all 5G health conspiracy theorist on you, but because of those new FCC rules, at least one California community decided to fully ban 5G towers over health concerns. Now, the CDC says there are no links between cell phone use and cancer. The wireless industry will also have you believe that. Studies upon studies have been done to debunk the idea. But yeah, with a new wave of cellular towers about to enter your town, the concerns are back. We probably need someone to do a 5G health study pretty damn soon, one that isn't just on rats.

Meh on 5G

Alright, Downer Kellen will wrap this up by saying that 5G sure doesn't sound great at the moment. I might have had similar thoughts with 4G LTE too, but something feels different this time. 5G is starting to feel like a rush job surrounded by question marks and overpromising with LTE innovation slowing. 10 years from now, things could be great. 5 years from now, I hope they are really good. But over the next 2-3 years, it could very well be higher prices, limited phone options, toss-up connectivity, and the beginning of Wall-E.

DEAL: Razer Phones on Sale, Original Down to $399 ($300 Off) and Razer Phone 2 to $699 ($100 Off)

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 10:55:09 +0000

Thanks to the holiday shopping season, Razer is cutting the price of its mobile phone lineup by up to $300. Whoa. For specifics, you can get an original Razer Phone (review) for $300 off, bringing the price down to $399. If you need that new-new, a Razer Phone 2 (review) can be purchased for $100 off, with the price now set at $699. That includes the Mirror Black and Satin Black models. Razer's site also notes that if you purchase an original Razer Phone, they'll include a Cellphone Stand, free of charge. Follow the links below to take advantage. Buy: Razer Phone | Razer Phone 2

OnePlus CEO: Neighborhood of $200-$300 More for 5G Phone

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 09:57:59 +0000

Apparently, once 5G comes, OnePlus may no longer be the king of top-tier phones for budget pricing. Speaking via translator to The Verge, OnePlus CEO Pete Lau says that the OnePlus phone his company is working on with 5G connectivity, the one powered by the Snapdragon 855, will be, "in the neighborhood of $200-$300 more." Let's do the math. Right now, you can get a OnePlus 6T starting at $549. Add $200 to that and you've got $749, which is basically the average price for all of the tier 1 Android smartphones currently on the market. Is this a terrible thing? Not exactly, but it's also not great. The thing to note is, this upcoming device from OnePlus will likely not only include the 5G support, but all of the other goodies Qualcomm announced alongside the Snapdragon 855. That potentially includes an ultrasonic under display fingerprint reader, support for 8K VR and HDR10+ video playback (if the display OnePlus uses supports it), the performance and WiFi speed boosts, plus a whole lot more. These smartphone components cost money, and in order to deliver the best experience to its customers, OnePlus may attempt to up its price to deliver something with no compromises. According to Qualcomm's Cristiano Amon, this may not be the case for every phone maker, though. He states that he's seen other OEMs be, "way more aggressive" with regard to price. Regardless, because we're still at least a few months away from seeing exactly what OEMs like Samsung, LG, and OnePlus are going to offer, there's no reason to grab the pitchforks and demand reasonable pricing. We'll just have to wait for more details. Would you lose your sh*t if smartphones cost an extra $200-$300 all of a sudden due to 5G and the Snapdragon 855? // The Verge

How to Get "Chat" RCS Features on Verizon Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 09:20:20 +0000

Verizon confirmed earlier this week that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL would see support for RCS Universal Profile "Chat" features starting today. We are still awaiting their arrival to the majority of phone owners, but can at least help you see if your phone has it or it can turn it on. If available, you'll be able to take advantage of advanced messaging options, like sending larger text messages (up to 8,000 characters), seeing typing indicators, receiving read receipts when messages have been read, larger group chats (up to 100 participants), higher-quality image and video sharing, chatting over WiFi, and larger file transfers. It'll be great at some point. Maybe. Just know that in order to participate in the full "Chat" experience, you'll need a supported phone that has RCS Chat features, as will the person you are talking to. As of right now, there aren't many that do! On Verizon, you'll have the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, so you'll need to know someone with one of those phones on Verizon. You should also be able to talk to T-Mobile Galaxy S7 owners, and some Sprint folks. So how do you turn it on or see if you have it?

How to turn on RCS "Chat" features on Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL

Open the ~~Android~~ Messages app
Tap the top-right menu button and choose Settings
Tap "Advanced"
Look for a "Chat features" at the top

Not seeing that option? There are various reasons for that. For one, Verizon may be rolling this out slowly (reddit) and you just haven't been given the green light yet. There is nothing you can do if that's the case. You should check in Google Play for app updates, though. You might need a Messages (link) or a Carrier Services (link) update. Anyone seeing the option yet?

Razer Phone 2 Updated With Camera Improvements

Tim — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 08:34:25 +0000

An update is rolling out to Razer Phone 2 owners, one filled with camera improvements and other miscellaneous bug fixes. According to the changelog, owners should notice improved color, brightness, and HDR in photos. Additionally, Razer lists audio fixes and improvements, as well as "other bug fixes." The update weighs in at 104MB, rolling out now. https://twitter.com/jamesontai/status/1070460880465219584

Mobvoi's $200 Ticwatch C2 is Now Available

Kellen — Thu, 06 Dec 2018 08:00:11 +0000

Mobvoi's Ticwatch C2, the $199.99 Wear OS watch they announced back in October, is now available for purchase. The Ticwatch C2 features 1-2 day battery life, IP68 water and dust resistance, NFC, GPS, heart rate monitoring. a 42mm steel case, and easily swappable watch bands. It has a 1.3" AMOLED display (360x360), 512MB RAM, 4GB storage, 400mAh battery, and comes in Rose Gold, Onyx, and Platinum finishes. It also runs a Snapdragon Wear 2100, not the new Wear 3100. Should you buy one? It looks like a decent enough Wear OS watch. The case size is right, as are all of the specs outside of the the Wear 3100. But as we've talked about recently, the Wear 3100 is kind of a bust of a chipset that doesn't really add anything to Wear OS at the moment. This watch will totally do what you need it to do. Oh, and to launch, it's 10% off, so you can get one for just $179.99 if you order within a day. Buy Ticwatch C2: Amazon | Mobvoi

Google Lays Out Messaging Plans, Including the Fate of Allo and Hangouts

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 18:16:35 +0000

After a couple of new reports attempted to share Google's timeline for shuffling around its messaging apps, possibly killing a couple of them, the company decided to explain their plans in their own words. In a way, this should provide some clarity on the current state of Google's messaging app ecosystem and which apps you'll want to pay the most attention to.

Hangouts

Hangouts, which is the consumer messaging app you may have adopted years ago and is attached to your Google account, is going to die at some point down the road. We don't know when, but a report previously stated that you have 2019 and then it might die by 2020. Google didn't dispute this in any of their clarifications, only acknowledging that they'll soon offer Hangouts users the chance to use Hangouts Chat, which is currently only available to G Suite customers as more of a collaboration tool. Before it's fully offered up to Hangouts users, it'll first open up an opportunity for G Suite users to invite people outside of their organizations. For now, Hangouts is alive and as buggy as ever, with no plans for that to change just yet. Should Google decide to change Hangouts' fate, Hangouts users should be able to make use of Hangouts Chat.

Allo

The other report I referenced at the start of this involved Allo, Google's never-popular-because-it-had-major-flaws messaging app. It is indeed dying pretty soon. As we talked about earlier, Allo stopped getting attention from Google back in April as the team was pulled off of its development and put onto Android Messages. Today, Google is confirming that in March 2019, Allo will no longer work. If you are using Allo, you need to find something new pretty quickly. If you want to save any of your Allo conversations, you can export them through these instructions. Allo is officially RIP.

Android Messages and Duo

If you are planning to stick with Google for your messaging and video calling needs, they want you on ~~Android~~ Messages and Duo. Those are the two that will get the most investment on a consumer front going forward. Messages is getting or has gotten most of Allo's best features and will continue to see major development. It'll someday bring powerful RCS messaging services to most of us. Duo also keeps getting better by the month. All clear now? Google Play Links: Messages | Duo // Google

Huawei CFO Arrested in Canada, Faces Extradition to US on Suspicion of Violating Iran Sanctions (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 15:00:40 +0000

Huawei's CFO, Meng Wanzhou, was arrested this past Saturday in Vancouver, Canada at the request of US law enforcement and is now facing extradition to the US on suspicion of violating US trade sanctions against Iran. The arrest was confirmed in a statement to The Globe and Mail by the US Justice Department, with a bail hearing set to take place this Friday. At this time, the department spokesperson can't share more details because Meng requested a publication ban. Meng is the daughter of Huawei’s founder and CEO Ren Zhengfei, and also serves as deputy chair on Huawei’s board. Update: December 11 - Huawei's CFO has been granted bail by a Canadian court, allowing her to to stay in her Vancouver home as she awaits a possible extradition to the US. We'll update you as this story continues. // The Verge | The Globe and Mail

Qualcomm Reveals All Snapdragon 855 Details

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:43:10 +0000

Qualcomm announced its Snapdragon 855 platform yesterday as a part of an unnecessary 3-day party in Hawaii for press and tech bros. Today, they revealed the details of the 855, which we'll talk briefly about here, for those interested.

Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 Parts

Qualcomm® Hexagon™ 690 Processor
Qualcomm® Adreno™ 640 GPU
Qualcomm® Kryo™ 485 CPU (64-bit, Prime core up to 2.84GHz, Performance cores up to 2.42GHz)
Snapdragon X24 LTE modem LTE Category 20
Snapdragon X50 5G modem (for 5G devices)
Qualcomm Wi-Fi 6-ready mobile platform: 802.11ax-ready, 802.11ac Wave 2, 802.11a/b/g/n
Qualcomm Spectra™ 380 Image Signal Processor
Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 4+ Technology

What does all of that do? There is a lot going on, but the basics are as follows:

7nm. Yes, it's 7nm, 64-bit.
It does 5G, man. It utilizes the Snapdragon X50 5G modem to connect to both mmWave and sub-6 GHz 5G bands. The first phones on the planet to connect to 5G will more than likely run the Snapdragon 855. We're talking about theoretic multi-gigabit speeds, assuming you live in an area with 5G.
Super fast Wi-Fi 6. Snapdragon 855 supports Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), which is the next WiFi platform. This particular chip has a 67% better power efficiency, but can also hit speeds of 10Gbps over 60GHz 802.11ay.
Performance stuff. The 855 features Kryo 485 CPUs that offer up to a 45% performance boost over the Snapdragon 845. The new Adreno 640 GPU provides a 20% boost in graphics performance.
AI stuff. It does lots of AI things using the new Hexagon 690 processor. All you really need to know is that your voice assistant will be faster, it'll hear you better, that sort of thing.
Cameras too. The computational photography and video capture offers up 4x power savings, it can do real-time 4K HDR at 60fps, it can reduce file sizes by 50%, supports HDR10+, dual 22MP cameras at 30fps, single 48MP camera at 30fps, 4K60 HDR portrait mode, slow-mo video at 720p and 480fps, and more.
Entertainment things. 855 supports up to 8K VR, HDR10+ video playback, an upgraded aptX audio codec, performance while gaming that aims to reduce frame drops by >90%, and external display support on 2 displays up to 4K HDR.

The first phones to ship with the Snapdragon 855 will arrive in first half of 2019. OnePlus will make one. Samsung probably will too. That all sounds nice.

// Qualcomm

Google Duo Gets Easier-to-Send Video Messages

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 13:02:11 +0000

Earlier this year, Google added a video messaging feature to Duo that let you leave short video messages if someone didn't pick up a call attempt. Now, Google is just going to let you avoid having to chat live and send video messages out-the-gate. The new video messages feature is rolling out this week, according to the Tweet below. In it, you'll see how they work - open Duo, swipe down, record message, and then select who you want to send it to. Simple, right? Go get it. Google Play Link https://twitter.com/Google/status/1070419291458203648

Google Allo is Reportedly Dying Soon too, Which is...Oh Who Cares (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 12:07:14 +0000

UPDATE: Google confirmed today that Allo will stop working in March 2019. They also tried to clear things up on Hangouts and their other messaging apps.

Google Allo, the messaging app Google created because they like making messaging apps as a hobby, not because they have any sort of messaging strategy, is reportedly dying soon. That should shock no one, but hey, pour some out, homies. Allo basically got the axe back in April of this year, when Google pulled talent from it and put them on Android Messages as it tries to push out their "Chat" and RCS services. It was a failure from day 1 and will not be missed. Allo will join Hangouts "classic" in the graveyard of random sh*t Google makes as a possible future before killing. And that means we'll continue to wait for carriers to take their sweet time adopting RCS through Android Messages, a technology that Google has been pushing for almost three years now that has seen little acceptance in the US. See ya, Allo. // 9to5Google

2019 OnePlus Flagship Will Run Snapdragon 855 (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 11:44:26 +0000

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau just confirmed that the company's 2019 flagship, presumably the OnePlus 7, will be powered by the Snapdragon 855 processor. This announcement was made during day 2 of the Snapdragon Tech Summit, Qualcomm's annual tech conference that takes place in Maui, Hawaii. Naturally, details are still scarce, but from what Lau said on stage, those in Europe on EE can expect 5G connectivity via the new Snapdragon-powered device at some point next year. No word yet on US 5G and this OnePlus phone. Update: OnePlus has distributed it press release, confirming that it will launch the first commercially available 5G phone in Europe on the UK's EE, powered by the Snapdragon 855 chipset in 2019. As more details are known, we'll update this post. https://twitter.com/Qualcomm/status/1070397379960918016

Nokia 8.1 Announced With Snapdragon 710 and 6" HDR10 Display, Costs 399 EUR

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 10:36:43 +0000

HMD Global announced Nokia 8.1 this week, the global retail version of China's Nokia X7. As of right now, there are no plans to launch the phone in the US, but that could change. For specs, Nokia 8.1 features a 6.18" FHD+ HDR10 display, Snapdragon 710 processor, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, dual rear-facing cameras (12MP + 13MP), 20MP front-facing camera, 3,500mAh battery, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Android Pie. Considering its European price of €399, that seems like a solid buy, especially when considering the positive press Nokia devices have been receiving as of late. When converted to USD, we're looking at a price of around $450, but again, we're unsure it will come. For more details on the device, follow the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfrlf-R3SFs // Nokia

Trivia Crack Gets Live Events With Real Cash Prizes, First Event Starts Tonight

Tim — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 08:54:18 +0000

Here at Droid Life, we love trivia. We love trivia so much that we host an Android trivia game at the end of every podcast we do and we know for a fact that many of you have benefited greatly from this. Point being, trivia is awesome, but you know what else is awesome? Trivia Crack, one of my all time favorite mobile games. Announced this morning, Trivia Live is coming to Trivia Crack, where players have a chance to win real cash prizes. Much like those other live trivia gameshows, players will be asked 12 questions in total, with 10 seconds to answer each question. If you miss a question, you're eliminated. Answer all 12 correctly, then you'll split the cash pot with all other players who completed the task. Here's how it works.

WHAT:
- 12 questions in total, 10 seconds to answer each question. To start, winners will split the $500 pot to win.
- If you answer correctly under the time limit, you go to the next question. If you fail, you'll be eliminated, but you'll remain as a "spectator" until the final results.
- Anyone who answers the 12 questions correctly will share the final prize.
WHO: US players
WHEN: Every day at 7:30pm ET, starting Wednesday, December 5
WHERE: Trivia Crack for iOS and Android

It appears Trivia Live will take place daily, with the first prize being $500 cash. That's not a lot of money, especially when you consider Trivia Crack has been downloaded over 100 million times on Android alone (and this is open to iOS and Android), but free money is free money and no one should ever complain about that. If you're ready to potentially win some cash, follow the link below to get the app installed on your device, then be ready at 7:30pm ET (4:30PM) PT for the live event to start. Google Play Link

AT&T Announces Another Samsung 5G Device With Better Connectivity

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 08:12:36 +0000

With 2019 only days away, the 5G announcements are showing no signs of slowing. After acknowledging that it will carry the same Samsung 5G device that Verizon plans to offer in the first half of next year, AT&T says they'll have another in the 2nd half of 2019 that'll connect to even more 5G fun. This device will be made by Samsung, just like the soon-to-arrive phone, only it'll connect to both 5G mmWave and sub-6 GHz. The first phone will only connect to 5G mmWave. That's important to note, as mmWave technology has some pretty major flaws (easily blocked, doesn't travel far, etc.), while sub-6 GHz could and should make connectivity less of a hassle. AT&T says that they've been "enhancing" their LTE network by installing software upgradeable sub-6 GHz radios throughout the past year and will continue to do so into 2019. // AT&T

DEAL: Google One Subscribers Get $125 Off Pixel 3

Kellen — Wed, 05 Dec 2018 06:50:27 +0000

As a part of being a Google One member, Google has said to expect special deals on products and services. Right now, for example, you can save up to 40% of select hotels, get 3 free months of YouTube Premium, and 20% off Google Express orders. But maybe more importantly now that Black Friday is behind us, Google One members can $125 off a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL. The deal first went live last night for Google One members, with a simple link and code provided to get the deal through the Google Store. It works on Pixel 3 (review) or Pixel 3 XL (review) and should take the price down on either 64GB or 128GB storage models. Haven't received the promo but are a Google One member? Try logging into your One account and scrolling down a bit to see the various offers. You should see it with the others I mentioned. Buy Google Pixel 3 | Sign-up for Google One

Verizon RCS for Pixel 3 Gets the Internal Tickle Again (Update: It's Happening)

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:55:03 +0000

Update: Verizon has reached out again, confirming that this is happening on December 6. Oh boy!

Can confirm that Verizon and Google will be rolling out enhanced messaging (RCS) in the Messages app on Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL beginning this Thursday, December 6th. This messaging service brings, for example, typing indicators, very large group chats and the ability to transfer large files between the owners of these smartphones.

Stop me if you've heard this before, but rumblings of RCS support for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on Verizon have fired up on reddit again. This time, by way of internal documentation that has been shared by Verizon employees. Much like what happened in November, we have a new date, but keep in mind, this contradicts what Verizon has already said about its RCS rollout. According to them, launch is still scheduled for early 2019, but this new information says December 6 is the day. Here is everything that is shared on reddit. Quick note, whenever it says "Chat," that's RCS. Chat is just easier to market, apparently.

What’s happening?

Effective Dec 6th, there is an enhancement to messaging on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Chat features enhance messaging with new features not available with SMS and MMS.

What is it?

Chat features on the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL features include:

Send larger text messages. Create larger messages up to 8000 characters long. With Android Messages Chat, you’re no longer limited to 160 characters.

Typing indicators. See when your contact is typing a conversation.

Read receipts. See when your message has been read.

Large chat groups. Create group chats with up to 100 participants who also have chat features enabled.

High-quality media sharing. Share pictures and videos in high-quality.

Chat over WiFi. You can send messages over WiFi, even when you don’t have a cellular connection.

Large transfer files. Send larger attachments than ever before.

Chat features for Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL also offers additional features such as local sharing, mobile payment, sending audio recording, sending stickers, and much more.

Note: Chat features only work if all members of a group chat have Chat features enabled. If any members are not enabled, the standard SMS/MMS service is the default.

Disclaimer: Customers should be aware of the various Over the Top (OTT) applications often added by device manufacturer to their mobile device. These applications enable capabilities (such as file sharing, presence, etc.) that are not managed by Verizon. It is the responsibility of the customer to take appropriate actions to ensure these applications are securely managed and monitored to meet their security requirements.

Naturally, we reached out to Verizon directly to see about clearing this up or at least confirming this new December 6 date. What we got in return did not surprise us, with Verizon saying, "Verizon will be supporting the RCS standard, but there's no launch date to share at this time." I suppose we can all pencil in December 6 on the calendars, but when that day comes and goes, try not to be too disappointed. // reddit Cheers Justin and Colin!

BlackBerry KEY2 LE Now Available in Champagne and Atomic

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 14:02:59 +0000

BlackBerry's KEY2 LE is available in two new colors this week, Champagne and Atomic (pictured above), purchasable via Best Buy and Amazon. While you'll find Champagne on Amazon and Best Buy for $449 ($499 on Best Buy), Atomic is exclusive to Best Buy for $499. For specs, BB's KEY2 LE has a 4.5″ LCD 1080p display, Snapdragon 636 processor, 4GB RAM, 32GB or 64GB storage, 3,000mAh battery, dual rear cameras (13MP + 5MP), NFC, fingerprint reader located in the spacebar, Android 8.1 “Oreo,” as well as all of the security goodies you’d expect from BlackBerry. Links to purchase can be found below.

Buy

Champagne

Amazon
Best Buy

Atomic

Best Buy

Qualcomm Announces Snapdragon 855

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 13:04:22 +0000

At its annual Snapdragon Tech Summit, Qualcomm announced the Snapdragon 855. Much like last year, Qualcomm shared hardly any specific details concerning the new chipset, but did provide info on a few of the things that makes it different from the Snapdragon 845. The big stuff includes a 3x performance improvement over 845, 2x performance improvement over competitor chipsets, 4th Generation AI Engine, the world's first computer-vision ISP, 3D Sonic Sensor (ultrasonic under display fingerprint reader) support, Snapdragon Elite Gaming, and of course, support for mobile 5G. Qualcomm specifically mentions that Snapdragon 855 will be the processor powering next year's 5G-ready mobile phones, so get ready to hear "Snapdragon 855" a lot over the next year. We'll have all of the finer details tomorrow following Day 2 of the Snapdragon Tech Summit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nev55ymBJGo // Qualcomm

WATCH: Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit 2018 Day 1 Keynote at 11AM PT

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 10:38:12 +0000

Day 1 of the annual Qualcomm Snapdragon Tech Summit is set to begin at 11AM PT (2PM ET). Qualcomm has already mentioned that we can expect plenty of 5G and Snapdragon mobile platform talk, so needless to say, we're pumped for this. The downside is, we know how Qualcomm rolls. Most likely, Qualcomm will make some big announcement (the Snapdragon 855), but will then hold any details concerning said announcement until Day 2's livestream (tomorrow). Qualcomm is a mega hypebeast, so if we don't learn too much today, don't say I didn't tell you so. Tune in live below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6pdjT7xsZe8

Verizon Adds 54 Countries to TravelPass, Now Totals Over 185

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 09:56:46 +0000

Verizon announced this week that it has added 54 countries to its TravelPass offering, bringing the grand total of countries supported by its international travel mobile usage solution to over 185. There is no list of which countries are new to TravelPass, but Verizon highlights Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Morocco, and Kenya. If you're unfamiliar with TravelPass, it's pretty straightforward. For $10/day, and you're only charged if you use it ($5/day for travels to Mexico and Canada, if not already included in your domestic plan), you get nearly* the same cell service as you would if you were going to any place in the US. It's the same calling and messaging, as well as 4G LTE when in supported areas.

With TravelPass, you can use your phone like you do at home with unlimited calling and texting along with 4G LTE data. You’ll only be charged on the days you use calls, send texts or use data on your device abroad.

Additionally, Verizon announced the launch of 33 new countries to its International Monthly Plans. These plans are for occasional use when you travel, giving you a monthly allowance of minutes, texts and data. *The only small print it appears you need to be aware of is that a user only pays for TravelPass on the days they use their device abroad – a session will be triggered by making a call, sending a text, or data use on the device. When signed up, you get 0.5GB of high speed data per 24 hour session. If you exceed 0.5GB of high speed data, you get the option to purchase another 0.5GB for use within that 24 hour session. Here is the full list of countries supported by TravelPass. Update: Here is the complete list of new countries supported by TravelPass.

ALGERIA
ARMENIA
AZERBAIJAN
BANGLADESH
BENIN
BOTSWANA
BURKINA FASO
CAMEROON
CAPE VERDE
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
CHAD
CONGO
CONGO THE DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC
COTE D'IVOIRE
EGYPT
FAROE ISLANDS
FRENCH POLYNESIA
GABON
GAMBIA
GEORGIA
GUINEA
GUINEA-BISSAU
IRAQ
KAZAKHSTAN
KENYA
KUWAIT
KYRGYZSTAN
LAOS
LIBERIA
MACAO
MADAGASCAR
MALAWI
MALI
MONGOLIA
MOROCCO
MOZAMBIQUE
MYANMAR
NIGER
OMAN
PAKISTAN
QATAR
RWANDA
SAUDI ARABIA
SENEGAL
SEYCHELLES
SIERRA LEONE
SOLOMON ISLANDS
SWAZILAND
TAJIKISTAN
TIMOR-LESTE
TUNISIA
UGANDA
UZBEKISTAN
ZAMBIA

AT&T Will Also Carry Samsung's 5G Phone Next Year

Tim — Tue, 04 Dec 2018 08:29:19 +0000

Not to be outdone, AT&T announced this week that it will carry Samsung's 5G smartphone, the same one that was teased by Verizon earlier this week. In total, AT&T now has two 5G devices planned, with its actual 5G network still penciled in for unveiling before the year's end. According to AT&T, they also worked with Samsung on the first 5G Innovation Zone to test important business use cases for 5G. Detailed in the press release, "The goal is to use 5G to enable new capabilities with the Internet of Things (IoT) and to better understand the impact of 5G." Considering this device will launch on both AT&T and Verizon, and AT&T specifically called it a smartphone, it seems like a safe bet that this the 5G-ready Galaxy device that was reported last month. It's getting exciting now. // AT&T

Don't Get Too Excited, But Huawei's Nova 4 Launches This Month

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 15:21:01 +0000

As I've said before, while Huawei phones continue to get better and better, it has become quite difficult to ever get excited about them. This, of course, is due to the fact that we live in the US and flagship Huawei phones are not sold here. Bullocks! Anyway, the US government won't stop me from getting hyped for Nova 4, the same device we saw in a livestream from late November. Thanks to what appears to be official marketing material from China that was posted to Weibo, we now know that this device is coming soon -- December 17, to be exact. As we can clearly see, this phone ditches the notch, replacing it with a display cutout for the front-facing camera. This may upset some, but personally, I really like this look. There is no telling how it will interact with the work you do on your phone, but it's certainly better than a massive notch, right? Share your thoughts on Nova 4's look below, then prepare to be disappointed when Huawei announces absolutely zero US availability later this month.

// The Verge | Weibo

Tony Hawk's Skate Jam Now Up for Pre-Registration on Google Play

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 14:19:49 +0000

Tony Hawk has a new mobile game with his name on it, but unfortunately, it's not a Pro Skater for mobile. Instead, it's called Tony Hawk's Skate Jam, now up for pre-registration on Google Play. This doesn't really mean anything, but once registered, you'll be notified as soon as the game is available for download on Google Play. According to the app's description, Skate Jam features a classic Career Mode, Global Skate Jam tournaments, various skate disciplines for you to master (vert, street, and park), and dozens of Birdhouse skateboards to collect. Beyond a few screenshots that remind me of early PlayStation graphics, that's all we know. As soon as we have a launch date to share, we'll let you know. Google Play Link

Essential Phone Also Getting December Security Patch

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 12:18:35 +0000

It's not only Pixel and select Nexus devices receiving December security patch love today. As usual, Essential is pushing out the update to Essential Phone owners, too. Very nice. Essential lists nothing else in addition to the December patch, but if we discover anything, we'll let you know. Have at it, Essential fans. https://twitter.com/essential/status/1069667822308114432

DEAL: Samsung Wireless Charger Duo for Just $50 on Amazon ($70 Off)

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 11:19:41 +0000

For a limited time, you can pick up a Wireless Charger Duo from Samsung off of Amazon for just $49.99, down from its listed price of $119. That's $70 off, which is not bad at all. With this charger, you can fast wireless charge your Samsung phone (or any Qi-compatible device) and Samsung watch (only select models) at the same time. Sadly, only the black model of this charger is available at the discounted price, while the white model is still $119. Follow the link below to take advantage. Amazon Link

December 2018 Android Security Update Goes Live for Pixel, Nexus Devices (Updated)

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 10:19:51 +0000

Google just released the December 2018 Android security patch for Pixel and Nexus devices. It appears that we already have both factory image and OTA files ready to be downloaded for those willing to do some manual labor, or as always, you can sit back and wait for the update to arrive over-the-air (OTA) to your device. So far, we are seeing new 9.0.0 files for Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (PQ1A.181205.006) and Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL (PQ1A.181205.002). The regular Pixel and Pixel XL do not have December builds available just yet. Other Google devices that still receiving security patches on Oreo are getting the following updates: Nexus 6P (OPM7.181205.001), Nexus 5X (OPM7.181205.001), and Pixel C (OPM8.181205.001). Update: Pixel (PQ1A.181205.002.A1) and Pixel XL (PQ1A.181205.002.A1) files are now live. Functional Patches for Pixel/Nexus: [table responsive=scroll id=151 /] 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. To check for the update, head into Settings>System>Advanced>System update. As more details arrive, we’ll update this post. Links:

Pixel's Call Screen Transcripts Appear to be Rolling Out

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 09:12:12 +0000

Over the weekend, Google Pixel-owning users on reddit showed that they were seeing access to transcripts for Call Screen, the Google Assistant-powered call screening service. Accessible via Recent calls > Call Details > See transcript, this will allow you to look back at calls that were received by Assistant, then read them in plain text. We're not seeing the feature on our Pixels quite yet, so it seems to be rolling out slowly. However, you can probably get it a bit sooner by enrolling into Google's Phone app beta program (linked below, scroll to the bottom). If you'll recall, a transcript option that we can look at after the call is one of the things we begged Google for after it released Call Screen. Today is a big day for us. Pixel owners, are you seeing the transcript option? Google Play Link // reddit

Verizon and Samsung Launching 5G Phone in First Half of 2019, Proof of Concept Coming This Week

Tim — Mon, 03 Dec 2018 08:13:44 +0000

Qualcomm is hosting its annual Technology Summit in Maui this week, but Verizon already confirmed one very important part of the show to us. This morning, the company announced that it will launch a 5G device from Samsung in the first half of 2019, powered by Qualcomm's latest Snapdragon processor. The exciting part is, a proof of concept device will be unveiled at Qualcomm's event this week. As Verizon puts it, "5G mobility service will provide massive bandwidth, greater opportunities for connectivity and improved network reliability. When fully implemented, it will offer capacity and download speed many times faster than today’s 4G LTE network. Along with network latency that is faster than the blink of an eye." For the proof of concept that we'll see this week, Verizon states that it will be powered by the latest Snapdragon application processor, Qualcomm's Snapdragon X50 5G NR modem and antenna modules with integrated RF transceiver, RF front-end and antenna elements. 5G is really coming, folks. // Verizon

Amazon Music is Coming to Android TV

Tim — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 15:00:08 +0000

It appears that Amazon is soon to launch an official Amazon Music app for Android TV. In fact, you can pre-register for the app right now on Google Play. For anyone who rocks Android and has a Prime account from Amazon, this is great news. With Prime, you get Prime Music for free, meaning you have on-demand access to 50 million songs, all ad free. You can pre-register for the app on Google Play, but we have no official release date from Amazon quite yet. We'll keep you posted. Hooray. Google Play Link

Report: Google Hangouts Dies in 2020 (Updated: Well, Sort Of)

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 11:42:12 +0000

Google likes screwing with our lives by killing apps we use each and every day. Think Inbox and Google Reader, those types of apps. Google pushes them as the next great thing, a number of us move everything we do over to them, and then Google sunsets them at the worst possible time. It sucks and we try to make the best of it, but I'm not sure I'm ready for the death of one in particular: Hangouts. According to a report from 9to5Google, Google plans to shut down Hangouts in 2020. F*ck. That gives you at least a year to continue using Google's green leaky tank of old buginess before deciding which app you'll switch your messaging world to. The report cites a source "familiar with the product's internal roadmap," and nothing has been made official by Google. But look, Hangouts for consumers basically got the axe back in October 2016 when Google stopped forcing companies to bundle it with devices. They then cut out SMS from it, stopped introducing any new features, and began pushing an enterprise version called Hangouts Chat, that I'm sure 6 people use. Hangouts was replaced on the consumer side by Allo, which is already dead. Now, Google probably wants everyone to jump over to Android Messages, their default text app, to get ready for RCS should that ever arrive widely. Maybe by 2020 it will? For me, I'm not sure what the hell I'm going to do. Hangouts works for me because I've used it since the day it was introduced, had my family adopt it, and am not sure a comparable alternative exists. You ready for Hangouts to join our friend Inbox? Update #2: A Google spokesperson reached out with the following statement, essentially confirming that one day in the future, classic Hangouts will indeed go away, but not until all users have been successfully migrated over to either Hangouts Chat or Hangouts Meet. There is no timeframe for this, but some day it will happen.

In March 2017, we announced plans to evolve classic Hangouts to focus on two experiences that help bring teams together: Hangouts Chat and Hangouts Meet. Both Chat and Meet are available today for G Suite customers and will be made available for consumer users, too. We have not announced an official timeline for transitioning users from classic Hangouts to Chat and Meet. We are fully committed to supporting classic Hangouts users until everyone is successfully migrated to Chat and Meet."

UPDATE: Google Hangouts boss Scott Johnston responded to this report, calling it "shoddy reporting," which seems unnecessarily harsh. He then tried to explain that thought, suggesting that if anything, current Hangouts consumer ("classic") users will be "migrated" over to Hangouts Chat and Meet. He did basically confirm that the classic Hangouts will go away at some point, though, so yeah. https://twitter.com/happyinwater/status/1068871880814268417 // 9to5Google

Podcast: A Lite Pixel

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 10:31:23 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we are back! We've got lots to discuss too after having two weeks off, so look for topics like all of the Pixel 3 Lite happenings, a massive camera shootout, a Pixel Slate in house, OnePlus 6T and Fossil Sport reviews completed, Samsung's One UI, a first look at the Samsung foldable phone, and more. Trivia is back too! Be sure to stick around until the end of the show for your chance to win a wireless charging stand from the fine folks at Anker, who were awesome enough to sponsor prizes for this week's show. We'll be live at 12:00PM Pacific (3PM Eastern).

Arlo's New Wireless Security Camera Offers 4K HDR, Available Q1 2019 for $399

Tim — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 09:08:26 +0000

Arlo announced a new wireless security camera system this week, one featuring 4K HDR recording, designed for usage outside and inside. Slated to go on sale next year during Q1, the system will be priced at $399. For that price, buyers will get a single camera and SmartHub, which connects to your router and extends WiFi range to your Arlo camera(s). The hub also features a microSD card slot for local storage of recorded clips. For the camera itself, Arlo mentions that it has a panoramic 180-degree diagonal field of view, an integrated spotlight (allowing you to see color at night instead of just black and white), as well as that 4K resolution that will allow you to see important details should the time ever come. With purchase, Arlo is throwing in a one-year subscription to Arlo Smart Premier ($119.88 value), which offers Arlo's "sophisticated AI and computer vision technologies" from right inside the Arlo app. As an example, with this subscription, you can get personalized notifications for particular people, animals, vehicles, and package detection. Again, Arlo Ultra will go on sale in Q1 next year, priced at $399. // Arlo

DEAL: Verizon Galaxy Note 9 $300 Off Today Only From Samsung

Kellen — Fri, 30 Nov 2018 08:23:47 +0000

Samsung is still running with this whole "12 days of deals" thing, so we've got a new set of deals today. The headliner is a $300 savings on the Verizon Galaxy Note 9, which is basically back down to Black Friday pricing. That's a pretty good deal. With that said, like all "deals" these days, this does force you into a 24-month device payment plan with Verizon in order to get the $300 off. You plan on sticking with Verizon for a while? I'm sure you can handle that. At $300 off, you are are looking at the 128GB model for $699.99 ($29.17/mo) or the 512GB model for $949.99. Don't forget that Samsung's trade-in program applies here too, so you could potentially get an ever bigger discount. And remember, Samsung's trade-in program is an instant discount, off today, with trade-in happening once you get your new phone. Samsung's store has all three colors (Midnight Black, Ocean Blue, Lavender Purple) of the Note 9. This deal is only good for today.

Buy Verizon Galaxy Note 9

YouTube Stories Now Available to All Eligible Channels With 10K+ Subscribers

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 13:00:11 +0000

Be prepared to see a lot more YouTube Stories in your YouTube application. This week, YouTube is rolling YouTube Stories out to all eligible channels with subscriber counts of over 10,000. These days, that's a lot of channels. As explained by YouTube, Stories gives creators a new way of interacting with their audience. Think of it like an Instagram Story, where the creator can capture short clips of whatever it is they are doing, then share that directly with followers. Creators can customize their Stories with music, "YouTubey stickers," and video filters. On the flip side, viewers can comment on Stories, thumbs up/down comments just like a usual comment section on YouTube, and you can heart comments.

Creating with Stories is lightweight, easy, and fun. Stories will have the fun creation tools that you know and love. You can add text, music, filters, YouTubey stickers, and more to make your story uniquely you! To create a story, just open the YouTube mobile app, tap on the video camera icon, and select "Create Story."

This change happened today, so if you follow someone on YouTube with a lot of subscribers, get ready to start seeing a few Stories from them, too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM-dOYiyvCA // YouTube

SwiftKey Now Has Built-In Bing-Powered Web Search

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 11:19:59 +0000

The latest SwiftKey update includes a dedicated search bar that allows you to look up things on the web via Bing, then share those things if you so choose in a very expeditious manner. For example, you can Bing flights, then screenshot and share flight times with friends, all without having to leave SwiftKey. To use this new feature, open the Toolbar by tapping the “+” on the top left, select the search icon, then type what you’re looking for into the box. If you type a specific search term, you’ll find instant access to rich search content from Bing. However, if you type in a URL, you’ll be taken to that webpage. Regardless of what you searched for, you'll be able to snap a shot of the results, then share them directly in a message via SwiftKey. You're essentially cutting out the middleman, and in this case, that would most likely be Google. Instead of leaving your message and heading into Google to search for something and then sharing results, everything happens in SwiftKey. It makes complete sense, but still, it's Bing. After looking at a few reviews of the recent update, not everyone is thrilled with the addition. Personally, I haven't used SwiftKey in quite some time, but if you're a SwiftKey faithful, we'd love to hear your take on the latest update. Go grab it, then share your thoughts down below. Google Play Link // SwiftKey

Android Auto Gets Improved Media Layouts, Support for MMS and RCS Messaging

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:16:17 +0000

Android Auto is receiving an update this week, bringing a new layout for multimedia discovery, as well as support for MMS and RCS message types. For the user interface (UI), have a look at the above image header. Moving forward, Android Auto will showcase larger album art, allowing you to quickly identify artists or titles you want to enjoy while driving. Search results will also have a new look on-screen, with items being categorized by artist, albums, etc. For messaging, Android Auto will now also support MMS (multimedia messaging service) and RCS (rich communication services). This purely means that your favorite messaging apps can now offer additional capabilities, like support for group messaging. On top of that, Android Auto will show previews of messages received, but only when the vehicle is stopped. If you wish not to have messages appear on your screen due to privacy concerns, you can enable/disable the feature in the Android Auto settings menu. Google says all of these changes will be available in the next couple of days. To ensure you're running the latest Android Auto version, head to Google Play by following the link below. Google Play Link // Google

Google Home Mini in Aqua Now Available

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 10:06:24 +0000

It is. It costs $49. It's light green. It's about a month late. There'll probably be a deal on it before Xmas. Or buy one now. Whatever. Google Store Link

Samsung's 12 Days of Deals is Here, Save on TVs, Phones, and Get Free Stuff

Tim — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 09:04:12 +0000

Samsung launched 12 Days of Deals this week, offering shoppers discounts on products, as well as free accessories when they purchase select items. We don't know all of the deals quite yet, so this is only Day 1, but so far, Samsung is listing a $210 instant discount on a Powerbot Vacuum ($289), 35% off select QLED televisions, free keyboard cover when you buy a Galaxy Tab S4, free (or discounted) wearable of choice when you buy a Galaxy phone, and 60% off select accessories on Samsung's online store. For being just Day 1, there is a lot to look at, so follow the link below to see everything. Additionally, if you want to be alerted when Samsung updates its Days of Deals, enter your email on Samsung's website to stay in the loop. Consume, people, consume. Samsung Link

Google Added More Cool Sh*t to Google Assistant and Smart Displays Today

Kellen — Thu, 29 Nov 2018 08:56:10 +0000

Google began pushing new updates to Google Assistant and Smart Displays this morning with loads of new features, many of which that have been talked about at least two times now. The updates are worth talking about once again, though, because they add some fun and useful new features. Here they are in short form, so that you aren't here all day:

A feature called "Pretty Please" tries to reward you for saying "please" and "thank you" when interacting with Google Assistant. If you use those words, you'll get pleasant responses from Google in return. It's just enabled, so use away.
Google Assistant can now manage multiple lists! Instead of only that dumb shopping list thing they moved away from Keep and onto a stand-alone, not-easy-to-get-to shopping list site, you'll now get to manage other lists. Think to-do and gift lists. Just tell Google to add items to each.
Two-way conversations have been added to Nest Hello doorbells with Smart Displays nearby. You knew this was coming.
With Google Play Music subscriptions, Smart Displays will now show lyrics on screen as songs play.
Google wants to remind you that Smart Displays and Home units are great for reading stories to your kids.
You should "Hey Google, Call Santa" with your kids.
Next week, you'll finally be able to respond to Broadcast calls. This was first announced 2 weeks ago.
Google Photos sharing has been added, so if a fun photo shows up on your Smart Display, you can tell Google to share it with someone.
Want to set a quick alarm? Just swipe up from the bottom on your Smart Display and tap the new alarm button.

Smart Displays really are starting to pull miles away from Amazon's Echo devices with displays. This stuff is genuinely useful. // Google

Samsung One UI Gets Updated, Loads of Bug Fixes Inside

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 17:41:46 +0000

It appears that One UI is being updated this evening, included with the November security patch for those who entered the One UI beta on compatible Galaxy devices. The update weighs in at 758MB on the Galaxy S9+ and includes a ton of bug fixes. I won't list everything out, but I'll mention a few of the big ones and include screenshots that show the whole changelog below.

Bug Fixes

Alarm displayed on lock screen even though no alarm is set.
Alarm does not ring on scheduled time.
When earphones are connected there is no sound.
Screen cut off when you change orientations in YouTube.
When music is playing the sound of it breaks/changes playback speed.
Roar sound comes when if a notification comes while listening to music.
Rapid battery discharge during Netflix playback and Chromecast casting.

Get on it, One UI testers!

Cheers Taylor!

Pixel Slate Unboxing and Tour!

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 16:37:55 +0000

The early Google Pixel Slate reviews that dropped this week did not have great things to say about the first tablet Google has released in years. I'll do my best to ignore those going forward, since we now have one in house and are ready to dive in for our own testing. We have an Intel Core i5 unit with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, which starts at $999. Of course, there are other models that start as low as $599. We also picked up the $200 official Pixel Slate keyboard from Google. As you guys know, I've become a pretty big fan of Google's Chrome OS, specifically the Pixelbook and old Chromebook Pixel line. This Pixel Slate actually excited me some when it was first announced because it should be able to do the tablet stuff you may want (watch movies, play games, be portable, etc.) while offering up the improved Chrome OS experience Google keeps making better by the week. I still have hope for it! So we'll kick this review period off with an unboxing, just to re-introduce everyone to it. Then, we'll get into the good stuff. Buy Google Pixel Slate: Amazon | Best Buy | Google Store https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUUV8JBPfuo

LG's Home Entertainment Boss Now in Charge of Mobile Division

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 14:26:02 +0000

LG announced a shuffling of upper level positions this week, noting that the company wants to, "Enhance strengths and opportunities." Most importantly to us, LG's mobile division has a new boss, Brian Kwon. It's possible you've heard this name before. LG lists him as one of the key people to play a critical role in transforming LG’s TV, audio, and PC business into category leaders. They further note, "[his] experience in the global marketplace will be instrumental in continuing LG’s mobile operations turnaround." Mobile's current head, Hwang Jeong-hwan, will focus on his other role as head of LG’s Convergence Business Development Office. LG states that new assignments are effective December 1, 2018. // LG

Buy a Samsung Galaxy on T-Mobile, Get Free 50" 4K Smart TV

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 11:33:06 +0000

T-Mobile is offering a free 50" 4K Smart TV when you purchase a new Samsung Galaxy device on an EIP plan and add second voice service line to your existing plan. If you were already looking to pick up a new Galaxy S9 or Galaxy Note 9, a free TV isn't a bad gift this holiday season. Eligible Galaxy devices for this promotion include Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S8, and Galaxy S8 Active. And again, all you need to do is buy one of these phones on an Equipment Installment Plan (EIP) and add a second voice service line to your existing plan. If you're a new customer, T-Mobile states, "New customers can get in on the deal too by adding two voice lines." Naturally, supplies will be limited and T-Mobile details that this exact promotion will kick off on Friday, November 30. Also note, you will need to go in-store to claim this free TV, and once done, it will be shipped to your house. Follow the below link for more details. T-Mobile Link // T-Mobile

One UI Beta Opened to Limited Number of Galaxy Note 9 Owners (Updated)

Tim — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:29:13 +0000

While not announced by Samsung officially, Galaxy Note 9 owners are reporting the ability to enter and flash the One UI beta to their devices this week, all through the Samsung+ application. After a quick peek into my Samsung+ app, I'm not seeing the One UI banner that leads you to flashing it, but that's not to say you won't. To check if your device is worthy, make sure your Samsung+ app is up to date from Google Play, then look for a banner similar to the one shown here. If you see that, click it and get yourself set up. To recap, One UI is a completely redone custom UI from Samsung on top of Android 9.0 Pie. We showcased many of the changes in One UI in the below video, but for Galaxy Note 9, it's entirely possible that new things await concerning the S Pen. Update: This morning, December 4, One UI looks available to more Galaxy Note 9 owners. Even I was able to register on my device via the Samsung+ app. Give it a look, folks! Cheers enigmaco! Are you seeing the One UI beta on your Galaxy Note 9? // XDA

DEAL: Buy a Pixel 3 or 2 With Google Fi, Get Up to $999 in Travel Gift Cards

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 10:06:19 +0000

To celebrate the rebranding of Google Fi, Google Store has kicked off a pretty big promotion that could get you up to $999 in travel gift cards as long as you buy a Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, or Pixel 2 XL and sign-up for Google Fi service. First off, to get the full $999, you'll have to buy the most expensive $999 Pixel 3 XL with 128GB storage. The deal here is "up to $999," with the gift card value matching the price of whichever phone you go with. So if you go Pixel 2 at $649, you'll get $649 in gift cards. Make sense? The gift cards that will be available are through Tango Card and will be offered from select travel partners. Companies like Airbnb, Delta, Hotels.com, and Southwest are participating. OK, so how does this "deal" work? Lord, there are some terms here.

Buy a Pixel 2, 2 XL, Pixel 3, or Pixel 3 XL from the Google Store and choose the Google Fi option when it asks "Which carrier?"
You have to activate on Fi within 15 days of shipment and remain active for 60 consecutive days
You have to activate full service, not just a data-only SIM
Both new and existing Google Fi customers are eligible
New customers have to port in a number from another carrier that has been active since August 28
You can't combine the $200 bill credit Google Fi promo with this deal
If you pause Fi service for more than 7 days or cancel within 120 days of activation, you'll be charged for the value of the gift cards
If you satisfy those terms, you'll basically get your travel gift cards within 75-90 days

That's a hefty list of terms. If you want to do this deal, just know that you'll be buying a Pixel 3 or Pixel 2 with Google Fi service and need to keep the service active for a cool 4 months if you want to get the travel gift cards for "free." If that sounds fine with you, hit that link below and choose your phone. Google Store Link

Huawei Gives Us a Preview of What Samsung's Galaxy S10 Display Might Look Like

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 09:13:17 +0000

Samsung may have teased renders for its upcoming Infinity-O displays earlier in the month, but Huawei just showed off a device with a similar display that appears to be working. This might be our first live look at the notchless future we all can't wait for. The device showed up on stage at some sort of concert or event to celebrate Chinese singer Jackson Yee. It's only shown for a minute, but it does power on and off to give us a view of the design. Thought to be the Huawei Nova 4, it really does ditch the notch completely for a simple front camera cutout off to the phone's left top corner. Here it is:

You can sort of see the notification and status bar too, with left-side information shifted to the right of the camera cutout. That may take some getting used to, but anything is better than a middle notch limiting the info you can see up there. Pixel 3 XL owners know the pain I'm referencing there. And again, this is likely to be our future for the next while. Samsung teased an Infinity-O concept at its developer conference, suggesting that they would share more info on this style soon. Not only that, but rumors surrounding the Galaxy S10 suggest it'll sport a similar setup to this Huawei phone. We didn't get to see the back of this Huawei phone, which might also be in a case. The rest of the front just looks like one of their standard UI layouts, with rounded display corners, camera shortcut, etc. It looks nice. If you are interested in seeing the device on video, jump to the 35:00 mark here. Thoughts? // WinFuture

Project Fi Becomes Google Fi, Does Indeed Expand to More Android Phones

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:23:04 +0000

Yesterday's news is now today's news - Google has gone ahead and opened up its Project Fi to more Android phones, as well as iPhones. Oh, it's also now called Google Fi. Google published a blog post this morning to detail the changes, just as we reported yesterday. The big deal here is that most Android and iPhones now work on Google Fi. The experience probably won't be amazing, but you can sign-up for their mostly-cheap unlimited plan with pay-as-you-go data up to $80. You'll also get no roaming fees in 120+ international destinations. What you don't get is access to the fast networking switching between Sprint, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and public WiFi spots. Instead, it sounds like you'll only use T-Mobile, which isn't the worst thing, it just defeats the specialness of Fi. You don't get the quick switching between WiFi and cellular, Fi's VPN, etc. It sounds...hmm. If still interested, you can check your phones' compatibility right here. // Google

Google's Fast Pair Now Connects Easily to More of Your Devices

Kellen — Wed, 28 Nov 2018 08:11:52 +0000

About a year ago, Google introduced an improved new Bluetooth connectivity service called Fast Pair. It used Google's Nearby tech on your phone to detect nearby Bluetooth devices that might want to be paired before letting you quickly pair them. Starting this week, they are expanding those Fast Pair capabilities. An update to Fast Pair will start to sync paired devices to all of the devices that use your main Google account. Maybe better put, Fast Pair will straight up connect to your other Android devices that are attached to your Google account, with expansion to Chromebooks coming soon. To recap, Fast Pair is a technology that Google has introduced to accessory makers. If implemented, Google will detect a nearby Fast Pair device, show a notification on your phone that asks if you'd like to pair to it, then lets you pair with a single tap. It eliminates the hassle of going into your Bluetooth settings, scanning or pairing a new device, hoping it shows in a list of eligible devices, tapping on said device, and then possibly typing out a pairing code. Of course, you'll need Fast Pair-equipped devices, but Google says they are doing everything they can to make that easier than ever. Cool, right? // Android Developers

YouTube Intros $5.99/Month Student Pricing for YouTube Premium, Music Premium

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 15:23:43 +0000

YouTube introduced student pricing for YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium this week, offering students an opportunity to lock in a $5.99/month price for the service, down from the usual $11.99/month price. We covered this after YouTube renamed YouTube Red to YouTube Premium and split its services into YouTube Premium and YouTube Music Premium, but to recap, YouTube Premium is an ad-free YouTube experience, plus YouTube Music Premium. YouTube Music Premium focuses more on ad-free music and background playback, but can be purchased separate from YouTube Premium for $9.99/month. Even after all of the work Google has done, its plans are pretty confusing, but if you want the most bang for your buck, get YouTube Premium. Now, for this student pricing, YouTube is offering YouTube Premium for $6.99/month or just YouTube Music Premium for $4.99/month. However, if you sign-up before January 31, 2019, you'll lock in a price of $5.99/month for YouTube Premium, which yes, includes YouTube Music Premium. Here is the fine print with regard to who is eligible.

In order to sign up for you a YouTube student membership you must:

Be enrolled as a full-time student at a United States Title IV accredited college or university. Student plan memberships are not currently offered in any other location.

Be verified as a student by SheerID.

If you meet all the eligibility requirements for a membership, you will be eligible for up to four years of student membership. You will be required to re-verify your eligibility every year.

And here's a graph breaking down what you get for each service, followed by a link to sign-up.

Student Sign-up // YouTube

DEAL: Walmart has $100 Google Play Gift Cards for $77.77 (Update: It's Gone)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 14:18:44 +0000

Walmart is offering up free money at the moment. A current deal on Google Play gift cards gets you $100 gift card for $77.77. I know that that's a lot of money to spend on Google Play credit, but this could be a nice Xmas present for yourself or someone else who has books to buy, games or apps to check out, or movies and TV shows to add to their digital collections. The Google Play $100 gift cards arrive as eGift cards, where you'll receive a code that you redeem on Google Play. Free money! Update: Looks like Walmart has ended the pricing and the deal is gone. Walmart Deal Link

Years Later, NVIDIA SHIELD TV Still the Best Android TV Experience

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 12:41:44 +0000

With the holiday shopping season in full effect, we wanted to remind you that NVIDIA's SHIELD TV is still the best Android TV experience you can buy. With the system seeing sale prices all over the place, largely due to the holiday shopping season we just mentioned, it's been a good time to get one into your home. NVIDIA launched the original SHIELD TV in 2015, powered by a Tegra X1 processor. In 2017, NVIDIA launched a reworked SHIELD TV box, powered by the same Tegra X1 processor, though, NVIDIA highlighted a 256-core GPU and 4K HDR support in the updated model. As far as we know, no new SHIELD TV is currently in the works, and really, there doesn't need to be. NVIDIA's current offering, 22 months later, is still the best Android TV experience and here's why.

Updates Galore

Over the years, SHIELD TV has received a ton of updates, all of which we have discussed at the time of their rollout. To highlight just a few, SHIELD TV is now capable of being voice controlled by both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, the set-top box has Google Assistant built-in for controlling aspects of your smart home, it received 120Hz display support, a wide range of 4K content has been made available from Google, Amazon and Netflix, and the addition of an improved GeForce NOW brings the latest hit PC titles straight to your living room TV via the cloud. If you purchased a SHIELD TV already, then you'll know that while other tech seems to get old and wither away over time, NVIDIA's box has aged like a fine wine.

Great Gaming

While there are plenty of other options when it comes to Android TV or you can even purchase a TV with Android TV built-in, nothing really grasps gaming quite like SHIELD TV. If you want a complete experience of what Android TV can be, with the content streaming and gaming, SHIELD TV is the way to go. Not only are there loads of titles available on Google Play that are exclusive to SHIELD TV, but the added awesomeness that is the SHIELD Controller helps you really get into those titles that simply feel better to play with an actual console controller in your hands. I'm talking about racing games, shooters, fighting titles, and other various genres. If you need specifics, no fear, NVIDIA has a growing list of games that are playable on SHIELD TV via Google Play, GameStream, and GeForce NOW.

Smart Home Hub

We already talked about the past updates that brought Google Assistant and Alexa integration, but what about other smart home stuff? With the SmartThings Link that launched last year, any SmartThings product in your home can be controlled directly from your TV. In addition, with Assistant integrated into Android TV's OS, any smart home gadget connected to your Google account can be controlled right from SHIELD TV. With this, you can control the lights, lock the door, up the temperature in your home, and a whole lot more. Naturally, NVIDIA has a whole list of smart home products that are currently supported by SHIELD TV. Look here to see if yours are listed.

The point is, SHIELD TV has been around for 22 months and there doesn't appear to be any stoppage of new features coming. So long as the hardware can support and run whatever Google builds next in terms of software, SHIELD TV will keep trucking along and devices like this don't come around often. In an industry that often leaves us feeling the need to upgrade our smartphones every year or so, it's nice to have at least one device in my house that I know I don't need to mess with or even worry about in terms of replacing. NVIDIA just keeps adding stuff and I'm over here basking in the goodness.

Buy SHIELD TV

As mentioned, with the holiday season, we just saw SHIELD TV down to $135. That's an insane deal. Even though Cyber Monday and Black Friday are behind us, Christmas is quickly approaching, so don't be surprised if you see the price of SHIELD TV dip again this December. Below you'll find links to buy SHIELD TV if you need to get one of these boxes in your home. We continue to highly recommend it.

NVIDIA ($179)
Amazon (Gaming Edition - $179)
eBay ($179)
Best Buy ($179)
Target ($178)
Walmart ($179)
Newegg ($179)
Fry's Electronics ($179)

Sprint and HTC are Introducing a 5G Smart Hub Next Year

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 11:27:38 +0000

When 2019 arrives and 5G networks start popping up, Sprint wants you to know that they'll have you covered in multiple ways. After announcing a 5G smartphone in partnership with LG earlier in the year, they've now introduced an HTC-made "smart hub" as well. This "5G mobile smart hub" is probably just a 5G mobile hotspot, sort of like AT&T's Netgear Nighthawk 5G device. In fact, Sprint says that it'll "deliver multimedia and connected data capabilities in a compact and portable design." So yeah, it's a hotspot. Calling it "smart" probably sounds cooler, I guess. Either way, it's powered by a Qualcommm Snapdragon X50 5G modem that can produce both Gigabit LTE and 5G speeds. We aren't sure what HTC's specific contribution here is other than branding and hardware design, but I'm sure they'll tell us at some point. We don't know pricing or anything like that, just that Sprint will launch 5G in 9 markets in the first half of 2019 and this HTC device should be available then. Those markets are Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Houston, Kansas City, Los Angeles, New York City, Phoenix and Washington, D.C., in case you forgot. // Sprint

OnePlus Partners With McLaren Racing for What We Assume is Limited Edition Phone

Tim — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 09:13:09 +0000

OnePlus has a history of partnering with brands to create limited edition phones. They did an Avengers phone, as well as a Star Wars phone, and we now think we know what its next limited edition phone is going to be. Announced today, OnePlus is partnering with McLaren Formula 1, calling the partnership a "Salute to Speed." A McLaren-branded phone has not been confirmed, but in the press release, both companies talk each other up, mentioning that both brands are synonymous with power and speed, and OnePlus also brought up the past limited edition phones it has made. It seems like a safe bet that we're going to see a McLaren-branded phone. An event is set to take place December 11 at McLaren's HQ in the United Kingdom. Furthermore, OnePlus is offering a contest that will have have six winners flying over to the event and probably getting a free thing, since a phone has yet to be confirmed. Something to note, none of OnePlus' limited edition phones have ever been sold in the US, and considering this is the UK's McLaren and it is F1, which really isn't as popular of a sport as it should be in the US, it's probably a safe bet that whatever is announced won't be coming to the US. We shall see on December 11, though.

// OnePlus

Google's Project Fi (Probably) Opens Up to Samsung, OnePlus, and iPhones Today (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 08:59:41 +0000

Google today announced (or is going to announce?) that its month-to-month wireless service, Project Fi, is now open to many more devices, both Android and iPhone. According to a (future) blog post to the company's Project Fi blog, you'll be able to bring over phones from Samsung, LG, Moto, and OnePlus, as well as iPhones ("in beta"), paying their low rates, mostly depending on how much data you use. Google does say that the "full Google Fi experience" might not be available to any ol' phone you bring over and is instead reserved for phones "designed for Fi," like the ones they sell. In other words, you might miss out on the fast network switching between T-Mobile, Sprint, and WiFi, and the new enhanced network features they just rolled out. I'm not sure why you would sign-up for Fi if you can't get those features, but OK. The details are murky here, because this info arrives via what we are assuming is a broken embargo. Once all the info is made clear, we'll be sure to update this post. UPDATE: That post from BGR has been removed and Google's typical 10AM Pacific embargo is gone without additional info. Again, we'll update this post as we have more. UPDATE 11/28: It's official - Project Fi is now Google Fi and expands to more Android phones, as well as iPhones. More info here. // Google Cheers broken embargo!

Nanoleaf's Ridiculously Cool Canvas Light Squares Now Up for Pre-Order

Kellen — Tue, 27 Nov 2018 07:41:16 +0000

Without a doubt, one of the coolest products we saw at CES earlier this year was Nanoleaf Canvas. If you've been waiting for the light squares to finally arrive, that time has come. Pre-orders are now open. What is Nanoleaf Canvas? You probably know Nanoleaf from their triangular light panels that light up everything from YouTube videos to DL Trivia during our weekly podcast. They are colorful smart lights that can be arranged in patterns, controlled by Google Assistant, synced to music, and more. They just look cool. Nanoleaf Canvas is the next version, only it has been massively upgraded. With Canvas, you get coloroful squares, so the arrangements on your wall can be made much easier. In addition to the shape change, they are touch sensitive and can be activated by touch commands. You can set schedules too, or tell Google Assistant to control them. If you are into decorative lighting, this is your next buy. Pre-orders open now with a starting price set at $249.99 for a set of 9 squares. There are bundles with more squares, as well as extension kits ($79.99). Delivery is expected by December 14. Pre-order Nanoleaf Canvas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svHRF5dVC7Q

Verizon Samsung Galaxy Devices, LG V40 ThinQ Receive Security Patch Updates

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 15:32:56 +0000

Verizon has been pushing out updates to Samsung Galaxy devices and the LG V40 ThinQ, but instead of writing out all of those updates individually, we figured a handy dandy joint post would do just fine. Besides the V40 ThinQ, which is receiving October's security patch and a couple of new camera features (My Avatar, Augmented Selfie), five Galaxy devices on Verizon are receiving the November security patch. That includes the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+, and Galaxy Note 8. Here is the list of devices getting updated, what they're getting, followed by the new software version.

Galaxy S7 - November patch, R16NW.G930VVRS8CRK1
S7 Edge - November patch, R16NW.G935VVRS8CRK1
Galaxy S8 - November patch, R16NW.G950USQU5CRK1
Galaxy S8+ - November patch, R16NW.G955USQU5CRK1
Galaxy Note 8 - November patch, R16NW.N950USQS5CRJ3
LG V40 ThinQ - October patch + New Camera Features, V405UA10c

Own one of these phones? Be on the lookout. // Verizon [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Look at Google's Cute Little Pixel 3 Lite Posing for Pics Next to Its Friends

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 15:22:12 +0000

The "Pixel 3 Lite," a supposed mid-range Pixel 3 phone that Google has not yet announced, made another appearance this week. The hopefully-cheaper Pixel 3 option, codenamed "sargo," posed for a bunch of pictures next to other phones you might know. During the first appearance, we learned that the Pixel 3 Lite has a 5.56″ IPS FHD display (2220×1080), Snapdragon 670 processor (Adreno 615 GPU), 32GB UFS 2.1 storage, 4GB RAM, 2915mAh battery, 12MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, rear fingerprint reader, and a headphone jack. We can also see that from that original leak that it looks a lot like the regular Pixel 3 with a slightly bigger chin. In this new leak, we really don't learn anything new. But hey, who doesn't want to see what it looks like next to a Pixel 3 XL and Pixel XL? Don't lie.

Great. Cool. // wylsa

Here is the Moto G7 Play (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 13:10:18 +0000

Earlier this month, a couple of new Motorola devices stopped by the FCC (1, 2) for approval, devices that could very well be the new Moto G7 line. Today, to add to that story, we've got the Moto G7 Play at the FCC, though there will be no hesitation or questioning over whether or not this might be the lower model G7. The FCC has outed everything. Under model number XT1952, this is the Moto G7 Play in two colors, black and silverish blue. It'll have a single rear camera, familiar Moto design, substantial front notch, 2820mAh battery, rear fingerprint reader, headphone jack, microSD slot, and USB-C port.

Here is the user guide that says front and center, "Moto G7 Play." It also shows a detailed look at the front, the various ports and buttons, that sort of thing.

Here is a shot of the 2820mAh battery:

We're still digging in and will update this post. UPDATES: The Moto G7 Play will run a Qualcomm Snapdragon 632 chipset with Adreno 506 GPU.

Cellular connectivity is looking like it'll mostly be limited to the GSM carriers here, like T-Mobile and AT&T.

NOTE: The Moto G7 phones are rumored to be model numbers XT1962 and XT1965. // FCC

Lenovo Smart Display Update Includes Cookbook Feature, Additional Nest Hello Integration, Lots More

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:39:23 +0000

Lenovo is pushing another update to Smart Display owners, labeled as version 4.4.1.16+prod. In this update, users will find a new My Cookbook feature for saving and retrieving recipes, ability to Remove, Favorite, and Share photos, Touch Alarms in Quick Settings, as well as new Nest Hello integration (2-way talk via touch). Here is the full changelog from Lenovo. What's New

Touch Alarms in Quick Settings
Remove, Favorite and Share Photos
My Cookbook (Save & Retrieve Recipes)
Thanksgiving Recipe Recommendations Card
Nest Hello doorbell 2-way talk via touch
Timeout faster to Dark Screen (instead of Home) when in low light
Support "turn off the screen"
Bigger dark screen clock face
Change display to min versus auto brightness
Show previous feature, when swiping off current feature

Something to note, this same update should be available to Google Home Hub, as well as other Smart Display models on the market. Basically any update for a Smart Display should be available on all of them at some point, since it's all the same Google Assistant software from Google. While Lenovo says the update will roll out slowly, it will still be quicker than the last update it shipped out. I'm not seeing it yet on my Smart Display, but be on the lookout! // Lenovo

Target Cyber Monday Deals are the Best You'll Find: Extra 15% Off

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 11:11:57 +0000

Target Cyber Monday deals are probably the only deals you need to shop today. I say that because they are slashing an extra 15% off a bunch of their already-discounted items that were dropped to Black Friday prices. The deals aren't on everything, but most of the stuff I've searched for, like NVIDIA SHIELD TV, Chromecast, and Nest products, are all discounted an extra 15%. And that's just the electronics! If you need non-electronics stuff, this Target Cyber Monday sale is the realness. Need some examples of the savings potential? Here you go:

NVIDIA SHIELD TV with remote and controller: $135.99
Chromecast Ultra: $41.65
Chromecast: $21.25
Nest Hello Doorbell: $152.15
Nest Thermostat (3rd gen): $152.15
Nest Thermostat E: $118.15
Galaxy Watch: $220.99
Element 55" 4K TV with Android TV: $322.99
Element 50" 4K TV with Android TV: $254.99

Some of those are easily the lowest prices we've seen on these products.

Shop Target Cyber Monday

Google Duplex Continues Its Very Slow Rollout to Pixel Owners in Very Select Cities

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 10:19:31 +0000

According to VentureBeat, confirmed by a statement from Google, Duplex, the company's AI-powered reservation booking service continues its slow rollout to additional Pixel phone owners. Chances are, your Pixel isn't included in the latest wave of phones to access it, but if you live in a select city, it's entirely possible. To recap, Google showed off Duplex at Google I/O this year. With it, users are supposed to be able to book hair appointments, dinner reservations, plus other things, and the initial demo call that Google showcased at I/O left everyone in attendance dumbfounded. The demo was like magic, with the digital assistant even using a branch of linguistics known as pragmatics, which are the ums and uhs we use in everyday speech with other humans. See the video below to remind yourself how cool Duplex is supposed to be. Anyway, Duplex is moving from a set of trusted users to a "small group" of Pixel phone owners in select cities. These select cities should include New York, Atlanta, Phoenix, and San Francisco, which are the initial pilot areas Google announced Duplex support for. If you happen to have access to Duplex, you need to note that the service is still unable to book hair appointments, but on the upside, the dining reservation feature is no longer limited to partnered establishments. You should be able to call almost any place in a supported town to book a reservation, which is clutch. However, VentureBeat also lists out the process for booking a reservation through Duplex and even posted a video detailing it. To say it seems cumbersome is almost an understatement. I think in the time it takes our friend Mr. Wiggers to book a reservation, I could have called the place myself and done the task or even opened the OpenTable app and booked it. Duplex, to me, will only be helpful in a handful of circumstances, but it still looks very promising. Pixel owners in NY, ATL, PHX, or SF, you seeing Duplex on your Pixel yet? // VentureBeat

DEAL: Amazon Selling Galaxy S9, S9+, Note 9 $200 Off With Free Echo 2nd Gen, Echo Spot

Tim — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:51:31 +0000

Amazon has an intriguing Cyber Monday deal going down, netting buyers of a new Samsung Galaxy device two free Echo devices, an Echo Spot and standard Echo (2nd-Gen) to be exact. The thing is, these Galaxy phones were already discounted on Amazon by $200, but now you're getting free Amazon tech to go with them. Not bad at all. For specifics, Amazon has the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy Note 9 as part of this bundle offer. The Galaxy S9 starts at $519 for 64GB storage, but you'll now also receive a free Echo Spot and Echo (2nd-Gen) with your purchase. The Galaxy S9+ starts at $639 for the bundle, while Galaxy Note 9 buyers will still have to drop $1,049 to get the bundle. However, for Galaxy Note 9, you can choose between an Echo Spot and Echo (2nd-Gen) or just an Echo Show with your smartphone purchase. You're also limited to the 512GB option, with no 128GB storage option available at the time of this writing. While you're free to buy whichever you think is the best deal, something about a $519 Galaxy S9 and 2 free Echo bundle seems like a good offer to me. Amazon Links

Cyber Monday Deal: Best Buy has Pixel Stand for $40 Again!

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:36:46 +0000

Forget Verizon's Pixel Stand deal for Cyber Monday - Best Buy has it even cheaper. Like it did for a short time over Black Friday weekend, Best Buy has the Pixel Stand dropped by $40 to just $39.99. That's still a good chunk of change for a wireless charger, but Google does try and up the experience for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL over other wireless chargers. You get a dedicated always-on display made specifically for Pixel Stand with quick access to Google Assistant, as well as special alarm modes, photo viewing through Google Photos. It's a pretty sweet wireless charger, just not at full price. But at this $40 price? Yeah, you should pick one up. The deal is likely live all day, just don't be shocked if they sell out.

Buy Pixel Stand at Best Buy

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjI-anCl7Tc

Verizon Cyber Monday Deals Live: $300 Off Pixel 3, Pixel 2 XL for $15/mo

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:15:41 +0000

What's Verizon got going on for Cyber Monday 2018? Quite a bit, even after that really nice $400-off Pixel 3 deal they ran during Black Friday. For today, Verizon will drop off $300 for Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Galaxy S9 and S9+, Galaxy Note 9, or LGV40. All you have to do is switch to Verizon or add a line. If you don't want to do either of those things, they'll cut $100 off any of those phones just for upgrading. Oh, you'll have to trade-in a phone too. Jesus, that's not amazing, Verizon. Maybe you just want a phone at a discount without the trade-in stuff? You can get a Galaxy S8 for $10/mo, Google Pixel 2 XL for $15/mo, Moto Z3 for $5/mo, or the LG G7 for $10/mo. The discount there is applied over 24 months, but if you plan to stick with Verizon, those are solid deals. Additionally, Verizon still has the Pixel Stand for $49.99 ($30 off), new UE Boom 3 for $129.99 ($20 off)

UPDATE: Best Buy has the Pixel Stand for $39.99!

Shop Verizon Cyber Monday Deals

Google Store Cyber Monday Deals Live: Bundles and Bundles

Kellen — Mon, 26 Nov 2018 08:00:04 +0000

Cyber Monday 2018 deals are here and the Google Store is participating. Gone are the straight cash discounts on Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL - in are the bundles on bundles. Google's line-up for Cyber Monday is as follows:

Buy Pixel 3 or 3 XL, get free Google Home Hub plus $50 credit at Google Store
Buy Google Home Max 2-pack, save $150
Save $129 on Google Home Hub, Google Home, and Google WiFi bundle
Save $39 on Chromecast and Google Home Mini bundle
$50 off Google Home Max
$50 off Google Home Hub
$24 off Google Home Mini
$20 off Chromecast Audio, Chromecast, and Ultra
$300 off Pixelbook
$60 off Daydream View
$50 off Pixel Buds
$20 off Pixel My Case
50% off Google Clips

You'll find deals on most of the best Nest products too, with similar discounts to the ones we saw on Black Friday weekend.

Droid Life

OnePlus 7 Pro is All Display in New CAD Renders, Features Pop-Up Selfie Cam (Updated)

Galaxy S10 Pre-Orders are Shipping Early!

VIDEO: Galaxy S10e Unboxing!

DEAL: Get a Verizon Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL for $450 Off at Best Buy (Bill Credits + Instant Discount)

Best Buy Link

Netflix Certifies Galaxy S10 Lineup for HDR Support

T-Mobile Galaxy Note 9 Receiving Pie Update

Google Clock Now Lets You Wake Up to the Sweet Sounds of Pandora and YouTube Music

Razer Phone 2, Which Just Updated to Pie, is $499 Today ($300 Off)

DEAL: Save $5 on an Anker 10,000mAh PowerIQ 2.0 Portable Charger ($30)

Here's One Big Reason to Look Forward to Verizon 5G

A new home internet option.

Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus Get Verizon Certified, Pre-Orders Open Too

Sony Xperia 10 and 10 Plus Pre-orders:

Poll: Screen Protector or Nah?

Free MLB.TV for 2019 Season is Coming to T-Mobile Customers on March 26

Mi-Clos Studio Celebrates 5 Years of 'Out There' With Game Sales

Google Play Links

Samsung Now Lets You Remap Bixby Button, Just Not to Google Assistant

Nokia 9 Pureview Arrives in the US March 3 and It's $100 Off

Sweet: Pie Update Now Available for Unlocked Razer Phone 2

What's Inside

T-Mobile Says 5G Plans Will be Unlimited, No More Expensive Than Existing 4G LTE Plans

Here's a 25% Off Code for the Fossil Sport ($63.75 Off)

Motorola Says It is Indeed Working on a Foldable Phone!

DEAL: Sling TV Offers 40% Off Plans for 3 Months to New Customers, Starts at $15/Month

DEAL: Galaxy S10, S10+ Pre-Orders Now Include $130 Gift Certificate

Verizon Galaxy S9, S9+, and Moto Z2 Play Updated With February Security Patch

Lenovo's Cute Little $79 Smart Clock is a Step Closer to Release

DEAL: $12.99 for Anker 10W Fast Wireless Charger and Free 6ft USB Cable

Amazon Deal Links:

Google Duo Calls Arrive on the Web

OnePlus 7 Won't Have Wireless Charging

Galaxy Note 10 Rumored to Sport 4 Rear Cameras, Just Like the Galaxy S10 5G

If You're Planning to Buy a Galaxy Fold, Note That Supplies Will be Limited

Energizer Wins MWC With This 18,000mAh Phone

I Don't Know if We Need Them, but 1TB MicroSD Cards are Here

RELATED: Do you need 1TB storage? Maybe.

Nokia 9 PureView Has 5 Backside ZEISS Optics Cameras, Priced at $699

DEAL: Anker PD USB-C Duo Charger Does 30W Fast Charging for $19.99

Amazon Deal Link (Code: ANKERTC2)

The Pixel 3 is Pissing Me Off.

Is the Mate X Bad?

HTC Unveils 5G Smart Hub for Sprint That Doubles as VR Stream Machine

T-Mobile Delays 5G Network Until There's a Phone Capable of Using It (Update: Not Really a Delay)

Google Fi Will Get 5G From Sprint

Sprint 5G Launches in May in Select Cities

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

Sony Xperia 1 Offers Ridiculous 21:9 4K OLED Display, Available Late Spring

Three Google Phones Stop Off at the FCC, Probably Pixel 3 Lite Line (Updated)

Google G020C/G LTE Bands

Google G020H LTE Bands

Google Assistant is Coming to Messages, Plus More at MWC

Huawei's Mate X Does Indeed Fold, is Kinda Cool Too

RELATED: Is the Huawei Mate X bad?

Samsung Releases the Galaxy Fold Hands-On Video You Wanted

There Might be 100 Million Phones Launched With Google Assistant Buttons This Year

LG Announces G8 ThinQ and V50 ThinQ at MWC (Updated: Carriers)

V50 ThinQ

LG G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ Specs (Official)

LG G8 ThinQ, V50 ThinQ Specs

VIDEO: LG G8 ThinQ First Look!

DEAL: Pre-Order New Galaxy Watch Active, Get a Free $60 Wireless Charging Pad

DEAL: Save $200 Instantly on a Pixel 3, 3 XL From Google (Starts at $599)

Verizon Readies 60-Day Phone Lock Policy We Outed Last Year (Updated)

Here's a Look at Huawei's Foldable Mate X

Moto G7 Now Available for Pre-Order

Pre-order Moto G7:

Podcast: Samsung Went Off

Galaxy S10+ DxOMark Camera Ranking is Really, Really Good

DxOMark Top 10 Standings

Is the Galaxy Fold Bad?

Galaxy S10 Wallpapers are Available for Download

Google I/O 2019 Registration Window is Now Open

Galaxy S10 Bixby Button is Remappable Out of the Box (Updated: More Phones)

Verizon 5G Will Launch in 30 Cities This Year

RELATED: List of all US 5G cities by carrier

Don't Wait for the Galaxy S10 5G

I Went Galaxy S10e, Traded in a Galaxy S9, and Will Pay Just $200