Droid Life

Nest x Yale Lock Now Comes in Smokin' Black Suede Color

Tim — Tue, 14 Sep 2021 08:28:18 +0000

There's a new color option for the Next x Yale Lock, available this morning from Google's own web store or the good people at Yale. The color is called Black Suede, designed to elegantly match all of your home's existing black hardware. Mmm, black suede. It's the same lock as always, with its outward facing keypad for entering in a code to gain entry to your home. Of course, you can control lock controls from the Nest application, too, as well as share codes with friends, family, and even dog sitters. I've used one on my home since release and it's still my favorite thing. The lock is only purchasable within a $279 Nest Connect bundle, meaning you won't be able to buy only the lock separately at the $30 cheaper price. That's not a huge deal and maybe that will change at a later date, but for now, that's the case. Is it overboard for me to want to change out all of my hardware so I can get this? I think not.

Buy Nest x Yale Lock

// Yale

Samsung Opens One UI 4 (Android 12) Beta for Galaxy S21 Devices (Updated: It's Live!)

Tim — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 18:44:11 +0000

Samsung announced this evening the arrival of the One UI 4 open beta for Galaxy S21 devices. That means it's time for Android 12, Samsung peeps! Don't worry, it's not like I was trying to cook dinner or anything, Samsung. As for what's news, let me tell you. Android 12 introduces a ton of great stuff, such as super-improved device customization, privacy controls, and more. We've detailed the changes with each new beta, with Beta 5 being the latest and greatest.

How to Get One UI 4 Beta

Galaxy S21 series owners in select markets can register for the beta program via the Samsung Members app on their devices. According to Samsung, "Participants will be able to preview the One UI 4 design and new features and submit feedbacks. Samsung will use the information gathered from the beta program to fine-tune the One UI 4 user experience before delivering a final, optimized upgrade later this year." I'm not seeing it personally quite yet on my S21 Ultra, which makes sense since Samsung told us that it launches on September 14 (tomorrow), but I'll be refreshing the app like crazy. This is awesome.

UPDATE 9/14: The Samsung One UI 4 and Android 12 Beta program is now live! If you have a Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra on Sprint, T-Mobile, or that is a Samsung unlocked device, you can enroll. Just head into the Samsung Members app and scroll across the top banner until you see the image below. Tap on that, then walk through the registration process. After waiting a few minutes, head into Settings>Software update>Download and install to pull the update to your phone. Enjoy!

// Samsung

Google Assistant Driving Mode Gets Sweet New Home Screen

Kellen — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 13:12:41 +0000

Google first showed off the Google Assistant Driving Mode back at Google I/O in 2019, promising that it would arrive later on in that summer. It's now the end of summer 2021 and that same Driving Mode, at least in the way it was first revealed, is now here. 2 years later...whatever. The new Google Assistant Driving Mode is more of a stand-alone experience than the one we first received last November, where you could access Driving Mode shortcuts through a Google Maps navigation session. This is the real deal, the one we've been waiting for that will replace Android Auto on phones. By saying "driving mode" or "let's drive" to Google Assistant, you should now see the UI I have in this post. The main screen shows a recent location you may have been searching for on Google Maps, but you can "X" that out to get to a search bar. You also should see recent music or "For you" suggestions, buttons for sending messages or making calls, and an app drawer button.

It's a pretty slick experience that lives within the Google app, so make sure you have the latest build (likely a beta for now) to test this out. It should be available to Android 12 users as well as Android 11. You cool with this over the Android Auto app? // 9to5Google

Is the Galaxy Watch 4 the Wear OS Savior?

Kellen — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 12:54:23 +0000

Here's a Bunch of Sweet Mini Anker 20W Chargers Under $15 for Your Pixel 6

Kellen — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 10:05:00 +0000

The internet will likely never forgive my post suggesting that Google leaving out a charger with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro isn't a big deal. And that's fair. I certainly approached that subject knowing it would rile up those who whine about everything and it did indeed work. The homies were big mad in the most predictable of ways. Good job. That said, I'm not here to simply piss off the guy on the internet who can't leave for the day without yelling about something to someone, so here's a solution for those who will need another charger to go with their shiny new phone. Anker is hosting a sale on Nano chargers that can reach 20W speeds and are so freakin' tiny and cute that you'll love seeing them in all outlets, charging that Pixel 6. The Anker Nano 20W PIQ 3.0 USB-C charger is down to as low as $13.59 if you want it in white, plus the black and mint green versions are $14.44. These normally retail for about $17, so yeah, you are saving a few dollars here. While not the fastest chargers on the planet or anywhere near the 65W speeds on OnePlus phones, 20W is a solid amount of power that'll get you charged back up in no time. If anything, it'll get you back to a usable state within 15 minutes or so. Shop Anker Nano 20W PIQ 3.0: White | Black | Green Need more speed, since the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are rumored to charge at up to 33W? Anker has a newer version of this same charger that charges at 25W. You can find it here.

Google Messages is Getting a Gmail-Like 'Nudge' Feature

Tim — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 09:50:29 +0000

Gmail has an automated Nudge feature that reminds you to reply to emails it deems as important. According to code spotted in the latest beta, this same thing is headed to the Google Messages application, ensuring you respond to all of those super important texts you get. Dug up by XDA, code strings in the beta allow for nudges to automatically display “messages you might have forgotten to respond to” at the top of your inbox. In addition, the app will remind you of ”messages you might need to follow up on.” Currently, users can set reminders for threads manually, but the added automation of the Nudge feature would be pretty slick. There's no telling when this feature will go live for everyone, but with it entering the beta behind the scenes, we must be getting close, right? Below is a screenshot of what you'll se in Messages once the feature goes live.

// XDA

This Post is Only for Pixel Superfans

Tim — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 08:53:58 +0000

Google has put a call out, looking for any and all Pixel Superfans for a new program they've kicked off. The program is all about Pixel devices, with members getting access to private Q&A and events, opportunities to share ideas with the Google team, limited-edition swag, and more. According to Google, "We were inspired to create the Pixel Superfans community because we know many of you love Pixel as much as we do, and we wanted to create a space where we could get to know each other. It's been a blast getting to know everyone so far, and we hope you'll join this growing community." Google notes this program is for those located in the US, as well as folks who are 18+ years of age. Sorry, kids. With the Pixel 6 inbound, you best believe I signed myself up already.

Sign-ups Here

// Google

Android 12 Could Arrive on October 4

Kellen — Mon, 13 Sep 2021 07:54:48 +0000

The final Android 12 Beta update was released last week to all of Google's still-supported Pixel phones, with a promise of stable going live "in the weeks ahead." Without an exact date, that could mean anything from next week to November. Thankfully, an internal document might have revealed the exact date. According to a document seen by XDA, Google is planning to release Android 12 to AOSP on October 4. If that date holds up, the chances of it being the day an over-the-air-update is pushed to Pixel phones are pretty good. For one, Google has pushed monthly updates to its Pixel phones on the first Monday of each month for years now. They rarely deviate from that schedule and October 4 happens to be the first Monday of the month. If they don't release Android 12 before then, it makes perfect sense to skip what would be another Android 11 security patch and just give us Android 12 instead. The other thing about that date that sticks out is the arrival of Android 12 to AOSP. Google doesn't typically push code to AOSP and not have a build for phones to send out alongside it. The only odd thing is the timing. October 4 is quite late for a stable release of the new version of Android. The past three releases arrived August 6, September 3, and September 8. That has me wondering if Google is really trying to release Android 12 closer to its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro launch, which could happen any time in October, assuming Google follows previous Pixel launch schedules.

Samsung's New Discover Event has "Epic" Offers They Want You to Sign-Up For

Kellen — Sat, 11 Sep 2021 08:03:39 +0000

It seems like every few months, Samsung hosts another "Discover" sales event, where they spend a week running daily deals on whatever their newest line-up of products is. That could mean phone and earbuds deals, as well as discounts on vacuum cleaners and appliances, you know, since Samsung makes pretty much everything. Starting September 20, Samsung is running it back with another "Discover" event (see the event here) and for some reason this time, want you to sign-up to be a part of it. I don't know if that means deals you won't want to miss, a super limited number of items for sale, or what, but they are at least trying to tease it as being "epic." In a previous Discover event from earlier this year, we saw the Galaxy S21 drop to as low as $99, thanks to a $900-off trade-in deal. We also saw the Galaxy Tab S7+ at 50% off sellout immediately and the Galaxy Watch 3 with a $150-off discount. Since Samsung just launched a couple of foldables (Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3), as well as the Galaxy Buds 2 and Galaxy Watch 4 line, I'd imagine we could see fresh discounts on all of those goods. To try to get you to sign-up, Samsung is promising "surprise" deals straight to your inbox every day during the event, as well as bundle offers, an "offer of the day" heads-up, sweepstakes, and more. Normally, I wouldn't advise everyone to get onto a promo email list from any company, but Samsung did offer some good stuff in the last event. Because they offered good stuff in limited quantities, a bunch of us missed out, like with that Galaxy Tab S7+ offer. So yeah, you might want to sign-up and see how the first day goes, then unsubscribe if it's buns.

See Samsung's new Discover event here

Google Contacts App Gets the Material You Treatment

Tim — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 13:29:38 +0000

Google said it was happening and they weren't lying. As a heads up to Android 12 users, the Contacts app is getting its Material You update, though, don't go expecting anything too crazy. From what we can tell, all that's really changed is the app's ability to pull in the device theme color, which is a big part of what Material You is all about. Pretty colors. Other than that, it's the basic Contacts app that I can't say I've actually ever opened. I'm running version 3.52.1.390944461 in case you want to check your own. Update: As a few people on Twitter have pointed out, maybe I was late to the party? Regardless, it's there and that's cool. Have a good weekend, folks! Cheers Michael!

Galaxy Z Fold 3 Review: Awesome If This is What You Want

Kellen — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 12:59:24 +0000

Last year's Galaxy Z Fold 2 was a phone I thoroughly enjoyed, thanks to major improvements over the original and the fact that we were living during a time where sitting on the couch, not stepping into a public toxic death plume of air was the norm. It was the ultimate stay-at-home phone when we were at home a lot. But now it's a year later, the world is trying to move forward and find a sense of not-at-home-all-the-time activities. Does a big ass foldable still work? With the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung hasn't changed the formula at all. This is very much a device like the Galaxy Z Fold 2, but Samsung did improve it in a couple of ways that make it an even better device from screen to screen. However, it's still a couch-friendly device, not necessarily one for those on-the-go. After spending the past week or two with a Galaxy Z Fold 3, let's talk about what I like and dislike about it and whether or not this device can still work in 2021.

What do I like about the Galaxy Z Fold 3?

Displays. In the improvements department, the displays standout to me as an area that got a couple of really nice upgrades. For one, the cover display now sports a 120Hz refresh rate, but we also have an under-display camera on the main, inside display, giving you a cleaner look with the device unfolded. Overall, the display situation here is as good as it gets on any device. The front 6.2" cover display has just under a 1080p resolution, but it might be the smoothest 120Hz display I've ever used. This AMOLED panel, when cranked to 120Hz for a game or something, will blow your mind with smoothness. It gets really bright too, it's super colorful when you need it to be while hitting up Instagram or consuming a quick video, and it no longer feels like the discounted display between the two. In the original Galaxy Fold, as well as the Z Fold 2, we couldn't ever figure out why Samsung put such mediocre displays on the outside, since the cover displays get just as much (and maybe more for some people) use as the inside. With the Fold 3, they absolutely did not mess around and delivered a top tier display, even if it is still a weird shape. As for the inside panel, with its super high resolution foldable AMOLED, we still have the 120Hz refresh and a panel that looks so good you'll always be shocked that it can fold in half. I can't sit here and tell you that it looks dramatically better than the Fold 2's, but it does indeed look great. Colors are super punchy in that old school OLED way, viewing angles are surprisingly solid, and it's very responsive to the touch. It's also very different to look at and interact with than the cover display. Not necessarily in a bad way, but the inside display always seems to present content in a floating manner, while the cover display is like any other phone display you've used. It's hard to describe unless you use it, but the softness to the inside display, with the refresh rate and size makes for such a unique experience that I hope everyone can play with at some point in life. The only real change to that inside display is a new selfie camera that can hide under the display. Samsung is able to light up pixels over the top of it when you are viewing content to try and mask the fact that there is a black circle there that you'd typically stare at all the time. The effect is kind of cheesy and doesn't really look great once you notice it, but it is an improvement over the black circle we had on last year's. Unfortunately, it also means a garbage internal selfie camera. I could probably talk longer about the displays, but I think you get it. The display experience here is so good that words can't really describe it. The cover display is fabulously smooth now and the inside display looks like you are getting more display than ever, while remaining beautiful.

Hardware. Like the Fold 2, Samsung has built a ridiculously solid feeling foldable with the Fold 3. It's metal. It's glass. There's matte pieces and shiny chamfers and weight. When you hold the Fold 3, you know that it is a close-to-$2,000 device. It reminds you that it is premium and that it can do cool shit. I wouldn't necessarily call it a work of art, because let's be honest - it's kind of an ugly device. However! This is still some engineering magic. Folding and unfolding a phone, knowing that a giant and beautiful display inside won't shatter on the first attempt, will never get old and that remains the case here. Samsung even built in IPX8 water resistance to give you more confidence in more life situations, the back is clean and almost mark-less, and it comes in several fabulous colors (I went with silver, which is the best because I said so - take that, green folk). The specs here are also incredible, with a Snapdragon 888 processor, those two displays I talked about above, 12GB RAM, 256GB storage, 4400mAh battery with all the charging options, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.2, dual speakers, and a triple rear camera with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. Samsung didn't really leave anything out here and also happened to build a device you'd have confidence in holding. Performance. The combination of the Snapdragon 888, 12GB RAM, super fast UFS 3.1 storage, and 120Hz displays give you a really fast experience. I don't think I've seen this device stutter over the past two weeks, and it shouldn't. Samsung has dialed in its software with this high-end hardware to provide one of best performing devices I've used. I often take advantage of multi-window when using the bigger, inside display and this Fold 3 can handle that without pause. You can quickly snap apps into place, change them out for new ones or adjust alignment. The camera is mostly fast to open and focus, folders and animations snap around, and sleeping apps quickly awake. The only slowness you'll find is when you have an app open inside, close the phone and wait for it to open on the cover. I'd imagine that's quite the task, with a potential need to refresh an app, adjust resolution, etc. It's not a sluggish process, it's just not instant - yes, I'm being nitpicky. With last year's Fold 2, the jarring jump between inside and outside display refresh rates often left you wondering if the device was performing as it should. It was performing fine, of course, but now with 120Hz everywhere, you really get to take in all that Samsung wanted you to without compromise. This is a fast phone. Software. Samsung has done a pretty good job with the software on the Galaxy Z Fold 3 by improving upon their One UI with v3.1.1. New features include an option to grab and drag links (in Samsung Internet) to open them in a new window, having multiple active windows, and an option to force apps into multi-window and easily adjust their resolutions. You can still setup separate experiences on the cover and inside displays, setup easy shortcuts for pairs of apps to open with the touch of a button, and fire up Flex mode to use the device when it's folded into an L-shape. All the cool foldable features are here with subtle improvements. But mostly, this is Samsung's One UI on top of Android 11, which means a robust feature set, updates for 4 years, and Android 12 likely without much of a wait. You have all of the display settings (Night and dark and blue light filter modes), Edge panels, easy integration with Windows, all sorts of gestures and advanced features, a Game Launcher, Digital Wellbeing, always-on display settings, and so much more. We dive into a lot of this in our "First 10 Things" video below. I'm not sure what else Samsung could do to further improve this One UI and foldable mash-up. I think they've done a decent job of letting you utilize screen space on the inside display while giving you the right amount of controls over a device that happens to have two separate displays.

Camera. The cameras on the Fold 3 are OK. By no means am I going to tell you that these are top notch and that they compete with the Galaxy S21 Ultra or even Google's Pixel 5. But for this device, sort of like a tablet, where you are probably going to use it only in specific settings, I think it could do the job. Samsung baked in another 12MP triple rear camera setup with wide, ultra-wide, and telephoto lenses. You have OIS in the main and telephoto shooters, Dual Pixel autofocus too, and dozens of camera features from portrait modes to night and food and pro options. It's a pretty typical Samsung camera setup, where you'll find shot suggestions and settings for video formats, Auto HDR, and scene optimizers. Most of this stuff you won't mess with, but it's there if you want to fully customize your camera experience. As for the results, I took plenty of pictures I was happy with when outdoors with all sorts of lighting conditions. When indoors, I got some OK shots, but nothing to write home about. At 12MP, you lack some detail at times and you will see pretty wide arrays of colors from one lens to the next. Performance when hammering the shutter button is also quite slow and I often couldn't tell if I was snapping pictures or if the delay caused me to miss the shot. Again, the camera situation on the Fold 3 is OK. Should it be better than this at $1,800? Ehhhh, I guess that depends. We don't typically find the best cameras in really expensive tablets and this is basically a tablet. Now that I've typed that out, I actually feel like I'm being too nice here. The camera is by no means a winner, it's just better than what I was expecting. Take that as you will.

What don't I like about it?

Weight and size. I know that I just got done saying a whole lot of nice things about the Galaxy Z Fold 3, it's software, set of specs, displays, and build quality. But yeah, this is where I tell you that this device is absolutely not for me in 2021. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is kind of a nuisance to use if you aren't sitting on your couch still and want to get back out into the world. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a big, heavy, clunky, and awkward to use device. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 was as well, it's just that as I mentioned in the opening, life is trying to find ways to get back to normal, and lugging this thing around with you isn't that fun. Leaving the house with a phone that weighs 271g and is 16mm thick in the pocket is quite unpleasant unless you have a bag to throw it in and don't need to use it in a pinch or while moving. Samsung did manage to trim off about 11g of weight from the Fold 2 to the Fold 3, but it's still very heavy. I've been frustrated while testing it because I've found it hard to bring with me almost anywhere. I can't bring it to play soccer with my son or go for a scooter ride. I can't take it on runs or on a quick trip to the store in my workout shorts. If I'm meeting someone for a beer, I have to consider what I'm wearing, if I'll need to use it while out, etc. Even doing yard work or other activities around my house typically forces me to just leave the phone inside and grab my Pixel 5. I get that this is a big personal preference type of situation and that you may still be on your couch, happen to leave the house all of the time with a bag, or don't mind the awkward shape and weight because the added benefit of a secondary display is worth it, I'm just telling you my opinion. And my opinion as of today is that this phone is a tough recommendation for anyone who lives any sort of active lifestyle or who doesn't plan on simply sitting around the majority of the day.

Battery life. This is an area that I have been pretty disappointed in. Battery life just hasn't been good for me, and Tim made it sound like he hasn't been impressed either. That's in comparison to the Fold 2, where we both had really solid battery life that would easily get through a day. Now, in my testing I've been juggling between the Fold 3 and other devices because as I just talked about, taking this phone out of the house isn't exactly something I want to do...ever. But in the days where I spent a lot of time at home, messing with the Fold 3, I can't tell you how many had me looking for a charger by the late afternoon because I knew it wouldn't get me through the night. It's hard to say if it's the added 120Hz to the front display or my usage has changed or the Snapdragon 888 isn't efficient at all or that f*cking Eufy app is still draining battery on all devices I own. What I do know is that if the Fold 3 was my only phone and I typically hammer on a device throughout a day without the option to charge frequently, I'd be worried. And I'd especially worry if I didn't have much time to charge during those charging session. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 doesn't come with a charger and is only capable of charging at 25W speeds. That's not insanely slow, but charging a 4400mAh battery isn't going to happen in an hour. Apologies for not having battery screenshots, but my usage of the phone has been quite sporadic.

S Pen. This might seem like a weird item to complain about, but the S Pen situation here is indeed that, a weird one. Yes, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 works with a special S Pen. That's great! However, I feel like Samsung should have just given it to you. You spent $1,800 on this phone and they couldn't toss in this chintzy little plastic S Pen? They want you to pay $50 for it! And for $50, you don't get Bluetooth, so your set of S Pen features is somewhat limited compared to the S Pens you got with the old Galaxy Note phones. The S Pen only works on the inside display, not the cover display. And if I'm being brutally honest, it's not that fun to use on the inside display, partly because of crease in the middle and also because it doesn't feel as precise as I'm used to. For example, I typically only use S Pens to color with and the coloring experience leaves a lot to be desired. My other issue is that this is such a secondary, after-thought type of accessory that there's no where to put it. The $50 piece of plastic Pen comes in a goofy little case that is hard to get the pen out of, plus the S Pen doesn't stick to the Fold 3 and there's no where to store it within the device itself. It's really just an S Pen you have to keep in a bag or pocket and remember to bring with or not leave behind. I get that some people will like having an S Pen on their foldable screen, this just isn't the winning formula yet. I'm sure Samsung will get to where we were with the Note series and its S Pen, but this is a ways off.

Videos

Unboxing and first impressions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLBs4MboWI First 10 Things To Do https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrifY0V8RtU

Should you buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3?

The Galaxy Fold 3 is a very, very cool device. This foldable thing is absolutely a tech niche I hope lives on and continues to improve. The Fold 3 showcases the best of foldables of today, with its brilliant displays, high-end set of specs and hardware, and that magical hinge system that will forever be fun to play with. At $1,800, getting into this device is easier than ever and should you be in the market for this type of phone, you will be quite happy. There is so much to enjoy here. But for me, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is a tough device to keep around. The size and awkwardness of it when not stuck under a stay-at-home order has made it difficult to want to leave the house with. As much as I enjoy using it while at home, just give me a regular phone, please.

Shop best deals on the Galaxy Z Fold 3

WhatsApp Gets End-to-End Encrypted Chat Backups

Tim — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 09:34:38 +0000

WhatsApp, the communications app used across the globe, is implementing end-to-end encrypted chat backups for users, meaning more security for your conversations, as well as a place to store and retrieve conversations in a secure fashion. Facebook's engineering staff wrote a detailed post on how this works for WhatsApp, and honestly, it's all above my head. The process for users is easy, even though behind the scenes there is a complex and worldwide system put in place to enable its operation. First, a user will enable E2EE backups, which generates an encryption key. At that point, you'll be served a 64-digit representation of that key. With key in hand, you'll then create your backup and encrypt it, with the backup then being stored in the cloud (Google Drive or iCloud). If you need your backup, you'll use your 64-digit key, which will retrieve the backup from the cloud, and once the key is validated, the backup of your chat history will be restored on your device. As I know this may interest a few of you, I'll post the breakdown of how keys and passwords are generated, as even I found it a bit intriguing.

To enable E2EE backups, we developed an entirely new system for encryption key storage that works with both iOS and Android. With E2EE backups enabled, backups will be encrypted with a unique, randomly generated encryption key. People can choose to secure the key manually or with a user password. When someone opts for a password, the key is stored in a Backup Key Vault that is built based on a component called a hardware security module (HSM) — specialized, secure hardware that can be used to securely store encryption keys. When the account owner needs access to their backup, they can access it with their encryption key, or they can use their personal password to retrieve their encryption key from the HSM-based Backup Key Vault and decrypt their backup. The HSM-based Backup Key Vault will be responsible for enforcing password verification attempts and rendering the key permanently inaccessible after a minimal number of unsuccessful attempts to access it. These security measures provide protection against brute-force attempts to retrieve the key. WhatsApp will know only that a key exists in the HSM. It will not know the key itself.

That's pretty sweet, right? WhatsApp on both Android and iOS will receive this feature in the "coming weeks." // Facebook

Samsung x Sami Miró Vintage Intro $39 Recyclable Watch Bands

Tim — Fri, 10 Sep 2021 08:38:13 +0000

Samsung has partnered with Sami Miró Vintage to create a group of watch bands for the new Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. However, they're simply 20mm watch bands, so I'm positive you can use them on any watch device you'd want to, if that was your thing.

Reviews: Galaxy Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic

Listed as eco-friendly TPU or Fruit Skin bands, the materials used are completely recyclable, which is a pretty sweet move on the manufacturer's part. As Samsung details, "Made from an innovative Apple Peel skin material sourced from waste recovered from the fruit industry, the neutral Stratus Sky and Midnight Black watchbands transition seamlessly between any outfit – from day to night. It has the premium look of leather, but is completely vegan and cruelty free." The other options, which are the Aurora Night, Cloud Navy, Earth Sunrise and Dawn Atlas bands, are comprised of an eco-friendly TPU material that is non-toxic, same as the Apple Peel skin watchbands. According to Samsung, the entire collection has no DMF residue in the final products, are non-plasticized, and can be recycled when the time comes. Watch Bands to Choose From If you'd like to snag yourself a fancy new recyclable $39 watch band, follow the link below.

Samsung Store Link

ZTE Axon 30 Up for Sale in the US at $499

Tim — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:43:36 +0000

ZTE is back with the Axon 30, a $499 option for those who are tired of the generic Samsung, Google, and Apple options. ZTE was kind enough to send me an Axon 30 to check out, with my main goal being to investigate the under-display selfie camera. I will say, this one is much better looking than the one that comes on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. You can hardly see it, which is pretty awesome, compared to the Z Fold 3's that sticks out like a sore thumb to my eyes. Beyond the camera, the Axon 30 features a 6.92-inch FHD+ AMOLED display with refresh rate of 120Hz, Snapdragon 870 processor, up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, a Triple Cooling System (Large Vapor Chamber + Grahene copper matrix composite material + High-power heat-transmitting gel), an array of rear cameras with the main being a 64-megapixel (Sony IMX682) shooter, 4200mAh battery with 65W quick charging support, and Android 11 with MyOS11 on top. As I state in the headline, this hardware is very nice, especially that under-display camera. However, the software, at least for me who is used to a Pixel device, wasn't cutting it. Many of these third-party skins feel as if they bog my phone and experience down, but again, that's my opinion. If you want to give it a shot, as this phone offers plenty of amazing specs at only $499, follow the link below.

Buy ZTE Axon 30 ($499)

Google Shows Off Material You Looks for Gmail, Calendar, Drive, and More

Kellen — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 13:07:17 +0000

Android 12 is so close to launching that Google is starting to show off changes to its apps that will arrive alongside it. On the Google Workspace blog, they just previewed a bunch of their apps with Material You redesigns, as well as how they'll look with Dynamic Color on Pixel phones. The post shows off Gmail, Calendar, Drive, Docs/Sheets/Slides, and Meet going from Google Material theme to Material You and Material You Dynamic Color. We've included all in this post, starting with Gmail. We've talked about Material You on many occasions now, thanks to a first look at it through Android 12 Beta builds on our Pixel phones. But for those not familiar, Material You is Google's new design language that is not only more expressive and "alive & adaptive" and embracing of your emotions and more personal, it's also capable of incorporating dynamic color changes based off phone wallpapers, at least on Pixel phones. In other words, your apps will change colors depending on the color of you wallpaper. The other changes you'll notice in an app that has been updated with Material You are things like updated navigation bars, improved floating action buttons, and the use of Google Sans throughout. Google say's they are rolling out Material You to some of the apps here starting today and that you'll see them in Gmail version 2021.08.24, Meet version 2021.09.19 (September 19), Drive version 2.21.330 (September 9), Docs/Sheets/Slides version 1.21.342 (September 1), and Google Calendar version 2021.37 (September 20).

Gmail

Google Calendar

Google Drive

Google Meet

Google Docs, Slides, Sheets

DEAL: Galaxy Z Flip 3 for $799, Z Fold 3 for $1499 if You Activate Today

Tim — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 11:02:52 +0000

Did you read my Galaxy Z Flip 3 review this week (review here) and decide on taking the plunge into the world of foldables? First off, congratulations. Second, you might as well save some money if that's the case. While we typically point folks to Samsung's website for purchasing its devices, Best Buy has the new Z Flip 3 at only $799 should you activate at time of purchase. That's $200 off the usual $999 price, which isn't too shabby. If you need a bit more internal storage, you can opt for the 256GB model, which will cost you $50 more at $849. Additionally, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 can be had for as low as $1499 with activation, down from its list price of $1799. That's $300 in instant savings. I can tell you from my time with the Galaxy Z Flip 3 that it's a great option for those looking at their phone to make a statement. It's truly a head turner device, plus the improvements Samsung has made over the previous generations are certainly worth a look. The new foldables have an IPX8 rating, plus the Flip 3 features the larger -- and more usable -- cover display. If interested, follow the link below.

Best Buy Links: Z Flip 3 | Z Fold 3

Galaxy Watch 4 Update Tries to Improve Its Touch Bezel

Kellen — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:15:45 +0000

One of the most unique features about any Samsung Galaxy Watch is without a doubt its rotating bezel. Whether that be a physical bezel that slides around on the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic or a digital, touch-powered bezel like on the Galaxy Watch 4, interacting with one of Samsung's watches is a fun experience. Well, it's fun when it all works properly. The touch bezel on the Galaxy Watch 4 (review) is not great out of the box, and at least in my testing, barely works enough to even use. I don't remember that being the case on the Galaxy Watch Active 2, which had a similar touch bezel, so attempting to use the Watch 4's and immediately finding myself frustrated was surprising. Apparently, I'm not alone in not enjoying this touch bezel experience. Samsung is pushing a new update to the Galaxy Watch 4 today that specifically targets the touch bezel. Samsung describes the update as having "improved usability of the following applications or features: Touch bezel." There are other improvements to "system stability and reliability," but that first part is the big piece here.

The update is rolling out now as build R870XXU1BUI5 and weighs in at roughly 159MB. That seems large for an update that is trying to fix one of the watch's standout features. Did the update fix it? I don't think so. I'm updated now and rebooted and there is still a noticeable amount of lag between the time my finger first swipes and when it the UI starts moving. Good attempt, though, Samsung.

Best deals on the Galaxy Watch 4 from Samsung

Thursday Poll: As It Stands, Are You Buying a Pixel 6?

Tim — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 09:09:25 +0000

Google continues to tease the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. I can hardly contain my excitement, as I already know this phone will likely be my personal daily driver for the foreseeable future. The thing is, I know not everyone is me, so I'm curious who else out there feels the way I do. Google has detailed what the phone looks like and we already know that Android 12 is pretty special, thanks to the beta we've been running for months. However, there are other factors that go into considering a phone. Could the price keep you away? We know that the Pixel 6 Pro will be "expensive." Maybe the under-display fingerprint reader is a dealbreaker? I have no idea what you like, so tell me down in the comments below. As it stands, are you buying a Pixel 6? [poll id="574"]

Verizon 5G UWB Expands to 4 New Markets, 5G Home Into 5

Tim — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:52:06 +0000

Verizon's 5G network continues its expansion, with the carrier announcing availability of 5G UWB and its 5G Home internet service in new cities across the US. If you're ready to try the latest craze, which is kissing your traditional ISP goodbye, this could be fun for you. For 5G UWB availability, new markets include Orlando, FL, Fremont, CA, as well as Harrisburg, PA. With the addition of four new markets, the total amount of markets comes to 82 across the US. 5G Home is now available in five new markets, including two o the aforementioned, plus Niagara Falls, NY, Sarasota, FL, and Pensacola, FL. It's a lot of Florida, actually.

New 5G UWB Markets

Harrisburg, PA
Athens, GA
Orlando, FL
Fremont, CA

New 5G Home Markets

Fremont, CA
Orlando, FL
Pensacola, FL
Sarasota, FL
Niagara Falls, NY

If you're curious about the experience, 5G Home delivers download speeds of up to 1Gbps. However, average download speeds clock in around 300Mbps, which is fine for 99% of things you're doing online. Curious if 5G Home is available in your area? You can check here. // Verizon

Here's a Pixel 6 Teaser With People Holding the Phone

Kellen — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 08:08:11 +0000

Shortly after we shared Google's Drake-inspired Pixel 6 post to Instagram, the company then uploaded another teaser video to YouTube to showcase the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in the hands of actual humans, rather than in press renders. If anything, this clip gives us a more realistic view of Google's new phone and how it might look in that sexy hand of yours. The video is titled "For All You Are" and talks a lot about a phone seeing you for you, probably with fancy cameras and an ever-changing color scheme brought on by Android 12 and Material You. It then takes the Pixel 6 from person to person, with its large and awkward camera bar, giving us a feel for its size. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMZaObIQps8 Since the video is short, we pulled a couple of the shots to show you what it looks like when in someone's hand. I have no idea what you should be taking from these, but previously, Google only gave us mock-ups and renders. This looks like an actual phone in an actual hand. We're desperate for Pixel 6 content, if you can't tell. Kidding aside, this appears to be a Pixel 6 Pro, the larger and fancier of the two phones. You can tell because of the taller top portion above the camera bar. The phone has a 6.7" QHD display, unlike the 6.4" on the regular Pixel 6. Neither will be small phones, but this video is at least trying to show your cute little paws that it'll be able to handle a Pixel 6 at the club or skateboarding or running or hugging or contemplating the meaning of life, that sort of thing.

I know that there are dates and numbers spread about in this video, but as someone who tries not to buy into a lot of that to create weird conspiracy theories and pointless YouTube videos, I'm going to ignore them all. My guess is that Google will release the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in October like they do with every single Pixel phone.

Google Teased the Pixel 6 Again

Kellen — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 16:52:13 +0000

Google already showed off the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro a few weeks back in a tease that started a slow reveal that will inch along over a couple of months before each phone can be purchased. I imagine that Google will continue to tell us why these phones will be their best ever, with 1-by-1 spec announcements, maybe sort of like OnePlus does. While we normally complain about a feature trollout marketing scheme, we're freakin' excited about the Pixel 6 and all we want is to see it over and over again. Today, Google satisfied our hunger for all things Pixel 6 with a post to Instagram. The post is a play on Drake's new "Certified Lover Boy" album with an arrangement of Pixel 6 phones in a similar way to the emoji arrangement on the album's cover. But instead of emoji, Google tossed in the Pixel 6 with various colors showcasing its Material You theme capabilities and a caption of "Certified Pixel Lovers." That's really all we got from the post, along with teases for additional widgets behind the new clock widgets in the Android 12 Beta 5. There appears to be even more clock widgets coming, as well as weather and new media widgets. Hopefully, these aren't just mock-ups and Google has plans to deliver them to our devices. To see the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in all colors, be sure to go back to this post. I cannot wait to get these phones in hand.

Galaxy Z Flip 3 Review: In Every Way an Upgrade

Tim — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 11:32:34 +0000

Samsung's back with a fresh round of foldables, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. According to Samsung, these devices have been improved a whole lot, with all-new water resistance, lighter and more durable bodies, as well as more software features for One UI. If that wasn't enough for you, they're now cheaper than ever, so I don't want to hear any complaints. I've been using the Galaxy Z Flip 3 for the past week, flipping it open and closed, stuffing this little square in my pants and taking it out on the town. I'd like to share my experiences with you now. This is our Galaxy Z Flip 3 review!

What I Like

Hardware Having used the original Galaxy Z Flip, I feel that this Flip 3 has improved quite well in the hardware department. Samsung says their latest round of foldables are more durable and lighter, and yeah, I believe them. Flipping the phone open and closed is very satisfying, but more importantly, it feels completely solid with no wiggles or looseness. The hardware is good and should surely withstand the test of time, though, these devices haven't been around long enough to say just how long that is. Technically, Samsung tests the display for 200,000 folds, but you can assume it'll go further than that. If we take the latest stat for Americans, which claims we check our phone an average of 262 times a day, that's a lifespan of 763 days. Interestingly, it hasn't even been 763 days since the launch of the original Galaxy Z Flip (Feb. 14, 2020), so I'm genuinely curious if any Flip owner has reached or surpassed that 200,000 number. Sorry for the tangent there. Helping create a sense of strength against the elements is Samsung's inclusion of an IPX8 rating. Thanks to that, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is rated to withstand splashes and limited fresh water submergence. Can you believe that? It was only a year ago that you wouldn't dare get a Samsung foldable near water, but oh, how times have changed. I can elaborate a bit more on this in the next section, but the main takeaway for me from both the Z Flip 3 and Fold 3 is that Samsung has improved the hardware considerably, while also making them less expensive. It's impressive. Specs, Displays & Additions For specs, the Z Flip 3 features a main 6.7-inch FHD+ Dynamic AMOLED Infinity Flex display (2640 x 1080) with 120Hz refresh rate, 1.9-inch Super AMOLED cover display (260 x 512), Snapdragon 888 5G processor, 8GB RAM, up to 256GB internal storage, dual 12-megapixel cameras (1x wide angle, 1x ultra wide angle), 10-megapixel selfie camera, 3,300mAh battery that supports charging speeds of up to 15W, fingerprint sensor, stereo speakers, and Android 11 with One UI 3.1.1 on top. Full spec sheet can be viewed here. Like I mentioned, the IP rating is new for these foldables, which to me, is a major addition. Previously, I had a hard time bringing myself to take my other Samsung foldables anywhere near the kitchen or bathroom, but now that I can treat them like any other device, with exception to keeping them away from excess dust and dirt, it's a real relief.

Looking Through Sunglasses

The main AMOLED display with its 120Hz refresh rate is certainly nice, especially coming from a Pixel 5. It gets plenty bright, but I did come across a pretty major issue. When wearing sunglasses, the display becomes oddly reflective and I can't quite see what it is I'm doing on the phone. It's actually somewhat of a dealbreaker issue for me, as I sorta need my glasses to see. If you've ever seen the move Annihilation, it somewhat reminds me of what the Shimmer looks like from the outside. It's a colorful reflection-like effect. It sucks. I tried two pairs of prescription sunglasses I have and the problem is present when I wear both. When wearing normal glasses, it's totally fine, but I tend to wear sunglasses a lot (because I'm cool) and it's something that has bugged me considerably over the past week. As for the cover display, it's obviously larger, but still not what I'd label as usable for anything besides checking notifications. Maybe a future Flip will have a larger cover display, but it's a flip phone, so just assume that everything you need to do on it will require you to open it. That presumption comes with the flip phone territory. Software The Galaxy Z Flip 3 ships with Android 11 running One UI 3.1.1 on top. I'll be honest, there isn't much software-related stuff to talk about, though, I can at least say that the software has been smooth and very typical Samsung. If you've used Samsung software in the past or have seen one of our past Samsung device reviews, it's the same story here. One UI 3.1.1 itself brings a couple of unique features for foldables, though, the rest of 3.1.1 is now trickling out to the other Galaxy devices. Unfortunately, all of the aforementioned 3.1.1 goodies are designed to take advantage of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and not the Flip 3. For the folding display, Samsung bakes in a few things for specific apps, but I'm not about to sit here and say they're useful. In the Camera app, the viewfinder is pinned to the top while the controls are on the bottom. In the Gallery, photos and videos are pinned to the top while a touchpad is placed on the bottom. Ok, cool, I guess. In Calendar, the calendar view is pinned to the top and you get a "Sticker" button on the bottom half of the display. It's not helpful at all. For me, I don't use the phone is this Flex mode whatsoever. Samsung has all of its usual advanced settings onboard, plus many gesture controls and slick tap shortcuts. As we always do, we have a lengthy Tips & Tricks video available which goes over the software in detail. It's embedded below.

What Could Be Better

Camera Z Flip 3 comes with dual 12-megapixel shooters, one wide angle and one ultra wide angle. They have all of the usual features, such as OIS (optical image stabilization), UHD video recording at 60fps, and Dual Pixel AF. For software, it's the same as any other Samsung device. There are plenty of modes (Pro, Panorama, Food, Portrait, Super Slo-Mo, Hyperlapse, Director's View, Single Take, and more), as well as a settings menu for tweaking anything and everything. Before I go any further, let me say these cameras are perfectly suitable in many cases. However, all I'm saying is that they could be better, specifically in shots with high amounts of light. In many of my cases, when shooting outdoors or anywhere the sun could reach, photos would become overexposed when using the automatic settings. I'd have to adjust the level of exposure brightness sometimes, but if I'm being honest, that's not exactly something I want to do every time I want to take a photo in 2021. I expect better from a Samsung device. Beyond an issue with the exposure settings, which Samsung could maybe squash in an update, the cameras are fine. I took the phone on a lovely hike through the woods and got some great shots, all of which can be seen below. I also took photos in a few more different scenarios. At the end of the day, I haven't been overly impressed with these cameras. I think the exposure issue is disappointing, especially for a $1K phone, but we do have to remember that what you're paying for is a phone with other premium specs that can fold in half. If the phone carried the last-gen price of $1380, that'd be another story, but I'm almost willing to let it slide at $999. That's probably some Psych 101 stuff, but those are my feelings on it. For a lot of situations, the phone does a great job, so don't let my own exposure issue taint your judgement. I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Regular vs. Night Mode w/ auto 3 sec. exposure

Battery At 3,300mAh, I wasn't expecting anything special for battery life and the Galaxy Z Flip 3 met expectations. On average, I was able to get through my usual day of 7AM-ish to 11PM-ish with a little bit of juice left. Don't expect to go a full 2 days if you're a power user, and on top of that, I'd stress a little bit if I was into mobile gaming or use apps that are known for draining batteries. 3,300mAh simply isn't very large, so be aware of that when using the device. Additionally, while it charges relatively quickly -- again, because of the smaller battery -- the phone charges at a top speed of 15W. That's not very quick compared to other devices on the market, so you may be waiting a few extra minutes to get that battery level to where you want it. The phone is also capable of 10W wireless charging, plus 4.5W reverse wireless charging.

Other Notes

Wife Impressions: "I like it. The open and close motion feels nice. Is this [cover] display bigger? It looks good. It's a tall phone, hard to use with one hand. It's weird that we'd want to go back to having to flip a phone open to do anything. Doesn't make sense to me."

Price and Availability

The Galaxy Z Flip 3 starts at $999, a nearly $400 decrease in price over the original. If that didn't "wow" a few people, I don't know what will. Additionally, you can pick the Galaxy Z Flip 3 from all sorts of retailers, including Google Fi.

Buy Galaxy Z Flip 3

Videos

Unboxing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUmtUGJb324 Tips & Tricks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc8ObfO4RWY

Gallery

The Verdict

I said this same thing on the DL Show -- If you're in the market for a foldable, as you want to see what all of the clamoring is about, there hasn't been a better time. Samsung has lowered the prices and these are easily the best foldables that have hit the market. In every way they're an upgrade, and while they aren't perfect, they're still pretty damn good. People ask me if now is the time for the mainstream market to get into foldables. With the addition of an IP rating, plus the lowered entry cost, I don't see why not. Plus, if you're into flexing on people, you won't find better devices than the Galaxy Z lineup. People love seeing screens get folded in half. Whether this phone is your cup of tea or not, we can at least give Samsung props for what they've done here. It's a really good phone.

What's New in Android 12 Beta 5?

Kellen — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:29:30 +0000

Looking for what's new in the latest Android 12 Beta 5 that Google just released for your Pixel phone? We are digging in right here as we always do to give you the goods. We don't necessarily expect to find a bunch of new stuff, but there are already at least a couple of noteworthy changes to point out. As we find more, we'll surely update this post too.

Home / Device Controls shortcut on lock screen

In addition to the shortcut for Google Pay that Google added a few releases ago, we are now seeing a Home or Device Controls shortcut in the bottom left corner. Tapping on this opens up your device controls, which also live as a quick settings tile. I guess that's cool.

On-device search is here!

The app drawer now lets you fully search your phone in Android 12 Beta 5. If you swipe into your app drawer, the search bar at the top of it now says to "Search your phone and more." Tapping the 3-dot menu to the right of it brings up options for customizing that experience and also lets you tell it to bring up the keyboard by default for quicker searches. Searching by keyword can bring up a lot of stuff, from apps and shortcuts to settings options and people. Tapping on anything takes you directly into those areas. This is awesome.

New clock widgets are live!

There are several new Clock widgets to choose from, all of which offer Material You color theming and the fun design that Google has teased us with for a while now.

At a Glance changes, but broken...

Google is preparing big changes to the At a Glance widget on the Android 12 home screen, with toggles to turn off most options. It also looks like they'll let you turn the entire thing off (finally!). However, it's pretty broken at the moment and likely needs a Google App update to work properly. If we get it working, we'll update.

Calculator gets a Material You makeover

The Calculator app, as a part of this Beta 5 update, is now prettier than ever, if Material You theming is your thing. Look at those beautiful purples. We're updating...

WHOOP 4.0 Launches With Pretty Big Upgrades

Kellen — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:22:12 +0000

If you like to geek out about fitness tracking in ways that most traditional trackers can't do, there's a chance you've come across WHOOP. You may have found them in an ad on Instagram or maybe an athlete you follow was hawking it. Or maybe you just wanted a different approach to fitness tracking that is both simplistic and yet more advanced and you stumbled into the world of WHOOP. For those already into WHOOP, today is a big day. WHOOP 4.0 is the new band with a bunch of upgrades, a new battery pack, and a couple of new app metrics to add to the already-impressive list. For those not new, well, let's talk about WHOOP, since I happen to be a subscriber.

What is WHOOP?

WHOOP is a subscription health platform that costs $30/mo and includes access to the app and gets you a free fitness band to track everything. It's certainly not cheap, but it's also going to give you a whole new outlook on your body's current state and a set of metrics to look at to see the level of activity you can (or should) do each day. WHOOP, at least as I've grown to understand it over the past year as a user, is a fitness platform (a wrist strap + app) that focuses not only on daily activity, but it tries to tell you each day what level of activity you should put your body through. It comes up with that score by showing how your body has recovered from the previous day's activity and sleep. A good chunk of it is calculated through a lot of heartrate monitoring. So with a WHOOP strap on, you'll get 24-7 heartrate monitoring and activity tracking to give you an average heartrate for the day. As a recovery device, it then looks at your heartrate variability (HRV), resting heartrate (RHR), and respiratory rate, as well as the quality of sleep you get. All of those metrics factor into what you should do each day, so unlike other wearables, the goal is to give you recommendations for how hard to push rather than let you, the unprofessional athlete, try to figure it out. Again, I've used WHOOP for a good chunk of the pandemic and really appreciate its different approach. The band doesn't have a screen or buttons and it doesn't do notifications, but it's super comfortable to wear, the battery lasts several days, and I feel like it has helped me cut some bad habits out of my life. WHOOP, with the combination of heartrate measures it tracks, will let you know the next day in recovery if you drank alcohol in the evening (or all day) and if you had a late night snack or meal. Because those two activities ramp up your heartrate and affect your sleep, WHOOP will suggest you take the day to chill rather than push activities. Where this has helped me, is in cutting those two items from my evening, so that I get more restful sleep and can perform in workouts the next day. If anything, it's a reminder that you maybe had a bit too much fun the day before and your body is feeling it. Anyways, that's all a long-winded yet too-short explanation of WHOOP, which again, is not your typical fitness platform. It's subscription-based, gets you a really nice band, and focuses more on recovery with strain (on your heart) rather than just tracking steps, your caloric count, general activity output, etc. It's not for everyone, but I think I've appreciated the different approach after years and years of fitness trackers and smartwatches on the wrist.

WHOOP 4.0!

OK, so WHOOP 4.0 was announced today and yeah, I'm pretty excited. WHOOP 4.0 is the new band for WHOOP members (or new subscribers) and it has a lot of new stuff. The band has more LEDs and photodiodes to give you more accurate heartrate tracking, is 33% smaller than WHOOP 3.0, has a sleep coach with haptic alerts, does SpO2 tracking (!), tracks skin temperature (!), and features a new Health Monitor with several metrics in one place that used to be scattered across the app. The new battery pack is waterproof (!) and the strap uses a new battery technology that has helped improve the design. Here's the full list from WHOOP's announcement today:

Upgraded Sensor Configuration: The active sensor area now contains 5 LEDs (three green, one red, and one infrared), 4 photodiodes, and advanced algorithms to provide even more accurate heart rate measurements
33% Smaller Size: WHOOP 4.0 is 33% smaller than WHOOP 3.0 with a five-day battery life
New Feature - Sleep Coach with Haptic Alerts: WHOOP 4.0 is engineered with haptic alerts that members can set to wake them up through gentle vibrations at the optimal time based on their sleep needs and cycles
New Feature - Pulse Oximeter: The upgraded hardware is equipped to calculate blood oxygen levels (SPO2) to help members unlock additional daily health insights
New Feature - Skin Temperature Sensor: WHOOP 4.0 measures skin temperature to provide members another layer of knowledge about their bodies
New Feature - Health Monitor: Members can track live heart rate, skin temperature, blood oxygen saturation, resting heart rate, heart rate variability, and respiratory rate in one view. The Health Monitor also allows members to easily download and export 30-day or 180-day trends of these metrics into a report that can be shared with a coach, trainer, PT, or physician
WHOOP Battery Pack 4.0: The upgraded battery pack built for on-the-go charging is now waterproof and lets members double tap to view battery level
Next Generation Battery Technology: WHOOP 4.0 is the first product in the world powered with Sila's silicon anode battery materials. Engineered with cell configuration improvements and long cycle life, the new battery delivers 17% higher energy density than WHOOP 3.0, facilitating a reimagined industrial design that also unlocks WHOOP Body

Nice, right?

WHOOP Body

The other big new announcement from WHOOP is for their new WHOOP Body collection of apparel. WHOOP Body features both undergarments (bras and boxers) and workout apparel to let you place the WHOOP right on your body for tracking. If that sounds weird, just understand that it then gets the sensor off your wrist and out of the way. Previously, WHOOP offered a bicep strap for this, but a slot within apparel is kind of a neat idea too. In addition to the new apparel, there are a bunch of new straps and bands, as well as an easier way to change the band or get your WHOOP 4.0 off a band and into body gear.

How to get the new WHOOP 4.0?

If you are already a WHOOP member, WHOOP said today that if you have at least 6 months left on your subscription, they'll send you one for free and that current members get them before anyone else. You can order them right now in the WHOOP app or online in your account. If you are new to WHOOP, they weren't exactly clear when you would get 4.0. You'll need to add a 6-month package to get it quicker, is my guess here. And if you do want to sign-up, I do happen to have a referral link that you can use (or not!). It apparently gives you $30 off (a free month) and me a free month. There is zero pressure and I promise this is not sponsored and I've never talked to WHOOP in my life. I just like their band and platform. There's a non-referral link below too. Anyone else a WHOOP user?

Sign-up for WHOOP 4.0 (referral) | Non-referral link

The Final Android 12 Beta is Here!

Kellen — Wed, 08 Sep 2021 10:00:02 +0000

Alright, we are officially on the final Android 12 Beta, as Google has just dropped Android 12 Beta 5 on us. This is the last beta release before the launch "in the weeks ahead," so feel free to grab it for your Pixel phone and get to playing. In the Android 12 Beta 5, Google is once again providing new builds for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5, as well as the new Pixel 5a. To get the update to it, your best bet is to join the Android Beta program. Of course, if you like to do things manually, there are factory image and OTA files as well. We shouldn't expect a bunch of new features with this release, since this is a release candidate build. Instead, Google is squashing bugs and putting the "finishing touches" on everything prior to stable Android 12 arriving. All of the big changes should have been inside Beta 4, which pushed Android 12 to Platform Stability.

How to install Android 12 Beta 5

Release date: September 8, 2021 Build: SPB5.210812.002 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: August 2021 Google Play services: 21.26.21

Android Beta Program The easiest way to grab the Android 12 Beta 4 build is through the Android Beta program. The Android Beta program lets you add your supported Pixel devices to whatever new build of Android that Google is testing and get those sent to your phone like any normal over-the-air-update. To sign-up for the Android 12 Beta, head over to the Android Beta site here. If you are already in the Android Beta program, you will get this update over-the-air, so start checking by heading into Settings>System>System update>Check for update. Factory Image / OTA Files If you don’t feel like waiting for the over-the-air beta update to show up, you can always manually flash factory image or OTA files. Not that this process is that hard, but it does require ADB and a little action in a command prompt. These files are almost always posted and installed quicker than an over-the-air update, so you decide what to do. Your boy will be flashing an OTA file, as it doesn’t factory wipe your phone. To find instructions on how to update to Android 12 manually, we’ve got you covered right here. To download the latest Android 12 factory images or OTA files, Google has them here and here. Android 12 is almost here!

LG Details Fancy New Foldable Display Material

Tim — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 15:13:36 +0000

LG, while no longer a player in the Android game, hasn't ceased R&D on things it sees as potential winners down the road, including mobile-related things. For example, the company announced a new "foldable display material," similar to what Samsung features on its line of foldables. You see, there's a clear plastic layer between your finger and the bendable glass Samsung uses. If you remove that layer, your expensive foldable phone is in big trouble. LG is looking to solve this issue with better materials. According to LG, "The 'Real Folding Window' that LG Chem developed coated a new material at a thickness of a few dozen micrometers (㎛) on both sides of PET film, which is a type of thin plastic, to enhance heat-resistance and mechanical properties of plastic materials. It is thinner compared to existing tempered glass and has the same hardness, but no cracking on the screen." LG Chem has tested this material by folding it more than 200,000 times, and apparently, there haven't been issues with it. And on the upside, it can be installed on anything from phones to rollables, plus plenty else. LG intends to sell this material to device makers in 2023, so it doesn't look like we should expect a foldable phone from LG anytime soon. That's no surprise. It's still nice to see their name pop up here and there, though. // LG Chem

September 2021 Android Security Update Now Available for Google Pixel Phones

Kellen — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 10:18:44 +0000

The stable version of Android 12 could be here any week, but that doesn't mean Google will skip the monthly Android security patch as we wait. September's Pixel update is here for the Pixel 3 through the new Pixel 5a. Currently, we are seeing new 11.0.0 files for Pixel 5a (RD2A.210905.002, RD2A.210905.003), Pixel 5 (RQ3A.210905.001), Pixel 4a 5G (RQ3A.210905.001), Pixel 4a (RQ3A.210905.001), Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL (RQ3A.210905.001), Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL (RQ3A.210905.001), and Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (RQ3A.210905.001). Once we have a changelog, we'll add it below. Google should begin pushing these updates shortly (Settings>System>Advanced>System update), but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will find each factory 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. Links:

Is Your Pixel 3 Bricked Yet?

Tim — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 09:01:10 +0000

There's an uptick in bricked Pixel 3 devices this past week, with many owners heading to Google's own Issue Tracker website to report their phones inoperable. Mind you, these reports appear to date back to June, but I know from first-hand experience that the problem is older than that. My wife's own Pixel 3 bricked itself for no apparent reason last year, but luckily for her, she's married to me who was able to get her on something else. According to users, once the phone goes black screen, there's no getting it back. The only thing the phone will display is a specific EDL message, which is short for Emergency Download mode. It's a Qualcomm-developed recovery mode, but even that won't save your Pixel 3. Naturally, Google support isn't much help, with the main suggestion being that users collecting and send in a bug report. Pardon the laughter, but a bug report is tough to generate when your phone is a brick.

What's likely to happen?

If you're looking to us for answers, you probably won't like what we have to say. As you may or may not know, class action lawsuits have yielded positive results for many consumers, but they take a long, long time to manifest. Not only that, but most people only get sums of about $12. That doesn't seem worth the trouble to me. We'll keep you posted if Google responds to these reports, as more media sites continue to pick up the story. From our viewpoint, it's sometimes difficult to see when there's a real problem, as we're linked to many reports of similar issues for all types of phones. Everyone wants their particular problem looked at, but in the case of the Pixel 3, it appears that something is very much wrong. The Pixel 3 lineup was released nearly 3 years ago. By now, all warranties for the hardware have gone away, so I'm not entirely sure how Google intends to handle the issue. Pixel 3 sales, as far as we know, weren't very high. We can all take comfort in knowing that there aren't millions of people running into this issue, though, we're disappointed even this group of users are having a bad time. Has your Pixel 3 been affected by this issue? Let us know. // Google Issue Tracker

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 Drops to Quarterly Update Schedule

Kellen — Tue, 07 Sep 2021 07:53:43 +0000

As expected now that the phone is a full 3 years old, Samsung has dropped the Galaxy Note 9 back to a quarterly update schedule for its remaining months as an actively supported phone. Going forward, the Note 9 will pick up security patches every 3 months where operators continue to support it. First launched in 2018, the Note 9 received its last monthly update in August as one of the first from Samsung to feature Google's August patch. The update didn't add new features or anything major, just as those going forward won't, but you love to see a phone this old continuing to get new software. For this final year of updates - remember, Samsung does 4 years of security updates - we'll likely see US carrier partners keep support alive every few months, as will Samsung for its unlocked models. Don't expect Android 12 or anything wild like that. The Note 9 will forever remain on Android 10, which it picked up in February of 2020. No other notable phones were dropped to the quarterly schedule this week, but I'd imagine the Galaxy Note 8 will see its support pulled within the next several weeks. The Note 8 dropped to quarterly last year and is coming up on its 4-year anniversary - it's time has come. Additionally, Samsung added the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 to its update schedule.

Podcast: Galaxy Fold 3, Let's Finally Talk About It

Kellen — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 09:16:18 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're finally talking about the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Watch 4, now that we have had plenty of time to use each. And we're also back from vacation, so yeah, give is a break here. This might be a long show, because after a Samsung recap, we have Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro news, Fossil Gen 6 launch details, and Samsung's Android 12 Beta update rollout. Trivia back too, and we have Google Play credit for all winners. We’ll be live at 11:00AM Pacific (2:00PM Eastern).

Chrome Beta Gets the Material You Color Treatment

Kellen — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:48:37 +0000

Material You is the focus of all app updates from Google it seems, with Android 12 on the way. Every time another major Google app gets an update, seeing that app take on Material You's "personal signal" wallpaper color theming is a fun little game. Chrome Beta is the latest to adopt one of our favorite features of Android 12, just like Gmail started to do yesterday. In a Chrome Beta update for Android that rolled out yesterday as 94.0.4606.31, we noticed it grabbing colors from the system, just as other apps on Android 12 have. In the screenshots here, while subtle, you can see it picking up pinks and greens and blues, even in dark mode. There aren't really any other changes to share, we just like talking about colors. That said, I don't get the feeling that everyone is in love with this push for a personal style to apps. Not everyone was a fan of Gmail ditching its classic and expected look in favor of adopting system colors. Just another thing we'll have to get used to I guess. Maybe it's time for a poll on that. What app will be next? Google Play Link: Chrome Beta

Google Search Bar Gets Handy-Dandy Google Lens Shortcut

Tim — Fri, 03 Sep 2021 08:24:04 +0000

A day or two ago, I noticed the Google Search bar on my homescreen grew a new shortcut. All of a sudden, a button for Google Lens had appeared out of nowhere. I immediately took to Twitter, thinking I may have actually gotten something before anyone else. For the most part, I had, but there were a couple other people who had either gotten it just before me or got it at the same time. One nice person said, "You're late," whatever the heck that's supposed to mean, as we all know a Wizard is never late. Anyway, with this new addition on the Search bar, users can quickly jump into Google Lens, allowing you to scan images already in your gallery or to scan things with your camera app. As of right now, I'm not seeing a disable toggle for this Lens button, just in case you may not want it. When looking in the customization section for the native search bar, there is nothing to be found. It may be hiding somewhere else. What I do know is that the Lens logo will change right alongside any other changes you do make within that menu, so that's good. Everybody seeing this new button?

Galaxy Z Fold 3: First 10 Things to Do!

Kellen — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 15:54:25 +0000

The foldable action around these parts will not stop any time soon, even after we already unboxed Samsung's newest and then gave you tips and tricks. Today, it's "First 10 Things" time for the Galaxy Z Fold 3. In this video, which we've done for all the big phones for years upon years now, we take you through the first 10 or so settings you should focus on when your Galaxy Z Fold 3 is ripped from the packaging. These are the settings and areas of the phone that'll get you going, ready for foldable domination. We'll walk through security and biometrics, always-on display options, deciding between two separate screen setups or sharing one on both, continuing app usage from one to another, which special camera settings you need to take advantage of, the best advanced features and Labs settings, and more. Yep, it's another long one, but there is a lot to talk about with a phone that can do this much. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PrifY0V8RtU

Gmail With Material You on Android 12 is Smokin' Hot

Tim — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:01:25 +0000

Material You, the new UI and general theme for Android 12, is coming to Gmail. Material You is also about dynamic color usage, based on the theme your device is using, which can be based partly on the wallpaper your device is currently using. When all used together, Material You can make for one helluva aesthetic, something we're really looking forward to once it's all complete and rolled out to users. Thanks to XDA, we're getting our first good look at Material You for Gmail. It appears to be rolling out slowly (server side), with colors from this person's wallpaper leaking straight into Gmail. It's an earthly green tone here, but we assume the tones can change based on your own device's appearance. This individual is running version 2021.08.24.394054613 of Gmail, but again, it's a server side change, so don't expect to see the same thing -- even if you're on that same version of the app. Be on the lookout for this, folks. If you get it, send us some screenshots. I want to see all of the beautiful color options. In a couple of months, I'll be rocking a Pixel 6 Pro and Material You with my favorite Google apps. I can hardly contain myself. It's going to look so good! // XDA

Yeelight W3 Bulbs Work With All the Platforms, Look Great and Cost Under $20 a Pop

Tim — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 11:40:26 +0000

Late last year, I checked out the M2 lightbulbs from Yeelight, a sub-brand of Xiaomi. Those light bulbs were plenty slick, and when Yeelight asked if I wanted to check out the latest W3 bulbs, I wasn't about to decline the offer. They sent over a few bulbs and I've been playing with them for a few weeks. TL;DR: They're easy to set up, look great, and are priced well. For those who are familiar with those previous M2 bulbs, which were designed to be exclusive for Google's Seamless Setup, these W3 bulbs will work with essentially any smart home platform you're using. Technically, they support 14 major platforms, including Google Assistant, Amazon Alexa, and Samsung' SmartThings, as well as gaming setups from Overwolf and Razer Chroma. Additionally, the W3 bulbs provide more colors over the M2 (16 million color support), plus they're cheaper than the M2 bulbs.

For me, using them in my Google Home, the setup was straightforward enough. After downloading and setting them up via the dedicated Yeelight app, you can add them into your Google Home setup, then control the group of bulbs right from there. In the Yeelight app, you can choose different scenes and actions, similar to what you can do with Philips Hue bulbs. The main difference? Cost. Hue lights are still incredibly expensive, and meanwhile, competitors are flooding the market with products that can do the same stuff. Has Yeelight gone and replaced my Philips Hue Sync Box and accompanying Light Strips in my living room? Nope, but it wouldn't shock me if they were working on it. If you need yourself some more smart home lighting, I can easily recommend the Yeelight W3 bulbs, as well as the M2 bulbs I reviewed last year. Those are still working great for me, too. In a bit of excellent timing, all of the bulbs appear to be on sale via Amazon right now, saving you up to $6 on a pack of bulbs.

Buy Yeelight W3: Single ($16) | 2-Pack ($24) | 4-Pack ($52)

Motorola Edge (2021) Now Available and Still $200 Off

Kellen — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 09:34:49 +0000

The new Motorola Edge (2021) is now generally available from several electronics dealers and still at its pre-order price, in case you were interested. That pre-order price means $200 off and a starting price of $499 for a pretty decent package. For those who missed it, the new Motorola Edge does not have an edge display, but does bring you a 6.8" FHD LCD display with 144Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 778G processor, 8GB RAM, 256GB storage, 5000mAh battery with 30W fast charging, IP52 water resistance, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, bottom-firing speaker, and a triple rear camera. That camera is made up of a main 108MP sensor (f/1.9) alongside 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 119-degree FOV) and 2MP depth cameras. At $499, this seems like aa decent buy, assuming you are cool with a weird update schedule that is typically one of the slowest in the industry. Motorola has promised two Android OS updates, though, so even though it launches with Android 11, you should get Android 13 one day. While I haven't spent any time with the phone, I'd imagine it runs smoothly with Motorola's clean Android skin and probably lasts almost two days with that big ass battery. Motorola says it should work on all o the major US carriers.

I be Yeeting Yeelights Out da Crack

Tim — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:44:28 +0000

d d d d

Nova Launcher 7 Goes Stable for All

Tim — Thu, 02 Sep 2021 08:41:05 +0000

Nova Launcher 7, the major update we've all been waiting for, has gone stable. After months of testing and bug squashing, the update is rolling out to all in a slow and orderly fashion via Google Play. If you weren't aware this was happening, it's time to hype yourself up a bit. As for what's inside, it's not a short list, but a few of the big time changes include an entire visual refresh, swipe down actions on folders/icons, widget corner radius settings, weather stats in search bar, plus a lot more.

– Radial folder icon layouts – Vertical paginated folder scrolling – Swipe Down action on icons (Prime) – Search bar and Tab Bar in drawer can be placed at the bottom – More Nova search window and bar options – Save APK popup menu action – More

The developer behind Nova states that this will be a, "slow/staged rollout due to the amount of changes so we can make sure everything is running smoothly for everyone." Have fun, everyone!

Google Play Link

// @Nova_Launcher

VIDEO: Galaxy Z Flip 3 Tips and Tricks!

Tim — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 15:00:44 +0000

If you have been with us for a bit, you may know we typically do a couple of videos for new phones. We'll do a First 10 Things To Do and then a Tips and Tricks video. For the Galaxy Z Flip 3, we've condensed those two concepts into a single video, allowing me to get straight to my full review. Meanwhile, Kellen is plugging away on the Galaxy Z Fold 3, so be on the lookout for that stuff. In the below video, I'll go over the general things I do when setting up a fresh Samsung device (a la First 10 Things), but on top of that, I'll give you a personal tour of essentially every single little setting and feature you need to know about, just as I would in a Tips and Tricks video. As you'll see, this is a 40-minute video, so grab some popcorn and prepare to master this flip phone. Enjoy. Galaxy Z Flip 3 Setup + Tips and Tricks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pc8ObfO4RWY&ab_channel=DroidLife

Google Tells Suppliers to Prepare for Big Pixel 6 Sales

Kellen — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 13:02:34 +0000

Google plans to go big for its Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. This is a fact we already knew because Rick Osterloh already said they are "ready to invest a lot in marketing" for their two upcoming phones, as they see an opportunity to win over some space in the high-end smartphone market. That thought is now being backed by a report suggesting they are telling suppliers to prepare more than ever to ship record amounts of their new devices. A report from Nikkei claims that Google has asked suppliers to prepare 50% more production capacity for their Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro handsets compared to their 2019 phone year. We're talking pre-pandemic levels of sales, where Google apparently sold more than 7 million phones, a record for Pixel. Stop laughing. Stop it. This is big news when talking production and predictions. The last thing a hardware maker wants to do is produce far too much product without the demand for it, so Google must be optimistic about the prospects of their Pixel 6 line. The success of the Pixel 6 could be helped by the earlier mentioned marketing blitz, but Google also believes it has an opening as the only US smartphone maker building Android devices. With September here and October quickly approaching, we shouldn't be far off from a Pixel 6 launch party and release. That's exciting to think about since we still consider the Pixel 6 to be the story of the year for 2021.

Telegram 8.0 Update Brings Another Big Batch of Features

Kellen — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 10:49:35 +0000

Telegram released another big update this week as Telegram 8.0. The update is already out, because Telegram is nice and doesn't do those lengthy staged rollouts that everyone hates, yet Google loves so much. So yeah, go grab it and let's talk about what's new. The first new feature Telegram wants you to know about is the option to allow unlimited people inside a live broadcast. In the previous 7.9 update, they upped the limit to 1,000 and promised to expand further. Well, they did that. To take advantage, you tap "Video Chat" when in a group (or "Live Stream" in Channels) and that'll get your stream going. From there, you can share that stream to let the world in.

Other new features include more flexible forwarding, where you get to customize how forwarded messages will look. You can adjust captions, hide names of senders, change recipients, etc. For those who subscribe to lots of channels and have unread messages in them, Telegram is now letting you continue scrolling through the bottom of one channel and into the next. If you need to know what's hot in stickerland, you'll also start seeing a "Trending Stickers" section to let you remain as cool as ever. Oh, and while you choose that sticker, your conversations will tell folks that you are doing just that, sort of like a typing indicator only for stickers.

And finally, Telegram 8.0 adds unread comment counters in channels, plus you'll find new animated emoji (below).

Google Play Link: Telegram // Telegram

OnePlus Buds Pro Review: You'd Like These

Kellen — Wed, 01 Sep 2021 07:20:49 +0000

OnePlus has become much more than a phone company at this point and now dips their toes in all sorts of electronics segments. From TVs to "smart" watches and audio products, if you are looking for mostly-affordable accessories that often tick a lot of boxes, OnePlus has developed quite the catalog to choose from. Their latest product is the OnePlus Buds Pro, a premium pair of earbuds with a not-low-yet-not-high price, all of the specs and features you want in a premium pair of earbuds, and a design that doesn't just come off as another AirPods knock-off the CBP will seize at a point of entry. I've been wearing a black pair off and on over several weeks now, trying to decide if this is the ultimate pair of earbuds of the moment that I'll stick with going forward. Let's talk about the OnePlus Buds Pro.

What are the OnePlus Buds Pro? To quickly recap, the OnePlus Buds Pro are a pair of true wireless earbuds that cost $149.99 and come in black or white. They are the first from OnePlus to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC), which OnePlus says is "smart" enough to block out your surroundings with a 3-mic setup that “actively filters out noise levels of up to 40dB." They can hold up to 38 hours of battery life through the charging case and earbuds, but you'll typically see around "5 hours or so" of use when actually wearing them and listening to music. The included case has Warp Charge, so it'll charge quite fast when wired, plus it'll wirelessly charge too. OnePlus will let you customize some of the sound settings for the Buds Pro using a built-in audio app on OnePlus phones or the HeyMelody app on non-OnePlus phones. I've been testing on a Pixel 5 and Galaxy Z Fold 3, so you'll see that HeyMelody app here. Finally, the OnePlus Buds Pro connect over Bluetooth 5.2, provide low latency connections for game audio, are IP55 rated, and push tunes through 11mm dynamic drivers. The sound. We'll start right off with the most important piece and that would be how the Buds Pro sound. I tend to think the audio here is mostly good, even quite impressive at times. Once you get a proper fit, crank ANC to full, and run the OnePlus Audio ID test, you'll get the best overall experience. The Audio ID test provides a sound boost that brings the sound from bleh to pretty good. That said, I've found these earbuds to be hit or miss depending on the song. On a live track, like Gary Clarke Jr.'s When My Train Pulls In, nothing about the sound gives you the feeling like you might be in that crowd. It's not that the Buds Pro can't hang onto a guitar solo, but the soundstage is lacking somewhere. I've been trying to pinpoint it for hours, but all I can come up with is that the tuning from OnePlus is the typical heavy-on-the-bass design to wow you with the booms. As an example, I try to play The Weeknd's High For This every time I test earbuds because when it drops, there are few that survive. The Buds Pro actually shine a bit on this song! I threw other hip hop at them too (plenty of Drake, Travis Scott, J. Cole, my usuals) and they perform just fine, even excellent. But then in a bit of a contradictory note, Jeff Buckley's Last Goodbye is so clean on these, as is Everybody Here Wants You. So maybe just don't listen to live rock? I don't know. What I'm getting at is that the OnePlus Buds Pro certainly have many moments where you go, "God damn these are good buds that are easily worth $150." Other times, you wonder what's up. They most definitely destroy Google's Pixel Buds, for those wondering, and are a solid competitor to the Galaxy Buds Pro. As for the ANC, it's solid. If you want to disappear into song, you can do that. I didn't find a lot of variation between ANC off or transparent and ANC on, I just found that with a proper seal and a mid-range volume and up, these were blocking most sound.

The fit. Just being straight with you here, but the OnePlus Buds Pro are my least favorite style of earbud. I'm not referring to the dangly pieces that Apple made famous - I think the Buds Pro look great - but the actual ear fitting. To properly wear these types of buds and get a seal in your ear that can really push the sound you might want, you have to ram these suckers in there. It brings a level of uncomfortableness that usually makes me snatch them out of my ear within 3 minutes, drop them in a case, and never take them out again. With the OnePlus Buds Pro, they seem less intrusive than other buds of this style. In other words, I've worn them for extended periods of time and don't actually mind the fit. They are light enough, squeeze deep enough in my ears without them feeling violated, and don't stick out so much that I'm self-conscious of their goofyness. Overall, the Buds Pro are a quite comfortable set of earbuds that can be worn for long audio sessions without giving you ear fatigue and they look pretty damn slick. I even took them on a couple of runs and they mostly stayed put, though they did fall out once in the middle of a busy street. I saved them, thankfully. Battery life. I've talked about this in other earbud reviews, but I'm not the guy who wears earbuds for 8 hours a day. I work out of a home office, have had my travel cutoff by a pandemic, and typically only throw in buds when I'm working out in my garage or out on a run. Otherwise, I'd be that a-hole dad who puts in earbuds to try and break away from my kid and wife. I don't want to be that guy. Soooo, my sessions tend to last anywhere from 40 minutes to two hours and then they go back in a case. That was how I tested the OnePlus Buds Pro, and since they have 5-hour rated battery life out of the case, I most certainly did not kill them during a session. That means I used them for an hour or so, knew battery life was fine, dropped them in their case, let them re-charge, and then used them again without worry the next day. Battery life on these is fine if you aren't needing a pair of buds in your ear for 5-7 hours straight. As for the charging case, I think I've needed to re-charge it once during my couple of weeks of testing. It holds a lot of battery. Software. As I mentioned above, I've been using the OnePlus Buds Pro with a Pixel 5 and Galaxy Fold 3, so that forced me into using the HeyMelody app to get full controls. This app shows you the charge state of each bud and the case, lets you update firmware, change ANC settings, turn on a Zen mode to listen to white noise, and run a hearing test to give an audio boost that OnePlus calls "OnePlus Audio ID." There isn't anything special to the app or software, but one thing you have to do is run the OnePlus Audio ID test. Once completed, you get a major boost to the audio performance. Without it, the Buds Pro sound pretty flat and lifeless.

The app also gives you a handful of choices to control the Buds Pro with squeezes. Yes, that's right, you control the Buds Pro by squeezing the dangly ear tips, not by just tapping or gesturing on them. It took some getting used to, but I kind of like it when it works. A single squeeze pauses or plays, double squeeze goes to next track, and a triple squeeze can do voice assistants or previous tracks. The squeeze-and-hold can change ANC modes. Most of those functions can't be changed, so you better like and learn to use OnePlus' way. I do wish the app had an equalizer or a set of audio presets, something. Instead, you just get the boost from the Audio ID, controls over ANC, and that's it. Now, a lot of phones have built-in equalizers, so you may not care and you can often control those settings anyway. Still, it would be nice to have it all in one place. Final thoughts. This may not say much, since the last couple of releases weren't award winners, but this is the best pair of OnePlus earbuds by a long shot. The OnePlus Buds Pro can produce robust sound, have typical battery life with fast charging to boost it, and provide a comfortable enough fit to wear for hours. I think they look incredible in a sea of same fish and are priced to compete even if OnePlus didn't do their old trick of substantially undercutting the competition.

Shop OnePlus Buds Pro ($149.99)

Samsung's Android 12 Beta and One UI 4 Arrives in September

Kellen — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 12:02:12 +0000

Want to know when Samsung will release the Android 12 Beta with One UI 4? They told us to expect in in September, which if you weren't paying attention, starts tomorrow. In a forum post today, Samsung's "Beta operations manager" said that the One UI 4 Beta "will start in September" and that they can't wait for you to join it. Initially, it looks like the Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra will be eligible, though I wouldn't be surprised if they add other Galaxy devices shortly after. At this time, we don't know much about One UI 4 or how Samsung's skin will impact Android 12. What we do know is that Google introduced a massive UI change for its Pixel phones with Android 12 and we're hoping that Samsung can take those ideas and move them forward, particularly with Material You, privacy controls, and theming. The translation from the image below does indeed say to "Try the new Galaxy interface with Android 12 in the Galaxy S21 series first." So if Samsung is telling us September, when exactly will this first One UI 4 beta arrive? Last year, Samsung first opened the Android 11 beta for developers in August followed by a public beta for everyone else in October. I'd guess we'll see this towards the end of September, assuming Google pushes it to stable over the next couple of weeks. To get signed-up, you'll look for a special Android 12 / One UI 4 Beta banner in the Samsung Members app. The One UI 3 update didn't bring much over One UI 2, from what I can remember, but knowing how big of an update Android 12 is for Pixel devices, I'm sure excited to see what Samsung has done with One UI 4.

Galaxy Watch 4 Gets a Walkie Talkie App

Kellen — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 11:21:07 +0000

The Galaxy Watch 4 picked up a new app as a part of its launch that went somewhat unnoticed. A Walkie-Talkie app is available for those who know other folks who also own a Galaxy Watch 4, as that's the requirement for the time being to use it. A walkie talkie app, as you probably guessed, lets you have short audio conversations with two or more users. Unlike a traditional walkie talkie, this shouldn't require you to be within a certain distance, and should work from wherever. Unfortunately, the app is an exclusive to the Galaxy Watch 4 (review) and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (review). Samsung lists it as an "exclusive Galaxy Watch app," but it's not available to anything other than their newest devices at this time. That sort of makes sense, since the app is pushed through Google Play as a Wear OS app. My wife's Galaxy Watch 3 can't access it, of course, but there also isn't a version on Samsung's own app store that would work on Tizen watches. Either way, if own a Watch 4 and want to give someone an audio shout, hit that link below and then add an audio channel followed by people from your contacts list. Google Play Link: Samsung WalkieTalkie

New and Improved Pixel Stand Charging Speeds Will Make You Happy

Tim — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 10:08:28 +0000

In some really exciting news, it may not take 3 days to charge the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. I know that's a bit of an exaggeration, but Pixel devices have never charged as quickly as the competition. However, that could soon be changing and it makes us smile. According to a new report, an upgraded Pixel Stand from Google could charge the new Pixel 6 lineup at up to 23W. If those speeds are accurate, that makes it a very, very fast wireless charger compared to others out on the market. In terms of an upgrade, the original charged devices at a max of 10W, so yeah, this would be over twice as fast. This new info aligns perfectly with what we've already heard about a new Pixel Stand. Come on, Google, let's go ahead and release these things early. We're all ready to go. // Android Police

Samsung August Updates: Galaxy Z Fold 2 Gets One UI 3.1.1, Note 10 Lineup Gets RCS

Tim — Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:35:58 +0000

Many updates are headed out to Samsung device owners this week, with Galaxy S10, Note 10, and older Galaxy foldable devices all getting some love. I know it's almost parody at this point, but congratulations to Samsung for continuing its reign as King of Android Updates. All of these devices are receiving slightly different updates. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 is the first device of the older foldables to receive the new One UI 3.1.1, the same software that shipped with the new Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3. You can see what the highlights of 3.1.1 are below. Meanwhile, the Galaxy S10 lineup is getting the August security patch, while the Galaxy Note 10 lineup is getting not just that same August patch, but RCS -- more specifically, Verizon's Advanced Messaging -- as well. No, this isn't Google Messages and that RCS. This is Verizon's take on it, which is cool, but not exactly what everyone is asking for. Google's RCS should hit these devices next year at some point.

One UI 3.1.1 Highlights

Drag & Split: With Drag & Split, you don’t have to open a new tab and switch back and forth between windows. The feature lets you simply drag the link you want to check to the edge of your screen and open it in a new window.
Multi-Active Window and Natural Window Switching (Z Fold Only): Use up to three apps simultaneously and arrange them in your preferred layout. You can also adjust both the height and the width of the app windows to suit your needs.
Rotate All Apps (Z Fold Only): Apps will smoothly transition to the proper UX to match the portrait or landscape aspect ratio. When the feature is toggled on in ‘Labs’, even vertically fixed apps can be rotated 90 degrees.

Once updated and all is said and done, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will feature software version number F916USQU2EUH5, Galaxy Note 10 will have N970USQU7FUH3, Note 10+ will have N975USQU7FUH3, Note 10+ 5G will have N976VVRU7FUH3, Galaxy S10 will see G973USQU6GUH4, Galaxy S10+ will have G975USQU6GUH4, and Galaxy S10e will get G970USQU6GUH4.

Samsung details that the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will get the 3.1.1 update, as well as the Galaxy Z Flip 5G, and Galaxy Z Flip, followed by original Galaxy Fold. Eventually, they'll all have it, just not all on Day 1. // Verizon

This Wear OS 3 Situation Really Sucks

Kellen — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 10:51:35 +0000

Today should have been a big day for Fossil. The company announced its long-awaited Fossil Gen 6 smartwatch, the follow-up to the mostly enjoyable Gen 5, with upgraded specs across the board that should provide a dramatically improved experience. Unfortunately, the story from today's announcement has mostly focused on what's not a part of the Gen 6: Wear OS 3. The Fossil Gen 6 will arrive in about a month and it'll run Wear OS 2 out of the box, not the new Wear OS 3 that Google just released with Samsung's Galaxy Watch 4 line. We see devices launch without the newest software all the time, but this situation is different because Google has already said that watches not named "Galaxy Watch 4" likely won't see this new Wear OS 3 until the 2nd half of 2022 (next year!). So instead of Fossil delivering the new Wear OS in a month or two, their new and expensive watch might not see it for an entire year. We don't know why Google thinks it will take that long to upgrade watches like this new Fossil Gen 6 or Mobvoi's fully capable TicWatch Pro 3. There have been plenty of suggestions across reddit and internet forums that Google and Samsung inked some sort of exclusive for Wear OS 3 for a year. Neither has said that to us, but look, it sure doesn't seem like Google cares much about any other watchmaker having access for the next 12 months. Google did say that updating from Wear OS 2 to Wear OS 3 would require a full factory reset and some features may be limited. In other words, upgrading from Wear OS 2 to 3 is not just a simple OS change like we see from Android 10 to Android 11 on a phone. We also know that Google is allowing full Android skins on top (Galaxy Watch 4 runs One UI on top of Wear OS), so maybe part of the issue is that companies will need to do something similar to get the most out of Wear OS 3 - tough to say. But what's so odd about all of this, is that Google's biggest Wear OS partners (Qualcomm, Fossil, and Mobvoi) all seem to be completely in the dark about this new version of Wear OS. Shortly after Google announced Wear OS 3 at I/O and that they had teamed up with Samsung to launch it, we started asking questions about what it meant for other watches. Google didn't want to say at first, which led to Qualcomm suggesting all of its wearable processors would have no issues running whatever Google released. Google then had to respond by telling everyone to pump the breaks and that they'd share more soon. That's when they shared the unfortunate news about watches not seeing the update for a year. Even Fossil mentioned early on that the Gen 6 would launch with Wear OS 3 only to have to walk that statement back. Obviously, this entire situation sucks if you aren't Samsung, but it really sucks for Fossil. We're talking about a company who kept Wear OS alive for the past several years, almost entirely on its own. They've continued to pump out watch after watch, added useful features on top of Wear OS when Google wouldn't, and has been pretty darn good with updates. Fossil is the reason Wear OS didn't die 3 or 4 years ago. I genuinely feel bad for Fossil today. The Fossil Gen 6 was the most anticipated watch of the past year, before the rumors of Samsung switching back to Wear OS started. Once Qualcomm showed off its Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ chips in June of 2020, we started talking about how good Fossil's Gen 6 might be. Now, well, the Gen 6 is probably going to be a tough watch to recommend for the time being. Not only will the Fossil Gen 6 not have Wear OS 3, it has a less-impressive and older chipset than what Samsung just released in its Galaxy Watch 4 line. And to top that off, the Galaxy Watch 4 - again, with newer software, better processor, and more health features - starts at $50 cheaper than the Gen 6. I know that Samsung and Google teaming up for Wear OS is a big deal for the platform's future, but it also appears to have pushed those aside who kept it afloat. That's sad to see.

Google's Nest Audio is $80 Everywhere ($20 Off)

Tim — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 08:48:41 +0000

Nest Audio is down by $20 at pretty much all online stores right now, bringing the price to $80 for Google's Assistant-powered smart speaker. When we reviewed Nest Audio (review here), the takeaway is that when paired as a stereo set, they sound very full and amazing. As a single speaker, they are a great upgrade and replacement over the original Google Home, and especially so if you're upgrading from a Nest Mini or something similar. These are mighty little speakers, but because there are no ports on them, users may find they don't fit every need one might have a speaker. If snagging Nest Audio at a discounted price interests you, follow one of the links below.

Buy Nest Audio ($79)

Michael Kors Gets a Gen 6 Wear OS Watch Too

Kellen — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 06:00:18 +0000

You probably just got done reading about the new Fossil Gen 6 and thought, "Hey, this looks kind of nice, but what if it came in hella bedazzled colorways - that'd be neat!" OK, you didn't think that, but if you did, Michael Kors has some options. The Michael Kors Access Gen 6 Bradshaw is official and is really a Fossil Gen 6 only with a different name and different case. That's not a big deal or a new concept, since Michael Kors is a part of Fossil, but just so you know what's going on here. Since the Gen 6 Bradshaw is a Gen 6 watch, it has matching specs. You've got a 44mm case, 1.28" OLED display, 22mm bands, heartrate and SpO2, Wear 4100+ chip, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, two pushers and a rotating crown, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, NFC, and fast charging that'll get you 80% battery in 30 minutes. See, it's identical to Fossil's Gen 6, it only looks different. It'll run Wear OS 2 and should get a Wear OS 3 update down the road, there's Google Pay and Assistant and Google Fit too. My guess is that it'll differ from the regular Fossil Gen 6 with its own set of custom watch faces.

Once we have pricing and a release date, we'll be sure to update this post.

UPDATE: Michael Kors posted the watches and they run from $350 up to $425. They are listed as "coming soon." Shop those watches right here.

Fossil Gen 6 Official at $299 With Everything Except Wear OS 3

Kellen — Mon, 30 Aug 2021 06:00:15 +0000

The Fossil Gen 6, a watch we were once convinced would be the best Wear OS watch ever, is now official and it certainly comes close to meeting our expectations. This watch almost has it all, there's just one thing missing in the software department that folks will have to be patient in waiting for should they buy one. On a chipset front, the Fossil Gen 6 has the goods. It's the first Wear OS watch to run the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+, the slightly better version of the Wear 4100 that first arrived in watches a year ago. It was introduced alongside the 4100, just no one used it for some reason. The biggest difference, assuming our memory serves us correctly, is that the 4100+ has a special co-processor on board that the regular 4100 does not. For other specs, we have 1.28" OLED displays (richer, brighter and with more colors), 44mm and 42mm case sizes, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, GPS, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, heartrate and SpO2 tracking, 3ATM water resistance, microphone, speaker, and fast charging. Fossil didn't tell us exact battery sizes, but they did mention that you can get an 80% charge in 30 minutes using their PIN charger. Take that, Samsung. Battery life should last around 24 hours. For the 44mm model, you'll have 22mm bands, while the 42mm model has 18mm bands. Each weighs in at 11.5mm thick, with two pushers and a rotating crown for controls. There are several colors for each, with different bands available in different configurations, some of which you can see below.

Alright, specs out of the way, let's talk software. As you know, the Fossil Gen 6 runs Wear OS. Unfortunately, it doesn't run the new Wear OS 3 that just launched with Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 4 line and Google already said Fossil and other watchmakers might not be able to have it for a year. Another way to think about that is if you buy a Fossil Gen 6, this really high-end watch, you will be running old software for up to a year. Fossil has fully committed to providing the update, by the way. Now, Fossil has been pretty good at updating its Wear OS watches in the past, so they are promising additional software goodies outside of the Wear OS 3 update over the next year. Plus, they've included their important battery modes on Gen 6, a bunch of health tracking features, sleep tracking, and Google Assistant. Overall, the Fossil Gen 6 looks like an excellent smartwatch option for those who are fans of Wear OS. Even with the lack of Wear OS 3 for such a long time, the specs and experience we know from Fossil should leave you with a watch that'll make you happy. As for pricing, Fossil is going to run into a whole bunch of Samsung competition. The Fossil Gen 6 starts at $299 and goes up to $319. The Galaxy Watch 4 from Samsung starts at $249, in case you forgot. The Fossil Gen 6 is up for pre-order right now. We weren't given a launch date. The website says to expect watches around September 27.

Pre-order Fossil Gen 6

VIDEO: Galaxy Z Flip 3 Unboxing and First Look!

Tim — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 11:58:05 +0000

As I mentioned in my Galaxy Z Fold 3 unboxing video, we had a Galaxy Z Flip 3 on the way courtesy of AT&T. As you can see, it has arrived, which means I'm going to be very busy flippin' and foldin' phones for the next couple of weeks while I work on my reviews. Below, I unbox this gorgeous creature, going over its notable specs and checking out the hardware. To recap you, Samsung added water resistance, made the device lighter and more durable, and obviously tossed in all of the 2021 specs you would hope for. This is my first time with hands-on with the device, so I provide a few impressions in the video, too. Enjoy the video.

Order Galaxy Z Flip 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUmtUGJb324&ab_channel=DroidLife

Grab Google Pixel 5a Factory Images and Save Your Phone

Kellen — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 11:31:53 +0000

Google launched the Pixel 5a a little over a week ago and has now posted the factory image and OTA files for it. While not an update, these files could come in handy should you be the tinkering type, do something to break your phone's software, and need to get it back to normal. The images posted are for Android 11.0.0 builds RD2A.210605.006 and RD2A.210605.00. This is the June update, which is weird since the phone launched in August. I'd imagine Google will push Septembers update as the first because we got a mid-month launch, and then post those files.

WATCH: Google Pixel 5a 5G review

Again, these files do not mean much to most people. These files are there to recover your phone if something is seriously wrong with the software (likely your fault) or to update when a new build drops and you don't want to wait for the over-the-air push. As an example, whenever a new monthly patch comes out, I flash the OTA files to get it super quickly. 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.

Here's a Weird Google Pixel 5a Commercial

Kellen — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 10:35:55 +0000

That's all I really have to say about it. Please watch our Pixel 5a review if you haven't.

Fossil Gen 6 Looks Ready for Launch on August 30

Kellen — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:26:34 +0000

When Fossil teased their upcoming Fossil Gen 6 watch a few weeks back, they didn't give us a date to expect it. Now, in an early morning email to their biggest fans, they are saying that this Monday, August 30, is the day to get "first access." The email says that the Fossil Gen 6 is "coming fast" and that folks should "check your email on Monday for first access to Fossil's newest, most advanced smartwatch." There is a countdown to 2 days and some hours that lead to Monday in the early hours it seems. Now, in normal circumstances, we would be like, "Hopefully there are surprises and we learn lots of stuff about these new high-end watches that Fossil is promising big things from!" However, Amazon already told us the goods, revealing a number of models, colors, bands, the specs, and what the watches look like. We know there are model numbers of FTW4059, FTW4061, FTW4062, and FTW4063, that each has a 1.28" OLED display (416x416) and either 42mm or 44mm cases. We should get the Snapdragon Wear 4100+, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, water resistance, SpO2 and sleep and health tracking, a rotating crown, and around 24 hours of battery life. The prices should fall in around $300 to start. You ready for the Fossil Gen 6, even if it won't get Wear OS 3 until some time next year?

T-Mobile Security is Awful, Says Person Claiming Responsibility for Recent Hack

Tim — Fri, 27 Aug 2021 08:12:56 +0000

Earlier this month, it was reported that T-Mobile got hacked again and it was bad. Pretty much everything T-Mobile has for a customer, such as social security numbers and even device ID numbers were compromised, with the amount of exposed persons reported to be around 50 million. Thanks, T-Mobile. Now, an individual by the name of John Binns is claiming responsibility for the hack, even going into detail of how he did it. According to Binns, who spoke with the Wall Street Journal, he would scan for unprotected routers. As we can all see, he found one, which allowed him to access a Washington state data center that stored credentials for over 100 servers. Binns called T-Mobile's security “awful” and even said he began to panic when he realized how much data he had access to. T-Mobile claims it has since closed the access that allowed for this to happen. It should be noted that 21-year old Binns is a bit of an interesting individual. He already has a history with law enforcement, having sued the CIA, FBI, DOJ, and other government agencies to tell him what information they have on him. He also accuses the government of attacking with him psychic and energy weapons, as well as being involved in his kidnapping and torture. So, yeah, I'm gonna see about changing my social security number. Is that a thing? // WSJ

Netflix Gaming Rolls Out to Android Users in Poland

Tim — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 13:42:21 +0000

Netflix announced today that users in Poland now have access to something completely new, but if we're being technical, it's not really new at all. You see, last month, Netflix mentioned that it was about to get serious with mobile gaming, potentially publishing games either inside of its own app or just as a third party publisher on Google Play. Details were scarce. This week, Polish users can now find a new section for gaming, but in actuality, it's simply a couple of links to existing Stranger Things games, which have now mysteriously vanished from Google Play here in the US. The titles are Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3, which previously released for users around the world, but are now gone. According to Netflix, "Today members in Poland can try Netflix mobile gaming on Android with two games, Stranger Things: 1984 and Stranger Things 3. It’s very, very early days and we’ve got a lot of work to do in the months ahead, but this is the first step." As stated, this is early days, and we're still really confused what Netflix's game plan is. Guess we'll just remain patient and see what the deal is as this evolves into something hopefully better. // @NetflixGeeked

Please, Stop What You're Doing and Take a Speed Test

Tim — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 10:49:48 +0000

Earlier this week, T-Mobile was awarded the crown for fastest carrier in the US by PCMag, based on average download speed. As a T-Mobile customer, that's pretty cool, but doesn't necessarily align with my own personal experience. I live in a good area for T-Mobile coverage, but my speeds have never been all that impressive, and furthermore, I know that 5G icon I see on my phone means nothing when it comes to my speeds. I'd like to have a little fun now. I kindly ask you to stop what you're doing and to perform a speed test on your mobile network. You can use the Speedtest app, Google, or whatever you want. I ran a test in my home and came back with 38.5Mbps download and 34.7Mbps upload at a ping of 23ms. That's not terrible and totally usable for doing pretty much anything. However, with full bars of 5G, should I be expecting more? I mean, 100Mbps would be better, right? Feel free to share your test results down below in the comments and we can compare. Are you indoors? Outside? Where are located? Give us all the important details so we can put the test into context. Let's see those speeds!

Pixel 6 mmWave 5G, Powered by Samsung Modem?

Tim — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 08:52:06 +0000

According to a source of Reuters, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro may tap into US mmWave 5G networks using a Samsung modem. This would be a big deal, because as far we know, only chips produced by Qualcomm have connected to a mmWave 5G network on US soil in any publicly available sense. Ultimately, it could mean Qualcomm's tight grip on our country's cellular infrastructure might be loosening, which is a good thing. While Samsung has been chip reliant on itself inside of its home country, the company does use Qualcomm's chips in the US for connecting to 5G, so it's a bit surprising that Google may be the first to use Samsung's 5G modem here in the US. We're not sure if it's a cost move by Google or something else? What we do know is that Google appears to be backing away from Qualcomm as much as possible, as evidenced by its creation of the Tensor chip for the new Pixel devices. For those who wanted to know, Tensor is being produced by Samsung. In a good little piece of drama, when asked for a statement, Qualcomm said, "A modem is not enough to support millimeter wave in phones." Obviously, that's true. When Qualcomm announces new 5G modems, it's always about how it's an array of silicon and radios that go into making it work, so it's much more than a single modem. While these are all pieces on a chessboard for the big companies like Google, Samsung, and Qualcomm, we as consumers simply hope the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are good phones. Personally, not living anywhere near a mmW area, this move won't affect me, but it could affect many of you reading this. // Reuters

Samsung August Updates: One UI 3.1.1 Heads to Galaxy S21 Devices

Tim — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 08:08:54 +0000

Samsung is shipping out One UI 3.1.1 to Galaxy S21 device owners, the same version of One UI that shipped with the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Flip 3. It's the latest and greatest, people. A changelog circulating details that this update includes a new bedtime mode, updated weather app, faster animations, plus an enhanced Camera app. Once updated, the Galaxy S21 will feature software version number G991USQU4AUGQ, the Galaxy S21+ will have G996USQU4AUGQ, and the Galaxy S21 Ultra will have G998USQU4AUGQ. At the same time, other Samsung devices continue to pick up the August security patch, including the Galaxy Note 20, Note 20 Ultra, Galaxy S20 Ultra, and Galaxy S10 5G. All hail Samsung, the King of Android Updates (if you don't count Google).

// Verizon | TizenHelp

Video: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Unboxing

Tim — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 13:11:53 +0000

As you can see, our Galaxy Z Fold 3 order has arrived, but before we can get to testing and reviewing Samsung's latest and greatest foldable, we have to unbox it. Along with the Z Fold 3, we also received the Galaxy Buds 2, S Pen Fold Edition, and a wall charger, so we went and unboxed that stuff, too. Lots of stuff to unbox. We have all of the specs and features of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 right here. The main differences between the Fold 3 and last year's Fold 2 is the new IP rating, under-display camera for the main display, S Pen support, and the upped refresh rate for the cover screen. On top of that, Samsung decreased weight and overall bulkiness. It's a very nice looking/feeling device, so we're hyped to get to work on it. Check out the unboxing below and be sure to pre-order your very own before Samsung takes away all of the sweet pre-order bonuses.

Pre-Order Galaxy Z Fold 3

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wcLBs4MboWI&ab_channel=DroidLife

Android 12 Beta 4.1 Arrives for Your Pixel Phone

Tim — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 10:02:32 +0000

The Android 12 Beta 4.1 update arrived this morning, filled with fixes for issues inside of Android 12. No doubt, Beta 4 has been pretty darn good for testers, at least it has been for me, but it's still far from perfect. As we get closer to a final release, these dot-1 updates are certainly welcomed. The new Beta 4.1 update is available to Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 right away. We have both factory image and OTA files for flashing, but there should be an Android Beta Program rollout as well.

Release date: August 25, 2021 Build: SPB4.210715.014 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: August 2021 Google Play services: 21.24.18

Google says that this Android 12 Beta 4.1 update fixes bugs that caused boot loops, volume controls not appearing when casting media, a face unlock issue, plus more. Android 12 Beta 4.1 Downloads: Factory Image | OTA For instructions on how to update to Beta 4.1, you’ll want to checkout this post if you grabbed one of those files above. If you are a part of the Android Beta program, then you can simply sit back and wait for the update, or check for it by going into Settings>System>System update.

Galaxy S21 FE Cometh

Tim — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 09:56:20 +0000

It appears a few people expected Samsung to make the Galaxy S21 FE official at Unpacked earlier this month, even though that wouldn't align with what Samsung has done in the past. As far as we know, we're still on track for an unveiling later this year, likely around late September to early October. For anyone who thought Samsung had cancelled the device altogether, that's not accurate, as the device has hit the Google Play Console for developers. That's a good sign we're getting closer to launch. d d d

Plan to Pre-Order New Galaxy Foldable? Time's Running Out

Tim — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 08:17:34 +0000

Not to be pesky or anything, but typically, when it comes to ordering a new Samsung device, you want to get your order in during the pre-order period. That's when you milk the most value out of any trade-in device you might have, plus Samsung always offers a lot more goodies to entice you into buying. This Friday, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, along with other new Galaxy devices from Samsung, will be officially launched and the pre-order deals will be drawn back. If you were still on the fence, it's about time to make a decision. Allow me to fill you in on the pre-order deals, just so you're aware of what you might be missing out on. If you pre-order a Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung gives a $200 instant credit to ship for accessories on its website. That's enough to get you a pair of new Galaxy Buds 2, an S Pen Fold Edition, as well as a 25W fast charging wall charger. Personally, that's what I did. If you pre-order the Flip 3, Samsung provides $150 in credit. Both the Galaxy Watch 4 (review here) and Watch 4 Classic (review here) come with $50 instant credits. For anyone who pre-orders Galaxy Buds 2, Samsung will toss in a new Galaxy Tag for just $5. Keep in mind, the more costly foldable devices can be less expensive during the pre-order period, as Samsung tends to offer higher trade-in values during this time period. Because Samsung doesn't provide us with review units, this is what Kellen and I have been taking advantage of for a few years now and we have yet to have any issues. Long live Samsung's trade-in program. There are some other goodies that Samsung is offering, such as free Samsung Care+, as well as a new Try Now, Pay Later option for those who are curious about the foldable experience. With this, you get to try out a new Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Flip 3 free for 21 days. That's pretty awesome, right? Just don't break it, as it is an expensive phone. We don't have a dog in this race, but again, we stress that the pre-order period is the best time to buy a new Samsung device. This is completely different from past Pixel devices, where it's best that you never get a Google device when it's first announced. Instead, you wait for Black Friday or something similar. With Samsung, always go with the pre-order deals. Whatever anyone does decide, enjoy it.

Samsung Pre-Order Links

Fitbit Charge 5 is Official With New Daily Readiness Score

Kellen — Wed, 25 Aug 2021 06:00:47 +0000

Fitbit unwrapped a new wearable this morning, and no, it isn't their first Wear OS watch. Instead, Fitbit introduced the Charge 5, the newest version of what is their most popular fitness band, with upgrades everywhere, including new and important readiness software features that will stretch across additional devices. Before we get into the Charge 5 and the Daily Readiness Score, I do want to point out that Fitbit did tell us in a briefing that they are still planning a proper Wear OS smartwatch in the future and that they will bring the Fitbit software suite to Wear OS, we're just not there yet. They didn't put any sort of firm timeline on it either. OK, Fitbit Charge 5 time!

Fitbit Charge 5

The Fitbit Charge 5 brings an always-on AMOLED display that gets brighter outdoors (2x brighter), GPS, 24/7 heartrate, SpO2 monitoring, skin temperature tracking, VO2 Max estimates, Fitbit Pay, and up to 7 days of battery life. It brings with those specs sleep tracking with scores and stages, an ECG app, EDA scanning, stress management, workout intensity maps and workout zones, notifications and calls from your attached phone, and access to Fitbit's app, including 6 months of their Premium service for free. It will also have access to their new Daily Readiness Score, which is a coming soon feature. More on that in a minute. Like all of Fitbit's products, the focus of the Charge 5 is to give you an impressive overall view of your health and fitness situation. From stress management to improving sleep, hitting those fitness goals and monitoring your heart and its health, the Charge 5 can pretty much do it all. Plus it has the recently introduced skin temperature tracking to potentially tip you off to issues. With a slick new design with tons of band options to customize the Charge 5, Fitbit will begin pre-orders today, August 25, and ship in late September. Fitbit Charge 5 costs $179.95.

Fitbit pre-order link

Daily Readiness Score

One of the biggest new features for Fitbit that'll come to the Charge 5, as well as the Sense, Versa 3 and 2, Luxe, and Inspire 2, is the Daily Readiness Score. This is a metric that will tell you each morning as you wake up what level of activity your body is ready for each day. Fitbit looks at your 24/7 heartrate activity, heartrate variability (HRV), and sleep to come up with a score (to 100) that will help you decide how far to push your body. If the number is high, you are ready for heavier or more intense workouts, but if you see a lower score, it probably means active recovery would be best or finding more rest in a day. The Daily Readiness Score will show prominently in the Fitbit app, with individual scores for each of those three categories and insights into why you started at that score for the day. Fitbit will provide recommendations on the level of workout needed depending on those scores too. Again, this is rolling out "soon" and it'll be locked under Fitbit's Premium subscription.

T-Mobile is the New Speed King Carrier

Tim — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 11:26:12 +0000

PCMag has published its Fastest Mobile Networks 2021 report, and based on its findings, T-Mobile is the new speed champion. This is a big development, as Verizon has been the champ nearly ever year since 2011. There were two years where AT&T snuck in and stole it, most recently in 2019. That's not important, though. What is important is our new speed king, T-Mobile. According to PCMag's testing, while a few speed figures may look similar when comparing T-Mobile's network against Verizon and AT&T, what's important is the average download and upload speed, which is where T-Mobile really shined in these tests. While Verizon averaged a download speed of 93.7Mbps and AT&T came in at 98.2Mbps, T-Mobile's average download speed is listed at 162.3Mbps. It also averaged an upload speed of 7Mbps faster than both AT&T and Verizon, hovering around 28Mbps. Average speed isn't the only factor when it comes to these tests, though. As you can see in the graphic above, T-Mobile didn't get a clean sweep. In average latency time, Verizon came in at the lowest, while T-Mobile's 5G network availability also isn't listed as the best of the three. If you're only concerned with raw speed, Verizon absolutely dominates with its mmWave, coming in at a peak of over 2200Mbps. With the battle for 5G supremacy still raging on, it's becoming more and more clear which bet was the better one for these carriers. While Verizon focused on mmWave, which is hardly accessible, T-Mobile decided it would take its chances on purchasing Sprint, then utilizing its mid-band airwaves and utilizing it for 5G. So far, it's been working very well for them. Everyone's experience will be different. What works for me won't always work for the next guy, so it's important that customers continue to see what else is available in their area. You never know if there might be a better deal/service/experience around you. Now, if only T-Mobile could stop getting hacked. // PCMag

Norse-Inspired Strategy Game Northgard Arrives on Android

Tim — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 09:13:39 +0000

If you head on over to Google Play this week, you'll find a popular strategy game called Northgard getting raved about from players. Indeed, the Norse-inspired strategy game has arrived for Android, no longer found on every platform besides our own. In Northgard, you control a clan of Vikings and battle for control over a newfound continent. This land, while beautiful, contains mysterious and plenty of foes to defeat. There's big dragon things, zombies, plus plenty of other challenges to face. I'd liken it to older World of Warcraft titles, but that's coming from someone who doesn't play much of this genre anymore. There's a special launch price for the game, that being $5.99. That's down from the usual price of $8.99. Get it while it's hot.

Northgard on Google Play ($5.99)

https://youtu.be/cPA56VDJMLM

Google's Hiroshi Lockheimer Posts, Deletes Screenshot From Pixel 6 Pro

Tim — Tue, 24 Aug 2021 08:01:13 +0000

A key Android head at Google, Hiroshi Lockheimer, did a whoopsie last night when he posted a screenshot from what appears to be a Pixel 6 Pro onto Twitter. Lockheimer was merely detailing in the tweet that he was testing Material You and on his way to Tokyo, but eagle-eyed observers noticed right away that the screenshot appeared different from a typical older Pixel device. The presence of a large fingerprint icon in the center of the display is our first indication that this is a Pixel 6 family phone. It's already known that the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will offer under display fingerprint readers. Other information provided by a simple screenshot is the display's resolution, with the screenshot's dimensions coming in at 1440 x 3200. Also provided by the screenshot is Verizon 5G connectivity. Lockheimer has since deleted the tweet. We're close, people. This Pixel 6 hype is getting intense.

// @MishaalRahman

Google Maps May Soon Tell You How Much Your Road's Toll Will Be

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 13:52:28 +0000

Currently, Google Maps will let you know that a road you're about to navigate has a toll. That's super useful. However, the price of that toll is not provided to users, so it's always a bit of a mystery until you arrive at the toll. According to at least one member of the Google Maps preview program, this should soon be changing and Maps will be letting you know how much you can expect to pay at upcoming tolls. Should this be accurate and Google Maps makes the change official, it'll be more in line with what Waze already offers its users. For some time, Waze has provided an estimated cost of tolls, so it's a bit surprising that it's taken this long for the feature to be ported over. Better late than never. Google hasn't made this official, but once and if they do, we'll let you know how you can access it. // Android Police

Monday Question: Did You Order a Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Z Flip 3?

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 10:35:13 +0000

Pre-order numbers are being reported for the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. Not too surprisingly, the numbers are looking really good, with Samsung expected to end the pre-order period with somewhere around 600-800K devices ordered. For foldables, which carry an updated starting price of $999 for the Flip 3 and $1799 for the Fold 3, those numbers are very impressive. My question is, if you did purchase one of these foldables, I'd like to know why. Is this an upgraded foldable for you? Is this going to be your first foldable? If it is your first, what about these phones convinced you that now is the time to start folding? My theory is that the addition of water resistance really helped Samsung move some units. It's a very impressive feat to add an IP rating to a display that folds. I figured we were at least another year or two away from that feature, but no, Samsung delivered. Overall, both the Fold 3 and Flip 3 look like refined device experiences, so again, I'm no shocked at all that Samsung is seeing success with these phones. What I will not believe is that this has anything to do with support for an S Pen. There's no way, right? Let me know in the comments if you bought one of these devices, and if you did, please let me know why.

T‑Mobile Giving Customers One Year of Apple TV+

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 09:47:39 +0000

T-Mobile announced this morning that it's providing a free year of Apple TV+ to select new and existing customers starting August 25. Typically, we don't cover too much having to do with Apple, but there are some fine shows on the platform, and since it's free, you won't hear us complain. The promotion is open to Magenta and Magenta MAX customers, as well as other select customers that we've detailed below. The promo is good for 12 months, which is a value of about $72. Again, the redemption period begins August 25.

How to Get Free Apple TV+ for 12 Months

The promotion is open to all new and existing customers on Magenta or Magenta MAX — Magenta 55+, Magenta Military, and Magenta First Responders, as well as Sprint Unlimited Plus, Sprint Premium, and small T-Mobile for Business customers. Below are the specific instructions for redemption.

Magenta, Magenta MAX and small T-Mobile for Business customers can login to the T-Mobile app or my.t-mobile.com and redeem the offer in your rate plan details to start streaming immediately.
Sprint Unlimited Plus and Premium customers can visit www.promotions.t-mobile.com, login and then enter the promo code 2021APPLETVP1 to redeem. This route also works for Magenta customers.
Already have a subscription or trial in the works or in the past? No worries, you can still get 12 months of Apple TV+ from T-Mobile AND keep all your past history and purchases saved thanks to your Apple ID.

Thanks, T-Mobile. // T-Mobile

Motorola Edge (2021) Now Up for Pre-Order, Worth Consideration

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 08:28:44 +0000

As Motorola said it would be, the new Motorola Edge (2021) is now up for pre-order, and as the title of this post would suggest, it's worth your consideration should it tick your boxes. For specs, the phone offers a 6.8″ FHD LCD display with 144Hz(!) refresh rate, Snapdragon 778G processor, 6GB or 8GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage, 5000mAh battery with 30W fast charging, IP52 water resistance, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, bottom-firing speaker, and a triple rear camera. On the software side, Motorola has committed to two OS Updates, which is what I'd label to be the industry standard. Out of the box, you'll find Android 11 with Motorola's minimal My UX skin. The real draw is its pre-order price, which is $200 lower than its upcoming launch price of $699. Right now, you can get this phone for $499, which is a really strong and competitive price in this range. You can read more about the Motorola Edge (2021) on our announcement post, but if you're ready to get off of the fence, follow the link below.

Shop new Motorola Edge (2021)

Latest Galaxy Z Foldable Pre-Order Figures are Looking Really Good

Tim — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 08:03:58 +0000

We're now getting a sense for how popular Samsung's latest foldable devices might be, thanks to reported pre-order sales figures out of Samsung's home country. According to The Korea Herald, together the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 have accounted for 450,000 pre-orders, a very strong figure when you consider that these devices are still very expensive and last year's Galaxy Z Fold 2 rounded up a measly 80,000 pre-orders. We're talking a night and day difference here. Sources of the Herald indicate that pre-order figures could reach as high as 800,000 in total when all is said and done.

So, what's the difference?

Keep in mind that this figure includes both the Fold 3 and Flip 3, and for starters, the Galaxy Z Flip 3 is technically the Z Flip 2, at least in my eyes. The last sequel device simply added 5G, not worthy of an actual "2" name. Then, you account for Samsung absolutely blowing the features/specs sheet away with both devices, plus each foldable now offers water resistance, which easily got more people to jump onboard. From the objective tech blogger viewpoint, Samsung did really well with these devices, so it's no surprise they're selling as well as they are reported to be. For those who did pre-order, I can tell you that shipments from Samsung have begun, with packages expected this Wednesday. Sweet sauce. // The Korea Herald

Google Shutting Down Android Auto for Phone Screens in Favor of Assistant's Driving Mode

Tim — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 12:11:51 +0000

Google made it official today, that being the move to shut down the standalone Android Auto for phone screens app experience starting with users of Android 12. Taking its place? Google Assistant's driving mode, accessible via Google Maps when navigating somewhere. Here's Google's statement.

For those who use the on phone experience (Android Auto mobile app), they will be transitioned to Google Assistant driving mode. Starting with Android 12, Google Assistant driving mode will be the built-in mobile driving experience. We have no further details to share at this time.

Important to note, for those who use Android Auto in compatible cars, your experience is not changing at all. Same goes for those not on Android 12. As one reader of ours points out in an email, "This is such BS." Here's my response. // The Verge

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Review: The Only Choice

Kellen — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:09:41 +0000

After spending a solid 8 days with the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic on my wrist, I can tell you without hesitation that this new Watch 4 line from Samsung is very good. Now, I'm talking the entire line, which includes both Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, because not only are we getting Wear OS 3 across all, we get choice in styling and size and price point. Samsung really nailed this for those of us on Android. My review model was the 42mm version (unboxing) of the Classic in black. As you know, it also comes in a 46mm case and silver, while the Watch 4 comes in 40mm and 44mm in several other colors. For this review, I apologize for those who were looking for a written version, but don't worry, Tim is handling written duties for his regular Watch 4. Both of these watches outside of case size and rotating bezel options are basically identical. Our reviews should give you a good idea of what to expect from each, but also the entire line-up in general. The video below is quite long, I will warn you. I don't necessarily do flashy panning shots - I just talk through devices, almost as if I were writing them. So what you get is a conversation about the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, how it fits, my thoughts on the design and size and choices, a tour of Wear OS 3, a look at the Samsung Health tracking capabilities, and some battery testing numbers. Oh, there's even a quick comparison in size to the Fossil Gen 5, TicWatch Pro 3, and Galaxy Watch Active 2. For those looking for a written action, here is Tim's Galaxy Watch 4 review. For those ready to dive into 30 minutes of watch talk, the YouTube video is below and there are chapters to help you bounce around. Overall, my takeaway from the Watch 4 line is that Samsung delivered a couple of excellent watches. Really, these are the only Wear OS watches you should be considering. The others, even new ones coming soon, won't have this new OS for up to a year and they are running a chipset that is already a year old, plus Samsung put together the best of the best in terms of specs and features. It may look a bit too much like their old Tizen at times, but it works pretty damn well.

Best deal on Galaxy Watch 4 Classic from Samsung

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Lk6SyvPqw

Galaxy Watch 4 Review: Wear OS is Back, Baby!

Tim — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 10:09:18 +0000

It's no secret that I haven't used a smartwatch in a long time. Looking back, the last time was the TicWatch S2 back in 2019 and I used it for about a week or two. It was nothing special and certainly didn't move me towards permanently attaching one to my wrist. In a more broad sense, it's been dark times for Wear OS, with support for the platform very limited from Google and partners. Honestly, I thought Wear OS was a dead platform, soon to be shut down by Google in favor whatever its plans are with Fitbit. However, that changed bigly in 2021, with Google and Samsung announcing a unified, new and improved Wear OS platform. For the Galaxy Watch 4 lineup, which are the first devices to feature this unified wearable platform, Samsung has its very own One UI Watch software experience. That means what you see on these devices won't be what you see from other makers, but in terms of apps from Google Play and things like that, it should all be pretty similar. As I said, this is my first Wear OS experience in a while and I'm pretty excited about it. I've been using the Galaxy Watch 4 for the past week and would love to share my thoughts. Let's have at it.

What I Like

Hardware - I was provided with a Galaxy Watch 4 in the 40mm size, the perfect size for me, as I'm not huge on having some monster device on my wrist these days. For me, this 40mm is fantastic, though, it does come with a smaller battery than the 44mm option. We'll discuss battery in the dedicated section below. Galaxy Watch 4 features an aluminum case, as well as Gorilla Glass DX and 5 ATM + IP68 water resistance. That 5 ATM rating is good enough for splashes and swimming, but don't go out into the deep sea with it, please. The all-new 3-in-1 BioActive sensor Samsung has included on the backside of the watch offers continuous heart rate monitoring as well as a usable ECG, and on top of that, can provide real-time body composition percentages. The bands Samsung includes with these devices don't appear to be all that great fit wise. The rubber material itself is fine, but there's too much gap between the case and your wrist, at least when I used the stock strap. I know Kellen swapped his straps out, too, so I know it's not just me. I opted for a pair of Barton bands off of Amazon, definitely recommend. In case you do plan on getting a new strap, take note that every model of both the Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic take 20mm straps. For your reference, I'll share device specs. Galaxy Watch 4 (and Watch 4 Classic) runs the brand new Exynos W920 dual-core chip, with 1.5GB RAM and 16Gb storage, wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, NFC, and GPS. For batteries, there's a 361mAh battery in the bigger watch from each family and a 247mAh battery in the smaller versions, such as the one I have. The AMOLED display on the smaller models measures in at 1.2" (396x396), while the big ones are 1.4" (450x450).

If you're wondering how these will fit on the wrist, we have the following measurements from our announcement post.

Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm): 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm, 25.9g
Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm): 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm, 30.3g
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm): 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2mm, 46.5g
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm): 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0mm, 52g

Software - Samsung releasing new smartwatch hardware isn't all that exciting to me. This watch could have easily been Tizen-powered and I wouldn't have cared whatsoever. But that's not what happened. The big sell here is that Google now has a huge hardware partner for its Wear OS platform and Samsung gets access to an app store filled with apps. It's a win-win for consumers and both companies. As someone who hasn't given Wear OS a serious thought in two years, I must say that this software experience isn't bad at all and reminds me of why I enjoyed smartwatches back in the days of the original Moto 360. The watch can be as present and in your life as you want it to be, but the same can be said if you want the watch to take more of a backseat. For example, the ability to set which apps are sending notifications is a must, as I don't want my watch spamming me with every notification I get on my phone. For those who do want that, you can easily allow that to happen. Instead, I opt for a more fitness-focused experience with the software and I do that by starting right at the watch face. In the Wearables app from Samsung, which controls most of the UX on the watch, you can set whatever watch face you want, but then the choice of complications is fantastic. I can have a water glass counter to keep track of my hydration, a blood oxygen counter, stress meter (actually works, I tested it while watching a Giants game), or a women's health complication that will help track their cycle. If you want less of the fitness stuff, Samsung thought of that, too. You can change the complications on a watch to help control media playback on your phone, detail your upcoming meetings in the office, show moon phases, display a barometer, or whatever else. With this software, you can really tweak and customize the experience you get with the watch, which I appreciate as I find my tastes are constantly evolving. Navigating the software is also a breeze. On the Galaxy Watch 4, you can swipe on the display itself or use the capacitive bezel that surrounds the display. For those like me who haven't used Wear OS in a bit, navigation is similar to how it was in the past. To sum it up, you'll swipe in any direction from the main screen to access different things. You'll swipe down for quick system settings, swipe right for access to your tiles (workouts, ECG, stress monitor, etc.), swipe up for the app drawer, or swipe left to get into your notifications. Thinking back to past Wear OS watches I've used, towards the later part of my time with the platform, there'd always be some type of performance and software jank. Not on this watch, though. Whether that's the new Exynos processor and accompanying RAM or maybe optimizations made inside of the new Wear OS, the operation of this watch is very smooth. As someone who isn't going to waste time on a jank machine for my wrist, this pleases me.

Fitness Tracking - I used the Galaxy Watch 4 as a fancy step counter the past week, but also put it through the paces with a couple of rides on my wife's workout bike. It did fine, and for those that plan on really using this thing for fitness tracking, I know it'll serve you just fine. It did very well at tracking my heart's BPM, plus that body composition feature is quite insightful. And by insightful, I mean it's very rude and will make you feel like a fatty. The auto fitness tracking feature works exceptionally well, so long as your workout is either intense right from the start or your workout is light and continues for longer than 10 minutes. For example, whenever I'd walk my dogs, the watch would vibrate after I'd been walking for 10 minutes letting me know that a workout (walking) was automatically started. If you have a planned workout, you can easily access the workouts card with a couple of swipes on the display. There are presets for swimming, hiking, climbing, rowing, and what appears to be any other type of workout you can think of. Also nice is the fact that you can use whichever fitness platform you prefer, whether that be Samsung Health or Google Fit, or whatever. This is where which phone you're using can make a big difference. For me, using a Pixel device, I had to download Samsung Health, as I wanted to use that. For others, they may want to use another app, any of which can be downloaded via Google Play on the smartwatch. However, as some may already know, the ECG feature will not work with anything besides a Samsung device. That could be a dealbreaker for some. Other than that, though, I didn't feel as if I was missing out on anything, fitness tracking-wise, when using a Pixel device. Battery Life - Considering the size of this watch's battery, weighing in at 247mAh, this watch lasted me a solid day every time, no problems. Each day, I'd get up at 7AM, wear it all day, then take it off at 10-11pm and still have around 45-50% of battery left. That means I'd have no problem wearing it to sleep, but personally, I can't sleep with a watch on my wrist. It's just not something I can do. The only issue I foresee with wearing it all day and then at night would be the charging of the device the following day. These watches do not charge quickly, not by a long shot. In fact, they take about 2 hours to charge completely, which is somewhat insane if you consider the size of the batteries. We're not sure why Samsung couldn't include quick charging here, but they didn't and it makes the timing of everything a bit funky. For me, since I didn't want it for sleep tracking, it has worked perfectly to simply slap it on the charger each night and wake up fresh with a full battery.

Other Notes

Replacement strap size: All 4 variants of the Galaxy Watch 4 (that's 2 sizes of the Watch 4 and 2 sizes of the Watch 4 Classic) take 20mm replacement straps. That's just an FYI for those who like to change out straps.
Mobile Payments: Yup, mobile payments on this puppy are a go! Google Pay and Samsung Pay work splendidly via NFC, you'll just have to set a default in your settings menu.

Buy Galaxy Watch 4 ($249+)

Videos

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Unboxing https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRrnqrYehRg&ab_channel=DroidLife Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Review https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o9Lk6SyvPqw&ab_channel=DroidLife

Gallery

The Verdict

Wear OS is back, baby. If you bet that it'd have been Samsung to save it from certain death, congratulations, you must be some sort of Nostradamus. Samsung has a great wearable in the Galaxy Watch 4, easily worth its entry price of $249. It does everything I'd want it to as a light fitness enthusiast, but I know there's plenty more to be done for those who take things to the extreme. For someone looking for a simple, yet good looking extension of their smartphone on their wrist, don't bother looking anywhere else -- this is the product you want.

Use Cricket Wireless' $60 Unlimited Plan, Get HBO Max for Free

Tim — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 14:58:51 +0000

When shopping for a mobile carrier, it's so much more than coverage and reliability these days. In 2021, it's all about which provider is offering the best freebies, with Cricket Wireless upping its offering for $60 Unlimited customers to include HBO Max free of charge. It's a very straightforward offer: If you pay Cricket $60 a month for its Unlimited plan, you'll get HBO Max (the ad-supported version) for free. That's a $9.99/month value. And that's it. This offer joins Cricket's existing promotions of a free year of Sam's Club membership, as well as an Acorn promotion that has something to do with stonks. I don't follow stonks, but you can see more about the Acorn offer here. For those who may be curious, Cricket's $60 plan includes includes 15GB of mobile hotspot, 100GB of cloud storage, unlimited calls to and from Mexico and Canada, plus access to Cricket's 5G network for users with a supported 5G handset. HBO Max has become my go-to streaming service, so if you're in a decent Cricket coverage area, it may be worth a look. // Cricket Wireless

Motorola Edge (2021) Brings Solid Improvements, Great Launch Price

Kellen — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 12:30:41 +0000

Motorola dropped another new Edge phone on us this week, this time for the US. Dubbed the Motorola Edge (2021), this phone is more of a replacement for last year's regular Motorola Edge rather than the Edge+ that was sold exclusively at Verizon. This is an unlocked Edge phone with solid specs and a great launch price. The new Motorola Edge (2021) features a 6.8" FHD LCD display with 144Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 778G processor, 6GB or 8GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage, 5000mAh battery with 30W fast charging, IP52 water resistance, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2, bottom-firing speaker, and a triple rear camera. The camera includes a main 108MP sensor (f/1.9) alongside 8MP ultra-wide (f/2.2, 119-degree FOV) and 2MP depth cameras. The selfie camera weighs in at 32MP. You'll also get 4K video at 30fps on that rear camera, as well as FHD at up to 920fps.

Motorola is shipping this phone with Android 11, but does promise two OS updates over its life. The software experience is the clean and lean Motorola My UX that is pleasant to use, without a heavy skin or duplicate apps. It does have our favorite Moto software features, like Quick Capture, 3-finger screenshots, and customizations of icons. I think it's clear that this phone really is just the replacement for last year's regular Edge. Of course, it lacks the edge display, but that's fine with us, especially with a 144Hz refresh rate. Overall, this new Edge could be a solid option for those without a $1,000 budget. If interested, the Motorola Edge (2021) goes up for pre-order on August 23 and then ships on September 2. To launch, it'll cost $499 ($200 off) before eventually retailing for $699. Places like Best Buy, B&H Photo, and Amazon will all sell it. Verizon will sell its own version later this year.

Shop new Motorola Edge (2021)

Galaxy Watch 4 Band Size: They All Take 20mm Bands

Kellen — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 11:51:53 +0000

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic pre-orders are still open and no watches have shipped yet. As those do, or if you are considering a pre-order, you may decide that the included band with each is going to need to be swapped out. If you watched our unboxing, you definitely know that I am not a fan of Samsung's new watch band and immediately changed to a new one, as you can see above. Unfortunately, Samsung hasn't exactly made it clear what the Galaxy Watch 4 band size is. Tim and I know that the two watches we have take 20mm, but does that stand for all watch models, from big to small? It does.

Galaxy Watch 4 & Classic Band Size: 20mm

After trying to confirm for our own interests and those who have reached out asking if we know, Samsung has indeed told us that all models of the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic take 20mm watch bands. That includes both 46mm and 42mm Watch 4 Classic options, and the 44mm and 40mm Watch 4 sizes. If you are wondering how on Earth I didn't know and needed to ask, well, because Samsung doesn't appear to be openly sharing this info anywhere. I looked through every single press release and specs sheet I could find, browsed retail listings, and nothing. Samsung doesn't even tell you the band size for the actual watch band listings. The only place we could find it mentioned was on the back of the box for the review unit watches we have. Anyways, you get the point. So if you were buying a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic or Galaxy Watch 4, know that the band size for each is 20mm. If you want the watch band I switched to, you'll find it here.

PRE-ORDER Galaxy Watch 4 or Watch 4 Classic

LG Velvet Picks Up July Security Patch

Tim — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 10:00:10 +0000

Earlier this year, LG pushed Android 11 to the Velvet. Right before that, the company committed to 3 Android OS upgrades for select devices, including the Velvet, which means Velvet owners can look forward to not just Android 12, but Android 13 as well. That's pretty cool, if it actually happens. This week, Velvet is getting an update that features the July security patch, which may not be as exciting as Android 12 or even be the latest patch available for Android devices (that would be August), but props to LG for supporting phones still. Once updated, Velvet owners will see software version number G900VM10g. Also listed in the changelog are performance improvements, but we don't get specifics. Owners will hopefully see a better changelog when the update actually hits their phones. Have at it, Velvet peeps. // Verizon

Pixel 6 Charging Speeds Tipped at 33W, Foldable Pixel Delayed

Tim — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 08:47:59 +0000

Soon, Google will announce the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, complete with all of the device specs and pricing. It's going to be great. Until then, though, we're left skimming the Interwebz for all of the info tidbits we can get. The latest information centers around something very important -- something we've been discussing heavily this week here at Droid Life. According to a source of 91mobiles, who has been building a decent track record of delivering solid leaks and intel, claims that Google is testing a charging speed of 33W for both of the new Pixel 6 models. That's pretty fast compared to the current supported speed of 18W on the Pixel 5. While a bump in wattage is very welcomed, Google is still lagging quite a ways behind phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro and its 65W charging. I'm not saying they need to provide the same as Warp Charge, as that's something OnePlus has been developing for quite some time, I'm simply providing context for the 33W number. Believe me, I'm hyped for a Pixel phone to support speeds over 20W. It'll be amazing. The questions remains: Should Google include a charger with these phones that delivers the supported speeds? The community is rather split on this. Also tipped to 91mobiles is the status of the rumored foldable Pixel device. That status? Delayed. Since Google has never discussed the device, there's not much else to say, but it is reported that Google could provide a preview of the device at the upcoming Pixel 6 launch event. We shall see about that. // 91mobiles

Verizon Gives Grandfathered Unlimited Data Plans an Upgrade to Unlimited Minutes

Kellen — Thu, 19 Aug 2021 07:32:34 +0000

The old Verizon grandfathered unlimited plan that you've hung onto for all these years is getting a big upgrade at no extra charge. A number of customers with active gUDP plans received a text message from Verizon this week, letting them know that they now have unlimited minutes to go with all of that data. Verizon must be sick of tracking minutes on these older plans that folks are refusing to let go, and sent the following:

Good news! You now have unlimited voice minutes as part of your wireless plan. You can talk as much as you want without incurring minute overage charges. There will be no changes to your monthly plan price. Thanks for being a customer and enjoy having unlimited minutes!

A couple of our readers are on the old Nationwide 450 or 400 minute plans, where you really only had that many minutes to use in a billing cycle. It's wild to think we used to pay by the minute and text message when you consider that unlimited talk and text have been around for more years than I can remember. I got back as far as 2012 and Verizon was pushing unlimited talk/text then, so these old unlimited plans with limited minutes are 10+ years old. Don't believe anyone is still on those old grandfathered unlimited data plans? Oh they are. We asked just a few months ago and there were a lot more than I expected. Enjoy the unlimited minutes. Cheers Michael, Ryan, and Matt!

Samsung Wants to Store Your COVID-19 Vaccination Status in Samsung Pay

Tim — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 14:51:03 +0000

Samsung announced this week that it wants to make the process of showing your vaccination status super easy, which is just in time as many places nationwide are opting to require folks be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to attend select in-person events. Starting soon, people can add a verified vaccination status (SMART Health Card) to their Samsung Pay account via the CommonHealth app, which links directly to your medical record by way of your vaccination provider. Here's what Samsung says about it.

This new feature allows U.S. consumers to download a verifiable digital version of their Covid-19 vaccine record received from leading pharmacies, providers, or health systems and securely store it in Samsung Pay via the CommonHealth app on supported Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Samsung goes on to say that once a user's information is verified through authentication measures, users can download their vaccination record, then access it with these new SMART Health Cards when necessary, such as when travelling or going to a concert. Additionally, users can share the card securely as a QR code with trusted parties like a school, workplace, or somewhere else.

How to Add Your COVID-19 Vaccination Record to Samsung Pay

Step One: Download the CommonHealth app from the Google Play Store and follow instructions to access your COVID-19 vaccine credential.
Step Two: Once you have access to your COVID-19 vaccine credential within the CommonHealth app, click the “Add to Samsung Pay” link.
Step Three: Open Samsung Pay and click “COVID-19 Vaccine Pass” from the homepage.

Apologies, but to stop the spread of potentially misleading information concerning COVID-19 and the vaccines for it, we will keep the comments closed on this post. // Samsung

Saygus is Back, Not Delivering a Phone, But Being Charged With Fraud

Kellen — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:04:39 +0000

Long time readers of the site will know the name Saygus. The company who made a big splash at CES 2015 with a phone that promised the world, only to lie and delay the device for years without ever shipping it, was a punching bag around these parts as we followed and mocked the seemingly never-ending saga. It has been a few years since we last checked in with Saygus because the story grew stale and we assumed its founders had moved on from the scheme. While they may have tried to move on, someone very important and powerful did not: the US government. As spotted by Android Police, the US Attorney's Office for the District of Utah has charged Saygus founder Chad Sayers with one count of Securities Fraud. A trial has been scheduled for August 30 to address the allegations. What's the US government alleging? They believe that between 2012 and 2020, Sayers convinced approximately 300 investors to invest around $10 million in Saygus that would lead to "imminent billion-dollar success with the launch of a revolutionary new smart phone." But instead of ever shipping that phone and turning everyone into billionaires, Sayers used the money to pay down his personal debt and expenses (loans, credit cards, rent, legal fees, and personal car), to repay prior investors, and to settle prior investor lawsuits. Sayers also used $2.7 million for office rent, or $42,000 per month, to pay for 25,950 square foot of office space that only had 10 employees. The US called this a "Ponzi-like" scheme. Sayers also failed to disclose to investors that he had been trying (and failed) to raise funds for a smartphone since 2006, that Saygus had repeatedly failed to bring their phone to market by saying it was in "its final stages of production," that they had outstanding debt obligations to investors, and that they defaulted on prior investor notes. The US government wants $10 million from Sayers. Hey, at least they were going to ship the Saygus V2 with a charger, right?

What's Up With Google's Device Trade-in Values?

Tim — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 12:01:41 +0000

A reader recently alerted us to a discrepancy in Google's device trade-in values on Google Fi versus the Google Store. After taking a peek ourselves, we're left wondering, what the heck is going on here, Google? The example the reader provided was for the new Pixel 5a 5G. They were looking to trade in a Galaxy S20+, with Google Fi offering them a credit of $290, which seems relatively low for such a new device. They then checked the Google Store, finding that Google would offer them $580. That's a huge, massive difference, so much so that the Google Store's offer would cover the cost of the new device so long as you can cover the initial $449 purchase and wait for your refund. I checked this myself today and found the same. When buying a Pixel 5a 5G (or any other device) from Google Fi, the trade-in values of devices are seemingly always different from what the Google Store will give you, even when you're buying the same device. To me, a consumer, this makes no sense when you consider Google and Google Fi are ultimately the same people. Technically separate, yes, but still the same company.

Google Store vs. Google Fi

Kellen's first thought was, "Never do a trade-in with Google Fi," but after looking at different examples, Google Fi isn't always the worst deal. For example, if you want to trade in a Pixel 4a 5G, Google Fi will offer you $200, while the Google Store offers $150.

The moral of the story is, if you are on Google Fi, be sure to check both Fi and the Google Store to ensure you're getting the best value for your trade-in device. You don't want to leave potentially hundreds of dollars on the table when it comes to buying your next phone. We're watching you, Google. Cheers David!

Fossil Gen 6 has Leaked and Then Some

Kellen — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 10:00:45 +0000

The Fossil Gen 6, the single smartwatch that topped our on-the-radar list of upcoming devices for years because of how much we liked the Gen 5, has now fully leaked through Amazon. The listings have given us device imagery, prices, and a potential release date a solid month before it's expected to go on sale. Even though the anticipation surrounding the Gen 6 has dropped some knowing that it won't see Wear OS 3 for a year, there's still a big part of us that's excited for this one. Thanks to findings by WinFuture, the goods have been spilled. Almost all of the Amazon listings for the Fossil Gen 6 have since been pulled and we can no longer access them ourselves - outside of this one - but they were indeed there, as you can see below.

The Fossil Gen 6 will have several variants, with model numbers that include FTW4059, FTW4061, FTW4062, and FTW4063. There should be even more than that, but those were the few we found. In terms of specs, the Fossil Gen 6 will sport a 1.28" OLED display with a resolution of 416x416, either 42mm or 44mm steel cases (11mm thick), 5ATM water resistance, Bluetooth 5.0, and GPS with 22mm bands. The case has two pushes and a rotating crown, a feature I wish Samsung had adopted instead of the rotating bezel. They'll be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 4100+, the chip Qualcomm first released a year ago that never found its way into a watch. The Wear 4100 has at least shipped in a couple of Mobvoi watches. For health tracking, we should see heartrate, SpO2, and sleep. Battery life was only listed as being around 24 hours, but Fossil always bakes in battery modes that you'll likely be able to use to stretch that further. 24 hours also seems a bit short - I'd imagine they'll last much longer, even with everything turned on. Fossil is once again baking in fast charging that could lead to 80% in 30 minutes or a full charge in under an hour. For pricing, it sounds like $299 or $329 and an arrival date around September 27, assuming Amazon is correct.

Actually, In-Box Chargers are a Big Deal

Tim — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 09:27:02 +0000

Yesterday, Kellen spouted a privileged take about how it's no big deal that Google isn't including a charger with purchase of a Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. He argues that most people should already have a charger laying around (funny, that's Google's argument), and if you really need one, you should just buy one from a third party. Naturally, my dude got roasted and we received plenty of emails and Twitter comments regarding his post. As a bit of insider info, I can tell you that his stance is unchanged and his resolve has never been stronger. While I get where Kellen is coming from, as I find myself aligning with his opinions a lot these days, I will take a stance for the opposition on this one. To put it real simply, I find it so odd that a company can sell a product that relies on battery power, but the company doesn't include a way to charge the battery. For a child's toy, which typically won't come with batteries included, it makes perfect sense. For a smartphone? Not so much. "Oh, you want to charge the expensive device you just bought for upwards of $1,000? You'll need to buy a charger, too, even though we've included them in the box for the past 10+ years, sorry." In what alternate reality does that even make sense? It's a very Apple way of doing things, and as an Android diehard kind of guy, this honestly triggers me a bit. The 100% necessary charger should be baked into the price of the device always, not be sold as an accessory. People have other arguments, too, a few of which I can support as a conscious consumer. There's the e-waste argument, claiming that these companies are reducing waste by not including chargers in the box. However, we'd need some real hardcore carbon footprint data of producing the chargers and including them, versus someone having to buy a 3rd-party charger from somewhere like Amazon and needing that charger shipped separately to them. In case there was any doubt, Google is still making the chargers, folks. After all, Google has to offer them for sale to those who buy the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, so inevitably, there are some chargers that will end up in the trash or at recycling centers, regardless of whether they're included in the box or not. Plus, if we're being real-real, the e-waste argument makes sense when you're talking millions and millions of units, which is what Apple and Samsung sell. Google isn't touching those sales figures, so when we look at the amount of waste side by side, I have to assume it's not even close to the same.

Not All Chargers Are Created Equally

The one year Google absolutely needs to include a charger with a phone is this year. We're expecting Google to introduce a phone with high-end specs, not another mid-range wannabe like the Pixel 5. No offense, Google, but the Pixel 5 is pretty mediocre. Continuing on, the Pixel 6 will sport Google's in-house silicon, and after all of these years, we expect it to offer relatively fast charging speeds. This could be a big first for Google, as past devices have always charged on the slow side. If Google gives the people what they want, and plan to charge a lot of money for it, we should be provided with a charger that can take advantage of the new speedy goodness. As one might assume, not all chargers are created equally. Just because my OnePlus Warp Charger can charge a OnePlus phone incredibly fast, doesn't mean it'll charge a Pixel device fast at all. I don't think it takes much to realize this, so to ensure everyone has a good experience when it comes to charging the device, Google should simply provide a charger when you buy a phone. My last argument is a brief one. The charger situation could be seen as an accessibility issue. I take my mother for example. My guess is, if I had her go off and buy a Pixel 6, unless Google made it alarmingly clear at point of purchase, she wouldn't know that the phone doesn't come with a charger in the box. I wonder if that happened a lot of iPhone and Samsung Galaxy buyers. Did people buy a phone, get home, then realize there was no way to charge it? I imagine that could be very frustrating for people, especially if those people aren't very mobile or tech-savvy enough to quickly order one online. Realistically, I think the no-charger-in-box situation could cause more issues than solve, but that's just me.

Like the headphone jack and removable batteries, there is likely no amount of online arguing that will change what is happening. The best we can do is adapt as consumers, which simply means you'll need to either buy a charger alongside your new device or hold onto your old ones and reuse them. We may not like it at first, but given how history tends to repeat itself, we'll find something else to be unhappy with down the road.

T-Mobile Says 40+ Million Customers Affected by Cyberattack, Confirms Data Exposed

Kellen — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 08:29:34 +0000

Remember when we told you earlier in the week that T-Mobile admitted to a serious cyberattack on their systems that potentially exposed millions of customer accounts, personal data, and more? Today, the company is sharing more details, including how many customers they believe are affected. T-Mobile says it is still investigating the entire situation, but they can confirm that 7.8 million postpaid customers and over 40 million prospective customers, who had "previously applied for credit with T-Mobile," had their account information accessed. While no financial information was taken, there was a lot of other data exposed. Of those 40+ million, the hackers were able to access first and last names of customers, date of birth, social security numbers (SSN), and driver's license and ID information. The information did not include phone numbers, account numbers, PINS or passwords, or financial info, but yeah, the SSN and date of birth and ID stuff is pretty serious. In addition to those millions of customers, T-Mobile says that 850,000 active prepaid customers had names, phone numbers, and account PINs exposed. "Some" information was also taken for inactive prepaid customers, but no financial info, credit card info, or SSN stuff was in those inactive files. T-Mobile plans to contact affected customers shortly and is offering the following protections:

Immediately offering 2 years of free identity protection services with McAfee’s ID Theft Protection Service.
Recommending all T-Mobile postpaid customers proactively change their PIN by going online into their T-Mobile account or calling our Customer Care team by dialing 611 on your phone. This precaution is despite the fact that we have no knowledge that any postpaid account PINs were compromised.
Offering an extra step to protect your mobile account with our Account Takeover Protection capabilities for postpaid customers, which makes it harder for customer accounts to be fraudulently ported out and stolen.
Publishing a unique web page later on Wednesday for one stop information and solutions to help customers take steps to further protect themselves.

Good grief. If you are a T-Mobile customer, you should probably go reset some passwords and PINs and be on the lookout for an email.

Samsung's New Galaxy Buds 2 Already Discounted by $25 Before Release

Kellen — Wed, 18 Aug 2021 07:42:06 +0000

The new Galaxy Buds 2, which Samsung announced a week ago and has yet to fully release, are already discounted in all colors. Woot is hosting a sale on the new Buds 2 with a $25 discount. Since these are not yet released, the pairs you buy are indeed brand new, unlike some of the products that Woot sells. At $25 off, you can grab a pair of Galaxy Buds 2 in white, graphite, lavender, or olive for $125. Seriously, all four colors of the Buds 2 are here and discounted. To recap the Buds 2, these new true wireless earbuds from Samsung are 15% smaller than past models and 20% lighter. They feature active noise cancellation (ANC), touch controls, "booming bass," and up to 7.5 hours of use without ANC on (5 hours with). They also have quick charging, wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.2, and 3 mics. These are fully featured earbuds that were already priced decently at $150. The Woot sale only lasts for a few more hours, so if you need a new pair of earbuds and want to save some cash, hit that link below.

Shop Galaxy Buds 2 at Woot

You Know What Isn't a Big Deal? Google Not Including a Charger With the Pixel 6

Kellen — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 14:04:19 +0000

Google said today that it won't include a charger with the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro and we've already seen the folks - who get mad at everything - say they will no longer consider buying one. Don't be that guy. Don't be the guy who shouts on Twitter that he's "Going to make a statement with his wallet!" by showing Google that chargers are the make or break reason they buy phones. Remember when we assured you that you'd be OK without a charger when you bought a Galaxy S21? Same thing here - you'll be OK. "But Kellen, they've always included chargers and this is them being cheap and not giving us the stuff we deserve at $1,000!" Yeah, that's true, they are changing it up just like Samsung and Apple did. Let me remind you that you survived the end of the headphone jack and removable batteries too. In both of those situations, I think it's safe to say that the tech got better by killing off those older ideas. Wireless audio is incredibly good now and embedded batteries got bigger and charge faster in more ways. You've bought plenty of phones over the years and they all came with a charger. Many of you still have those chargers. They are in the cluttered drawer in your kitchen, the box in the closet with all of your old microUSB cables, or still in the box from the last phone you bought, because you kept using your old charger. Seriously, you have lots of chargers and there's a good chance that they will do 15W or 18W speeds and charge up that Pixel 6 somewhat quickly. If you fall into the category of human who thought you had to use the charger that came with your phone because your old charger might blow it up, well, lol. That's not the case, my friend. We aren't living in 2005 any longer. There are charging standards that companies follow. I promise you that it's safe to use a Samsung charger with a Google phone. When you get a Pixel 6, just use the charger from your old phone. Lets say the Pixel 6 arrives with 25W or 30W charging, will you be like, "Dude, I want a charger that can produce those charging speeds!" You may. If you do, Anker or Spigen or any number of brands will sell you one for $20 (or cheaper). It'll probably have multiple ports and simultaneously charge your laptop too. You know what else? It'll be a hell of a lot better and more compact than the charger Google might have tossed in the box. Besides all of that, you are going to quickly run out of phones to buy if not having a charger in the box pisses you off that much. Again, Samsung and Apple already cut them. If Google does too, that leaves OnePlus, who follows everyone's lead and likely will do the same before long. That leaves you with what, Motorola phones? Enjoy! But really, we don't buy phones because of the f*cking charger that comes with it just like we didn't buy them for the sh*tty headphones that Samsung and Google included there for a bit. Those were cheap bonuses in the box and we often replaced them with better options. We buy phones because of displays and processors and designs and cameras and software support. But you already knew that, mad guy on Twitter who gets mad at everything.

YouTube's Search Function Gets Cool New Features

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 13:02:04 +0000

YouTube is rolling a couple of new features for Search on the platform, the thing that allows you to sift through the millions and millions of videos hosted on the site. For mobile users specifically, you can now expect to see videos auto play (with no sound) when scrolling over them, similar to how another site, its name unmentionable, currently operates. This will help provide insight into what you can expect from said video. In addition, when a creator has created timestamps (aka chapters) for a video, you can now scroll through the various chapters before clicking on that video in search results, allowing you to jump directly into the section you need the most. To wrap it up, YouTube is also showing search results from other languages with automatically-translated captions, titles, and descriptions when "relevant content in the local language isn’t available." YouTube's example is, someone in Thailand can learn physics from a professor at MIT in their own captioned native language. More accessibility is always good. Expect to see these changes start hitting your YouTube experience this week. // YouTube

Nope, No Charger in Pixel 6 Box

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 09:39:45 +0000

Google detailed this week that you won't find a charger inside of the box when you purchase your new Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro. This follows other device makers, such as Apple and Samsung, who also recently stopped putting chargers in boxes. Google's main reasoning for not including a charger? It tells The Verge that most people already have a charging brick, so there's little reason to include another one with its new phones.

READ: Google leaving out a charger with the Pixel 6 isn't a big deal

The crappy thing here is, it's expected that Google will increase the charging speeds of these devices, upping them from slow-as-hell, to hopefully relatively quick. When we compare relatively quick to phones like the OnePlus 9 Pro, it's not really a comparison as that phone charges about 2000x faster than a Pixel device. That's a scientific fact. We've been begging for faster charging speeds from Pixel phones forever, so of course the year that Google may include it, you may need a special power brick to access it. Typical Google stuff. Moral of the story? Don't throw away your charging adapters, and if you do, you'll be buying a new one from Google or a 3rd-party maker like Anker or something. // The Verge

Google's New Pixel 5a 5G is Here and Costs $449

Kellen — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 09:00:51 +0000

A new Google Pixel phone has been launched, and no, it's not yet the Pixel 6. Instead, Google has pushed out the Pixel 5a 5G, a somewhat-upgraded version of last year's Pixel 4a 5G, only it has a price cut to go with the new goods. Up for pre-order today and launching August 26, the Pixel 5a 5G brings 3 new areas of focus if you are trying to decide what's new here. Those 3 things are water resistance for the first time in an A-Series phone, a much bigger battery than last year's 4a 5G, and a slightly bigger display. The rest of the situation is almost identical. So what we've got is a 6.34" FHD AMOLED display (60Hz), Snapdragon 765G processor, 6GB RAM, 128GB storage, 4680mAh battery, stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack, Titan M security chip, fingerprint reader, IP67 water and dust resistance, and a dual camera. The camera consists of the same setup we found in the 4a 5G and Pixel 5, with 12.2MP main and 16MP ultra-wide shooters.

In software, the Pixel 5a launches with Android 11, but will undoubtedly see Android 12 in a couple of weeks when it goes stable. This phone will also see monthly security patches, 3 years of updates, and get new features with Pixel Feature Drops. And that's really the story here. It's, as I mentioned earlier, a somewhat-upgraded phone from the Pixel 4a 5G. The rest of this story we know, because we reviewed both the Pixel 4a 5G and the Pixel 5. Oh, I've also spent the past 7 days with the Pixel 5a 5G and can confirm this to be the case. You should watch our Pixel 5a 5G review if you haven't already. The Pixel 5a 5G is up for pre-order now through the Google Store - it ships August 26 for $449. The phone is unlocked and works on all major US carriers with sub-6 5G. Google Fi will also sell it.

PRE-ORDER Pixel 5a 5G from Google Store

Google Pixel 5a Review and Unboxing!

Kellen — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 09:00:33 +0000

This morning, with the Google Pixel 5a 5G official, we aren't making you wait to find out the deal with this new phone. Not only is our unboxing here, but we've coupled it with a review that touches on the important details you need to know before buying Google's latest phone. To quickly recap, the Pixel 5a 5G drops in at $449, is up for pre-order now, and arrives August 26. The phone is very much a minimal upgrade to the Pixel 4a 5G from last year and really feels more like a placeholder until Google brings out the Pixel 6 and a new push for the Pixel line of phones. Not that the Pixel 5a is a phone to ignore if your budget is limited, just know that if you've read about or used a Pixel 4a 5G, you'll very much know the situation here. Note: In the review video I mentioned the phone being plastic, but it is indeed a metal-unibody design with a soft-touch coating. Sorry about the confusion. During the past 7 days, I spent a good amount of time with the Pixel 5a and came away feeling like this would be a solid choice for those with a sub-$500 limit on phone spending. The upgrades here (IP67, bigger display, and bigger battery) along with the $50 price drop from last year, create a package that runs well, lasts a long time, and can still take a good picture. There may not be anything incredibly exciting about the Pixel 5a, but I'm not sure there is supposed to be. Again, the Pixel 6 is coming and Google is expected to go big there. In the video below, you'll see what's in the box before we fast forward in life to 7-days of usage. From there, you'll get an overview of my time with the Pixel 5a, what the improvements have done for it, and who should buy it.

Shop Pixel 5a 5G from Google

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnYwSKhAY2E

CES 2022 to Require Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination

Tim — Tue, 17 Aug 2021 08:24:08 +0000

CTA, the body who oversees CES (previously known as the Consumer Electronics Show), announced this morning that it will require attendees to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination this upcoming January when the show kicks off. Typically, hundreds of thousands of people make their way to Sin City to attend the show, but with the pandemic raging on, attendance is sure to be lower, and with this announcement, we're sure there'll be a few more people who decide not to attend. Gary Shapiro, president and CEO of CTA says, "Based on today’s science, we understand vaccines offer us the best hope for stopping the spread of COVID-19. We all play a part in ending the pandemic through encouraging vaccinations and implementing the right safety protocols. We are taking on our responsibility by requiring proof of vaccination to attend CES 2022 in Las Vegas.” It's noted that CTA is also assessing the acceptance of proof of a positive antibody test as an alternative requirement and will share more details on this later. In other news, the vaccines work, people! If you're able to, you should get one. // CES

T-Mobile Hacked Yet Again

Kellen — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 13:48:17 +0000

T-Mobile confirmed a data breach has happened to their network once again, marking yet another possible event with which customer information was obtained by hackers. At this time, T-Mobile isn't saying how many customers were affected or how serious the breach was, but other reports are suggesting it's pretty bad. Over the weekend, Motherboard first reported that someone was trying to sell T-Mobile customer data that they claimed included info from at least 100 million customers. The seller showed samples of the data that had social security numbers, phone numbers, names, physical addresses, IMEI numbers, and drivers license info. In today's statement form T-Mobile, the company would only acknowledge that "unauthorized access to some T-Mobile data occurred" and that they closed the entry point the hackers used. They are, of course, now investigating further and will try to determine how many customers were affected by the breach. If you've heard this story before, well, that's because this is the third time in about a year that T-Mobile has been hacked, plus there were other incidents in 2018 and 2015. Getting hacked and losing customer data has become far too common for T-Mobile. As additional information rises, we'll be sure to share it with you.

Android 12 has a Really Cool Face Gesture System

Kellen — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 10:30:11 +0000

If you like the idea of using your fingers to control your phone less, with fewer physical gestures, but would rather not have to use your voice as a replacement, Android 12 has built-in a really cool face gesture system that may be the start of an ultimate solution. Buried somewhat deep into Accessibility settings, and pointed out to us this weekend, Google has added a new feature called "Camera Switch" that uses your phone's camera to track facial movements that can control your phone. The thought here is a system where you could perform a number of tasks on your phone without ever having to touch it. Using your eyes, eye movement, mouth, and eyebrows, someone could move throughout their Android phone. This new Camera Switch feature can be found by heading into Settings>Accessibility>Switch Access>Settings>Camera Switch settings. Once you move through that lengthy process, you'll end up at this screen below:

Look at all those settings! As you can see, the gestures include opening your mouth, smiling, raising eyebrows, and looking left, right, or up. All of those facial gestures can be mapped to certain options, from selecting something, gesturing to next or previous, scrolling, or going back home. Depending on how you set each gesture, you could easily move around your phone.

I played with some of the facial gestures for a bit and they certainly recognize what you are trying to do much quicker and more accurately than I anticipated. If you thought this was a janky, barely working gesture system, I have news for you. This seems quite polished for a feature we hadn't seen before. Cheers Hani!

Hurry and Get a Coupon Code for the New OnePlus Buds Pro

Tim — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 10:13:10 +0000

OnePlus is offering 20,000 coupon codes for the upcoming OnePlus Buds Pro, but you'll need to hurry, as it's first come, first served. OnePlus doesn't specify how much the coupon is, but since these buds cost $149, we'll take any discount we can take. As we already know, these Buds Pro are pretty slick, offering ANC, OnePlus Audio ID (a custom sound profile), as well as Bluetooth 5.2. For battery life, the OnePlus Buds Pro provide up to 38 hours of total usage with the included charging case and can grab a supposed 10 hours of use with 10 mins of charging. Hurry up and go grab your code.

Redeem Coupon Here

// @OnePlus

DEAL: SHIELD TV is $20 Off Right Now ($129)

Tim — Mon, 16 Aug 2021 08:48:11 +0000

NVIDIA is hosting a rare deal on its SHIELD TV ("Little Tube Guy" model), bringing its price down by $20 to a total of $129. The last time we saw NVIDIA drop the price of SHIELD TV was, checks notes, a whole month ago. If you missed out that time, now's your chance. For those who may wonder, yes, SHIELD TV is still a good buy. We don't expect NVIDIA to release upgrades to this hardware anytime soon, as it's already relatively overpowered for what you'll be using it for. You'll be streaming episodes of Mare of Easttown, Schitt's Creek, and maybe streaming a couple of games from one of the supported cloud gaming services. Latest intel on the streets still says Stadia is coming to SHIELD TV down the road. If you still don't have a SHIELD TV, you're doing it wrong.

Buy SHIELD TV

We Have Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic: Ask Us Anything

Tim — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 10:46:47 +0000

For most people, you still have a couple of weeks before your Galaxy Watch 4 order will arrive at your doorstep, so to maybe help pass the time, we'd like to host a little AMA, seeing as how Samsung hooked us up with both a Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. For reviews, I'll be handling the Galaxy Watch 4 and Kellen will cover the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic. We've been using them for the past 24 hours already, so while we won't be able to share a ton of battery statistics, we can at least answer general questions on sizing, features, and other things. Kellen and I will both hang out in the comments section below, so feel free to pop in and ask us whatever might be on your mind with these devices. If you haven't already, check out Kellen's unboxing and setup video below. There'll be plenty of Galaxy Watch content on the way. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRrnqrYehRg

Here's How Much Instant Discount Samsung Will Give You Towards a Galaxy Z Fold 3

Kellen — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 10:26:11 +0000

The best way to get yourself into the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 is once again through Samsung's trade-in program. As they have done for years now, Samsung will give you an instant discount if you trade in select phones towards the Fold 3, and the values are often bloated for the launch. The thing is, depending on the phone you have, your instant discount could vary greatly. Samsung tends to offer the biggest discounts on their new phone for those who have the model from the previous year. So a Galaxy S20 would get you the best discount on the Galaxy S21, or in this case, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 will get you the biggest price reduction on the Galaxy Z Fold 3. However, Samsung still offers big price drops from other phones, like the Galaxy Note 20 Ultra (probably because there is no new Note and the Fold 3 sort of replaces that line) or the Galaxy S21 Ultra. They'll also give you decent discounts for iPhone trade-ins, but not much for phones from Google, LG, or Motorola. OnePlus is not an option. Here's the breakdown of the instant discounts you'll see:

$800 off: Galaxy Z Fold 2
$750 off: Galaxy Note 20 Ultra
$650 off: Galaxy S21 Ultra, iPhone 12 Pro Max, iPhone 11 Pro Max
$625 off: Galaxy Note 20
$600 off: Galaxy S21+, Galaxy Z Fold, Galaxy S20 Ultra, iPhone 12 Pro
$550 off: Galaxy S21, iPhone 12
$525 off: Galaxy Note 10+
$500 off: Galaxy S20+, Galaxy S20, Galaxy Z Flip 5G, iPhone 11 Pro
$475 off: Galaxy Note 10, iPhone 11
$425 off: Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10 5G
$300 off: iPhone 12 Mini
See the full list of values for all phones

If you own a Galaxy Z Fold 2, you'll get an instant $800-off the Galaxy Z Fold 3, dropping its price from $1800 to $1000. That's the best deal there is. Since not many of you are likely to own that phone, the Note 20 Ultra is the 2nd best value at $750-off. The overall best value might be the iPhone 11 Pro Max, though, with a $650 discount as an almost-2-year-old phone. Not familiar with Samsung's trade-in program? It's pretty awesome. Those values above come off the purchase of the Z Fold 3 today. This isn't a trade-in program where you trade your phone in and don't receive that value for weeks later in the form of one of those awful gift cards. This discount comes off today and you then send in your phone after you receive your new one to confirm with Samsung you weren't lying. For bonuses in this pre-order period, Samsung is also throwing in up to a $200 credit to spend on accessories, like the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Buds 2. A 12-month subscription to Samsung Care+ is included as well. The time to buy a Galaxy Z Fold 3 is now because you won't see these trade-in values for long and those bonuses are surely going away on August 26.

PRE-ORDER Galaxy Z Fold 3 today

Samsung August Updates: Galaxy S9 and S9+, S20 FE Get Latest Patch

Tim — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 08:17:35 +0000

New security updates are rolling out to additional Samsung devices this month, specifically the Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, and Galaxy S20 FE. As we keep saying, not counting Google, Samsung continues to set the example of how software updates should be handled. It took them a long time to get here, but we've made it and it feels amazing. Inside of the update, all three devices receive the August security patch. Nothing else is listed in the changelog. Once updated, Galaxy S9 owners will have software version G960USQS9FUG2, S9+ owners will have G965USQS9FUG2, and the Galaxy S20 FE will see G781VSQU4DUG6. You can check for the update by heading into Settings>About phone>System updates>Check for updates. // Verizon [2] [3]

Android 12 Should Be Here Any Day, So Motorola is Updating the Razr to Android 11

Kellen — Fri, 13 Aug 2021 08:13:37 +0000

I thought it was a typo or a misprint at first, but then I looked at the date. Motorola really is updating the Razr 5G on Verizon to Android 11 today. I said Android 11 in case you missed that, a build of Android that Google released, well, almost a year ago. Not that an update this big, showing up this late, is a surprise, but it's still a bit jarring to see. Remember that Motorola shipped the phone initially with Android 9 in February 2020, even though Android 10 was months old, and then finally updated to Android 10 in May of 2020. This one is really late, though. If for some reason you still have a Motorola Razr 5G, and it's still working, the update to Android 11 arrives as build RPV31.Q2-62-7-10 with the July Android security patch. As for new features, it'll change up your notifications panel with the "Conversations" area and bring the new home controls shortcut within the power menu. Both of those features have changed significantly in Android 12, just so you know. To grab the update, head into Settings>About phone>System update. On a related note, be sure to read our original Motorola Razr review if you haven't.

Google Fi's First Foldable is the Galaxy Z Flip 3

Tim — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 14:24:02 +0000

Google Fi picked up its first foldable this week, now offering the new Galaxy Z Flip 3 on pre-order, with shipments expected later this month. The phone is the same price as it is anywhere else, that being $999, but Google Fi does offer trade-in promotions and other account bonuses should you port your number to Fi. As for the Z Flip 3, it's a pretty sweet device. Samsung has essentially upgraded the device in every possible way. The cover display has been enlarged, it has an updated camera system, improved hardware, plus an IPX8 rating for water resistance. And considering it costs $999, that's pretty damn impressive on Samsung's part. Naturally, Google Fi ensures that this phone was designed to work on multiple cell networks, which is still the whole point of the service. If you're on Fi and want to get into the foldable game, follow the link below. Should $999 up front be too much, payments appear to start at $41/month.

Google Fi Store

Samsung August Updates: Galaxy Note 9 Gets Yet Another Patch

Kellen — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 14:13:04 +0000

The Galaxy Note 9, an aging Samsung phone that continues to receive monthly updates, grabbed another today before phones much newer than itself. The update is (expectedly) minor, but we love to see it. Like the Galaxy S21 line last week, the Note 9 is picking up the August Android security patch. Verizon's version of the phone is the first to do so, and Big Red only lists this as including the new security goods. There aren't performance improvements or new camera features or anything fun, unfortunately. If you own the Galaxy Note 9, be on the lookout for build QP1A.190711.020.N960USQS9FUG2. You can check for the update by heading into Settings>About phone>System updates>Check for updates.

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Unboxing, Setup, and Tour!

Kellen — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 11:50:26 +0000

It has been so long since we've produced a non-podcast video that I'm not sure how well this went, but hey, we have a new video for you! Samsung sent over a Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (and Galaxy Watch 4) for us to checkout and so we gave it the ol' unboxing treatment. However, we also gave first impressions and walked through the entire setup process, since this is a Samsung and Wear OS 3 experience. I can't imagine you need a recap on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, so I'll spare you that. Instead, what you need to know here is that this video goes from in the box to out, paired with a Samsung phone all of the through the setup, with a quick OS tour to round things out. Oh, we also go on-wrist and dive into those initial thoughts. We are quite excited to spend some time with the first Wear OS 3 watch that also happens to be made by Samsung with the latest in smartwatch specs. Stay tuned for more!

PRE-ORDER your Galaxy Watch 4 here

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

Verizon Hands Out Up to 12 Months of AMC+ to Unlimited, Fios Customers

Tim — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 10:12:19 +0000

Verizon announced this morning that it is now offering free timed subscriptions to AMC+ to select customers, just in time for the premier of the final season for The Walking Dead. As a side note, I had no idea that show was still going. Cool! In order to get in on the free AMC+ action, there are some requirements. Those are all listed below, but the main gist is that you'll need a new account or need to do upgrade your phone. If you're simply upgrading, Verizon is providing six free months. For Fios customers, you'll need a completely new account to get 12 free months of AMC+.

How to Get Free AMC+

Verizon Unlimited On Your Mobile Account

Verizon customers who purchase a 5G phone on a Verizon device payment plan can get AMC+ streaming for free when:

When activating a new line, a new or existing Verizon customer who purchases a 5G phone on a device payment plan with Play More, Do More, or Get More Unlimited plan gets 12 months of AMC+ streaming for free.
A new customer who purchases a 5G phone on a Start Unlimited plan gets six months of AMC+ streaming for free.
When upgrading to a 5G phone on the same line, existing customers on a Verizon Unlimited plan get six months of AMC+ streaming for free.

AMC+ for Verizon Fios Customers

New Verizon Fios customers who sign up for one of the new Mix & Match on Fios home Internet plans — with no data caps and no annual contracts — get 12 months of AMC+ streaming for free.

If you need to get in on that Walking Dead final season, follow the link below to begin shopping for a new Verizon phone or Fios account.

Verizon Links: Phones | Fios

// Verizon

Pixel 6 Lineup Hinted to Have Camera Upgrade It's Been Needing

Tim — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 08:47:50 +0000

Google's Pixel devices have been using the same Sony-made IMX363 sensor for what feels like years, and finally, it appears the Pixel 6 lineup is getting the upgrade we've been waiting for. This is red alert Mega-Man, people. According to code found in the latest beta Android 12, Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro buyers can look forward to what appears to be a Samsung-made 50-megapixel camera, specifically an ISOCELL GN1 image sensor. Samsung has all of the GN1 specs and features right here. The main highlights include the Dual Pixel focusing system, which if you have any experience with new Samsung devices, is very fast and accurate. Code also points to the inclusion of Samsung's Exynos 5123 5G modem, at least in some possible regional situations. This particular Exynos modem would be paired with Google's Tensor chip, allowing for sub-6GHz and mmW 5G connectivity. A bit of code magic was required for XDA to get any of this info, so we thank them for their efforts. I'm so ready for the Pixel 6. // XDA

Best Buy Will Give You $50 to Pre-Order a Galaxy Watch 4

Kellen — Thu, 12 Aug 2021 07:55:49 +0000

Assuming you've been contemplating a pre-order since the moment Samsung announced the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you have probably also been trying to find the best deal. While Samsung will give you discounts if you have other devices to trade-in, places like Best Buy offer a decent alternative. How does an extra $50 to spend, sound? If you pre-order any Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic from Best Buy, they'll give you a $50 gift card to go with it. Now, to be clear, Samsung will also give you $50 in credit to spend, but that's only at Samsung's shop, which is limited to Samsung stuff. A Best Buy gift card (obviously) can go towards anything that Best Buy sells and is a better option. The Galaxy Watch 4 starts at $249 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic starts at $349, so you'll pay that upfront, wait until your device order is fulfilled (probably when it ships), and then an e-gift card will arrive in your inbox. You can then spend that $50 on whatever else Best Buy has that you need. Pre-order from Best Buy: Galaxy Watch 4 | Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Need an alternate deal? Amazon is selling both watches with a free Duo fast wireless charger.

Verizon's Fastest 5G Comes to New Batch of Cities

Kellen — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:53:54 +0000

The big story of the day is everything that Samsung announced, from the Galaxy Z Fold 3 to the new Galaxy Watch 4 line. And look, all of those devices will probably be awesome and we'll have them eventually to bring you all the coverage. I wanted to make sure you didn't miss Verizon news, though, as it might mean big things for your speeds from those new devices. Today, Verizon announced another batch of 5G home and 5G Ultra Wideband cities. This isn't a huge expansion, but it does include one of the first Oregon cities, for all the homies out here on the west coast. If you live in Gresham, OR or Austin, TX or Birmingham, AL, you can access 5G Ultra Wideband (mmW) in select neighborhoods on your 5G-equipped Verizon phone. This is the silly-fast 5G that could show you speeds up to 2Gbps. Just remember that this version of 5G is also the toughest to find and requires mostly outside, direct-line-of-site connections in order to work. As for the other side of Verizon's 5G, customers in Austin, Gresham, Albuquerque (NM), Little Rock (AR), and Nashville (TN) all have access to Verizon 5G Home as well. Want to know all about Verizon 5G Home, the types of freebies you can have, and what it might cost? This is the post for you. With these new additions, Verizon 5G Ultra Wideband is now in 78 cities, and 5G Home is in 52 cities. Curious if any of you are on Verizon 5G Home - how is it?

PRE-ORDER Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

Your Nest Hub Can Now Display Air Quality

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 12:02:08 +0000

At least here in the PNW, it's wildfire season, which means really, really bad air quality. Thanks to Google, we can now monitor our crappy air right on our Nest Hub and Nest Hub Max devices. Starting this week, you can add a new AQI (air quality index) widget to your home screen, as well as get alerts from Google when the air quality isn't looking too hot. Additionally, you can simply ask Google what your local air quality is looking like. It's a really brutal time of year for many people, so as a kind reminder to everyone, please be careful when hosting your gender reveals or tossing out your cigarettes. Please! // Google

What’s New in Android 12 Beta 4?

Kellen — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:38:49 +0000

The final Android 12 Beta just dropped and we've already got it up and running on our Pixel 5 to look for changes. I can't say that we are expecting a ton, as this is the fourth beta and has finalized features, but there is always a chance that Google slipped in some new stuff. In this post, we'll do our best to document the biggest changes, assuming there are any.

Android 12 Easter Egg!

The Android 12 Easter Egg is indeed here. If you head into Settings>About Phone and then tap on the Android version "12," you'll get to the Android Version page. While there, tap 3 times quickly on the 12 and you should see the above clock image show up. If you twist the time to 12 o'clock, it'll flip over to a colorful 12 image with plenty of circles.

Icon theming now in "beta"

In Android 12 Beta 3, Google first introduced us to system icon theming that really only added wallpaper-theme matching to Google apps. They are now labeling this as a "Beta" feature. Who knows why, but it's a change.

Internet pop-up improves again

Google continues to tweak the Internet pop-up, this time by adding simple toggles to turn off WiFi or mobile data. In Beta 3, they added a WiFi-off option, but it was weirdly placed in the bottom left corner. This new toggle makes a lot more sense.

Still broken...

The search box in the app drawer still appears to be broken. It kind of works, but yeah, still looking like a 12-year old unpaid intern submitted their first assignment and was promptly let go. Updating! But there isn't much here...

Android 12 Beta 4 is Here for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 10:00:16 +0000

The final Android 12 Beta arrives today for Pixel phone owners, bringing us oh-so-close to stable Android 12 that'll arrive to phones around the globe. We've actually reached platform stability now with Android 12 Beta 4, so expect a really solid build that you shouldn't hesitate in running on your own device.

What's new in Android 12 Beta 4?

In a blog post detailing the release, Google says to expect the app-facing surfaces and behaviors to be finalized and that all features are locked in for the upcoming final release. Good confirms that it is now shifting focus to polishing, performance, and making sure stability is on point. Will we see a bunch of changes to talk about? Tough to say, but we're digging in now.

How to install Android 12 Beta 4

Release date: August 11, 2021 Build: SPB4.210715.011 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: August 2021 Google Play services: 21.24.18

Google Updates a Bunch of Wear OS Apps for Galaxy Watch 4, But There's Bad News

Kellen — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 08:43:53 +0000

Samsung just announced the Galaxy Watch 4 line with the new Wear OS 3 platform and Google then followed up to talk about new experiences they'll launch with it. They mostly revealed a bunch of big app updates that'll work on Wear OS 3 watches, but also acknowledged that Wear OS 2 watches are going to start getting left out. In a bigger blog post, Google talked about 5 things to try with the new Galaxy Watch 4 and Wear OS 3, where they highlighted big updates coming to Google Maps, Google Messages, Google Pay, YouTube Music, and a bundle of other apps. The focus will be on UI overhauls that bring in Material You to prepare each watch for a future filled with Android 12. For Google Maps, the update is going to bring turn-by-turn directions from phone to watch, syncing between Maps on phone and watch, shortcuts for home/work, and recent searches for easy access. You can see a preview of the new UI above. Google Messages (also above), is getting that same UI overhaul, as is Google Pay, although Pay is seeing expanded support to 16 new countries including Belgium, Brazil, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Hong Kong, Ireland, New Zealand, Norway, Slovakia, Sweden, Taiwan, Ukraine, and United Arab Emirates. One of the biggest announcements is for YouTube Music, which means Google is finally launching a YouTube Music app on watches, starting with the Galaxy Watch 4. This standalone app offers music downloads (for Premium users), a smart downloads feature, and the tailored playlists the service is good at. And finally, Google showed off brief screens (below) of updated Wear OS apps from Calm, Komoot, MyFitnessPal, Period Tracker, Sleep Cycle, Spotify, and Strava. There should be more on the way, as well as new Tiles from many of these apps. All of that is coming to Wear OS 3 and the Galaxy Watch 4. That's the good news.

PRE-ORDER Galaxy Watch 4

In the bad news department, Google is suggesting that not all of this will be available for Wear OS 2 and older watches. In a separate post to the Wear OS help forum, Google would only confirm that the new Google Pay, Google Messages, and select new app experiences would come to the older platform. You'll notice I left out Google Maps and the new YouTube Music app. I know we shouldn't be surprised by new experiences going to this all new Wear OS 3 platform and many of them not being made available to older Wear OS 2 devices, but it still stings. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRrnqrYehRg

Pre-Order the Latest Samsung Devices Right Now

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:17:33 +0000

Pre-orders are now live for all of the Samsung devices that were announced this morning. That means you can now order your very own Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, or Galaxy Buds 2. Fun! As always, pre-ordering a Galaxy device has big benefits. For example, Samsung is tossing in instant credit towards other devices when you order a Fold 3 or Flip 3, essentially netting you a free pair of Galaxy Buds 2 if that's what you choose to get. We always recommending pre-ordering when possible, and on top of that, use a trade-in if available, too. You can score big savings from Samsung that way. Follow the links below to get started.

Samsung Store Links

What are you planning to pick up?

Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are Official and We Want 'Em

Kellen — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:52 +0000

Samsung unveiled its new smartwatches today, alongside its new foldables. The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic are official, with pricing, specs, and new details about the new Wear OS 3 and One UI Watch they'll run. Before we get too deep into this, let's make sure everyone understands which watch is which. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is the watch above, with classic watch styling and a rotating bezel. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the device below, with a simpler design that lacks the physical rotating bezel. We thought this was going to be called the Galaxy Watch Active 4 before Samsung shortened it up. All good? Let's talk about what we now know.

Wear OS 3

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic are the first to run the new Wear OS platform that Google and Samsung co-developed. It also runs Samsung's One UI Watch, a take on its One UI, only built for watches and what Samsung is calling their "most intuitive user interface yet." We won't know how good (or bad) the new Wear OS 3 is until we get these watches on the wrist. However, Samsung is talking about it as if this is the future. The Watch 4 line will automatically add compatible apps from your phone, auto switch earbuds between watch and phone, allow you to run assistants (like Bixby), use the bezel or gesture controls for navigation, and access all of the apps Samsung watch owners have been missing out on. We're talking about Google Maps, a bunch of third party apps, and more.

So many health goodies

Outside of the OS, Samsung is really pitching these watches as fitness or health companions. They both feature a "groundbreaking" BioActive Sensor that has 3 sensors on a single chip for optical heart rate, electrical heart, and bioelectrical impedance analysis. You can monitor blood pressure, detect an AFib irregular heartbeat, measure blood oxygen level, and calculate your body composition. That composition includes your skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, and body water and body fat percentage. Of course, sleep tracking is here, with complete pictures of your sleep patterns and snore detection. Yes, the Galaxy Watch 4 will track your snoring.

Specs!

As for specs, both watches are very equipped with the stuff you want. The Galaxy Watch 4 comes in 40mm and 44mm aluminum case sizes along with color options of black, green, silver, and pink gold. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic features stainless steel 42mm and 46mm cases. The Watch 4 Classic comes in black or silver. Each watch runs the brand new Exynos W920 dual-core chip, with 1.5GB RAM and 16Gb storage, wireless charging, Bluetooth 5.0, WiFi, NFC, GPS, and 5ATM + IP68 resistance. For batteries, you've got a 361mAh battery in the bigger watch from each family or a 247mAh battery in the smaller versions. The displays are 1.4" or 1.2" AMOLED depending on the watch size, with always on displays and with 450x450 or 396x396 resolutions. For dimensions, since you are likely wondering how these will fit on the wrist, we have the following measurements:

Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm): 40.4 x 39.3 x 9.8mm, 25.9g
Galaxy Watch 4 (44mm): 44.4 x 43.3 x 9.8mm, 30.3g
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm): 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2mm, 46.5g
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm): 45.5 x 45.5 x 11.0mm, 52g

Price and release date

If you are ready to buy either the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, you won't have to wait long. Both watches go up for pre-order today and should then arrive in stores on August 27. If you pre-order, Samsung is giving you a $50 credit to spend. For pricing, the Galaxy Watch 4 starts at $249 and the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic starts at $349. Those are Bluetooth model prices, so if you want LTE, add another $50 to each price.

Pre-order Samsung Galaxy Watch 4!

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

Galaxy Buds 2 Cost $149, Offer ANC and Comes in Plenty of Colors

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:12 +0000

Samsung made the new Galaxy Buds 2 official this morning, with pre-orders now live. Priced at $149, the Galaxy Buds 2 are pretty accessible in terms of price, yet deliver a handful of specs people know they need when it comes to earbuds. For example, active noise cancellation is onboard, offering a reduction of up to 98% of exterior noise. Samsung also notes that Galaxy Buds 2 are 15% smaller than the past iterations, while also being 20% lighter. Even with that slim down, Samsung still baked in Ambient Sound for hearing your surroundings, as well as a new Earbud Fit Test for the wearable app to ensure you have those puppies fit snuggly into your ears. For colors, you'll find these buds come in Graphite, White, Olive and Lavender. There are plenty of pretty colors to choose from, especially if you get them for free as part of the credit deal Samsung is offering those who pre-order a new Galaxy Z Fold 3 or Z Flip 3. Free is always good. Galaxy Buds 2 go up for pre-order today, with availability beginning later this month.

Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 Arrive August 27 With Big Upgrades and Price Reductions

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 07:00:07 +0000

Samsung made its new line of foldable devices official this morning, the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3. Available beginning later this month, Samsung has made a point to pack plenty of improvements into both of these devices, while somehow bringing the prices down pretty significantly. In the case of the Galaxy Z Flip 3, we're talking a price reduction of nearly $400. Needless to say, we're mighty impressed. As for what's changed, let's start with the big stuff: Water resistance. Both the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 feature IPX8 ratings, which is insane coming from no rating whatsoever on past models. With this rating, we're looking at protection from full submersion at up to a certain depth and for a certain amount of time. Additionally, the Z Fold 3 now supports the S Pen, which is a welcomed improvement over past models. Thanks to a new UDC (under display camera), the Z Fold 3's main display is quite immersive, measuring in at 7.6-inch, complete with 120Hz refresh rate. Oh, and the cover display also supports 120Hz refresh rate now, too. For cameras, the Z Fold 3 features a trip 12-megapixel camera setup on back, packed with OIS, Dual Pixel AF, PDAF (phase detection), and Gorilla Glass with DX. The Z Flip 3 features a 6.7-inch FHD+ AMOLED display (120Hz), dual 12MP rear cameras, plus an improved and enlarged cover display measuring in at 1.9-inches. Samsung also highlights big software changes, with the main focus being on app support for the foldable experience. According to Samsung, "Productivity seekers will enjoy Z Fold 3’s enhanced Flex mode features, which let you do more at once, such as joining a video call on the device’s top screen while checking meeting notes on the bottom. With Z Fold 3’s updated Multi-Active Window, it’s even easier to make dinner plans over text while checking your calendar, all on the device’s large screen. And now on Z Fold3, users can create a shortcut and reopen apps in the same way later thanks to enhanced App Pair. Plus, they can use Z Fold3’s new Taskbar14 to quickly switch between apps without returning to the Home screen." Both devices feature improved hardware, with the hinge system catching a gorgeous redesign. You'll notice slimmer, lighter feeling designs with both of these devices should you be coming from previous models. For pricing, the Z Flip 3 starts at $999, while the Z Fold 3 starts at $1799. You'll find the devices on all of the US carriers, with availability beginning August 27. Pre-orders are now up, with plenty of perks to be had from Samsung. Should you pre-order from Samsung, you'll get $200 of credit towards other stuff when you purchase the Z Fold 3, while you get $150 credit when you get the Z Flip 3. Samsung is also giving buyers access to a free year of Care+ for their device, should they opt into a 3-year commitment. Check out all of the specs below.

Galaxy Z Fold 3, Z Flip 3 Specs

[table id=215 /]

Watch Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Right Here This Morning

Tim — Wed, 11 Aug 2021 06:25:21 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event goes down in under an hour, and thankfully, it's all being streamed as this is a 100% virtual event. This morning, we expect Samsung to showcase its new line of foldables (Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3), the new lineup of Galaxy Watch wearables powered by Wear OS, and maybe even some new Galaxy Buds. It should be a busy morning, so grab your coffee and let's get to it. The event kicks off at 10AM Eastern, 7AM Pacific. My body is ready. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7ixp-XwqGI&ab_channel=Samsung

OnePlus Shows Two Phones Standing Next to Each in Teaser to Get You Talking About Them (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 10:39:34 +0000

Tomorrow is Samsung's big day, so naturally, another company is coming to try and steal a bit of that spotlight. OnePlus is today's winner with a teaser for some sort of announcement tomorrow, right at the exact time of Samsung's Unpacked. What are they teasing? Probably nothing exciting, but it could be fun to speculate, if that's your thing. In an Instagram post, OnePlus included a short video with two OnePlus 9 phones standing next to each other, possibly with a case behind to hold them together. There is a galaxy themed vibe to the music and the wallpapers, clearly as a nod to Samsung. Is OnePlus about to announce some sort of foldable? Hah, no. It's obvious that these are just two phones next to each other. If anything, the setup looks like that bad setup LG tried to push on everyone, where they slapped a phone next to a dummy phone in a case to give you a dual screen experience. Well, if this was a thing, it would look better than LG's idea, but this really appears to be a mock setup just for teasing. My guess is that OnePlus has a new color or a special sale for the OnePlus 9 Pro to pitch. Or maybe they'll turn off all that throttling. Nah, they won't do that.

UPDATAE 8/11: Well, I called it. It's a special sale on the OnePlus 9 - a half off deal at T-Mobile if you add a line. Jesus.

Any guesses?

T-Mobile Hometown Discount

Kellen — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 08:49:35 +0000

d https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iKMKYRhsac

Here is the Galaxy Watch 4's Sweet New 5nm Chip

Kellen — Tue, 10 Aug 2021 08:31:42 +0000

When Samsung officially announces the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic tomorrow, we know the chipset that'll power them. Samsung confirmed that the rumored Exynos W920 is indeed the new wearable chip they've built and it'll launch with their new watches and the "new unified wearable platform" they developed with Google. The Exynos W920 is a 5nm chip with two Arm Cortex-A55 cores for running daily tasks and an Arm Mali-G68 GPU for graphics performance. Samsung claims this setup offers a 20% performance boost over their previous wearable chip. You'll also find an integrated LTE modem and Cortex-M55 low-power processor for efficiently running an always-on display. A 20% performance boost sounds nice, especially coming from the Exynos 9110, a chip that Samsung used in wearables for a solid 3 years. But 5nm means a smaller chip that should be much more efficient and help slim down watch designs going forward. Samsung said specifically in its announcement that this W920 chip will work with Wear OS 3 and that it "will be first applied to the upcoming Galaxy Watch model." Not that any of us were questioning whether or not this was the Galaxy Watch 4's chip, but that settles it. Tomorrow!

What's Got You Most Excited for Samsung Unpacked?

Kellen — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:15:07 +0000

Samsung Unpacked kicks off in two days and so we'll be able to move on from leaks to official coverage, hands-on time, and (eventually) reviews of all that Samsung shows off. But before we get there, let's get a feel for what you guys are most excited for. The leaks are so plentiful at this point that we know we'll see the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, and Galaxy Watch 4 (and Watch 4 Classic). All of these devices contain solid upgrades over their predecessors, might be cheaper in some scenarios, and in specific cases, offer brand new experiences or tech that we'll be using for the first time. The Galaxy Z line from Samsung is getting water resistance, under-display cameras, and (hopefully) lower starting price points. The Galaxy Watch 4 series, though, is bringing with it Wear OS 3, Samsung and Google teaming up for a wearable, and a new era for Android smartwatches. I know what I'm most excited for.

Don't forget to reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 3

What about you? [poll id="573"]

Fossil Gen 6 is "Worth the Hype" New Teaser Says

Kellen — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 11:10:32 +0000

The Fossil Gen 6 was for a number of years the one watch we couldn't wait to get on wrist. After the Gen 5 owned the "Best Wear OS Watch" crown from the minute it launched, we expected big things out of the Gen 6 and figured it would once again lead all others in Android wearables. We've kept our eye on FCC listings and any potential hints at its arrival dating back to September of 2020. But as you are all well aware, Google and Samsung have teamed up to re-launch Wear OS with the Galaxy Watch 4 that'll arrive later this week. This re-launch has essentially brought an exclusive to Samsung for the new Wear OS, which Google is referring to as "Wear OS 3." Because of that initial exclusive, we won't see the new Wear OS 3 on any other watch for upwards of a year, Google announced. That news has greatly soured our excitement around the Fossil Gen 6. Fossil, because it still has to try and sell a lot of the Gen 6, is trying to get out ahead of the hype that is soon to surround Wear OS and the Galaxy Watch 4. The company sent out an email this morning to tease its upcoming launch, promising that it will be "worth the hype." The landing page for the teaser also says to expect a watch that is "Way More" and "Way Faster," likely in reference to upgraded specs, including the Snapdragon Wear 4100 that should run the Gen 6. The new Fossil Gen 6 teaser site doesn't dive into specifics or reveal specs, but it does talk about the "new capabilities" in a "fashion-forward design," with Google Pay, activity tracking, and easily swappable bands. It should be a watch with everything you'd need from a modern smartwatch, outside of the newest Wear OS. Still excited for the Fossil Gen 6 or nah?

And the 1-Star Reviews are Pouring in for Google Chat

Kellen — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 10:26:31 +0000

Asking people to leave an app they have used for years and switch everything over to a newer and more modern app that is also quite different, is always going to bring about mixed feelings, criticisms, and anger. Humans aren't often accepting of change at first. We attach strongly to ideas and systems and struggle at times to leave them behind. With Google now asking Hangouts users to switch over to Chat, we're seeing this play out as we always do in the reviews section of Chat on Google Play. Browsing through those that are popping up today now that everyone is seeing the message we wrote about earlier, it's not hard to find comments of "Chat is inferior to hangouts in nearly every way" or "Hangouts destroys this app and you are pushing this instead?" Others called it "Not user friendly and unnecessary" or that they were "Sticking with Hangouts until forced to swap," but the big takeaway seems to be that Chat is replacing Hangouts, yet is a "regression in functionality." As someone who only used Hangouts for messaging purposes for years and gave Chat a try on multiple occasions, I would tend to agree that Chat hasn't exactly brought a wealth of new features to make switching worth it. For one, the photo sharing experience is really bad, as it uses a phone's file manager rather than a simple media gallery. It also won't let you send multiple images at once. So it takes longer to load images you want to share and forces you to do them one at a time. Not good. It's really odd to video call someone too. In fact, I'm not even sure how to do it, because it forces you to create a Google Meet meeting that people can then join rather than a simple video call. I'm sure Google would rather you use Duo for those, but then they should probably integrate Duo as a shortcut for personal Gmail accounts in Chat or something. Reading through chat history or within a group can be somewhat confusing, because there isn't a bubble or messaging style you see in something like a text messaging app or the old Hangouts. Instead, everyone's chat is left-aligned without separators, so they can blend together and be tough to read in longer conversations. Google didn't add Google Voice integration, there's no location sharing, the link previews they show are huge, and there aren't many settings to adjust. A number of those new reviews are complaining about missed notifications too, though I can't say I experienced that. Again, asking a big base of users who used an app for a really, really long time to switch is never going to be easy. Satisfying everyone is just not a thing that can happen. That said, Google Chat isn't a great app. I know that it got its start as an enterprise chat solution, but with Google deciding to make it the replacement for regular folk, they need to greatly improve the feature set. At the time of this post, the Google Play listing for Chat is down to a 2.5 star rating with over 6,000 reviews. I can't imagine it'll go up as more and more people over the coming days are asked to switch to it.

Google Wants You to Stop Using Hangouts

Kellen — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 08:24:08 +0000

Part of me was hoping that when the end finally came for Hangouts that there would be a bigger deal made of it. Not necessarily a celebration, but at least an acknowledgement from Google that the messaging app so many of us have used for the past decade was being laid to rest. That doesn't appear to be in the plans, as Google is quietly telling Hangouts users it is time to let the app go. After making Google Chat - the replacement for Hangouts - readily available to everyone in June, Google then told its Workspace customers that they were about to force them off of Hangouts and onto Chat if they didn't manually opt-out of the change. The date they set for that change was August 16, which we are quickly approaching. As that date approaches, Google has started to strongly urge all Hangouts users to leave the app and either head into the Google Chat app or into Gmail, where Chat also lives.

READ: Google Chat flooded with 1-star reviews

Opening the Hangouts app today should look like the screen below, where it's suggesting you move over to Chat because "Hangouts is going away soon." This isn't the official end, because you can close that screen and keep using Hangouts, but if you "Go to Chat in Gmail," you'll be signed out of Hangouts and use Chat going forward. Of course, as the screen tells you, all of your Hangouts conversations have already been moved to Google Chat. If you do make the switch, you should be able to pick up right where you left off in Hangouts. Just be aware that opening the app will certainly bring you a newer more modern messaging experience that will look somewhat familiar, yet very different.

Maybe we'll get a bit of a party. This is a big deal. Hangouts was life for a long time. I don't miss it after switching to Telegram a few months ago, but it deserves more than a quiet death. Google Play Link: Google Chat

Galaxy Z Fold 3 Reservations and Bonuses Closing Up Soon

Kellen — Mon, 09 Aug 2021 06:58:22 +0000

The next Samsung Unpacked event, where we will see the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3, is only days away now, if you can believe that. August 11 is the date that Samsung will virtually show off their fall line-up of devices, so that means your opportunities to reserve and grab special bonuses are dwindling. To recap, Samsung is once again taking reservations for the Galaxy Z Fold 3. Reserving does not cost you a thing nor does it force you into buying the Z Fold 3 once pre-orders open. All this does is get your name on the list in case you are considering it. Once pre-orders open, you will be one of the first to be able to buy and Samsung is tossing in extra goodies to sweeten the deal for those who reserve. With a reservation, Samsung says you'll get the "highest online instant trade-in values," assuming you have a phone to trade-in towards the Fold 3. They are improving that value with a $100 trade-in credit. You also get 12 months of Samsung Care+ for free and there will be "an extra, special offer" for other Galaxy products with pre-orders. Again, we are 5 days away from Unpacked and that means these bonuses will be gone. Hit that link and drop your name on the list.

Reserve Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3

FCC Releases Sweet Mobile Data Coverage Map for All Carriers

Kellen — Fri, 06 Aug 2021 10:28:39 +0000

For the first time ever, the FCC today released a mobile 4G LTE coverage map for all the major carriers, including Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T, and US Cellular. The map is super handy if you need to compare the coverage you might see from a particular carrier at your house, work, or if you are planning a trip. FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel announced the map today, saying this is a "first-of-its-kind wireless coverage map" and that her agency released it because for too long, we have not had accurate broadband maps. This first map shows 4G LTE data coverage across the US where you can receive a minimum user download speed of 5Mbps and an upload speed of 1Mbps. Rosenworcel said that the FCC is just getting started, so don't be surprised if a 5G map or another broadband map is released soon enough. To use the map, you hit this link and then toggle on overlays for AT&T, T-Mobile, US Cellular, and Verizon. You can choose options of LTE Voice or LTE Data for each, with each carrier's color adding another layer. There may be a similar tool elsewhere that lets you easily put all of these carriers up against one other, but this is from the FCC and should be pretty trustworthy. The FCC does say that the data was "submitted voluntarily by the four mobile carriers using certain standardized propagation model assumptions or parameters that were established by the FCC as part of the Broadband Data Collection." The idea is to "create a more uniform and consistent comparison of coverage among service providers than has previously been available through the FCC’s Form 477 process." So the data was given to the FCC by carriers, but it had to at least use the FCC's parameters. Pretty cool!

Samsung's Galaxy S21 Apparently Not a Hit

Kellen — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 15:34:13 +0000

Samsung brought the Galaxy S21 line to market earlier than they typically would a Galaxy S phone, probably because they were in desperate need of a boost in sales for their flagship S line. According to a new report out of Korea, that early launch didn't help push numbers for the year and the S21 isn't much of a hit, falling far below the two previous Galaxy S phones. The Business Post is reporting that Galaxy S21 series sold roughly 13.5 million units during its first 6 months. If that sounds like a lot of phones, understand that it would be for most companies not named Samsung or Apple. But because this is a Samsung phone, that number is quite low when compared to previous Galaxy S phones. Compared to the first 6 months of sales of the Galaxy S20, that's a 20% drop. It gets worse when you compare it to the Galaxy S10, where that number marks a 47% drop. Clearly, the Galaxy S21 is not helping Samsung turn things around in the flagship space. Making matters worse here, consider the fact that Samsung reduced the price of the Galaxy S21 compared to the Galaxy S20 by $200 across the board as a way to attract more customers. Of course, as we pointed out when the phones launched, Samsung had to cut quite a bit from the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy S21+ in order to get to those price points. We don't know if the cuts factored into people's decision to skip the phones, but I can't imagine it helped. In our reviews, we had high marks for the super expensive Galaxy S21 Ultra, yet found the Galaxy S21 to be lacking and not as good as the Galaxy S20 from the year before. Personally speaking, the Galaxy S20 was my favorite phone for most of 2020 and I haven't wanted to touch the S21 since reviewing it. It was an absolute miss in my book. Could Samsung turn things around with the Galaxy S22? It's a tough game, selling $1,000 phones, but if anyone could do it I would bet that Samsung can find a way. However, what's left to help you standout in this competitive market? Branding your camera with Olympus? Hah.

It's Really Hard to Find a Pixel 5 or Pixel 4a 5G Right Now

Kellen — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 10:26:12 +0000

Around this time last year, Google confirmed that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL, two devices not even a year old, were basically being retired from a sales perspective. They were selling through remaining inventory and then moving on to whatever phones were coming next, two phones that ended up being the Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G. With both of those devices approaching their 1-year anniversaries as well, it sure looks like we are close to each phone running out of time. The Pixel 5 is constantly going in and out of stock at the Google Store and is currently listed as just that. The Pixel 4a 5G is also listed as completely out of stock at the moment too. Only the non-5G Pixel 4a remains with inventory. About a week ago, we asked Google if this was indeed the end and they wouldn't go that far, telling us that they plan to sell each "as inventory allows" and were hoping to re-stock soon. While Google isn't done with their phones from 2020 (just yet), everyone else might be. Their partner retailers and carriers are almost all clearing through inventory and starting to remove listings. Verizon is completely soldout of the Pixel 5 in both colors. They removed their Pixel 4a 5G listing as well, as if they are no longer planning to sell the device. T-Mobile no longer sells the Pixel 4a 5G. AT&T, for what it's worth, does appear to have both phones available still. Retailers like Best Buy still had limited stock a week ago, but their listings are even more difficult to find now. If you search for "Pixel 5" and get to Best Buy's Google Pixel landing page, they no longer list the Pixel 4a 5G or Pixel 5, and instead have a link to the Pixel 4a and a teaser for the Pixel 6. The unlocked Pixel 5, once you find it, is listed with a "This item is no longer available in new condition" note. The only available Pixel 5 is the AT&T version - Verizon's is soldout. The Pixel 4a 5G is completely soldout in all models. Like last year, this is arguably not a bad thing if this is indeed the end. The Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G always felt like pandemic phones, with lower prices meant to fill a time where budgets were tighter and a sales pitch for $1,000 phones would ring hollow. They were both fine phones - in fact I'm still using the Pixel 5 after all this time - but neither moved Google's Pixel line forward like we expect the Pixel 6 to do. For those of you considering buying one before they are fully gone, do so knowing that they still have several years of updates ahead of them. While Google might not be making or selling more, they will fully support each through 2023. Share those Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a thoughts if you've got 'em.

Google Shares Details on New Nest Cams, Battery Doorbell

Kellen — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 08:01:27 +0000

After slipping up the other day and giving us a tease of new and incoming Nest products, Google announced them all today. If you are into smart home gadgets, prepare for the Nest Cam (Battery), Nest Doorbell (Battery), Nest Cam with floodlight, and Nest Cam (wired). Two are up for pre-order today and the others are coming soon.

Nest Cam (Battery)

The biggest deal of all the new products is likely the Nest Cam (Battery), Nest's first battery-powered security camera that lets it compete with the dozens of other wire-free options on the market. I'm not sure it's all that competitive but at least it's an option now. Starting at $179.99 and in this "Snow" color (see above), Nest Cam (Battery) records 1080p video at 30fps and in HDR, and has a 130-degree field of view with 6x digital zoom. It has Night Vision, provides 3 hours of included video history, allows for two-way talk, is IP54 rated, connects over WiFi, and is powered by a 6Ah battery. Google mentions battery life absolutely no where in any product description I can find, but they must have told select media they expect about 3 months of battery on a single charge. That's probably not good enough in today's market, where many companies are offering 6-month and 12-month battery life. As someone who has tested a number of cameras over the years, trust me, 3-month battery life is a pain to deal with. The new Nest Cam (Battery) attaches to a magnetic plate, so it can be placed just about anywhere, both indoors and out. If you want to hard-wire it for power, you can. Google is even going to sell a nifty little stand to place it on when indoors. For use, you'll setup and view all of your video footage in the Google Home app, yet another sign that the aging Nest app is on its last legs. You can pre-order one today with shipping expected around August 24. (Pre-order link)

Nest Doorbell (Battery)

The other available-for-pre-order product today is the Nest Doorbell (Battery), a battery-powered doorbell that Google is selling as an option you can put anywhere. Just know that it can be hard-wired too, in case you like the look and don't want to have to charge it regularly. Also at $179.99, Nest Doorbell (Battery) comes in four colors (Snow, Linen, Ivy, and Ash), apparently only lasts about 2.5 months on a charge, only records in HD at 920x1280 (with HDR and Night Vision), and has 145-degree field of view. It has two-way-talk, 3 hours of included recorded footage, connects over WiFi, and is IP54 rated. Like the new battery-powered Cam, it works through the Google Home app. If you need a new doorbell, Nest Doorbell (Battery) is up for pre-order today with August 24 shipping. (Pre-order link)

Nest Cam with floodlight

This Nest Cam with floodlight is one of two from Nest that aren't available yet and are instead labeled as "coming soon." As the name suggests, this is a new Nest Cam that attaches to a floodlight to give you bright lights in dark situations for better monitoring. This floodlight-equipped camera is a wired option and costs $279.99. Again, it's not available, even for pre-order, yet.

Nest Cam (Wired)

The cutest new product of them all is the Nest Cam (Wired), a $99.99 new camera made for indoors that comes in four colors. Google provided me and the Google Store with absolutely zero specs on it, so yeah, that's all I have for you. It's "coming soon," so we'll get those details soon enough. But hey, an affordable Nest Cam! $99 isn't bad at all.

Samsung August Updates: Galaxy S21 is First Up

Kellen — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 13:40:44 +0000

The new month is here and Samsung is already pushing out updates to its best phones. The Galaxy S21 family, including the Galaxy S21+ and Galaxy S21 Ultra, are all seeing new builds that are more than just security patches. The changelogs for the Verizon Galaxy S21 devices, which are the first in the US to get the August Android update, suggest that owners should expect "performance improvements" in addition to security patches. I know, that's not much, but the the Fold 3 is around the corner and what we imagine is a new version of One UI 3. The new builds to look for are as follows:

Galaxy S21: RP1A.200720.012.G991USQU4AUGE
Galaxy S21+: RP1A.200720.012.G996USQU4AUGE
Galaxy S21 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G998USQU4AUGE

Verizon doesn't list sizes for their updates, but AT&T should follow-up with the same builds. Once they do, we'll update this and add sizes, in case you are curious. To check for these, head into Settings>Software update>Check for updates.

Pixel Buds A-Series Review: Pretty Good Buds

Kellen — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 10:30:03 +0000

The Pixel Buds (2nd Gen), as good as they sounded on paper and as comfortable as they were in the ear, were a bust for Google. Those first true wireless buds from Google clearly had hardware flaws that couldn't be fixed with software. The list of complaints for them was long and Google has already killed them off completely a little over a year from their initial introduction. So with the launch of the Pixel Buds A-Series, we approached them with hesitation while hoping Google had found the issues from the previous model and fixed them. Also, at $99 and with a couple of missing features, getting excited about the A-Series has proven difficult, yet here we are after a few weeks of testing them off and on. Let's talk a bit about the Pixel Buds A-Series.

The sound.

Probably the most impressive part of the Pixel Buds A has been how they sound. Not necessarily because they are the best sounding earbuds on the planet, but instead because they basically match the much-more-expensive Pixel Buds (2nd Gen). At $80 less, that's pretty remarkable, as it puts them in an audio class they don't really belong in. For me, the Pixel Buds A can carry you through a wide range of music types with a very balanced approach to audio. They'll tease you with enough satisfying soft bass that lingers on J. Cole's Punchin' the Clock while bringing you clear vocals and separating unique voices, like Swamp's true rawness in Don't Say Goodbye. As I type this, I'm listening to Caamp's Feels Like Home, and they are doing a remarkable job of highlighting the gradual build-up to the song's emotional peak. Unfortunately, they couldn't quite rise to the over-the-top presentation of a song like Lil Wayne's John or really, the entire Tha Carter IV...lol. They just fall so flat there. I really do think the Pixel Buds A, as a $99 pair of wireless earbuds, sound quite good for the money. There is a clever balance to them that still manages to enhance the proper moment, at least in the music I listen to. They are very much like the 2nd Gen Pixel Buds that I happened to find quite pleasing. Now, if you want to seal your head off from the world, toggle on ANC, and be taken to a $300 soundstage of epicness, these won't get you there. I'm not sure the Pixel Buds A will blow your mind with their sound, but they also won't disappoint.

The fit.

Like the 2nd Gen model, this A-Series pair of buds fit my ears perfectly. These are ridiculously comfortable to wear for long periods of time. Out of the box, with whatever size tips Google offers, it's as if Google knows how my ears are shaped. I spend most of my time wearing earbuds while working out, rather than during a commute or sitting at a desk, just so you know the kinds of abuses I put them through. Whether its on long runs or rides or throwing around weight, these Buds A-Series not only stay put, I often forget they are there, with their light weight and soft fit. Almost every other pair of buds I've tested over the years has bugged my ears at some point during a lengthy wear test. Whether its improper fitting tips or the bulkiness from added tech (like ANC), I just can't find a pair of buds I like to wear as much as the last two pairs that Google has released. For those wondering, they do include two other sets of tips, in case the out-of-box pair doesn't work for you. That's all that can be adjusted, though.

Battery life.

Google rates the Pixel Buds A-Series as having up to 5 hours of listening time that can max out to 24 hours total with charges from the included case. If you talk a lot through earbuds, those numbers drop to 2.5 hours when in-ear and 12 hours using case charging. Those aren't industry-leading numbers by any measure, but they have been fine for my uses. Again, I only find time to wear earbuds when working out, so that means anywhere from 30 minutes to 1.5 hours of straight usage, then back in the case to charge back up. This past weekend, I went on an 8.5 mile run for a little over an hour and that dropped the buds to 70% or so. In the time I've been testing the A-Series, I think I've charged the case maybe twice, and I'm not actually sure I needed to the 2nd time, I just hadn't looked at the percentage it held and wanted to make sure I was safe.

Connectivity!

I'm sorry it took me so long to get here, but let's talk connectivity, since this was such an issue with those 2nd Gen buds. As far as I can tell, Google really has fixed a lot of the dropouts that were found on the previous-gen model. Throughout hours of use, I haven't had even one memorable drop when connected to my Pixel 5, like I did with the 2nd Gen. I can still remember on the 2nd Gen model when I'd be out for a run and those Pixel Buds would just completely disconnect and I couldn't tell if they had died, were rebooting, if my phone was having issues, or what. That hasn't happened at all with these. If there have been drops, it's when connected to a computer for audio. I've used them when connected to two separate Windows PCs and have noticed the occasional hiccup. Not a full drop, but some wonky audio cuts that aren't that noticeable and certainly don't last long. I can also fully cup my ear and force them to cutout, though I'm not sure why anyone ever does this. I only point it out because people complained that it was an issue previously. Now, Google says they fixed all those old problems by allowing each earbud from the Buds A-Series to connect to devices rather than relaying the connection like they did in the previous pair. That appears to have helped a ton, but those problems aren't 100% gone here.

What else?

Wireless charging case: It's gone. I don't think I've ever wirelessly charged a pair of earbuds, so I don't care. You might! If you do, know that the case for the Buds A does not have wireless charging.
No ANC: I mentioned this earlier, but no, active noise cancellation (ANC) is not here. At $99, I'm not sure I expected it. However, we are seeing more and more earbuds arrive at around this price point with it, like the Nothing Ear 1.
The look: I really like the subtle look of the Pixel Buds A. They come in a dark green or white, and yeah, they fit snuggly within your ear, don't stick out a mile, and don't look at all like AirPods or all of that boring bulb design that everyone else uses.
Volume controls gone: The Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) had these really handy swiping controls for volume up or down that I used constantly. Google took those away in the A-Series and it makes me sad.
Touchpads are great still: With that said, the touch sensitivity on this A-Series pair is really, really good. Like the 2nd Gen, these have some of the best touchpads in the business and are so easy to control.
Google Assistant: It's here and will readout notifications. It can come in handy, but so many earbuds have this now that I'm not sure it's a huge selling point. The experience can also be obnoxious to use on occasion.

Final thoughts.

The Pixel Buds A-Series are a solid and improved follow-up to the previous model, mostly because the price better suits the set of features and because Google has improved a good chunk of the issues we all complained about. In addition to fixes, they kept the solid sound, decent battery life, and the nifty case design. They also kept the wonderful fit and design that deeply please my ears. For $99, the Pixel Buds A-Series fall in at a decent price point, just understand that others are offering ANC and longer battery life for this money. I'm not sure those others can match the comfort and look, though. Shop Pixel Buds A-Series:

Best Buy | Walmart | Google Store

Galaxy Tab S7 FE Starts at $529, Offers Little to be Excited About

Tim — Wed, 04 Aug 2021 08:38:03 +0000

Samsung debuted the Galaxy Tab S7 FE this week, another entry into the expanding Fan Edition lineup. If you're still not entirely sure what these "FE" devices are all about, it's Samsung's attempt at delivering the best possible experience with the lowest possible price tag. For example, you'll sometimes see specs coupled with these devices that are typically saved for more high-end products. With the FE lineup, Samsung breaks that mold a bit. Sadly, this new tablet entry doesn't appear to be quite that. The Tab S7 FE features a 12.4" WQXGA display (2560 x 1600), octa-core processors, 4GB RAM with expandable storage, 8-megapixel rear-facing camera, S Pen support (included with purchase), large 10,000mAh battery with Fast Charging, 5G connectivity (for more money), and Android 11. This tablet is missing a display with higher refresh rate (it's also TFT LCD, not AMOLED), but at least it comes with that S Pen goodness. For pricing, the Tab S7 FE (WiFi) comes in at $529, available starting in September. For the 5G model, availability begins August 5 at select carriers with a price tag of $669. The first US carriers to sell it will be AT&T and Verizon, followed shortly by T-Mobile and US Cellular. I said back when this device leaked that if it didn't have at least a 90Hz display, I'd be skipping it. Yeah, I'll be skipping. I may start an online petition to remove the "FE" from this device's name. This seems like a poor effort on Samsung's part to create a true Fan Edition device.

Galaxy Tab S7 FE Specs

// Samsung

Here are the New Nest Devices, Including the Doorbell and Nest Cam Battery

Kellen — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 15:51:46 +0000

I don't know when Google and Nest plan to announce all this stuff, but here is a first look at the brand new Nest Cam Battery, new wired Nest Cam, Nest Cam with floodlight, and Nest Doorbell with battery. Google posted everything a bit early to the Google Store and yeah, that means we can show it all to you. While we don't know specs or prices, since the individual store pages aren't live, the devices are all listed with names and pictures. Officially, they are called the following:

Nest Cam (battery)
Nest Cam (wired)
Nest Cam with floodlight
Nest Doorbell (battery)

We knew that new products were on the way from Nest, as we've seen some stop through the FCC in recent months. We were pretty convinced that a battery powered Nest Doorbell was indeed coming, along with a battery Nest Cam, but the floodlight and new wired Nest Cam are new to our radar. Nest was desperately in need of battery powered cameras like these. This is the wave right now in home security, with companies like Eufy and Arlo dominating with several battery powered options that can be placed anywhere. I'll be interested to see how Nest implements theirs and what kind of battery life we can expect. So yeah, that's cool - new Nest stuff! I'm assuming this will be announced tomorrow and we'll have pricing and all that then.

Cheers Joshua!

Pixel 6 Wallpapers Arrive Before the Actual Phones

Kellen — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 14:40:15 +0000

The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro still won't be here for another couple of months even after Google's early reveal this week. That doesn't mean you can't have a little piece of each, though. Thanks to a bit of device trickery, the wallpapers expected to arrive with the Pixel 6 have appeared. The crews at 9to5Google and XDA said they pulled off a "trick" on a phone to make the Google Wallpapers app think they had a Pixel 6. In doing so, it presented them with wallpapers that would only be available to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. They then made those available for download. Sneaky, sneaky. The wallpapers are pretty fun, with lots of colors representing activities an adventurer with a Pixel 6 might take on, plus a bunch of fruit-inspired graphics to get you thirsting for a treat. As you probably noticed, all of the wallpapers have a black dot or cutout centered at the top and that's because the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro have centered front-facing cameras. So if you want to use these on your phone, they might look a little weird unless you can get that to match up. Download: Pixel 6 Wallpapers (zip)

Samsung July Updates: Galaxy S20 Finally Shows Up (Updated)

Kellen — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 13:51:01 +0000

There aren't many days left in July for Samsung to issue updates for the month to its best phones. A number have already seen the July patch, but we were curiously waiting for the Galaxy S20 line to see the love. That's happening today on Verizon. The Samsung July update is rolling out now to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, Galaxy S20+, and Galaxy S20 on Big Red, bringing with it a whole bunch of the usual "performance improvements and the most up to date Android security patches." That's cool and all, as long as we don't have to wait long before the next big One UI update is here. Oh, as an added bonus, the 10 of you who own the Galaxy Z Fold 2 are getting this month's software as well. For build numbers, we have the following:

Galaxy S20: RP1A.200720.012.G981VSQU2DUG1
Galaxy S20+: RP1A.200720.012.G986USQU2DUG1
Galaxy S20 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G988USQU2DUG1
Galaxy Z Fold 2: RP1A.200720.012.F916USQU1DUF1
UPDATE 8/3: AT&T's Galaxy S20 line has joined the July party with the same build numbers as above.

The AT&T models should be along shortly if they haven't seen the update yet. As far as we can tell, they are still on June's patch. To check for the update on your S20, head into Settings>System updates>Check for system updates.

Pixel 6 Pro Will be "Expensive"

Kellen — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 11:14:07 +0000

Google is trying to make it clear upfront that the Pixel 6 Pro is going to compete with the best smartphones on the planet. This isn't supposed to be one of those phones that comes close yet cuts a couple of corners like we have seen in the past. Google expects it to stack-up with Samsung and Apple's best. Because of that, they sure seem to be suggesting that you are also going to have to pay a good chunk of cash for one. In separate interviews, Google's hardware boss, Rick Osterloh, called the Pixel 6 Pro a "premium-priced product" and then said more directly to Der Spiegel that it "will be expensive." Osterloh has also referred to older phones as not having "what it took to be in the ultra high end," but that "this is the first time where we feel like we really have it." He said that the Pixel 6 Pro "was designed specifically for users who want the latest technology" and that it is "a mainstream premium product." This is Google going for it, or at least telling us they are truly going for it. So what does that going to mean in terms of pricing? Well, the Galaxy S21 Ultra, currently the best Samsung phone on the planet, starts at $1,200. The iPhone 12 Pro Max, which is Apple's best, starts at $1,100. Even the OnePlus 9 Pro is priced at $1,069. These are the phones Google is putting the Pixel 6 Pro up against, so I don't think we should prepare for a price anywhere under $1,000. In fact, you should probably be ready to spend Galaxy S21 Ultra levels of cash. Don't go into the fall launch saying, "Google better give me everything and then some for $899." They aren't going to do that. Google wants to make money off of this. They also want to sell a lot of them and are willing to spend to do so. Be ready.

Google Maps on iOS Gets Two Sweet Widgets I Want Too

Kellen — Tue, 03 Aug 2021 09:00:15 +0000

Because iOS and Android are such different platforms, we still see updates for apps hit one and not the other, where new features are introduced, leaving one side feeling left out. Unfortunately for Android users, today is one of those days on the sad side. iOS' Google Maps is getting an update that introduces a couple of nice new widgets. The new widgets include one that shows nearby traffic from the home screen, plus another that lets you easily search within Maps, quickly navigate home/work, view nearby restaurants, or find a gas station. It's being labeled as a search widget that gives you shortcuts to your favorite places, so those could actually change. You can see both below and they are easy to understand. The nearby traffic widget is useful in the sense that it'll remind you that the world is back to work in many places and traffic sucks. Without ever opening Google Maps, you'll know how awful that commute home will be. The other will be handy to use when you need to quickly find something or start that trip home or work.

I'm not sure if these are widgets that could come to Android one day or not. Google certainly didn't suggest that in their announcement. It would be nice to see more robust widgets, though, since the current version of Google Maps only offers a bunch of 1x1 shortcuts for things like directions, Driving Mode, location sharing, and traffic. Oh, also for iOS users, dark mode is finally here in Google Maps (hit Android earlier this year), as is a handy shortcut to quickly share your Google Maps location in iMessage.

Galaxy Watch 4 Battery Life Said to be Some Kind of Crazy

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 15:23:06 +0000

Samsung's upcoming Unpacked event is really running out of secrets. The products have all been outed because retailers are careless, and now, we're starting to learn more, like what experiences might be with some of them. For the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, one of those experiences involves the battery life of the first Wear OS 3 watches, and the word on the street sounds almost unbelievable. According to Winfuture, who has heard from "various sources," battery life on the Galaxy Watch 4 could stretch up to 7 days. Seven. SEV. EN. Whaaaat? We know battery sizes are expected to fall in at 361mAh and 247mAh for big and small models of each watch, neither of which is out of the ordinary. I mention that only because the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 has ridiculous 2-3 day battery life, but that's mostly because it has a huge 577mAh battery, almost double the biggest Galaxy Watch 4 capacity. How on Earth is Samsung pushing up to 7 days of battery life out of such a small cell? This report doesn't dive into what exactly "up to seven days" means. Is that some sort of low-power mode with none of the smarts turned on or did Google and Samsung work up some magic with Wear OS 3 and the new Exynos W920 chip onboard? I'm guessing it's going to take less features in order to get that kind of life, but my attention has certainly been grabbed. As for other goodies outside of battery life, we have further specs to absorb for both watches:

Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm, 44mm)
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm, 46mm)
Displays: 1.19" and 1.36" (450x450, AMOLED)
OS: Wear OS 3 with One UI Watch 3.5
Processor: Exynos W920
Memory: 1.5GB RAM, 16GB storage
Connectivity: WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth 5.0, NFC
Battery: 247mAh, 361mAh
Health: Heart rate, SpO2, Sleep
Durability: 5ATM, IP68, MIL-STD-810G
Size: 41.5 x 41.5 x 11.2mm, 45.5 x 45.5 x 11mm

Give me one already, Samsung.

Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro: Which are You Leaning Towards?

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 14:58:24 +0000

When it comes to Google Pixel phones, because Google typically releases two almost-identical phones that only differ in size, I often gravitate towards the smaller of the two. You know, because giant whale phones are kind of a pain in the ass to use. However, with the release of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google isn't exactly giving us that same set of size options. From what we know today, Google is releasing two phones that are very similar in size with the same Tensor processor that instead differ in the camera, display resolution and refresh rate, memory configuration, and the finishing touches to the body. They could have dramatically different battery sizes, though that would be surprising. For the most part, though, Google is going to clearly separate the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro as different devices, likely at very different price points. The Pixel 6 will feature a flat 6.4" OLED display with 1080p resolution and 90Hz refresh rate. The Pixel 6 Pro, on the other hand, will up the game with a curved 6.7" OLED display with QHD resolution and 120Hz refresh rate. The 6 Pro will also have a third camera that offers 4x zoom and a polished metal frame vs. the matte metal frame on the regular 6. I think it's safe to say that the regular Pixel 6 is getting the fun color options too, and that the Pixel 6 Pro is more suit-and-tie. So depending on how the RAM and storage options compare, as well as the prices, the choice this year is very much more than simply choosing a size. One phone has the "pro" feature set and the other will drop some features to hopefully keep the price more reasonable. Which way are you leaning, Pixel 6 or Pixel 6 Pro?

Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro Specs: An Early Official List

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 11:46:35 +0000

Google is going to save a lot of the details of its Pixel 6 line until they get closer to launch in a few months, but with today's early tease, we're able to start putting together a small, confirmed specs list. We know display sizes and refresh rates for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, what to expect for battery life, the camera make-up, and of course, the new processor. Again, the fine details and full list of Pixel 6 specs aren't here today, but we do know the following from Google. The Pixel 6 line will run the Google Tensor chip, Google's first custom-made SoC for phones. The camera setup includes wide and ultra-wide lenses on both phones, plus the Pixel 6 Pro will get a third 4x zoom lens. Thanks to additional information provided to The Verge and Gizmodo, we've also learned that the Pixel 6 will feature a flat 6.4"+ full HD display (1080p) with 90Hz refresh rate, while the Pixel 6 Pro will have a slightly curved 6.7" QHD display with 120Hz refresh rate. Battery life is expected to last "all day" and you'll unlock using an in-display fingerprint reader. This is a first for Google. The Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro are expected to differ in memory (RAM) as well, though we aren't sure the same can be said about storage. What we don't know is battery capacity, the charging speed and technology situation, RAM and storage configurations, the detailed make-up of the cameras, speaker setup, and size and weight. As we learn those officially, we'll be sure to update this post. [table id=214 /] UPDATE 10/7: We updated our table and those changes are reflected here. The original table's info has changed.

Google Says It's "Ready to Invest" in Pixel 6 Marketing

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:58:00 +0000

The early reveal for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro appears to hint at Google being really proud of and excited for the phones they will launch later this fall. As far as we can tell, these phones will be truly premium, with custom chips, revamped camera systems, and premium materials and designs. But the level of excitement doesn't mean much, nor does the quality of the device, if Google is willing to spend all that cash they have to make sure the world knows about Pixel 6.

READ: All the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro colors

In the past, Google hasn't been big on marketing. They have, on occasion, acted excited and planned decent marketing campaigns for a Pixel phone or two, but rarely is it sustained or anywhere near what Samsung and Apple produce to get customers to buy their phones in record amounts. With the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, Google is talking like it might finally be ready. When speaking with The Verge, Google's hardware boss, Rick Osterloh, said that they believe the Pixel 6 will help them start to grab a meaningful chunk of phone marketshare and that they "are ready to invest a lot in marketing." Maybe more pointedly, Osterloh said, "We want to grow." That news is backed up by a quote Google CFO Ruth Porat dropped during their most recent earnings call, when she said "In addition, we expect sales and marketing expenses to be more heavily weighted to the back half of the year in part to support product launches in the holiday season," as if referring to the launch of Pixel 6. Those are all good signs for Google fans or for those who were starting to get worried about the future of Pixel phones following several years of poor performing devices. Of course, none of it matters if the phones aren't great or if Google's notoriously short attention span doesn't stick onto the Pixel 6. But for now, Google is saying all of the right things as it starts promoting its new phones months before they'll hit store shelves.

August 2021 Android Security Update Now Available for Google Pixel Phones

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 10:02:43 +0000

I know that all we want to think about at the moment is the Pixel 6 that Google just showed off, but it also happens to be monthly Pixel update day. The August Google Pixel update has arrived for all of the still-supported phones from the Pixel 3 through the Pixel 5. Currently, we are seeing new 11.0.0 files for Pixel 5 (RQ3A.210805.001.A1), Pixel 4a 5G (RQ3A.210805.001.A1), Pixel 4a (RQ3A.210805.001.A1), Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL (RQ3A.210805.001.A1), Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL (RQ3A.210805.001.A1), and Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (RQ3A.210805.001.A1). As far as fixes or changes go, this is it:

Google should begin pushing these updates shortly (Settings>System>Advanced>System update), but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will find each factory 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. We’ll update this as we have more. Links:

Here is the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in All Colors

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 09:32:02 +0000

By now you have likely seen Google's first preview of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro that will launch later this year. Google has gone ahead and revealed some details about their new phones ahead of time, likely because the leaks just keep coming, but also to prepare everyone for the big changes, like that new custom-made chip that will run it. In providing this early reveal, Google posted up a landing page on the Google Store for the Pixel 6 and while it doesn't give us specs or prices or a release date, it does show us the new phones in all colors. If you wanted to know what the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will have to offer in terms of design, this is the post you need.

Pixel 6 Pro

The Pixel 6 Pro, with its "light polished aluminum frame," will come in three colors, one dominated by dark black and grey tones, another with gold and cream colors, and one with more muted, white tones. All are quite pretty, assuming you are fine with the giant camera bar across the top of each.

Pixel 6

For the Pixel 6 and its “matte aluminum finish," we'll see a punchy orange color option, one with green tints, and another black and grey model. It too is quite the refreshing change from all of the same-design-on-every-phone we've seen from Samsung and OnePlus in recent months.

You'll also notice I added some from shots of each phone to show that we are getting a centered camera hole up top and slim bezels. There is a bit of concerning shine on the edge of each phone's front display, which worries me that Google added curved edges to their new phones. Let's hope they aren't dramatic. Well, your thoughts?

This is the Official Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro

Kellen — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 09:04:13 +0000

Google just showed off the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro in an official capacity as a preview of the launch this fall. Yep, those names are official, as are the designs. Oh, they also confirmed that it'll run on their first custom-built SoC which they are calling Tensor. Let's talk about what we learned this morning. First of all, Google says the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro will "redefine what it means to be a Pixel." They feature all all new design that "combines the same beautiful aesthetic across software and hardware with Android 12," with an upgraded camera system that sports "improved sensors and lenses." Since the new camera system is too big to fit in a square, they went wild with the long rectangle shape across the backside. It's called a "camera bar." The Pixel 6 Pro will have 3 cameras, one of which is a 4x optical zoom lens. The Pixel 6 has the same cameras sans that zoom lens. Google even mentioned the finishes, which includes a "light polished aluminum frame" on the Pixel 6 Pro and a "matte aluminum finish" on the regular Pixel 6. As for Tensor, the new Google-made chip, Google hopes this will "unlock specific experiences for [their] Pixel users," with customized computational photography models that bring new features and improve old ones. It'll be super secure with a new Titan M2 chip, there'll be better (and always improving) speech recognition, and all the AI stuffs. Want to learn even more? Google setup a Pixel 6 page already at the Google Store. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiWQrTpV6sk&t=1s

Klipsch Enters ANC Wireless Earbud Game With T5 II, Priced at $299

Tim — Mon, 02 Aug 2021 08:56:14 +0000

Klipsch, specialists in all things home audio, introduced its very first set of wireless earbuds with ANC this week, called the T5 II. If you know anything about Klipsch, it's that they take their sound seriously, and with a price of $299, you best believe the company threw everything it could into its first buds. The T5 II offers ANC (active noise cancellation) via dual mics, built-in Bragi OS with artificial intelligence for gesture-controlled experiences, integrated Dirac HD Sound, wireless charging, plus 7 hours of battery life (5 with ANC) on a single charge. That's just the basics. There is plenty more under the surface, like support for the Klipsch Connect app, Transparency mode (complete with Noise Shield), and a 2-year warranty straight from Klipsch. More on that Bragi OS, it allows for gesture controls, but the specifics are quite slick. For example, incoming calls can be answered by nodding your head and skipping music tracks is done by shaking your head. Same goes for rejecting incoming calls. T5 II is available right now for $299.

Buy from Klipsch

Samsung Picked the Most Random Comment to Promote Galaxy Z Fold 3 Reservations

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 14:09:08 +0000

As a part of the campaign to get you to reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 3, Samsung has pushed a commercial across multiple social networks asking, "Are you ready for this life?" I hadn't actually seen the video version of the ad until today, but what got me to find it was after I was cruising through their Fold 3 reservation page and noticed the weird quote they are using as a way to promote it. The quote that grabbed my attention says, "This is the worst phone I've owned. People are always bothering me about it." That's a sneaky way to promote your upcoming phone, right? Basically, the thought here is that the Fold 3 will be so awesome that you'll hate all of the attention it brings you. On that reserve page, Samsung names the reddit user who said that specific quote, and because I wanted to see if it was real, I went looking. As it turns out, "flamo-damo" is indeed a real user and has already taken to Galaxy Fold subreddits to chat with Fold fans. While I appreciate that Samsung really did go find an actual reddit user and asked permission to use their post as a quote, I just found it interesting that it was so random. What I mean is that the original post was someone asking people to talk them out of buying the Galaxy Z Fold 2. The thread has a handful of upvotes and around a 100 replies. User flamo-damo responded in that thread and got a single upvote, as if no one really paid much attention to the response. No one replied to them either. Samsung, with their clever-as-ever marketing team, found that random, single-upvote, no-reply comment buried deep in that thread and has now turned it into an entire launch promo to get people to sign-up to reserve the Galaxy Z Fold 3. It's all pretty clever too. Marketing folks, I do love the way your brain works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLtbWMOA4Ng

Be Honest, How Many Years of Updates Do You Really Need?

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 12:25:56 +0000

Updates are once again a topic of conversation over here on Android World because once again a manufacturer initially led us to believe they were bad. I'm talking about yesterday's Motorola saga, where they were pushed to clarify the update policy and number of years of support for their new Edge 20 line after someone gave an inaccurate, on the record quote to media. It got me thinking, as someone who regular rips companies who won't even try to match Google or Samsung's update support, if you guys really need 2 or 3 or 4 or more years of update support. Now, before you slap me through the screen, let me be clear in why I'm wondering. For a number of years, upgrading was a big deal on Android. There were so many damn phones and so many rapid improvements that we all couldn't help but try to upgrade to a new phone every year, sometimes more than once per year. Seriously, in 2014, 44% of you told us that you upgraded whenever you saw a new phone you liked, with another 19% saying you upgrade yearly. In 2018, those numbers were basically the same. It wasn't until 2019 that you all decided that hanging onto phones for 2 years or more was smart. So as we sit here and destroy each company who doesn't push monthly security patches and offer at least 2+ years of Android OS support, I'm really curious if you all really need that level of support or if it just makes you feel better. That's me being somewhat cheeky, but you get why I'm asking, right? Because if you are all upgrading every 1-2 years, why does 3-4 years of support matter? Or are you all still holding onto phones and that 2nd and 3rd year do indeed matter? [poll id="572"]

Telegram Update Adds at Least 10 New Features

Kellen — Fri, 30 Jul 2021 09:52:21 +0000

Telegram is rolling out a huge update today with features that touch everything from video calls to messages that auto-delete to audio in screen sharing and video playback speeds. They even tweaked the drawing tool and added more animated emoji. It's a big one! The new version is 7.9.0 of Telegram and it has already hit my Android device. If you are a Telegram user, head into Google Play now and I bet you'll see it as well. Alright, so here's everything that's new!

Group Video Calls 2.0, which are a really awkward implementation that involves audio chats for some reason, now allow up to 30 video feeds and 1,000 viewers. Telegram says they plan to continue to expand that limit further and further. But seriously, can we just get a video chat button and not have to create a group, then open an audio chat, and then get video feeds up? It's weird, Telegram devs. Video Messages 2.0 have been added and they provide higher-res videos, as well as tap-to-expand to view more of them. Telegram is also letting you pause/rewind/fast forward video messages, use audio on your device as you record them, and pinch-to-zoom when recording with the rear camera. Video playback speeds now include options of 0.5x, 1.5x and 2x. To change those while watching a video, tap on the 3-dot menu button and select the proper speed. Additionally, if there is a spot within a video you'd like to timestamp for someone else, replying with that time adds a link that can be shared elsewhere with the timestamp. Screen sharing with sound was added for 1-on-1 calls, so that means audio from your device can be played to the person on the other end. To share your screen during a video call, simply tap the camera button and select your screen as the source. Auto-delete of messages has a new 1-month option. It previously had 1-day or 1-week, but now when you tap the 3-dot menu in a conversation, then "Clear history," you'll be able to choose 1-month to keep chats around just a bit longer.

The media editor offers more precision in your edits when you want to draw on a picture. When you go to draw and want to change the width of the brush, you drag the dot on the color bar up from the selector. The brush width also decreases if you zoom in on a picture you are editing. For Telegram desktop users, the photo editor now lets you crop, rotate, or flip images, plus you can add drawings or stickers. Also, if you want to send those desktop edits with higher quality, you can send them as uncompressed files. Bonus additions:

The passcode screen has better animations and is "snappier" than ever
You can now practice your two-step verification password for some reason
If you don't have a recovery email and forget your password, a new password reset option lets you still recover your account, but it could take up to 7 days
iOS users get a new in-app camera
Look at the cute new animated emoji below

Again, the update is live, so go grab it. Google Play Link: Telegram

Verizon Launches 4 New Hotspot Plans

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 12:24:39 +0000

The hotspot market probably hasn't seen much action over the last year and a half, thanks to the pandemic that continues to control our world. As some places across this country become safer and business folk consider traveling again for work, Verizon is ready with new hotspot plans to take advantage of. This morning, Verizon announced four new hotspot plans (Essential, Plus, Pro, and Premium) with prices that range from $20/mo up to $80/mo for Verizon customers. The data included with those runs from 15GB up to 150GB, with varying levels of streaming and 5G access, though all are unlimited with lower speeds after caps. The new breakdown of plans is as follows: Essential: $20/mo for Verizon customers

- 15GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data
- 720p HD streaming when on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE

Plus: $40/mo for Verizon customers

- 5G Ultra Wideband access
- 50GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data
- 4K UHD streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband and 720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE

Pro: $60/mo for Verizon customers with a smartphone on an eligible Unlimited plan or $90 as a standalone plan

- 5G Ultra Wideband access
- 100GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data
- 4K UHD streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband and 720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE

Premium: $80/mo for Verizon customers with a smartphone on an eligible Unlimited plan or $110 as a standalone plan

- 5G Ultra Wideband access
- 150GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited lower-speed data
- 4K UHD streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband and 720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE

If you are in need of a hotspot plan, you can shop hotspot devices here and the new plans here.

Motorola Gives Up on Long-Term Updates (Updated: They Haven't)

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 09:02:03 +0000

UPDATE - Alright, we have a pretty big update to provide here! In the original article, which you can read in full below, we took Motorola to task a bit for what was supposedly an on the record confirmation that the new Edge 20 series would only receive a single Android version update. Motorola reached out to suggest that on the record quote that Android Authority received was "factually incorrect." Motorola wants to make it clear that the entire Edge 20 line (Pro, 20, and Lite) will all receive "at least" 2 major Android OS upgrades and see 2 years of bi-monthly security updates:

Motorola edge 20 pro, edge 20 and edge 20 lite will receive at least 2 major android OS upgrades and 2 years of bi-monthly security updates. These devices are protected by ThinkShield for mobile, which offers additional security protection. Essential features can also be updated via the PlayStore, which allows us to provide key updates more often. Users can expect ongoing support for software features like new My UX experiences, new camera features and new Ready For experiences, dependent on hardware compatibility.

We've asked if they can provide more information on how we went from an on the record quote stating that these devices would only receive a single Android OS update to now, where Motorola is saying they'll actually see at least two. If we can update further, we will.

ORIGINAL - A little over a year ago with the launch of the Motorola Edge+, a $1,000 phone that brought Moto back into the flagship phone arena, they found themselves having to commit to supporting the phone for longer than they initially wanted. When announced, Motorola told media that the Edge+ would only see one major Android version update to Android 11. The backlash over such measly support was swift and Motorola quickly realized it would be hard to push their new and expensive phone with such a negative cloud hanging over it. A week before the phone was set to arrive, Motorola added a 2nd Android version update to its commitment, with potential for more. We hope they keep their word on that, because with today's announcement for the Edge 20 line, Moto is basically done with long-term commitments unless they sell millions of a device and deem it worthwhile. In a statement provided to Android Authority, Motorola is now only committing to one update and will then review a device's life cycle to see if it deserves a 2nd:

Each device has its own merit in terms of where it needs to be updated and how many updates it does get. We do commit on the one OS update, and obviously we continue to review that. If we do find that the device has a longer life cycle in the market, we’ll obviously review to see whether it needs more OS upgrades.

If we break that down, they are essentially saying that they'll commit to one update and see what sales look like for the phone, as well as if enough people are hanging onto it. If they are, Moto will review the situation before deciding on whether or not to give the phone another major update. Or maybe another way to look at it is that Motorola's numbers show that people aren't hanging onto their phones for very long, so supporting them for more than a year isn't worth the time or money. Motorola expects their phones to be used for a while, then tossed in favor of an upgrade. Now, that may make perfect business sense, but it's a f*cking terrible precedent to set. For anyone buying a Motorola phone, especially the expensive ones, you should never do so expecting much software support beyond that first year. Because even if you love your phone and hang-on to it, if there aren't enough people like you, you are out of luck. For comparison, Samsung recently committed to 3 Android version updates and 4 years of security patches. While their phones can differ depending on the line, I'd just point out that they are still updating phones like the Galaxy J5 from 2017, a device I've never heard of.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro is Official Without US Availability

Kellen — Thu, 29 Jul 2021 07:46:37 +0000

Motorola surprisingly announced three new phones today, the Motorola Edge 20 Pro, Motorola Edge 20, and Motorola Edge 20 Lite. None were named as coming here, so that may be the surprising part of the timing. However, Motorola did subtly suggest it'll deliver "a new 5G edge family device in North America this fall." I guess it's not one of these? Since we have no idea what's up with these phones and if any will come to our networks, we'll make this a quick one.

Motorola Edge 20 Pro:

6.7" 144Hz OLED display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 870
4500mAh battery / 30W charging
256GB UFS3.1 storage
12GB LPDDR5 RAM
108MP main + 8 telephoto + 16MP wide cameras
32MP selfie camera
€699.99

Motorola Edge 20:

6.7" 144Hz OLED display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 778
4000mAh battery / 30W charging
128GB storage
8GB RAM
108MP main + 8 telephoto + 16MP wide cameras
32MP selfie camera
€499.99

Motorola Edge 20 Lite:

6.7" 90Hz OLED display
MediaTek Dimensity 720
5000mAh battery / 30W charging
128GB storage
8GB RAM
108MP main + 8 wide + 2MP depth cameras
32MP selfie camera
€349.99

There you go. All three launch outside of the US in August. You can find out more here.

Nest Outage Takes Out Most Services (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 13:34:40 +0000

Yep, there is a Nest outage going on and it affects a lot of their products and services. At the time of this post, logins, setup & pairing, Nest Apps, the Nest Thermostat, Nest Protect, and Nest Cam live video and history, are all listed as being down. Nest says they are investigating. I checked some of my own Nest products and they seem to be up and running. The reader that tipped us to the outage says that their services have returned as well. This may have been a temporary outage, but if you are noticing any hiccups still, this would be why.

We'll update this post as things come back online.

UPDATE 2:03PM: At least one issue has been identified and Nest is marking most as "partial outage" at this point. We should be good here soon, folks.
UPDATE 2:48PM: Nest says all systems are now "OK."

T-Mobile Starts Showing Where Its Good 5G Is

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:49:04 +0000

T-Mobile talks about 5G more than anyone in the industry not named Qualcomm, because when they bought Sprint, they inherited a whole bunch of the good 5G that no one else had (at the time). We're talking mid-band 5G, the type that will actually improve your wireless experience, unlike low-band "nationwide" 5G and the never-gonna-find-it 5G mmW stuff. Their rollout of mid-band 5G has taken some time, but if you've noticed a bump in speeds recently, it's probably because they've turned it on in your neighborhood. And if you were curious if that was the case or how you might access the good 5G, their coverage map now shows where you'll be able to connect to "5G Ultra Capacity." Yes, we have to give 5G ridiculous names because marketing. As pointed out today by PCMag, heading over to the T-Mobile Coverage Map (link) will show a darker magenta color for 5G Ultra Capacity areas, along with lighter shades for "5G Extended Range" (their nationwide 5G), 4G LTE, 3G/2G, and so on. The map at the top of this post shows that Portland, where your boy lives, is very much covered in this "Ultra" 5G, as are the surrounding cities. However, dipping outside of populated spaces drops you right back to the slow 5G or 4G LTE (below).

Checking out a number of other cities across the US shows similar coverage. Again, this is why T-Mobile never stops talking about its 5G network, because it has a mid-band 5G network that is very much available. Mid-band 5G is the type that offers big speed improvements across big spaces, unlike 5G mmW (big speeds with awful availability) or the nationwide, low-band 5G (big coverage, slow speeds). Verizon and AT&T do not yet have mid-band 5G networks, though they should open them up next year with the C-band spectrum they just purchased. Once those networks start going live, we might finally see a piece of the 5G future we've been promised for the better part of 5 years. For now, T-Mobile is the 5G king.

Google Voice is Getting 4 New Features

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 10:08:40 +0000

Google Voice is getting several new features over the next few weeks, as Google shows signs once again that it hasn't forgotten about its important alternative phone app that so many of us have used for years to help manage multiple phone numbers under a single line. In a blog post for Workspace customers, Google laid out 4 features that'll add refinements to the calling (or missed calling) experience, as well as text message management. The first two changes involve calls, with Google Voice soon to offer missed call reasons and also call drop reasons. Once the update hits, if you missed a call and can't figure out why, tapping on that missed call will now give you a reason why it thinks that happened, which could just mean the specific phone you were using was turned off of Voice or you had "do not disturb" enabled.

For dropped calls, the same situation sort of applies, where Google will try to explain why you might have dropped, like a poor internet connection. You'll be prompted with options to fix, including switching to your carrier number and then quickly redialing.

Another new feature is big for those into texting. Google is finally adding a multi-select delete option. For the longest time, Google has let you long-press on messages and then multi-archive, but now we'll be able to fully delete them. This may be a web app feature only for now - Google didn't specify. Finally, for iOS users Google is doing something with caller ID and forwarding. I've now read the explanation from them six times and have no idea what the hell they are talking about. So here's the text and I'll let you try to figure out what it means:

Google Voice customers using iOS now have a setting that allows them to see their Google Voice number as the caller ID when a call comes in to a number linked to Google Voice. When this setting is on, you will see the number you linked to Google Voice as the caller ID.

For Google Workspace users, these changes are mostly all available immediately outside of missed call reasons, which could take a couple of weeks. Google Play Link: Google Voice

Galaxy S21 Could Soon See a First Android 12 and One UI 4 Beta

Kellen — Wed, 28 Jul 2021 08:52:53 +0000

Once Google pushes Android 12 out of beta and into stable in a few weeks, we expect the first couple of manufacturers to launch their own skinned versions of it before long. In the past, OnePlus has been one of the first out of the gate to release new Android versions on whatever their newest phones are, but Samsung then tends to launch a beta for its top devices on a massive scale. While we don't know OnePlus' plans this year, Samsung is starting to announce theirs. On one of Samsung's community forums, a community manager has apparently posted a since-deleted teaser for the Samsung One UI 4 and Android 12 beta that is coming soon. That's really all it reveals, with no date listed, but it's still noteworthy. Again, the post has been deleted at this time. https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1420294607728828422 The timing of this news matches the release of the first One UI 3 and Android 11 beta last year for the Galaxy S20. Samsung first announced that in early August, just prior to the Android 11 release from Google. The initial beta was only for developers to test, with a wider more public beta opening up in October. We aren't sure if Samsung will follow that same schedule or not, but it seems likely. Samsung will want to do plenty of testing of Android 12 and their new One UI before letting the masses take to it. Samsung's new One UI builds are always a fun new experience to dive into. Samsung tends to add a number of feature changes and UI tweaks that often adopt some of Google's new Android ideas only with their own twist. One UI 4, assuming it hits the current crop of Samsung phones before the end of the year, will be an event to look out for.

Android 13 Could Be "Tiramisu"

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 11:44:39 +0000

The codename or dessert nickname fun for new releases of Android ended years ago when Google decided that its mobile operating system was serious and would only be referred to publicly by numbers. It ended a yearly guessing game, hunt for clues, and an eventual statue reveal that most of us enthusiasts enjoyed on some level. Now, there are still dessert nicknames for new versions of Android, but only Googlers use them internally and almost never reference them externally. For example, Android 10 was "Quince Tart," Android 11 was "Red Velvet Cake," and Android 12 is "Snow Cone." I had completely forgotten all three of those, as they are no longer a way we reference Android versions. It's whatever, unless knowing such details about your phone's operating system is a thing you can't help to spend time on. If you wanted to know what Android 13 is, XDA might have found it. In an AOSP commit, a Googler apparently submitted a change in platform version codename of Android T to "Tiramisu." So there you go - Android 13 is "Tiramisu." Android 13 won't be here until 2022, of course, so this news is really just a fun bit info to share on this random Tuesday. However, if Android codenames are still your thing, add this to the list you've been running since they were shutdown with Android 10.

OnePlus Budget Phones Dominate US Smartphone Market

Tim — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 10:09:05 +0000

According to the latest statistics from Counterpoint, there are few growers in the US smartphone market for the first half of 2021. While ZTE growth saw a dip of -77% and even Google is going backwards at -7% -- hopefully to bounce back big with the Pixel 6 lineup -- OnePlus absolutely crushed growth numbers at a staggering 428%. For a company that was already well established in the market, that's insanity. How did they do it? Budget phones. Data points to Nord N100 and N10 5G devices on Metro by T-Mobile being a major factor, with those phones being pushed over others as LG exits the mobile phone market. Even Motorola at its 83% growth and Samsung with 17% growth are hardly a blip on the chart next to OnePlus for H1 2021.

In the premium segment, Apple and Samsung continue to reign supreme, though, it's noted that Samsung could have done much better if inventory could have kept up with demand. This relates to the ongoing chip shortage, affecting much more than just the smartphone market. I'll be looking forward to the H2 figures. I'd label Google as "at-risk" in this market. If the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL can't get the company back on track and in the good graces of the buying public, it's tough to say how much longer Google will push forward. Google isn't big on losing money. As for LG, expect that negative number to continue to dip. RIP, LG. // Counterpoint

Samsung Talks New Foldables, Confirms S Pen Support

Tim — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:31:37 +0000

We're getting closer to August 11 and Samsung can't seem to contain its own excitement for this year's Unpacked. Ahead of the official unveiling for its new Wear OS-powered smartwatches and new foldables, Samsung has published an editorial, essentially hyping up its new devices and teasing upcoming features. Leaks from across the web have already filled us in on what we need to know, such as S Pen support coming to the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but Samsung has now confirmed that in this blog post. The company says it'll introduce, "the first-ever S Pen designed specifically for foldable phones," while also completely shutting the door on any potential Galaxy Note device for 2021.

Instead of unveiling a new Galaxy Note this time around, we will further broaden beloved Note features to more Samsung Galaxy devices.

Samsung also notes that it's working with Google to enhance the foldable ecosystem with "popular" apps and services. Specifically, Samsung notes that it has lined up even more partner apps that make the most of the versatile fold-out format. August 11 is going to be sweet. Reserve your new Galaxy foldable. // Samsung

Google TV App Gets Refreshed Look, More Recommendations

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 09:00:03 +0000

The Google TV app on your Android phone is getting an update this week that brings at least three new features or improvements to the experience. Google is improving the overall look, adding even more recommendations, and letting you choose more sources of content. The first change is in the user experience, where Google says they've added new 16:9 movie and show posters, Rotten Tomatoes scores under each poster, and a mark as watched button to help the recommendations system. The second change is in recommendations, which means you'll see more rows of content that Google thinks you'll want. Google has also improved its recommendation system to provide you shows that actually fit your interests.

READ: Goodbye, Google Play Movies and TV

And finally, the third change is in content sources, with Discovery+, Viki, Cartoon Network, PBS Kids, Boomerang, YouTube TV, Philo, and fuboTV now as options to check to show you shows and movies. Once you are updated to the new version you can find these by tapping on your profile icon (top right) and choosing "Manage services." Again, this update is rolling out this week on Android!

Videoleap Now on Android. Time to Step Up Our TikTok Game

Tim — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 08:53:29 +0000

If you are one of the millions of people hoping to strike it rich on TikTok, allow me to introduce you to one of the better mobile video editing apps you'll find. Previously unavailable to us poor Android users, Videoleap is now on Google Play, ready to help us all cash in on the latest video trends. Videoleap offers an assortment of tools, as one might expect from a video editing app. There's layer-based editing, plenty of filters, green screen compositing, unlimited undo/redo, a timeline feature similar to Final Cut on Mac computers, and plenty more. Check out the below video to see a few of the app's highlights. As for pricing, you know that all of this power can't be free. While many of the tools available are free to use, a lot of the Pro editing features do cost money. However, if you spend a lot of time editing video via your mobile device, there aren't a ton of great options for Android. With this release, Videoleap has definitely pushed itself towards the front of the pack. Have at it.

Google Play Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JTlaXBfnYyI&ab_channel=VideoleapbyLightricks-MobileVideoEditing

Nothing Ear 1 Official for August 17

Kellen — Tue, 27 Jul 2021 07:41:04 +0000

Nothing announced its Ear 1 earbuds today, and yeah, they are earbuds. While they have a clear vibe going on to add a bit of uniqueness to their design, it's hard to standout in the earbud space unless you sound incredible at the $99 price they will command. Since we haven't had these in-ear, we don't know that piece just yet. As for features, they feature an 11.6mm driver, active noise cancellation (ANC), Bluetooth 5.2, Fast Pair, in-ear detection, and splash/sweat resistance. Nothing also built an app that will provide an EQ, some gesture controls, that sort of thing. When it comes to battery life and charging, the Ear 1 last 5.7 hours on a single charge, but can up that total to 34 hours using the included case. The case has wireless charging and it'll charge quickly, providing 8 hours of use in 10 minutes time. The Nothing Ear 1 launch as a limited drop on July 31. General availability begins on August 17. Again, they cost $99.

Reserving a Galaxy Z Fold 3 for Free Makes Sense

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:08:52 +0000

Once Samsung announces the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 on August 11, the reservation period will be over and the extra bonuses they are offering will be gone. If you have even the slightest bit of interest in buying Samsung's next foldable devices, you should put your name on the list to register. If you do reserve a Galaxy Z Fold 3, which is a free reservation system with zero commitment, you'll get access to the "highest online instant trade-in values" when it comes time to buy. That just means that Samsung will give you more money than you'd typically get for the phone you will trade-in towards the new Fold. If it's a newish Galaxy phone, that could mean $800+ off the Fold 3. Oh, Samsung is also tossing in some sort of "$100 extra trade-in credit" too, which could mean an even bigger savings. On top of the big trade-in discounts, you'll get a free 12 months of Samsung Care+ by reserving, plus access to "an extra, special offer towards Galaxy products during pre-order." I'd imagine that will mean free Galaxy Buds 2, cheap accessories, etc. If you haven't reserved with Samsung before, it's pretty simple. You hit that link below and then give them your name and email. You can stop there if you want as that gets your name on the list. From there, they'll ask if you have devices to trade-in towards their new devices. Doing that, according to Samsung, will "fast track" you pre-order at the time of purchase. Once the phones have been announced and the pre-order system is opened, you'll get an email to get started.

Click to reserve the Galaxy Z Fold 3 for free

Microsoft Surface Duo Gets July Security Patch, Still No Android 11

Tim — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:17:33 +0000

Microsoft has announced a fresh update for the Surface Duo, and before you get your hopes up... No, it's not Android 11. Will Android 11 ever come? Eh, who knows? We're too busy focusing on Android 12's release next month, so apologies to those who are continuing to wait for Microsoft on this front. According to the changelog for this update, all you'll find inside is the July security patch. Once updated, unlocked Surface Duo owners will be on software version 2021.622.45, while AT&T-locked units will have 2021.622.32. Be on the lookout, Duo owners. // Microsoft

Motorola Edge 20 Pro is Missing Something

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 14:00:10 +0000

The abundance of recent leaks suggests that Motorola is close to announcing a new phone or two or three. At the end of last week, we got a look at the Motorola Edge 20, and today we're seeing a device being called the Motorola Edge 20 Pro. The images here were published by @evleaks, where he also referenced the device by its codename of "Sierra." This device, as you probably guessed by the "Pro" added to the end of its name, should be the higher end of the Edge 20 devices. Previous leaks have suggested this Motorola Edge 20 Pro will sport a Snapdragon 870 chipset, up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, 6.67" FHD display at 120Hz, 4500mAh battery, under-display fingerprint reader, and a triple rear camera headlined by the 108MP sensor you can see here. The device looks fine and should have the right specs to run well, knowing Motorola's approach to a light and lean Android. But it's weird that we're calling these "Edge" devices since, well, they don't have edge displays. Last year's introduction to the Edge series brought is dramatic edge displays that I'm not sure were well liked, so this isn't me complaining that neither this 20 Pro or the regular Edge 20 have edge displays, it's just that the name matched the design. Now, I guess we're just going with "Edge" because? Overall, these two Edge 20 devices look like the typical smartphone you'd find from any number of players in 2020 or 2021. The renders here also manage to give off a Motorola Edge+ vibe too, which I actually found to be a slick device despite its weird display. Hopefully, Motorola prices them right if they come to the US. Anyone liking?

Both Galaxy Z Fold 3, Flip 3 to Feature IPX8 Water Resistance

Tim — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 11:41:04 +0000

One of the pesky downsides to having a foldable Galaxy device from Samsung has been the lack of IP rating. Without one, every time you take the device from your pocket and place it in a position to potentially get wet (in the kitchen, bathroom, etc.), you're taking a huge gamble with devices that are not cheap. Thanks to new intel from @evleaks, it appears Samsung is shoring up one of our biggest concerns as fans of its foldable lineup. According to the new info, both the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will offer an IPX8 rating, which is a vast improvement over no rating at all. This rating essentially means the devices can withstand a submersion in water, though, it doesn't mean the phones are waterproof -- simply water resistant. As you can see in a bit of leaked marketing material (above header image), we have a new Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3 getting water splashed on them, so you better believe Samsung will be touting the fact that its foldables can withstand water. Compared to a couple of years ago, when we were seriously questioning the durability of foldable devices in general, Samsung is out here putting minds at ease. It's pretty damn remarkable. Mr. @evleaks also took the time to share a few camera and display specs. As tweeted, the Z Flip 3 will sport a 6.7-inch internal display and 1.9-inch cover display, as well as dual 12-megapixel rear cameras and a 10-megapixel selfie camera. The larger Z Fold 3 will offer a 7.6-inch internal display, 6.2-inch external display, triple 12-megapixel rear camera array, 10-megapixel cover selfie camera, 4-megapixel main selfie camera, plus two options (Pro and Fold Edition) S Pen options. Both the Z Flip 3 and Z Fold 3 will be debuted on August 11. // @evleaks

Android 12 Beta 3.1 Update is Here to Fix Bugs for Your Pixel

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 10:18:58 +0000

The Android 12 Beta 3.1 update arrived this morning to hopefully squash all sorts of bugs. While the Android 12 Beta 3 is without a doubt the most polished looking and feature rich of the builds to date, it is also the buggiest I've dealt with. The need for an update was immediate from day 1 when it released earlier in the month. The new Beta 3.1 update is available to Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 right away. We have both factory image and OTA files for flashing, but there should be an Android Beta Program rollout as well.

Release date: July 26, 2021 Build: SPB3.210618.016 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: July 2021 Google Play services: 21.24.13

Google says that this Android 12 Beta 3.1 update fixes bugs that caused boot loops, a System UI crash, and a memory issue that was killing processes. Android 12 Beta 3.1 Downloads: Factory Image | OTA For instructions on how to update to Beta 3.1, you’ll want to checkout this post if you grabbed one of those files above. If you are a part of the Android Beta program, then you can simply sit back and wait for the update, or check for it by going into Settings>System>System update.

If Real, This Surface Duo 2 Design is a Major Mistake

Kellen — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 09:23:33 +0000

The original Microsoft Surface Duo didn't necessarily fail as a concept, it failed because Microsoft decided an ultra minimalist design was more important than proper smart technological functionality. The Surface Duo is actually a pretty good idea, the company that made it simply didn't want to acknowledge that skipping important features would severely limit its usefulness to almost every person on the planet. For round two, and a device likely to be dubbed the Surface Duo 2, Microsoft has supposedly corrected most of the wrongs. Unfortunately, one of the steps they've apparently taken to fix one of the original's biggest flaws takes away from the original's intent on being a multi-dimensional productivity device.

READ: Surface Duo is really bad

Over the weekend, after sitting on YouTube for a month and no one noticing, media discovered a YouTube clip showcasing several images of a device believed to be the Surface Duo 2. The images show both white and black models of a Surface Duo 2 with familiar hinge system, weird rectangular body, a missing fingerprint reader (that could now be in the power button), and one major addition to the backside.

As I'm sure you have already realized, this Surface Duo 2 has a massive camera hump on the backside that is expected to house standard, wide, and telephoto lenses. It is a monster of a camera housing that looks like the camera found on the Galaxy Note 20 or Galaxy Z Fold 2. Even though the original Surface Duo had what I still believe is the worst smartphone camera I have ever used, I'm not sure this is the proper change we wanted from Microsoft. The beauty of the Surface Duo is the hinge system that allows the device to transform into several different positions or devices. It can open as a book, bent in the middle for dual screen usage and comfortable holding. It can be open flat and laid on a table to use almost as one big screen. It could also be folded backwards into a much smaller single screen device for one-handed use. This design, with that awful camera housing, takes away two of those three scenarios. If this is real, it seems like a major mistake from Microsoft. You won't be able to fold this device back on itself for one handed use because that camera housing won't allow that. That camera will create a major (and likely uncomfortable to hold) gap between the two panels when folded. You won't be able to lay it flat on a table either, because again, that camera housing is going to create problems. I'm actually shook that this could be the move adopted by Microsoft, as it completely changes the uniqueness of the idea of a Surface Duo. "But Kellen, you said the camera sucked and this could fix that!" Sure, man, this could certainly lead to a better camera experience. But good lord, Microsoft didn't need to throw in this year's enormous camera sensor setup to give you a quality camera all while killing off the benefits of their original design. You may recall the original Pixel and its industry leading camera that happened to be completely flat to the device. That camera or anything similar would have been all Microsoft needed in this because it would have given them acceptable camera performance (assuming Microsoft can even tune a camera properly) while keeping with the original Duo's design. This takes that all away for the sake of...I don't even know, spec talk?

The rest of the device, according to Windows Central, is said to feature a Snapdragon 888, 5G, NFC, and what I can only imagine are proper and current specs for a modern smartphone. That's great. This new camera setup is most definitely not. We don't need the Surface Duo 2 to have the greatest camera on the face of the Earth. We need it to have a good or acceptable camera. That could have been done without this.

Now It's Easy to See 'What's New' on Spotify

Tim — Mon, 26 Jul 2021 08:20:33 +0000

Spotify announced this morning a new way to discover the latest releases on the streaming service. Soon, you'll notice a fancy new bell icon in the top right of the Spotify home page. When tapped, that bell will take you to the all-new What's New feed, featuring all of the latest releases from artists and podcasts you follow. With this, there's no chance you'll miss anything from your favey-fave artists. Spotify notes that should your What's New feed look a bit dull in the beginning, all you'll need to do is head to artist pages and starting following them. Once you start following more artists and podcasts, your What's New feed will certainly start filling up. Additionally, this feed updates in real-time, meaning if things are timed properly, you can be one of the first Spotify users to listen to newly released tracks. What's New is headed out to both Android and iOS in the coming weeks. Be on the lookout! // Spotify

Here's the Motorola Edge 20

Tim — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 12:31:32 +0000

We learned about an upcoming Motorola Edge device about a month ago, and now, we're hearing and seeing much more concerning the upcoming Motorola Edge 20. While the name is slightly confusing, since the year is now 2021, we're just gonna go with it. Thanks to a big time leak, we now have 360-degree rendered images and video, as well as a full list of specs for the upcoming Motorola-made device. Aligning with what we heard earlier, the phone is expected to come with a Snapdragon 778G processor with two RAM options (6GB or 8GB), a 6.7-inch FHD+ display with refresh rate of 120Hz, triple rear camera array featuring a main 108-megapixel sensor, plus a 4,000mAh battery. From what we can see with the hardware, it's a handsome device. The triple camera setup is in the top left corner, similar to other devices, plus the front's selfie camera is a cute little hole punch. It's not a bad looking device whatsoever. We aren't positive on when the Edge 20 will be released, but it's a safe bet that it'll be relatively soon. In the meantime, enjoy an entire 360-degree look below. Thoughts? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fue3sJKwUaA&ab_channel=Pricebaba.com // Pricebaba

Podcast: Samsung is Foldin' in the Now

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 08:26:43 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're recapping the hotness from the past few days in Android, so that means a preview of sorts of Samsung's next Unpacked event and all of its devices. We'll also find time to talk Android 12 Beta 3, OnePlus' announcements of Nord 2 and Buds Pro, Google winning RCS, and what's happening with old Wear OS watches, since Wear OS 3 is coming. Trivia is back and we have MEATER+ for all winners! Major shoutout to MEATER for the prizes this week. If you'd like to get a MEATER+ smart meat thermometer for yourself, you can get one here. We love them. We’ll be live at 10:00AM Pacific (1:00PM Eastern).

Hey, the SHIELD TV is $20 Off

Kellen — Fri, 23 Jul 2021 07:49:15 +0000

The NVIDIA SHIELD TV, a cylindrical Android TK tube with 4K and HDR and all the goods, is on sale today. Best Buy is trying to be Amazon with a "Black Friday in July" sale and one of our favorite streaming sticks is a part of it. For a limited time, you can grab the SHIELD TV for $20 off, which drops the price to $129.99. No, this isn't a 50% off deal or something wild, but NVIDIA doesn't discount this very often. We'll take what we can get. You can read our review from 2019 here, but what you need to know is that the SHIELD TV is still the best performing Android TV device on the planet, with a Tegra X1+ chip, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage (with SD slot), Dolby Vision and Atmos HDR support, and super fancy 4K upscaling that'll make bad content look quite nice. Oh, it also comes with an awesome triangular remote. We're big SHIELD TV fans, even if the Chromecast with Google TV is a heck of a value.

SHIELD TV $20 off deals:

Enter the Android Auto Beta Test Now

Tim — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:40:18 +0000

There's a new beta in town. This time, it's for Android Auto, but should you choose to give yourself over to the beta and its ever-tempting power, do note that Google says, "testing versions can be less stable and some features might not work properly." That's the usual fine print with betas, but yeah, be careful while relying on a beta of Android Auto to get you around town. To get yourself enrolled, follow the link below, enroll yourself, and then wait for the update to the app to come. Google doesn't specify what feature you can look forward to, but regardless, betas are always fun. Have at it.

Beta Enrollment Link

// Google Support Cheers Tabatha!

Samsung Will be First to Use Corning's New Gorilla Glass DX for Cameras

Tim — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 12:24:07 +0000

Corning announced Gorilla Glass DX for smartphone cameras this week, with Samsung detailed as being the first to use the new scratch resistant glass. According to Corning, these new Gorilla Glass composites will not only provide mobile device camera lens covers with enhanced scratch resistance and durability compared to traditional coatings, but also improved optical performance. Overall, should your next phone have this new Gorilla Glass DX, it should be good.

By capturing 98% of light for the camera lens, our glass composites augment the full capability of the camera design and help create high-quality images and videos. Our Gorilla Glass DX products offer the industry's best combination of optical performance and protection for the ultimate consumer experience.

We'll let you know as soon as we figure out which Samsung device(s) will offer this. // Corning

Wear OS 3 Upgrade News is Bad News for Fossil's Upcoming Watches (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 10:08:52 +0000

After reading today's news from Google about the devices that will be eligible for the upgrade to Wear OS 3, it sure sounds like Fossil got out ahead of itself some. A few weeks back, the fashion wearable maker was all-in on its next watch "launching with the [new Wear] unified platform," but that doesn't appear to be true. In fact, today's announcement from Google says the opposite and is very bad news for Fossil's upcoming watches. To back up for a minute, understand that the quote above is from Fossil CFO Greg McKelvey, where he unveiled their plans for the Fossil Gen 6 during an interview in June. He called the watch "premium," talked about it having major hardware upgrades, and said to expect a price north of their current best watches. But as that quote reads, he was pretty direct on their new watch shipping with Google's new Wear OS 3 platform. However, Google said today that the Fossil Group's new generation of devices launching later this year "will be eligible for upgrade," as if they won't have Wear OS 3 out of the box. What makes this detail worse is the fact that Google said it expects its partners to "be able to roll out the system update starting in mid to second half of 2022." In other words, Fossil will ship the Gen 6 this year and it might not see Wear OS 3 for up to a year. On top of that, Google explained that the update is so major that it'll require a factory reset and will be opt-in because while it will "bring the benefit of many of the new experiences," the "user experience will also be impacted" in some cases. There is a chance Wear OS 3 won't run well on Fossil's new watch, which isn't good for a watch likely carrying a price well north of $300. It's hard to know exactly why Fossil's new watch won't ship with the new Wear OS 3 and what the experience will truly be like. All we know is that the Fossil Gen 6 will run a Qualcomm chip, likely the Snapdragon Wear 4100. After seeing the back and forth between Google and Qualcomm over Wear OS 3 and support for the 4100, I'm starting to think Qualcomm really was left completely in the dark on the new platform and that its newest and best chip isn't quite up to Google's new standards for its wearable OS. We've reached out to Fossil for clarification and will update this should we receive it.

UPDATE: Fossil got back to us and clarified that their CFO meant the new watches would be eligible for the update to Wear OS 3. They also explained that they will work to "bring the maximum amount of innovation that Google will enable to each of our generation of smartwatches." So yeah, no Wear OS 3 at launch.

OnePlus Adding Option to Disable Throttling in OxygenOS 12, Like We Suggested

Tim — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:25:56 +0000

For those not following along, it came to light rather recently that OnePlus is sneakily optimizing phones. Sadly, it's not the good kind of optimizing, and if we're being honest here, that word has ben completely bastardized by the smartphone/tech industry. Long story short, OnePlus is throttling performance of the world's most popular apps on its most powerful phones to date, the OnePlus 9 series. These phones shouldn't have a problem running said apps, but according to OnePlus, this was done to help increase battery performance. The thing is, people are paying for top of the line specs with some of these phones, so the company doing this without saying anything or giving users an option to toggle the optimization was a significant breach of trust. As I argued previously, OnePlus has a right to "optimize" whatever they want, but users should always be given an option to turn these things on/off. They are the ones paying the money. Now, in a new statement, the company says they will build a throttle on/off switch into OxygenOS 12 (based on Android 12).

Since different chips perform differently and we want to make sure to get the best performance and efficiency out of each one, we've implemented performance optimizations to varying degrees on the OnePlus 9R and Nord 2. However, given the clear feedback from users and media, our R&D team is currently working to add an option to let users turn on/off this optimized mode and have better control over the performance of their phones. We're targeting to have this solution ready with one of the first builds of OxygenOS 12.

In summary, this optimized mode isn't going away, and in fact, it's headed to more devices! But thanks to all of the nagging from us (the media) and users, we're getting a toggle to turn it on and off. That's a good thing. OnePlus has a history of being oblivious to things that might piss people off. Whether it be excluding certain specs or offensive marketing campaigns, OnePlus is always setting that bar for others. We can appreciate that. // Android Police

Google Confirms Watches Eligible for Upgrade to Wear OS 3 and When Its Coming

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 09:08:32 +0000

Alright, we have some clarity, folks. Google just announced more details regarding the update to Wear OS 3 for current watches on the market, as well as those coming here in the near future. Google confirmed that watches running the Snapdragon Wear 4100 will be eligible to be upgraded, so that means the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3, TicWatch Pro 3 LTE, and TicWatch E3. They also mentioned that Fossil's next generation of watches that are launching later this year will have the upgrade to Wear OS 3 made available. They must be talking about the Fossil Gen 6. As for all older watches, Google is not planning to offer an upgrade to Wear OS 3. They did offer a commitment to new app experiences, like the new Gboard and Google Play that launched recently. But yeah, if you own a Snapdragon Wear 3100 or Wear 2100 watch, you won't see an update.

READ: Wear OS 3 upgrade news is bad news for Fossil's upcoming watches

Now, as far as when Wear OS 3 is coming, it's going to be a while. When Samsung and Google launch the platform in a few weeks at Unpacked, that won't mean an immediate upgrade for the rest of the watches I mentioned above. Google says that the Wear OS 3 update won't arrive until the second half of 2022 for these other watch makers. Please read that again. Additionally, the update is so major that it will require a factory reset when you install it. It will also be an opt-in upgrade, as the experience is quite different and could be impacted on older watches. Since this sounds like a huge undertaking and big decision that needs more info to be relayed, Google will share more before that update is released. To recap, Google will indeed make the Wear OS 3 update available to select watches (those running the Wear 4100), but it'll be opt-in, will require a factory reset of the watch, may offer an impacted experience, and won't be available for an entire year. Damn.

OnePlus Buds Pro are Here and They are Hot

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:45:55 +0000

After releasing several pairs of middle-of-the-road earbuds, OnePlus is bringing its first serious pair to the market this year. The OnePlus Buds Pro are official and not only do they look hot, OnePlus is promising that they'll bring all the features at a competitive price. The OnePlus Buds Pro are the first from OnePlus to feature Active Noise Cancellation (ANC). OnePlus is calling this a "smart" ANC that will try and block out environmental noise and those obnoxious voices nearby, leaving you with the immersive listening experience you desire. The Buds Pro's ANC uses a 3-mic setup that "actively filters out noise levels of up to 40dB," rather than at a fixed level like others. OnePlus baked in something called OnePlus Audio ID, which is a custom sound profile, as well as Bluetooth 5.2 and latency low enough to be used with games. That sound profile, coupled with Dolby Atmos support and two "large" 11mm dynamic drivers, will be fun to test. As for battery life, the OnePlus Buds Pro provide up to 38 hours of total usage with the included charging case and can grab a supposed 10 hours of use with 10 mins of charging. Yes, that means Warp Charge is here, as is wireless charging. The actual Buds Pro get "5 hours or so" of use out of the case when in-ear. These handsome Buds Pro come in a black matte colorway or a white-silver model with matching cases. They are slick, with a design that might mimic AirPods Pro, only that two-tone color blocking leaves them standing out as a unique product. The only bad thing is that we have to wait a while for the OnePlus Buds Pro to get here. OnePlus says they won't hit the US until September 1 and the price is $149.99.

OnePlus Nord 2 Brings Solid Upgrades to Last Year's Original Model

Kellen — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 07:45:34 +0000

The OnePlus Nord 2 is official as the follow-up to one of our favorite phones from last year that you likely would have considered if it was sold in the US. Unfortunately again, the Nord 2 won't come here, but it's still worth a quick look to see how impressive a mid-range offering can be. For specs, the OnePlus Nord 2 features a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor (6nm), 6.43" AMOLED display with 90Hz refresh rate, 4500mAh battery with Warp Charge 65, up to 12GB RAM and 256GB storage, dual SIM support, stereo speakers, and a triple rear camera. That camera setup is headlined by a 50MP Sony IMX766 sensor with OIS alongside an 8MP ultra-wide shooter. Up front, it also has a 32MP selfie camera. The Nord 2 runs Android 11 and OxygenOS 11.3 out of the box. Since you are likely curious about software support, know that OnePlus is promising 2 years of major Android OS updates long with 3 years of security patches. As you can see from the images here, Nord 2 comes in Blue Haze and Grey Sierra. There will be a third color called Green Woods that I have not yet seen, but imagine it's lovely. The OnePlus Nord 2 will be available on July 28 from OnePlus' store and Amazon in India and Europe. Below you'll find a breakdown on RAM/storage configurations and pricing.

DEAL: Galaxy Z Fold 2 is Down to $1499 Right Now ($300 Off)

Tim — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 15:30:29 +0000

With new foldables on the horizon, Samsung has marked its current Galaxy Z Fold 2 on sale, down to just $1499 with an instant $300 in savings. For this device, easily the best foldable on the market, that's a good price.

Review: Galaxy Z Fold 2

If you're curious as to whether or not the Z Fold 2 is a good buy right now, given the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is only a month or so away, it's not a very easy question to answer. You see, while it's great that the device has been discounted, and it's surely a fantastic phone, we have read reports stating that the new lineup of Galaxy foldables will come in cheaper than we've seen before. For example, let's say the new Galaxy Z Fold 3 starts around $1750? It could be worth it to some to just wait and see. Galaxy Z Fold 3 would likely see new software versions first and come with improved specifications. There's a lot to weigh, but as it stands, the Galaxy Z Fold 2 is a kick-ass device. Follow the link below if you're interested.

Buy Galaxy Z Fold 2

Twitter is Testing Downvotes on Tweets, and Dammit, Stop Calling It a Dislike Button

Tim — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 14:41:26 +0000

Twitter says a small group of iOS users should begin seeing a new voting system on tweet replies, designed to help the platform decide on what types of replies users feel are relevant to the conversation. Twitter is very clear that this is not a dislike button. Instead, this is merely a research test for now and votes do not change the order of replies. Additionally, downvotes are not public.

Some of you on iOS may see different options to up or down vote on replies. We're testing this to understand the types of replies you find relevant in a convo, so we can work on ways to show more of them. Your downvotes aren’t public, while your upvotes will be shown as likes.

I don't have an iPhone, so I likely won't see this ever, but even if I did, I don't think I'd go around downvoting people's tweets. I'd rather just ignore them, go outside and enjoy life. // Twitter Support

Nova Launcher 7 Beta Hits Google Play With the Goods

Tim — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 13:07:19 +0000

Earlier in the year, the developer behind Nova Launcher released version 7 of the beloved launcher app in beta form, but it wasn't made available via Google Play. It was only usable via sideloading the app. This week, the Nova Launcher 7 beta has hit Google Play, and with it, there are lots of goodies to play with. Along with this news, an updated changlog.

Nova 7 first Play Store Beta (Staged roll out)
Visual refresh - Rebased on the latest AOSP launcher code and updated Nova specific code to match the latest animation and visual styles
Weather icon in search bar (Nova Settings > Search > Desktop Search Bar > Weather)
Swipe down action on icons (Requires Prime)
Enhanced Nova Search
Reshape themed icons and toggle reshaping per icon
Option for Android for Work apps in their own tab
Custom Widget Corner Radius (Nova Settings > Desktop > Widget corner radius)

As you can see, there are lots of good stuff. There's an enhanced Nova Search, swipe down action on icons, a weather icon in the search bar, as well as custom widget corner radius for those who need it. Join the beta and download the app via the link below.

Google Play Link

Old Google Pay App Now Just a Payment Machine

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 12:48:38 +0000

About a month ago, Google said that it was close to stripping the old Google Pay of any useful feature, leaving you little reason to keep it on your phone. We noted at the time that the only real feature remaining was the NFC payment portion, where you could still use the old app to make payments. While that feature remains, it is now the only feature left. This week, Google changed the old Google Pay to show nothing but the payment tab, with your attached credit cards up top and your loyalty cards below. On Monday, a reader first tipped us to this change and when I looked, saw the old 4-tab interface still. Then today, that all went away and I'm only left with what you are seeing above. At this point, you really have no reason to keep the old Google Pay around unless you want this ultra-bare bones experience. The only actions you can still complete are adding or managing cards, opening loyalty program cards, and viewing transaction history. It's incredibly simple, maybe the way a payment app should be. And actually, now that I think about it, this is kind of nice. Gone are the ads and supposed promos and offer pushes and social stuff, as is the weird Google bank stuff. The fluff that I can't imagine many use, isn't here at all. All you have is the most simple NFC payment interface you could have, with activity history there as well (in the side menu). What more do you really need? We don't know if Google will fully kill off this old Google Pay app and take away its payment powers, but until they do, you might enjoy it now more than ever. Hello, simplicity. Cheers Secret Santa!

Samsung is Crazy With Their Galaxy Z Fold 3 Reservation Program

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:15:26 +0000

As a part of last night's announcement for the upcoming Unpacked event, Samsung opened reservations for the devices they plan to show off, namely the Galaxy Z Fold 3. While I'm sure six people will be interested in the Z Flip 3, the Fold 3 is the headline grabber and the device we're most excited to see. For reservations (reserve here), Samsung is once again offering you incentives to add your name to the list of potential buyers. They really want you to buy their foldables, like the Galaxy Z Fold 3, if that wasn't clear already. I'd imagine they feel like simply getting your name on the list and teasing all sorts of discounts will give them added power in convincing you to buy once the devices are available.

Freebies for reserving Z Fold 3

The incentives they hope will make the difference through reservations include the "highest online instant trade-in values" that'll feature an extra $100 trade-in credit. They'll also include Samsung Care+ for free for 12 months ($155 value) and "an extra special offer" towards other Galaxy products during pre-order. My guess is that'll mean cheap or free Galaxy Buds 2 or chargers or those types of things.

See all of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 offers here

Trade-in multiple devices?

In a bit of a new twist, Samsung is going to help you afford one of their ultra-expensive foldables this time around by letting you trade-in more than one device. As you are all well aware, the Samsung trade-in program kicks ass, especially at launch of new products because Samsung increases trade-in values to unrealistic levels. If they are going to let you add on a second device, well, this could be a big year for the Z Fold 3. As you can see from the image below, Samsung will give you choices of phone, tablet, or wearable to trade-in as a first device, but then they are adding a second device with those same choices. You could trade-in two phones, two tablets, two wearables, or a combination of the three to help you lower the price of the Galaxy Z Fold 3, a phone that will likely cost well over $1,000.

See which devices to trade-in for the Galaxy Z Fold 3

Of course, we don't know values for trade-ins just yet. However, Samsung offered $800-off the Galaxy Z Fold 2 last year if you had an original Galaxy Fold to give them. They came close to matching that by offering up to $650-off for the top Samsung and Apple devices at that time too. If Samsung lands at around those numbers again, you could easily get $1,000 off the Z Fold 3 if you have a couple of newer gadgets to hand over. The reservation system is only open until August 11 when Unpacked kicks off. Get your name on the list, since it doesn't cost anything.

Today's Your Last Chance to Utilize Verizon's Free 5G Phone Upgrade

Tim — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 08:14:35 +0000

For the past month and a half, Verizon has been running a campaign to get more and more people onto its 5G network and an Unlimited plan. To do this, it's been handing out free phones left and right, though, they're free in the sense that the carrier is providing you with monthly bill credits and you'll need to be paying for one of the more expensive Unlimited data plans around. It's not without its perks, though. Anyway, before I go off on a tangent about how instead of perks we should simply have cheaper bills, allow me to remind you that today is the last day to take advantage of this Verizon campaign. If you're a Verizon customer, it's straightforward. If you're not on a 5G phone yet, Verizon is offering you a trade-in for your old phone (even if it has a broken screen or sticky buttons) in the form of a new 5G phone, free of charge. All you’ll need to do is be on one of the carrier’s Unlimited plans and be fine with monthly bill credits that pay for your free phone. If you aren't already with Verizon, the carrier will pay for you to switch carriers and also allow you to trade in your existing non-5G phone for a new 5G smartphone, free of charge. All you’ll need is one of Verizon’s Unlimited plans after you’ve ported your old number and be ok with the same monthly bill credits. Clearly, there are more hoops to jump through for non-Verizon customers, but if you've been looking to make the switch, it's a good time. We went over all of the accompanying fine print in our previous writeup. I recommend you read it. It's mostly fine, though, Verizon does limit your allotted bill credits, so don't expect to get a free Galaxy Z Fold 2 or something when you trade-in. You'll be getting a Galaxy S21 or something similar in price. As for what's replacing this campaign, Verizon will revert to its offer of $1,000 towards broken phone trade-ins. Not bad at all.

Google Maps Helps You Avoid Transit Crowds, Leave Better Reviews, Reminisce on the Good Old Days

Kellen — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 07:53:04 +0000

We still very much live in a world where a global pandemic is alive and well. Depending on where you reside and whether or not the community you live in cares about one another, your day may be quite different from those in the state, county, or country over. To help everyone find ways to navigate this current time, help your local businesses stay alive, or to look back at a pre-pandemic world that let you vacation, Google Maps has some new features for you. The first new feature is an expansion of transit crowdedness to more than 10,000 transit agencies and 100 countries. When you decide to leave the house and take a bus or train, you'll be able to see whether or not that particular line is busy. The hope is to be able to clearly show you if there will be lots of open seats, a full car, or whether or not you'll have to wait. Additionally, Google is piloting a program in Sydney and New York where you'll be able to see crowdedness down to the car. With this information, you could see which cars tend to be the busiest and can then plan to wait for the next or jump on now. Next up, Google Maps plans to show you more Insights about your life and how you move with a new Timeline feature, assuming you have location tracking on. This area will show you how you get around, whether that's walking or by car, the types of places you visit, and highlights. Why is any of this important? I have no idea. It really seems like Google flexing its data muscles a bit for those who like visuals on their life movements. Where you might find meaningful information is the the Trips area of the Timeline. Trips will show not only all of your previous trips, it'll help you plan new ones. For many of us, this area hasn't changed much in the past year and a half. Hopefully, we can all add new memories to it soon.

Finally, Google Maps is getting a more detailed review form to let you leave reviews more easily, but also provide a bit more detail if you wish. Whether you are just grabbing takeout or lunch, you'll be able to select those options without much effort. And yes, you should leave reviews for the spots you visit on the regular, as it really helps those businesses in the eye of Google. // Google

Galaxy Unpacked 'Unfolds' on August 11, Reserve New Phones Now

Tim — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 17:00:01 +0000

Invitations are headed out to media, with Samsung setting the date for its next Galaxy Unpacked event. The company's big unveiling will take place virtually on Wednesday, August 11, at 10AM ET / 7AMPT. What will they unveil? The better question is, what won't Samsung unveil? We're expecting to see the new range of Wear OS devices made in partnership between Samsung + Google, the latest Galaxy Z devices (Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3), Galaxy S21 FE, plus the new Galaxy Buds 2. Seriously, it'll be a packed Unpacked, so expect your boys here at Droid Life to be mighty busy writing everything up. If you can't wait until August 11 to get hyped for your next device, Samsung has now opened reservations. During this period, buyers can score increased trade-in values on used devices, plus additional goodies when they reserve one of the next Galaxy devices. In past years, Samsung has even provided early pre-order links for those who reserved, allowing you to score the exact device you want.

Customers who reserve early can gain access to exclusive offers from Samsung, including 12 free months of Samsung Care+, up to an extra $200 trade-in credit and a special pre-order offer.

Have at it!

Reserve Next Galaxy Here

Netflix is Getting Serious About Mobile Gaming

Tim — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 13:56:28 +0000

In a letter to investors this week, Netflix reiterated its video game intentions. If you weren't previously aware, it was reported that Netflix wanted to get into video games, but at what capacity was unknown. As stated in this new letter, the video streaming company is serious about delivering games to subscribers -- specifically mobile games. Netflix says that games will be delivered to subscribers at no additional cost, and initially, they'll be focused primarily on mobile. However, it's currently unknown how Netflix will deliver the games to users. Could they be through the existing Netflix app or will Netflix publish additional gaming apps to Google Play? We have no idea, but it's interesting. Here's the full excerpt from the letter.

We’re also in the early stages of further expanding into games, building on our earlier efforts around interactivity (eg, Black Mirror Bandersnatch) and our Stranger Things games. We view gaming as another new content category for us, similar to our expansion into original films, animation and unscripted TV. Games will be included in members’ Netflix subscription at no additional cost similar to films and series. Initially, we’ll be primarily focused on games for mobile devices. We’re excited as ever about our movies and TV series offering and we expect a long runway of increasing investment and growth across all of our existing content categories, but since we are nearly a decade into our push into original programming, we think the time is right to learn more about how our members value games.

In this world, content is king. If Netflix can somehow gets its hands on a few games that people actually enjoy, they could become a one-stop shop for all things content. It's quite the play, and if it pays off, who knows what the future can hold for video games. // Netflix | The Verge

Fossil Gen 6 is Going to Run a Qualcomm Chip

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 12:29:03 +0000

Qualcomm has taken quite the beating in recent weeks over its previous support of Wear OS and the failings of the chips it provided. The wave of criticism kickstarted following Samsung and Google's announcement of a co-developed new Wear platform that will try and give Android wearables a fresh start. The fact that Google has cozied up with Samsung and that the two companies do not seem to be on the same page when it comes to support for Qualcomm's Wear chips and the new platform, has led to questions over whether or not Qualcomm had a future with Wear OS. Today, to make it clear that they are going nowhere, Qualcomm announced another commitment to Snapdragon Wear chips and platforms, while naming partners who will bring these experiences to devices. One of their biggest partners, Fossil, confirmed that it'll continue using Qualcomm for its Wear OS watches, including its flagship Gen 6 that should be here shortly. This may not seem like big news to some of you, but trust me, there were plenty of industry watchers asking if Samsung would open up their new wearable chips for use in devices from other companies. That could still happen, of course, but I'd venture to guess that outside of Samsung's new Galaxy Watch 4 devices, most others will keep using whatever Qualcomm has made available at the time. Qualcomm didn't announce new chips today, only that they "plan to roll out new Snapdragon Wear platforms across segments over the next year to meet our long-term vision." That could mean a Snapdragon Wear 5100 or a 4300+ or a brand new naming scheme for all we know. But what you should know is that Qualcomm is going to be in most Wear OS watches unless Samsung changes their approach. As for the Fossil Gen 6, the company's director of strategy for wearables, Chris Hartley, said that they'll launch "smartwatches" later this year with Qualcomm chips and that one should be the "best possible Wear OS smartwatch [on] the market." Prepare for more Qualcomm in your watches going forward.

Tip: Turn Off RCS "Chat" When You Switch Phones or Else...

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:43:52 +0000

Now that Verizon has committed to RCS with Google, the three major US carriers are all onboard. RCS is here (unlike 5G) and will be a big part of your messaging experience going forward, assuming you have an Android phone. And while RCS is great and a big improvement on traditional text messaging, moving from one device to another is now a thing you have to think about if you want uninterrupted messaging. What I'm trying to tell you is that Google wants you to turn off RCS or "Chat" on your old phone before you move to your next phone. If you don't you could see up to 8 days of issues, according to Google Support. Issues like not receiving text messages on your new phone in Google Messages is the biggest and the one you need to know how to fix. Thankfully, turning off RCS or "Chat" is super easy and there are a couple of ways to do it, including one that'll help if you forgot to turn it off on your old phone.

How to turn off RCS or "Chat" in Google Messages

Option 1: If you remember, the best thing to do is turn off RCS on your old phone before you switch to your new phone. Google says that if you don't, "Chat" may continue to work on your old phone for up to 8 days, even if you pull your SIM card out. Since that would be bad, do this.

Open Google Messages
Tap the 3-dot menu in the top right
Tap Settings>Chat features
Toggle "Enable chat features" to the off position

And that should do it! Once you fire up your new phone and toss in the SIM card, feel free to enable "Chat" and enjoy the benefits of RCS messaging. Option 2: Now, if you forgot to turn off "Chat" on your old phone and are having issues with messaging on your new phone, Google has a web deactivation portal that'll help you get the ball rolling on fixing your issues.

You'll head over to this link, enter your phone, then enter a 6-digit code that will arrive to verify your switch to a new phone.
It still could take some time to fix everything, but this is the step you need to take to get a fix started.

Go enjoy RCS.

New Venmo Arrives This Week to Protect Buyers, Take Money From Sellers

Tim — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 10:00:05 +0000

PayPal has introduced the new and improved Venmo for Android and iOS this week, with a whole new take on the peer-to-peer payments platform. According to PayPal, it's now more social, more easy to explore, and is also focused at offering protection to users who are paying for goods and services. That means fees, fees, and more fees for sellers. Let's cover the important stuff first: Purchase Protection. When a user is using the new Venmo to purchase a good, they can now specifically check a box for that, which adds Purchase Protection to the transaction. However, when you do this, the seller will have to pay a fee, so be aware of that. It's just like how PayPal has worked for eons. With Purchase Protection activated, if you don't receive something you paid for or it's not as described, you'll be able to get your money back. That's obviously great, but wasn't the original intent for Venmo back in the day. Many people run side hustles with Venmo, so Venmo is looking to protect its users, as well as get a piece of that action. Beyond that, the app is more social, with the global feed now completely removed. Replacing it is the friends feed, now the only social feed that will appear in the app. Additionally, users will see a new bottom navigation when they open the app, allowing them to toggle between their social feed, Venmo products, and their personal profile. You'll even find a new Crypto section, dedicated to getting users into the world of crypto. Hooray. Head into Google Play and pick up the new Venmo.

Google Play Link

// PayPal

Verizon's 5G mmW Push Should Absolutely Piss You Off

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 09:40:15 +0000

Verizon Joins AT&T, T-Mobile in Switching to Google Messages and RCS

Kellen — Tue, 20 Jul 2021 08:03:40 +0000

Google has done it. It might have taken more years than any of us predicted, but here we are. Google won the RCS battle in the US. All three big US carriers have now announced that they will pre-load Google Messages on their Android phones and use Google's RCS. Verizon joined AT&T and T-Mobile this morning, saying that they too will make Google Messages the default on their Android phones. However, unlike those other two, Verizon isn't getting started with this change until next year (2022). That means we'll get several phone releases throughout the next couple of quarters that won't have Google Messages and will lack the cross-carrier RCS compatibility it brings.

How to turn off RCS "Chat" in Google Messages

Once 2022 rolls around, Verizon customers will be able to take advantage of RCS benefits, like sending and receiving high-quality photos and video, chatting over WiFi, seeing read receipts or when someone is typing, bigger and better group chats, and encrypted messages in one-on-one chats. Verizon is also planning to bring full RCS access to users of their bad Message+ app. I'd imagine that enough people use that app that they can't simply move on and get rid of it. Bad UI lives! Of course, if you don't want to wait for Verizon to add Google Messages to your phone or you don't want to buy a new phone to get it, you can always install Google Messages today. RCS already works because Google pushed around the carriers to enable it everywhere without their help back in 2019. Good job, everyone.

Is Truly Unlimited Data With No Throttling a Thing You Want?

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 15:56:35 +0000

When 4G LTE arrived, US carriers realized that data was the new way for them to milk customers out of extra cash. That led to the end of truly unlimited data plans and the introduction of tiered data, where you paid by the GB. Once they built those networks out more, we saw "unlimited" make a return, but there were a bunch of asterisks surrounding it. Nothing was truly unlimited like it once was. Now, with 5G the talk of the industry, LTE networks solid enough as a back-bone, and the idea of a future where we'll be using data by the multi-GB are upon us, unlimited is back. T-Mobile first gave us Magenta Max without any data limits and now AT&T has matched with their Elite Unlimited plan. Verizon has yet to make their move, but you have to wonder if they are simply finalizing plans for one. The plans don't have a terrible cost at $85/mo from both T-Mobile and AT&T for single lines. If you add more lines, that price comes down. Both are offering freebies with them too. The big claim, though, is that you can use as much damn data as you want at high speeds without seeing any sort of slow down at any time. It's a big change after all these years of throttling. My question to you is, do you really want or need truly unlimited data again? Are we all using that much data? The carriers basically just forced us into years and years of conserving data use, so much so that I wonder if we've all found life that relies mostly on available WiFi? So let us know - is a truly unlimited data plan a thing you want?

The Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) are Gone

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:59:02 +0000

A couple of weeks ago, just as the Pixel Buds A-Series launched, Google told us that the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) were soldout in the US and Canada, and that only a few countries or third-party retailers might still have stock. They also told us that the US and Canada wouldn't get additional stock, so it certainly appeared that they were a product that had reached end of life. Today, Google pulled the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) from the Google Store in the US and Canada, plus places like Best Buy are fully sold through their inventory. This is the end for the Pixel Buds 2. There likely won't be many tears on this day. While a promising product on paper, in look, and in design, the 2nd generation Pixel Buds struggled from day 1 with what must have been a hardware flaw that Google simply couldn't fix with software. The audio cutouts were well known, as were other connection issues that forced people to turn off a number of features in order to make them usable on the daily. Several software updates during the first year helped in some ways, but most people who had issues with the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) experienced those no matter what Google tried. Google confirmed at the launch of the new Pixel Buds A-Series that they had made a big change in the A-Series that improved cutout issues by having both Buds connect to a phone at the same time, rather than routing the connection through a single Bud like they did with the 2nd Gen model. In other words, the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) did indeed have a flaw that couldn't be overcome. If you picked up a pair of the 2nd Gen model at the deep discounts we have seen for several weeks in a row leading up to this point, I hope they treat you well. If they don't, well, you probably knew what you were getting yourself into. On a related note, I've been testing the Pixel Buds A-Series off and on for several weeks now and should have a review up soon enough. In short, they are much improved in the connection department with similar sound to the 2nd Gen. They are a solid option.

'Heads Up' is Rolling Out to More Android Phones

Tim — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 11:36:32 +0000

Heads Up, a part of Digital Wellbeing, is reported to be rolling out to more Android phones thanks to an app update. For Pixel folks, they have had this feature for a bit, but if you're tired of nearly walking into something because your face is buried deep in your phone, maybe this feature is for you. Using your phone's data, Heads Up recognizes when you are walking. When it knows this and you're using your phone, the phone will remind you that it might be a good idea to look up and check you surroundings from time to time. This could save you some day, but first, you'll need to admit you have a problem. Don't be in denial about it. We've all been there. According XDA, they have seen the feature on a OnePlus and ASUS device, so it's safe to assume additional folks will see it now, too. Check your own Digital Wellbeing app to see if it has arrived for you. You'll find it under the Reduce Interruptions section in the app. Be safe out there, people.

Google Play Link

// XDA

Google Play Just Got Way Better for Wear OS Users

Tim — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 10:22:42 +0000

With the new Wear OS platform inbound, we're starting to see Google give its wearable OS a bit of love. After all of these years, it's about freakin' time. This week, Google is introducing improvements for Google Play, aimed at making the entire app downloading experience much smoother. On smartphones, Google Play's search function has received new filters. Users can now add “Watch” or “Watch faces” to narrow a search to relevant apps and watch faces. If you’re simply browsing, you'll find new curated clusters on the “Wear OS” and “Watch Faces for Wear OS” category pages. If you find an app you like, you can remotely install it to your watch directly from the smartphone’s Google Play app. All you do is tap "Install" to start downloading the app to your Wear OS device. Google notes that compatible devices are pre-selected by default and can be seen by tapping the arrow on the right side of the "Install" button.

Over on your smartwatch, Google Play is getting a whole new look, based on the principles of Material You. As detailed, "The new design simplifies the experience of navigating the small surface area of a watch face. Important information is placed in cards, which makes it comfortable to read and make a selection." One highlighted change is for if you need to make an in-app purchase. With the new version, the Play Store will reliably prompt the purchase page to open on your Android phone or for a URL to open in a web browser, making your purchase much more simple. According to Google, these updates will roll out to Google Play on your Android phone and Wear OS smartwatch in the coming weeks. Exciting times for those who stuck in there with Wear OS! // Google

Google Hangouts Takes Another Step Towards the End

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:34:52 +0000

Google Hangouts continues to creep towards its quiet death, reaching a new phase today that takes us one step closer to the end. Google is telling its Workspace (GSuite) customers that we are entering phase 4 and that means it's time to make a decision or Hangouts is gone. In phase 4 of the Hangouts phaseout, August 16 marks the date that your organization may lose access to several Hangouts features if you haven't already moved everyone over to Google Chat. Google is taking away the "Chat and classic Hangouts" option that was previously still allowing users to access either experience at various places. Google is moving users over to "Chat preferred" unless they explicitly opt out. Google is going to kill off Hangouts in "late 2021," but if you opt-out (for now) of this "Chat preferred" option, you can still have Hangouts in the places you are used to. If you don't, "Chat preferred" does things like this:

"Chat preferred" replaces Hangouts in Gmail
It kills off the mobile Hangouts apps and pushes people to Chat/Gmail
The Hangouts Chrome Extension stops working
hangouts.google.com will still be available, though

Basically, unless your Workspace admin opts-out of this change, "Google Chat will replace classic Hangouts as the default" chat application for your organization. This link will tell you how to opt-out. So to recap, we still don't have a firm final date for Hangouts, but this really takes us close to the edge. Google is now forcing Workspace customers over to Google Chat unless they opt-out within the next few weeks. And either way, they'll take away Hangouts in the next few months anyway.

Android TV is Getting 3 Sweet New Features

Kellen — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 09:00:46 +0000

To follow-up the addition of the refreshed homescreen to Android TV from a few months back, the team is back to add three new or improved features to the big screen platform. We're getting a watchlist, a better way to tune recommendations, and an improved details page for shows and movies. The new watchlist will live on the Discover tab in an area below the top rotating ~~ads~~ "featured content" and "Top picks for you" in a section called "From your watchlist." You can see how it'll look in the image at the top of this post. To add to this section, you'll be able to long-press on content within the Discover tab or by pressing the "Watchlist" button when on the details page. Removing content should be equally as easy. As for recommendation tuning, Google is adding a card to the Discover page that says, "Improve your recommendations." If you tap into that, you get a UI (below) that lets you tap left or right to tell Android TV to show you "less like this" or "more like this." Yes, swipe left or right in Android TV is here. If you are bored, this could be an easy way to kill time while improving the content that's displayed to you. Finally, the details page for movies and shows is getting an "immersive" makeover with a more cinematic experience. These pages will play trailers automatically if available, but you can turn that off in Settings>Device Preferences>Home Screen. Google tells us that you should start seeing these changes this week.

New Klipsch Sound Bars Have Google Assistant, Dolby Atmos

Tim — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 08:50:16 +0000

Klipsch announced its new lineup of sound bars this morning, the Klipsch Cinema bars. In total, there are four: Cinema 1200 with Dolby Atmos, Cinema 800 with Dolby Atmos, plus the Cinema 600 and Cinema 400 with Dolby Audio. For us here at Droid Life, the inclusion of Google Assistant is a big highlight, with WiFi connectivity allowing for Assistant, Alexa, and Spotify Connect support on the Cinema 1200 and Cinema 800 models. Due to no WiFi on the 600 and 400, we'll only be discussing the other two. Included with both the Cinema 1200 and Cinema 800 packages are large subwoofers, with the 1200 getting a 12-inch enclosed woofer and the 800 getting a 10-inch. The Cinema 1200 comes with a pair of Dolby Atmos surround speakers, too. For specs, the Cinema 1200 supports a full 5.1.4 cinematic experience by allowing sound to come from literally all directions, including overhead (decodes 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos). It supports 8K HDR passthrough with Dolby Vision compatibility and has an eARC connection that allows for compatible TVs to transmit Dolby Atmos from built-in apps. Klipsch also includes two additional HDMI inputs for external devices. The Cinema 800, slightly smaller than the 1200 at 48-inch versus 54-inch, seems like the bigger bang for your buck. It also supports 8K HDR passthrough, decodes 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos, has next-gen eARC connectivity, and can be paired with Klipsch's wireless surround sound speakers. The main difference is the smaller length and smaller subwoofer, plus no included surround speakers. Other than that, it has all of the same connectivity and support from what we can tell. Klipsch was generous enough to send us a new Cinema 800 sound bar for testing, so be on the lookout for some sort of review in the near future. In the meantime, you can buy your own Cinema sound bar starting this week from Klipsch's online store, AudioAdvice, and also Crutchfield.

Order Here: Cinema 1200 ($1699) | Cinema 800 ($879)

Gboard Lookin' Extra Hot on Android 12 Beta 3

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 15:30:46 +0000

Be prepared for us to talk a lot about this app or that app receiving its "Material You update," because as Android 12 gets closer to launch, Google is going to continue to prepare its main apps with theme makeovers to match their new design language. It's a lot like how we couldn't shut up about dark themes in apps for a good couple of years, which is (thankfully) not a thing we worry about any longer. An example of this type of story is this one here, or the story you are reading, where we're looking at Gboard and the rollout Google has begun for it with a theme switch. The Gboard Material You update is here! A number of users at reddit noticed today that their Gboard apps now have extra rounded bits, as well as new colors they weren't expecting. What we are seeing is Gboard adopting not only a new look, but it's taking on the system accent color that is being pulled from wallpapers.

Many have suggested that they are in the Gboard beta and that's how they are getting this. I'm also in the Gboard beta and am most definitely not seeing this action. F*cking server side rollouts. How you'll know if you have the new Gboard is if you head into Gboard settings, you'll see a "Dynamic Color" choice in the Theme section. Being Dynamic lets it adopt the colors that your wallpaper has supplied to the system. If you aren't liking that look, you can always manually force it back to a standard theme. Anyone seeing this? How's it look?

Samsung July Updates: Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 9 Grab the New Patch (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 14:53:05 +0000

Another day, another batch of updates are headed to Samsung's best phones, and not just the new ones. Today, we've got updates for both the Galaxy Note 20 line and the quite-old Galaxy Note 9. We keep mentioning this, but this is once again the July Android security update and it does not include anything special. The update adds the newest security patches, just not the stuff you would get excited about, like new camera features, performance improvements, or the removal of bloatware. The update is hitting the AT&T Galaxy Note 20, Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, and Galaxy Note 9 first, with other carriers (Verizon and T-Mobile) to follow:

Galaxy Note 20: RP1A.200720.012.N981USQU2DUF2
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.N986USQU2DUF2
Galaxy Note 9: QP1A.190711.020.N960USQS9FUF1
UPDATE 7/19: Verizon now pushing N960USQS9FUF1 to their Note 9.
UPDATE 7/20: Verizon now pushing N986USQU2DUF2 to their Note 20 phones.

The update for the Note 20 and Note 20 Ultra weighs in at 480MB, while the Note 9's is a smaller 176MB. To check for these, head into Settings>Software update>Check for updates.

Google Gives 992 Emoji a Brand New Look on Android, Gmail, and More

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 10:00:14 +0000

World Emoji Day is tomorrow, so to celebrate we have big emoji news. Google announced this morning that they have given 992 emoji a brand new look that makes them "cuter, more accurate, and more flexible in meaning." Because I know that you want them all as soon as possible, we have good news there too. Google says that all of their new emoji will rollout this fall to Android devices, once they have Android 12. However, if your favorite apps use Appcompat (Google describes as "a tool that enables Android apps to be compatible with several Android versions"), they'll get all of the latest and greatest emoji before you get Android 12. Additionally, later this month you'll see them in a bunch of Google services, like Gmail, Chat, YouTube Live Chat, and on Chrome OS. Google is pretty excited about its new emoji, as you can see, so you won't be waiting long. What kinds of emoji re-makes are we talking about? Well, here are several of the new guys:

Super cute, right? // Google

Pocket Casts Has Been Acquired

Kellen — Fri, 16 Jul 2021 08:53:44 +0000

Pocket Casts, the popular podcast app that's one of the world's favorites, has been acquired. The buyer is Automattic, the company that owns Wordpress.com, the massive blog bro platform that so many of us read from each day. What does this mean for the future of Pocket Casts? Automattic says that it'll continue to "provide you with the features needed to enjoy your favorite podcasts." Of course, since they own Wordpress, they'll "explore building deep integrations" with their blogging platform, so that we can all distribute and listen to our favorite podcasts. Co-founders of Pocket Casts will continue to lead the charge, so yeah, Pocket Casts fans shouldn't be worried about anything at the moment. Good times for podcast folks.

Pixel 6 XL Could Have an "Ultra Tele" Camera

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 13:37:01 +0000

Once the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 XL (or "Pixel 6 Pro") get here later this year, Google could change up the camera dramatically from the Pixel 5 and several Pixel phones before it. In fact, this might be the first time in 3-4 phones that Google has actually done something major to the cameras that doesn't involve a standard ultra-wide or one-off telephoto secondary. The current rumors suggest Google will introduce a Pixel 6 with a dual camera setup, alongside the Pixel 6 XL with a triple camera. Both will have 50MP main and 12MP ultra-wide shooters, but the higher-end Pixel 6 XL should have an additional 48MP telephoto lens. Thanks to a slip-up in the Android 12 Google Camera app discovered by XDA, that telephoto lens might have an "ultra tele" experience and a 5x optical zoom. There isn't much else to learn from this mention inside of the app, other than we think it could be a 5x toggle that lets you go nuts with zoom in the camera. There isn't actually anything tying 5X and "ultratele" to the Pixel 6 yet, it's just that the information is now showing in the app. So maybe Google will introduce a 5X zoom for all Pixel phones and "ultratele" is simply their fun new name for the special processing of a new zoom experience? Whatever the case, the thought of a fresh camera experience in a Pixel phone is a fun one. Google has been a leader in smartphone cameras for a number of years, even with older hardware than anyone else has used. Adopting new hardware and adding experiences could mean a re-take of the smartphone camera crown. Man, looking at that image above has me excited again. I'm so ready for Google to go nuts on a phone.

Hot renders made by the legend, @PhoneDesigner.

Google's "Delete Last 15 Min" in Search Starts Its Rollout

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 11:24:09 +0000

When you search for something on Google, there is a good chance that inquiry will be used to shape your online profile, as it could also live in your search history for any number of days or weeks or months. Depending on what you just searched for, you may not want that. Starting today (on iOS), Google is adding a "Delete last 15 min" option to the Google app to help you wipe out anything that happened over the previous 15 minutes. This feature was announced in May at Google I/O, but at the time Google didn't want to put an arrival date on it. To start, it's available immediately to iOS devices with Android seeing it "later this year." Once available - and we'll tell you when it hits Android - you'll find it by opening up the Google app, tapping on your profile photo, and then looking for the "Delete last 15 min" option. You can see how it looks on iOS in the image above, but it should be similar on Android. This is a wonderful little feature. Not that I search for a ton of awkward items that would embarrass me, it's just that we all do random searches here and there. To go back through and individually delete them all is kind of a pain. // Google

Galaxy Watch 4's New Processor Sounds Like a Nice Little Improvement

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:41:00 +0000

We frequently callout Qualcomm for the awful wearable chipsets they made that led to the almost-death of Wear OS. We'll never forget the Snapdragon Wear 3100, a repackaged Wear 2100 that set the platform back a good 5 years or so from the Apple Watch and Samsung's Galaxy Watch line. So when we heard that Google had teamed up with Samsung to re-launch Wear and use their processors, you can imagine the excitement. Before we get too excited, though, let's not sit here and act like Samsung has been killing it with its wearable chipsets either. The Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Watch Active, Watch Active 2, and Galaxy Watch 3 all ran the same Exynos 9110 chip. That's a solid 3 years of the same processor trying to advance a platform. I know that chip was miles better than Qualcomm's efforts, but that's not saying much. With that in mind, the launch of the Galaxy Watch 4 should indeed usher in a new era of chips and the folks at SamMobile have discovered the goods on it. Expected to be the Exynos W920, the new chip for the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic will boost processing times by 1.25x and offer smoother graphics performance by 8.8x. The watches will use 1.5GB RAM as well, which I'm sure will help in general hour-to-hour usage. As a bit of an added bonus, SamMobile also believes each watch will have 16GB storage. OK, that's really all we're learning. Like the leaks of the designs, none of this stuff matters that much until we can get one on wrist, see how the new Wear platform runs, how the apps selection pans out, etc. Still, we're excited.

Google Workspace Accounts Get Google Assistant Access on Displays and Speakers

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 10:04:11 +0000

Having a Google Workspace account, where you get that sweet custom domain email address to look all official in your Google apps, has always had one big drawback. Often, whenever new features are released by Google to its various services, Workspace (formerly GSuite) accounts tend to be left out and aren't given immediate access. That's finally beginning to change for those who want access to Google's famous Assistant. Today, Google announced that Workspace accounts can now access Google Assistant on smart displays and speakers. This is a huge change for Workspace users, who can now attach their Workspace account to a Nest Hub or Nest Audio and get voice results from Assistant for next meetings, checking on and setting Calendars, emailing contacts, etc. The feature is generally available to all Workspace accounts at this time, but an admin for your account will have to turn it on. It's pretty simple to do, and only requires the admin to enter the "Search and Assistant" settings area to then turn the option to "ON" for the domain. This same functionality was previously announced in March for Google Assistant on phones, but Google is now opening up support for smart displays and speakers. To get started, talk to your admin or if you know they've already enabled it, head over to Google Assistant.

Facebook Can't Be Serious With "Soundmojis"

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 08:45:40 +0000

Facebook Messenger is getting a new feature. I'm struggling with how to explain it beyond that because this feature sounds like an April Fools' joke or one that only the evilest of minds would force upon the world. This is Facebook, soooooo... Are you ready for Soundmojis in Facebook Messenger? Yeah, man, emojis with freakin' sound. Actual crickets when you send the cricket emoji. A laugh track when your out-of-touch friend continues to overuse the crying-laughing face. A drumroll noise for the f*ck of it. SOUND. IN. EMOJIS. In an announcement for the new feature, Facebook sounds explicitly giddy about what I can only describe as the worst feature introduction to any app in a good year or two. This reads like someone should be physically crying to themselves as they realize how awful the thing is they are pitching mid-keystroke, yet here we are. Look at this quote:

Now imagine if your emojis could talk — what sound would they make? Introducing Messenger’s latest feature: Soundmojis. Your chats just got a whole lot louder!

I've never wondered that. I don't want my chats to get louder. None of this is a thing anyone wants. Our phones should be and mostly are on silent for a reason, guys. Facebook isn't backing away from Soundmojis, though. They've already lined up the sponsored versions with bad Vin Diesel movies and Rebecca Black. I'm sure the teens on TikTok will love this sh*t and tell me I'm wrong. I'm ready for that. This is my hill. Facebook Messenger Soundmojis. Say those three words without feeling the cold shiver of an icy hell rolling down your spine and you are not human.

Samsung July Updates: Galaxy S10 Steps to the Plate

Kellen — Thu, 15 Jul 2021 07:29:17 +0000

The July Samsung update rollout continues this morning with the Galaxy S10 family, meaning the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, Galaxy S10e, and Galaxy S10 5G are all getting an update this week. Like all of the other Samsung phones getting this month's patch, this is just a security-related update. The changelogs for this update aren't listing new features like "performance enhancements" or new camera options, they simply say that Google's July Android patch is here. I guess we can't always have shiny new things. Here are the build numbers to be on the lookout for:

Galaxy S10e: RP1A.200720.012.G970USQS5GUF1
Galaxy S10: RP1A.200720.012.G973USQS5GUF1
Galaxy S10+: RP1A.200720.012.G975USQS5GUF1
Galaxy S10 5G: RP1A.200720.012.G977UUCU6FUF2
UPDATE 1: Verizon is now updating its Galaxy S10 line-up with the same builds.

AT&T is up first, but I'd imagine Verizon will update shortly. T-Mobile tends to be slower with these things. The update weighs in at roughly 480MB for the S10/S10+/S10e. To check for it, head into Settings>Software update>Check for updates.

AT&T Announced All the 5G Plans Today

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 14:09:32 +0000

AT&T had some sort of 5G media session today where they talked at length about, well, 5G. Remember, everyone keeps telling us "5G is here" while then announcing when 5G will actually be here in the next breath. AT&T did that second part a lot this morning. There were several press releases to walk through the future of AT&T's 5G, but I'm sure you just care about numbers. So, to give you AT&T's 5G news in the easiest digestible format, here are some bullets!

AT&T's nationwide 5G: Now covers more than 250 million people.
AT&T 5G+ (5G mmW): Currently in 38 cities and 20 venues, but will expand to 40 cities and 40 venues by the end of the year.
AT&T 5G+ in airports: The plan is to fire up 5G+ in 7 airports this year with the number reaching 25 by the end of 2022. The airports getting 5G+ include JFK, LaGuardia, Chicago O'Hare, and Midway.
AT&T 5G C-Band plan: C-Band is the mid-band 5G that Verizon and AT&T will rely heavily on to truly compete in 5G, so we're getting the first news about build-out. AT&T says they'll have 70M to 75M customers covered with C-Band by the end of 2022 and upwards of 200M by the end of 2023.

And that's pretty much it! See, 5G is here, but also not until closer to the end of 2023. Makes sense.

Twitter Yeets Fleets

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 13:35:22 +0000

Fleets are no more. The disappearing Tweets that Twitter first launched a little over a year ago never caught on and the company is ending their run. In a blog post announcing the news, Twitter said that they "haven’t seen an increase in the number of new people joining the conversation with Fleets like we hoped." When August 3 rolls around, you will no longer be able to Fleet. If you were hoping this meant you'd re-gain that empty space at the top of your Twitter feed that was reserved for Fleets, don't get excited. Twitter also uses that space for its Spaces feature, which I'm not sure anyone uses. That may not be true, but none of the people I follow ever host those, so I have yet to see a Space available to join. That top portion of Twitter for me forever remains empty and a waste. Twitter did say that they'd take some of the media features from Fleets that people used and try to incorporate them into the regular media tool and composer, so Fleets weren't a complete bust. Anyone Fleet?

What's New in Android 12 Beta 3? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:05 +0000

A new Android 12 Beta 3 is arriving now on Pixel phones and we've got the details on what's new. Even though we're getting close to the stable version and final beta, Google is still sneaking in new features for us to play with. In this post, we'll try to list out all of the good stuff that you will want to dive into. You may want to keep checking back too, because we'll update as we find more. Ready to see what's new in Android 12 Beta 3?

Scrolling screenshots!

It really is happening after all this time. I swear we've been tracking the progress of scrolling screenshots in Android for several versions, but Android 12 Beta 3 is where it finally comes to life. Now, when you take a screenshot, you'll see an option to "Capture more" and the system will extend the screenshot to the full available content. From there, Android 12 will let you crop to your liking. This sounds pretty great, plus in Beta 4, Google already has plans to improve it further.

On-device search!

Google is going ahead in Beta 3 with a "high-performance on-device search engine" feature that lets you search on your device for data within apps. It's an app search that utilizes the system to index structured data from apps. This could mean finding info from an app, but it also means other apps being able to search for items from other apps...hopefully, securely. We'll try to update this section shortly with more info once we can play around. However, we could be waiting for developers to build in the capabilities for 12 to take advantage.

Faster auto-rotation and face detection

Google is trying to improve Android's auto-rotation in Beta 3 by using a face detection feature. With your phone's front camera, Android 12 can recognize if your phone should rotate or not, which could really come in handy if you are lying down. The idea here is that as you move from sitting up to laying down, your phone will recognize that your face and phone are still in the same position, only sideways. That make sense? Additionally, Google says they've optimized the auto-rotate animation and reduced latency by 25%. Coupling these two items with face detection should bring a faster auto-rotate, something Android has needed since about the beginning of Android's time.

Wallpaper theming gets a bunch of new controls

The hot wallpaper-theme action that we got in the last beta has been cranked up a notch in Beta 3. In the "Wallpapers & style" section through Settings, you can now choose more colors to let the system run on. Android 12 will still try to pick a default color from your wallpaper, but a "Basic colors" picker adds up to 4 to let you change it yourself. Outside of colors, you can change your app grid as always, but there is a new "Themed icons" option that will change a bunch of default Google apps to the theme color with a new mask. This is looking very polished, especially since it looks like the color it choose for the system is much brighter than it was.

Icon theming!

When your tell Android 12 Beta 3 to theme your icons, it is currently only doing Google's icons. It's doing a lot of them, though, and we've captured as many as we could here, outside of a Docs or Sheets icon. Not all of the Google apps are themed (ex: Google Voice), and no third party apps are. We still don't know if Google will let others get in on this action or not. It's a clean look for sure, plus you can easily change the color of them all in that new "styles" area. We're definitely going to need to be able to switch some non-Google apps to make this fully come together.

New Settings clean-up!

The Settings area is also much cleaner now.

Turn off Google Assistant swipe

In system Gestures, Google will now let you turn off the corner swipes to invoke Assistant. I'd imagine it's because they are pushing people to using the power button for that action now, which is dumb. Just sayin'!

These Assistant settings are nice.

This may not actually be new, but in Settings>Apps, there is an Assistant section that lets you easily get to all of your Google Assistant settings. Not that there weren't ways to do this before, but finding them was always a huge pain. Now, it's incredibly simple, plus there is even a shortcut to turn on/off Continued Conversation.

Live Space is here, sort of.

Google is working on smart new home screen experience that will replace "At a Glance" and it's called "Live Space." The idea is that the top of your home screen will be even smarter than At a Glance and hopefully include an ever-changing experience outside of just calendar events, reminders, weather, and profiles. None of its new features are live yet, but the option for it is showing when you long-press on your home screen.

Overview suggestions and quick link copying.

There's a new option in home screen settings called "Overview suggestions." With this setting on, as you swipe into the overview (app switcher) screen, certain apps will give you suggestions for actions. So far I've only found one and it's super neat. With a Chrome window open, you'll see this little link icon in the top right corner that lets you quickly copy the link to that Chrome page. Tapping the copy link also then opens shortcuts at the bottom of the screen for recent contacts or "More" to open the share menu. Pretty slick way to share links!

WiFi off option returns.

The Android 12 Internet menu added a "Turn off Wi-Fi" option. Thank f*cking, god.

Material You to the Google Camera.

The Google Camera app updated to v8.3.252.381773168.02 with Beta 3 and it has a fancy Material You look to it. Functionality remains the same, but it's one of the first apps to start matching the new look of Android 12.

Fingerprint unlock animation is nice.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pGq0-164ruk Look at this hotness. Stay tuned, we're updating.

Android 12 Beta 3 is Here for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 10:00:03 +0000

A new Android 12 Beta build is here and you can grab it immediately on your Google Pixel phone. The new build introduces the final Android 12 APIs (API Level 31) and adds a handful of new features to play with before we get to the final beta and then stable Android 12. The Android 12 Beta 3 is available for the same supported Pixel phones as before, so that means the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 can all grab it. Google has posted factory image and OTA files already, plus the Android Beta program should push out Beta 3 here shortly. We'll have a full write-up on what's new in this Android 12 Beta 3 update, but some of the highlights include scrolling screenshots, on-device search, and a faster auto-rotate system. You can read more at the post below.

What's new in Android 12 Beta 3?

How to install Android 12 Beta 3

Release date: July 14, 2021 Build: SPB3.210618.013 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: July 2021 Google Play services: 21.24.13

Android Beta Program The easiest way to grab the Android 12 Beta 3 build is through the Android Beta program. The Android Beta program lets you add your supported Pixel devices to whatever new build of Android that Google is testing and get those sent to your phone like any normal over-the-air-update. To sign-up for the Android 12 Beta, head over to the Android Beta site here. If you are already in the Android Beta program, you will get this update over-the-air, so start checking by heading into Settings>System>System update>Check for update. Factory Image / OTA Files If you don’t feel like waiting for the over-the-air beta update to show up, you can always manually flash factory image or OTA files. Not that this process is that hard, but it does require ADB and a little action in a command prompt. These files are almost always posted and installed quicker than an over-the-air update, so you decide what to do. Your boy will be flashing an OTA file, as it doesn't factory wipe your phone. To find instructions on how to update to Android 12 manually, we’ve got you covered right here. To download the latest Android 12 factory images or OTA files, Google has them here and here.

Nothing's Ear 1 Won't be Easy to Get at First

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 08:26:50 +0000

Nothing, a company making clear earbuds that'll cost $99, has a unique idea to launch their first product. Instead of opening up sales and letting the world have at however many they've made out of the gate, they are instead going to try a scarcity hype model by auctioning off only 100 pairs. Through hypebeast market StockX, Nothing will help the re-seller site launch a new experience called DropX. DropX will be an auction-style marketplace for companies to release new products in limited form to a global audience and likely bloat values while creating the silliest idea of exclusivity. Starting July 19 through July 21, you'll be able to bid on the first 100 pairs of Nothing's Ear 1. Each of these first 100 pairs will be engraved with a 1-100 number depending on how their final sales price ends up. In today's announcement about this launch partnership, Nothing sent the below image that appears to show the Ear 1 case and a touch of the earbud itself. I see clear plastic and a red inner ear driver or something. Ugh, just release them already.

Galaxy Watch 4 Completely Revealed by Amazon a Bit Early

Kellen — Wed, 14 Jul 2021 08:10:01 +0000

The Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch 4 Classic have leaked more than any watch in recent memory, thanks to see of early renders and 360-animations. Now, Amazon is getting in on the early reveal action by listing all 4 expected models with images, prices, and some specs. Seriously, Amazon Canada just made a whoopsie. The four listings are for the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm), Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm), Galaxy Watch 4 (44m), and Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm). For those somewhat confused, just know that we've had a branding change since these watches first started leaking. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is the higher-end model with rotating bezel and likely high-end case. The Galaxy Watch 4 is the watch we used to refer to as the Galaxy Watch 4 Active, a sportier model without the physical rotating bezel. Above, you'll see the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic in Silver Stainless Steel and Black Stainless Steel. Below, you'll see the Galaxy Watch 4 Silver Aluminum. There should be several additional colors for each watch, but this is what Amazon has listed today.

For pricing, Amazon lists them as follows:

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (46mm): $471.14 | Link
Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (42mm): $427.73 | Link
Galaxy Watch 4 (44m): $346.82 | Link
Galaxy Watch 4 (40mm): $309.85 | Link
The model numbers that go with each in order are: SM-R890NZKAXAC, SM-R880NZSAXAC, SM-R870NZSAXAC, SM-R860NZSAXAC

There could be a conversion going on here since I'm reading the site from the US, but they could also be placeholders or values entered by a third party. I think it's probably safe to assume the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic could cost anywhere from $400 to $500, like the Galaxy Watch 3 does. I also wouldn't be surprised to see the Galaxy Watch 4 in the $300-$350 range.

As for other specs revealed by Amazon, we should expect water resistance, WiFi, Bluetooth, GPS, heartrate sensors, V02 Max tracking, sleep tracking, blood oxygen monitoring, and a body composition analysis feature. In the battery department, Amazon lists 361mAh and 247mAh for the big and small models in each line, respectively. They also mention displays of 1.36" or 1.19" depending on case size. And finally, Amazon Canada says these watches arrive August 27. That sounds about right. While this is all interesting and fun, a lot of this stuff we've known and it's basically typical smartwatch stuff from a high-end smartwatch maker in 2021. The big thing none of us yet know is how the new Wear platform is, how it runs, if it's fun to use, and what it'll do for the Android smartwatch experience and battery life. All we need at this point is a watch on the wrist. // WinFuture

Pokemon GO Trainers, Snag 3 Free Months of YouTube Premium

Tim — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 15:27:37 +0000

Pokemon GO, in partnership with YouTube and in celebration of its fifth year anniversary, is handing out 3 free months of YouTube Premium to select in-game trainers. To be eligible for this trial, you need only live in the US and not have trialed YouTube Premium or anything associated with Premium before. If that's you, you're eligible. You can see the whole list of requirements here, but it's all pretty straightforward. To claim, simply follow the link below.

Claim 3-Month Trial

// Pokemon GO

Who Has the Best Unlimited Plan: Verizon, AT&T, or T-Mobile?

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 14:22:17 +0000

There has been a good amount of talk around here lately involving unlimited data plans from the top US carriers. I recently shared my move to one of Verizon's newish unlimited plans, plus AT&T just announced a handful of important upgrades to its best unlimited option. T-Mobile may not be making any news in the plan department at the moment, but their Magenta Max is the plan AT&T just tried to match. So because we're back to talking about unlimited data plans from Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile, a fresh comparison chart seemed like a good idea. After all, 5G is supposedly "here" and carriers are trying to best position their plans for whenever 5G is more readily available across the country. To do that, not only is everyone including 5G access at no cost for the top plans, each carrier has loaded up their plans with lots of freebies. Verizon, in its Get More Unlimited plan, has added subscriptions like a Disney+/Hulu/ESPN+ bundle, as well as Discovery+, Apple Arcade, Google Play Pass, and Apple Music. AT&T, with Unlimited Elite, is tossing in HBO Max and Stadia Pro. T-Mobile, through Magenta Max, is still doing their Netflix bonuses along with free Gogo during flights and their T-Mobile Tuesdays program. All of these plans are priced similarly, with AT&T and T-Mobile starting at $85/mo for a single line or $50/line for 4 lines. Verizon is $5/mo higher in each scenario, but I don't think it matters that much when you look at their list of freebies. Verizon clearly offers the biggest list of free subscription services, with a total cost at around $40/mo. AT&T and T-Mobile still have good freebies, better streaming, and more hotspot data, though, at a cheaper price.

Comparing Verizon Get More Unlimited, AT&T Unlimited Elite, and T-Mobile Magenta Max

The chart above should help you easily compare if you are trying to decide which US carrier has the best unlimited data plan. I'm not sure there is a clear cut answer for everyone, because all of our needs are different. If you want to have your carrier pay for all of your streaming services, then Verizon probably comes out on top. However, your best 5G coverage is likely going to be T-Mobile pretty soon, plus AT&T gives you HBO Max, which is arguably the best damn streaming service there is. Let us know which plan you would choose.

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New Google Play Updates Page, Love It or Nah?

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 11:22:24 +0000

You should have had a solid month to take in the latest changes to Google Play. You've opened the page to manage your apps and most definitely said, "Whoa, what the hell is this?" From there, I want to know if you followed that surprise up with nods and thumbs up or headshakes and tears. In early June, Google started fully rolling out their big overhaul to the "Manage apps & device" section on Google Play. It took away the familiar layout that showed when you first entered, with all apps who had updates available at the top, and replaced it with an overview page. This page, as far as I can tell, is not loved by many. Currently, when checking for app updates, you get to squint your eyes and find a tiny section in the middle of the page that tells you if you have updates available and how many. You can update them without ever looking at the list from there or you can enter a "See details" page that at least shows you the apps. You can also "Manage" all apps, sort them in weird ways, see how much storage your apps are taking up, check on your own reviews and ratings, etc. This change really is a weird one that is going to take a long time to get used to. For me, during the past month, I still can't quite wrap my head around the reason for this setup. It takes extra steps to see the apps that need updates because of an "Overview" page that forces me to do more than I've had to for years. While I like the idea of an overview, maybe Google could have put all of this info at the top of a single page that let us scroll to see our apps, you know, sort of like we used to have? Anyways, I'm curious if you have adapted to the new Google Play, if you like or hate it, or if you've found yourself avoiding Google Play and updates as much as I have?

DEAL: myQ Chamberlain Smart Garage Hub on Treasure Truck for $17 ($13 Off)

Tim — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:15:51 +0000

My latest favorite piece of smart home tech is the myQ Chamberlain Smart Garage Hub, a device that Kellen said I should get a couple of months ago. Well, I got one the last time it was on sale, and yes, Kellen was right. This thing is awesome, and if you're in an area supported by Amazon's Treasure Truck, you can get one for under $17. This hub allows users to open and close the garage door from their smartphone, but also, connects to Amazon's Key delivery service, allowing delivery folks to drop packages off in your garage instead of leaving them on your front porch to get snatched by porch pirates. Installation is super easy and the device supports a wide range of garage door openers. It's the best $17 you'll spend today. Believe me. Go get one.

Amazon Link ($16.89)

With Travel Back, You'll Want an AT&T International Day Pass

Tim — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 09:00:34 +0000

As you may be aware, folks are back to travelling, now that COVID-19 restrictions have eased up a bit. With that said, when you travel abroad, you'll still need your smartphone and if you're an AT&T customer, you may want to check out an International Day Pass. An International Day Pass allows customers to use their phones as if they're still in the US, with no data caps on high-speed networks (where available) and currently accessible in 210+ markets. AT&T says the price is $10/day, but the company says you'll never pay for more than 10 days. That's good if you plan on travelling abroad for an extended period, though, it's probably cheaper to get a local prepaid phone plan at that point. Additionally, if you need to add more lines, AT&T takes 50% off each line following the first. Travel safe, folks!

International Day Pass

// AT&T

TAG Heuer Made a Super Mario Connected Watch and It's Expensive

Kellen — Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:03:25 +0000

TAG Heuer is still making its Connected line of watches, with Wear OS and old tech inside, while asking for prices that align with its mechanical offerings. That's me subtly suggesting you would be a bit crazy to consider one, especially now with the new Wear platform about to launch, but hey, if spending $2,000+ on a smartwatch is something you are comfortable with, do you. If you have that kind of cash to blow, the latest from TAG is a limited edition throwback to one of the most beloved video game characters of all time. This week, TAG Heuer is introducing the TAG Heuer Connected x Super Mario Limited Edition watch, a $2,150 timepiece with Wear OS, heart rate sensor, touch screen, the design of other Connected watches with a touch of Mario world highlights, and a UI that features Super Mario. This new Super Mario Limited Edition Connected watch is indeed limited to just 2,000 pieces, so even if you don't care that much about owning a TAG Heuer Connected watch, it is a collectible. Super Mario ultra-fans, this is for you and that never-ending bank account. Filled with a custom Mario-themed UI, a bunch of Mario-inspired watch faces, an interactive Mario that changes throughout the day, and a bezel with mushroom (3), pipe (6), and star (9), TAG really has made this a unique experience. It also comes with two different straps and a sweet little travel case. Like other Connected watches, you have a 45mm case, 430mAh battery, 5ATM water resistance, and some fitness tracking. As far as we can tell, this is the same Connected model released in 2020, only with a Mario spin. This isn't the new Wear or some new chipset powering it, so don't expect to be spending $2,000 and getting what Samsung is about to unveil with the Galaxy Watch 4. Again, this is a collector's piece. If you want one (Ref SBG8A13.EB0238), you'll be able to buy one at tagheuer.com on July 15. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sb2Pj5Nvq38

Gmail With "BIMI" Means More Logos

Tim — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:07:53 +0000

Gmail announced this week that BIMI is inbound in a more widespread capacity, which for us consumers, means more logos in place of letters when you see a new email pop into your inbox. BIMI is Brand Indicators for Message Identification, which not only allows companies to include a logo when they send out emails, but also improves the security of your messages. According to Google, BIMI, "enables organizations that authenticate their emails using Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) -- a standard for providing strong sender authentication that allows security systems to perform better filtering, separating legitimate messages from potentially spoofed ones -- to validate ownership of their logos and securely transmit them to Google." I didn't say this would be interesting, but hey, logos! You can see BIMI in action below. The logo for BofA used to be a plain ol' B. Now it's the BofA logo! You'll likely see plenty of corporations incorporate this into correspondences, so be on the lookout. // Gmail

Verizon Home Internet Gets Big Expansion, Fancy New Router

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 13:34:48 +0000

Verizon announced a big expansion of its home internet service today in both the 4G LTE and 5G varieties. In addition to the larger footprint and availability, a new router will also soon be able to take advantage of all that C-Band spectrum they bought recently, bringing with it quality mid-band 5G service down the road. For their LTE Home Internet service, Verizon says that their coverage has now doubled and is in more urban and suburban areas. For 5G Home, customers in parts of Akron (OH), Ann Arbor (MI), Columbia (SC), Durham (NC), Fresno (CA), Spokane (WA), and St. Petersburg (FL) are now covered (47 markets total). Verizon wasn't specific with where they expanded LTE Home, but did talk about its 25Mbps speeds with peaks up to 50Mbps. At $40/mo (for Verizon subscribers - $60/mo for non-subs), those aren't the worst or best speeds in the world. However, they should see a huge bump if those LTE areas become covered by C-Band. The new C-Band 5G Ultra Wideband-ready router (lol @ that name) is going to ship to 4G internet customers, so when (if?) those areas are covered by C-Band, they'll be ready for even better internet. Verizon didn't say if these customers will get any sort of free upgrade to that better service, only that they'll have a capable device. My guess is that they'll be paying more. What is C-Band? It's basically the mid-band 5G that Verizon will use to better compete with T-Mobile's 5G footprint going forward. Mid-band 5G provides a great mix of speed and coverage, unlike low-band 5G (good coverage, bad speeds) and mmW (bad coverage, crazy speeds) that have their strengths and weaknesses. Verizon bought a bunch of C-Band spectrum at auction earlier this year. To see if you have access to any of Verizon's home internet options, head over to their site.

Speedtest App Gets Video Streaming Test

Tim — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 11:27:44 +0000

Ookla has introduced a new feature for its Speedtest app, a dedicated video streaming tester. If you're a cord cutter and need to test what your network is capable of, this is for you. According to Ookla, "Taking a video test will give you valuable information to help you optimize your video streaming experience." For example, once a test is ran, users will be able to determine if they're able to stream the videos at the quality they expect, get recommendations for which devices will work best on our network, and also compare "historical streaming experiences to your current network performance with test result history." Such fancy. To access this new feature, open the updated Speedtest app, then head to the dedicated Video testing tab. The test will stream some videos at differing resolutions to see what your network is capable of. It's very straightforward. Give it a try yourself by downloading the update.

Google Play Link

// Ookla

Verizon's New Spam Call Filter is Your New Best Friend

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 10:59:32 +0000

In recent years, as the number of spam and robocalls have flooded my phone lines, I started to notice a pattern. Many of them showed up with an area code and middle 3-digits that matched my own phone number. It was obvious that this was a trick to get you thinking that the call could be local and that almost copying your exact number would bring a comfort and familiarity to increase your chances of answering. Now, while I hadn't heard anyone openly talk about it, I tried my best to share this with friends and family to discourage them from answering, explaining to them the idea. Today, Verizon announced a new feature as a part of their Call Filter app that will take care of these exact type of calls. This tactic is apparently called neighbor or neighborhood spoofing, and as Verizon explains, you have most definitely seen these calls where the area code and prefix of your phone number has been matched to get you to consider answering them. The Call Filter Free and Call Filter Plus service from Verizon has a new "Neighborhood Filter" option in it to manage these. Verizon says that you can find it in the "Block Filters" area of the "Management" section.

When activated, Call Filter will block all calls that fall under your neighborhood numbers lists. You can set up to 10 of these neighborhood numbers for Verizon to watch out for, and it will indeed block any that match the criteria. Should it also block a legitimate call, you can go back into the app and tap the "Ignore Filter" option within its post-call details. As you can see in the image above, you setup neighborhood numbers with area code and prefix, plus you can tell it to just block those "similar to mine." There is actually a good amount of settings here to help you get rid of all those damn spam calls. Grab the latest version of Call Filter to get his excellent new feature.

OnePlus Posts Further Clarification on Throttling of OnePlus 9 Lineup

Tim — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 09:34:05 +0000

If you missed it last week, news broke that OnePlus has been throttling the Snapdragon 888 processor on the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. Once details of that came to light, OnePlus played it pretty cool, releasing a small statement. From said statement, we gathered that OnePlus is merely attempting to ensure that the Snapdragon 888 doesn't burn through your device's battery and also doesn't overheat. If they have to throttle some apps to make that happen, they seem perfectly content with the decision and nothing will be changing. The end. Or maybe not? Now, OnePlus is back with a whole blog post on the situation, as if we needed to drag this fake controversy out any further. In my view, it's OnePlus' right to tweak whatever they want on the device to deliver whatever experience they want to the consumer. Could they have been a bit more forward or transparent in how they did this? Sure, but they're not breaking any rules here. Was anyone actually affected by what OnePlus did? I didn't see anyone complaining. If anything, OnePlus didn't do enough, because the problems they attempted to address are still lingering on the devices, such as device overheating and battery drain. Here's a piece from OnePlus' latest blog post on Throttlegate.

In the case of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro, when you open apps or heavy games, the Snapdragon 888 processor, including the super powerful X1 CPU core, will run at full speed to provide the best performance. But with actions that do not require the maximum power, like reading a webpage or scrolling through Twitter and Instagram, it’s not necessary for the CPU to run at almost 3GHz to do that smoothly. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro reduce the CPU frequency in these scenarios to reduce power consumption and heat dissipation while maintaining a smooth experience. The OnePlus R&D team also maintains a list of applications – based on the most popular Google Play Store apps – that we try to optimize, including some of the apps you know and love like Chrome, Twitter, Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Discord, Microsoft Office plus our own apps. All of this optimization is only finalized after our testing team makes sure the actual user experience is not negatively affected.

I will stand by my original belief that OnePlus should make this throttling business an actual feature in the Battery menu section of the device. That way there's at least an on/off switch for those who care. Folks who do mobile gaming may want to ensure their device is running at peak performance. When you know that there's software native to the phone that may be limiting your CPU's performance, that could be an issue. In the court of smartphone law, where I'm Judge Tato, I hereby find the defendant, OnePlus, not guilty. However, I do task OnePlus with being more transparent and forthcoming when it comes to tweaking CPU performance. Don't treat consumers like morons and maybe we won't have to waste time talking about things like this. // OnePlus

Samsung Unpacked Goes Down August 11 and Here's Every Device to be Announced

Tim — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 08:51:29 +0000

If you're one of those people who don't appreciate "spoilers," you best avert your eyes. Thanks to @evleaks, we can now see every single thing that Samsung intends to unveil during this year's Unpacked event, unofficially scheduled to kick off on August 11. Keep in mind, that's a whole month from now. If Samsung was trying to keep any of these designs under wraps, they didn't do a very good job. Over the weekend, @evleaks posted to his Twitter a long string of 360-degree GIFs of each device. We can see the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3, Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy Watch 4 Classic, Galaxy Watch 4 (could also be Watch Active 4, the names are unconfirmed), and Galaxy Buds 2. Evan even showcases what we believe to be all of the colors for these different devices. It's literally Galaxy Christmas in July, people. As I said, we have a month before Samsung takes the stage to announce availability and pricing for these devices. Until then, we can expect more leaks and details about this range of product. Personally, sign me up for a Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Watch 4 (or Active 4, I'm not picky). That'll be a sweet little combo, I bet. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734357328699396 https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734389691953152 https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734440250093570 https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734479907151873 https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734516322144257 https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1413734590846492674

Samsung July Updates: Galaxy S21 is Up Next

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 08:36:53 +0000

As we dive further into the month of July, Samsung and its carrier partners continue to push out this month's update. Following the Note 10 line, the flagship Galaxy S21 series is now seeing the newest build. In this new update, Samsung is really only sending out the July Android patch and nothing else. This is one of those months where we aren't even getting those mysterious "performance enhancements" or slight tweaks to the camera. Instead, it's a bit of security and that's it. Here are the new builds to be on the lookout for if you own Verizon devices. We'll add AT&T and T-Mobile once those are here too:

Galaxy S21: RP1A.200720.012.G991USQS4AUFD
Galaxy S21+: RP1A.200720.012.G996USQS4AUFD
Galaxy S21 Ultra: RP1A.200720.012.G998USQS4AUFD
UPDATE: AT&T updates actually rolled out July 9 and they are the same builds. T-Mobile got them on July 11.

To check for each update, head into Settings>System updates>Check for system updates.

AT&T Removes Unlimited Data Cap, Expands Hotspot Data and 4K for Best Plan

Kellen — Mon, 12 Jul 2021 07:31:19 +0000

To kick off the week, AT&T is taking its top unlimited data plan and expanding its features without a price hike. The AT&T Unlimited Elite plan now comes with more data, faster speeds at all times, and higher-resolution streams more often. The first big change to AT&T Unlimited Elite, which costs $85/mo for a single line, involves its data cap. The plan used to have a 100GB limit, where AT&T could then throttle your speeds if needed, but that's going away. Going forward, AT&T Elite customers can use as much data as they want and their speeds should never slow. The second change is in hotspot data, where AT&T has upped the limit to 40GB of monthly hotspot data from 30GB. That's an extra 10GB of data to use while tethering devices, again without a price increase. Finally, AT&T has added 4K streaming "where available." This is in addition to the free HBO Max perk already included with the plan, so depending on what you plan to stream when using mobile data, those crispy videos could be crispier. AT&T says these enhancements will start to roll out this week and you don't need to do a thing if you are already subscribed to AT&T Unlimited Elite. There is no need to change plans, plus you'll get a text message from them when it's live on your line. Is it time we look again at which carrier unlimited plan is the best?

Google Could Let RCS Finally Come to Your Favorite Messaging App (Updated)

Kellen — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 12:20:21 +0000

Google has finally convinced (most) carriers to adopt its Messages app and the RCS or "Chat" service they've implemented within it, basically as the default text message app for Android phones going forward. It's a huge milestone for RCS and one that should help adoption, assuming everyone is cool with Google Messages, knows how to find it, and is OK leaving their other texting apps behind. A recently discovered API could take away that last item, should Google decide to let others play with their RCS service. The folks at XDA dove into a freshly updated Google Messages app today and found an Android Messages API (or RCS API) that has the ability to tap into Google's RCS service from another app. Below, you can see the strings that point to this possibility:

With this permission the app will be allowed to send SMS/MMS/RCS using Android Messages. It will have an access to send messages without any extra approvals. Permission to send SMS/MMS/RCS messages using Android Messages API

The idea here is that another text messaging or SMS app could tap into the Android Messages API to allow for RCS or "Chat" messaging from within their app. I'd imagine it would all then be routed through Google's own RCS service, but it would let users use another app to have some RCS fun. As it currently stands, RCS users are basically forced to use Google Messages. Now, with this discovery, XDA states that the Android Messages API is in the Google Messages app on Samsung phones, and that could be because it would allow Samsung users to tap into RCS from the Samsung Messages app too. So it could be a one-off permission made by Google for Samsung. Our hope is that this is more than that, and that Google is planning to open up their RCS implementation to other apps. There is a huge ecosystem of 3rd party texting apps and this would help them utilize RCS, which is basically the future of SMS.

UPDATE: After digging further, it appears now that this is all not what we hoped. XDA has discovered that this API is basically there for use with Samsung apps and Samsung apps only. Damn.

Samsung July Updates: Galaxy Note 10 Lineup Picks It Up

Tim — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 10:15:37 +0000

The July security patch is headed out to the Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ on Verizon. It's safe to bet that this is only the start and you'll see this post updated a couple of times with other Samsung devices as the update rolls out to additional Galaxy phones. Once updated, the Galaxy Note 10 will be on software version N970USQS6FUF1, while the Note 10+ will be on N975USQS6FUF1.

UPDATE 1: AT&T models are now also receiving the same update. When updated, the Note 10 will see build version N970USQS6FUF2 and the Note 10+ will see N975USQS6FUF2.
UPDATE 2: T-Mobile models received the update on July 11, with the same build number as Verizon's models (N975USQS6FUF1).
UPDATE 3: Add the Galaxy Note 10+ 5G to the list with build RP1A.200720.012.N976USQU5EUF1.

We'll keep you posted as more Samsung devices receive the patch. // Verizon

OnePlus 6 Gets Its First Android 11 Beta

Kellen — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 09:03:11 +0000

The OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T are aging phones, yet OnePlus is still providing them some level of support. At 3 years old, OnePlus continues to send updates to each, even if those updates might not be coming as fast as owners may like. This week, OnePlus made available the first Android 11 beta for each phone to start the process of moving towards a stable build. I know that it's July and Android 12 will be here in a month or so, but at least these 3-year old phones are getting it, right? I'm actually surprised that they committed to giving each Android 11, to be honest. If you'd like to give Android 11 beta a run on your OnePlus 6 or 6T, you can do so by downloading the update and forcing your phone to update to it. It's a pretty simple process, since OnePlus provides the files for going to Android 11 and then coming back to Android 10 if it hasn't worked out as you hoped. As far as the update goes, it's a big one. This is the big OxygenOS 11 update that changes the skin from that stockish Android you were used to and turns your OnePlus phone into a Samsung clone. You may love it. You may hate it. This is your OnePlus future, though. You'll find a newly redesigned UI, new gaming features, an updated camera UI, more ambient display options, and a much better dark mode. Unfortunately, you won't find the always-on display that other OnePlus phones have. For whatever reason, OnePlus really struggles at making AOD work. Here is the full changelog:

System
- Updated to OxygenOS 11 version
- Fresh new UI visual design brings you a more comfortable experience with various optimizations of details
- Since this is a big Android update with multiple new features, the upgrade process might be a little longer, please be more patient.
Game Space
- Newly added gaming tools box for convenient switches of Fnatic mode. You can now choose three ways of notifications: text-only, heads up, and block, just for your immersive gaming experience
- Newly added quick reply feature in a small window for Instagram, WhatsApp, and Telegram (Enable it by swiping down from upper right/left corners of the screen in gaming mode)
- Newly added mistouch prevention feature. Enable it, swipe down from the top of the screen, click and the notification bar will pop out
Camera
- Updated the camera UI and optimized some of the function paths to offer a more convenient operation
Ambient Display
- Newly added Insight clock style, a joint creation with Parsons School of Design. It will change according to the phone usage data (To set: Settings > Customization > Clock on ambient display)
- Newly added Canvas feature that can automatically draw a wireframe picture based on a lock screen photo on your phone（Path: Settings - Customization - Wallpaper - Canvas - Choose photo preview and it can be generated automatically）
Dark Mode
- Added a shortcut for Dark Mode, you can pull down the Quick Settings panel and find it
- Supported automatically enable by time range (path: Settings - Display - Dark Mode - Turn on automatically - Automatically enable from sunset to sunrise / Custom time range)
Shelf
- Newly shelf interface design, the interface is clearer
- Added weather widget, animation effect smarter

To get started with the Android 11 beta on your OnePlus 6 or 6T, hit up this forum post.

Sign Up to Test Unannounced OnePlus Buds Pro Earbuds, Nord 2 5G

Tim — Fri, 09 Jul 2021 08:45:24 +0000

OnePlus has opened the Lab this week, accepting applications for OnePlus community members to receive and review unannounced devices, this time being the OnePlus Buds Pro and OnePlus Nord 2 5G. I'm pretty sure that no one was aware that the OnePlus Buds Pro were a thing, so that's cool of OnePlus to make them official. If you're not familiar with OnePlus Lab, the company allows users from its forum to submit writing and photo samples in order to receive free devices. If selected, the user must review the device and then allow OnePlus to use that review for marketing purposes. There are other rules and requirements, but for the most part, if you have experience shooting with a camera and writing tech-related reviews, there's a good chance you can get selected to test unannounced devices. Oh, and you get to keep the devices! If you want to take a chance and apply, follow the link below.

Apply Here

// OnePlus

Qualcomm Made a "Whoa!" Phone for Snapdragon Fanboys

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 13:16:54 +0000

We all know Qualcomm as the chipmaker that dominates the Android smartphone landscape with its modem monopoly and one that obsessively drools over 5G, a technology they claim is already "here" every couple of months dating back to 2019 or so, when it's still very much not. It seems now that Qualcomm wants to be known as a phonemaker on some level too, at least to the Qualcomm Snapdragon super fans, a category of human I had no idea existed. Qualcomm has this program called "Snapdragon Insiders" for those of you who really f*cking love Snapdragon, where members have the chance to be a part of "behind-the-scenes access, extra experiences, and community perks." I'm trying to imagine the type of person who loves the chipset in their phone so much that they'd like, wear a Snapdragon t-shirt, but haha...haha...that's not a thing, right? Google shirt, I get. Even Facebook shirt. Snapdragon shirt? Anyways, off my hater tree we go. Qualcomm teamed up with ASUS to make a phone for those Snapdragon Insiders. It's a ridiculously over-spec'd phone that has everything you could ask for in a modern high-end smartphone, and it'll be available in limited supply to the Insiders.

The specs for this phone include the Snapdragon 888, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, 512GB UFS3.1 storage, 6.78" 144Hz AMOLED FHD display, WiFi 6E, 4000mAh battery with 65W charging, fingerprint sensor, and a triple rear camera. The camera is headlined by Sony's flagship 64MP IMX686 sensor. Oh, it has Bluetooth too. The phone sounds insane in a good way. Should you happen upon one, as the Insider you are, Qualcomm is also tossing in a pair of custom Master & Dynamic earbuds. These earbuds tend to retail for around $300, I believe, so yeah, that's a nice perk. Of course, everything involved in this phone is related to Qualcomm in some way. The application processor, the modem, the fingerprint sensor, the fast charging, the GPU, the audio technology, etc., are all Qualcomm products. This is the ultimate Qualcomm phone. They clearly spared no expense. How much does it cost? It's hard to tell if Qualcomm is going to sell this or just give it away to a small number of Snapdragon Insiders. They don't discuss pricing anywhere or how you can get one other than by signing up to be an Insider. We do at least know that it'll be available in the US, China, UK, and Germany. If interested, sign-up here.

UPDATE: The Verge says this phone will cost $1,500, so let's just move on and forget we ever talked.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e_BF3KMUZWs

You Can Now Pay In-Store With Your Google Pay Balance

Tim — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:19:26 +0000

Google is now rolling out a new feature for Google Pay users in the US, allowing them to use a new virtual card tied to their Pay balance to pay for goods in-store using their Android device via NFC. This feature is rolling out now to all eligible Android users in the US, and once you've been assigned your Google Pay balance virtual card, you'll simply smack your phone on a supported NFC terminal to pay for things. Previously, your balance could only be sent to other people or cashed out, but now, you can put that balance to use.

Now, Android users in the US can request a virtual Google Pay balance card in order to make purchases at merchants that accept Google Pay for contactless payments (in-store) or accept tokenized payments via Buy with Google Pay (online).

Google says everyone should be able to start getting their virtual balance cards in the next week or so. Start looking in the Google Pay app to see if it's there for you. I like this, but also miss the old Google Pay. // 9to5Google

The End of Support has Come for Jelly Bean

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 11:00:00 +0000

Google released Android Jelly Bean 9 years ago, if you can believe that, and has apparently been supporting it through Google Play Services this entire time. I now know that because they announced today that they are discontinuing updates for Jelly Bean at the end of August. In a blog post to the Android Developers Blog, Google explains that they are ending update support for Google Play Services in Jelly Bean (API levels 16, 17, and 18) with build 21.30.99. With less than 1% of active devices running Jelly Bean, hopefully this won't affect that many of you or the developers who still have users claiming to have a Jelly Bean device with their app installed. Google actually thinks a number of the devices with Jelly Bean aren't actually being used. Pretty wild to think that Jelly Bean is that old. It's also good to understand that even though Google and its partners don't update devices to newer versions of Android for more than 3-4 years, Google Play Services continues to let them work and often bring new features anyway. RIP, Jelly Bean.

Google Responds to Antitrust Lawsuit Claims

Tim — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 09:40:37 +0000

Yesterday, news broke that a multi-state antitrust lawsuit was inbound, aimed directly at Google and Google Play. As we've now learned, the lawsuit includes 36 states and the District of Columbia. It focuses on Google Play's competition and the notion that Google doesn't allow apps like the Galaxy Store to gain traction among Android users. Specifically, the complaint filed alleges that Google controls an overwhelming portion of the Android app market (90%), with no other Android app store controlling more than 5% share. This has been made possible by various actions allegedly committed by Google, such as not allowing other app stores to buy advertising on the Google search engine and YouTube. It's also noted that Google offered Samsung a sum of upfront money and a portion of revenue earn from Google Play if Android's largest phone manufacturer would stop pursuing exclusive deals to distribute apps such as Fortnite. To ensure you know what else the lawsuit claims, it's also alleged that Google paid app developers to prevent them from removing apps from the Play Store, that Google made false and misleading statements about the security of apps downloaded outside the Play Store, and that Google created varying technical hurdles to make it more difficult for users to sideload Android apps.

As you can see, the lawsuit covers a wide range of things. Now, Google is launching its defense, releasing a large blog post that covers how it sees the lawsuit. In summary, it comes off like Google is likening this lawsuit to the one Epic Games (Fortnite creator) launched a while ago.

We built Android to create more choices in mobile technology. Today, anyone, including our competitors, can customize and build devices with the Android operating system — for free. We also built an app store, Google Play, that helps people download apps on their devices. If you don’t find the app you’re looking for in Google Play, you can choose to download the app from a rival app store or directly from a developer’s website. We don’t impose the same restrictions as other mobile operating systems do. So it’s strange that a group of state attorneys general chose to file a lawsuit attacking a system that provides more openness and choice than others. This complaint mimics a similarly meritless lawsuit filed by the large app developer Epic Games, which has benefitted from Android’s openness by distributing its Fortnite app outside of Google Play.

Google includes a bunch of fancy images and GIFs that showcase the openness of Android and how users can get Android apps from essentially anywhere. If you're into this sort of thing, I'd recommend reading it. However, if you want Google's more easily digestible response, the below excerpt sums it up pretty well.

We understand that scrutiny is appropriate, and we’re committed to engaging with regulators. But Android and Google Play provide openness and choice that other platforms simply don’t. This lawsuit isn’t about helping the little guy or protecting consumers. It’s about boosting a handful of major app developers who want the benefits of Google Play without paying for it. Doing so risks raising costs for small developers, impeding their ability to innovate and compete, and making apps across the Android ecosystem less secure for consumers.

It is possible to think that Google does potentially dirty things to keep itself on top, while also understanding that Android continues to be an open platform where others can release and distribute apps without the need for going through Google Play? I say, "yes." We'll keep you posted as this thing trudges on. // Google

OnePlus Continues to Hype Next Flagship Killer, Confirms No US Launch

Tim — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 08:37:55 +0000

OnePlus CEO and co-founder Pete Lau continues to discuss the upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 5G this week, calling it a comprehensive upgrade over the original OnePlus Nord. While we now know this phone is not making its way to the US, as availability is listed only for Europe and India, we can't help but discuss this new "flagship killer" a bit more. The phone will come powered by a MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI processor, while also offering 5G connectivity at what should be an affordable price. Lau also says that improvements came for the camera, charging, and performance experiences. It should be a better phone from top to bottom, so we're a little bummed it's not slated for release in the US at this time. That's the thing, though. Here in the US, OnePlus sells flagship phones, costing over $1,000. What happens if you release a flagship killer and you accidentally kill your own flagship? We can't have that, so the folks who end up paying are the consumers, which is obviously super lame. If you're in India or Europe, you're likely looking forward to this launch. // OnePlus

Google Pixel 5a Makes Its FCC Appearance

Kellen — Thu, 08 Jul 2021 08:29:05 +0000

Knowing that the Pixel 5a 5G is most definitely not cancelled, and Google has confirmed it'll arrive around when last year's Pixel 4a did, it makes sense that evidence of its arrival would trickle in. Today, the Pixel 5a stopped through the FCC, giving us bits of information on Google's next A-series phone before it's available. A new Google phone under model numbers G4S1M and GR0M2 was listed, along with a new number of G1F8F. I only point out that G1F8F is new because the other two are known Pixel 5a numbers that surfaced some time ago. All three have been bunched together at the FCC, though, so these are most definitely the same phone. I didn't necessarily find anything incredibly interesting after browsing through several testing documents, but did get confirmation of 802.11ac WiFi, Bluetooth LE, and NFC. There's a 3.5mm headphone jack again, as well as network support on all of the major carriers, including sub-6 5G. Since this will be called the Pixel 5a 5G, that level of support isn't surprising.

Again, Google told us to expect the phone when last year's 4a hit and that was in August, at least for the non-5G Pixel 4a. If they stick to that, we could have the Pixel 5a 5G in a few weeks. If they meant "when the Pixel 4a 5G launched," then that would be another month out. // FCC [2]

New Multi-State Antitrust Lawsuit Targets Google Play's Fees

Tim — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 13:48:24 +0000

According to Bloomberg, multiple states are preparing to launch an antitrust lawsuit against Google, targeting the Google Play fees that the company charges developers for purchases and subscriptions sold inside of apps. Apparently, the belief is that Google, "illegally abused its power over developers that distribute apps through the Google Play store on mobile devices." The lawsuit is expected to be filed in California later today. We actually talked about developer fees not too long ago. In March, Google announced they'd start taking less money from developers, which was welcomed news. A few states still don't seem too happy, though. We'll keep you posted. // Bloomberg

OnePlus is Purposefully Throttling App Performance (Update: OnePlus Responds)

Tim — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 10:16:57 +0000

A fascinating report has been published this week, and while it went completely over my head in terms of tech knowledge, it paints a picture that's easy to understand if you're concerned about the overall performance of your OnePlus device. The device at the center of the report is the OnePlus 9 Pro -- the company's most expensive device -- with the report detailing with actual figures and data that OnePlus is purposefully throttling performance of the device. While throttling is not an uncommon word in the smartphone world, people pay good money for top of the line performance, and from what this report shows, that's not what you're getting with the OnePlus 9 Pro. Published by the good people at Anandtech, the main takeaway from the report, without having to regurgitate words I'm unfamiliar with, is that OnePlus is throttling a specific list of apps on the OnePlus 9 Pro in what appears to be an attempt to increase power efficiency and battery life. The thing is, it's not a small list of apps. The list is quite large and contains what appears to be the most widely used apps on the entire Android platform. A few of the apps affected by this throttling are Chrome, Firefox, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Zoom, WhatsApp, TikTok, Amazon, Dropbox, what looks to be all of Google's native apps, Discord, Netflix, Microsoft's suite of apps, and the list goes on and on.

I urge you to read the entire report, but in the most layman's way of explaining (that's the only way I can personally understand it), the OnePlus 9 Pro's OS recognizes when a particular app is opened, then throttles performance of said app. This was tested using browser-based benchmarks, with Chrome getting treated absolutely horribly by the throttle. In benchmarks, Chrome on the OnePlus 9 Pro shows up as a low-end budget device in terms of speed, ranking well below the Pixel 5 and its Snapdragon 765G chipset. Keep in mind, the OnePlus 9 Pro comes equipped with a Snapdragon 888 processor and 12GB RAM. This phone should obliterate the Pixel 5, but it doesn't in Anandtech's testing. Anandtech was unable to test if this same thing is happening on other OnePlus devices, as they didn't have other phones for testing. Would it surprise anyone to learn that this isn't limited to just the OnePlus 9 Pro? Of course not. I've always preached that it should be up to the user to determine if they want better battery life or better device performance. Companies such as OnePlus shouldn't throttle our devices without our knowledge. That's dirty. Instead, educate the user on how different device settings affect battery life and go from there. Go read the full report. It has a lot of big words, but it's good. Update: OnePlus has responded to the report, confirming its findings.

Our top priority is always delivering a great user experience with our products, based in part on acting quickly on important user feedback. Following the launch of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro in March, some users told us about some areas where we could improve the devices’ battery life and heat management. As a result of this feedback, our R&D team has been working over the past few months to optimize the devices’ performance when using many of the most popular apps, including Chrome, by matching the app’s processor requirements with the most appropriate power. This has helped to provide a smooth experience while reducing power consumption. While this may impact the devices’ performance in some benchmarking apps, our focus as always is to do what we can to improve the performance of the device for our users.

So yeah, OnePlus is throttling your apps because it's trying to deliver good overall performance. Whether this is the right thing to do remains questionable. // Anandtech

July 2021 Android Security Update Now Available for Google Pixel Phones

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 09:48:08 +0000

After missing the Monday release, thanks to the 4th of July weekend, Google has now released the July Android update for its Pixel phones. The new Pixel update - available to the Pixel 3 through Pixel 5 - includes the July security patch and should fix a number of bugs that we'll detail below. Currently, we are seeing new 11.0.0 files for Pixel 5 (RQ3A.210705.001), Pixel 4a 5G (RQ3A.210705.001), Pixel 4a (RQ3A.210705.001), Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL (RQ3A.210705.001), Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL (RQ3A.210705.001), and Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (RQ3A.210705.001). Here are the notable fixes from Google:

Verizon Adaptive Sound Enters Your System Settings Whether You Like It or Not

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 09:40:39 +0000

Verizon began pushing a new update to the Motorola Edge+ earlier in the week and it included a new feature the company had not yet announced. Called "Verizon Adaptive Sound," we were curious what this would introduce, but assumed it was an app Verizon was planning to install on your phone to improve the audio and media experience. As it turns out, it's probably worse, because Verizon is adding it to your phone's system settings. In a post today to announce some random budget Motorola phone, Verizon introduced Verizon Adaptive Sound as a new feature that "produces brilliant spatial surround experience regardless of what headphone, soundbar or earbud brand you use or what application you're watching or listening to, including Dolby Atmos-enabled content." They said it will launch with today's run-of-the-mill mid-range Moto phone I'll never remember the name of, while suggesting it'll come to other phones (which we knew already). But then they showed how to use it and that's where we aren't in love. To access Verizon Adaptive Sound, you'll find the new Verizon feature you didn't ask for buried in your system settings as a newly installed service through a system update. It'll be in the sound settings of phones from Motorola for sure, but could come to others. Verizon Adaptive Sound can enhance voices, bring bass or treble boosts, and give you some equalizer controls as it tries to automatically improve sound in music, video, games, etc. It appears as if you can turn it off too.

Why the worry? Well, because this sure appears to be baked into the system, that suggests you can't remove it. If it were just an app from Google Play that they were pre-installing, you could at least get rid of or disable it, you know, since it's a feature you didn't ask for. My other worry here is that this is a carrier adding an audio feature to phones, which isn't typically an area they would dip their toes in. Unless of course, they are planning to add Verizon Adaptive Audio+ as a paid-for add-on to your account in the coming months with super HD streams and a whole bunch of advertisements to try to get you to opt-in. You know exactly how this could end, right? Thankfully, phones from Samsung and OnePlus tend to already include their own audio settings like this thing here from Verizon. My hope is that they won't touch those phones or try and talk those companies into adopting theirs over the OEM controls. For now, Motorola is definitely accepting Verizon's new found love for audio. I do worry some about Google's Pixel phones. We should know shortly when the July update drops. Hey, improved audio! If you own a budget or mid-range phone or one from Motorola, maybe you'll welcome this supposed audio improvement. If not, well, tough.

OnePlus is Making Another "Flagship Killer" Phone

Kellen — Wed, 07 Jul 2021 07:57:30 +0000

When OnePlus first kicked things off back in 2014, they captured our attention with clever (and often obnoxious) marketing and by suggesting they would "Never Settle." That slogan has since come back to bite them some, but the "Flagship Killer" description they also used for the original OnePlus One was pretty brilliant. Because look, the price and specs combination offered with that first phone really did have the ability to kill flagship phones that were starting to show regular price increases. In recent years, OnePlus has had to go away from that "Flagship Killer" vibe because they have basically tried to turn themselves into Samsung. Their phones are just flagships now, expensive flagships. They have high-end specs and ridiculous prices to go with them. This is no longer the scrappy new company trying to shine a spotlight on their new high-end phone in unique ways. The same can't be said for their newish Nord line, though. Today, OnePlus has officially brought back the "Flagship Killer" tag for their upcoming OnePlus Nord 2 phone as they've also announced its chipset. https://twitter.com/OnePlus_UK/status/1412743204231729158 The OnePlus Nord 2, which is unlikely to come to the US, has been dubbed by the OnePlus UK Twitter account as "the Flagship Killer." It will apparently become that by using a premium MediaTek processor called the Dimensity 1200-AI. Expect lots of AI-powered stuff, like "AI-assisted imaging for an improved photography experience, display enhancements, better response times for faster and smoother gaming, and much more are exactly what the MediaTek Dimensity 1200-AI SoC delivers." Cool, cool. Can you sell a "Flagship Killer" if you make flagships? It's kind of a weird idea, but we'll let OnePlus do OnePlus things. The big takeaway here is that they expect to sell the Nord 2 at a decent price and pack in a good amount of specs. That's the way the original Nord worked and it certainly seemed like a phone that should have carried a higher price. The OnePlus Nord 2 is coming.

Traeger Buys My Beloved MEATER

Tim — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 11:51:41 +0000

Across the wire this morning, the pellet grilling company Traeger, based out of Utah, acquired my beloved MEATER, the company behind one of the best smart meat thermometers on the market. From what Traeger says, MEATER will for now stay as a standalone company, but it wouldn't surprise me to see a bit of intermingling between the two down the road. For example, a bundling of Traeger grills with MEATER thermometers is an instant win for BBQ season, and surely something you could find on sale at a Costco or Ace Hardware. Here's an excerpt from Traeger's press release.

The MEATER acquisition represents the next logical step in Traeger's digital evolution and ongoing effort to create the ultimate connected grilling experience through the ability to precisely monitor food temps from virtually anywhere.

Having now lived with my MEATER for 3 years, there's no going back for me when it comes to cooking large pieces of beef or other cuts of animals I'm not familiar with. My MEATER is too damn clutch. // Traeger

Samsung Preowned Devices are Now 'Re-Newed' Devices

Tim — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 10:42:24 +0000

Samsung announced a rebranding for its range of certified pre-owned devices this week, changing the name to Re-Newed devices. My thoughts? That's not even a word, Samsung. Renewed is, yes, but re-newed is not. Meh. So what is Re-Newed, you may ask? It's the same thing as their CPO, but with a new name.

Samsung Certified Re-Newed smartphones are thoroughly inspected and updated to like-new condition in a Samsung factory with certified Samsung parts and a new battery. Each smartphone in the program comes with a one-year warranty, offering consumers peace of mind that their device is protected.

Honestly, who cares about the name? Most important are the prices. When you shop Re-Newed, there are insane deals to be had. For example, a Galaxy S20 for only $250 and Galaxy S20 Ultra is just $550. Those prices are fantastic for devices that come with a warranty and are still top of the line phones.

Shop Samsung Re-Newed Devices

DEAL: OnePlus 9 Pro Discounted to $969 ($100 Off)

Tim — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 09:13:15 +0000

For a limited time on Amazon, you can snag a OnePlus 9 Pro, priced at only $969. That's $99 below its usual price of $1069. If you're looking for the pinnacle of OnePlus' hardware lineup, look no further. This device has all of the best of the best specifications, such as 120Hz AMOLED display, Snapdragon 888 processor, 12GB RAM, 65W Warp Charging, and plenty else. If you haven't already, we highly recommend reading our dedicated review. It's a good one! There is a lot to like about the OnePlus 9 Pro at a discounted price. Its display is gorgeous and fast, the software is groovy and comes with access to Android 12 beta software, and the cameras are right up there with the best of them. Have at it by following the link below.

Amazon Link ($969)

https://youtu.be/TfI9V-eGfBc

No, You Don't Want the Surface Duo Even at $400

Kellen — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 08:44:10 +0000

A deal over at Woot today has the Microsoft Surface Duo down to $409.99, and no, you don't want one. Even at $990 off, this is a device not worth investing in. The Microsoft Surface Duo was a bad product when released almost a year ago and it's not much better today. Microsoft has issued several updates to it on an almost-monthly basis, but almost all have been to fix up the awful software experience the device originally shipped with. While performance is better and the bugs list has shortened, Microsoft hasn't added anything new or interesting outside of making it a portable XBOX. They haven't even added Android 11. Oh you didn't know that? Hah, yeah, the Surface Duo is still running Android 10. Android 12 is a little over a month away from going stable and Microsoft hasn't even pushed Android 11 out. Not good! When I reviewed the Surface Duo in September of 2020, I made the world of Microsoft fanboys quite angry with my criticism. I complained about how poor the touch experience was, that no apps were optimized (outside of Microsoft's) for the dual screen experience, that it had the absolute worst camera I've ever used in a modern smartphone, and that it would take months and months just to clean up the bugs and optimize the software. They suggested I was clueless, yet here we are 9 months later and Microsoft really is still trying to fix the original software. What I'm getting at is that even at $400, this isn't a product to buy. It's about to be a full 2 Android versions behind, it's specs are now closing in on being 3 years behind (remember 6GB RAM and a Snapdragon 855!), and there could be a new version in the works. Outside of the cool hinge, there are so many things worth spending $400 on that don't include the Surface Duo.

Don't buy this Surface Duo for $400

Ready for a OnePlus Tablet?

Tim — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 08:28:18 +0000

OnePlus fans, it appears that an OP-made tablet might be inbound, thanks to a listing spotted on the EUIPO (European Union Intellectual Property Office) website. Typically, when a name pops up there, something is in the works, which is great news for those of us who have figured the Android tablet segment was completely abandoned. According to the listing, the name for this upcoming product is OnePlus Pad, giving me flashbacks to 2014 when we thought the OnePlus Tab was coming in hot. These listings don't offer anything else. There are no specs, no nothing. However, should we need an idea of what to expect, we need only look to OnePlus' sibling companies, Vivo and Realme. These companies are also reported to be working on upcoming tablets, one of them called the Vivo Pad, so as we spot leaks from them, it's a safe bet that the OnePlus Pad will be very similar. So long as this isn't a super cheapy tablet, which it probably is, I'd be all for it. // mysmartprice | EUIPO

Nothing's First Earbuds Get $99 Price, ANC Too

Kellen — Tue, 06 Jul 2021 08:01:51 +0000

We have entered into a full-on OnePlus-esque feature trollout for Nothing's first ever product. That thing that OnePlus does where they announce feature after feature over a long period of time to keep the product on the front page of tech blogs and (hopefully) in your mind, is happening. After delaying the Ear (1) until July, the company that was founded by Carl Pei has now told us the price and an important feature. This comes after they had to announce the delay, then announce a retail partner, and then...I swear there was something else in there. You know how this works. So for Nothing's Ear (1), we've been told this morning that they will cost $99 and feature active noise cancellation (ANC). That's a good price for a pair of ANC earbuds, plus if you watch this random video that Nothing posted, it certainly suggests elements of the earbuds will be transparent too. That makes some sense, since they already teased a transparent earbud design that they told us wouldn't be sold. It's clear that they are betting on a transparent product helping the Ear (1) standout in a sea filled with too many wireless earbuds. To recap, the Nothing Ear (1) will arrive July 27 for $99 and feature ANC with some transparent stuff. Cool.

Samsung Tempts You Into a Galaxy Z Fold 2 With a 4K Monitor

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 13:12:08 +0000

Buying a Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 2 today is probably not the best idea with a Galaxy Z Fold 3 potentially weeks away from its reveal. But look, maybe you have a phone to trade-in that's worth a good chunk, you wouldn't mind free SirusXM for 6 months, a couple of months of YouTube Premium sounds nice too, and you have been eyeing a Samsung 4K monitor - that can all be yours if you buy a Z Fold 2. Samsung is trying its hardest to get you into a Galaxy Z Fold 2 at the moment because they probably have inventory that needs to go before the Fold 3 is here. And seriously, all of that stuff I mentioned above is a part of their current Fold 2 offers list. Should you decide a Fold 2 just has to be yours, you'll get up to $600 instantly off with a trade-in, free SiriusXM and YouTube Premium, and a 4K $400 monitor for just $100. This is the monitor. It's 4K at 60Hz with 8ms response time, HR10+ support, USB-C, Bluetooth, DeX Wireless, and Apple AirPlay2. It even comes with a freakin' remote. Is this all worth it? Hey, I'm not here to decide that. Maybe our Fold 2 review will help, though.

Shop Galaxy Z Fold 2 & freebies at Samsung's site

This is a Good OnePlus 9 Deal

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 10:21:07 +0000

With the 4th of July holiday extending into today, there are still some decent deals out there that you may have missed as you sipped bad lagers and ate weird pasta salads while blowin' sh*t up this weekend. One good deal to consider is the $80-off sale on the OnePlus 9, the non-Pro version that is a very, very capable phone. An $80-off discount means you can grab this phone for $649.99 and then own a device with a 120Hz AMOLED display, 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, 65W stupid-fast charging, Snapdragon 888 processor, large 4500mAh battery, and triple camera setup. What other phones can you find with these specs and at this low of a price? I'd imagine not many, if any. In Tim's review, he came away impressed by the OnePlus 9, even with its plastic case. His recommendation was that you buy this over the more expensive OnePlus 9 Pro because of the value and similar experiences. After reviewing the OnePlus 9 Pro and finding serious battery life concerns, I think I'm with him. Shop OnePlus 9 Deals:

Amazon | B&H Photo | Best Buy

No July Update for Your Google Pixel Phone Yet (Updated: Here Now!)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:45:06 +0000

It's the first Monday of the month, which would typically mean a fresh Android update for your Google Pixel phone. However, being an observed holiday from the 4th of July landing on a weekend, we aren't actually getting July's Android patch today.

UPDATE 7/7: The update is here!

Google shared a note on their Pixel Update Bulletin for June's update to note that the July update would arrive on July 7 instead. That would be this coming Wednesday, in case you don't have a calendar handy. A bit of a delay isn't a huge deal, since this update should mostly be a security patch without much else. Remember, Google gave us a new Pixel Feature Drop last month and doesn't typically follow that up with another big update. There's a good chance that this month's update will be minor. If there is something to look forward to on Wednesday, it could be another Android 12 Beta build. Google was originally pushing Android 12 Developer Preview builds toward the middle of each new month on a Wednesday, but that changed in June where we got Beta 2 on June 9. Could we see a fresh Android 12 Beta? Maybe. We'll give you the details of it all in a couple of days. For now, enjoy the day off if you have it.

Motorola Edge+ Update Adds Something Called "Verizon Adaptive Sound (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 09:30:54 +0000

Motorola has one of the most random update schedules of any phone maker. They rarely commit to long-term update support, but when they do, it's not like you get them in any sort of expected fashion. For example, the Motorola Edge+, their $1,000 return to flagship phones, hasn't been updated in three months after getting them in back-to-back months earlier this year. Anyways, that's a topic for another day, but we do have a new update today and it includes new stuff. In build RPB31.Q1-19-58-26, with the June Android security patch, Motorola and Verizon are providing performance improvements to the 5G experience. In addition to those welcomed benefits, the two are adding something called "Verizon Adaptive Sound." What the hell is "Verizon Adaptive Sound," you ask? It will provide "premium sound experiences," the changelog says, but that's all we can find. Verizon's website has nothing indexed with that name and the only references to an "Adaptive Sound" from them are for the Google Pixel Buds. I even thought it might be a new piece of bloatware they were pre-installing yet couldn't find a Google Play listing for this either. Long story short, it is a bit of a mystery. If we find out, we'll be sure to update this post. If you own an Edge+ and get this update, do let us know if you have anything called "Verizon Adaptive Sound" installed afterwards.

UPDATE: Well, they've announced it. You can read all about Verizon Adaptive Sound here.

// Verizon

Galaxy Watch 4 Classic Spinning Shares All the Secrets

Kellen — Mon, 05 Jul 2021 08:58:50 +0000

The upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 series won't need much of an introduction when Samsung hosts its Unpacked event in the next month or so. We've seen promo materials for it in various formats in recent weeks. We have even been blessed with a new "Classic" name that's starting to make it look less likely we'll get an "Active" model, as was previously thought, and instead see a naming scheme of "Galaxy Watch 4" and "Galaxy Watch 4 Classic." In a leak over the weekend, @evleaks shared 360-degree GIFs of this supposed Galaxy Watch 4 Classic in three colors. The animated images show this "Classic" model from all angles, with rotating bezel included, as well as silver/stainless, aluminum, and black cases. This particular watch reminds me a lot of the original Galaxy Watch from 2018, with a big change in design from the most recent Galaxy Watch 3. That original Galaxy Watch wore really awkward on the wrist, as did the Galaxy Watch 3, so I'm worried about this one. With that said, the Watch Active 2 fit like a glove and there will always be the regular Galaxy Watch 4 to hopefully provide a watch for all. https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/1411726526136061960 This Galaxy Watch 4 Classic is expected to come with cases size options of 42mm and 46mm. If I were a betting man, I would be surprised if it wasn't priced close to the $400 mark we find the current Galaxy Watch 3. This will be the premium watch from Samsung. Of course, the biggest piece of info we need now (that we won't get until we use it) is how the new Wear OS experience will play. Can Samsung and Google make wearables on Android great or will we not see enough once again? I can't wait to find out.

Google Testing New App That Stores Your Medical Records

Tim — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 11:10:33 +0000

According to screenshots that have hit the web, Google is internally testing a new Google Health app, dedicated to storing your personal medical records and sharing them should you need to with family. From the screenshots posted by 91mobiles, we can see that users would be able to import their medical records and information from past doctor visits. You'd also be able to view lab results. On the bottom of the app, you have your navigational tabs, with options for Records, Contacts, and Sharing available. Right now, Google doesn't have a public app that does these things, so I see how something such as this could be useful. For example, my Kaiser app is pretty tough to use at times. However, I'd also need to see what sort of information Google is collecting from this app's users. I'm not about to be served ads based on my test results. I'm sure Google will try to be very transparent about privacy when it comes to this app, should it be released. Right now, the app appears to be in internal testing and not even fully green lit yet. We'll keep you posted as we learn more. You ready to hand your medical data over to Google?

// 91mobiles

Galaxy S21 Ultra in Navy Blue is a Looker 👀

Tim — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 09:05:23 +0000

Samsung has a new color available for the Galaxy S21 Ultra, a dark Navy Blue, available exclusively through Best Buy for the usual price of $1,199 when purchasing outright.

Read: Galaxy S21 Ultra Review

As one might expect, this is the same S21 Ultra that's been around since earlier in the year. Specs include a 6.8″ QHD+ Infinity-O display (3200 x 1440) with refresh rate of up to 120Hz (QHD at 120Hz is supported), Snapdragon 888 processor, 12GB RAM, 128GB storage, 5,000mAh battery (fast wired and wireless charging support), stereo speakers, and IP68 rating. It's still very much a beast phone and one of the best devices currently on the market. If you like this color, follow the link below to snag it.

Best Buy Link

OnePlus Commits to 3 Years of Big Android Updates Going Forward

Kellen — Fri, 02 Jul 2021 08:34:22 +0000

We might be heading into a holiday weekend where most people have already checked out, but OnePlus has some big news to share. The company committed to offering 3 big Android OS updates going forward for its top tier phones and will tack on a 4th year of security updates as well. There's a big sidenote involved, though, so let's talk about it. As you know by now, OnePlus confirmed a couple of weeks back that it was further integrating into OPPO, basically becoming a sub-brand of it. They claimed this would make it easier to adapt to the times, streamline operations, and create nothing but positives going forward for its fans. While that's fine, we worried about software and if OnePlus would simply adopt OPPO's ColorOS going forward while ditching OxygenOS. That hasn't happened yet (thankfully), but we're close now. That brings us back to today's announcement. OnePlus has indeed committed to a greatly improved update schedule going forward:

Flagship devices: Starting with the OnePlus 8 series and moving forward, all flagship-level phones will receive 3 major Android updates and 4 years of security updates.
Nord / Nord CE: The original Nord, as well as newer Nord and Nord CE devices will receive 2 major Android updates and 3 years of security updates.
Nord N: The Nord N10, N100, and all other N series devices will only receive 1 major Android update and 3 years of security updates.

That's huge news! However, OnePlus says they are able to commit to this new schedule because they are merging the codebase of OxygenOS with ColorOS. I'd imagine this will allow one bigger team to be able to update it easier for all phones (both OPPO and OnePlus) before tweaking the skin and feature set some as they then send it out to devices. OnePlus keeps saying that OxygenOS will remain the OS skin for global OnePlus phones. All newer devices will launch with OxygenOS based off of ColorOS going forward. For older devices, they'll make the switch over in the update to Android 12. And that makes sense, since we've already seen early Android 12 builds from OnePlus that are just OPPO's ColorOS with a slight color tweak. OnePlus believes you won't even notice this change. I'm not sure I believe that. To recap, OnePlus just made a huge commitment to providing Samsung-level update support to its phones. While they still haven't committed to monthly security patches, they are now at least saying they'll support them about as long as Samsung does. That's big. On the flip side, this means your OnePlus will basically be running OPPO's ColorOS as a base with a skin tweak on top to keep the name OxygenOS alive. For how long, we don't know, but that's the situation. Again, OnePlus thinks you won't notice that your phone will basically be running the Android skin from the company they just became a sub-brand of. Hard to be mad about more updates. How you feeling about OnePlus getting closer to OPPO's skin, though?

YouTube TV Offers Free Chromecast With Google TV Devices to Celebrate 4K

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 13:07:08 +0000

YouTube TV has kicked off a really big promo to start the month of July and welcome in the new 4K add-on that was announced earlier in the week. In an email to select YouTube TV subscribers, customers are being offered a free Chromecast With Google TV to help consume all of that new, high-res content. The email started arriving today with a specific mention of the new 4K add-on and the need for a device that can experience it:

To ensure our loyal YouTube TV members have a great viewing experience (including the ability to watch 4K content on our optional, new add-on service), we would like to offer you a free Chromecast with Google TV device — while supplies last.*

The emails, as they always do, include a link to the Google Store with an attached promo code to let you buy one at no cost. The promo is for a Chromecast with Google TV in the white or "Snow" color. It's always impossible to tell who is truly eligible for these promos, as not all subscribers get them. For example, YouTube TV ran a similar promo last month for a free Tivo Stream 4K and neither Tim or I were given one. And we're two of the longest running YouTube TV subscribers on the planet, signing up the first day it was available in Portland back in 2017. For this specific Chromecast TV deal, the fine print says that you have to be in the United States with an active subscription and made at least 1 valid payment. That doesn't exactly describe a "loyal" member, but whatever. Only one device per household will be offered and sent to the email of those eligible. You'll need to redeem before the end of the month. If you subscribe to YouTube TV, be sure to check those inboxes today.

#TBT: What's Your Most Fond Android Memory?

Tim — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 12:48:37 +0000

It's Thursday, so it's time to reminisce about the past, looking back on better times. With that said, I'd like to pose a question to anyone. What's your most fond Android memory? For me, there's a particular memory I go back to whenever I want to remind myself why Android is fun. This was around 2010 and I was using the Motorola DROID, headed to a delicious Mexican breakfast spot with an ex-girlfriend of mine back in the San Francisco Bay Area. That same day I believe, a new theme had dropped for a custom ROM I was running, something called Drop Theme (pictured above). These were my absolute favorite themes of all, and anytime a new color was released for them, I'd be flashing them. Anyway, I specifically remember downloading the theme to my OG DROID and then heading off to breakfast and literally flashing the theme right there at the table while we waited for our food to come. I felt like such a little Android hacker bro, booting into recovery and selecting the proper .zip file, subsequently showing off my shiny new theme to my then girlfriend and her being thoroughly impressed. Indeed, it was good times. There's something about that memory, as it sums up my feelings toward how Android used to be in a way. It's still a great platform, obviously, but we're certainly not out here showcasing Custom Theme Fridays anymore. What about you? Any particularly fond Android memories you'd like to share with the group?

Google Photos is Getting a Widget

Tim — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:37:57 +0000

Recently spotted in code of an updated Google Photos app, it appears the photo-storing service is getting a widget for Android phones. What does this widget do, exactly? It'll show you photos, duh! According to XDA, who first spotted the code and then shared it for the world, the widget will retrieve Memories and replay them via the widget on your home screen. You know those countless notifications you get from Photos about Memories? The widget will apparently showcase photos related to that for you. The sad thing is, iOS beat us to this exact feature already. iOS 14 got this last year in October. Boo, Google. Android always getting left behind. We'll let you now once this is actually rolling out to Android users. // XDA

The New Nest Thermostat is $30 Off Again

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 10:18:10 +0000

The newest Nest Thermostat, the one with the mirror display that comes in a handful of pretty colors and was released only last year at a reasonable price, is on sale! $30 off is the deal, matching that of Amazon Prime Day's festivities. That's right, if you missed the Prime Day sale, you have a second chance at greatness. To recap the new Nest Thermostat, this is typically a $130 gadget, but Amazon has it in numerous colors for $99 today. It has touch-sensitive sides for using it at the wall (older models had sweet rotating pieces), is setup and run through the Google Home app, which lets you control the device from anywhere, and can be tweaked using your voice and Google Assistant. My Nest Thermostat E (and the 3rd generation model I used before it) is absolutely one of my all-time favorite smart home gadgets. I'd imagine this new Thermostat will work great in most homes and bring you similar joy. Just know that the Nest Temperature Sensors that work with older models do not work with this one, you'll have to spend an extra $15 to get a wall trim kit as is picture above, and it has only a 1-year warranty. That price, though... You should read our Nest Thermostat review if you haven't already.

Amazon Deal Link

It's Straight Up Cats and Dogs on Waze Right Now

Tim — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:07:40 +0000

Announced this morning and here for only a limited amount of time, there's a new option for animal lovers who want to be directed to their destination in Waze by either a dog or cat. It may not seem practical to have a dog or cat guide you, but somehow, Waze has pulled it off. As detailed by Waze, when you select these voices inside of the app, "The dog voice is upbeat, positive, encouraging and excited about wherever you’re going (but also easily distracted), while the cat voice is skeptical, wary, smart, nervous, neurotic, but also weirdly funny and irreverent." That sounds about right.

In addition, there are new vehicle models to play with, such as the Meow Mobile and the Woof Wagon. If this sounds right up your quirky alley, go download the update and enjoy yourself.

Google Play Link

// Waze

Google TV's "Watch With Me" Series Helps You Find New Stuff

Kellen — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 09:00:13 +0000

Google TV is big on giving you recommendations for a new show or movie to watch. In fact, that's almost the entire idea behind the platform and its slick UI, so it makes sense that Google would continue to evolve it in ways that provide you with even more resources to find new stuff. In a news drop today, Google announced a new "Watch With Me" series for Google TV that features celebrities and a watchlist of their favorite content that might have helped shaped their lives or inspired them, that sort of thing. The first "Watch With Me" kicks off with Emmy-nominated actress Laverne Cox. Laverne's watchlist will show up in the "For You" tab on Google TV in the next few days. It includes movies like The Color Purple, Moonlight, and The Matrix, as well as shows like Breaking Bad. To learn more about her list, Google put together a video we've included below. Again, this is the first, so we'll have to check back regularly to see whose list is next. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjMY4RmOsTI

Sony Xperia 1 III, POTY Candidate, Up for Pre-Order Now

Tim — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 08:35:59 +0000

Sony's Xperia 1 III, one of the phones I could see challenging Google's push for POTY (phone of the year) supremacy in 2021, will begin to ship on August 19, with pre-orders live starting July 1 (today!). The price? Oh, nothing too crazy, just $1299. Why am I confident in the Xperia 1 III, you ask? Well, last year's Xperia 1 II was pretty damn awesome, with 2021's model only looking better. It features very high-end specs, such as the first 4K HDR OLED display with a refresh rate of 120Hz, as well as... Wait a tick, who cares what else it has? That display is going to crush souls. In case you do need more specs, the phone also comes with a Snapdragon 888 processor, 5G connectivity, 4500mAh battery with 30W fast charging, IP68 resistance, stereo speakers listed at 40% louder than the previous model, as well as plenty else. Sony packed in a variable telephoto lens on the backside with a Dual PD sensor (a first for a smartphone), real-time Eye AF for humans and animals, an updated Photography Pro feature, new and improved Game Enhancer features (new audio equalizer, optimized VC microphone, and high frame rate recording feature), and 360 Reality Audio. As for the rear cameras, the Xperia 1 III has three 12-megapixel sensors (f/2.2, f/1.7, f/2.3) all with dual PDAF and two with OIS. Each camera has a different focal length, ranging from 16mm to 105mm, thanks to that variable lens. It can go from 70mm to 105mm, which again, is a first for a smartphone. Lastly, there’s a 3D iToF sensor. Sony didn't ask us to be part of the first round of reviews already hitting the web, but don't worry, we've very politely asked to be on the list for a unit and will hopefully receive one soon enough. I thought all of the Sony hype I've pushed this year would've helped us score an early unit. Guess I need to crank my charm knob up even higher. Picking one up?

Pre-Order Xperia 1 III ($1299)

DEAL: Refurb'd Pixel 5 for Verizon Only $430 ($270 Off)

Tim — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:47:21 +0000

Right now on Best Buy's website, you can snag a refurbished Pixel 5 for just $429, down from its usual price of $699. Yup, Google has yet to discount this device and a new Pixel 5 will still run you $699. That's pretty wild. This is a Verizon variant of the Pixel 5, designed to take advantage of Big Red's 5G network. Other than that, it's all of the same specs, including 128GB of storage, 8GB RAM, Snapdragon 765G processor, and ability to jump right into the Android 12 beta. Honestly, the beta is so much fun, that's worth the price right there.

Read Our Pixel 5 Review!

If you want yourself a new* Pixel (*new to you, that is), follow the link below.

Best Buy Link

Verizon has Free Starbucks for You

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:32:47 +0000

Want free Starbucks? Have Verizon service? It's time to combine the two and score that daily beverage at no cost through the Verizon Up program. In a new promo, Verizon Up members can open the My Verizon app and grab a "free summer drink" from Starbucks. You don't actually have to get a summer-y beverage, but the promo does get you 150 stars that you can (apparently) use in your Starbucks account for a free drink. To redeem, Verizon customers should open the My Verizon app on their phones, find the Verizon Up section, and then look for the "Get a Free Summer Drink" listing from Starbucks. Tap that, click the "claim" button, and then follow the rest of the instructions to "use now" the promo in the Starbucks app. Verizon says it could take up to 24 hours after redeeming for the 150 stars to load into your Starbucks account. As someone who doesn't venture anywhere near a Starbucks, I have no idea what in the hell stars do, but they sound like credits. Starbucks pros, you likely know exactly how this all works. The promo needs to be used by July 2, so hurry. Google Play Links: My Verizon | Starbucks

YouTube TV Loses Newsy Channel

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 13:02:45 +0000

YouTube TV lost a channel today, though it might be one you've never heard of. Newsy is leaving YouTube TV because - as was explained in an email to subscribers - the network "recently changed its distribution model and will no longer be made available to streaming providers like YouTube TV." Starting June 30, access to Newsy will go away, as will previous recordings from it. ‌With so many price hikes to YouTube TV over the past couple of years you never like to see the service lose networks. However, I can't say I was even aware that Newsy was a channel nor could I tell you what you can watch on it. If you happened to love Newsy programming, know that the network is available to watch for free on most streaming devices. You can find that access at newsy.com/platforms.

NVIDIA SmartThings Link is Dead Today

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:57:04 +0000

Back in March, Samsung SmartThings notified owners of the SmartThings Link, a dongle hub that attached to the NVIDIA SHIELD, that the product was no longer supported and would stop working on June 30. Well, it's June 30, guys. If you own or owned a SmartThings Link, you should have received a "Final Notice" email today to remind you that your device is no longer supported, that it has been discontinued, and should no longer be operable. For those who missed the Link, it was a sweet little dongle introduced 3 years ago that attached to the back of NVIDIA SHIELD TV units to give you a mini SmartThings Hub in your house. You could then attach SmartThings-supported gadgets to make a smart home without needing the traditional Hub. We also loved it momentarily because it was super cheap ($15) and often on sale for an even lower price. Anyways, you should have seen at least 6 emails related to the death of the Link, so don't act surprised today. Or maybe you missed those and are now mad at your $15 dongle being dead. I get that, as your SmartThings attachments may no longer work, so yeah, you should probably by an actual SmartThings Hub.

Google Adds Way to Store Digital COVID Vaccination Card to Phones

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:17:29 +0000

You could soon be able to officially store your COVID vaccination card digitally on your phone, thanks to an update Google pushed out today. By updating the Passes API on Android, Google is allowing vaccination and test cards to be stored on Android phones in the near future. Using the updated Passes API will allow developers from healthcare organizations, government agencies, and organizations authorized by public health authorities to distribute digital versions of COVID vaccine cards. These digital cards can be stored on phones with a simple shortcut on your home screen that can even be accessed for offline use. Google says that COVID digital cards are simply stored on individual devices, so if you want to access it from multiple phones, you would have to manually store it on each. Storing a COVID card on your phone requires that you have a secure lock screen enabled, plus you may have to use a password, PIN, or biometric method to access it. Google does not store a copy of this card and will not share it with services, third parties, or for targeted ads. In Google's blog post for this news, they suggest that a COVID vaccine card may be accessed through Google Pay at some point. However, they also made it clear that the app will not be required for cards to be stored on your phone. Should providers begin rolling this out, we'll try to let you know. (Of course, you do like many of us and take a photo of your card or scan a copy in Google Drive to be accessed at any time. This is, obviously, more official than that.)

APKs Going Away in Favor of Android App Bundles Later This Year

Tim — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 11:00:38 +0000

The following news will affect developers and potentially those who enjoy easily sideloading APKs onto their Android phones. Google announced today that starting in August of this year, apps published to Google Play will be required to use the Android App Bundle, instead of the basic APK format. In case you're unaware, the Android App Bundle (.aab) was introduced for developers back in 2018, already in use by most of the top Android apps and games. Google says that of the top 1,000 apps and games on Google Play, the majority are already using Android App Bundles, so it's not as if this is a drastic change that no one saw coming. From the development standpoint, Android App Bundles allow for smaller download sizes, improved security, as well as more control over feature and asset delivery to users. Here's exactly what's happening in August.

Currently, the only concern is how this affects devices that sideload Android apps not from Google Play. I have to assume Google thought about how this will work, but as it stands, one cannot simply install an .aab onto their phone like they would an .apk. To my knowledge, Google Play is used to extract the .apk from the bundle, and without it, Google's own bundletool is required to extract the necessary data from the bundle and onto a device. We'll see how this plays out for power users, but for most average Android users, nothing will change in their day-to-day experience. // Android Developers

AT&T Joins the Google Messages and RCS Party

Kellen — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 09:34:04 +0000

Google and AT&T dropped a bit of excellent news on the wireless industry today by announcing that AT&T is all-in on Google Messages and RCS. We love this because it means another carrier is onboard for the greater messaging good in the US, following in the footsteps of T-Mobile. Going forward, Google Messages will be the default messaging app on AT&T Android phones, thus adding "Chat" or RCS to them as well. Again, this is similar to what T-Mobile announced in March of this year, with all of their Android phones also adopting Google Messages and RCS through it.

How to turn off RCS "Chat" in Google Messages

If you haven't been following this news over the years, this is big for SMS and texting, since so many folks in the US still talk via text messaging and not through more advanced messaging apps like Telegram or Signal. RCS (Rich Communication Services) is an upgrade of SMS (or traditional texting) that allows you to send full resolution pictures to people, send higher-quality video, know when someone is typing, send/receive over WiFi, and get into bigger and better group chats. Individual RCS conversations are encrypted as well. The nice thing about RCS or "Chat" is that it's built into your texting app, like Google Messages. So instead of having to install another messaging app, Google Messages includes RCS and gives you the features without a user really having to do anything. And that's (again) why this is big news to have AT&T and T-Mobile committing to Google's messaging app. Google didn't say in their blog post, but I'd imagine this will happen going forward with new devices sold by AT&T. I'd imagine their current crop of phones will still have whatever their current messaging app is. However, if you are on AT&T, you can always install Google Messages, make it your default texting app, and then activate "Chat" or RCS. Where you at, Verizon?

You'll Probably Buy the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in Green

Tim — Wed, 30 Jun 2021 09:04:33 +0000

Thanks to a fresh leak, we're getting an idea at what colors Samsung will offer for the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3. Honestly, they all look nice, but I think it's a safe bet to assume most folks will be buying their fancy new foldable in this newly detailed dark green color. It's simply too handsome to resist, at least, that's what I'm thinking. Beyond colors, the phone is looking more refined than ever. We can see a triple rear camera setup, gorgeous front cover display with a wallpaper that expertly blocks any hints at what the bezel situation is like, and the inside display is looking just fine. For this phone, imagine a Galaxy Z Fold 2 with an updated camera experience and some minor hardware tweaks. There wasn't much else last year's Z Fold 2 needed, so I can't imagine Samsung will wow us with a lot of upgrades for this year's iteration.

Take a look at the colors we know about so far down below. There's the sexy green, some light prism-y color, and black. All very nice, but again, that green is going to be the one. Should previous reports be accurate in claiming that the new line of foldable phones will be cheaper than last year's, I hope to see many more people get themselves into the foldable game. They're fun!

// 91mobiles

Samsung Continues Dominance in Updates, Extends Support to 5 Years

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 13:58:30 +0000

Samsung, who you know around here as the "King of Android Updates," added another year of support to select devices this week, bringing the full life support for some phones to a full 5 years. They just can't be stopped, y'all. For Samsung Enterprise Edition devices including the Galaxy S20 and S21 Series, Note 20 Series, XCover 5, and Tab Active3, owners will now see 5 years of updates. Those could arrive monthly or quarterly by the time support ends, but it's still an extra year. All other devices are still on the 4 year schedule Samsung has used for a number of years, dating back to the Galaxy S7 at least. Keep in mind that this extra year of updates provides security and maintenance patches - these aren't going to be full Android version updates. I can't imagine you are going to complain about that, as no one else in Android supports phones even close to this long. Remember, Google only does 3 years of OS and security, while Samsung expanded to 4 years some time ago. What does this mean for regular consumer or non-Enterprise Edition devices? You still get 4 years. With Enterprise getting this extra year, I wouldn't be surprised if Samsung says, "Yo, consumer bro, we got you too" in the near future. // Samsung

Google Commits to Nest Device Updates for at Least 5 Years

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:18:49 +0000

Google announced a new Safety Center today to provide Nest device owners with a place to find out how Google is protecting their privacy if they own one of their products. In addition to the new Center, they committed to providing updates for a number of years to Nest products. The Safety Center (you can visit it here) talks about what Google does with camera feeds, microphone access, WiFi data, and other sensors that a Nest device may utilize. All of these items are connected, so if you own one and want to know where you can see what kinds of data comes from each of your devices and these components, the Safety Center will help you find it. Each section provides a nice breakdown for what's shared, how you can delete info, if anything is shared with 3rd parties, and how you can setup things like 2-factor authentication or catch a fresh update. Speaking of updates, Google said that they plan to provide updates for Nest devices for at least 5 years from the time they were released. That "were released" part is key here, as it only means Google updates them from the date they started selling them, not from the time you might have purchased one. That make sense? These updates should arrive automatically with security patches included. To see the list of still-supported devices, you can visit this Google Support page. Taking a look around the Safety Center is probably worth your time if you own a Nest device. It pretty clearly explains what your devices are doing, how you can add levels of protection to your account, and more.

Hardware Wise, Galaxy Z Flip 3 a Nice Looking Upgrade

Tim — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 11:07:16 +0000

Thanks to what seems like a countless stream of leakers, we're getting a very solid understanding of what to expect from Samsung in the second half of 2021. We've already had a pretty good look at the Galaxy Z Fold 3, but today, we're now being treated to a 360-degree look at the upcoming Galaxy Z Flip 3, a phone I'm much interested in for some odd reason. Hardware wise, aesthetically, it's a very nice looking upgrade. The main difference is that the cover display is much larger, capable of detailing more information, such as notifications, as it comes in. Overall, it simply looks more refined and polished as a design, which is what you'd hope for in the third (second, technically) iteration of a device. As for colors, there appears to be no shortage. The recently leaked renders detail black, dark grey, gold, and purple options. There'll be something for everyone, should the renders prove accurate. Personally, this dark grey is looking solid. Any Flip fans planning to pick this one up? // Giznext

ASUS Zenfone 8 Arrives in the US Lookin' Tempting

Kellen — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 10:22:18 +0000

You may have missed the announcement for the ASUS Zenfone 8 a month ago, because ASUS doesn't grab the same US hype that others have figured out how to take advantage of. You should take a look at it today, though, since it's now available and really looking like a solid option. To recap, the Zenfone 8 features a Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB storage (UFS 3.1), and a 5.9" 1080p AMOLED display at 120Hz. Those few specs alone should put it immediately on your radar. However, there's more to know like the 4000mAh battery, stereo speakers, IP68 water and dust resistance, 3.5mm headphone jack, WiFi 6, and dual rear cameras (64MP + 12MP). The Zenfone 8 also runs close-to-stock Android 11. One of the big selling points is the size, as it weighs in at almost the exact same dimensions as the Pixel 5, a phone that I still enjoy to this day because it isn't a f*cking whale. The Zenfone 8 matches it in size and design, yet puts the Pixel 5 to shame in the specs department. Oh, it also costs just $599 for the 128GB model, or $699 for the 256GB model. What a package.

Shop ASUS Zenfone 8

Rec Room Arrives on Android Later This Year

Tim — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:44:28 +0000

I feel so out of touch, growing more removed from what's trending among the masses as I continue to age towards my inevitable death. Because of this, I have no idea what Rec Room is, but it's coming to Android later this year in the fall and it's apparently a big deal. I'm sorry, Rec Room! Having now Googled it, Rec Room is a social VR platform, loved by many and rated extremely high on every single platform besides Android. It's literally available for everything but us pleb Android folk. No wonder I've never known about it. Android is terribly difficult to develop for from what I hear, you know, with all of its fragmentation and different screen sizes. Insert the biggest eye roll emoji you've ever seen right here. Anyway, I should talk about what you do in Rec Room. In the app, you can play games with friends or simply hang out in a virtual space. You can play with a VR headset if you choose, and if you're feeling spicy, you can create your own content and apparently make good money doing so. Rec Room launches for Android this fall, but you can pre-register for it right now. We'll let you know as soon as it's live, because I'll be the first to download it. I do hope its popularity doesn't die down as soon as Android users show up and ruin everything. We have a tendency to do that. We did it with Instagram. We did it with those trivia apps, remember those? Yay, Android!

Google Play Link

https://youtu.be/mcX-SQ2IS7M

Nothing's Ear 1 Earbuds Arrive July 27

Tim — Tue, 29 Jun 2021 08:10:31 +0000

Nothing, founded by OnePlus co-founder Cari Pei, will finally stop the madness and truly reveal its first product on July 27, the Ear 1 wireless earbuds. Since the start of this company, we've been talking about literally nothing, so this whole time I've been confident that it's all merely a social experiment. I mean, these are wireless earbuds. No one is that hyped for this, right? A Nothing spokesperson also says, "Design is still top secret until then, but what I can tell you is that our true wireless earbuds will combine raw beauty and precise engineering for a pure sound experience." I'm gonna put it out there so people know my stance, but if the buds look like what's in the above header image, you count me out. Nothing arrives on July 27.

Pixel 5a Expected to Arrive in August

Tim — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 13:22:03 +0000

Right on time, the Pixel 5a from Google is now scheduled to launch this upcoming August, according to the latest from Bloomberg. That timeframe puts it right on track, as last year's Pixel 4a also arrived in August. Meanwhile, Google pretty much confirmed all of this back in April when they tried to convince the world that the phone itself wasn't completely canned. This is by no means confirmation from Google or even a quote from industry sources, but it's something. The last we heard about the Pixel 5a was about its rear-facing camera, as Google actually showcased a sample shot from the device. Spoiler alert: It looks like a Pixel camera sample. We'll of course keep you posted on any new Pixel rumblings we hear or see. These are exciting times ahead of us. Pixel 5a. Pixel 6. And everything else we expect Google and company to announce for later this year. Brace yourselves. // Bloomberg

Next-Gen Motorola Edge Will Offer Snapdragon 778G Processor, 120Hz Display

Tim — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 12:00:10 +0000

Last year, Motorola introduced the Edge, a relatively inexpensive option for fans of the Lenovo-Motorola smartphone experience. We're now learning about the second-generation Edge, thanks to a leak from @evleaks. As detailed, the iteration of the new Motorola Edge will come to the US featuring a 6.78" FHD display with camera cutout and 120Hz refresh rate (up from 90Hz on last year's), Snapdragon 778G processor, a base of 6GB RAM and 128GB storage (8GB RAM option available), triple rear camera setup, 5,000mAh battery, and Android 11. A little interestingly, a mono speaker is specifically listed, meaning we shouldn't expect a stereo speaker setup. Boo. For specs, there isn't much else to say, but should it come in with a reasonable price, it doesn't sound like a bad package. As for network compatibility, this phone will likely be headed to Verizon and its 5G network. Thoughts? // @evleaks

Samsung Announces One UI Watch on the New Wear OS

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 10:33:16 +0000

Samsung showed off a first look at the new smartwatch platform it built with Google, today, and they are calling it One UI Watch. We knew they were slapping One UI on top, so I guess that name makes a lot of sense. Samsung also talked about some of the new features, but didn't yet want to show us any new watch hardware. In a short press release, Samsung detailed One UI Watch that will ship later this year on the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4. They remained light on the true experience, but did highlight a couple of big improvements that their older watches will be jealous of. For one, these watches have the Google Play Store, so that means access to a lot of apps that Samsung's Tizen-powered app store lacked. On top of that, all of Google's own apps will be available, so Google Maps and Messages and YouTube Music (lol) will be available. The app ecosystem is going to grow massively overnight the minute the first One UI Watch devices are released. Additionally, Samsung detailed better syncing between apps on your phone and watch, auto-installing of apps from phone to watch, and a new watch face design tool coming later this year. As previously announced, they reiterated the benefits of this new unified platform that will lead to better performance, longer battery life, a thriving developer ecosystem, and access to more sensors and hardware. This could be big, assuming the hardware is excellent and those performance/battery improvements deliver. Again, they didn't show off the Galaxy Watch 4, but did confirm that a new Unpacked event is happening this summer.

YouTube TV's 4K Plus Add-On Finally Gets a Price, Goes Live Today

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:39:50 +0000

YouTube TV is taking another step forward today, both in features and in price, assuming you want what Google is now offering. Remember that 4K add-on package that was first announced in February? It's here. Google announced that YouTube TV's 4K Plus add-on goes live today, with 4K streams of content from network and live sports (like NBC and ESPN), it'll be like having a traditional cable package once again. I say that also because we finally have a price to go with 4K on YouTube TV. If interested, you can try out the 4K add-on for free for 30 days and then lock-in for a year of it at $9.99/mo. After the first year, Google is raising the price to $19.99/mo. Yes, it'll cost you $20 starting next year to access 4K on YouTube TV. Of course, 4K isn't the only thing included in this package. Google is going to let customers download content for offline viewing and give you the ability to stream an unlimited number of YouTube TV sessions in your home, on the same WiFi. Currently, you can only stream 3 at a time, so this is an improvement for big families with screens and TVs in all rooms. Oh, and finally, YouTube TV is getting 5.1 Dolby audio for all subscribers. This new feature will start rolling out over the coming weeks. To add 4K, you'll open up YouTube TV, head into Settings, and look for the 4K section. It should be live for everyone right now.

New TCL Phone Lineup Available Today, Starts at Only $189

Tim — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:27:01 +0000

Earlier this year, TCL detailed its 2021 lineup of smartphones, consisting of the TCL 20 SE, 20S, and TCL 20 Pro 5G. This week, we have pricing and availability for the devices. Let's take a gander, shall we? Coming in on the inexpensive side is the TCL 20 SE. It has a 6.82-inch U-notch display with NXTVISION tech, plus quad cameras on the backside and will only cost you $189. That seems good. It'll work on most GSM networks (T-Mobile, AT&T, etc.) and is available for purchase on Amazon starting today. Next up is the TCL 20S, sporting a 6.67" FHD+ "Dotch" display, quad rear cameras, 5,000mAh battery, Snapdragon 665 processor, 128GB storage, microSD support, and 4GB RAM. Priced at only $249, you can buy this phone today on Amazon to work on Verizon, as well as GSM networks. TCL is also tossing in a free pair of MOVEAUDIO S150 wireless earbuds ($40 value) with purchase.

TCL 20 SE

Last up is the TCL 20 Pro 5G, priced at $499 and available for purchase starting today on Amazon. It features a 6.67″ curved AMOLED display (limited to 60Hz), Snapdragon 750G, 6GB RAM, 256GB storage, microSD support, 4,500mAh battery (18W wired charging + 15W wireless), four rear cameras highlighted by a 48-megapixel Sony IMX582, 3.5mm headphone jack, and Android 11. Buyers will have access to 5G on networks from T-Mobile and AT&T, plus Verizon's low-band 5G in the coming weeks. TCL is also tossing in a pair of MOVEAUDIO S600 earbuds ($99 value) with purchase. All of the aforementioned devices are up for purchase right now, so feel free to take a peek.

Amazon Links

TCL 20 SE ($189)
TCL 20S ($249)
TCL 20 Pro 5G ($499)

Come Watch Samsung Show Off the Future of Wear OS

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 09:10:49 +0000

For now, the two areas of interest for us in the 2021 Android space are Google's upcoming Pixel 6 and the new Wear platform that they co-developed with Samsung. Since the Pixel 6 likely won't be here for a couple of months, we turn almost all of our attention to Samsung's MWC event today where they'll show us more of that new Wear platform that will be behind the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 line. Through a live event that you can watch with us (10:15AM Pacific, 1:15PM Eastern), Samsung plans to unveil "its vision for the future of smartwatches" with new opportunities to help "deliver a new era of smartwatch experiences." We expect it to be quite fun, even if they don't fully announce new watches yet. Samsung is really labeling this as a "session," so my guess is that it will be a look at One UI on top of the new Wear platform and general talk about what their partnership with Google on watches can bring to the industry. Will they show off the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch Active 4? I kind of doubt it, as I assume they'll save those for a bigger Unpacked event in a month or so. Still, this should be a good watch if you care at all about the future of smartwatches on Android. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LfSZvIqYDSM

Take a Look at the Inbound Galaxy Buds 2 from Samsung

Tim — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 08:20:54 +0000

We're getting around the point of year where we need some fresh earbuds from Samsung, and wouldn't you know, there are new renders making their way across the internet that detail the upcoming Galaxy Buds 2. Good timing, internet! Posted by 91mobiles and scheduled for what could be an unveiling at MWC this week or alongside the Galaxy Z Fold 3 in August, these earbuds apparently come in four color options: Purple, Green, White, and Black. For specs, ANC (active noise cancellation) is not expected, but there will be onboard noise reduction, thanks to the placement of extra mics on the exterior of the earbuds. Battery is expected to come in at 60mAH per bud and 500mAh for the charging case. If there's one thing we expect, it's good battery life, especially with no actual ANC baked in. As soon as Samsung makes these buds official, whether that be this week or down the road, we'll let you know. Also, don't be surprised if Samsung gives these away to buyers of their latest smartphones this year. That's something to consider. Thoughts?

// 91mobiles

Lenovo Smart Clock 2 Official With a Sweet Wireless Charging Dock

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 07:19:48 +0000

At the end of last week, we spotted a new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 as it stopped through the FCC, along with what appeared to be a wireless charging attachment for it. Today, because it's MWC week, Lenovo has made it official. The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 starts at $89.99, does indeed have an optional wireless charging dock that attaches to its base, and should be available in September. This new Smart Clock 2 features an updated design that comes in Abyss Blue, Heather Grey, and Shadow Black. It has a soft "organic-looking" cover around its body again, sports a 4" display, and yeah, you can slap on a base wireless charger that connects via pins on the bottom of the Clock 2. That wireless charger can then power up your phone over night without the need for a separate charger. We don't know yet how much the dock will cost. Pretty nice looking, right?

Qualcomm's Snapdragon 888+ is New and Coming to a Motorola Phone

Kellen — Mon, 28 Jun 2021 06:46:27 +0000

The week of Mobile World Congress (MWC) is here and announcements from the typical players have arrived. Qualcomm is one of the first with an unveiling of its next mobile chip, the Snapdragon 888+. This "+" version, like in years past, is a minor upgrade over the original that launched in phones earlier this year. The Snapdragon 888+ brings a bump in Kryo 680 CPU Prime core clock speed to 3.0GHz (was 2.8GHz in the regular 888). Qualcomm also claims they've brought a 20% improvement to the 6th Gen Qualcomm AI Engine with up to 32 TOPS. And that's pretty much it. It's a slightly overclocked Snapdragon 888 with improved AI performance. The Snapdragon 888+ will ship in phones during the 2nd half of this year. Companies like Motorola, Honor, ASUS, Vivo, and Xiaomi have all committed to phones running it. // Qualcomm

Nexus 6P Settlement Sends Another Round of Cash

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 11:40:15 +0000

A year ago, Google and Huawei closed out a lawsuit over their co-created Nexus 6P phone by sending out settlement payments over a couple of serious issues (bootlooping and battery drain) that plagued the phone. We received a payment, as did a number of our readers. Weirdly today, another round of payments appears to be going out. This morning, I received a payment for $6.14 and another of our readers pinged us at almost the same time, saying they had received $11.33. A couple of people on Twitter got similar deposits. That's odd because we all received payments last year and the website for the lawsuit says that final distribution of payments "will be made to valid Claimants no later than February 21, 2020." The payment I just got included a note from "Nexus 6P Products Liability Litigation Settlement Fund" and said the following (last year's payment was from KCC Class Action Services, LLC.)

"This payment is the settlement benefit to which you are entitled for your eligible claim under the class action settlement in In re Nexus 6P Products Liability Litigation. This award may or may not be taxable, depending on your particular facts and circumstances. Please contact a tax advisor or other qualified financial counselor with any questions regarding the tax treatment of the settlement award you are receiving under this Class Action Settlement. The Settlement Administrator and the attorneys representing the parties in this case cannot provide you with any tax advice. If you have any questions concerning this distribution, please contact the Settlement Administrator by email at info@nexus6pettlement.com or visit www.nexus6psettlement.com. Sincerely, Settlement Administrator. PLEASE DO NOT TELEPHONE THE COURT OR THE COURT CLERK'S OFFICE TO INQUIRE ABOUT THIS SETTLEMENT OR THE CLAIM PROCESS."

They spelled the email address wrong in that quote, which is odd, but whatever. I emailed the correct one anyway asking for more information related to this second payment. Maybe there were funds leftover? We'll see what we can find out, but if you got additional cash from the Nexus 6P lawsuit, let us know.

Here's the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4

Tim — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 11:05:35 +0000

It was only earlier this week when we got our first potential look at the upcoming Galaxy Watch Active 4. However, those renders appeared to be slightly inaccurate, as they actually detailed the standard Galaxy Watch 4 and not the Active 4, at least, according to 91mobiles. Now, we're getting an even better look at the Galaxy Watch 4, which should come equipped with the unified wearable platform between Samsung and Google. From what these marketing renders detail, we can expect a healthy assortment of color options, plus what appears to be a slim metallic body and colorful display. For colors, we can see white, green, blue, red, and yellow options. We're only missing pink and black for the ultimate OG Power Rangers lineup.

Once all launched, there should be a total of four new Galaxy Watch models for buyers to choose from. There should be two size options for the Watch 4, plus two size options for the Watch Active 4. This means no matter who you are, there should be a Watch 4 for you, meaning we can all have fun with the new Wear platform. This thing looks good. // 91mobiles

OnePlus Nord N200 5G is Now Available for Just $240

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 10:51:50 +0000

The OnePlus Nord N200 5G is here, guys. The $240 little Nord-branded device can be yours if the budget is tight and yet you still want some features found in higher-end phones. To recap, the N200 5G sports a 6.49″ full HD display at 90Hz, Snapdragon 480 processor, 5000mAh battery with 18W charging, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a triple rear camera system. That camera system is headlined by a main 13MP shooter with a 16MP camera up front. That's really a lot for the price, right? For software, you have OnePlus' OxygenOS on top of Android 11 out of the box. This phone is likely to see one major OS update to Android 12 and a couple of years of security patches, just don't expect those monthly. OnePlus is selling the Nord N200 5G through its own store in "Blue Quantum." If you'd rather grab it from a carrier, T-Mobile and Metro are selling it as well.

Buy OnePlus Nord N200 5G

Telegram Update Adds Super Hot Animated Backgrounds, Group Call Features

Kellen — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:41:45 +0000

Telegram dropped a big time update today to both mobile and desktop platforms that you'll want to grab right away. For mobile users, you are getting a really fun new background animation feature that adds a nice touch of customization in conversations, plus all platforms are getting new video call goodies.

Animations!

For those animations, Telegram is letting you fully customize or choose pre-made animated backgrounds of chats. These animations can have patterns or simply show off colors that Telegram offers. If you want to get really wild with it, you can pick and choose the color setups, add or remove colors, and then share those customized layouts with contacts in Telegram. Once you've established your background, you can preview the animation from the editor, but then as you send messages, your background will constantly animate and change. It's a really cool effect that Telegram claims is a first for a messaging app. As an added animated bonus, you'll start to see new animations when you add stickers or emoji, where the item "seamlessly" hops from the keyboard area into your chat. It's not a huge feature, but certainly a nice touch of polish. Oh, there are new animated emoji too.

Group video calls!

I actually want to hesitate in calling Telegrams video chats "group video calls" because they don't really work like a traditional video call. Instead, you have to open one of those awful voice chats that people have talked themselves into participating in and then turn on video. It's very odd and seems like a step too far removed from an easy video call between multiple people. Either way... In today's update, Telegram is letting you easily turn on your video during voice chats to basically create video calls. You should see a video icon during voice chats to enable. The update also lets you pin a video, share your screen in these video/voice chats, and enjoy improved noise suppression. For desktops and tablets, Telegram added an optimized side panel and split-screen view too. The update is live right away on all platforms. Google Play Link: Telegram

Chip Shortage Will Severely Limit Galaxy S21 FE Global Availability

Tim — Fri, 25 Jun 2021 09:03:28 +0000

According to recent intel out of South Korea, the Galaxy S21 FE's availability will be heavily limited due to the ongoing chip shortage that continues to put the hurt on many industries. It was first reported that the device's future was in complete jeopardy, but this week, it's now detailed that the phone will indeed launch, but not everywhere that Samsung would like. In the latest report, the phone will launch in the United States and Europe only, tentatively scheduled for this October, with no launch coming for Japan and South Korea. It's very odd to see the phone not go to Samsung's home country, but it's possible sales of other Galaxy devices are doing fine and the need isn't great there for the S21 FE. For potential buyers, expect the Galaxy S21 FE to offer a Snapdragon 888 processor, 6.5-inch AMOLED display at 120Hz refresh rate, 8GB RAM, and at least 128GB storage. For Samsung fans in general, we also have the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 to look forward to in 2021. It's going to be a fun second half of the year for Samsung fans. // Financial News

Google Call Screen is Reason Enough to Buy Pixel Phones

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 15:37:01 +0000

The number of articles we've written about how all the US carriers have adopted some level of spam and robocall support is no small amount. There was a moment in time a couple of years ago where all of them were proud to introduce a feature that would help stop the flood of bad calls coming to all of our phones. It's hard to tell how much any of their solutions have worked, because I know first hand that both my Verizon and T-Mobile phones are constantly blasted by spam. Even the FCC updated its spoofed robocalls page as recently as June to continue to remind folks that this is a battle they are struggling to contain. Billions of calls are still placed across the US each month. For me, the solution that has worked the best is Google's Call Screen on Pixel phones. I'm now at the point where I'm not sure I could live without a Pixel phone around the house because I'd hate to go back to life pre-Call Screen. When this feature first rolled out 3 years ago to the Pixel 3, I was hesitant to give it a full-go. I was worried that it would screen or block important calls, that the transcriptions it offered would deter people I needed to talk to, etc. Today, I've basically turned every feature of the service on and my life has almost gone back to normal without the 10+ robocalls and spoofed numbers I used to see every day.

For those not familiar, Google's Call Screen is built into the Phone app on Pixel devices. I believe a few Motorola devices have access to Call Screen as well. You can find it in the Phone app's settings area under "Spam and Call Screen." There are a bunch of related options in here, like getting info from verified callers and seeing caller and spam ID. Where the magic happens is in the Call Screen area. In here, you'll be able to tell your phone to save audio that comes through as calls are screened, so you can play it back later on if you missed something important or want to listen to robots convince you that they are the Social Security Administration. The other big thing you can do is specify what Call Screen should do depending on the call. In the right screenshot above, you can decide if spam, possibly faked numbers, first-time callers, and private/hidden numbers can get through or if they should be screened. When I first started with Call Screen, I think I left it open to first-time callers, but I have since enabled automatic screening on that too. The controls here are nice to have, it's just that without all of them fully enabled, robocalls still get through. Since enabling everything but screening of private/hidden numbers, I think I've missed one important call, where it screened someone and I missed the call because I wasn't paying attention to it. Otherwise, it's just blocking robocalls and spam without bugging me. No one calls each other anymore, so the chances of you missing something are quite slim. Also, if a number is in your contacts, it lets that through every time. I'd say that I wish this feature would come to other phones, but it's a pretty good way for Google to convince you to buy a Pixel phone, like the upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro.

#TBT: I Want Another NVIDIA SHIELD Portable

Tim — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 14:13:49 +0000

NVIDIA SHIELD, later known as SHIELD Portable, was so, so sweet. It was a Tegra-powered, Android-toting little badass gaming machine, perfect for commutes or long flights where you ain't got nothing better to do than play some games. At the time when this device launched, waaay back in 2013 (original review), it felt like there was an influx of older AAA console titles making their way to Android and we needed a machine capable of playing those games properly with a controller. Additionally, the mobile game scene in general was booming, with mobile-focused titles like Dead Trigger and SHADOWGUN making a big name for themselves. It was beautiful timing that NVIDIA released the SHIELD, and if I'm being honest, I wouldn't hate it if NVIDIA tried to do it again. There's a few ways I could see a SHIELD Portable (2021) being pretty sweet. The obvious way is cloud gaming. GeForce NOW and Stadia are available on mobile devices, but you need a paired controller to take advantage of the titles completely. With something like SHIELD, the built-in controller makes the device the ultimate portable cloud-gaming device. We have all of this computing power in the cloud without a proper device to take advantage of it. I say, let's try a new SHIELD! Having used the old device for many hours, I actually found it to be rather comfortable in my hands, so I don't think NVIDIA would have to do all too much to bring it up to 2021 standards. It's not the prettiest thing, but it totally worked and screams "NVIDIA" design language. For starters, we'll up the display's resolution and refresh rate which shouldn't be too difficult given how common that is now, and obviously toss in the latest Tegra chipset with a heavy helping of RAM. Boom, you got yourself a SHIELD Portable 2.0. Honestly, the original SHIELD was ahead of its time, possibly making way for devices like the Nintendo Switch to be super popular. It's unlikely we'll ever see a new SHIELD Portable, but even thinking about the fact that we never got a sequel SHIELD Portable 2 is super depressing. This device deserved a sequel. What happened, NVIDIA? Did you own of these? Have any fond memories you care to share?

Microsoft Brings Android Apps to Windows 11

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 13:57:28 +0000

Microsoft announced Windows 11 today, and look, this is a story we wouldn't typically pay much attention to around here. However, there is an Android component to the big news and it involves Android apps. Microsoft is bringing your favorite Android apps to Windows and they'll be super easy to get. As a part of the Windows 11 unveiling, Microsoft showed off a new Microsoft Store. In doing so, they announced that there will be a section for Android apps that you will be able to install. If you were hoping this meant some sort of tie-in to Google Play, well, this is where the news gets unfortunate. Microsoft is partnering with Amazon and the Amazon Appstore to provide these Android apps to Windows users. My understanding here is that Amazon is providing listings of apps within the new Microsoft Store, but that you'll still actually get the apps from Amazon. This makes a whole bunch of apps easily available to Windows 11, which is kind of a big deal. In a demo on Microsoft's site, they show the action of finding TikTok on the Microsoft Store, grabbing it from Amazon, and then running it on a Windows 11 build, portrait phone style and all. The show that a bunch of other apps will be there as well, like Khan Academy, Kindle, and others. I'd imagine whatever Amazon has available will make its way to Windows 11.

As much as I wish they'd find a way to pull in through Google Play, so we could potentially access those catalogs we have accumulated over the years, I'm still loving this. The Windows app selection for software is still mostly garbage after all these years, but having Android apps available could help depending on the need. I can't wait for Windows 11.

Samsung One UI 4.0, Already?

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 11:12:20 +0000

When Samsung launches a new flagship-level phone, they often release an updated version of their One UI software with it. Whether that's a jump to One UI 2 or One UI 3.1, there is almost an expectation at this point that the new devices will get a big version update over older devices out of the gate. With the Galaxy Z Fold 3 about to launch (first look!), you start to wonder what is next for One UI. Will Samsung drop a One UI refresh or simply bump up its version until Google can push out stable Android 12? According to Samsung leaker @UniverseIce, it's looking more like the next Fold will get just a minor update as Samsung looks to One UI 4.0 for the Galaxy S series. While the Tweet below doesn't say, the fact that Samsung would be testing One UI 4.0 on the Galaxy S "next month," leaves us to believe that Samsung will couple Android 12 with a new One UI build. Android 12 offers a number of UI enhancements that Samsung could certainly build upon with a refreshed One UI. It also wouldn't make a lot of sense for Samsung to deliver One UI 4.0 on Android 11 knowing that Android 12 is so close to release. https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/1407969295246585862 What can we expect for One UI 4.0 features? We really have no idea, as One UI 4.0 hasn't leaked at all until this moment. We would love to see Samsung adopt Android 12's wallpaper theming, take on the new notification panel, and utilize the supposed performance improvements Google claims it offers. After that, I trust that Samsung will come up with the goods as they have done for a number of years now.

Here are the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3

Tim — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 11:03:13 +0000

We're getting our first real look at the upcoming Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 from Samsung this week. These images come from @evleaks, so we're not about to question their authenticity. As far as we're concerned, these are the phones. The images detail the Galaxy Z Fold 3 much more than the Z Flip 3. From what we can see, the exterior features a triple camera setup, while the Z Flip 3 has two rear cameras. The Z Fold 3 will definitely offer S Pen support, while also maintaining a small cutout for the interior camera. These designs have certainly come a long way in just a couple of years when you compare them to the originals. We don't have a list of specs or pricing, but expect Samsung to have plenty of high-end goodness in these devices, with an attempt to bring the entry price down by at least a couple hundred dollars this year. The Ultimate Couch Phone cometh. // @evleaks

Giveaway: Win an E-win Racing Gaming Chair From Droid Life and EwinRacing

Tim — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:47:59 +0000

In case you wanted to skip my one year review and get straight to the giveaway, this post is made just for you. We've partnered with E-win Racing to give away a free gaming chair for your office, the same kind we use right here at Droid Life. Such goodness for your bum bum. Up for grabs is a Knight Series gaming chair from E-win Racing, retailing at a cool $199. It comes with pillows for added support, PVC leather for easy cleaning, is easily adjustable, and soft-glide wheels. It's a sweet little chair and you can't really argue with free. This is a straightforward giveaway. Below, you can choose which options you want to use to enter the giveaway, such as sending out a tweet, following an account, checking out our YouTube, or something else. We try to make it as easy as possible for everyone to have a chance at winning one of these sweet chairs. Should you want to buy a different chair, we have a coupon code available for use on virtually anything on Ewin's website. It's good for 30% off, which brings the price down on some products quite a bit. It's definitely worth checking out should you be looking to scoop a new chair or E-win RGB Desk.

Shop EwinRacing Gaming Chairs (Use code: Droidlife)

Good luck!

Giveaway

Prizes: 1 Knight Series Gaming Chair ($199 Retail Value) How to Enter Winner: We will select one winner at random on July 2 at 10AM Pacific. We'll email the winner to collect their address for shipping. Good luck!

Thank you to EwinRacing for sponsoring this giveaway.

Lenovo is Making Another Smart Clock With a Wireless Charging Dock

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 10:33:38 +0000

The Lenovo Smart Clock was a cute little idea back in 2019 as a smart display that mostly wanted to be your bedside clock. It wasn't perfect, by any means, but it also filled a nice little spot that bigger smart displays might have struggled with. Lenovo has since released an even smaller, less featured-pack clock that was a tough sell. Now, the company looks to be making a true follow-up, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2. The new Smart Clock 2 stopped through the FCC today and didn't hide its identity much. It is indeed called the "Lenovo Smart Clock 2," with WiFi and Bluetooth. I couldn't actually confirm if it has a touch screen, but that would be odd, right? One interesting tidbit is a secondary device Lenovo plans to sell that is a wireless charging dock "for Lenovo Smart Clocks" that appears to be an attachment that allows you to wirelessly charge other devices. The FCC tested the 5W wireless charging capabilities on a number of devices, including several iPhones. While that's slow, you will likely be using it to charge over night. Anyways, not super exciting, but nice to see Lenovo still invested in their Smart Clock line.

Galaxy Z Fold 3 Definitely Supports an S-PEN, Says FCC

Kellen — Thu, 24 Jun 2021 09:34:27 +0000

Woke up this morning to a couple of fresh FCC listings for two Samsung phones that are of interest to anyone into foldables. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 3 and Galaxy Z Flip 3 stopped through for approval and revealed several details about each, including one we've waited a couple of Z Fold generations for. The Galaxy Z Fold 3 is the important device of the two, so let's start with it, which has a model number of SM-F926U. The Galaxy Z Fold 2 was SM-F916 and the original Galaxy Fold was SM-F900. You know this is the next Z Fold because of that model number scheme, but also because the FCC docs describe the phone dozens of times as working when folded or unfolded.

In a bit of a fun reveal, the FCC has confirmed that the Z Fold 3 will indeed support a Samsung S-PEN stylus. We hoped this would arrive with the Z Fold 2, but Samsung withheld that. So yeah, the Z Fold 3 will work with a stylus and we couldn't be more excited to open the coloring book app on the next little folding square beast. Additionally, the FCC told us that we have a device with all of the proper connectivity you would want from what should be a really expensive phone. You have complete 5G support of all bands, UWB, NFC, and WiFi 6. The Z Fold 3 also supports wireless charging, just like the Z Fold 2 did.

As for the Galaxy Z Flip 3, you are looking at model number SM-711U. It too supports all of the major 5G bands you want, plus it has NFC, Wireless charging, and WiFi 6. No UWB was mentioned. I also did not see a mention of S-PEN support.

With FCC approvals here, it shouldn't be long before Samsung announces their next two foldables. Rumors currently have August as the target month. // FCC [2]

A Whole Bunch of Unlisted YouTube Videos are About to Disappear

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 11:26:36 +0000

Google is about to make a major change to Unlisted videos that will impact a lot of videos on their YouTube platform. When you upload a video to YouTube, you get options to post them publicly for all to see, keep them private, or allow them to live "Unlisted." The Unlisted option has always been a useful selection because it lets you share those videos freely, as well as anyone else, as long as they have a link to it. However, they won't show up in search listings and other tabs. In a blog post today, Google announced that on July 23, it will switch all Unlisted videos to Private that were uploaded prior to 2017. Google is calling this a "security update." In the coming days, should you have a video that is impacted by this move, Google will notify you with some options. For those who don't mind, you can simply do nothing and let your older pre-2017 videos go Private. Switching to Private will (obviously) stop the video from being embedded or shared widely going forward, plus it'll kill all old embeds and links. Another option will be for you to opt out of the change. If you don't want your Unlisted videos to hide completely from the world, you can fill out this form and tell Google to leave them alone. You could also simply switch all of your old Unlisted videos to Public or reupload them as Unlisted, since they would be uploaded outside of the pre-2017 cutoff. Security!

Android 12 Beta 2.1 Update Just Dropped!

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:01:35 +0000

Google just pushed out the Android 12 Beta 2.1 build for Pixel phones, likely as a bit of a bug fixer before we get Beta 3. The updated build is available right now for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5. Here is the new Android 12 Beta 2.1 build info to be on the lookout for:

Release date: June 23, 2021 Build: SPB2.210513.011 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: June 2021 Google Play services: 21.18.16

Google says they fixed a bunch of stuff in this "minor" update, like one that prevented users from accessing "things" on the lock screen (ex: notification shade). They fixed another issue that was preventing weather and calendar events from showing the At A Glance widget, one that was causing jittery animations, and another that would cause the microphone and camera indicators to get stuck. Android 12 Beta 2.1 Downloads: Factory Image | OTA For instructions on how to update to Beta 2.1, you’ll want to checkout this post if you grabbed one of those files above. If you are a part of the Android Beta program, then you can simply sit back and wait for the update, or check for it by going into Settings>System>System update.

A Year With My EwinRacing Gaming Chair + Free Chair Giveaway!

Tim — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 10:00:14 +0000

Before we get to the exciting part about us giving away a free EwinRacing gaming chair, I want to share my experience, as I've been sitting on one of these chairs for over a year now. My butt doesn't lie, so allow it to impart some tuchus wisdom on you. It's not easy finding a quality product these days, with what seems like so many companies all doing the same thing. For example, there is no shortage of gaming chair makers, so how do we separate those that make good quality chairs versus those who do not? I was fortunate that I didn't have to pay to find out about EwinRacing, as the company provided me with my first chair (this exact chair) all those months ago. Since then, having lived with it and literally living on it, and even moving with it -- moving is never a good thing for furniture -- I can sit here and say 100% that EwinRacing makes a quality product. If they didn't, I wouldn't be talking about it.

What I Like About the Chair

If I haven't yet hammered it home, the quality of the chair is what I like the most. It's heavy, the cushions are holding up extremely well, and the leather material they used hasn't ripped or done anything out of the ordinary. I used to get my office chairs from somewhere like Staples, but the leather chairs they sold me always seemed to tear and get nasty after about six months of heavy usage. This EwinRacing chair is a champ. I've been blogging, gaming, podcasting, playing music, streaming, plus everything else in this chair and it's holding up great. Besides a tad bit of wear on the threading in the Ewin logo where my head rests, I have no complaints in the quality department. I'll also take just a moment to mention this particular chair's features. It reclines, tilts, swivels, and all of that jazz. It has everything I need in an office chair, though, it is missing a retractable footrest. That would put this thing above all others, but it's okay. I also appreciate that Ewin sells a billion different models in general. There are tons of different color options, as well as material choices. As shoppers, we like options, so that's a positive.

What I'd Change

The only downside I ever came across with this chair is the actual instructions on how to set it up. They are very confusing, until you figure out how to decipher the directions. Take very special care to follow those little red arrows or you'll be lost during assembly. It actually took me a few minutes to figure that out. I'm dumb, though. Beyond the chair, EwinRacing does an odd thing on its website. If you hadn't noticed, the company has a perpetual sale happening on its online store, so you're never really sure how much a chair actually costs in the beginning. Is that a bad thing? No, but it does its part in inducing the feeling that a shopper needs to hurry in order to secure a chair at a low price. In reality, there is a sale always happening. Meanwhile, all you needed to do is use code "Droidlife" for 30% off your next order. That saves you the hassle of worrying about missing out on whatever holiday sale is happening. Are either of these things enough from keeping me on getting another EwinRacing chair? Nope, I'd gladly get another and honestly, if you're looking to get one for yourself, I have no hesitations on recommending them. As I mentioned, use code "Droidlife" for 30% off essentially anything on EwinRacing's website. You can score a new chair, an RGB gaming desk, or even a massage gun.

Buy an EwinRacing Gaming Chair (Use Code Droidlife for 30% Off)

Why buy one when you have a chance at winning one, though? Let's do this -- giveaway time is now!

Giveaway

Thank you to EwinRacing for sponsoring this post and giveaway.

T-Mobile Made a Real Gin and Called It "5Gin" Because of Course

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:59:16 +0000

Talking about 5G is one of my least favorite things about this industry. Qualcomm and its partners have been saying that "5G is here" for like 5 years now (not exaggerating) and yet, my 5G speeds in Portland are essentially no better than the 4G LTE speeds I had for years prior to my statusbar logo change. But if there is one way to get me excited about 5G, it's by turning it into my favorite liquor: gin. T-Mobile randomly announced "5Gin" and "5Ginger beer" today because why the hell not. And they are selling both products to you, my liquor and ginger beer loving friend. The T-Mobile 5Gin is real gin. It's 94 proof as "a traditional style gin with approachable piney notes and a long citrus peppery finish," made by Heritage Distilling Company in Washington. It costs $30 for a bottle. The 5Ginger Beer is a ginger beer made by Jones Soda Co. It costs $10 for a 6-pack. If you'd like to buy either, T-Mobile is limiting customers to 1 of each. Both were made in limited quantities, so if you are interested in owning Magenta liquid refreshments, you'll head to t-mobile5gin.com tomorrow (June 24) at 12PM Pacific. The ginger beer can be shipped anywhere, while the gin most definitely cannot be. To see a list of states T-Mobile can ship to, the FAQ at the link above has you covered.

This Could be a Galaxy Watch Active 4 First Look

Kellen — Wed, 23 Jun 2021 08:04:06 +0000

For the rest of this year, there are two products I'm looking forward to. The Pixel 6 from Google is obviously one, but the other happens to be a damn smartwatch. Yes, the next two Galaxy Watch products from Samsung are in the top two because they are going to be the first to show us what Google's new Wear platform has to offer and will help us decide in a hurry if Android smartwatches are officially dead or have a new opportunity to shine. Today, one of Samsung's watches has supposedly surfaced in the form of 3D renders. What we're looking at here is the Galaxy Watch Active 4. The renders arrive via @OnLeaks, who likely turned product schematics into 3D CAD renders like he always does. These are rarely wrong, so if we're being told this is the Galaxy Watch Active 4, it probably is.

According to a report alongside the renders, the Galaxy Watch Active 4 sports an aluminum frame and comes in 40mm or 44mm sizes. For owners of the Galaxy Watch Active 2, my previous favorite smartwatch, you may notice the flatter case and buttons, though it does look very similar. We're told that it could arrive in black, silver, green, and gold colorways. And that's about it for details here. Clearly, this is a smartwatch with a clean round design and should offer a sporty fit, but all we really care about at this point is what Samsung has done with the new Wear, what that experience is like, especially if they put One UI on top, and how much this bad boy will cost. We might know more next week.

ecobee's Prime Day Deals Include $209 Thermostat + SmartCamera Bundle ($100 Off)

Tim — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 14:30:32 +0000

Should your home be in the need of a technical upgrade, you can snag a new smart thermostat from ecobee for a super low price, all thanks to the ongoing fun that is Prime Day. For a very limited time, you can get a new SmartThermostat with voice control for just $198, down from the usual $249 price. Not bad. The big deal is the SmartThermostat + SmartCamera bundle, priced at just $209. Typically, that bundle will run you $310. That's $100 in savings right there, netting you a new thermostat and camera to keep an eye on your stuff. If any of this sounds like fun to you, follow the Amazon links below.

Amazon Links

ecobee SmartThermostat with Voice Control - $198
ecobee Lite SmartThermostat - $144
ecobee SmartThermostat + SmartCamera - $209

Update Haters Will Love This Fossil Gen 5E Deal

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 13:29:47 +0000

If you happen to be the type of consumer who does not care for a second about whether or not the expensive tech device you just bought receives long-term support, then I have the deal for you. The Fossil Gen 5E is 49% off for Amazon Prime day, so you can grab one for all of $127. I bring up the lack of future support as Fossil has mostly confirmed that all of their current-gen Wear OS watches won't receive the big update to Google's new Wear platform. However, it's not fair to suggest they won't see future support. Fossil says we should see decent updates both this year and next that will add new software features to devices like this Fossil Gen 5E. Apologies, Gen 5E. At $127, we're down from the launch price of $249 for the Gen 5E. When first released, this was basically thought of as a repackaged Fossil Gen 5. You get a refreshed case design, but the Snapdragon Wear 3100 is here, with 1GB RAM, NFC, GPS, and a round display. If not for the Wear 4100 chip and Google's plans to refresh Wear OS, this would still be a strong watch. At $127, it's still not the worst buy ever. Amazon Deal Link

Twitter Turns Your Audience Into Fresh Cash Stream for You and Them

Tim — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 11:51:08 +0000

Super Follows and Ticketed Spaces are rolling out to Twitter, with a select few now able to apply to feature these new monetization options on their accounts. You see, not everyone will be willing to pay for my or Droid Life's tweets, but actual celebrities and famous people shouldn't find it too hard to squeeze a few more bucks out of their loyal fans. There's certainly nothing wrong with the rich getting richer, but it's not only the account owners looking to score. Twitter is also getting down with these new features, taking a 3% cut from anyone who subscribes with a Super Follow or buys access to a Ticked Space. For those who make over $50,000 from these new features, Twitter is going to up its share to 20%, which honestly seems ridiculous and is a huge chunk of profits. That's some bullsh*t, Twitter.

Super Follows

Super Follows allow the creator to have a special stream of additional content that is only accessible to those who pay for it. Like an OnlyFans or any other paywall site that hosts content. It's entirely up to the account holder what they offer as benefits for people subscribing, so everyone will be different. An interested account can simply apply to host Super Follows right here. As expected, not many accounts will be added to this first test phase, but it'll likely open up more widely if the program finds success. Below is the short list of eligibility requirements, though, there is a longer list if you want to dive into Twitter's policy. Once enabled, creators can choose to charge followers either $2.99, $4.99, or as much as $9.99 per month. Fantastic.

Super Follows eligibility requirements short list:

Be 18 years or older
Have at least 10K followers
Have Tweeted at least 25 times in the past 30 days

Ticketed Spaces

With Ticketed Spaces, Twitter is monetizing the Spaces feature. Tickets can cost anywhere from $1 to $999, allowing fans an opportunity to get a more special experience from their favorite Twitter accounts. There appears to be a limit on how many tickets can be sold to any particular Ticketed Space, so at the end of the day, it is a limited engagement type of deal that should lead to a higher level of interaction between artist/creator and fan. The requirements for Ticketed Spaces is much more relaxed. All you need is to be an active user of Spaces and have at least 1,000 followers. Heck, even I qualify for this.

We all knew this day would come and I'm sure every Twitter user has an opinion on it. There's not really a downside to any of it and we're all for folks making money. All paid subscribers are getting is extra content, so there's no paywall to see someone's regular tweets. That would be a whole other level of crappy. Maybe that'll come in the future? // Twitter

Time to Track Sh*t: Samsung's SmartTag is 50% Off

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 10:37:06 +0000

Smart tracking devices became all the rage in 2021 for reasons I can't quite figure out. Samsung and Apple both joined the party of trackers, even as companies like Tile have existed for years. The timing is great, though, as we're all headed out of a year+ quarantine, ready to live again, and might need to keep track of sh*t. Today, as a part of Amazon Prime Day, Samsung's SmartTag is 50% off, so you can grab one for just $15. That's a good deal, dude. The Samsung SmartTag attaches to objects (like luggage or your keys) and helps you track down a precise location of the object once you are within 130 yards of it. It has a battery that lasts about a year, is water resistant, and uses the SmartThings app as the way to locate stuff. No code needed at the link below, just buy it. Amazon Deal Link

Google App Crashing? This Could Fix It.

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:44:38 +0000

Over night, Android phone users ran into a lot of crashing from the Google app that Google has now responded to. While they didn't necessarily say what the problem is or why there are crashes, they did offer a solution to get your phone back to working properly.

Google App Crash Fix:

Launch the Android Settings app
Go to Apps & notifications
Tap See all apps or App info
Find and tap Google from the app list (or you can use the search button on the top right corner to search for “Google”)
Tap Storage & cache
Tap Clear storage or Manage space
Tap CLEAR ALL DATA

If those instructions don't perfectly line-up with your Samsung or OnePlus or LG or Motorola phone, just understand that you are trying to get to the Google app's individual settings page. From there, you are clearing the data it has created to help it start fresh again and to clear out whatever bug was causing it to crash. These are pretty standard Android app fix instructions here, for those new. Basically, whenever you run into an issue with an app not loading properly or crashing, this same process will help take care of it and should be done before uninstalling. All good?

Anker Prime Day Round 2: Savings on Android Projectors, Power Banks, and Much More

Tim — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:22:58 +0000

Prime Day, surely to be Prime Week next year and Prime Month after that and so on and so forth, is now on Day 2 over at Amazon. Naturally, there's a new list of things to be had at lower pricing, with Anker leading the charge. Today, the highlights include big savings on Android-powered projectors, such as the Cosmos FHD projector at $240 off, plus power banks starting at $16. It's another long list of deals, so take a gander and shop until you drop.

Amazon Links

Soundcore 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker - $28 ($12 off)
10W Max Wireless Charger PowerWave Pad - $8 ($8 off)
Portable Charger PowerCore 10000 - $17 ($3 off)
Portable Charger PowerCore 26800 - $40 ($26 off)
Portable Charger PowerCore Essential 20000 PD - $35 ($15 off)
PowerCore Slim 10000 PD Combo 18W - $30 ($10 off)
Wireless Power Bank 10,000mAh - $32 ($17 off)
Portable Power Station Powerhouse 100 - $110 ($50 off)
PowerConf C300 Smart Full HD Webcam - $90 ($40 off)
Soundcore Motion + Bluetooth Speaker - $69 ($30 off)
Nebula Capsule II Smart Mini Projector - $399 ($180 off)
Nebula Cosmos Full HD Projector - $559 ($240 off)
Nebula Cosmos Max Projector - $1189 ($510 off)
Soundcore Life P2 True Wireless Earbuds - $32 ($8 off)
25W PD Wall Charger - $13 ($3 off)
Soundcore Liberty 2 Pro True Wireless Earbuds - $99 ($50 off)
eufy 33ft LED Decorative Lights - $9 ($8 off)
eufy Smart Plug - $9 ($14 off)
PowerExtend USB-C 3 Capsule 3 Outlets - $45 ($25 off)
PowerPort Atom III 63W Slim - $39 ($22 off)
PowerPort III Nano (2 Pack) - $20 ($9 off)

As a totally unrelated note, this all reminds me that AUKEY still hasn't returned in full form to Amazon. This has got to be a devastating blow to its overall business. I can't help but wonder what's going on internally.

Verizon Galaxy S21 Gets a Fresh Security Patch for June

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 09:11:47 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S21 line at Verizon is now getting the June update, which seems a little late knowing that almost all of Samsung's other devices have already received it and the month is closing out. We're not complaining necessarily, just letting you know. The Galaxy S21, Galaxy S21+, and Galaxy S21 Ultra are receiving the June Android security patch, plus there are "performance improvements" baked in. And that's all we know because this is likely a minor update at a time where no big feature builds are expected. The new build numbers for each phone are RP1A.200720.012.G991USQU4AUF5 (S21), G996USQU4AUF5 (S21+), and G998USQU4AUF5 (S21 Ultra). It should be rolling out right away if you haven't seen it show up. To check, head into Settings>System updates>Check for updates.

Maybe This is the Fossil Gen 6?

Kellen — Tue, 22 Jun 2021 08:21:30 +0000

We have tracked so many Fossil devices at the FCC over the past couple of years that I'm not sure I'll ever truly believe the next one is the Fossil Gen 6. Too many times now have we had hopes raised only to be shown another variant of a Fossil Gen 5 or one of their hybrid watches. So take today with some hesitancy, but we do have a new "smart watch" from Fossil at the FCC. Maybe this is the one? The new Fossil smartwatch has model numbers of DW13F1, DW13F2, and DW13M1. All three are identical outside of branding, but knowing the history of Fossil naming schemes, we should be looking at two Fossil-branded watches (F1 and F2) and a single Michael Kors watch (M1). In the past, we thought we could rely on the DW line to mean a higher-end watch, like the Gen 5 (and hopefully the Gen 6). The Fossil Sport was DW9, Gen 5 was DW10, and the Gen 5E was DW11. Unfortunately, a DW12 watch turned out to be a hybrid and screwed up our thinking there.

Documents at the FCC show an e-label (above) and a very familiar screen that you would see on Wear OS, as well as tests for Bluetooth, WiFi, and NFC. They mention a 300mAh battery as well. These watches are indeed Wear OS smartwatches as far as we can tell, we just don't know if this is the much anticipated Fossil Gen 6 or another Gen 5 variant that Fossil will slide in to kill some time and relieve their warehouses of bad Snapdragon Wear 3100 chips, like they did with the Fossil Gen 5E and Fossil Gen 5 LTE.

We'll keep digging, but as has been the case over the past two years, we don't have definitive Gen 6 proof here. What we know is that Fossil is indeed making a "premium" Gen 6 watch that'll run the new Wear platform and we hope this is it. We're ready for it.

Jabra Prime Day Deals Include My Favorite Headphones at $158 ($92 Off)

Tim — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 14:23:42 +0000

Jabra is hosting a Prime Day sale, just like every other consumer good manufacturer this week, with the audio company offering pretty big savings on some of its best headsets. The big one in my eyes is $92 off of its Elite 85h headphones, bringing them down to $178. These are the same headphones I use nearly every day, and yeah, this is a great deal. If you want wireless earbuds, there are plenty of options. You can get the amazing Elite 85t wireless earbuds for $161 ($68 off), the Elite Sport earbuds for $179 ($71 off), or the Elite Active 65t buds for just $57 ($43 off). So many good options. Follow the links below if anything interests you.

Amazon Links

Jabra Elite 75t Earbuds - $95
Jabra Elite 85t Wireless Earbuds - $161
Jabra Elite Active 65t Earbuds - $57
Jabra Elite Sport Earbuds - $178
Jabra Elite 85h Wireless Headphones - $158
Jabra Elite 45h Headphones - $48

Walmart has the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) Down to $79 ($100 Off)

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 14:07:19 +0000

The Google Pixel Buds (2nd Gen), a premium-priced pair of earbuds with plenty of flaws, are down to just $79 today at Walmart. We aren't sure the reasoning and will assume one of two things, that this could be a flash sale as a part of Amazon's Prime Day or maybe the world is trying to get rid of Google's expensive earbuds now that the A-Series is here. Either way, this is a crazy price. At $79, we're $100 off the full retail price of $179 that Google kept the Pixel Buds at for so long. This is also a lower price than the Pixel Buds A-Series, which retail for $99 and have fewer features than the 2nd gen model. Should you pull the trigger on these, even with what seems to be a never-ending list of issues that Google can't seem to fix? I mean, yeah, at $79 these are a really good deal. The Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) sound pretty good, they are extremely comfortable to wear, the Google Assistant is onboard, and they have slick little case. I really do think this is about the end for these Buds. The Google Store is out of stock, Best Buy is close to selling out, and now Walmart is giving them away at $79. The A-Series are here as the replacement for now with fixes for the 2nd Gen's flaws. Grab 'em while you can!

Shop Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) at Walmart

Samsung Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10 Get June Update (Updated)

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 13:28:14 +0000

The June Android security patch continues to rollout to Samsung phones this week, with both AT&T and Verizon phones receiving it. Your Galaxy Note 10, Galaxy S10, or Galaxy S20 FE device should see the update any day now. Verizon is suggesting that the Galaxy S10 5G will see software version RP1A.200720.012.G977UVRS6FUE3, while the AT&T Galaxy Note 10 series will get RP1A.200720.012.N970USQS6FUE4 (Note 10) and RP1A.200720.012.N975USQS6FUE4 (Note 10+). The Galaxy S20 FE is getting build RP1A.200720.012.G781USQS4DUE1. UPDATE: The entire Galaxy S10 line-up is getting the update now.

Galaxy S10: RP1A.200720.012.G973USQS5GUE3
Galaxy S10+: RP1A.200720.012.G975USQS5GUE3
Galaxy S10e: RP1A.200720.012.G970USQS5GUE3

None of these updates will add anything new to the phones, according to changelogs. This is strictly the June Android update that Google sent out earlier this month to Pixel phones. To check for the update, head into Settings>Software update>Check for updates.

Anker Prime Day Deals are Solid, Include Big Smart Home Tech Savings

Tim — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:55:13 +0000

Prime Day continues, with Anker hosting a ton of deals that will save you pretty darn big on smart home goodies, wireless earbuds, security cameras, and plenty more. For highlights, if you need a new robot vacuum, you can snag one for as low as $130. You can get a home security kit for $140, a 3-pack of 2C cameras for $219, smart door lock with fingerprint reader for $175, PowerHouse II 400 monster battery bank for $299, or even a 65W fast charger for $22. It's a long list, so take a look and follow the links should anything interest you.

Grab This Free $5 to Twitch and Uber Eats From Samsung

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 11:32:01 +0000

Samsung is hosting a "Summer of Galaxy" event right now where they have a bunch of goodies to give away to Galaxy phone owners. Two of the promos include free money to both Twitch and Uber Eats that you may as well grab while you still can. The first deal is $5 in Twitch cash that will add $5 to your Twitch wallet and let you support streamers by subscribing at no cost. A Twitch subscription to a specific channel costs $4.99, so if you already regularly watch streams, why not toss some cash to the creator that Samsung gave you? The second deal is a $5 voucher for Uber Eats, where you just get $5 that can be applied towards your next order. Again, this is free cash that Samsung is giving you because you own one of their phones. To grab each of these free $5 codes, head over to the Summer of Galaxy site (here), then find the section for each promo. You'll see a "Redeem" button to click that will launch a page within the Samsung Members app to get a code. It's pretty simple and will look like these screenshots.

Samsung says that supplies are limited, so don't wait around too long before grabbing codes.

NVIDIA's SHIELD TV is $25 Off for Prime Day

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:11:32 +0000

NVIDIA doesn't discount its SHIELD TV products often, so when they do, you have to jump at them. Today, as a part of Amazon Prime Day, the SHIELD TV that tucks neatly behind your TV, yet manages to upscale all the content and perform like a little beast of a tube, is $25 off. I know that may not sound like a huge discount, but it's the biggest we've seen in a while, if not ever. We got $20 off deals around the holidays, so yeah, $25 off is sweeter. This tube version of the SHIELD TV was released and then reviewed back in 2019. We still love it today as much as we did back then. NVIDIA is constantly updating their SHIELD products, giving us one of the best Android TV experiences around. It even got a decent UI change last week and Apple TV support the week before. The price will drop to $124.99 when you add it to cart.

Shop NVIDIA SHIELD TV at Amazon

Get a Totallee Case for the Cheap Cheap on Prime Day

Tim — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 09:06:46 +0000

Totallee, one of our fave case makers, is hosting its very own Prime Day deals, taking 40% off all of its products that are available on Amazon. At 40% off, some of the cases can be had for under $10, which ain't bad at all for these puppies. Totallee doesn't make cases for every phone out there, but if you own a Pixel device or select Samsung Galaxy device, you'll be in luck. Additionally, you'll find plenty of cases for the iPhone models, so that's cool. If you need yourself a case, follow the links below and be sure to use the coupon code for 40% off the listed price.

Amazon Links (Use Code: LVQ6Q52Y)

Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3 is $102 Off for Prime Day

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:58:56 +0000

Mobvoi is one of the few Wear OS watchmakers who keeps releasing new watches, even if Google and Qualcomm can't agree on whether or not they'll be eligible for an update to the new Wear platform. Until we know for sure, it's going to be hard to fully recommend you consider any new watch purchases, but if there was a watch you should be safe with, the TicWatch Pro 3 is about it. Today, for Amazon Prime Day, Mobvoi has discounted the TicWatch Pro 3 to $197.99. That's $102 off the best Wear OS watch currently available and its best price to date. With the TicWatch Pro 3 (our review), you are getting a big 1.4" AMOLED display, 1GB RAM, 8GB storage, GPS, Qualcomm's Snapdragon 4100, NFC, and a huge battery that will last you well over a day if not two. This is an excellent watch and we sure hope Qualcomm, Google, and Mobvoi can find a way to get it updated.

Shop TicWatch Pro 3 at Amazon

OnePlus 8 for $349 is a Good Prime Day Deal

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:42:22 +0000

OnePlus has dipped its toe into the Prime Day madness with a really nice deal on the OnePlus 8. For just $349 you can grab one of last year's best phones in its best color. Originally priced at $700, this is basically a half off deal, although the OnePlus 8 has hovered around $500 recently as a year-old phone. Still, $349 for a phone with a 90Hz display, Snapdragon 865, 4300mAh battery with Warp Charge 30T, triple rear camera, and 8GB RAM with 128GB storage is incredible. This version of the OnePlus 8 is unlocked and should work just fine on the big US carriers. If you need to recap its story, our OnePlus 8 review is a good place to go first.

Buy OnePlus 8 in Glacial Green at Amazon

We'll Get a Look at Samsung and Google's New Wear Platform on June 28

Tim — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 08:27:31 +0000

Samsung has made its MWC slot official this week, scheduling a livestream for June 28 at 19:15 CET (1:15PM Eastern, 10:15AM Pacific). This is a big one, with Samsung detailing that it will showcase its "new watch experience," aka the new Wear unified platform between them and Google. In all honesty, anything else Samsung could detail during MWC is peanuts compared to the Wear news, as this unveiling has the potential to shape whether the Wear platform is ever going to catch on and not always be one of Google's afterthoughts. With that said, I suppose I should mention that the Galaxy Ecosystem and Mobile Security is also on the docket, so all in all, MWC should be pretty sweet for Samsung fans. You'll be able to catch all of the happenings on June 28 right here on Samsung's YouTube channel.

The Best Samsung Amazon Prime Day Deals

Kellen — Mon, 21 Jun 2021 07:58:08 +0000

Amazon Prime Day is in full swing and as you might have expected, Samsung is a part of the party. With discounts on the Galaxy S21, Galaxy Watch 3, Galaxy Buds Pro, and a bunch of tablets, you have an opportunity today to pick up some new gear at decent prices.

Samsung Prime Day Phone Deals

The best Samsung Prime Day deals on phones are probably going to be on the Galaxy S21 and Note 20 lines, with each at $300 or $425 off. Or maybe you didn't see an upgrade in the S21 vs. the S20 from last year, know that you can grab the Galaxy S20 Ultra for $400 off too.

Galaxy S21 Ultra ($300 off): $899.99
Galaxy S21+ ($300 off): $699.99
Galaxy S21 256GB ($250 off): $599.99
Galaxy S20 Ultra ($400 off): $999.99
Galaxy S20 FE ($220 off): $479
Galaxy Note 20 Ultra ($425 off): $874.99
Galaxy Note 20 ($250 off): $749.99

Samsung Prime Day Accessory Deals

For accessories, Samsung is discounting the Galaxy Watch 3 and Galaxy Watch Active 2 watches to make way for the Galaxy Watch 4. They are slashing prices on all of their good Galaxy Buds too, including the new Galaxy Buds Pro and Galaxy Buds+. Need a tablet? The Galaxy Tab S7 and Tab S7+ are at some of their best prices ever at up to $265 off. If you want one, make sure to check all of the storage options, as you can get more and more storage with bigger and bigger discounts.

Galaxy Tab S7 / S7+ (up to $265 off): Starting at $484
Galaxy Watch Active 2 ($90 off): Starting at $159.99
Galaxy Watch 3 ($150 off): Starting at $249.99
Galaxy Buds+ ($65 off): Starting at $84.99
Galaxy Buds Live ($60 off): Starting at $109.99
Galaxy Buds Pro ($30 off): Starting at $169.99

Good ol' Prime day.

Google Lays Groundwork for Improved 'Find My Device' Network

Tim — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 14:42:01 +0000

Android has had its very own Find My Device feature for a few years, but Google appears to be now making the feature a bit more useful for those whose phone isn't technically connected to a network. You see, in order to currently find an Android phone with the feature, it'll have to be connected to the internet. Thanks to recently spotted code, we now know that will soon change, making it a much more powerful tool not just for you, but Android users around you. Detailed by XDA and then enabled by 9to5Google, the feature can now use Bluetooth to create a Find My Device network of sorts, capable of finding not just your lost phone, but other people's. Called Spot, when enabled in Google Play Services, the on/off switch for Find My Device specifically states, "Allows your phone to help locate your and other people's devices." It seems safe to assume that the use case here is you helping a friend locate their lost device or vice versa. If you don't need to get to a computer and there's potential for your device not to be connected, then a localized network can do wonders. This change appears to be part of a larger Google Play Services update, which is beginning to roll out in beta. We should all be seeing it soon enough. // XDA | 9to5Google

Yahoo Mobile is Done

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 13:47:25 +0000

Yahoo Mobile, the prepaid wireless option that Verizon launched a little over a year ago that looked like a copycat of their Visible brand, is done. With Verizon selling the Yahoo brand, it doesn't make a lot of sense for them to continue operating a prepaid service with the name. Yahoo Mobile is notifying customers this week that they can continue using the service for their current billing cycle and extend for one more, but that's it. After the next billing cycle, they will no longer be able to renew and will need to find another option for wireless service. They'll be given until at least August 31 to continue accessing their accounts. So what's the plan now? Well, Yahoo Mobile is recommending Visible as a nice alternative. That makes a lot of sense since they are almost identical outside of their featured color (purple vs. blue) and names. Visible, for those new, is a Verizon-operated prepaid service that costs just $40/mo and gives you unlimited talk/text/data, calling to Mexico and Canada, and hotspot. Since it works on Verizon's network, it offers excellent coverage and no longer tries to cap the data speeds your phone can access. It'll even drop your monthly bill down to $25/mo if you share an account with friends and family. For more on the end of Yahoo Mobile, checkout these FAQ.

Nothing's "Ear 1" Earbuds Catch a Bit of a Delay

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 12:51:59 +0000

The first product from Carl Pei's Nothing company was supposed to be revealed this month as a pair of earbuds called "Ear 1." With mostly silence surrounding the brand since setting that date, we were beginning to wonder if Ear 1 would arrive on time or if something had changed. As it turns out, Nothing's first product is indeed being pushed a bit. Pei took to Twitter today to confirm that "ear (1)" (A change in naming style!) will "come out a bit later this summer" because there are "a few things left to finalize." And that's all we know, but I'm not sure it's anything to worry about if you were interested in Nothing as a company. This is their first product. First products from companies almost never launch without hiccups. You all remember how much fun (/s) it was to buy a OnePlus One when it launched through that invite system, right? To recap - Nothing's ear (1) is launching this summer. https://twitter.com/getpeid/status/1405911656929054730

Podcast: I Like Android 12 A Lot

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 09:18:54 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're talking Android 12 Beta 2 and just how awesome it is, with its wallpaper theming, new gesture, revamped notification area, and more. We'll also dive into the latest on the Pixel 6, Wear OS' saga between Google and Qualcomm, Google Chat's weird availability, and whatever the hell OnePlus is doing with OPPO. Trivia is back and we have $10 in Google Play credit for all winners. We’ll be live at 10:00AM Pacific (1:00PM Eastern).

You Can Now Pin Conversations in Google Messages

Tim — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 08:30:40 +0000

Google is beginning to push a new function out to its Messages app, that being the ability to pin up to three conversations to the top, allowing you to quick access your go-to conversations. To pin a conversation, you'll simply long press on a thread while on the main page that shows all of your chats and then you'll see a little pin icon in the top of the UI. Smack that pin button and the conversation is officially pinned for you. It appears you can have up to 3 chats pinned. While this is a most welcomed feature, Google is a bit late to the party. Other apps, like Telegram, have been pinning conversations for a bit. Not that this is a race, I'm simply saying Google isn't first here. Gosh, don't take it personally. This feature is live for build number 8.3.026. If you don't see it, you're not alone. Google is doing their slow rollout thing, even if you're on the updated build. You can try clearing cache and force closing the app to gain access to the feature. // XDA

Good Day to Grab a Google Nest Hub, Since They are Discounted

Kellen — Fri, 18 Jun 2021 07:48:16 +0000

As we cruise into Father's Day weekend, a bunch of deals have surfaced on a number of our favorite products. One of those would be the Nest Hub line from Google, where you will currently find both the Nest Hub (2nd Gen) and Nest Hub Max with solid price drops. The brand new Nest Hub (2nd Gen), which is already reasonably priced, is $20 off and down to $80. The Nest Hub Max, its bigger brother with camera, is $30 off and down to $200. I'm not sure I need to tell you what these devices are capable of as they've been around in some form for years, but to give you something to read, here's a recap. These are smart displays, so unlike a typical smart speaker, they actually show you stuff that you ask Google to do. The weather, movies and shows, recipes, pictures, and home controls are all things that can be displayed on the display. They are handy in the kitchen, the office, and by the bed, especially the new 2nd Gen Nest Hub, because it can track your sleep. The Hub Max is awesome for Duo calls or other video chats too. Good prices for a fun weekend ahead! If the below retailers aren't your favs, look around - everyone has these deals.

Nest Hub (2nd Gen) deals:

Nest Hub Max deals:

NVIDIA SHIELD TV Gets Discover Tab

Tim — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 12:01:16 +0000

If you boot up your updated SHIELD TV device this afternoon, you'll likely notice a change. Starting this week, the Discover tab is headed out to all SHIELD TV units, with rollout expected to be completed by next Thursday. The Discover tab lives next to your Home and Apps pages. It offers an overview of content from a variety of sources, allowing you to quickly discover titles you might be interested in watching. As NVIDIA details, "Content is organized by genre, similar to how it appears in popular entertainment apps like Netflix and Prime Video. Content will also be suggested dynamically, based on previous viewing history." You'll also spot that the “All Apps” tab has been replaced by the “Apps” tab directly on the home screen. Nice. This change is rolling out right now to SHIELD TV.

Google Tells Qualcomm to Chill With Its Wear OS 3.0 Talk

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 11:09:59 +0000

The new Wear OS 3.0 update is potentially going to be big for Google's wearable ecosystem. They've worked with Samsung to bring it to reality through a couple of watches that should arrive shortly, plus they have Fossil lined-up with a premium Gen 6 watch. What they don't seem to have is an understanding at the moment with Qualcomm, support for their Snapdragon Wear 3100 and 4100 chips, and whether or not older watches will be updated. To back up for a second, I would point you to a story we wrote last night with a statement from Qualcomm that said they are working with Google to bring this new Wear OS 3.0 to watches running the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ platforms. In that same statement, they also suggested that their older Wear 3100 chip was fully capable of running it as well, but wouldn't comment further on why they needed to bring up that ancient silicon. This is obviously a huge bit of news for anyone who owns a Wear OS watch with Qualcomm's chip inside because so far, no one involved with Wear OS has confirmed if the current-gen industry of watches will ever see this new Wear platform. And that's why we told you a couple of weeks ago that you should most definitely not buy a Wear OS watch until we know. We still don't really know. With Qualcomm's statement from last night, we thought we had a bit of hope. However, fast forward to today and now I'm no longer running with that same good vibe. A Google spokesperson reached out with a statement of their own in response to Qualcomm's that doesn't necessarily come off as a glowing agreement of anything that Qualcomm mentioned:

"User experience is a top priority for us. We have not confirmed eligibility or timeline on whether any Wear OS smartwatch will update to the new unified platform. There are many technical requirements in order to run the unified platform that ensures all components of the user experience are optimized."

Now, on its face that statement doesn't say anything out of line, but the timing of it and that it was in regards to Qualcomm's statement is sort of telling. It reads (at least to me) like Google is telling Qualcomm to chill out with the statements, to not make any sort of promises, and that they don't know sh*t about the requirements for the new Wear platform. It really doesn't look like Google was a fan of Qualcomm suggesting that all of their wearable chips are "capable of supporting Wear OS 3.0." I also can't help but want to yell "Burn!" at the first part of the statement about user experience being a "top priority for us." Sheesh, Google, not holding back at all, are we? So because of this new statement from Google, we're sort of back to square one. We don't know what the future of your current Wear OS watch will be. Again, this could all be cleared up if Google would simply say, "Yeah, guys, Qualcomm's stuff will work, but let us get it all lined up before we share more." Instead, they aren't even willing to say that much.

Godzilla Battle Line Released Worldwide for Android

Tim — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 08:51:52 +0000

Godzilla, for me, is right up there with the Alien franchise. It's my childhood, so whenever something Godzilla-branded makes its way to Google Play, you better believe I'll be checking it out. Unfortunately, TOHO, the company behind Godzilla, doesn't have the best track record as a game publisher. In fact, there are maybe only a few Godzilla games in history that are actually worth playing, with the latest, Godzilla Battle Line, not ranked among those. In 2021, you have to see these graphics to believe them. They're simply no good for a franchise as big as Godzilla. Beyond just the look, the gameplay itself looks pretty mediocre to average. In the game, you collect monsters and military items, creating teams to go against stages of battle. We've seen this for years now, but it's not helped by the fact that there's plenty of in-app purchases available to give your team better chances of beating foes. It's all so repetitive these days, and dang it, Godzilla deserves so much more. On the bright side, Singular Point is releasing on Netflix this month. I'm pretty pumped for that. If you want to give this game a go while we wait, follow the link below.

Google Play Link

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTDdD3E8yAw&ab_channel=TOHOGames

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Now Available!

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 08:03:05 +0000

Google's latest and most affordable true wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds A-Series, are now available at a store near you. At $99.99, Google managed to shave off $80 from the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen), a pair of earbuds that sounded amazing on paper and were a joy to wear, but were ultimately plagued with a never-ending run of connectivity issues. This new Pixel Buds A-Series line has supposedly taken care of most of the 2nd Gen's bugs, but does drop the handy volume gesture swipes in doing so. You still get tap-active touch pads, the amazing fit from the 2nd Gen, a slick little case (minus wireless charging), about 5 hours of battery life, and a couple of color options. At $99, these aren't the best priced earbuds, but they also could be a decent option if need to own a brand and not those rando-buds from Amazon. We'll (finally) have a pair in-house today, so be on the lookout for a quick review here in the next week or so.

Shop Pixel Buds A at Best Buy

Samsung Discounts Galaxy Tab S7 and Gives You Free Galaxy Buds Pro

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 06:54:11 +0000

Samsung is hosting several decent daily deals this week through their Samsung Discover event and today's happens to hit close to home. The best Android tablet available and (arguably) best set of true wireless earbuds are bundled in a really nice promo. If you work quickly on this one, you can get the Galaxy Tab S7 or Galaxy Tab S7+ at up to $130 off. Should you do just that, Samsung will toss in a pair of free Galaxy Buds Pro, their excellent "Pro" level earbuds. I said "up to $130 off" because the Galaxy Tab S7 line starts at $80 off for 128GB WiFi models. It maxes out at $130 off if you jump the storage to 512GB. For the Galaxy Buds Pro, Samsung is giving you a choice of color (silver, violet, or black) with this $200 freebie. In total, this deal could save you around $300. Not bad.

Shop Galaxy Tab S7 Deals at Samsung

Galaxy Watch 4 Stops by the FCC (Updated)

Kellen — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 06:44:39 +0000

With rumored launch date for the Galaxy Watch 4 now floating about, we're looking for any signs to indicate they may be correct. Whether that's through a retailer slipping up weeks early or the watch stopping through somewhere for certification, we're keeping our eye on everything. Today, the Galaxy Watch 4 made its way to the FCC. Two devices labeled as "smart wearable" arrived this morning under Samsung's FCC ID with the model numbers SM-R880 and SM-R885. For those following rumors of the Galaxy Watch 4, you should know that SM-R880 is thought to be the smaller 42mm model. SM-R885, on the other hand, is the LTE version of the same watch.

The FCC didn't slip up and give us images of the watch or anything, but they did tell us one of the batteries is EB-BR880ABY, which weighs in at around 240mAh. They also told us the watch charges using EP-OR825. That's the same wireless charger Samsung has used with other Galaxy Watch models. We also know that the Galaxy Watch 4 sports WiFi, Bluetooth, and NFC, as expected. The LTE model has bands that cover all of the major carriers, including Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile.

We looked for the bigger Galaxy Watch 4 model (46mm), but that listing has not gone live yet. That watch should carry model numbers of SM-R890 and SM-R895. The Galaxy Watch Active 4 is likely to launch alongside the regular Galaxy Watch 4 with model numbers SM-R860 and SM-R870. We think they could arrive as early as August 11.

UPDATE 6/15: At the end of yesterday, the rest of the watches showed up at the FCC too, including SM-R870, SM-R875, and SM-R890.
UPDATE 6/17: The whole crew has now made its way through the FCC, including SM-R860 (link), SM-R865 (link), and SM-R895 (link) today. As I mentioned above, these model numbers refer to the Galaxy Watch Active 4 in both Bluetooth (860) and LTE (865) variants, as well as the bigger Galaxy Watch 4 LTE (895)

Qualcomm Gives Hope to Older 3100/4100 Watches for New Wear OS (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 17:22:06 +0000

There is a heavy amount of stress in the world of Wear OS watches at the moment now that Google has announced (with Samsung) the next version of Wear that will lead us into our Android wearable future. As cool as the new Wear OS 3.0 may end up being, all of the old watches launched prior to Google's new Wear announcement have an unclear future. Today, Qualcomm attempted to give all of those watches a bit of hope without fully confirming their fate. You see, almost every single Wear OS watch currently on the market runs a Qualcomm chip. The watch on your wrist or that you are considering buying at the moment either runs a Snapdragon Wear 2100, Wear 3100, or Wear 4100. Qualcomm makes all of those and so we've been waiting for them to tell us if these chips will work with the new Wear OS 3.0. In a statement given to XDA, Qualcomm has acknowledged that they are working with Google to gain support for the new Wear OS on the Wear 4100 and its 4100+ relative. They even acknowledged that each chip (including the Wear 3100) is fully capable of running on the new Wear, but they weren't ready to talk about whether or not their partners would be updating watches to it:

We are working with Google on bringing Wear OS 3.0 to Snapdragon Wear 4100+ and 4100 platforms. Snapdragon Wear 3100, 4100+ and 4100 platforms are capable of supporting Wear OS 3.0, but we are not discussing any specifics at this time.

Breaking that down, it sounds here like Qualcomm and Google will likely get the new Wear to work on the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and 4100+ platforms. While they acknowledged the new Wear OS 3.0 could theoretically work on the 3100, they didn't say it's currently in their plans, at least in this statement. So what does this mean? Well, nothing is guaranteed, so if you are looking at watches, it better be running the Wear 4100 or 4100+ chip. There are exactly two watches with those, the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 and newly announced TicWatch E3 (pictured above). But keep in mind that Qualcomm didn't confirm they will get the new Wear, only that they are working with Google to try to make it happen.

UPDATE 6/17: Google has responded to Qualcomm with a statement that doesn't exactly agree with what Qualcomm said. You can read the full statement here.

Every other Wear OS watch should be ignored, unless you care absolutely zero about updates. We told you this just the other week. Also, Fossil already confirmed that their older watches aren't going to receive the update. This is a bit of good news at least. However, no promises were made here, so until we know for sure, consider our advice.

Verizon Galaxy Z Fold 2, Galaxy Note 9 Snag June Security Patch

Tim — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 12:27:20 +0000

Verizon is shipping out the June security patch to owners of the Galaxy Z Fold 2, Samsung's best phone, as well as the Galaxy Note 9. Nothing else is listed in the updates, but hey, an update is an update. Once updated, your Galaxy Z Fold 2 will have software version number F916USQS1DUE3, while the Galaxy Note 9 will have N960USQS8FUE3. Get that update! // Verizon

Spotify Launches Greenroom, Looks About as Boring as Clubhouse

Tim — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 08:34:01 +0000

Because I'm getting old and crusty, maybe I just don't get it, but apps like Clubhouse do not interest me. What are people talking about that's so intriguing? There's no way anything out there is as fun to listen to as the Droid Life Show, so if you really need something to listen to, go enjoy that. With that said, Spotify launched its Clubhouse competitor this morning, called Greenroom. If you have no idea what I'm going on about, you're the lucky one. Clubhouse, and now Greenroom (and other apps from other major companies trying to repeat what Clubhouse has already done), allow like-minded people to get into a literal echo chamber and share the same thoughts and ideas. Being a bit less obtuse, some folks may appreciate the idea of entering a room based on a hobby or topic of interest to them, with these platforms allowing you to quickly become a part of a larger community. In terms of knowledge sharing, it's a great thing and I'm simply out here talking nonsense. Spotify, funny enough, says that it's "constantly iterating and innovating the future formats of audio," in its blog post announcing Greenroom. When you're releasing a copy cat product, it's gotta be hard to write anything that has to do with innovation without cracking up a bit. It's too blatant, Spotify. Instead of this, why not adjust queues and add track play counts or something that actually improves my user experience? I swear, since Google Play Music died, I've never felt more upset about the current state of music apps. I'm honestly depressed. Anyway, go check out Greenroom. Or don't. I doubt you will.

Google Play Link

// Spotify

OnePlus and OPPO Take Another Step Closer Together

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 07:31:18 +0000

For years we've joked about OnePlus and OPPO's relationship, where a phone release by one often means a preview of what's to come from the other. Those jokes have essentially become a reality this year after an earlier announcement that they would be sharing R&D efforts, and now today, with OnePlus CEO Pete Lau announcing that OnePlus will now "further integrate" with OPPO going forward. In a post to OnePlus' forums, Lau explained that as they've expanded their product portfolio, they need to "adapt" in order to continue giving you excellence. Lau feels that OnePlus can do that by taking advantage of the resources from OPPO to streamline operations. They've already been testing the idea and working more closely together, which has shown a "positive impact" that they want to push to the next level. Lau assures his OnePlus fans that "this change will be positive for our community and our users." So what exactly does this all mean? The statement is purposely vague and really doesn't tell us much, other than OnePlus and OPPO are getting closer and closer together. If devices look similar or software is close to being a copy from each brand's phones, there will no longer be a need for jokes about how that's possible. We'll know exactly why. The odd portion of this news comes as Lau suggests that OnePlus will "continue to operate independently," even though he works for both companies and just said they are moving towards "deeper integration" with OPPO. That doesn't sound independent at all, unless I'm missing something. It sure sounds like OnePlus is essentially becoming a sub-brand of OPPO that will act like it's its own thing, with events and "OnePlus" branding on products and its own set of sales channels that don't overlap OPPO. OK wait, I guess that's sort of the way this has always felt and probably has always been, we're just being more open about it now. Thoughts?

Mobvoi's TicWatch E3 Runs Wear 4100 With a Cheaper Price

Kellen — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 06:40:18 +0000

Mobvoi has a new watch for us to add to our short list of those we'd consider buying today, the TicWatch E3. Packed with the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and a more affordable price, this looks like it might be a nice little Wear OS setup. The TicWatch E3 features a 44mm case with a 1.3" display (360x360), 1GB RAM and 8GB storage, 380mAh battery, IP68 water and dust resistance, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, GPS, speaker, and mic. With that set of specs and the Wear 4100 chip onboard, there aren't many watches that can compare outside of Mobvoi's TicWatch Pro 3. Like previous Mobvoi watches, the company is really pushing its suite of wellness software that comes as a part of its companion app. The TicWatch E3 tracks blood oxygen (SpO2) with TicOxygen, heart-rate through TicPulse, sleep through TicSleep, and workouts through TicExercise. It'll also help you lower stress with breathing exercises, monitor your stress, and (now) let you monitor the whole family's health with TicCare. The TicWatch E3 sports a polycarbonate frame and 2.5D curved display, comes in this charcoal color seen here, and includes an easily swappable 20mm black strap. Of course, the elephant in the room is whether or not this watch will see the new version of Wear OS that Google just announced and that others (like Fossil) have said they won't update older watches to. Mobvoi has not yet said and we're still waiting for a response back. You can buy the Mobvoi TicWatch E3 today for $199.99.

Shop TicWatch E3 from Amazon ($199)

The Old Google Pay App is so Close to Being Worthless Now

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 13:03:52 +0000

The old Google Pay has been in free fall for a couple of months now as Google has slowly shutdown features from it and pushed users to the new app. They first targeted the extremely useful web portal (without a replacement) before moving onto send/receive functionality and fund claiming. Today, they've basically taken it all away. A Google Pay support page was updated today to say that as of June 15, you can no longer use the old app to send, request, receive, claim, or withdraw money or find past transactions, and that includes the web portal. With all pending transactions now cleared through the old Google Pay, I'm not sure what else is there. Oh, you can still make mobile payments with the old app, so that's something. I'm not sure when that functionality will go, but once it does, that will really be the end. While I'm not exactly a huge fan of the new Google Pay, it does work just fine and at least lets you send and receive money still. Google choosing to attach phone numbers to Google Pay is a sh*tty move, however. Google Pay should always be a Google account connection, so that anyone can use it rather than by forcing people to have paid wireless service.

End-to-End Encryption Exits Beta for Google Messages

Tim — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:49:45 +0000

Google introduced end-to-end encryption for one-on-one conversations in beta inside the Messages app last November. This week, the feature has apparently exited beta, available to all inside of the app via the Chat Features menu. There's no need to do anything, it's just there. There aren't many limitations to know about regarding this feature. The only thing to know is that it's only available inside of one-on-one conversations and not group messages. Group encryption could come at a later date, but we have yet to hear about it from Google. If for some reason you didn't have this before inside of Google Messages, you will now, so long as Chat Features are enabled inside of the app. Easy peasy. // Android

I Changed Verizon Unlimited Plans for the Freebies

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:09:35 +0000

In 2017, when Verizon brought back its first unlimited data plan after years of trying to force customers into awful tiered data options, I made the switch. I talked about how leaving my old grandfathered unlimited plan made sense because of cost, for the included hotspot in the new plan, and because I no longer needed a plan that could give me 400GB of data to use in a month. Since that switch, Verizon has introduced an entire suite of "unlimited" plans with silly names, a semi-confusing set of options that slightly differ between each one, and levels of prices to fit any budget. When first announced, I didn't even consider switching to one and that's probably because whenever Verizon announces something new, I assume it's sneakier than the plan I'm on and that the only reason for there to be a new option is to squeeze extra cash out of the customer base. That's a dark outlook on the wireless industry, but there's history there. Things have changed with these four Start Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Do More Unlimited, and Get More Unlimited plans, though. In recent years, Verizon has added a bunch of freebies to each, including free music subscriptions, free Disney+ bundles, and passes to Google Play and Apple's app stores. They added 5G access too, but who cares about 5G. Those freebies just got me to finally switch off of "The New Verizon Unlimited" plan from 4 years ago and onto the Play More Unlimited plan.

As my life has seemingly added a new subscription service of some kind every few months now that every content company has a streaming option, you start wondering if it's all worth it and whether or not you can possibly consume enough content to justify the cost before deciding it's time to make cuts. I was having this conversation with myself last week after recently adding ESPN+ (for Portland Timbers matches by way of a VPN around blackouts and Root Sports not being on YouTube TV). Was that cost worth it (of course, it's the Timbers) or should I think about cutting something else to keep it around? Verizon includes a Disney+ bundle with Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+ in two of their plans. They just give it to you. On top of that, they'll give you 12 months of Discovery+ (which my wife and I've been watching far too much of), subscriptions to Google Play Pass or Apple Arcade, and Apple Music for 6 months or more. Now, I have a 4-year Disney+ pre-sale subscription that locks me in until 2023, but the free Hulu and ESPN+ are clutch, as is the Discovery+ for a year. Dabbling back in the Play Pass doesn't sound awful either. I'm not switching to Apple Music, though. Oh, that old unlimited plan I was on was $85/mo and the Play More Unlimited plan is $80. So I'm saving $5 per month from service and getting basically the same wireless plan (with more hotspot data), but then Verizon is adding on a bunch of stuff I would normally pay for. This Disney+ bundle is worth $14/mo and ad-free Discovery+ is another $7. I'm saving close to $30/mo over my previous plan with all these bonuses. Look, you get the point, which is that if you are one of those people who is afraid of change, assumes you might be screwed by changing, or doesn't want to deal with it, I feel you. What I can tell you is that changing plans took me all of 5 minutes, enrolling in these services probably took less for each one, and there were no service interruptions or other annoyances. Remember, if you aren't tying a device purchase to your plan, you aren't locking into a contract or anything. It was a simple change, I've got a better plan, and I'm getting a bunch of free sh*t. Verizon's nationwide 5G network may be slow as hell and I'll probably never touch their 5G mmW network, but they still offer really good coverage, particularly outside of metro areas. Their plans aren't that expensive compared to T-Mobile anymore either. And when you factor in all of the free stuff I just walked through, they might actually be the better value than Magenta. I'm not sure I ever thought I'd say that.

Locked Folders in Google Photos Has Arrived for Pixel Phones

Tim — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 11:06:47 +0000

Pixel device owners, the new Locked Folder feature for Google Photos has officially arrived this week, allowing you to hide possibly sensitive photos from your main photo timeline and from ever being shared. Finally, a home for all your no0ds. To toss photos into a Locked Folder, you can tap on a single photo or select multiple photos by long pressing, then hit the 3-dot settings button in the top right of the UI. From here, you'll see the Move to Locked Folder option. Once inside, you'll need to access these photos using your phone's lockscreen option, which could be biometrics, pin, or whatever you have set. Once set up, you'll find the Locked Folder from the Library > Utilities menu. Nearly all of the way at the bottom you'll now see a new Locked Folder home. To access, you'll need to unlock it. You can then easily add more of your photos or remove them should you want to share them. It's easy and pretty awesome. I'm loving this new feature and wish it would have been here sooner. It's a safe bet that phones other than Pixel devices will get this feature eventually, but who knows when.

Google Play Link

Another 6 New Features Coming to Your Android Phone This Summer

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 09:00:06 +0000

Google has gotten in the habit of realizing that Android is a pretty cool platform that constantly improves without the need for a system update and that almost anyone with a phone can experience new stuff. As odd as that may be to hear, the point is that Google is often awkward with its messaging and isn't great at letting people know that their Android phone can now do new things. Thankfully, over the past year, Google has begun sending out regular posts that highlight 5 or 6 new features coming to Android devices and a new batch dropped today. Over the coming days and weeks, we'll see Android's Earthquake Alerts System expand to new countries before going global, Google Messages is getting a feature first hinted at a few weeks back, the Emoji Kitchen becomes contextual, more apps have added Assistant shortcuts, issuing passwords by voice is improved, and you'll soon be able to more easily customize your Android Auto.

Here are the details:

For the Earthquake Alert System, Google announced today that it is expanding it to Turkey, the Philippines, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The goal after those countries is to expand it globally in the first half of 2022. To learn more about Earthquake alerts, see this post. To see it in action, see this post.
In Google Messages, you can now star important messages to help you find them easier later on. Simply long press on a message to add a star to it, then look for the starred category in messages to see everything you've marked. This was first hinted at a couple of weeks ago and should be rolling out now.
Remember the Emoji Kitchen, Google's customizable emoji section in Gboard that lets you mix and match your favorite emoji? You'll soon start seeing contextual options in the Emoji Kitchen to better help you deliver that emotional message to your dad on Father's Day.
Google Assistant has allowed you to fire up specific parts of apps since late last year and Google says you should take a new look at Assistant shortcuts to see if your favorite apps now work. The idea here is that you can tell Strava to continue a run, pay your Capital One bill, or lace up your sneakers without manually opening an app and tapping around. To see some app examples of shortcuts, say "Hey Google shortcuts."
For those with motor disabilities, Google is improving password input by having the system recognize you are in a password field and that you might need a $ when you "dollar sign." They are also putting Gaze Detection in beta, which tells Voice Access to only work when you are actively looking at your phone.
And finally, Android Auto is going to let you personalize your launcher screen from your phone, manually set dark mode, open new tabs for media apps, and tap a "back to top" button. Additionally, Android Auto can now read and send messages from WhatsApp and Messages, and will install your favorite EV charging, parking, and navigation apps.

Google isn't giving a lot of specifics around when all of this stuff will show up on your Android phone. Some of it might be there now while a lot of it might truly arrive later this summer.

READ: The most recent Android feature drop with 6 new goodies

// Google

OnePlus Nord N200 5G Hits the US for Just $240

Kellen — Tue, 15 Jun 2021 06:00:09 +0000

OnePlus announced the Nord N200 5G today, its newest affordable Nord line phone for the US that drops in at a more than reasonable price of $239.99. They teased this phone a week ago, in case you are sitting there at this early time of day wondering why this sounds so familiar. For $240, the N200 5G delivers a 6.49" full HD display at 90Hz, Snapdragon 480 processor, 5000mAh battery with 18W charging, 4GB RAM, 64GB storage, and a triple rear camera system. That camera system is headlined by a main 13MP shooter, plus you'll find a 16MP camera up front. The OnePlus Nord N200 5G arrives in the US on June 25 in Blue Quantum. It'll be available on OnePlus' store and at retailers like Best Buy, Amazon, and B&H Photo. For carrier partners, T-Mobile and Metro both plan to carry it as well. We'll try to remind you when you can buy one.

New Fan-Toting Pixel Stand on the Way for Pixel 6

Tim — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 14:15:31 +0000

The original Pixel Stand was a sweet little device, but if we're being honest, it puts out a measly 10W of charging speed and in 2021, it's getting plenty up there in terms of age. It's time for a refresh, and according to recent findings, it looks like the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro may get a fancy new Pixel Stand to go alongside them. According to the good people at 9to5Google, Google is working on a new Pixel Stand, and given the timing, it's believed to be launching along with the new lineup of Pixel 6 devices. Not too much is know for this wireless charger, but code does point to the presence of cooling fans, which may help Google up those watts for charging speeds quite a bit. Unfortunately, nothing in the code points to the supported charge speed, but we assume it's definitely higher than 10W. Please, let it be higher than 10W. The fans also seem to be relatively smart, slowing down and being quiet when you're attempting to use Google Assistant and/or have it next to your bed on the nightstand. The codename for this new Pixel Stand is detailed to be "Luxuryliner," which is in line with the previous model's name of Dreamliner. 2021 is really shaping up to be a good year for us Pixel fanboys. // 9to5Google

Samsung Galaxy A52 Drops to $399 in Deal You Can't Wait On

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 12:24:53 +0000

Samsung's Galaxy A52 5G, a mid-range phone with a lot going for it, is $100 off today in a special Samsung Discover deal. At $100 off, you can grab one for $399 and find yourself staring at a 120Hz display without fully emptying that wallet. The Galaxy A52 runs a Snapdragon 750G chipset with 128GB storage, 6GB RAM, 4500mAh battery, and 1080p display. Again, that 1080p display has a 120Hz refresh rate, which is wild for this price range. You also get a quad-camera system with main 64MP shooter, front 32MP camera, NFC, Bluetooth 5.0, 25W fast charging, and 3.5mm headphone jack. There really is a lot going on here, plus it comes in matte black. Samsung has almost sold out of this deal, so if this sounds like a phone you might want, hurry up.

Shop Samsung Galaxy A52 5G

Report: Galaxy S21 FE Up in the Air Amid Chip Shortage

Tim — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 10:15:35 +0000

There are likely plenty of people looking forward to the Galaxy S21 FE, a followup to last year's surprisingly popular Galaxy S20 FE. The FE models offer the fun things -- like higher display refresh rates -- of its more expensive siblings, but in a more affordable package. The problem is, there's a chip shortage taking place, with Qualcomm and other chipmakers unable to supply the world's demand for silicon. It's been affecting nearly all major industries, from smartphones to cars. So far, it hasn't been too bad for Android fans, but this upcoming Galaxy S21 FE could be the first major victim. Speaking to Bloomberg, Samsung hasn't yet made a final decision on whether or not production of the Galaxy S21 FE will be halted amid the shortage. This statement follows a now-pulled report that Samsung did suspend production, due to the shortage of Qualcomm application processors. Given the report's apparent deletion and Samsung's lack of transparency, who knows when this phone is likely to arrive. I sorta poo-poo'd last year's Galaxy S20 FE, but I intended to not make that mistake in 2021. The Galaxy S21 is a fine device, and if Samsung can repackage it in a less expensive body, but still offer the same high-end experience, I'd definitely give that a try. Plus, if the above render is accurate, that olive green is pretty hot. We'll keep you posted on S21 FE happenings. // Bloomberg

Supposed Launch Dates for Galaxy Watch 4, Galaxy Z Fold 3 Detailed

Tim — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 08:32:54 +0000

We're uncharacteristically excited for the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4, thanks to the team up between Samsung and Google for the new unified wearable platform that should be launching alongside the device. It's basically the rebirth of wearables for Android users, so why not get stoked for it? And of course, everyone should know how much we're pumped for the Galaxy Z Fold 3, a follow-up to the world's ultimate couch phone. I mention all of this because according to a source of Front Page Tech, we now have a couple of dates we can mark on the calendar for when we'll be able to get hands-on with these devices. As detailed, the Galaxy Watch 4 will begin to ship on August 11, while both the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3 will be available on August 27. To be clear, these are launch dates, not the announcement date which will definitely be ahead of the aforementioned dates. Like I said, the Galaxy Watch 4 should be on everybody's radar. We're expecting to catch our first good look at the new platform later this month, and should all go well, folks will be lining up to try out the upgraded Wear OS on Samsung's new hardware. As for the Z Fold 3 and Z Flip 3, there isn't too much to say besides that Samsung continues to improve designs and hopefully bring down prices. If the big price drop for Samsung foldables is accurate, that's important for getting more folks into the foldable life. August 11 and August 27. Mark your calendars. // Front Page Tech [2]

Google Chat is Pretty Much Available to Everyone Now

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:56:36 +0000

The end of Hangouts will probably happen without anyone really noticing because Google has made its replacement readily available. This slow death of Hangouts has given people all the time in the world to transition over and get on Google Chat, the company's modern messaging app. Today, basically as a part of a big Google Workspace announcement and after a bit of a preview period, Google Chat is available to all if you are interested. Assuming you haven't left Hangouts for another messaging service from another provider, switching to Chat is probably a good idea at this point. To get started, you can always open chat.google.com and that'll work. You can open Gmail (on the web), head into Settings and the "Chat and Meet" tab, and then tap the option for "Google Chat" before saving to turn off Hangouts and switch. You could also just install the Google Chat app if you haven't done so and use it that way. Oh, you can even put Chat within your Gmail app on Android. It's weird, but you can. Google should have already moved over your Hangouts conversations to Chat, including your group chats, so sliding over shouldn't be much of an issue. You can carry on old conversations in something that isn't as old and outdated as Hangouts (like, it has a dark theme). Is Chat any good? It's a pretty solid messaging app for the most part. It's better than Hangouts, but that's not saying much. You should try to get all of your friends and family to switch at the same time if you do move over from Hangouts, though, because attaching media can be weird and uses Drive (at least it did for a while). Any big Chat users? How's the change been?

Verizon Offers 10% Discount If You've Had A COVID-19 Vaccine

Kellen — Mon, 14 Jun 2021 07:32:48 +0000

As a part of the ongoing effort to get as many people in this country vaccinated against COVID-19 as possible, Verizon is joining in with a 10% off discount. Anyone who has received a COVID-19 vaccine can grab a 10% off code that works on any accessory, including many that are already discounted. Starting tomorrow, June 15, you can head to Verizon's special vaccine discount portal, fill out a brief questionnaire and then sit back and wait for your 1-time discount code to arrive via SMS. You'll have until July 31 to do this and get a code, which you'll then need to use by August 15. The code isn't just for vaccine recipients, though. Verizon is giving codes to first responders, nurses, teachers, and members of the military too. Since Verizon will let you stack this code onto many already-discounted items, you could grab a Nest Hub Max for as low as $180. Even AirPods Pro are down to as little as $180. So yeah, there are deals to be had if you've been poked. The URL from Verizon will be at verizon.com/discounts/vaccination. It's not live yet, but we'll try to link it tomorrow. // Verizon

Samsung Galaxy S9 is Old and Still Getting Fresh Updates With Improvements

Kellen — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 09:54:35 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy S9 may have dropped back to the quarterly update schedule as it finds itself in a final year of support, but that still means regular updates. The latest update has arrived this week through Verizon, with a fresh-ish security patch and some improvements. If you haven't seen it already, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ on Verizon are receiving software versions QP1A.190711.020.G960USQU9FUE1 and QP1A.190711.020.G965USQU9FUE1. This update includes the May Android security patch, as well as the new Quick Share enhancements other Samsung devices have seen, and "performance improvements." Samsung and Verizon aren't being specific on what changes, but hey, a 3-year old phone seeing improvements is a good thing. The Galaxy S9 should continue to see these quarterly updates until next April or so, when Samsung will then fully cut it off. At that time, this phone from March 2018 will have seen 4 years of updates. To check for the update, head into Settings>System updates>Check for system updates.

Android 12's Wallpaper Theming Will Get Hotter When It Adds Icons, Apps

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 13:04:31 +0000

The feature we're loving the most right now in Android 12 Beta 2 is without a doubt the wallpaper-based theming that the adds colorful touches to your phone's system. I wish it was slightly more vibrant in the colors it adds, but hey, that's just me being selfishly excited about it all. Where I would really love to see it go soon is into icons and then to apps. Evidence that surfaced from developers suggests that might actually happen. Developer @kdrag0n found a way to flip the switch on a bunch of Google apps, so that their icons adaptively match the color theming that Android 12 is spreading about the system. In that picture above (and below), he was able to get apps like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, and Chrome to ditch their typically colorful selves and turn green, with different versions appearing in light or dark themes. Now, we knew this was likely coming after Google showed off the idea of themed icons at Google I/O, we just haven't seen it in action on either of the Android 12 betas thus far.

Here are all the app icons that can currently be themed with Material You colors. pic.twitter.com/o8rDS94kig
— kdrag0n (@kdrag0n) June 10, 2021

Since there are hundreds of thousands of apps outside of Google's, you might wonder if developers can take advantage of the theming for their own icons. Another developer in reply to this finding, @Quinny898, found code within the Pixel Launcher suggesting the change was hardcoded and may only apply to Google's apps. From there, the conversation went into a possible work-around for non-Google apps to adopt the colors of the system theme, but it doesn't currently sound like a legitimate solution. Google might need to open this up further and I don't believe they've really talked much about how others can take advantage of this new theme idea. Should they, well, that could mean custom icons and apps that change with your wallpaper, just like Google's apps are starting to do. It would be awesome.

OK Google, How Many Ways Do We Need to Access Google Assistant?

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 10:57:56 +0000

It's no secret that Google wants you to use Google Assistant as much as possible. Not only is it a useful tool for smartphone owners to take advantage of, but it's a way for Google to show off the smart tech they continue to advance, plus I'm sure they gather all sorts of interesting (😉) data from it. Because it's such an important tool for Google, they are putting it in everything and everywhere, so that if you are in need of help, the Assistant is there. The thing is, it's starting to feel like we're getting the Google Assistant in too many places. Like, some of these areas could be used for other stuff, right? As example, this reddit thread is pretty pissed right now at Google for removing the Home/Device Controls section from the power menu in Android 12 and turning it into a Quick Settings shortcut. The reason Google is removing this option from the power menu seems to be because they want the power button to be a shortcut to accessing Google Assistant. In the new Android 12 Beta 2, you can indeed set power to access it. I can't say I blame folks for being upset about this change as we basically had a single Android release with that power button shortcut and I finally started getting used to it, only to now have to change my phone behavior again. Going forward with Android 12, those home controls that I use every night to adjust lights and the thermostat are now in a new place, all because Google wants the Assistant in another spot. If you own a Google Pixel right now, here are all of the ways (I can currently think of) you can access Google Assistant:

Shouting "OK Google" or "Hey Google"
Tapping the Assistant shortcut in the bottom search bar of the Pixel Launcher
Swiping in from either the left or right corner
Long-pressing the home button (with 3-button setup)
Tapping the Assistant app in the app drawer
Squeezing the side of your phone (Pixel 2-4)
Tapping the mic icon in the Google Assistant Snapshot
Long-pressing the power button (new)
Using the new Quick Tap gesture (new)

Now, I can understand adding Assistant as a shortcut to the power button. If your phone is in your pocket and you need the Assistant yet don't want to shout at it, one of the quickest ways to get into it would be long-pressing power. But if you don't plan on accessing that way because there are all of those ways above I just mentioned, and rather than Google erasing a bunch of stuff from the power menu they just introduced in Android 11, maybe they could have given us more control over long-press on power? Because they also removed Google Pay from the power menu and instead put it as a shortcut on the lock screen for some reason. I think on one hand I get why Google is putting Assistant in as many places as possible. I actually like that we can find it so easily. On the other hand, we should be able to replace it in places as we see fit. The new Quick Tap gesture, as an example, can be fully customized to do a number of actions while the power button shortcut can't. If I'm remembering correctly, the squeezy Active Edge feature never did let you customize to any app and was really just an Assistant shortcut. Maybe the real question should be, "Can there be too many Google Assistant options?" Maybe some of you want the 9 or 10 ways you currently have because access should never be too far away. I just wish we had a bit more control. Google gives it to us in some places but not others.

Verizon Expands Return Policy to 30 Days

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:50:39 +0000

Buying a device and messing with it for a few days only to decide it is most definitely not the one for you and that spending the next 2 years with it would be hell, can be a terrifying scenario. Of course, most companies offer return policies of varying lengths to help you out in these situations, but when a company expands theirs, you should be aware. Verizon expanded their return policy this week for both devices and accessories in a big way. Starting now, Verizon is giving customers a full 30 days to return devices or accessories. After taking a quick look at the new return policy, the length of time appears to be the only major change. Previously, customers had 14 days to bring back their disappointing purchase and now they have 30 days. Keep in mind that the $50 restocking fee still applies to devices, so this process isn't exactly free. That fee used to be $35, but has been at this higher $50 number for some time. There is no fee for accessory returns. In the past, Verizon has played with expanded return periods during the holidays. This, however, is a permanent change that is already live on their website.

Stadia Premiere Bundle is 50% Off, My Gamer Friends

Kellen — Fri, 11 Jun 2021 08:28:01 +0000

One of the cheapest ways to get a console or PC-quality gaming experience is without a doubt through Stadia, Google's game streaming service. Rather than forking out $1,000+ for a game rig or paying hundreds more through that sh*tty PS5 re-seller dude, you can grab Stadia and play in up to 4K on almost any screen. And for a limited time, it's cheaper than ever to do just that. The Stadia Premiere Edition is currently 50% off at Best Buy, dropping its price down to just $49.99. The Stadia Premiere Edition includes a white Stadia controller and Chromecast Ultra, as well as 1 month of free Stadia Pro service and 3 months of free YouTube Premium. This is a solid deal if you've been eyeing Stadia and somehow didn't get one for free last year. While we like to poke at Stadia for not delivering on promised features, massively missing sales forecasts, and lacking in game content, it has improved quite a bit. It's library of games has grown tremendously (it has the new Resident Evil!), it finally works on Android TV devices, and Google added a search functionality...hah. Grab that deal at the link below.

Best Buy Deal Link

Dark Sky API Gets 1 More Year of Use on Android

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:57:26 +0000

Dark Sky on Android went away a year ago after Apple bought them and acted like the meanies they often are. Thankfully, the Dark Sky API was given an extra year of availability for all of the 3rd party weather apps that still used it, which meant the same hyperlocal weather action we love through the end of 2021. With the later half of 2021 quickly approaching, Dark Sky has decided to extend 3rd party access for another year, so we're all good for a while.

Best Dark Sky alternatives on Android

On the Dark Sky blog, an update was issued this week that says the following:

Update: Support for the Dark Sky API service for existing customers will continue until the end of 2022. The iOS app and Dark Sky website will also be available until the end of 2022.

Translating that, it says that if your current weather app uses the Dark Sky API to get weather information, it'll still be available to that weather app until the end of next year (2022). You absolutely love to hear that. Unfortunately for iOS users, the Dark Sky app is apparently going away at the end of next year as well. The iOS Dark Sky app costs $4, so if you just bought it, that's pretty crappy news. Of course, Apple is likely building all of Dark Sky's smarts into iOS (and iOS 15), so they don't necessarily need to keep Dark Sky around. Instead, they'll use everything good about it and give it to customers for free as a part of the system weather app. So for Android users, you can still get a bit of Dark Sky for an extra year.

Android 12 Most Installed Android Beta 'By Far'

Tim — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 12:48:34 +0000

Google's Dave Burke, VP of Engineering for Android, detailed this week that the Android 12 beta is by far the platform's most downloaded and installed beta ever. That, obviously, is fantastic news for Google. Unfortunately, Burke doesn't provide specifics and there's not a great way to even estimate what that number could be. Tens of thousands? Heck, hundreds of thousands? No matter what the number may be, Android 12 has been downloaded more than any other beta "by far" and that's saying something. While we don't necessarily care how many times it has been downloaded, what we can attest to is how great the beta is. While it has no shortage of little bugs, the overall feel and look of Android 12 on Pixel devices has us so excited for Google's upcoming hardware. Have you installed Android 12 on your own device? What are you thinking? https://twitter.com/davey_burke/status/1402714452999380993

This Android 12 Beta 2 Animation is Everything

Kellen — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 10:36:53 +0000

The change to the notification panel in Android 12 Beta 2 is still a bit of shocking experience each time I swipe down the statusbar, even 24 hours into this. But here's the thing - if you do it slowly and watch the careful animation that Google introduced with it, all is well in the world. Seriously, I could watch this over and over and over again. The slower the better too. The slide from the top, transforming into a notification page while it reveals the Quick Settings shortcuts that lay behind it, slowly fading the clock...it's so good. Shocking, but good. Even sliding it back up to reverse the transformation is satisfying. Animations are fun.

Chromecast With Google TV Gets Its Stadia Support Update

Tim — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 10:26:41 +0000

As you can see above, Google is shipping out the QTS1 update to the Chromecast With Google TV, the update that brings along support for Stadia. If you've been waiting patiently for this support, the day has come. In addition to support for Stadia, the changelog lists Bluetooth latency improvements, a fix for advanced video settings resetting, plus additional bug fixes. Be on the lookout for that update!

Verizon Galaxy S20 Family Gets June Security Patch

Tim — Thu, 10 Jun 2021 08:06:27 +0000

Verizon and Samsung are sending out the June security patch to owners of Galaxy S20 devices. This continues Samsung's ongoing legacy of being the King of Android updates, and if you can't tell by now, we're having a lot of fun with that title. All that's listed inside of this update is the June security patch. There's nothing else to get excited about. Once updated, Galaxy S20 will be on software build version G981VSQS2DUE2, S20+ will be on G986USQS2DUE2, and S20 Ultra will be on G988USQS2DUE2. Go snag it. // Verizon

Samsung Could Show Off the Galaxy Watch 4 and New Wear OS Later This Month

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:19:35 +0000

The folks in Barcelona are hosting their big MWC conference at the end of this month for the first time in over a year as both an in-person and virtual event. Most of the big companies already (smartly) bailed on it, but organizers appear to have talked some, like Samsung, into hosting a virtual event or two to keep people paying attention. Often times, virtual events are pretty meh and tough to get excited about unless the tease for it says all of the right things. Samsung certainly said the right things for an upcoming event where they are likely to give us a first taste of their upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 device. An event listing for Monday, June 28 from Samsung says to expect talk of the Galaxy Ecosystem, Mobile Security, and a "New Watch Experience." The description then suggests Samsung will dive into how they are "reimagining smartwatches" and creating new opportunities for developers and consumers. Since Samsung mostly left all of the new Wear OS and platform talk to Google during I/O, when their partnership for wearables was revealed, this could be the first big opportunity for Samsung to show off what they've done with the new Wear. Since the new Wear is built to be customized by watchmakers, I'd imagine Samsung will show us what their One UI skin looks like when adapted to the new Wear and a watch for the first time. We don't necessarily expect Samsung to reveal all of the details about the upcoming Galaxy Watch 4 (and Galaxy Watch Active 4) at this event. After all, this is simply a virtual session at an online MWC. Rumors have already suggested that Samsung has a big Unpacked event for August where they should make their big new Wear watches official.

Verizon Galaxy Note 10, Note 20 Lineups Get June Security Patch

Tim — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 14:17:39 +0000

Verizon is shipping out the June security patch and a small system performance update to owners of Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 20 devices. With this move, Samsung continues its reign as the King of Android Updates Whose Name Isn't Google. Solid stuff, Samsung. Once updated, the Note 20 Ultra will be on software version N986USQU2DUC5, the Note 20 will have N981USQS2DUE2, the Note 10+ will have N975USQS6FUE3, the Note 10 will have N970USQS6FUE3, and the Note 10+ 5G will have N976VVRS6FUE3. If you own one of these devices, be on the lookout. This update is headed out now. // Verizon

Google Preps Messages App for Android 12's Colorful Material You

Tim — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 12:23:27 +0000

Recently spotted, Google is preparing its Messages app to beautifully integrate with Android 12's Material You user interface, bringing a bit of dynamic color to the messaging app. On Android 12, the UI's accent color can intelligently match whatever wallpaper you're using. More details on that here, as it's working wonderfully inside of the latest beta for Android 12. Well, Google is going a step further, bringing that same dynamic color support to Messages, as detailed by the good people at XDA. With the updated Messages app, which appears to be slowly rolling out to users, the portions of the app that will see colorful changes include the search bar, shortcut tabs, and the floating action button. As you'll note in the header image above from XDA, the wallpaper's purple color leaks into all portions of the UI, including that Messages app. Android 12 is gonna be sweet, people.

// XDA

Android 12 Beta 2 Made Quick Settings Even More Powerful With New Tiles

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:57:11 +0000

The Quick Settings area in Android has been one of its most powerful areas for a number of years. There's a reason in our "First 10 Things" videos that we always recommend that you customize this, especially the first few settings to keep them handy. In the latest Android 12 Beta 2, Google has tweaked things further and added a few sweet new tiles to choose from. The first thing you'll notice is that the Quick Settings tiles now pull from your wallpaper, so mine are pink here because of my red wallpaper. More on that here. You'll then probably notice that you only have access to four settings tiles in the first swipe, which then expands to eight tiles with a second. You still have multiple pages of these to the right if you need them,

With the 2nd swipe and the Quick Settings area fully revealed, with brightness slider at the top, you should also now notice that a power button has joined at the bottom. This is there in situations where you may have turned on Google Assistant with a long-press of the physical power button.

In this Android 12 Beta 2, Google has moved the Home controls area from the power button menu into its own Quick Settings tile. It's labeled as "Device control" and it'll bring up your smart home controls with a single tap. There is a new Google Pay tile as well. For privacy-minded folks, two new tiles to turn off or on camera and microphone access are available. Overall, I really like the new Quick Settings area, even if we did get a reduction in tiles/shortcuts in the first swipe down to just four. I like that the home, power, and Google Pay shortcuts have been added. The whole experience feels much more refined now.

Android 12 Beta 2 Adds New 'Quick Tap' Gesture to Pixel Phones

Tim — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:02:36 +0000

Google baked a new feature called Quick Tap into a previous build of Android 12, but sadly, it wasn't working. Now in Beta 2 for Android 12, it's definitely working and a great addition to Pixel devices -- especially the Pixel 5 which lacks squeezy sides.

Download: Android 12 Beta 2 for Pixel Phones

It's a pretty straightforward feature. When enabled, you can double tap the rear of your phone to do things, such as access Google Assistant, take a screenshot, play or pause media, and also open apps. You can set any app you'd like to open via Quick Tap's menu. Google also built in an option for stronger taps, just in case you're continuously accidentally setting the feature off. As far as we know, if your phone is eligible for the Android 12 beta, you'll have access to this. To turn it on to experience on your own Pixel device, head into Settings>System>Gestures. Pretty sweet!

Android 12's Wallpaper-Based Color Theme is Working!

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 11:01:56 +0000

One of the most anticipated changes to Android 12 that we've been hoping would arrive with each developer preview and now beta, has been the wallpaper-based theme engine. It's been on our wishlist from the moment it leaked because it could really change the way we set out to customize our Android phones like never before. In Android 12 Beta 2, it's working! The idea here is that when you set a wallpaper, the system pulls colors from that wallpaper to theme items, like the background of settings or Quick Settings tiles, etc. The color hints that Android 12 is using here are pretty subtle, but we're hoping there will be more controls over this stuff at some point. To show it in action, I grabbed a Mandalorian wallpaper that is heavy in oranges and yellows. I took several screenshots before switching over to a straight-blue wallpaper. This is how Android 12 is changing things based on those two color profiles:

Subtle, right? When you first change the wallpaper, your eyes take a minute to realize what the system tweaked, but when you lay it out here, you can really see the difference. Pretty cool!

At the moment, we aren't finding settings for this stuff and it appears to just be on by default. I'd imagine the Styles & Wallpapers area needs some sort of update to give us additional ways to tweak this, possibly with a color picker that choose from the wallpaper? I don't know, but something is missing.

What's New in Android 12 Beta 2? (Updated)

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:00:03 +0000

Now that you have the Android 12 Beta 2 up and running on your phone (or you are considering it), let's talk about all that is new in this latest build. Up front, Google wants you to know that the privacy dashboard, mic and camera indicators, and WiFi UX are all new and here, but we get the feeling there is more. We'll continue to update this post as we find everything new in Android 12 Beta 2!

Download Android 12 Beta 2 for Pixel phones

Privacy Dashboard

We thought the Privacy Dashboard might show up in Beta 1, but here it is now in Beta 2. Google wants this to be a centralized place for better visibility over the data that apps are accessing. It should offer a clear view or timeline of the apps trying to use your location, camera, and microphone over the past 24 hours. You can view other permissions in this Dashboard, but those 3 are the big ones Google is focusing on here.

Microphone and Camera indicators and toggles

We knew these were coming from previous leaks, but in Beta 2, Google is adding the microphone and camera indicators you see in the screenshot above in the top right corner. Those are there to tell you that apps have accessed those. You should be able to tap that to see recent usage history and which apps were involved. Google is also giving you system-level Quick Settings toggles to turn off both microphone and camera in the easiest way.

UPDATE: Here are the Quick Settings shortcuts.

New WiFi UX experience

Google says they've added a new "Internet" network connections area that pops-up when you long press the related Quick Settings tile. The point is to have "a simpler and more intuitive connectivity experience across the Status Bar, Quick Settings, and Settings." This new settings area should make it easier to switch between service providers or troubleshoot connection issues.

New quick settings tiles and shortcuts are here?

We'll update this section once we can flash Beta 2, but the screenshots Google posted today show a tweaked Quick Settings area that not only adds the Google Pay tile (was missing in Beta 1), we get new buttons below that. You can see the edit button for Quick Settings, but next to that we have a profile switcher, settings button, and a power menu button. That new power button is likely in response to Android 12 bringing support for Google Assistant to be accessed via the power button on the side of your phone. In Beta 1, turning that functionality on sort of made it difficult to turn your phone off or reboot it. This should fix that.

UPDATE: Here is that new power menu.

Enhanced Notifications

When you first boot Android 12 Beta 2, it tells you that Android has ditched Android Adaptive Notifications and switched to Enhanced Notifications. Clicking "Learn more" tells us that these show "suggested actions and replies, and organizes your notifications." These can access notification content, including personal info (!), and that it can "dismiss or respond to notifications, such as answering phone calls and controlling Do Not Disturb." OK, then. We'll see what else we can learn about these.

Notifications area has a new dedicated space, with a more prominent background.

So the notification area has changed. It has a separated round-top background from the Quick Settings area. If you swipe down for notifications and have none, you just get a big blank space with nothing in it. If you have notifications (below), it fills up nicely and looks less weird. But it really looks weird with nothing there.

The "Quick Tap" gesture works!

The double-tap gesture now works on the back of phones to open Assistant, take screenshots, open apps, and more. Here it is working with Google Assistant in these screenshots. To turn it on, head into Settings>System>Gestures.

The wallpaper color theme engine is working! We have colors everywhere!

To briefly explain, the system is now matching items to the prominent color of your wallpaper. Here I simply switched between orange and blue-heavy wallpapers that the system then pulled from. I wish the colors were slightly stronger, but there could be ways to tweak it. We're still playing!

Lock screen gets new Google Pay shortcut and screen

On the lock screen, Google added a new bottom-right corner shortcut to get you into Google Pay easier. Tapping that opens a new Pay screen where you can use your default cart or choose another. You will need to unlock your phone to do much more, but this makes Pay really easy to access. Updating this post with more!

Android 12 Beta 2 is Here for Your Pixel Phone

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 10:00:01 +0000

We are a few weeks removed from the initial introduction of the Android 12 Beta to Pixel phones, giving you and Google enough time to prepare for a second beta that hopefully fixes bugs and adds even more features. Today, that Android 12 Beta 2 arrives and does indeed bring some new goodies with it. Here is the new build number:

Release date: June 8, 2021 Build: SPB2.210513.007 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: June 2021 Google Play services: 21.18.16

The Android 12 Beta 2 is available for the same supported Pixel phones as before, so that means the Pixel 3, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4, Pixel 4a, and Pixel 5 can all grab it. To find out what's new, hit that link below. To get Beta 2 on your phone, jump past that link.

What's new in Android 12 Beta 2!

How to install Android 12 Beta 2

Android Beta Program The easiest way to sign-up for the Android 12 Beta program is through the Android Beta program. That's such a weird thing to type, but the Android Beta program lets you add your supported Pixel devices to whatever new build of Android that Google is testing and get those sent to your phone like any normal over-the-air-update. To sign-up for the Android 12 Beta, head over to the Android Beta site here. If you are already in the Android Beta program, you will get this update over-the-air, so start checking by heading into Settings>System>System update>Check for update. Factory Image / OTA Files If you don't feel like waiting for the over-the-air beta update to hit, you can always manually flash factory image or OTA files. Not that this process is that hard, but it does require ADB and a little action in a command prompt. These files are almost always posted and installed quicker than an over-the-air update, so you decide what to do. To find instructions on how to update to Android 12 manually, we’ve got you covered right here. To download the latest Android 12 factory images or OTA files, Google has them here and here.

Google Perfectly Measures Grave Using AR, Tosses 'Measure' App Inside

Tim — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 08:40:06 +0000

I feel like there is a lot of fun to be had for a headline on a post like this, and when you have so many ideas, you're never sure if you're using the right one. Regardless, if you can't tell from my somewhat morbid headline, Google has killed Measure, its AR-powered measuring app first introduced for all supported devices only a few years ago. I'm assuming the app wasn't used by many people, even though I can see how it could be very useful from time to time. Regardless, it wasn't rated very well in Google Play (2.9 star rating), so now it's "adios" to the app. Feel free to toss your funny headline ideas for this post down in the comments. Also, if you have previously installed the app, you can access and lay flowers on the app's landing page right here.

Moto G Stylus 5G is the Latest Affordable Phone From Motorola

Kellen — Wed, 09 Jun 2021 06:00:23 +0000

Motorola has a new phone today that they'd like you to know all about if your smartphone budget is limited. It's called the Moto G Stylus 5G and it does indeed have a stylus as well as 5G. For specs, you are looking at a 6.8" full HD display, Snapdragon 480 processor, 4GB/6GB RAM, 128GB/256GB storage (with microSD slot), 5000mAh battery, Bluetooth 5.1, 3.5mm headphone jack, fingerprint reader, and a quad camera setup. That camera setup includes a main 48MP shooter that bins photos down to 12MP, along with 5MP macro, 8MP ultra-wide, and 2MP depth sensor lenses. The front camera weighs in at 16MP. Motorola, for reasons I'm just never going to accept, left out NFC in this phone like they do in so many Moto G phones here. If it's a cost cutting measure, that's just stupid. You can put a 3.5mm jack and a bunch of worthless depth sensors in a phone, but not NFC? Get out of here. What's the pitch for the Moto G Stylus? 2-day battery life is one. The stylus could come in handy if a stylus is your thing, as it gives you more control over note-taking, doodling, and fidgeting on zoom calls. The display is large, but not 90Hz. And I guess it's priced OK, assuming you ignore the fact that Google's Pixel 4a line exists. Motorola says they'll update this phone to Android 12, but won't promise additional big updates. The Moto G Stylus comes in Cosmic Emerald and costs $399. It arrives unlocked in the US at retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, B&H Photo, Amazon, and Motorola.com on June 14. It should hit carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cricket in the near future.

Google Play Update is Getting Weird With App Management

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 12:46:48 +0000

Google is rolling out an update to Google Play that first made an appearance a couple of weeks back, but seems to be hitting more devices this week. The update is noteworthy because it dramatically changes the "My apps & games" section into a new "Manage apps & device" area where everything looks and functions differently. In this new "Manage apps & device" area, you'll find only two pages for "Overview" and "Manage." Before this update, you had Updates, Installed, Library, Share, and Beta, all of which made quite a bit of sense from a management perspective. Now, though, you are going to have to get used to a setup that involves new taps, filtering, etc. to get old tasks done in a new way. The "Overview" page shows your Play Protect status, if you have updates available (including how many, with buttons to update or see details), how much storage you are using, a shortcut for sharing apps, and another for dealing with your ratings and reviews. So instead of heading into the Updates page of old, where you had a list of apps with updates available at the top of a recently updated list, you now can see how many updates you have pending, but will then need to tap one of two buttons to get to the update page to make that happen.

Where things get really weird is in the "Manage" page. From here, you can filter by Installed or Not Installed, by those with updates available, or if they are games. You can even sort from there in a number of ways, by size or name or most/leased used. Need to find your beta apps, like you used to be able to do in a separate panel? The friend of the site who sent these screenshots says they have looked and looked and looked and still cannot find anything resembling that old beta section. I'm not sure how important or used it was, but it was a way to keep up with your various beta experiences in one place.

Neither Tim or I are seeing the update, but I already saw at least one reddit thread complaining about it earlier today. I'm running the same Google Play build of 25.6.14-21 as is seen above without the changes. This isn't the first big change to Google Play in recent months. You are still probably trying to get used to the end of the hamburger menu and the account switcher now being your main menu. I know I'm still struggling with it. They did start testing that back in January, so if you aren't seeing the change above, it could be a while before we all get it. That's how Google rolls. Seeing the new manage apps area? Thoughts?

AT&T Provides 6-Month Stadia Trial to Customers, $20 Premiere Bundles

Tim — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:24:34 +0000

AT&T announced this morning that it's partnering with Google to hand out 6-month Stadia trials to its new and existing Wireless and Fiber customers. This news is cool should you have been wanting a way to play the new Resident Evil title, but in addition, the carrier is also offering Stadia Premiere Bundles (Chromecast Ultra + Stadia controller) for $19.99, a discount of $80. AT&T is quick to say it's for new and existing customers, the only issue is, the promotion appears to only be for those on select Unlimited data plans and who are adding or upgrading to a 5G phone. For a limited Stadia trial, that is a really lame requirement in my view. While some may argue that there is a decrease in popularity, AT&T says that, "With the increasing popularity of cloud gaming, our high-speed 5G and fiber networks are becoming more important than ever ... The premium Stadia Pro subscription is a great way for people to experience AAA titles over our network using the smart phones and smart TVs they already own." So if you plan to be upgrading or buying a new 5G phone on AT&T soon, be on the lookout for this free Stadia promo. If you're anybody else, ignore it. // AT&T

Galaxy Watch 3 is $150 Off, Which is a Lot

Kellen — Tue, 08 Jun 2021 08:23:23 +0000

Samsung is closing in on its launch of new watches and a switch over to Google's Wear OS platform, so that likely means it's time to clear out inventory of the Galaxy Watch 3. Through almost any retailer selling the Watch 3, you'll currently find a $150 off deal that drops the starting price to $250. It's a great price for a solid watch. You may be thinking at this moment, "But Kellen, they are ditching the Tizen OS on these watches for Wear, why would we buy this sh*t?" My response would be that, well, Samsung has committed to supporting this watch for 3 years from when it launched, so it has a little over 2 years left. For a smartwatch, that's not bad support. Also, with the specs and hardware here on the Watch 3, it should easily run that long and still be a good watch. Samsung has become the king of updates over the long haul and I can't imagine they won't keep their promise for these watches. So you have the 41mm Watch 3 starting at $250, but the bigger 45mm is also discounted to $280. You'll even find the same $150 off deal on the LTE models if that's your thing. It's blowout sale time, folks.

Shop Galaxy Watch 3 $150 off deals:

Samsung's New Lineup of Foldables Might Get Much Needed Price Drop

Tim — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:58:04 +0000

Samsung's foldable phones are expensive. Even the less expensive Galaxy Z Flip devices were abut $1400 at launch, and in order to get folks on board with this foldable trend, the price has got to come down. That's one of the key things Samsung has been discussing for some time, the idea of bringing the cost of entry into the foldable world down enough to get lots of people onboard. In 2021, that might finally be happening. According to a report SamMobile, 3rd-gen Galaxy Z foldable devices could see a price reduction of up to 20%. Using the $2,000 Galaxy Z Fold 2 as an example, that could be a discount as much as $400 for a starting price. When you consider that the Galaxy Z Fold 3 is reported to be a good step up from last year's flagship foldable, this is excellent news. And as always, we expect Samsung to offer decent trade-in values and pre-order promotions for its new phones. I always considered $1499 a sweet price goal for these fancy foldables. Anything over $1500 sounds ridiculous for an Android device, even for how cool the Galaxy Z Fold devices are. If this news pans out and the Z Fold 3 comes in around $1599, that would still be very impressive and possibly tempting for a lot more people. Would a cost drop tempt you into the world of Samsung foldables? It better. These phones are awesome. // SamMobile

Apple Introduces Android Fragmentation With iOS 15

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 12:34:34 +0000

Watching the WWDC keynote today, I took in all that Apple announced for iOS 15 and WatchOS and the App Store and whatever other platforms they made time for. None of it moved the needle much for an Android user like myself, but after digging through the lengthy written changelog, I found something that sure did. Dude, Apple is adopting Android's fragmentation! It's a new feature! Someone can correct me if I'm wrong here, but one of the big new changes for iOS 15 sure sounds like Apple taking on the feature they love to give Android hell for. After spending years of keynotes putting up that obnoxious slide that showed how fast iOS devices were at adopting new builds vs. Android's lack of doing so, they are now giving iPhone owners a choice if they want to experience that life. Take a look at this! So if I'm reading this correctly, Apple will let you choose the path of fragmentation if you don't want to upgrade to the latest version of iOS, which might change features or the way something works on your phone. Instead, you could just get security patches for a while "until you're ready to upgrade to the next major version." While not exactly like Android, since owners of so many phones don't have a choice and are simply stuck with old, outdated software that one hopes is at least up-to-date on a security front, it introduces the opportunity for chunks of people to remain on old versions of iOS. What a weird move! 😈

Google TV Live Tab Now Supports Sling TV

Tim — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:31:56 +0000

Since launch, Chromecast with Google TV has had a dedicated Live tab that is integrated with YouTube TV, allowing subscribers to scroll through a channel guide and quickly dive into shows and movies. Until now, that Live tab only worked with YouTube TV, but today, Sling TV subscribers can get in on the action. To get set up, all you'll need to do is link your existing Sling account to Google, then navigate to the Live tab and enjoy. This makes me curious if we might see Live tab open up to the other services, too. Maybe Hulu TV subscribers could appreciate this, too? This change goes live today. // Google

Apple Brings Facetime to Android Via the Web

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 10:27:51 +0000

Apple is hosting a pre-recorded version of its WWDC keynote today where they are announcing updates to various platforms, starting with iOS. There could be several updates to their mobile OS that relate to Android, but they kicked it off by announcing that Facetime will sort of make its way to Android. As a part of new Facetime links sharing feature, iOS users will be able to invite their non-iOS friends to a video call that they can jump on through a browser. This means Android and Windows users being able to join a Facetime call, something that was previously an iOS or Mac exclusive event. Apple said it will be encrypted as always too, so yeah, this seems like a nifty little addition to their popular video chatting solution. If Apple shares more (like availability), we'll try to update this post. They weren't clear on if this is coming only to iOS 15 later this year or if this could arrive sooner.

Stadia Comes to Chromecast With Google TV, Android TV Later This Month

Tim — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:28:28 +0000

Announced this morning, Stadia is coming to Android TV and the Chromecast with Google TV on June 23. This is either Stadia's dying breath or the start of a whole new chapter. We'll see! You can see the entire list of supported Android TV devices below. It includes the big dogs, like the SHIELD TV units and Chromecast with Google TV, but also includes a select number of Smart TVs. I'm not seeing my TV supported, but Stadia says users can opt into experimental support. Details on that below.

Supported Devices

Chromecast with Google TV
Hisense Android Smart TVs (U7G, U8G, U9G)
Nvidia Shield TV
Nvidia Shield TV Pro
Onn FHD Streaming Stick and UHD Streaming Device
Philips 8215, 8505, and OLED 935/805 Series Android TVs
Xiaomi MIBOX3 and MIBOX4

As detailed, "For Android TV OS devices not on this list, you can opt into experimental support to play Stadia. While this feature is still in development and not every Android TV OS device will work perfectly, you can now try out Stadia and play your favorite games on more screens than ever before. To get started, install the Stadia app from the Play Store, launch it from the 'My Apps' row on your TV, and press 'Continue' at the opt-in screen." This is a good excuse to bust open my Stadia subscription and try the new Resident Evil, but naw, I'm easily startled. // Stadia

New Pixel Feature Drop Adds New Astrophotography Video, Gboard Smarts, More

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:23:22 +0000

As a part of the June Android security update today, Google is issuing another set of new features to their Pixel phones with a fresh Pixel Feature Drop. In this latest drop, Google is adding a new astrolapse camera feature, improved copying and pasting in Gboard, easier ways to accept or reject calls, and a bunch of Pride-themed wallpapers and ringtones. The first, which we found out about last week, is a new astrophotography mode that not only captures photos, it'll now create a video of the stars moving across the sky. When you fire up Night Sight to capture the stars, your camera will automatically save both photo and video to your phone. This is available on Pixel 4 and newer devices. In Gboard, when you copy text that includes phone numbers or email addresses or URLs, the "important pieces of the information suggested in the clipboard" will now show in the suggestions in a clearer way. Check out how it'll look here.

Also now, when someone calls you, you can say "Hey Google, answer call" or "Hey Google, reject call" to deal with whoever is ringing you at the moment. I know that swiping a call away is easy enough, but this is a neat trick for those times where you don't want to do that or your phone isn't within reach. And finally for new stuff, Google is adding three new Pride wallpapers (below) and ringtones and notifications. Be on the lookout for these as your Google-related apps update on Google Play in the coming days.

As for other stuff, Google is highlighting Google Photos Locked Folder, Digital Wellbeing warning you to be careful while walking and using your phone, car crash detection, call screening, and transcribe in Recorder as being new bonuses to the Pixel line. A lot of this stuff has been around in the US or was just announced at I/O, but Google is expanding to new countries. To find out specifics, hit up this post or look below at the chart of features and where they are available now.

Grab that update!

June 2021 Android Security Update Now Available for Google Pixel Phones

Kellen — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 09:12:11 +0000

This might seem late, but Google is following its typical schedule with the release of June Android security update for its Pixel phones. It's available today if you own a Pixel 3 up through the Pixel 5, and this month includes new Pixel Feature Drop goodies. If you own one of the still-supported Pixel phones, you should find both factory image and OTA files available if you'd like to update right away with a bit of work. However, the over-the-air push should start momentarily if you want to grab the update without much effort by heading into Settings>System>Advanced>System update. Currently, we are seeing new 11.0.0 files for Pixel 5 (RQ3A.210605.005), Pixel 4a 5G (RQ3A.210605.005), Pixel 4a (RQ3A.210605.005), Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL (RQ3A.210605.005), Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL (RQ3A.210605.005), and Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL (RQ3A.210605.005). To find out all of the new additions as a part of this month's June Pixel Feature Drop, check out this post. If you just want to know about the bug fixes, those can be found below:

Google should begin pushing these updates shortly, but if you don’t want to wait for Google and prefer to update manually, you will find each factory 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. Links:

OnePlus Nord N200 Comes With 5G and FHD 90Hz Display for Under $250

Tim — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 08:58:05 +0000

OnePlus is giving us more details on the Nord N200 5G this week, a followup to the N100. We still don't have a release date, but in the meantime, we have some specs and a price. That's most important, yeah? This Nord N200 should be one to consider if you're on a budget, as it's now known to be equipped with a 6.49-inch 1080p LCD display and a refresh rate of 90Hz. The device also comes with 5G, obviously, all for the price of under $250. That's kinda remarkable. Other specs include three rear-facing cameras, plus a side-mounted power button slash fingerprint reader. At the current rate, this phone will hopefully launch this summer. That's the plan at least. OnePlus made the device official last month, but gave us no specifics. So far, this thing is shaping up quite nicely. We'll keep you posted as OnePlus trickles more info out. // PCMag

Sign Me Up for Galaxy S21 FE in Matte Olive Green

Tim — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 08:27:28 +0000

We have a few new colors to look forward to for the Galaxy S21 FE, should these images be accurate. We still don't know when this phone is launching, but hey, we'll take anything during this time of year. As you can see, there will be no shortage of options for the Galaxy S21 FE, with at least four colors in the works. We have a sweet matte olive green (not the official name), matte plum (not official), black, and white.

These renders come from @evleaks, so we're pretty confident in their accuracy. Plus, they align with what we've seen already for the Galaxy S21 FE. If you need a freshening up, expect a flat 6.4-inch AMOLED display with a hopefully upped refresh rate, triple rear camera setup, and metal frame with “glastic” backside. There's even an entire 3D model of the supposed S21 FE that you can play with online. Cool, right? Come on, Samsung. Hurry up and release this thing.

// @evleaks

Fossil Confirms Gen 6 Watch on the New Wear Platform With Premium Price

Kellen — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 12:27:51 +0000

From the moment Qualcomm updated its wearable chipset line a year ago, we figured Fossil would show up shortly after with an announcement for the Fossil Gen 6. As the biggest player in the Wear OS game, it only made sense that they would adopt the new platform and continue to lead. But then weeks passed, months of silence turned into a year, and nothing came to pass. We wondered what was up and then assumed the silence was because Google notified partners not to do much until they could show off the new Wear platform. Now that the new Wear platform is official, Fossil has started talking. The Fossil Gen 6 has been confirmed and it will be a premium smartwatch. Speaking with CNET, Fossil described their next watch as "premium," suggesting it could carry a price tag north of the $200-$300 range we've seen for years. They are including "All of the software benefits that Google's talking about and launching with the unified platform," a Fossil executive explained, while also mentioning "some pretty major hardware upgrades" in the works. It sounds like Fossil is planning for a single premium watch for this year with the launch of the new Wear platform, but could add follow-up models each year, where we'd see previous year models discounted. But it also sounds like you may not see the regular flash sales like we have in the past. Fossil is talking serious premium offerings here. As for the other Fossil brands that have made watches in the past, like Skagen and Diesel, there is a good chance we'll see new watches for the new platform from them as well. Unfortunately, Fossil has confirmed that older watches ~~will~~ may not be upgraded to this new Wear platform. More discussion on that awful news right here with a big new statement from Fossil. (Updated) This new Fossil Gen 6 is scheduled to launch this fall.

Fossil Won't Upgrade Older Watches to New Wear Platform (Updated)

Kellen — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 12:27:48 +0000

In a bit of breaking news on this random Saturday, Fossil confirmed a couple of big items on our Wear OS future checklist. The first we just shared with you, and that's news of the Fossil Gen 6 arriving this year running the new Wear platform and likely carrying a premium price. Unfortunately, the second piece of news is not going to make owners of older Fossil watches happy. Fossil confirmed today that it will not be upgrading existing Fossil watches to the new Wear OS platform that Google and Samsung announced at Google I/O. No explanation was given to CNET, and the mention of it was a single sentence. I sure hope Fossil plans to further explain themselves. I can't say this news is that surprising, only because Google was not open to talking about this specific subject when they announced the new Wear. That's exactly why we told you not to buy a Wear OS watch right now, because Google could have easily said, "Yes, older watches can upgrade, but we'll leave it to watchmakers." Instead, they punted, leaving open this exact possibility. So what does this mean for the Fossil Gen 5, Fossil Sport, Fossil Gen 5E, and numerous Fossil brand watches? Again, Fossil hasn't explained beyond a single comment in an interview that was shared. My guess is that support will be limited to almost nothing going forward. You may get a bug fixer or security patch here and there, but I wouldn't expect new features. If you own one of their older watches, this will probably signal a time for you to think about upgrading or moving on when the new wave of watches arrives. UPDATE 6/7: Fossil reached out today to provide an update on the situation with more clarity. It sounds like Fossil still has updates planned for Fossil Gen 5 and Gen 5E, with new features, and that they are still trying to figure out how to maximize the use of the new Wear platform and support older devices. Here's the full statement:

At Fossil, our product and engineering teams continue to innovate on the Gen 5 and Gen 5E smartwatches, which will result in new software features being launched later this year and into next year. With regards to the operating system, we will be leveraging the unified platform announced at I/O, and our policy is to bring the maximum amount of innovation that Google will enable to each of our generation of smartwatches. Future upgrade plans are still being developed, and we will continue to make announcements later this year. For more details on our upcoming smartwatch platform this fall, we will be able to share more with you soon!

Let it out Fossil owners, we're here for you.

Waiting for the Pixel 6

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:10:13 +0000

The month of June just kicked off and with a quick glance at the calendar you start to...oh good lord this is going to be a long, sluggish year. 2021 may go down as the most uninteresting tech year in some time, unless one company can deliver. I feel like all that's worth doing at the moment is sitting here patiently, trying to wait for the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro from Google to arrive. No offense to the other players in the game, but what else do we have to look forward to? The Samsung Galaxy Fold 3, a $2,000 foldable that is unlikely to introduce dramatic changes over last year's Fold 2? I'm sure it'll be nice, but we're about to leave the couches behind and get back out into the world. Couch phones had their moment to shine. We need to be mobile again, my brother. There's also no Note 21 and I'm not about to get excited about a Galaxy S21 FE. The Galaxy Watch 4 line with Wear OS? OK, that could be fun and I am excited about the future of Wear and the fact that Samsung is switching back over, but we're still talking about smartwatches. I love a smartwatch, you know that. Do I look forward to smartwatches like I do my next phone? No, no, no.

A OnePlus 9T? We are assuming they'll make one, right? Look, I thought the OnePlus 9 Pro was a solid phone, but it's also a f*cking whale, the camera wasn't special, and the battery life on it was horrendous. To be honest, the phone was borderline ugly too. It did not leave me wanting more, so unless OnePlus completely switches it up with the 9T, I can't say I'm super excited about OnePlus' finishing months of 2021. After all of that, what's left? Motorola has gone silent after last year's Edge+ and the most interesting thing we know of from them is a leak of a new high-end smartwatch. Sony announced two phones that look excellent, but by the time they launch in the US at sky-high prices, they'll feel like old news. Not that they won't be good phones, it's just that they already told us about them and then asked us to wait months to finally play. And that brings us back to the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. We think both will run Google's own chip that will allow them to ditch Qualcomm. The designs have leaked and they look wild as hell in a so-bad-they-could-be-good way. We're pretty sure a big camera overhaul is coming with that crazy design. Android 12 could bring all of the new UI hotness as a Pixel exclusive. It really looks like Google might (finally) go all out on a Pixel line. So again, apologies to everyone else still playing, but unless you have some tricks up your sleeves, I'll be over here waiting for you know what. Hot renders made by the legend, @PhoneDesigner.

New Astrophotography Time-Lapse Feature Hinted at in Pixel Code

Tim — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 11:01:34 +0000

As Google Camera's Night Sight and Astrophotography biggest advocate, the following news has me pretty pumped up. Spotted by the good people at XDA, code in an updated version of the Pixel Tips app hints at an upcoming feature for the beloved Google Camera. As detailed, "CameraAstrotimelapseSettingController" is mentioned, pointing directly to the potential for a new Astrophotography Time-Lapse feature. What does it mean, though? Well, with the way the current Astrophotography mode works, the camera snaps a shot of the night sky over the course of a 4-minute max period of time, allowing for ample light to hit the sensor and for the night sky to really take shape. A time lapse, on the other hand, is great for capturing the movement of celestial bodies over the course of not minutes, but hours. For example, you've probably seen shots like this, where trails of stars are photoed by capturing multiple images as they move across the night sky and then stacked into a single image using special software. Photographers have long used the star Polaris (the North Star) to make it appear that all other stars are arcing around it. It makes for a great shot, and with an Astro Time-lapse mode, this would be easily possible with smartphones. These are the sort of features that can capture a phone buyer's imagination, just the sort of thing I've been hoping to see Google bake into a new flagship device. If this feature indeed launches onboard the Pixel 6 lineup, there will be plenty of astrophotography nerds, including myself, lining up to give this feature a try. Bring it on, Google. // XDA

Galaxy Note 9 is Old and Just Got a Fresh Update

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 10:46:06 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is closing in on a 3-year anniversary, so it'll soon stop receiving monthly updates. But thankfully, because we haven't reached that point, this oldish device is still grabbing them every few weeks. Today, Verizon and Samsung are pushing software version QP1A.190711.020.N960USQU8FUE1 to the Note 9. This is a similar May Android security patch to the one that most Samsung devices picked up last month. In the changelog, we can see that not only does it get that new security patch, it gets "enhancements to Quick Share for easily sharing files to other Android devices." New stuff! To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates.

When Do Google, Samsung, and Other Android Phones Get Updates?

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 10:35:33 +0000

ZTE is Back, Launches Axon 30 Ultra in the US Starting at $749

Tim — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:38:44 +0000

ZTE, once banned in the US, is launching a major phone for the US market. While I'm pretty sure folks could still technically buy ZTE devices in the US during all of the past drama, the launch for the Axon 30 Ultra feels like a big deal. This is a premium flagship device, featuring high-end specs and a price to match. The spec highlights include a 6.67 inches FHD+ (2400×1080) 20:9 AMOLED display with 144Hz refresh rate, Snapdragon 888 processor, base of 8GB RAM, 128GB storage, four rear cameras with the main being a 64-megapixel Sony-made IMX686 sensor, 5G connectivity, 4600mAh battery with 65W fast charge, optical fingerprint reader, dual front speaker, WiFi 6E, and the MyOS11 software that is based on Android 11. Design wise, it looks pretty similar to some of Samsung and OnePlus' devices, which is just fine. It's a big phone with a big screen coupled with a huge camera system. While it's certainly an interesting thought, I don't think I'd rush to tell people to buy this phone. While ZTE has a solid history of making good phones, we have no idea what to expect with regards to software updates. We asked for a review unit a bit ago, but who knows if we'll get one in. We shall see. If you want to try something different, follow the link below.

ZTE Buy Link

// ZTE

TicWatch Pro 3 Gets Best Price Ever at $209 ($90 Off)

Kellen — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:03:03 +0000

It has only been a couple of weeks since I told you not to buy a Wear OS watch at the moment because the future of current watches is up in the air. With a big Wear overhaul coming from Google (and Samsung), we haven't been given any guarantees that watches already on the market will see a big update to what's new or continue to receive much support. But there is one tiny exception - the TicWatch Pro 3, which just so happens to be at its lowest price to date today. In a deal of the day at Amazon, you can buy a Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 for $209.99, a $90 price drop from its retail price. We have seen a number of discounts on this watch that typically drop it to $255 through a lightning sale (there was one earlier this week already), but this is the biggest yet. At $209, you are getting the best Wear OS watch currently available with a Snapdragon Wear 4100 chipset that may continue to be used well into the Wear OS future. It's a modern chip that makes a big difference in performance and battery life. When the new Wear is here, it would be odd to see it disappear or not see some level of support. So while we haven't been given any guarantees that Wear OS and the 4100 will be friends forever, I'd be surprised if they weren't. $209, folks!

Shop TicWatch Pro 3 at Amazon

Poll: Do Monthly Android Updates Matter to You?

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 15:48:48 +0000

Owning an Android phone used to mean a guessing game over whether or not you would receive updates and for how long. Thankfully, that has changed quite a bit in part because there are fewer players to try to understand, but also because the few remaining companies making phones have been clearer with their schedules. For example, we know that Google delivers monthly security updates for a full three years and rarely misses delivery. We know that they also deliver three years of big Android version updates the minute they are available. Samsung, on the other hand, gives a full three years of monthly updates (sometimes before Google pushes them) followed by an additional year of quarterly updates. They give three years of version updates too, but not as quickly as Google, though they have started to push them within about 3-4 months of Google doing so. And then you have OnePlus, who is on a three year schedule for bi-monthly security patches, along with two years of regular updates that includes feature updates and Android version upgrades. Their update schedule is not easy to follow, but they do issue updates pretty regularly, especially for their newer, higher-end devices. If you own one of their Nord phones, well, you shouldn't buy those expecting much software support. After those three companies, there aren't many left who make phones worth talking about, but we do know that Motorola is really bad at updates. Their $1,000 Edge+ phone has seen all of six updates in a year, one of which was an update to Android 11 that took six full months from when Google released it. Sony is equally as bad here in the US, if not worse. So as you can see, Android updates aren't so unpredictable any longer. We know when Samsung and Google will release them and for how long. OnePlus has mostly committed to telling us what's going on too. And then after that, I'm not sure there are many players left who you can rely on, but those first three companies carry a good portion of Android sales in the US. And that brings us (finally) around to the poll we meant to ask you today - do monthly Android updates matter to you? We know that you guys buy a lot of Samsung and Google phones around here, but are you doing so because you care a lot about timely updates or is that a bonus? Do you own a OnePlus device and find frustration in their wonky rollouts or are you find with mostly-regular updates? Are updates not important at all to you if the hardware is right? Let us know. [poll id="571"]

Fancy New Philips Hue App Version 4.0 is Rolling Out

Tim — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 11:34:34 +0000

Philips Hue users, big news for you today. The developers behind the Philips Hue app are pushing version 4.0 out to iOS and Android users this week, complete with all sorts of new goodies. According to the Hue blog, users can look forward to an updated look and feel for the app, complete with faster performance and "sleeker feel." While UI tweaks are always nice, it's features that we're most concerned with. As detailed, the biggest change is how Home/Away automation is controlled. Now, your Hue system will be more intelligent for when someone is still home. For example, if the head of the home left, lights could automatically turn off, not knowing that other folks are still home. Now everyone in the house can trigger the home/away status, meaning members of your home won't have the lights go out on them when you leave the house. The changelog also notes that users with more than one Hue Bridge will be able to easily switch between Bridges, making that whole process much smoother. In addition, an Automations tab has replaced Routines, "offering more flexibility in customizing the way you use your lights." There also appears to be an updated room layout view. With the update, it looks like you can create a 3D model of your room, making light placement look a bit more fancy. With this, you can really pinpoint where your lights are living. I'll be diving into this and can report back if anyone is interested. I love me some Hue lights, but damn, they're expensive.

Google Play Link

// Philips

Future of the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) Sounds Not Good

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 11:05:08 +0000

With the release of the Pixel Buds A-Series today, it's fair to wonder if the new Google earbuds are plagued with the same connectivity issues as the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen). Early reviews seem to suggest that there aren't the substantial problems that many witnessed with the 2nd gen model and that is because of a key change made by Google in the A-Series. Unfortunately, it sounds like the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) might be bad forever. The audio cutouts and single-bud connection bugs that have been thoroughly documented by us over the past couple of years have never fully gone away from the 2nd gen model, even after a number of software updates. If you browse around any Pixel support or community gathering space, you won't have any trouble finding threads upon threads of complaints about how bad the Pixel Buds are. After so many updates failed to fully address their connection issues, you kind of start to wonder if there was some sort of hardware flaw. Those who considered that idea may be right. Google told 9to5Google that they changed the Pixel Buds A-Series to connect both buds directly to a device when paired, while the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) only connect a single bud and then relay that connection to the 2nd bud. With a double direct connection, the Pixel Buds A can apparently provide a "stronger transmission of power" with better latency too. It also seems to provide a more stable connection without a single bud needing to do almost all of the work. For the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen), knowing this fact makes a lot of sense now, as there are countless complaints about single earbuds connecting or not connecting at all. I've actually experienced it first hand and the fix forced me to perform the wonkiest factory reset possible in order to get them back in working order. So if you own a pair of Pixel Buds (2nd Gen), it sure seems to me like they are doomed to have issues forever because if Google could pull off a magic change to the way the A-Series connects, I'd imagine they would have already done so.

Google Pixel Buds A-Series Arrive at $99

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 09:28:16 +0000

After f*cking up and briefly announcing them a few weeks back, Google officially revealed the Pixel Buds A-Series today, a cheaper pair of true wireless earbuds. Starting at $99.99, these could be yours in a couple of weeks if you like earbuds in white or green. Google says the Pixel Buds A-Series feature 12mm dynamic custom speaker drivers, with "full, clear and natural sound" as well as a Bass Boost mode. They also utilize the spatial vent from the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) to reduce pressure in the ear. They do calls and give you access to Google Assistant too, plus they'll attempt to make those calls clearer as you move about noisy environments. As far as hardware goes, they have touch controls, though it appears the swipe-able touchpads are gone. I'd tell you for sure, but Google didn't give us the heads up, brief us, or send a review unit to test, so I have no idea. They are sweat and water resistant at IPX4 and should be solid for workouts. In the battery life department, you should see around 5 hours of use with up to 24 hours of extra charge in the included charging case. This appears to be another cut, as I do not believe the case has wireless charging. Thanks again for not telling us a thing, Google. The case does do quick charging. That's all I know! They launch June 17 and come in Clearly White or Dark Olive. You can pre-order today. We'll buy a pair one day and try to review, I guess? There are likely 800 other reviews out today, so enjoy those.

Pre-order Google Pixel Buds A

OnePlus: Let's Try That Android 12 Beta Again, Shall We?

Tim — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 08:26:57 +0000

OnePlus has a new Android 12 beta build for OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro owners, with the hope being that this build won't brick a bunch of phones. Oops. As we all know, flashing these builds is done so with plenty of risk and OnePlus makes that very clear on their forums. If you aren't a developer, you should probably stay away from OnePlus' Android 12 beta. This time around, OnePlus says that this release is only available after "careful testing and verification." You see, a Factory Reset Protection (FRP) check was the cause of the last beta build's issues, and this time around, OnePlus has issued a hotfix to correct that problem. Below, you'll see a list of known issues and things to be aware of. For example, all your phone's data will be wiped. If you try to use the camera's HDR mode, it'll likely crash. Want to use the fingerprint reader? Nope, it's busted.

Things to Know

All data will be cleared while flashing the build
Video call function is not available
Fingerprint unlock and face unlock are unavailable
Certain UI screens look less than desirable
Some apps may not function as expected
System stability issues
Probability of camera crash when HDR mode enabled.

Proceed at your own risk. // OnePlus

Twitter Blue Arrives in Canada and Australia With a Few Paid Features

Kellen — Thu, 03 Jun 2021 07:49:07 +0000

Twitter announced Twitter Blue today, a subscription version of Twitter that adds a couple of extra features onto your experience. For now, Twitter Blue is limited to Canada and Australia, but I'd imagine the plan is to roll this out quite widely over the coming months. With Twitter Blue, users can choose to pay $3.49 CAD or $4.49 AUD and that will get you 3 new features: bookmarks, an Undo Tweet button, and a reader mode. For the new bookmarks feature, Twitter is basically giving you Chrome's bookmark organization in that you'll be able to save Tweets to folders. Groundbreaking? No. Potentially useful to super Tweeters? Yes. The Undo button will likely come in handy if you've just fired off a Tweet in a hurry and realized there is a typo. You'll get to set a timer up to 30 seconds that lets you undo a Tweet before it sends. No, it's not an edit button, but it does preview your Tweet before it posts to your timeline, giving you one final chance to fix it. And finally, the Reader mode tries to help you "keep up with long threads on Twitter by turning them into easy-to-read text so you can read all the latest content seamlessly." You no longer need to ask the unroll thread bot to put in work, Twitter is going to try to do it for you.

Want more perks as a paid Twitter user? You'll find controls for customizable app icons, "fun" color themes, and a dedicated customer support team. Still need more? Give Twitter some time - they have more planned. We'll let you know if Twitter Blue hits the US. // Twitter

If Google Made a Pixel 6 "Panda" Color...

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 12:30:05 +0000

Should the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro arrive looking like all of the recent renders that have surfaced, we might get one of the most radical phone design turn-arounds in history. Going from the Pixel 5 to this would present a wild change in direction that we rarely see. We would go from as boring and safe as it gets to "Oh, you wanted us to get wild, then watch this" in a heartbeat. Some of the first leaks of this design suggested we could see a white-orange combo design along with a soft gold. Knowing Google, I wouldn't be surprised if we see an all-black version as well. People love a solid all-black phone. But you know what would make for the ultimate option as a throwback to better times that would beautifully usher in a new era? A Pixel 6 in "Panda" or "Penguin," as we actually liked to call it. Not familiar with the color scheme? You would have to look back at the Pixel 2 XL, a phone I called "my iPhone" and that was without a doubt the best looking phone Google has released in the Pixel line.

While we have no evidence that Google is making a Black & White version of the Pixel 6, concept creator @PhoneDesigner knows the history of Google's color choices and mocked up what the phone could look like. To say that this would be the one is an understatement of all time. Look at how hot this phone could be if Google took on this idea. Google is apparently bringing us a massive camera housing that runs horizontal across the phone's back, a simple front-side with hole punch camera, and a couple of size options to choose from. That camera bar makes for an awkward look unless you play into it with colors. The leaked renders gave us whites and oranges and golds surrounding it, but something about the black above the camera helps hide it some, while also drawing the right amount of attention. And that orange power button is the perfect finishing touch. You guys, this is the one I want. Tell Google I need it.

Eufy Intros Suite of New Outdoor Security Cameras, Smart Delivery Locker

Tim — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 11:34:43 +0000

The good people at Eufy, a sub-brand of Anker, introduced a suite of new outdoor security cameras this week, all going on sale either later this month or shortly thereafter. If you're looking for feature rich cameras, but don't want to pay out the nose, you'll be happy to learn that Eufy has been making solid products that we can attest to for some time. My wife has a Eufy vacuum that she loves, so that's a good sign. The new outdoor security camera lineup consists of the SoloCam E40 (2K resolution) and E20 (1080p resolution), SoloCam L40 (2K) and L20 (1080p), SoloCam S40 (S for Solar, I assume), and the Floodlight Cam 2 Pro. Given the range, there's a camera for all sorts of needs. For example, the SoloCam S40 comes with a built-in solar panel, making it ideal for your summer cabin or on the outer perimeter or your existing property. The SoloCam L40 and L20 offer built-in LED lighting as well as 90dB alarm that will scare off intruders, making it good for backyard setups. Then you have something like the Floodlight Cam 2 Pro, complete with 360-degree pan/tilt functionality. Who needs a single wide-angle lens when you can see every inch of your yard with that thing? For pricing availability, the SoloCam E40 and E20 go on sale this starting at just $99. The SoloCam L40 and L20 go on sale next month starting at $149. The SoloCam S40 goes on sale in August, priced at $199. And the Floodlight Cam 2 Pro goes on sale in July for "around $299."

SmartDrop

SmartDrop, a smart package locker, was also detailed. It features a built-in camera AI-powered face and motion detection, multiple ways to open it (making it easy for owner and delivery people, but not porch pirates), Google Assistant compatibility, construction of cold-rolled carbon steel, 115L of capacity, weatherproofing, and it's completely wire-free. The device has a removable battery that can hold a charge for three months, so that's clutch. No pricing has been shared, but it will launch this August. I want one, I want one, I want one.

Camera Spec Breakdown

HBO Max With Ads is Here and These are Its Missing Features

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 11:28:52 +0000

To kick off a new month, HBO has gone ahead and launched the HBO Max With Ads version of its premium service. Confirmed last month to arrive in June, you can go ahead and sign-up for this more affordable plan, but understand that it is lacking a number of big features. For $9.99/mo instead of $14.99/mo you would pay for the Ad-free HBO Max, you certainly get a lot of great content, only with ads sprinkled in. HBO says to expect "thousands" of series, movies, and exclusive originals, like HBO has always given you. You'll find a curated kids' experience with parental controls, 5 profiles for a personalized household setup, and HD quality streams. Unfortunately, there are cuts that you might not want to deal with in addition to advertisements. For one, all of the big Warner Bros. movies that are scheduled to release on HBO Max throughout this year on the same day as theaters will only be available in the ad-free tier. The "With Ads" HBO Max won't have access. Additionally, you won't be able to download content for offline viewing and you are limited to the HD quality I mentioned above, while the ad-free tier gets up to 4K.

And speaking of advertisements, HBO says to expect about 4 minutes of ads per 1 hour of content watched. The frequency and type of ad will depend on the movie or series you are watching. You will see them both before and during content. As you probably guessed, you cannot skip them. To be honest, no ads, access to new movies released in theaters, 4K streams, and offline viewing is probably worth the extra $5. You tell me, though. To sign-up for HBO Max With Ads, head over to the HBO Max site.

Verizon Sends Out May Patch to Galaxy S10 Family

Tim — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 10:32:44 +0000

Verizon is shipping out the May security patch to the Galaxy S10 family of devices. That family consists of the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+ twin siblings, plus the baby child Galaxy S10e. Bless its little heart. On top of the May security patch, Verizon and Samsung list an improvement to the Quick Share menu, as well as additional performance improvements. Once updated, the Galaxy S10 will have software build version G973USQU5GUE2, the S10+ will have G975USQU5GUE2, and the S10e will have G970USQU5GUE2. Enjoy. // Verizon [2] [3]

Amazon Prime Day 2021 Kicks Off June 21

Tim — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 09:34:01 +0000

Prime Day is back yet again, this time scheduled to kick off on June 21 and last through June 22. There will be millions upon millions of deals to be had, so sayeth our great Amazon overlords. From what Amazon details, you can save big on TVs, headphones, clothes, pet accessories, home improvements items, and thousands of other things. We're sure it'll be ridiculous as always. You can expect a lot of deal posts those two days as we go over the Amazon website and handpick the best stuff we can find. There are always big savings on microSD cards, chargers, and other phone-related stuff. We love Prime Day here at Droid Life. Mark your calendars! // Amazon

Pixel Buds $80 Off Again If You Missed the Last Deal, More Colors Too

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 08:43:19 +0000

The Google Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) deal from yesterday that Verizon hosted sure sold out quickly. At $80 off, even with the rough history of Google's first true wireless earbuds, I can't say I blame you for jumping at them. If you missed it, we have another one for you! Online retailer Antonline has now dropped the same Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) in Clearly White to $99. So yeah, that's the same $80 off and just as good of a deal. However, if you have been eyeing the Almost Black or Quite Mint versions, those too have been discounted by $70, which leaves their prices at $109. These are the best prices to date. Need to catch up on the story of the Pixel Buds? I would start first with our review. Since that review I can tell you that a bunch of software updates have pushed to the Buds, fixing a number of issues they had out of the gate. I can also tell you that I continue to reach for them on most occasions because I love the fit, their touch pads, and think they sound pretty solid. Free shipping is included. Shop Pixel Buds at Antonline:

(Where the Pixel Buds A-series at, Google?)

Waze Teams Up With Boy George for Pride Month

Tim — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 08:32:23 +0000

To celebrate Pride Month, Waze is teaming up with Boy George, an absolute legend, for a special user experience. Naturally, music is involved, but on top of that, Boy George has loaned his voice to Waze to help navigate users to their destinations. On top of a new voice for people to enjoy, Waze has baked in new vehicle themes to help you celebrate Pride in fashion. Those can be accessed from your vehicle menu inside of the app. As I mentioned, there's music to consume, as Boy George has created a special Drive With Pride playlist that you can enjoy. You'll find many songs that celebrate acceptance, freedom of expression, and good ol' "love." Access the Drive With Pride playlist on Spotify. Happy Pride Month, everyone! // Waze

Verizon 5G Home Internet Finds 7 New Cities

Kellen — Wed, 02 Jun 2021 07:31:03 +0000

Verizon's rollout of home internet service continues this month with expansion into 7 new cities. After a slow start a few years back to kick off the 5G race, 5G Home has expanded quite a bit and will now be offered in 40 markets. Starting June 3, Verizon 5G Home goes live in Columbus, OH, Greensboro, NC, and Raleigh, NC. Then a week later on June 10, customers in Des Moines, IA, New Orleans, LA, Seattle, WA, and Tucson, AZ will get access as well. And those are your 7 new Verizon 5G Home markets. As has been the case since the beginning, Verizon 5G Home is only available in select areas of these cities. I'd show you a map to give an example, but Verizon hides those because the coverage area is so limited. Your best bet to see if your home would be covered is to use their availability checker. Verizon 5G Home still costs just $50/mo for Verizon customers or $70/mo if you aren't attached at the cellphone hip to them. As a 5G Home subsriber, you'll get "truly" unlimited data without caps, 300Mbps downloads (peaks up to 1Gbps), an easy self-setup, and free stuff, like a Stream TV box (it's Android TV), a Samsung Chromebook 4, subscriptions to Discovery+, etc. As a promo to help push 5G Home in all these new areas, Verizon is offering to pay up to $500 of your fees should you quit your current internet provider and switch over. Any Verizon 5G Home customers care to share their experiences?

LG Shuts Down LG Pay, Tens of People Likely Affected (Updated)

Tim — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 16:07:06 +0000

If you were a big LG fan, chances are you gave the company's mobile payment service, LG Pay, a chance. It was supported on a handful of the their phones, like the V50 ThinQ and G8, but while the service was live in the US, it got a lot of mixed reviews from users. The LG Pay app has a solid 3-star standing in Google Play. Anyway, just like LG's mobile phone business, LG Pay is going bye-bye. LG is letting users know that it will gradually wind the service down, but offered no timeline specifics. Those will likely come soon enough. Here's the message from LG.

Thank you for being a valued customer of LG Pay! We regret to inform you that LG Pay will be phasing out and discontinued over the remainder of 2021. More specific details will follow.

Damn. RIP, LG Pay! Update: The date has been set. LG Pay goes away on November 1, 2021.

We regret to inform you that the LG Pay Wallet service in the United States will be phasing out over the remainder of 2021 and discontinued on Nov. 1, 2021. As we wind down over the coming months, you may notice that we will: stop accepting new enrollments to LG Pay; stop allowing the addition of new cards to existing accounts (Credit/Debit/Prepaid Card, Gift Card, Loyalty Card); and no longer allow the purchase of new gift cards. However, you will be able to use your existing provisioned cards until the LG Pay service is completely decommissioned. In the interim, LG recommends that: (a) if you have an LG Pay Perks Card with a remaining balance, you use your remaining funds prior to the LG Pay Service Termination; and (b) if you have any gift cards in your LG Pay wallet to back them up for future use by saving the card number and pin outside of LG Pay.

// LG

Verizon OnePlus 8, LG Velvet Receive May Security Patch

Tim — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 14:15:44 +0000

Verizon is sending out updates to two devices this week, so owners of the LG Velvet and OnePlus 8, be on the lookout! The updates are focused around the May security patch, and according to the changelogs, that is all. Nothing too crazy happening here. Once updated, OnePlus 8 owners will see software version build IN2019_15_210521, while LG Velvet peeps will have G900VM20b. Updates are great, especially from companies that are leaving the smartphone business. Heck, these Velvets are basically collector items now. Go get your update. // Verizon [2]

Old Google Pay App Loses Ability to Claim Funds

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 13:40:37 +0000

The poor old Google Pay app continues to shed features as Google tries to push users over to the new app. After first losing its send/receive functionality last month, Google is now taking away the functionality that let you claim funds received. In a note posted today to Google Pay's support page, Google explained that you can no longer claim any funds in the old app that you may have received. This note, which you can read below, was added today after previously saying "You can still claim funds with the old Google Pay app."

As of June 1, 2021 you can't claim any funds with the old Google Pay app. To send or receive money with friends and family, download the new Google Pay app.

At this point, Google has taken away almost all good functionality from the old Google Pay app outside of making mobile payments. I'd imagine that will be gone soon, so if you haven't tried to transition over, you may want to consider it. Of course, the new Google Pay app requires you to sign-in with a phone number rather than your Google account and doesn't really work well across multiple devices. It may be pretty, but it almost feels like a step backwards from the older app.

Google's Pixel Buds Down to $99 in This Verizon Deal

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 11:06:22 +0000

Verizon may be running that 5G phone promo right now where they'll give you a bunch of bill credits to lock you into a 2-year contract on their network because 5G is supposed to matter today or something, but their current best deal is arguably on the Google Pixel Buds (2nd Gen). How does $99.99 sound for Google's top-end true wireless buds? At the moment (and we're not sure how long), Verizon has discounted the Pixel Buds (2nd Gen) to $99.99. That's $80 off and without a doubt the best deal ever on these. Verizon has the Clearly White version in-stock and will sell them to you even if you aren't a subscriber. All you do is hit that link below, click the "Check out" button, and then run through it as a guest if you aren't a subscriber. We know the Pixel Buds A-series are on the way, but I can't imagine they'll even be this cheap out of the gate, plus rumors suggest Google will cut features. I know this model of Pixel Buds has some issues and yet I'm still telling you this price is crazy good.

Shop Pixel Buds at Verizon

Google Play Pass Adds Lots of Games, Goes to More Countries

Tim — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 09:03:59 +0000

Google announced new gaming titles for Play Pass this week, its $5/month subscription app service, plus the launch in plenty of new countries. In total, there looks to be about 50 new titles available for playing, including a few sweet titles like Out There: Ω Edition, Evoland 2, Crying Suns, Risk, and plenty more. I'd list all of the games for you, but that'd be rude. The list is too long. To see the list of games, open up Google Play on your phone and check out the entire catalog. On top of the new titles, Google details that Play Pass is now available 48 additional markets across the globe. I'd list those markets for you too, but you get the gist. The list is too long. All of this sweet news follows the announcement that Verizon is offering a free year of Play Pass to those with select Unlimited phone plans. Free games? Score. Does anyone subscribe to Play Pass? // Google

Verizon Launches Campaign to Get Everyone on Its 5G Network

Tim — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 08:27:09 +0000

Verizon wants you and it wants you bad, willing to do pretty anything to get you on its 5G network and using one of its 5G phones. Allow me to break it down for you. If you're a Verizon customer, looking to upgrade your old junky phone, your carrier is offering you a trade-in for that phone (even if it has a broken screen or sticky buttons) in the form of a new 5G phone, free of charge. All you'll need to do is be on one of the carrier's Unlimited plans and be fine with monthly bill credits that pay for your free phone, which isn't the worst trade ever. For non-Verizon customers, they want you in an even worse way. Verizon announced this week that it'll pay for you to switch carriers and also allow you to trade in your old crappy phone for a new 5G smartphone, free of charge. All you'll need is one of Verizon's Unlimited plans after you've ported your old number and be ok with the same monthly bill credits. As you'd expect with a promotion such as this, there is plenty of fine detail and small text. As for hoops, there really aren't many after having gone through the specifics. For the free 5G phone, you'll need to select either the Galaxy S21 (128GB) or iPhone 12 mini (64GB). Technically, you can get whatever Android phone you want for free, so long as its price doesn't go above $799. That's the portion Verizon will cover each month. For those switching to Verizon, the carrier is covering that switch in the form of a $300 prepaid Mastercard. After successful port-in, you'll get your card within 8 weeks of switching. As a note, we've never been a fan of the language carriers use with regard to paying for consumers to switch carriers, but US consumer protection agencies don't seem to care, so there's no one to stop them. They do have the money for lobbyists anyway, so what we essentially have is corporations policing themselves, which is obviously a big f*cking joke. That's a Tuesday Tangent. So there you go. If you're on Verizon and want to upgrade to a new Galaxy S21, this promo is for you. If you're not on Verizon and want to switch, and get a Galaxy S21, this promo is also for you, so long as you're fine with that $300 gift card you'll receive after a couple of months and paying for those potential fees from your other carrier up front. Verizon suggests going into your local retail store for this offer, but you can also accomplish it via the My Verizon app.

Verizon Link

// Verizon

Apple TV Now on NVIDIA SHIELD TV (Updated: All Android TV Devices)

Kellen — Tue, 01 Jun 2021 08:00:09 +0000

Apple released the Apple TV app onto Google's Chromecast with Google TV back in February, but the popular NVIDIA SHIELD line of Android TV boxes was left out of the fun. That's changing this morning with NVIDIA sharing details about Apple TV's arrival to the platform. Starting today, SHIELD TV owners will be able to grab Apple TV and install on their SHIELD units, plus they'll have access to Apple TV+ subscriptions. That will give them all of Apple's original shows, like Ted Lasso and...well, isn't everyone just watching Ted Lasso? NVIDIA says that users will get streams in 4K HDR with Dolby Atmos support, that Google Assistant is there to control Apple TV (both playback controls and content searches), and you can expect the same 4K upscaling goodness you always get with SHIELD if content isn't in 4K already. To get Apple TV installed on your SHIELD, grab that beautiful little triangular remote and get to work.

UPDATE: Apple TV is actually available to all Android TV devices now, not just SHIELD. If you own something else, give it a look.

Google Play Link: Apple TV // NVIDIA

It's the Last Day for Free Unlimited Google Photos Storage

Kellen — Mon, 31 May 2021 09:13:51 +0000

That sure happened quickly. It feels like only a few days ago that we gave you the 1 month warning and now we're at the final day. Yes, friends, Google Photos will no longer have unlimited storage starting tomorrow, June 1, for almost everyone not holding a Google Pixel phone.

Google Photos no longer lets you backup photos for free

I can't imagine you didn't know this already, but for those just catching up, here's the deal - Google announced all of this in November 2020. In a somewhat surprising turn from everything was free forever, Google told the world that it would soon be time to pay for their excellent Photos product. That means from June 1 forward, all of the photos and videos you upload to Google Photos will start to count against the free 15GB of storage space that Google gives everyone with a Google account. Oh, you didn't know they gave everyone a free 15GB of storage? They do. This storage is used for lots of stuff, like the 25,000 emails you archived in Gmail over the past decade or two, your Google Drive account, and now Google Photos. 15GB was a decent amount of storage without Photos included. With those included, well, this is where things get tricky. So before June 1, you had free unlimited backups "High Quality" photos to your Google Photos account, where Google was reducing quality from original to not take up so much storage space. The "Original" quality or full resolution photos backup option hasn't been free for a while and counted against your free 15GB of storage (unless you own select Pixel phones). When tomorrow hits, you no longer get to backup with "High Quality" for free. Also, they are renaming "High Quality" to "Storage Saver" to help make more sense of it all. However, everything you uploaded prior to June 1 is there to stay and won't count against your storage cap. So if you hurry up today and upload, you should be good. But again, going forward, everything counts for almost everyone (it's only Pixel phone owners who get a pass).

What are you supposed to do now?

You have some options! If you really love Google Photos, like the way it organizes everything, love its search capabilities, and don't want to switch to a new service, then cool! Google is giving you new tools in Google Photos to track your storage usage of that free 15GB of storage, help clean-up unwanted photos, and warn you if you are closing in on a limit, plus they will gladly sell you a Google One plan to add more storage to your account. If you decide to stick with Google Photos and need more storage, Google One storage plans start at $2.99/mo for 200GB of storage. I can tell you that I've been on a 200GB plan for a couple of years now and upload at "Original" quality and I'm at 50% capacity. It could last you a while. The next step up from 200GB is 2TB and it costs $9.99/mo. There are bigger plans than that too. Oh, Tim has a sweet trick to potentially help you get free Google Photo storage through a Google One plan. Let's talk about that. Google Play Link: Google One

Get free Google Photos storage with this trick

You guys know about Google Opinion Rewards, right? This is Google's app that sends you random short surveys from time to time that pay you anywhere from a few cents to more than a dollar. They are often only a couple of questions long and typically relate to a recent location you stopped at or something you searched on Google for. The small amounts of money it pays you can really add up over time. Here's the thing - you can use that money to pay for your Google One storage. Your Google One storage, if you sign-up in the app and use Google Play to manage the subscription, lets you pay with any of the accounts you have attached to Google Play. One of the payment options, as you can see below from my account, is "Google play balance." Assuming I have enough money in there each month, that should cover my $2.99/mo-200GB plan.

Not sure that you'll get enough surveys to cover the cost? You probably will. In the month of May, I collected right around $2.80 in survey cash and I work from home and hardly go anywhere, so I rarely see location-based surveys. If you aren't like that, there's a chance you could rack up well over the $3 needed. Take a look at this post and see how much DL readers have made over the years. Of course, in doing so, you are likely feeding all of Google's search ad and tracking needs, but you may decide it's worth it for free Google Photos storage. Google Play Link: Google Opinion Rewards

Owning a Google Pixel phone is nice right now

I briefly hinted at this earlier, but if you own a Google Pixel 1 through Pixel 5, you can still upload to Google Photos for free on some level. Future Pixel phones likely won't keep this perk, so take advantage while you can. To read more on Google Pixel phones keeping unlimited backups, head on over here.

You are done with Google Photos and need an alternative

Let's say you are mad at Google and want to be done with Google Photos and certainly don't want to take surveys to pay for it. That's cool too! There are options from Microsoft's OneDrive to Amazon Prime's Photos product to off-line hard drive backups. Everyone has an app at this point and will backup your photos automatically, let you search within them, etc. Google Photos is great, but competing services like the two I just mentioned are pretty solid too.

Amazon Prime (best): If you are a Prime subscriber, this is going to be your best alternative in my opinion. With Prime, you get free unlimited photos storage at full resolution. That's big! You can also upload videos, but you only get 5GB for those. That full resolution backup is a big deal, though, especially since so many of you likely already have Prime. (Sign-up for Amazon Prime)
Microsoft OneDrive: If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get at least 1TB of storage already and can auto backup your photos collections to it. They also have plans as low as $1.99/mo with 100GB if you don't need 365. (Sign-up for OneDrive)

Have you picked your path forward yet?

Android 12's Big Lock Screen Clock is My Favorite New Thing

Kellen — Fri, 28 May 2021 10:33:36 +0000

There are a bunch of new Android 12 features to get excited about, like the upcoming wallpaper-based theme engine, the overhaul to UI elements, and new privacy controls. But as we often mention, sometimes the best changes are some of the smallest that add to your quality of life without doing much. In the Android 12 Beta 1, Google first revealed a new lock screen experience on Pixel phones that changes depending on the state of your phone. If your phone is all cleaned up without notifications waiting for you to take action, you get a big ass clock that makes it easy to know the time. If you have stuff to take care of, well, that clock shrinks upward to make way for each notification icon. I absolutely love this change. On almost every phone, including Pixels prior to Android 12, looking down at your phone almost always showed you the same thing. You get the time, date, and weather in a familiar format that never changes. As notifications roll in, they pile in line underneath. All of this is fine and it works. Always-on display is a beautiful advancement in smartphone tech.

But the problem with never adjusting the UI except for the addition of tiny icons, is that looking down on your lock screen forces you to take an extra few seconds to see if anything new has happened. Since nothing moves or changes much, you have to look for them without the help of your phone. On Android 12, Google is taking out any of the guess work and making it as obvious as ever if you are cleaned up and can go about your day. Your phone's clock is telling you in the simplest way that all is good or that you have notifications. It's like inbox zero for your lock screen. It's brilliant.

As I type this, I'm looking down at my phone and seeing the small clock, so I know that I have notifications. I'm going to stop for a minute to take care of them - hang on. OK, done. Now my clock is big and pretty and I know that I'm done for now. The time is obvious. The completeness of my moment is crystal clear. Sh*t, the clock is small again. Be right back. Anyways, you get it. You look down and see a big clock, now know the time - boom, move along. You look down a few minutes later and it's small - OK, what's up, phone? It's a small change, but oh is it useful.

Walmart's New $29 Onn 4K Android TV Box Sounds Interesting Enough

Tim — Fri, 28 May 2021 09:25:27 +0000

Walmart has a new Android TV streaming box, part of its Onn brand of super inexpensive alternatives to popular products. The last time I was at Walmart, Onn essentially has its own options for anything you might need in terms of tech. They do tablets, lamps, chargers, TV mounts, microSD cards, and everything in between. The best part is the pricing for these goods. It's all crazy cheap. Sure, the quality may not be the same as more expensive counterparts, but hey, not everyone can make famous YouTuber money. Its latest offering is this new Android TV UHD streaming device. It's priced at $29 on Walmart's website, featuring 4K resolution, Dolby audio (not Dolby Atmos), dual-band WiFi, a single HDMI port, plus a remote control complete with shortcut buttons for YouTube, Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. Internals include an Amlogic quad-core CPU, Mali-G31 GPU, 2GB RAM, 8GB storage, Bluetooth 4, HDR10 support, and Android 10. Thankfully, you don't have to spend $29 in order to see if you'll want one. The good people at AFTVnews posted a complete review of this little box, and according to them, the image quality isn't the best they've seen. Compared to something like the SHIELD TV, it's apparently pretty bad, but at $29, I'm not sure there's much room for complaints. If you want one of these, you'll need to keep your eye on the page linked below. It's currently out of stock.

Walmart Link ($29)

Samsung's Galaxy Buds 2 Just Made an Appearance

Kellen — Fri, 28 May 2021 08:32:59 +0000

Samsung probably releases far too many wireless earbuds for anyone to properly keep track of. Each new pair tweaks the design some, maybe changes shape, and then adds a bit more ANC or a touch of extra battery life in a different case. They must be super cheap to make, though, and are the easiest upsell alongside a new phone because Samsung is showing no signs of slowing in the release department. As an example, we just got the excellent Galaxy Buds Pro when the Galaxy S21 launched and yet rumors of a Galaxy Buds 2 have been floating around for a while. Today, those rumored Buds appeared at the FCC and briefly showed themselves. Listed as model number SM-R177, they look almost identical to the Galaxy Buds Pro. They will even come in a square case that looks a lot like the case from the Pro model. Seriously, look at these. They have the same rounded bulb shape and polished body. I can't really find any differences.

So the thought here is that these will be an affordable option, unlike the Galaxy Buds Pro which start at roughly $200 depending on the day. Will that mean a replacement for the Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Buds+ in the $130 range? Possibly, we just wonder what they'll cut from the Buds Pro to get there.

List of AT&T Phones Surviving the End of 3G is Here

Kellen — Thu, 27 May 2021 15:30:57 +0000

AT&T is shutting down 3G in 2022 and a list of devices that will still work once that happens has been uncovered. I can't imagine you were worried about 3G's impending death, but it's always fun to see how ~~sh*tty~~ futureproof your phone was when purchased. The list from AT&T's site (view here) is long and appears to have been made pretty recently because the Galaxy S21 line is on it. Shocker, the S21 will still work when 3G is gone! The rest of the list has Samsung phones as old as Galaxy Note Edge and Galaxy Note 4, as well as the Galaxy S5 and Galaxy S4 Mini. iPhones as far back as the iPhone 6 will still work. LG phones back to the V10 and G3 will too. The OnePlus 6T is the oldest from OnePlus on the list. HTC's One M8 is there! Even the Google Pixel 2 will still function just fine on AT&T's network without 3G. Got a tablet and wonder if it'll work? Those are on the list, which includes devices like the iPad 3 and iPad Mini 1, Surface 3, and Galaxy Tab S2_R. So again, AT&T is pulling the plug on 3G in 2022 and should you own a phone that has been released in the past 7 years, you should be good. // XDA

Nimble Has Sweet New Wireless Chargers Featuring Recycled Silicone

Tim — Thu, 27 May 2021 14:00:39 +0000

Nimble, the mobile accessory maker who has recycling programmed into its DNA, introduced two new wireless chargers this week -- the Apollo Wireless Pad and Apollo Duo Wireless Dual Pad. That last one's name is a bit redundant in my book, but these folks are trying to eliminate e-waste, so I'll let it slide. Both are available right now, with the Apollo Wireless Pad offering 15W of wireless charging speed, magnetic alignment built into the body for your phone, and an anti-slip charging surface made from 100% recycled silicone. This new charger is priced at $49. The bigger charger, the Apollo Duo Wireless Dual Pad, features all of the same things except it can charge two devices simultaneously. You can get that one for $79. Both options come with the necessary wall adapters for powering the chargers. While I realize those prices may not be for everyone, you can at least feel good about where your money is going and the quality of product you're receiving. I use Nimble products in my home and I've enjoyed their performance thoroughly, plus I love the idea of having a product made from what was once something else entirely. That's just cool.

Another nice touch, Nimble sends out a recycled plastic bag for you with every purchase to cram in your unwanted tech and send back for recycling. Should you have a junk drawer full of tech junk, it's a good way to get that stuff recycled.

Shop Nimble Chargers: Apollo Wireless Pad | Apollo Duo

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vN3Qh6EacVI&ab_channel=Nimble

Acer Intros New Lineup of Chromebooks, Start at Just $269

Tim — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:34:55 +0000

Acer introduced a whole new lineup of Chromebooks this week, ranging in pricing and availability, with an option available no matter what your needs may be. Pricing for this line starts at just $269 if you don't need anything too wild, but you can also splurge and get one of the new Chrome OS machines for $699. Kicking of the lineup is the $269 Chromebook 314 (pictured below), scheduled to launch in July. It features a 14-inch FHD IPS display, MediaTek octa-core processor, plus 15 hours of battery life. It's designed for students who don't need too many fancy specs. On the high side, there's the new Chromebook Spin 713 (header image). Scheduled to launch in June for $699, this laptop is listed as the first Intel Evo platform-verified Chromebook, featuring an Intel i7, aluminum chassis with military-grade durability, 13.5-inch display (2256 x 1504 resolution), plus the ability to get up to 10 hours of usage from only 30 minutes of charging the battery. It sounds fancy. There are two other models, the Chromebook 514 and Chromebook 317. The 514 will be available in August, starting at $599, while the 317 will launch in June for $379. If any of these machines interest you, be on the lookout. They'll be here soon enough. // Acer

Google, Show Us the Pixel 6

Kellen — Thu, 27 May 2021 11:03:07 +0000

I'll never forget the Pixel 4. Not because it was a launch disaster or because it had a giant forehead with radar that Google didn't want to develop further for phones or because it was killed off in less than a year. No, I'll remember the Pixel 4 because Google randomly showed off its design months before it was announced in response to renders of the device showing up and spreading around as they typically do. It was awesome and completely out of the ordinary for this industry. You guys remember that moment, right? On June 12, 2019, only two days after CAD renders of a supposed Pixel 4 were posted, Google took to Twitter with a split image of the backside of their upcoming phone. We know it was in response to those renders because they mentioned that there "seems to be some interest" in the device, which they then tagged as #Pixel4. That took away a lot of the design speculation and let us all absorb its clean backside for months before the phone became official in October of that year. They further revealed parts of the phone about a month after posting those backside images when they talked about Soli and gave us an x-ray shot of the phone's top half.

Google, show us the Pixel 6.

We just got Pixel 6 renders (and Pixel 6 Pro) from the same source that brought us the Pixel 4 renders that you responded to in 2019. We know that these renders are rarely wrong. Give us a tease. Give us something to chew on, to debate the hotness of, and as an excuse to talk humps - camera humps. You can save the "whitechapel" and GS101 chip talk for later, that's fine. You can even save the camera setup discussion for a Pixel 6 launch event. But let me see these new phones. Blur half of the image, darken it enough so that we have to do our own edits to try and better reveal it. Whatever. We need this. Tim thinks it'll be your masterpiece and I already called it the story of the year. Show me it. (That hot render above is from @PhoneDesigner.)

Google Messages is Getting Pinned Conversations Soon

Kellen — Thu, 27 May 2021 10:20:01 +0000

Google Messages is getting a couple of new features here in the near future that will make organizing your conversations easier and also help you find important messages later on. An updated version is rolling out that hints at the new goods, which include pinned conversations. The crew at XDA found strings of code within Google Messages 8.1.050 that reference the ability to pin a conversation to the top of your conversations list. There are additional strings that mention unpinning, and that makes a lot of sense. When pinned, you would see conversations listed at the top with a little pin icon next to them. Think about doing this with your most important conversations or those you'd like to remain handiest.

In addition to pinning, we should soon see an option to star messages within conversations. Those starred messages would then be searchable later on. While you can search messages now, being able to search specifically within starred messages could be extra handy for those of us into flagging such items. I wish I could tell you when these new features might rollout, but this is Android today. We only find out about features because someone dives into the code of an app and finds something that Google was too lazy to hide, which Google then uses as an unofficial way to announce features rather than announcing them directly. It's f*cking annoying, to be honest. Google Play Link: Google Messages

Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 FE Official, Launches Next Month for Unknown Price

Tim — Thu, 27 May 2021 08:44:04 +0000

Samsung has a new iPad rival and this is important, I guess, because Samsung is pretty much the only notable maker of Android tablets. Apple has what I'd call zero competition in this space, and honestly, that's really annoying. Alas, Google has barely tried to make Android tablets a thing in the past 5 years or so, so excuse me if I don't seem overly thrilled about the following announcement. The Galaxy Tab S7 FE is now official, launching next month, coupled with a UK price of £589. We've seen some outlets convert that to an $800 price for the US, but Samsung hasn't made that specific detail known. We'll keep you posted on price. You can find it hit shelves next month, featuring a 12.4" WQXGA display, up to 6GB RAM and 128GB storage, an octa-core processor (believe it's a Snapdragon 750G for US Market), 10,090mAh battery, 45W fast charging, S Pen support, 5G connectivity if you need it, stereo speakers, and Android 11 with One UI on top. Is that good stuff for an Android tablet? I honestly don't know. Something important that's missing is a high refresh rate display. And with that, it's gonna be a pass for me. Once on sale next month, we'll update you on where to buy one. // Samsung

OnePlus Just Announced a New Phone for the US: Nord N200 5G

Kellen — Thu, 27 May 2021 08:34:48 +0000

OnePlus casually announced news phones this morning during morning coffee, though each is in the Nord range and not up in the flagship realm we tend to hangout in. The first is the Nord CE 5G, which won't come to the US, but the second phone will. Dubbed OnePlus Nord N200 5G, this is indeed a follow-up to the Nord N100 and will be cheap. We aren't getting details about the phone, what it looks like, or what it will cost, only that it's coming and we should be on the lookout for it. The Nord N200 will arrive in the US and Canada. If we look back to the Nord N100, we should expect the N200 to be an ultra-budget phone. The N100 dropped in at $179 here, featured 64GB storage, a 720p display, and a Snapdragon 460 chipset. Of course, the big sell for it is 5G connectivity at a reasonable price. Not that 5G matters much still to this day, but yeah, I guess that's a thing. OnePlus did announce a Summer Launch Event taking place on June 10 for the Nord CE and when users in Europe and India can grab one.

Android 12's Hotness Spreads to Google Feed

Kellen — Wed, 26 May 2021 12:44:10 +0000

Android 12 is going to be so fun to play with once its wallpaper theme engine goes live on Pixel phones and we get to see which apps can take advantage. Being able to completely theme a phone based on a wallpaper is some next-level awesomeness for those of us in the theme, wallpaper, and icon pack game for all these years. Google has already teased wallpaper-based color theming for the notification pulldown, settings likes volume sliders, lock screen, widgets, and some apps, like the calculator, clock, and messages. However, some folks have found ways to activate it on Android 12 Beta 1 and are noticing other spots. For example, the Google Feed, which shows you news articles as you scroll in the Google app, is going to pick up the system color, according to XDA. Below are a couple examples of the Google Feed grabbing a couple of colors that the system extracted from a wallpaper and then splashed across the areas I listed above. I know that these images aren't the most news-worthy of images, but you get where this is going, right? Google is going to let you completely customize the color scheme of your phone in Android 12 like never before. Android 12 is going to be so cool.

Pixel 6 Spotted With Same GPU as Exynos-Powered Galaxy S21

Tim — Wed, 26 May 2021 11:22:26 +0000

A key storyline around Pixel 6 is Whitechapel, Google's in-house silicon expected to launch inside of the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro. There's still a lot of unknowns concerning that chip, but we're now learning, thanks to Google's Issue Tracker website, which GPU we can expect to be paired with Whitechapel to deliver some solid performance for Google's next flagship devices. According to code spotted by XDA, it appears that we can look forward to Google utilizing the same GPU that's inside of the Exynos-powered Galaxy S21 lineup, which is the Mali-G78. While it's good to know the name, we don't know how many cores the GPU will have and don't know the maximum frequency of the cores. Those details are important, as the Galaxy S21 uses a 14-core variant, while something like the Huawei Mate X2 uses 24 cores. At the end of the day, we can at least say Google is pairing quality components with these devices. Haters will say it's not good enough, but if we're being honest with ourselves, it can't get any worse than the Pixel 5's performance. That device is mid-range across the board. This year, it looks like Google is really about to step up their game. In fact, this could be Google's masterpiece. Excited yet? // XDA Developers

There's a New 5G Report Card, Each US Carrier Gets a Trophy

Tim — Wed, 26 May 2021 08:51:29 +0000

There's a new 5G report card from RootMetrics this week, with the data-minded folks accumulating speed and reliability numbers from across the country, then compiling them into multiple easily digestible graphs. If you're shopping for a carrier and want to have the best 5G experience, these are the types of reports that can help sway your buying decision, which is why you'll see studies such as this quoted in TV commercials and everywhere else. Let's take a peak at the nationwide results, shall we? In the 65 markets that were tested, there's one key takeaway: not one carrier runs away with the 5G crown across the country. As noted, when it comes to 5G availability, T-Mobile takes the cake. When network reliability is measured, Verizon wins. Following up is AT&T, who wins the download speeds category. Yay, each carrier gets a trophy, so congrats to all three, I guess. Of those three categories, it's shown by RootMetrics in which cities you'll have the best experience for each carrier. For example, if having 5G on your phone is most important, you should be my neighbor and move to Portland, OR. Should you do that, make sure to be an AT&T customer, as the carrier scored a 92% in 5G availability. If you want fast speeds, you'll want to be a Verizon customer who lives in Lansing, MI. The median 5G-only speed there registered at 114.2Mbps. You can view the handy dandy graphs below. They show the actual market numbers that led to the category wins. If you love reading this sort of stuff, you can check out the full report by following the link below. // RootMetrics

Philo Joins the Party, Raises Streaming Prices

Kellen — Wed, 26 May 2021 08:06:02 +0000

Philo, the ultra-slim streaming TV service that has held a $20 price point for longer than anyone could have predicted, finally joined the price increase party this week. After emailing whenever each competing service announced price increases over the past several years to point out that Philo's cost remained unchanged, this week there was silence as the press release published. Fitting. On June 8, all new customers of Philo will pay $25/mo instead of the $20/mo that the service has been priced at for 3.5 years. Current customers will still pay just $20 (for now). In this new $25 price, Philo is expanding their unlimited DVR to keep recordings from 30 days to a year, so there is at least a new added benefit. Other than that, the price increase is likely because Philo has added content and that service providers are constantly increasing their own prices. Streaming TV was fun once. Remember those days? If interested in Philo before the price goes up, you can sign-up here.

DEAL: Pixel Buds Down to Only $129 Again ($50 Off!)

Tim — Tue, 25 May 2021 14:17:40 +0000

Google's wireless earbuds, the Pixel Buds, are back on sale at $50 off. That discount brings the price down to $129, a price we've seen for these buds from time to time, and honestly, that is not too bad at all. While Pixel Buds got off to what some may call a rocky start in terms of software bugs, Google hasn't had any issues pushing updates, making them much better as time went on. These days, they're right up there with wireless buds from Samsung and other makers. And while they may not have ANC, you are getting that slick Google Assistant integration, making them a great pairing with Pixel devices. If you want to take advantage of the discount, follow the links below.

Buy Pixel Buds: Kohl's | Bed Bath & Beyond

Pixel 3 Again at $160 is Lookin' at You

Kellen — Tue, 25 May 2021 14:03:28 +0000

I don't know where all these retailers keep finding brand new Pixel 3 phones after all these years, but they keep listing them at incredible prices. For the third time in a month or so you can grab one for well under $200. B&H Photo is currently running a DealZone promo on the Clearly White Pixel 3 with 64GB storage for $159.99 after you add it to cart and an extra $10 comes off. If you want to double the storage to 128GB, they have that listed at $199.99. According to the listing, these are "Verizon Unlocked," which means they are Verizon units that'll work on any other carrier. That also likely means the bootloader is locked for those into the hackin' thing. For 99.9999999% of the world, it means nothing. Again, this is the smaller Pixel 3, not the Pixel 3 XL. In my opinion, this is the best of the Pixel 3 line and also the best color of the three. In previous deals, the "Not Pink" model was discounted, but now we have Clearly White at just $160. Go for it and get those monthly updates for the rest of 2021.

Shop Pixel 3 deals at B&H Photo

Totallee Hosting Memorial Day Sale, Takes 50% Off Our Favorite Phone Cases

Tim — Tue, 25 May 2021 12:04:08 +0000

Totallee, a maker of very thin phone cases that we here at Droid Life appreciate from time to time, are hosting a sweet little Memorial Day sale. When you use the accompanying coupon code, you'll take 50% off whatever product you may want. They have iPhone cases, Pixel 5 cases, plus newer Samsung Galaxy cases. All thin. All very nice. With the 50% off, you can get a Galaxy S21 case for just under $20. Same goes for all of the other cases, regardless of color. Like I said, we use Totallee cases when we leave the house and we like them quite a bit. Give 'em a look see.

Totallee Link (Use Code: MEMORIAL)

You'll Soon Power Your Android Phone Off With Google Assistant

Tim — Tue, 25 May 2021 10:06:14 +0000

It appears that Google will soon allow Assistant to turn off your Android 12-powered smartphone. This move makes plenty sense when you consider that Google baked in the ability to access Assistant via your device's power button when running Android 12. Since that button usually accesses your phone's power menu, such as the restart and shutdown options, it's good to give Assistant that power. This change was spotted in an updated beta Search app teardown. As you can see in the screenshot below, the process seems easy enough. Unknown to be exclusive to only Android 12 phones or Pixel phones only, users will access Assistant and then simply tell it to, "Power off." If using Assistant for this doesn't interest you, there seems to be an additional way to turn your phone off. Not yet available in the Android 12 beta, you'll be able to hit the power and volume up buttons simultaneously to access the power menu yourself -- no Assistant needed. While some may see this as redundant, which Google is known for doing, there's nothing wrong with adding more accessibility options for things such as this. It's just fine. If you're running Android 12 and love Google Assistant, be on the lookout for this in the future.

// 9to5Google

Your Google Nest Hub is Getting a New Operating System

Kellen — Tue, 25 May 2021 09:37:52 +0000

For years, Google has been working on a new and experimental operating system called Fuchsia that we first started talking about some time in 2017. At one point, it seemed like this could be the future of all things Google, but in recent years has seen its focus turn to smart home devices and Chromebooks. In fact, the last time we talked about it, the goal from Googlers was apparently to see it run on smart home devices in about 3 years. Well, we're 3 years out from that moment and that has happened. This week, Google is pushing Fuchsia OS to the original Nest Hub (Google Home Hub), according to 9to5Google, replacing the Cast OS it has run from day 1. For now, only those with a Nest Hub enrolled in the Preview Program will get this update, but Google plans to push it to more devices over the coming months. So what can you expect from a brand new OS on your oldish smart home display? Not much it seems. In fact, the experience will be so close to the old one that you may not even realize the operating system has changed. So what's the benefit of Google switching over to Fuchsia? That's a great question that Google hasn't really discussed. The big point could just be that they made a from-scratch operating system and they are proving it can run on a real world device. From here, they could try to push it to others and eventually onto a Chromebook or phone, though that seems like a distant play. Fuchsia! It lives, for real.

Sling TV Gets Fancy New App, Headed First to Amazon Fire TV

Tim — Tue, 25 May 2021 08:20:14 +0000

Sling TV is rolling out an updated app experience this week, but only if you own an Amazon Fire TV. The streaming service mentions the updated app will come to additional platforms later this year. Dang it. For now, users on Fire TV devices can find more personalization options, with users now able to customize the Channel Guide. In addition, there's a whole new navigation experience, making it easy to find whatever it is that you're looking for. And of course, what good is a new app without a "beautiful design." Sling says you'll see, "ribbons in different colors and sizes with expanded show visuals in the Guide to help users discover content faster." It should be pretty sweet, when it eventually comes to Android.

// Sling TV

Verizon Galaxy Note 10 Gets Fresh Update With Enhancements

Kellen — Mon, 24 May 2021 15:17:04 +0000

In their non-stop quest to be the best at Android updates, Samsung is now updating the Verizon Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy Note 10+ with another new software version. For this month, the Note 10 line is getting not only security updates, but enhancements too. When the update arrives on your phone, you'll see builds RP1A.200720.012.N970USQU6FUD9 (Note 10), RP1A.200720.012.N975USQU6FUD9 (Note 10+), or RP1A.200720.012.N976VVRU6FUD9 (Note 10+ 5G). Those updates, according to changelogs, include the May Android security patch, performance improvements, and enhancements to Quick Share, so that you can easily share files with other devices. It's not a huge update, but it is at least more than just security patches. This is almost the same update that the Galaxy Note 20 picked up last week. To check for the update, head into Settings>About phone>Software updates>Check for updates. // Verizon

Microsoft Made the Surface Duo Somehow Desirable by Turning It Into an Xbox

Tim — Mon, 24 May 2021 14:27:21 +0000

Surface Duo from Microsoft. We don't talk about it much. However, Microsoft has sent out an update to the Xbox Cloud Gaming app this week, turning the Surface Duo into a mobile Xbox with working on-screen controls. Now we're talking! As you can see in the video down below, with the updated app, you can spin the tablet device sideways and enter into a new UI. When you go to open a supported title, on-screen game controls pop up and you're off to playing your games. While that's not as good as an actual Xbox controller, that's still pretty awesome and actually makes me ever so slightly interested in one of these devices. If you own a Surface Duo, go check it out! Chances are you don't own one, though. https://twitter.com/tomwarren/status/1396844670077054979 // Engadget

Do Not Buy a Wear OS Watch Right Now

Kellen — Mon, 24 May 2021 13:12:19 +0000

The Wear OS-related news from last week was exactly the news we hoped Google would deliver. They announced the biggest update to their wearable efforts ever that includes a partnership with Samsung and the hope that other wearable makers will take advantage of an updated platform. But one area they didn't want to talk much about had to do with current-gen watches and whether or not they will be upgraded. We reached out to Google for comment on what the fate of current watches is and if any will see a big update to this new Wear. They have not yet responded, but did offer a vague, "We will have more updates to share on timelines once the new version launches later this year," to 9to5Google. I hate to break this to you, assuming you have been eyeing any of the Wear OS watches currently available, but buying right now would be a really bad idea. While we've talked about skipping anything that doesn't have a Wear 4100 chip, I'm not even so sure we can recommend the TicWatch Pro 3 today. We just have no idea what the future holds for current Wear OS watches. Google is certainly leaving open the opportunity to update watches or at least tell us the parts of new Wear they can utilize, but they could have easily just said, "Yeah, friend, we got you." They didn't do that. Instead, they also left open the possibility that all old hardware is done for. You have to wonder if this is why we've seen so few watches over the past year. Remember, Qualcomm announced the Wear 4100 a year ago and only a single watch runs it. Assuming Google gave all of their partners some sort of heads-up, there was no reason to launch new watches before this news and before the new Wear was available, especially if it means upgrading from current hardware isn't possible. At this point, we all need to wait for whatever Samsung has cooked up. We believe Samsung will release the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 as the first new Wear watches in a summer event alongside the next Galaxy Fold. That should give Google a chance to tell us what the future holds. Thankfully, that all should happen in a couple of months.

Anker Intros Smaller 2nd-Gen Nano II GaN Chargers, Start at $29

Tim — Mon, 24 May 2021 11:18:28 +0000

Anker is back with its second generation of GaN (Gallium Nitride) chargers, with the 30W option available for order on Amazon and Anker's own website starting this morning. If you weren't familiar, Anker's original GaN chargers were already super small yet very powerful. With these updated models, Anker has somehow found a way to make them even smaller and better regulate temperature. All good things. According to Anker, this was done by improving the chips and the internal layout of the devices, leading to this new line of Nano II chargers. Each charger has a USB C port, along with PowerIQ 3.0 technology, which allows support for Samsung's Super Fast Charging. When all is said and done, there will be a 30W, 45W, and 65W option. For now, only the 30W is up for grabs, priced at $29.99. If you need that new gen-2 GaN goodness, follow the link below.

Amazon Link

Google Updates Google Photos to Deal With the End of Free Storage

Kellen — Mon, 24 May 2021 10:55:07 +0000

The end of Google Photos as a free backup solution for your future photo history is days away. On June 1, Google Photos will no longer allow you to backup every single photo you take at high quality, unless you are OK with it counting towards your free Google storage cap or if you plan on buying a Google One subscription. To get you all prepared for this imminent moment, Google announced today that it is adding a new tool to help you easily manage your storage quota and is also changing the name of the high quality storage tier to "Storage Saver." The new "Manage storage" tool will show up within your backup & sync settings and it'll do some cool things. It tries to automatically find photos you may not want, like those that are blurry, are old screenshots, or that are large videos you may have no need for. When you enter the tool, you'll see categories for items like this with their storage amounts and a bunch of suggestions for images you should consider getting rid of.

As for the rename of the high quality tier to "Storage Saver," this is Google trying to simplify the naming of the way you backup photos. Makes sense, right? You have one week! (Unless you own a Google Pixel phone.)

Powered by Whitechapel and Running Android 12, Pixel 6 Could be Google's Masterpiece

Tim — Mon, 24 May 2021 09:37:02 +0000

Ask me a few months ago and I tell you I'm not entirely sure Google is releasing a new Pixel device in the second half of 2021. I wasn't overly convinced the company was going to keep pumping money into its smartphone business, as Google has a history of cutting bait and headed back to the dock when things aren't panning out overly well. However, it appears I took the lack of Pixel device leaks and news as a sign of weakness, as now, we have seen renders, we have a sense of what silicon will power these devices, and we know what OS will be featured. And honestly, I've never been more excited for a Google Pixel phone. Before I get too far into the future, I want to discuss the past. What led me to think there could be no Pixel 6 was the overall lack of excitement concerning the Pixel 5. There's always going to be hardcore Pixel fans, but from the gauging I'd do on social media, the Pixel 5 didn't seem to resonate with the majority of Android fans. The same went for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. While both the Pixel 4 phones and Pixel 5 can be considered good phones, they simply aren't all that exciting. This is not a knock, just facts. With Google missing two years in a row, I was worried for the Pixel 6. With Google's competition only getting tougher, it wouldn't have surprised me one bit to see Google wind down its position and focus on other things. Now that you know why I was worried, let's talk about why I'm excited. And yes, I'm really, really excited.

These Renders Hit Different

These Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro renders have sparked something inside of me. I'm not trying to be corny, but over the past few years, we've seen all Android smartphone hardware essentially follow trends and morph into the same thing. Phones these days all have big screens, camera cutouts, and a grouping of rear cameras. How a company chooses to lay these things out is the only difference. For example, Samsung did a great job with the design of the Galaxy S21 lineup. Those are gorgeous phones. OnePlus? Not so much. The OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro are pretty boring to my eyes. These new and completely unofficial Pixel 6 renders are just so damn funky that I don't even know what to think. That's what excites me. This sense of something so different that I don't even know how it'll work. Take the backside camera hump. How am I supposed to properly wirelessly charge the device on a flat surface with that hump? Did Google design a sweet magnetic charger for it, similar to what Apple has for the iPhone 12? Is the hump even that humpy? And how will I get that Humpback Phone* (*trademarked) into my pocket? I have no idea, but I'm ready to try. It's something different and that's cool. I was getting really bored with Android hardware, so this is a breath of fresh air.

Updated Camera Sensor, Finally

The general belief is that Google will finally update the camera on the Pixel 6 lineup. And that, all by itself, should be enough to get anyone and everyone interested in these phones. Google has been using that same main IMX363 camera sensor for years, so I'm very curious what Google and its camera team can accomplish with updated hardware. Yes, the company's mobile camera guru may have left, but I have no doubts Google has other intelligent people working on it.

Whitechapel Puts Google in Control

Also featured on the Pixel 6 lineup? Whitechapel. In the grand scheme of things, very little is known about Google's in-house silicon and note that I use the term "in-house" loosely. When originally reported, it was detailed that Google has been working with Samsung to build this chip that may power the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro, taking Exynos components and software and using that as a foundation or at least building pieces. We've seen recent hints that Whitechapel will indeed be on board Google's next devices, so with that said, it's another reason to look forward to what Google is cooking up here. With Google potentially no longer beholden to Qualcomm, it does provide Google more control over its devices, at least with regard to certain aspects. The main thing would be update support. With control over its own chip, we could see updates extend way past 3 years, which has been a selling point for iOS devices for a long, long time.

Android 12 is 🔥

I've been running the Android 12 beta on my Pixel 5 since it was released, and even with it missing a few of its marquee features, I'm totally loving it. Android 12 could be a very special step forward for the Android OS in my book, at least when it comes to the Pixel Experience. On Pixel phones, users will have great control over how the OS looks, and once development is complete, the whole thing looks as though it will be insanely polished and refined. This could be Android on a level none of us have experienced, and if you didn't know by now, I'm excited about that.

So long as Whitechapel isn't a total misfire and Google's hardware quality control team doesn't let us down, the Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro could be real showstoppers. There's still a few unknown variables, such as carrier availability and pricing, but if Google wanted to, I don't see why these phones couldn't be amazing. I've gone from thinking there wouldn't be a Pixel 6 to thinking Pixel 6 is already getting crowned as Phone of the Year. I know, premature and silly, but I'm having a hard time containing myself. I'm full Google fanboy mode right now.

Verizon has Free Google Play Pass for You

Kellen — Mon, 24 May 2021 07:36:33 +0000

Google Play Pass launched in late 2019 as Google's subscription service that gave users access to hundreds of apps and games for the price of $4.99/mo. It's still around, if you didn't know, and has seen its catalog grow to more than 800 apps with a yearly pricing model available that cuts off a bunch of the cost. If that many apps or a 50% savings on the price still isn't tempting you into subscribing, maybe Verizon can. Big Red announced this morning that it will give select customers free access to Google Play Pass for up to 12 months. Should you subscribe to Verizon's Play More or Get More unlimited plan, they'll give you Google Play Pass for free for 12 months. If you have any other unlimited plan, you'll get access for free for 6 months. With the Play Pass, you get games like the Out There, Kingdom Rush, Sonic the Hedgehog, Stardew Valley, Football Manager, and the Monument Valley series. For apps, there are photo and video editors, as well as options for music, wallpapers, meditation, to do lists, calculators, and more. The big sell here really is games, but don't overlook the regular apps too. To grab your free Play Pass subscription, you will head over to Verizon's site (here) tomorrow, May 25.

It's a Day of $250 Off the 256GB Galaxy S21 Ultra and S21+

Kellen — Mon, 24 May 2021 06:55:26 +0000

At this point in the life of the Galaxy S21 series, Samsung and its retail partners are giving you few reasons to ever consider 128GB models of the S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra. All involved parties continue to push discounts of these fabulous phones, only the discounts drop prices and get you double the storage without paying extra. As an example, in a fresh deal that kicked off today, Amazon is running a discount that'll get you any 128GB model Galaxy S21, S21+, or S21 Ultra for $100 to $200 off. However, if you instead look at the 256GB variants of each, you'll get those for the same price as the discounted 128GB phones. That means up to $250 off and all the damn storage. Here's the breakdown:

Galaxy S21 256GB ($699 - $150 off)
Galaxy S21+ 256GB ($799 - $250 off)
Galaxy S21 Ultra 256GB ($999 - $250 off)

Those are excellent prices on the best phones released in 2021 for Android users. The S21 Ultra is without a doubt the phone for those who want excellence without compromise. The deal is likely running for the day, but shipping times are already slipping. Get to it.

Amazon Deal Link

Verizon Updating Galaxy Z Fold 2 With May Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 21 May 2021 10:18:09 +0000

The world's best smartphone, Galaxy Z Fold 2, is receiving the May security patch on Verizon's network. On top of the May patch, Verizon also lists performance improvements, as well as enhancements to Quick Share. Galaxy Z Fold 2 owners will have an updated software version number labeled as F916USQU1DUDE. Owners of the unlocked model and other carrier variants can expect the same update hitting their foldables soon. Long live the Galaxy Z Fold 2, king of Android phones. // Verizon

Pixel 6 CAD Renders Also Quite Hot

Tim — Fri, 21 May 2021 08:24:55 +0000

We've already seen quite a bit of the Pixel 6 Pro by now. There was the initial renders that everyone flipped their lids over (both positively and negatively), then there was the updated renders just yesterday. Now we get to see the smaller Pixel 6, and for those smaller phone lovers, this device looks just as intriguing as its larger sibling. The main thing that sticks out is the smaller, flat display. There's no curved glass to be found on this device's frontside. It also comes with what appears to be a healthy amount of bezel. The rear looks very much similar to the Pixel 6 Pro, complete with camera hump and lack of fingerprint reader. For cameras, the smaller Pixel 6 is reported to only offer two sensors compared to the three sensors found on the Pixel 6 Pro. Beyond that, there isn't much to say. You can't help but admit these designs are unmistakably Google. They look like Pixel devices, which I really find enticing. Please, share your thoughts below. Hot or not? // 91mobiles

Qualcomm to Offer Regular Neural Net API Updates for Android

Tim — Thu, 20 May 2021 14:57:35 +0000

Qualcomm announced today that starting later this year, in partnership with Google, it will start offering regular updates for the Neural Net API (NNAPI) on Android devices. These updates are detailed to come to Snapdragon-powered devices via Google Play Services updates, applied automatically in the background on your device. Those are fancy words. What does it mean, though? According to Qualcomm, these regular updates will allow for improvements to services like Google Lens and Google Voice Access, as well as other applications. So, basically anything on your Android phone that uses the neural net to work properly should see improvements once these updates begin rolling out on a steady basis. When we start learning about these updates headed to users and affecting stuff we use, we'll update you. Thanks, Qualcomm. // Qualcomm

New Pixel 6 Pro Renders: That's More Like It

Tim — Thu, 20 May 2021 13:24:01 +0000

We have been dying to learn more about Google's upcoming Pixel 6 and Pixel 6 Pro devices, especially after we got our first possible glimpse at the devices via very unofficial 3rd-party renders. This week, we have new renders, this time from @OnLeaks, who as many know carries a solid reputation when it comes providing accurate CAD renders. Comparing these new unofficial renders to the old unofficial renders, we can see that backside hump isn't nearly as intense as first shown. There's a hump, don't get me wrong, but it's much more tame. We can see the front display is slightly curved on its sides, and sadly, it appears Google is indeed moving away from the rear-facing fingerprint reader and likely opting for an in-display reader. For the Pixel 6 Pro, the AMOLED panel size is reported to measure in at 6.67". There's no word yet on refresh rate, but we're really hoping it's 120Hz. This hardware deserves all of the top specs. On the back, we can see three cameras. There's a wide-angle lens, a telephoto lens, plus another unknown lens. Maybe ultra wide? There's an entire video you can check out below, giving you all of the sweet angles. Thoughts? Is this a little less wild looking? Full transparency, I am 100% here for this phone. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEKiHvRRS30&ab_channel=Digit // Digit

DEAL: Galaxy Buds+ at $99 on Amazon is Solid ($50 Off)

Tim — Thu, 20 May 2021 10:26:18 +0000

One of my favorite sets of wireless earbuds, the Galaxy Buds+, are available for just $99 over on Amazon today. That's $50 off of the usual price. Score! What makes these buds so darn good? The battery life, for one. These things will last forever, with the specs listing at least 11 hours of nonstop music pumping juice. Ambient Aware is also another highlight of mine. When out and about, you can quickly activate this function to hear your surroundings, which is great for crossing the street or having a conversation with the neighbors across the street. From what we can currently see, colors available at the discounted price includes the black, red, white, and blue. Go get 'em.

Amazon Link ($99)

Cheers Dave!

Google Details Matter for Smart Home Devices, the New Industry Standard

Tim — Thu, 20 May 2021 09:54:50 +0000

Google is looking to really simplify the smart home experience, not solely for buyers of its own branded products, but virtually all smart home device users. Introduced this week is Matter, a new protocol that Google has developed with other leading tech companies, designed to be the new industry standard for devices. Here's a mission statement of sorts on Matter, which is important to know before we dive too deep.

This industry unifying standard is a promise of reliable, secure connectivity—a seal of approval that devices will work seamlessly together, today and tomorrow. Matter is creating more connections between more objects, simplifying development for manufacturers and increasing compatibility for consumers. This collaborative breakthrough is built on proven technologies and guided by the Connectivity Standards Alliance (formerly Zigbee Alliance), whose members come together from across industries to transform the future of connectivity.

Now that we fully understand Matter and its purpose, when can we expect to see it integrated into our devices? Google states that it'll update the newest Nest Thermostat to support Matter, ultimately meaning that for the first time the device can be controlled on other platforms that have been certified with Matter. Moving forward, expect more and more devices built with Matter. On top of that, Matter is getting built directly into Android. As described, users will only need a few taps to set up a Matter-equipped device. Once set up, users will have lots of ways to instantly control devices, such as Matter-enabled Android apps, Google Assistant, the official Google Home app, Android Power Controls, and other compatible Google devices. It also allows, "over one billion Android devices to enable simple setup and control all Matter-certified products." That's not all, though. Google has also introduced a new website home for all things smart home. This site is essentially a directory, capable of letting you find new products, learn how to use said products, and much more. That website is live right now. In addition, support for WebRTC has been added, which means improved live video and audio streams between security cameras, video doorbells, smart displays, and mobile devices. This is accomplished via the open-source communications protocol, helping reduce latency between the devices themselves. Is that enough for you, smart home fiends? // Google

DEAL: Pixel Stand at $37 Seems Pretty Good

Tim — Thu, 20 May 2021 09:09:12 +0000

For a limited time over on Woot, you can snag Google's Pixel Stand wireless charger at just $37.99 (down from usual $79), designed to charge your Pixel devices at speeds deemed appropriate by Google. That's not all the Pixel Stand does, though. When placed on the Pixel Stand, your supported device essentially turns into a smart display. It integrates with Nest device controls, can be a little photo frame, and much more. For Pixel owners, it's one of the must-have accessories in my book. If you don't already own one, go snag one today before they're all gone.

Deal Link ($37.99)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjI-anCl7Tc&ab_channel=DroidLife

Podcast: Google I/O 2021 Brought It All

Kellen — Wed, 19 May 2021 11:00:57 +0000

On this episode of the Droid Life Show, we're taking a look at all of the biggest announcements from Google I/O 2021. The first day of the event was packed with news from Android 12 to the return of Google's interest in wearables. We got our first Android 12 Beta, Google confirmed its new Material You design language, and Wear OS is back with Samsung helping make sure it succeeds. Fitbit promised new Wear devices and services for the platform, Google Photos has a bunch of sweet new features coming, and there were even hidden Pixel 6 references inside of the 12 Beta. It should be a fun show with lots of new stuff to talk about. We don't often get this much from Google that is this important. No trivia on today's show. We’ll be live at 1:00PM Pacific (4:00PM Eastern).

$10/Month Ad-Supported HBO Max Tier Confirmed, Excludes Same-Day Movie Premieres

Tim — Wed, 19 May 2021 10:56:43 +0000

WarnerMedia, overlords of HBO Max, confirmed this week that an ad-supported tier is headed to the streaming service, priced at $9.99/month. That's $5 off of the usual $14.99/month ad-free option. While that's super groovy and obviously allows more folks to get on board, it's certainly not going to be the same experience as the $15/month option. The main difference, besides the advertisements, is the lack of same-day movie premieres. For me, that's what makes HBO Max at $15/month totally worth it. We got the Godzilla movie, Mortal Kombat, plus tons more sweet stuff on day one. You'll be missing out on all of that should you opt for the less expensive, ad-free version. On the upside, it's specifically noted that there has been a, "commitment to providing the lightest ad load among ad-supported streamers." So, yeah, there are ads, but maybe it won't be that bad? We won't know until it launches. This new tier launches the first week of June. That's soon! // WarnerMedia

Here's Everything New Coming to Google Photos

Tim — Wed, 19 May 2021 08:56:41 +0000

This week, Google announced new features for Google Photos, one of which we touched on very briefly during the flurry of announcements yesterday. Rolling out over the course of this year, Photos users will see Locked Folders (finally!), Cinematic Moments (an evolution of Cinematic Photos), plus changes for the existing Memories feature. We discussed Locked Folders yesterday, but to recap, users will be able to store sensitive photos that you may not want someone else to see. The folder is passcode-protected (or biometrics) and the photos inside of the folder won’t show up inside of your grid or timeline as you scroll in Google Photos. This is definitely a welcomed addition. Cinematic Moments, the next step for Cinematic Photos, stitches together your shots into moving photos using neural networks. It's actually quite brilliant, considering how many shots people take to get just the right shot. And we're not talking about poorly stitched together GIFs. As detailed by Google, "Using neural networks to synthesize the movement between two nearly identical photos and fill in the gaps with new frames, we can create vivid, moving images called Cinematic moments." While you may think you need many images to create this animation, that's false. You only need 2 nearly identical images, whether they be from your smartphone or an old photo album. You can see an example of it below.

Google is also hoping to spare folks from reliving painful memories. Google says, "Google Photos already includes controls to hide photos of certain people or time periods, and we’re continuing to add new ones to improve the experience as a result of this continued partnership. Later this summer we're making these controls easier to find, so you can choose what you look back on in just a few taps." And there you have it. Lots of good stuff inbound for Google Photos. // Google

Google Pixel 6 Spotted in Android 12 Beta

Kellen — Wed, 19 May 2021 08:16:39 +0000

While we're all playing with this new Android 12 Beta and enjoying its Material You fanciness, diggers of code are finding hidden items within that could shape our future hardware decisions. As an example, Google has apparently been quite loose with leaving hints of its upcoming phone line-up, including the Pixel 6, Pixel 5a, and a potential Pixel foldable. Spotted "numerous" times within Android 12 Beta files, 9to5Google says that Google has left references to all of the new phones, including their model numbers. Those are as follows:

Barbet (Pixel 5a 5G) – G4S1M
Oriole (Pixel 6 device) – GR1YH
Raven (Pixel 6 device) – GF5KQ
Passport (Pixel foldable) – GPQ72

All of those codenames should sound familiar, as we've talked about them on several occasions, including as far back as last August. This news isn't necessarily the most interesting, except that the references to them are now baked somewhere into Android 12. Google could certainly still kill any or all of these devices, but hey, we love a good reference when we are only months from seeing new Google phones. As of today, we know that the Pixel 5a should show up around the time that last year's Pixel 4a arrived. There are supposed Pixel 6 and "Pixel 6 Pro" renders floating around that I still can't help but question. And this possible Pixel foldable device is still hanging out in the background. I know there are also rumors of a Pixel Watch, but I'm just not buying those at all yet. Either way, 2021 is looking like a big hardware year for Google.

Google Details Load of Helpful Features Coming to Google Maps

Tim — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:16:07 +0000

Google announced a solid lineup of new features headed to Google Maps this year at this week's Google I/O. Whether it's helping you get to your destination more safely or to help you avoid crowds, Maps has been evolving at a rapid pace and we're here for it. Detailed today, folks can look forward to new a behind-the-scenes navigation tool that will take "hard-braking events" into account for your routing options. Hard-braking moments, defined as incidents along a route that cause a driver to sharply decelerate, can be a leading indicator of car crash likelihood. With this in mind, Google's system will take these events into account when showing you a particular route.

Every time you get directions in Maps, we calculate multiple route options to your destination based on several factors, like how many lanes a road has and how direct a route is. With this update, we’ll take the fastest routes and identify which one is likely to reduce your chances of encountering a hard-braking moment. We’ll automatically recommend that route if the ETA is the same or the difference is minimal.

Live View is also getting a bit of work, with richer info coming to those who are using the AR-powered tool. For example, when looking through Live View, business information can be visible on supported locations. You'll even be able to click on businesses and open up their information. As you can see in the GIF below, more detailed street signs are placed on roads to help you know exactly where you're headed. Google also details that if you’re traveling, Live View will tell you where you are in relation to places like your hotel. No more getting lost in NYC for me.

Google Maps has been able to show how busy a particular location is for a bit now. Coming soon is the ability to check the busyness of an entire area, as seen above in the header image. Looking for hip night life? Looking for that elusive farmer's market? This feature will help out. And lastly, Google is hoping to make Google Maps a more tailored experience for each user. To do so, it'll stop showing you irrelevant locations when you open up Google Maps, based on factors like if you're traveling or what time of day it is.

If you live in New York and open up Maps at 8 a.m. on a weekday, we’ll prominently feature nearby coffee shops — instead of dinner spots — so you can start your day with a caffeine fix. And if you’re on a weekend getaway, it’ll be easier to spot local landmarks and tourist attractions right on the map. Want more options? Tap on any place to see similar places nearby.

These are good things, coming to Google Maps soon. // Google

What's New in Android 12 Beta 1!

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 15:16:05 +0000

Alright, so we have spent the past couple of hours with the Android 12 Beta 1 and are ready to start sharing our findings. There are some big changes to be aware of, including a brief preview of the Material You experience that will take over Pixel phones, but a lot of stuff just isn't here yet. Google is clearly still working on a lot and will likely continue to add features through each beta release.

Big clocks and big buttons.

These few screenshots obviously show some of the Material You design that is incoming. We have the big lock screen clock that shows when you don't have any notifications, the redesigned notification and quick settings area, and the bigger sliders that will be everywhere. However, we don't have the color-matching wallpaper experience yet, those sliders aren't everywhere, and there are no new widgets to show off. The experience is starting to take shape, we just need to give Google some more time. There are more Android 12 Beta builds on the way, so we'll try to be patient.

Ripples!

Look at these weird ripples when you touch stuff!

Power can launch Google Assistant!

You can now change the power button so that it fires up Google Assistant when you hold it. Weirdly, the "Cards & passes" and "Device controls" options were supposed to move from here into the quick settings area. They have no yet. Oh, the Back Tap gesture now has an official animation, but it still doesn't work. Ok, that's pretty much it. Here are the things Google said should be here that aren't:

Scrolling screenshots are official, but they don't work.
There is a new Privacy dashboard with all the privacy controls, but I can't find it yet (Coming in beta 2).
Location permissions now give you options to get precise or approximate, but they aren't here yet.
A new indicator will tell you if an app uses your camera or mic, but it's not live yet (Coming in beta 2).
Again, no new widgets are here just yet except for the Conversations widget that showed up a couple of previews back.

This is what some of the new stuff will look like:

Y'all finding anything else? If we do, we'll update this post.

Wear OS is Getting a YouTube Music App and Spotify is Adding Offline Music to Theirs

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 14:02:14 +0000

I know this isn't the biggest bit of news from Google I/O today, but we need to make sure all of you Wear OS users saw it. YouTube Music is finally coming to watches after all this time. That's right, non-Wear OS users who are out of the loop, Google has not yet released a YouTube Music app for its wearable platform. And you wondered why all we did was complain about it. During today's big Wear presentation, Google talked about how the YouTube Music app should not only play music, but it'll let you download tunes for offline listening as well. We wrote about this in April, and Google told us at the time that they were working on a "robust" solution for Wear OS, so we're glad to see them finally coming through on it. And speaking of offline tunes, Spotify announced that their Wear OS app will soon do the same. They suggested they are committing to bigger things on Wear OS as well, though we have no idea when this new functionality will arrive. What a day it is for Wear OS.

Download Android 12 Beta for Your OnePlus 9, OnePlus 9 Pro (Update: Don't Do It!)

Tim — Tue, 18 May 2021 13:13:01 +0000

The Android 12 beta is up for select devices, most notably for select Pixel and OnePlus devices. We've already discussed the update for Pixel phones, but now OnePlus has completely detailed the Android 12 beta for the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro. While this is awesome news, it's not all sunshine and rainbows. There are some known issues and things to be aware of before flashing, listed below for your convenience.

All data will be cleared while flashing the build
Video call function is not available
Fingerprint unlock and face unlock are unavailable
Certain UI screens look less than desirable
Some apps may not function as expected
System stability issues

If you're ready to load up and flash Android 12 to your OnePlus 9 or OnePlus 9 Pro, follow the link below. The process couldn't be any easier on OnePlus devices. Simply download the zip file to your OnePlus device, then follow the instructions inside of the Settings > System > System Updates menu. Update: OnePlus has apparently pulled these downloads, as many are experiencing bricked devices. If you have a bricked device, it looks like you'll need to flash a bit of software from Qualcomm in order to downgrade back to Android 11. But hey, these things happen! Hopefully not too, too many people were affected. Post from OnePlus' forum.

I've temporarily removed the download links based on the feedback from users in this thread. I'm sharing the feedback with the software team so they can look into it in the morning at HQ.

We'll keep you posted.

OnePlus Android 12 Preview Program

// OnePlus

Samsung Commits to Support Old Tizen Galaxy Watches for 3 Years

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 13:09:55 +0000

You may have questions surrounding the future of your Galaxy Watch that runs Samsung's Tizen, the wearable OS it just said it will ditch in favor of a co-developed Wear platform they are working on with Google. Can't say I blame you! The $400 Galaxy Watch 3 isn't a year old and you are probably hoping you have lots of updates on the way. According to Samsung, you will. Samsung has committed to "provide at least three years of software support after the product launch," so that means you should get a bunch of updates depending on when your current watch was released. For example, the Galaxy Watch 3 is closing in on its first birthday, so you should get another 2 years of updates. That make sense? Will you get an update from Tizen to the new Wear platform? Hell no. That would be way too much work and Samsung would rather you just buy the Galaxy Watch 4 or Galaxy Watch Active 4, which will run Wear out of the box. // Samsung

The Fitbit-Wear OS Mash-Up is Happening

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 13:02:05 +0000

As a part of today's big Wear OS reveal, where Google said they are making a unified wearable platform with Samsung, the future of Fitbit was also revealed. After a couple of years worth of confusion around Google's plans for the fitness company they acquired, we now know that Wear is going to take over. According to Google, we should expect the "best of Fitbit, including features like tracking your health progress throughout your day and on-wrist goal celebrations," are coming to Wear. Google is referring to this as a "world-class fitness service from Fitbit" for Wear. In addition to Fitbit integration in Wear, Fitbit CEO James Park also confirmed that his company will build premium smartwatches built on Wear and that this is only the beginning of their journey. The details for when all of this could happen (services coming to Wear and Fitbit's new Wear watches) weren't specifically revealed. A lot of "later this year" talk was included in much of the news today. For sure, though, we know that Fitbit services are coming to Wear and that Fitbit is making Wear watches.

Wear OS is F*cking Back!

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:49:58 +0000

Android 12 Beta 1 Now Available for Google Pixel Phones!

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:48:14 +0000

As expected, Google announced Android 12 Beta 1 today for its supported Pixel phones and you can download it right away. Since this is a beta and not just a developer preview, there are a couple of ways to get it on your Pixel 5, Pixel 4a, Pixel 4, Pixel 3a, or Pixel 3. Here is the build info:

Release date: May 18, 2021 Build: SPB1.210331.013 Emulator support: x86 (64-bit), ARM (v8-A) Security patch level: May 2021 Google Play services: 21.12.13

Join the Android 12 Beta

The first and easiest way is to join the Android Beta Program. With Google's Android Beta program, you sign-up to be a part, enroll your Pixel phone, and then start hammering on the "Check for update" button (Settings>System>Advanced>System update) trying to pull the update onto your phone. Depending on when Google pushes the update through its servers, you could have the update right away. To sign-up for the Android 12 Beta, head over to the Android Beta site here.

Update to Android 12 with a factory image/OTA

Not interested in waiting and would rather update manually with a factory image or OTA file? You can do that too! Google has supplied both files for the supported list of Pixel phones and you can go that route. To find instructions on how to update to Android 12 manually, we've got you covered right here. To download the latest Android 12 factory images or OTA files, Google has them here and here. Stay tuned for more! We'll soon be sharing all that's new in this first Android 12 Beta.

Google, Samsung Join Forces for New Unified Wear OS 3.0 Platform

Tim — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:47:31 +0000

Whoa, Google just dropped a massive wearable bomb at Google I/O. Announced this morning, Google has been working with Samsung on a unified platform between Google's Wear OS and Samsung's Tizen wearable systems. What does that mean? A completely revamped platform that should feature an entirely new wearable experience for Android users. There are three key areas that Google highlights for this unified platform. Those areas include better battery life, overall system performance, a better platform for developers and their apps, plus a new consumer experience that offers "world class health and fitness" tracking.

On top of the generic improvements and changes, Google mentions better shortcut functionality, such as a quick double tap action for getting into your last app, as well as an overhauled app experience with Material Design.

New tools, like a Tiles API and a watch face design editor built by Samsung, make it a breeze to develop new experiences on wearables. New and rebuilt apps from developers like Strava, adidas Running, Bitmoji and many more are coming to the platform.

Samsung says an upcoming Galaxy Watch will feature this new Wear OS 3.0 platform, but details on the release of that are not yet available. We'll certainly be waiting to hear more about that. // Google | Samsung

Android 12 Brings the Hottest Android UI Yet and Its on Pixel First

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:35:02 +0000

Google just announced its new design language for Android and its called Material You. This is the big Android 12 UI overhaul we hoped was coming and it is now official. It looks incredible. With Material You on Android 12, you get a more personalized appearance, where yes, your wallpaper leads the charge in highlighting colors throughout the UI. A blueish wallpaper could add blue notes to notifications, settings areas, widgets, the keyboard, and more.

Google is also redoing widgets with this new language, greatly improving animations and performance everywhere to ensure the smoothest experience yet, and has tweaked system spaces like the notification area (with Pay and Home shortcuts). Even simple things like showing a bigger clock on the lock screen when you have no notifications or lighting up the phone depending on where you touch it first, all have been added to Android 12. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UHQPdP8qgrk Google is releasing the Android 12 Beta today with parts of this UI as they continue to build it out into the fall and the stable release of Android 12. // Google

Digital Car Keys Coming This Year, Easy Pairings Between Phones and Cars

Tim — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:29:58 +0000

Google made a few Android Auto, Android Automotive OS-related announcements this week during Google I/O, and considering the number of Android Auto users is detailed to be over 100 million, we think it's good the company continues to support and expand the platforms. For what's new, Google says an updated Fast Pair experience will allow users to quickly connect to Bluetooth devices around you, such as speakers and other devices. This year, Fast Pair is going to work with cars from brands like BMW and Ford. That'll make the wireless Android Auto experience all the more easy to begin.

Digital Car Keys

Also announced is the launch of digital car keys! Currently in testing for launch with Android 12 and scheduled to work with BMW and "others," users will be able to simply use their connected smartphone to unlock and start their cars. With digital car keys, the concept of easily sharing car keys with friends and family who want to borrow your car becomes super easy.

By using Ultra Wideband (UWB) technology, you won’t even have to take your phone out to use it as a car key. And for NFC-enabled car models, it’s as easy as tapping your phone on the car door to unlock it. Since it’s all digital, you can also securely and remotely share your car key with friends and family if they need to borrow your car.

Google says digital car keys will be available on select Pixel and Samsung Galaxy phones later this year. We don't have a list of supported vehicles yet, but once we do, we'll update you.

Check Out My EV Hummer, Bro

This may have already been known, but it's news to me -- the new electric Hummer has Android Automotive built-in, so Google is taking the time to show that off during I/O week. LeBron James has this truck. Not many others will be able to afford one. Either way, it's cool. Google also announced that Porsche is its latest partner, with Android Auto support coming to select Porsche vehicles, starting with the 2022 Porsche 911. Long live, Android Auto. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3QrLfICRrw&ab_channel=DroidLife // Android Developers

Android TV Remote Control Getting Baked Into Your Phone

Tim — Tue, 18 May 2021 11:28:54 +0000

Google announced a bit of fantastic news for Android TV OS and Google TV users at Google I/O this week: a built-in remote control for Android TV on your Android device. Score! With this move, Google is trying to solve a real issue. That issue? Typing passwords and all of that junk into Android TV using a 4-way directional controller. I've always hated that. Also, if you lose your remote, this move also solves that. Overall, the idea of baking a remote for Android TV into Android is pure awesome.

Google says this remote control function is rolling out later this year and will work instantly for more than 80 million active Android TV OS devices, including those using Google TV. NVIDIA announced a similar feature for SHIELD TV a bit ago. It works the exact same way using the SHIELD app on your phone. Good stuff, Google. // Android Developers

Google Announces Sweet Photos, Search, and Chrome Privacy Tools

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 10:58:35 +0000

Google announced a bunch of privacy-focused features at Google I/O today, including new password tools in Chrome, but when it comes to data, Google is adding a couple of very useful tools to help you better protect Google Photos, Search results, and your location history. Coming soon to Google Photos and Pixel devices at first, Google is adding a Locked Folder where you can store potentially sensitive photos that you may not want someone else to see. The folder is passcode-protected (or fingerprint) and the photos inside it won't show up inside your grid or timeline as you scroll in Google Photos. Again, this is coming to Pixel devices first (probably in a feature drop) and will then expand to other devices "throughout the year."

In Google Search, Google is adding a sweet new feature that lets you "quick delete" the last 15 minutes of your Search history. All you'll do is open Search, tap your profile photo, and then look for the option that says "Delete last 15 mins." In Google Maps, Google announced that it'll start reminding you that you have location history on as you jump around your Maps timeline and wonder why Google knows so much about your movement. Neat. And finally, Google's new Password Manager is going to add a way to import passwords from other password managers, deeper integrations with Chrome and Android to fill passwords between sites and apps, more password alerts, and a smart way to fix compromised passwords on the fly.

Google didn't really give us timelines for any of this, but we hope to see it soon enough. // Google

Watch the Google I/O 2021 Keynote Right Here

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 09:35:51 +0000

Google I/O 2021 kicks off today and Google is streaming the entire thing for free to almost everyone. To get the festivities going, Google is hosting a day 1 keynote that should be filled with a couple of hours worth of announcements. Expect Android talk and Google Assistant news and (potentially) more related to Wear OS and Android TV and Chrome and who knows what else. The day 1 keynote is always a good time. To watch with us, be ready at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). We have the stream embedded below. That's it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlk888FiI8A

Verizon Galaxy Note 20 Grabs a Fresh Update (Updated: S20 FE Too)

Kellen — Tue, 18 May 2021 08:49:37 +0000

The Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and Galaxy Note 20 Ultra through Verizon are getting new updates this week that bring both security enhancements and a couple of new features for that large camera to take advantage of. The updates arrive as builds RP1A.200720.012.N981USQU2DUDC (Note 20) and RP1A.200720.012.N986USQU2DUDC (Note 20 Ultra) with May's Android security patch. That part isn't all that exciting, I get it.

UPDATE: The Galaxy S20 FE is getting the same update as build RP1A.200720.012.G781VSQU3DUE1.

For new stuff, Samsung is including a Dual Recording mode that lets users record from both front and rear cameras in split screen or picture-in-picture views. They are also adding "enhancements" to the Quick Share option. The updates should be live shortly if they aren't already. You can check by heading into Settings>System updates>Check for system updates. // Verizon

WarnerMedia and Discovery Going Under One Roof in $43 Billion Deal

Tim — Mon, 17 May 2021 12:59:47 +0000

AT&T announced today that its WarnerMedia company and Discovery will merge into a single entity, creating one of the world's largest streaming companies. As you can see in the graphic above, the new entity will be home to the likes of HBO Max, Discovery+, HGTV, Warner Bros, TNT, and the list goes on and on. What this means for consumers, we expect not much to change as of this moment. As far as we know, nothing is getting renamed and prices aren't getting bumped/lowered in the immediate future. For now, while this goes through all of the legal stuff, this is merely a backend deal between huge companies to help streamline their streaming businesses. Financially speaking, I thought this part of the release was interesting.

The combination will be executed through a Reverse Morris Trust, under which WarnerMedia will be spun or split off to AT&T’s shareholders via dividend or through an exchange offer or a combination of both and simultaneously combined with Discovery. The transaction is expected to be tax-free to AT&T and AT&T’s shareholders. In connection with the spin-off or split-off of WarnerMedia, AT&T will receive $43 billion (subject to adjustment) in a combination of cash, debt securities and WarnerMedia’s retention of certain debt.

Billions of dollars. Zero taxes! The rich get richer, folks! If this move changes or something happens for consumers, we'll update you. // AT&T

A "Brand New Wear" OS Version is Coming!

Kellen — Mon, 17 May 2021 12:33:17 +0000

We are basically 10 minutes removed from me telling you how excited I am for Google I/O tomorrow and a discovery on the I/O site just kicked that excitement up another notch. You know how we have our fingers crossed for big Wear OS news for the first time in years? Google might have confirmed just that. On the "Program" page of the Google I/O site, Google has listed out some sort of I/O adventure for virtual attendees to embark on that involves both Android and Google Play. In the description for that adventure, Google states that you can "Come explore the latest beta for Android 12, Jetpack Compose updates, a brand new Wear version, and so much more!"

A. BRAND. NEW. WEAR. VERSION.

What on Earth does that mean? Maybe it's the spring platform update we are already expecting that brings 3rd party Tiles support. Maybe it's more. My guess is that it's much more than just Tiles. Google is referring to it more as "Wear" instead of "Wear OS" as if a re-brand is coming, there is a dedicated session to what's new, and the Wear OS Twitter account has been quite active in the past week or so with hints about I/O. I'm trying not to over-hype. I'm failing at that. You can checkout the I/O adventure at this link here. (h/t 9to5Google)

Google I/O! Google I/O!

Kellen — Mon, 17 May 2021 11:39:22 +0000

Google I/O 2021 kicks off tomorrow and for whatever reason, my gut tells me that it's going to be a big one. I know I can be awful at predicting stuff and that the opposite often happens, but I'm extra excited for this year's Google developer conference. When I say "big," I'm thinking a bigger Android 12 reveal than the developer preview builds have shown us. I'm thinking big news surrounding Wear OS and Android TV too. Google always has big Assistant news cooked up for I/O, including new features for Assistant as it works through smart speakers and smart displays. And there is always the chance for new hardware. We are already three Android 12 Developer Previews in, but the signs pointing to huge UI changes have been there from the first build. I know there is a supposed leak from the weekend that maybe shows us some of what's in store - I don't care. We have already seen a lot of this stuff uncovered from developers who dug in and Google is likely to make it all official in the Android 12 Beta 1. It's going to be awesome. I think. I'm waiting to process it until Google shows it to us. Thankfully, once Google shows us Android 12 Beta, they should release it. Anyone with a supported Pixel phone will get to try it all out right away. As for Wear OS and Android TV, there are dedicated sessions scheduled to talk about what's new with each. While this could mean minor changes to each platform, something tells me to expect more. Google hasn't talked about Wear OS at I/O for a while, so the fact that it has a session is big enough, plus the rumors of Samsung coming back to Wear could be a sign of big plans from Google. And with Android TV, you have to remember that Google now sells its own dongle that runs Google TV, so we actually have two areas of focus in the dedicated session. I'm not sure I need to guess about anything related to Google Assistant, as it's mostly a guarantee that there will be new stuff. I couldn't tell you the last time we had a Google I/O without significant announcements surrounding Assistant. In hardware, well, we could get Pixel Buds A (or A-series). We could get a new Nest Hello doorbell. I doubt we'll get the Pixel 5a, but maybe Google will reveal its plans for its first smartphone chip, aka "Whitechapel," aka GS101. The festivities kick off tomorrow, May 18 at 10AM Pacific (1PM Eastern). You can watch it with us at the link below. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mlk888FiI8A

Amazon Music Unlimited Subscribers Get Free 'Music HD' Upgrade

Tim — Mon, 17 May 2021 10:04:25 +0000

Amazon announced this morning that Amazon Music Unlimited subscribers are getting access to Music HD and its library of HD and Ultra HD music content for absolutely free. That's pretty clutch, considering the service used to cost $12.99/month for Prime customers. This move also came with an overall price drop for those not using Music Unlimited, with Music HD now costing $9.99/month ($7.99/mo for Prime members). For those not in the know, Music HD offers more than 70 million lossless, HD songs with a depth of 16 bits and sample rate of 44.1kHz. That's "CD quality," which I've never quite understood, but I'm not a sound scientist or anything. Those who upgrade can also access more than 7 million songs in Ultra HD (better than CD quality), with a bit depth of 24 bits and a sample rate up to 192 kHz. Anybody use Amazon over services like YouTube Music and Spotify? This seems like a solid deal.

Upgrade Here

// Amazon

Apple Music Gets Super Fancy With No Price Hike

Kellen — Mon, 17 May 2021 09:51:20 +0000

Apple Music is about to get a big upgrade in the next month and there won't be a price increase along with it. Apple is bringing lossless audio and Dolby Atmos experiences to subscribers in June. In the lossless audio department, Apple will use ALAC (Apple Lossless Audio Codec) to turn its catalog of more than 75 million songs into the quality "that the artists created in the studio." All you'll have to do to turn it on is head into Settings>Music>Audio Quality within the app. From there, you should see several lossless tiers, starting at CD quality. If you want to go full audiophile bro, you'll want "Hi-Resolution Lossless" at 24 bit at 192kHz.

As for the Dolby Atmos stuff, Apple is bringing support with Spatial Audio in Apple Music. This allows artists to mix their sound so that it hits your speakers and ears from all directions. To start, Apple says there are thousands of songs with Spatial Audio and that they'll continue to work with artists to add more. You'll need to find supported music with the Dolby Atmos tag (see above), and Apple will play it in that format by default on AirPods and Beats headphones with an H1 or W1 chip. They are adding a Dolby Atmos playlist right away to help you easily find these tracks. Again, Apple is rolling out these features to Apple Music subscribers in June with no extra cost. // Apple

Gboard 'Device' Theme Will Match Your Phone's Wallpaper on Android 12

Tim — Mon, 17 May 2021 08:27:38 +0000

It's already known that Android 12's theme engine can create system-wide themes based on a wallpaper of your choosing. What, you want a step further? Gboard being able to do the same thing, basing its own theme on your system theme, which is based off of a wallpaper. That's super slick. Spotted by an XDA member and then shared by @MishaalRahman, when using Android 12, when a user selects the "Device" theme option in Gboard's settings menu, the keyboard theme will then match the system theme, which can base its appearance on whatever wallpaper you're currently using. You can see a preview of what it looks like below. It's Google I/O this week, so we anticipate Google to release an Android 12 public beta for select devices. Get excited. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2zGuaEqTyc&ab_channel=MishaalRahman // @MishaalRahman

Report: Samsung Will Slap One UI on Its New Wear OS Watches

Kellen — Mon, 17 May 2021 06:53:57 +0000

Alright, we have another Samsung-is-switching-to-Wear-OS report this morning, only this one adds some new juice. You ready for it? When the Galaxy Watch 4 and Galaxy Watch Active 4 get here later this year, we not only think they'll run Google's Wear OS, but Samsung is reportedly going to put One UI on top of it. Whoa. The folks at SamMobile dropped the news on us, saying that the skin will be One UI 3.x and entirely unique to wearables. They also mentioned familiar codenames for the watches of Wise, Fresh, and Lucky, with Wise being the regular Galaxy Watch 4 with rotating bezel. Adding One UI on top of Wear OS makes a lot of sense. Google's Wear OS, unless Google decides to care about it one day, is a pretty bare bones operating system that has only seen improvements from the companies making Wear OS watches. We're talking about companies like Fossil and Suunto who have added battery modes or additional fitness and sleep tracking to bring the software to a competitive level, since Google won't. Samsung's One UI could look and work great on wearables. It's built for modern touch experiences with touch points and layouts that make sense for easy interaction. A wearable, with its small screen, needs to be efficient at just those types of things, and so if Samsung can manipulate One UI's ideas for the wrist, I could see it fitting in well. Plus, it would add a good amount of flavor to Google's rarely improved Wear OS. But the other side of this is that switching to Wear OS gives Samsung access to Google Play and all of the apps it has. The Tizen OS that all of Samsung's watches currently run wasn't able to attract developers like they had hoped and hasn't seen its app ecosystem grow much. By going with One UI, Samsung gets to switch to a bigger app pool and also show the custom look that we have all adopted from Samsung's popular phones. I love this move.

It's Almost Android 12 Beta Time!

Kellen — Fri, 14 May 2021 13:24:30 +0000

You guys probably realize this, because you are reading an Android blog at the moment, but Android 12 Beta should be here next week! Assuming Google follows the pattern established from past I/O events and sticks to its current schedule, we should get an update from Android 12 Developer Preview to Beta at Google I/O in a couple of days. What's that mean for you? It means that you should get your Pixel 3, Pixel 4, Pixel 3a, Pixel 4a, or Pixel 5 charged up and ready. Those are all of the current Google devices getting updates as a part of the Android 12 Developer Preview program and so they should get all of the Beta builds as well. Once live, you'll be able to head to google.com/android/beta to get signed-up and receive the update pretty quickly. Now, we've been covering all of the Developer Preview builds and have several recaps for you (DP1, DP2, and DP3). The Android 12 Beta is likely to continue on with the features from the previews and then expand some. We've been playing with things like the new Settings menu, improved media controls, notification changes, a less-black dark theme, a one-handed mode, improved picture-in-picture controls, new widget picker, and some lockscreen changes. What we don't know is what else Google will show off in the Beta. We certainly know that they are working on pretty major UI changes with puffier, rounder sliders and other elements, as well as a big time theme engine update that might bring your phone a custom color experience based on your wallpaper. Android 12, should Google bring out all of the stuff that has been found in testing, might be one of the biggest updates in a couple of years. My worry is that Google will save some of this stuff to add exclusively to Pixel devices in a Feature Drop this summer rather than let us play in the Beta builds. Here's to hoping I'm wrong. Anyways, get your Pixel ready - we could get Android 12 Beta 1 on Tuesday.

Might as Well Grab a Google Home Max for $150

Kellen — Fri, 14 May 2021 11:37:22 +0000

The Google Home Max is still my favorite speaker from Google with its massive sound, goofy look, and quick Assistant. I have a pair in my living room that I use often and really enjoy as the hub of our living space's smarts. It's unfortunate that it was discontinued, but I also get it because the speaker was stupidly expensive and quite old. Thankfully, select retailers are finding stock in their back rooms and putting them up for sale at really nice prices. At the moment, A4C is selling the Google Home Max with a 25% off code that drops its price to $149.97. Since this speaker started out at $400 and kept that high price for most of its life, I'd say this is a really good deal. To get Google's best speaker for that price, hit that link below and use code "SLICK25" at checkout to get 25% off and free shipping.

Shop Google Home Max at A4C

Those Supposed Pixel 6 Renders: Hot or Not?

Tim — Fri, 14 May 2021 10:27:42 +0000

3rd-party renders for the Pixel 6 lineup have hit the web and everyone's abuzz about the design. As you can see in the image above, it's different and unconventional. However, the current state of Android hardware is rather boring, with most phones kinda looking the same. I think it's time we see someone get wild. Because these designs are far from confirmed or official, we want to simply gauge your take on if you think these renders are hot or not. Is that hump way too humpy for you? Is it just the right amount of funky looking to be cool? Personally, I really like it. I'm not sure what it would be like to put the phone on a flat surface, wireless charger, or in my pocket, but I'm willing to give it a try. [poll id="570"]

Verizon, AT&T Galaxy S20 and S21 Lines Get May Security Patch

Tim — Fri, 14 May 2021 08:37:04 +0000

May's security patch is headed out to owners of the Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S21 devices on Verizon, while AT&T has begun pushing the update to the Galaxy S20 family. We assume the S21 lineup is right behind it. Regardless, Samsung continues down this dominant Android update path. The changelog actually states that there is more to this update than just the May patch. Inside, it's listed that changes to the Quick Share menu have been made to ensure sharing things to other Android devices is easier. It also says "performance improvements," but gives no specifics. Updated software versions

Galaxy S20: G981USQU2DUDA
Galaxy S20+: G986USQU2DUDA
Galaxy S20 Ultra: G988USQU2DUDA
Galaxy S21: G991USQU3AUDB
Galaxy S21+: G996USQU3AUDB
Galaxy S21 Ultra: G998USQU3AUDB

Go get that update! // Verizon | AT&T

Supposed Pixel 6 Renders Show Google Gone Wild

Kellen — Thu, 13 May 2021 13:11:29 +0000

The Google Pixel 6 shouldn't be here for months, assuming Google follows its typical fall-ish release schedule, yet here we are with supposed renders of the device for you to consider. The Pixel 6 and "Pixel 6 Pro" have apparently been revealed today. The leak arrives from YouTube channel Front Page Tech and has been backed up by Max Weinbach, who happens to have a solid track record for leaks. The images here are said to be renders created from pictures of an actual device that someone has in the wild. According to this report, Google is cooking up a Pixel 6 and a Pixel 6 Pro, meaning they could be ditching the XL tag we've seen used in several Pixel phone models. While specs were not at all included with these pictures, they do show a Pixel 6 with a dual camera setup, along with this Pixel 6 Pro and its triple camera setup.

That bit of info aside, should these be legit, good lord we're here for it. The past two years of Google phones have been quite snoozy, often came off as if Google was bored making phones, and took the safest routes possible to fill a weird semi-budget segment of the phone industry. These phones show what could be very premium materials, a crazy horizontal camera hump across the backside, and a mix of oranges and whites and blacks. This mostly-orange color combo isn't great, but imagine if we got a throwback-style white and black version, eh? There isn't much else to this story as of now. The source of this info has an off and on track record with release dates for both Apple and Google products (they said the Pixel 5a was cancelled, and it hasn't been), but not a great history with actual product reveals, like this supposed Pixel 5 prototype. So look, you can take these and feel free to question them. The only things we truly know about this year from Google is that a Pixel Buds A-series pair of earbuds are coming and so is a Pixel 5a 5G. We think the Pixel 5a 5G looks like this, which is nothing close to these supposed Pixel 6 devices. I can tell you that I hope these are real. Google needs to go wild especially if they are about to release a phone running their first chip.

Google Messages Going Split-View for Tablet Users

Tim — Thu, 13 May 2021 09:35:10 +0000

Android tablets receive hardly any love from Google it seems, so little that I didn't even realize the company wasn't offering a split-view experience for its dedicated Messages app already on Android-powered slates. That seems ~~crazy~~ lazy to me, but hey, this is Google and tablets we're talking about. They sorta gave up on that experiment long ago, with the Pixel C (2015) being the last tablet they produced if memory serves me right. Fine tablet with regard to the hardware, but Android and tablets don't mesh well. I'm getting off track. Thanks to XDA, we can see that Messages is getting split-view support on Android tablets. Yippee! Inside build 8.0.054 of Messages, code in the APK points directly to the new UI, which means users should see it soon down the road. A good guess would be tat Google is merely doing this for Samsung. Both companies appear to have a good relationship when it comes to messaging apps. Here's what the UI should look like once live for all.

Again, this isn't live yet for the public, but it should be coming soon. Maybe Google will detail it more during a session for Google I/O next week? It could happen. // XDA

And Now the Pixel 3 is Here for $160

Kellen — Thu, 13 May 2021 07:45:11 +0000

After you contemplated a couple of Pixel 3 XL deals, where Woot dropped prices on brand new units to around $200, we wondered if they might follow-up those ridiculous prices with regular Pixel 3 deals too. Today, they did just that. If you cruise over to Woot through that link below, you'll find the Pixel 3 in "Not Pink" and 64GB storage for $159.99. That's just a silly price, even for a phone on its last year of updates. Why should you buy a phone this old and that will only get updates from Google through the end of this year? It could be a good kid phone or a temporary device until you find something you really want to spend big cash on. That's sort of my thought here. Maybe you love the Pixel 3 a lot too and need a brand new one in "not" pink? There are a number of reasons, but remember that this phone has wireless charging, a really good camera (same main shooter as the Pixel 5), comes in a fabulous size, and runs a Snapdragon 845. It's a good little phone! The units that Woot sells are technically Verizon models, but they are unlocked to work on all major US carriers.

Shop Pixel 3 deals at Woot

Which Phone are You Most Looking Forward to This Year?

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 15:32:00 +0000

The rest of the 2021 schedule is mostly penciled in with phone releases from Google, Samsung, and Sony either heavily rumored or confirmed. We also have no reason to suspect that OnePlus won't bring us another "T" device later on or that Apple won't deliver an iPhone 13. Even Motorola has to be up to something after re-joining the flagship space with last year's Edge+. At this point, we pretty much know when everyone is going to show us the devices that will take us through the rest of the year. Google has already confirmed a Pixel 5a exists and will show up when last year's 4a arrived. We're pretty sure that a Google Pixel 6 will be by its side with its own custom-made Google chip. If we go by last year, that could mean August or September. Samsung is rumored to show off the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy S21 FE, and a new Galaxy Z Flip in August, right around when Sony finally releases the Xperia 1 III and Xperia 5 III. If OnePlus has a OnePlus 9T in the works, that could get here in October (if not sooner) and Motorola could drop something at any moment. After all, the Edge+ showed up in April of last year and it's already mid-May. And finally, the iPhone 13 should be here this fall and will be Tim's ultimate temptation. We know quite a bit about many of these phones because some of them have been announced and others have leaked on several occasions. So which are you most looking forward to? [poll id="569"]

A Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Running Wear OS, They Keep Saying

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 14:23:03 +0000

Hey, did you hear that Samsung is going to switch back to Wear OS and release the Galaxy Watch 4, as well as a Galaxy Watch Active 4? Of course you have heard that - it's all the smartwatch world can talk about because it would be huge news. Today, another report out of Korea is suggesting the same while pointing out the move could be because Tizen has proven difficult to develop for and the platform still lacks a decent 3rd party app ecosystem after all these years. By switching back to Wear OS, the app selection is much larger to begin with and could motivate developers to dive back into wearables with Samsung back on board. The report hints at Samsung launching both the Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch Active 4 at the rumored August event where we should see the next Galaxy Z Fold 3 device. That would make a lot of sense, even if rumors have tossed around the idea that Samsung's new watches could be here at any moment. If anything, we could get the watches just prior to that event, as we have in the past, because Samsung's next Unpacked could be too packed. Other recent rumors have tossed out model numbers of SM-R880 (42MM) and SM-R890 (46MM) for the Galaxy Watch 4, along with SM-R860 (40MM) and SM-R870 (42MM) for the Galaxy Watch Active 4. If you like to watch Google Search results for retailer slip-ups, keep those numbers in mind for the next several weeks. I know I just spent the morning being mad about exactly 1 watch running Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100 since it was announced, but this move by Samsung would be really huge for Wear OS and is quite exciting.

Google Products Have an Image Problem

Tim — Wed, 12 May 2021 12:52:45 +0000

Let's state the facts. Google products, ranging from hardware to digital services, have an image problem. What has caused this? Google itself. This isn't a new realization for me, but it's one I'm beginning to come to terms with, as I see more and more people in public and on social media shy away from adopting into Google's product ecosystem. The running joke seems to be, if Google releases a product, it'll be shut down or discontinued a year later. That's a bit of an exaggeration, but isn't there a saying how every joke has at least a grain of truth? The joke exists for a reason and Google has no one to blame but itself. Take messaging for example of Google's inability to offer a streamlined experience that will see support for years to come. There's no shortage of ways Android users can message and talk to one another via Google's services. You have the standard Messages app, Duo, Chat, Google Voice, Hangouts, and probably more. That list used to also include Allo and Google+, but you know, Google. The point for messaging I'm trying to make is, instead of just biting the bullet and taking the time and resources to create a single service for messaging, similar to what Apple has for iMessage, Google users are forced to jump around from app to app in order to get things done. Kellen and I recently completely jumped ship and went over to Telegram for our messaging needs. We're not looking back. This problem goes way beyond messaging, but that's certainly one of the problems we've been dealing with the longest. A more recent product I'd point to is Stadia. Not to be mean to its fans, but Stadia probably won't be around too much longer -- though I'd be happy to be wrong in this case because I love the concept. We have seen reports of Stadia's user numbers and they are actually atrocious, missing the mark by hundreds of thousands. Not only that, but Stadia is losing staff, too. Typically, companies like Google don't keep products around that are money losers. They have shareholders to think about after all. I don't suspect it'd be a stretch to think Google announces a Stadia shutdown within the next year or so. Wear OS is another thing I need to harp on real quick, even though Kellen literally spent his morning trashing it, too. No one should be buying a Wear OS watch right now. All of the watches launching are coming with way outdated silicon, with OEMs seemingly refusing to adopt Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100 platform. We have no idea why this is, but companies are still releasing watches and we have to keep telling people not to even consider them. That has got to be one of the worst things you can do for a line of products. Google's software support for Wear OS has been so lacking that I'm shocked they haven't just shut it down and announced that it'll solely focus on its relatively newly acquired Fitbit business. In case you weren't aware, there's been a dedicated site for all things Killed by Google. It's actually depressing to scroll through because I can remember many of these products that I really loved. There was Google Play Edition devices, Google Play Music, Inbox, and plenty more. I recommend giving the site a look, even for the sad scroll through memory lane. Long story short, I'd love to see Google refocus itself a bit when it comes to services and products offered. When the company is continually pushing new things and killing old things, users are getting tossed around and it's not always a pleasant experience. Take the death of Play Music and the transfer to YouTube Music for example. What the was that all about? It took what felt like years and YouTube Music still isn't even close to being a solid replacement to Play Music, at least in my book. What's your take? Have you been avoiding Google products lately, knowing that they may be shut down or discontinued shortly after you adopt them? I know I can't be the only one.

This New ASUS Zenfone 8 Looks Kinda Nice

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 11:34:46 +0000

A phone from Asus has grabbed my attention in a very long time, but that may have just changed with their announcement of the Zenfone 8. With a smallish body, an impressive specs list, and a very reasonable price, this could be a great option in a world filled with nothing but Samsung or OnePlus or Google. The Asus Zenfone 8 ships with a Snapdragon 888 processor, 8GB or 16GB RAM, 128GB or 256GB UFS3.1 storage, 5.9" 1080p AMOLED display at up to 120Hz, 4000mAh battery, stereo speakers, IP68 water and dust resistance, 3.5mm headphone jack, Bluetooth 5.2, WiFi 6/6E, dual rear camera, and Android 11 that's pretty close to stock. For cameras, you have a main 64MP shooter (Sony IMX686) that pulls in 16MP pictures at f/1.8. It can shoot at up to 8K and 24fps or 4K and 60fps. The secondary shooter on the back is ultrawide at 12MP and f/2.2. The front camera weighs in at 12MP. At 148 x 68.5 x 8.9mm, it's almost exactly the same size as a Pixel 5, which I can't seem to put down because it fits so well in the hand. However, this Zenfone 8 absolutely puts the Pixel 5's specs to shame. What's the price for all that goodness? It'll apparently cost around $599 for 8GB-128GB and $799 for 16GB-256GB. That's a wild deal if it holds up and Asus makes it easy to buy in the US. It should be here in a handful of weeks. Once it arrives, we'll let you know.

Separate Volume Controls for Google Assistant and Media Would be Lovely

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 10:56:04 +0000

This weekend, in a rare moment where the family was out of the house for an extended amount of time, I took the opportunity to really let my pair of Google Home Max speakers show off their audio skills. Volumes were cranked. Tunes were consumed. It was wonderful. Unfortunately, once done, I forgot to turn the volume dial back to a normal level. When our schedule of family bells kicked off Monday morning, we were all greeted to a reminder for my son to read some books with volume at like 80%. That shit hurt the ears. It scared him. My sleeping cat was pissed. As it was going off, before Google gave us Assistant's simple new "Stop!" command, I scrambled to adjust volume, which was only made more difficult by the fact that the Google Home app is broken on my Pixel 5 running Android 12 Developer Preview 3. You know what would be super helpful during situations like these? Separate volume controls for Google Assistant and media on Google's smart Home and Hub and Mini devices. The idea was suggested (again) on reddit today and it's one of those you read, nod feverishly in agreement at, and then immediately change to, "Yeah, Google, why the hell don't we have this?" People have been talking about this for years, of course, even calling it a "critical" issue. It seems like such an obvious ability that Google should have baked in right away. How many times have you played music, turned volume up, and then asked Google Assistant for something, only to be blown away if you left media volume untouched? I'd imagine this has happened to us all on too many occasions. The thing is, Google already has separate controls for a number of other items. You can separately adjust volume for alarms and timers, lower audio from a TV or speaker when you ask Assistant for something, and adjust bass/treble. Google does volume controls, they just haven't given us this one thing. Google, let's do it!

In a Year, We Got Exactly 1 Snapdragon Wear 4100 Watch

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 09:23:53 +0000

The watch pictured above is a Hublot Wear OS watch with an absurd price that was made in limited quantities for UEFA EURO 2020. It doesn't matter what it's called or what the absurd price specifically weighs in at because you should never buy it, even if you are a rich football fan who is fine throwing cash on a fire to warm your tea. This Wear OS watch, like every other watch from the past year (outside of 1), runs an ancient chipset and should be completely ignored. I get emails pretty regularly from companies pitching their new watch. Hublot and TAG Heuer are some, Montblanc showed up a few weeks ago, Fossil is here at times, and there are likely others that my mind didn't hang onto because the watches weren't worth hanging onto. Besides the Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3, no watch has been announced or released with Qualcomm's Snapdragon Wear 4100 chip, the chip that probably could greatly improve the world of Wear OS. I point this out today partly because of Hublot's announcement of a watch priced at more than $5,000 with the Snapdragon Wear 3100, but also because we are approaching the 1-year anniversary of the Snapdragon Wear 4100 and Wear 4100+ announcement from Qualcomm. Seriously, Qualcomm showed off these two chips in June of 2020. At that time, Qualcomm was big on the 4100+ and basically told us that it would be the future of Wear OS. Then things changed some, Mobvoi's watch released with the regular 4100, and now we're a year in with nothing else a part of the story. We don't know what the deal is. It could be that the pandemic slowed plans for new watches. It could be that everyone involved in smartwatches is sick of taking losses on Wear OS devices. It could be that Google's lack of dedication to Wear OS has put it all on pause. Maybe it's the chip shortage. We asked Qualcomm a couple of weeks back why companies continued to push out devices running their Snapdragon Wear 3100, a chip that is essentially 5 years old and was never any good, and they didn't have much to say. They told us that both the 3100 and 4100 can co-exist, that they (hilariously) believe the 3100 produces a "perfect combination of performance as well as extended battery life and always-on experiences," and that it "continues to be a powerful and effective chip." I don't even know what to say in response to that. Does anyone agree with that description of the 3100, which again is just a 2100 chip from 2016 with a co-processor? I have a lot of 2100 and 3100 watches and none of them can be described as having powerful performance or good battery life. Thankfully, Google I/O is happening next week and there is a chance that we learn something good about Wear OS. We still think Samsung will try and save the platform too. But look, for all of talk about Wear OS as a dead platform, everyone completely ignoring the only chipset worth using for an entire year is not a good sign for its future.

Amazon Intros Updated Echo Show Lineup, Available in June

Tim — Wed, 12 May 2021 08:35:31 +0000

Amazon has a new lineup of Echo Show displays this week, consisting of an Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5 and Echo Show 5 Kids. Each of these Alexa-powered smart displays will be available later this year in June, but are up for pre-order right now. The big fella, the Echo Show 8, offers an 8-inch HD display, 13-megapixel camera with auto-framing functionality, plus all of that groovy Echo feature rich goodness. Then there's the Echo Show 5, a smaller version of the Show 8 (minus the good camera), plus the Show 5 Kids display designed to keep your kids busy. Amazon also plugs its Kids+ subscription service which has content designed for kids, priced at $2.99/month for Prime members. On a hardware note, Amazon says it's using 100% post-consumer recycled fabric. That's nice. For pricing, Echo Show 8 is available at $129, Echo Show 5 is priced at $84, and Echo Show 5 Kids is available at $94.

Buy: Echo Show 8 ($129) | Echo Show 5 ($84) | Show 5 Kids ($94)

// Amazon

My Favorite Anker Charger That Doubles as a Battery Pack is $34 Today

Kellen — Wed, 12 May 2021 07:52:09 +0000

The one charger that has lasted the longest in our home rotation is without a doubt an Anker PowerCore Fusion 10000. I think I have the original that has long since been replaced by newer models, but I plan to use this adapter until it won't charge any longer. I love this charger, because it is the most versatile with its fast charging and portable juice pack. For those not familiar, the PowerCore Fusion line from Anker is a 2-for-1 product. On one hand, it has a couple of ports (USB-A and USB-C) that can fast charge at up to 20W. That's pretty fast for most phones. On the other side, it doubles as a battery pack with a 10,000mAh cell inside that can also quickly charge a device. So you get the flexibility of being able to charge over USB-A or USB-C, plus you can unplug it from the wall when needed to keep the charge going. Again, I love this charger. Today, Anker has discounted the newest model to $34.49, which is $11.50 off its normal price of $46. You don't need a code or anything, this is a straight price drop. Amazon Deal Link

Gboard Clipboard is Getting Screenshot Sharing Support

Tim — Tue, 11 May 2021 10:53:02 +0000

Google's own Gboard keyboard app has a feature called Clipboard, which keeps track of things you have copied on your device, such as text and images. Having them stored inside of Gboard allows for sharing them down the road. This week, it's detailed that Google is looking to expand upon Clipboard. Rolling out to beta testers is a new function, which is screenshots taken on your device and having those available inside of Clipboard, making the storing and sharing of them very easy. For example, let's say I took a screenshot of battery usage and wanted to share it to Kellen. I'd take the screenshot, go to our Telegram chat, open up Clipboard, and then have the screenshot readily available for sharing. There's obviously other ways to share screenshots, but Google is the master of redundancy. Not that that's a bad thing. For now, it appears you'll need the latest beta version of the app to get this feature to pop up. That would be version 10.5.04.367007960-beta. However, even with that installed, there's no guarantee it'll be available to you. It's all server side nonsense. Anyone seeing this yet? // Android Police

Aukey and Mpow Products Disappear From Amazon

Kellen — Tue, 11 May 2021 08:58:01 +0000

Over the past couple of days, almost all of the products made by popular accessory makers Aukey and Mpow disappeared from Amazon. Since these are Amazon-first brands, that would be an odd move by each company, unless of course they weren't behind the disappearance. I say that because a massive review scam was exposed just prior to the products from each company becoming unavailable. About a week ago, the folks at SafetyDetectives discovered a database filled with some 13 million records that potentially implicate 200,000 people involved in a review scam where unknown companies on Amazon were refunding product purchases if people left 5-star reviews. The folks reviewing the products would first buy the items, leave reviews, and then communicate with the companies who would confirm the reviews before refunding their purchases outside of Amazon. As you can imagine, a process like that would be frowned upon by Amazon. Cooking review scores to elevate products by purchasing fake reviews from people has got to be grounds for removal from Amazon, assuming you got caught, right? SafetyDetectives were not able to (or didn't want to) identify the companies involved in the data they found. Taking a quick glance at Aukey's Twitter feed showed people pointing out that all of their products were missing from Amazon as far back as May 8, which is two days after the database referenced above was discovered. If you click through any of the links they've posted there or visit their store on Amazon, you'll find many "Sorry, we couldn't find that page" errors or a bunch of "unavailable" items. Digital Trends was first to spot the disappearance. So what's the deal, were Aukey and Mpow busted in this fraudulent review scam? We don't know. Amazon wouldn't confirm or deny that either company was involved in a statement given to The Verge. In a brief response given to Tom's Guide, an Aukey representative said they "don't know the details of what has happened" and that they "are currently working on finding a solution." There are lots of questions that need to be answered here. All we know right now is that two of the most popular accessory brands on Amazon have had almost all of their products removed from the online retailer and that a massive review scam involving brands on Amazon surfaced just days before. It's unfortunate to see Aukey disappear like this. You guys have seen us share dozens of their deals over the years because they are a lot like Anker, in that they make quality products at affordable prices and run regular promotions. That Aukey charger pictured above is one that I bought and use every single day. We'll try to update this post as we learn more.

You Can Now Send Money to Select Countries Using Google Pay

Tim — Tue, 11 May 2021 08:34:01 +0000

Google announced today that it has opened up the ability to send your money abroad using Google Pay. For now, you can only send money to India and Singapore using either Western Union or Wise, but soon, Google hopes to offer international transfers in more than 200 countries and territories. To celebrate this occasion, Western Union will offer unlimited free transfers when sending money with Google Pay, while Wise will make the first transfer free for new customers on transfers up to $500.

To send money internationally, start by searching for the Google Pay user you want to send money to in your app, tap “Pay,” and select either Western Union or Wise. From here, simply follow the steps to complete the payment. Easy enough, yeah? Just know, this doesn't make up for Google killing off the old Google Pay. I'll never not be mad about that. // Google

Carl Pei's Nothing Targets June for First "Ear 1" Earbuds Release

Kellen — Tue, 11 May 2021 07:26:01 +0000

Nothing, the new company from former OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei, is preparing to release its first product, a pair of earbuds. We already knew the first product would be in the earbud space, but Nothing today announced both the name of the product and a release month. We're getting closer. The first product from Nothing will be the "Ear 1" and they are indeed true wireless earbuds. The plan for now is to launch them in June. In an announcement post today, Pei described them as "still top secret," but said they combine "notes of transparency, iconic form, and refined functionality." In an interview with CNBC, Pei called them "retro futuristic" and hinted at the earbuds having future features, maybe two or three settings. He added that the earbud market was "begging for differentiation" and that he believes Nothing can elevate earbud design and also deliver value. Millions and millions of these things are sold all of the time at various price points, but the market for earbuds has continued to grow. Pei seems to think they can shake things up with Ear 1. For now, June is the target launch of Ear 1 and I'd imagine that picture above is a bit of a teaser of their shape. Interesting or nah?

Google Killed the Old Google Pay's Ability to Send and Receive Money Today

Kellen — Mon, 10 May 2021 10:47:34 +0000

Google had originally scheduled April 5 to be the end of the Google Pay website and the ability to send/receive money in the old Pay app. They let that date slip without setting a new end date for us to target and those of us who use it, have continued to enjoy such important functionality. Unfortunately, all good things must end in Google's world, so today is the day we've dreaded. On a Google support page, Google added a new note that says May 10 (today) is the day they plan to cutoff send/receive access on both pay.google.com and within the old Google Pay app.

Important: As of May 10, 2021, you can no longer send or receive money with pay.google.com or the old Google Pay app. You can still claim funds for any pending transactions. To send or receive money with friends and family, download the new Google Pay app.

I checked the website as I'm writing this up and it works for now, but the app no longer does, as you can see from the image above. The end is indeed here. If you want to send and receive money through Google Pay, you need to install the new Google Pay app, which I'm not sure anyone loves. It has limited functionality and is attached to your phone number instead of your Google account.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 3 Could Arrive as Early as August

Kellen — Mon, 10 May 2021 10:19:23 +0000

The smartphone world is boring af at the moment because we are potentially months away from the next phone release. Google told us that a Pixel 5a is coming in a few months and Sony did the same with the Xperia 1 III, but companies like Motorola and Samsung haven't said much. That could be because Samsung is trying to establish a date, with new reporting suggesting August is it. A report out of Yonhap News says that Samsung is considering August to potentially launch the Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3 (we're skipping the Z Flip 2 it seems), and Galaxy S21 FE. No other details were established today, only that if launched in August, this would be earlier than the previous year. We got the Galaxy Z Fold 2 in September 2020 followed by the Galaxy S20 FE in October. You'll notice that a Galaxy Note 21 was not mentioned at all and that's because Samsung said it is not going to release a Galaxy Note this year, after saying rumors of such a move were incorrect. They are now "streamlining" phone releases and the that's more than likely because the Note and Galaxy S lines are too similar these days. The Fold series is probably the proper replacement for it too. August, guys.

Clubhouse is on Android

Kellen — Mon, 10 May 2021 07:05:36 +0000

Clubhouse, the app that started the audio chatting craze as an iOS exclusive with an even more exclusive invite system, has found its way to Android. Think Twitter Spaces, Stage Channels on Discord, and the Voice Chats 2.0 that Telegram just added, and you will likely understand Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a place where someone can host an audio chat, have speakers join them, and let people listen to their ideas or stories or whatever. It's apparently quite the popular idea, since various other tech platforms have all copied it and added it to their apps. The Clubhouse app has been on iOS for the past year, so this feels a bit like how Instagram hated us forever and then decided in order to truly grow, they needed Android users. It seems incredibly late. The company talked about how this is took so long because they were taking a measured approach to growth with a small team and that's fine. Fine. Cool. During that time, everyone copied the idea and implemented it in no time. If you want to be a part of Clubhouse, you can install the beta version of the Android app by hitting that link below. You'll then need an invite to actually join, just so you are aware. I don't have one for you, sorry. I'm not (and likely won't be) on Clubhouse. Feel free to ask around in those comments. Google Play Link: Clubhouse