AndroidGuys

When and where to buy: LG V20

Tips & Tools

AndroidGuys

-

October 6, 2016

Announced at an event in San Francisco, the LG V20 is the second in LG’s V series of phones. Running Android 7 Nougat, the first non-Nexus phone to do so, the V20 offers up two front-facing displays.

Specifications for the phone indicate the V20 is built to go toe-to-toe with pretty much any other flagship. Indeed, the device includes a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processor with 4GB RAM and a 16-megapixel rear camera and 8-megapixel camera combo. It’s decked in all the bells and whistles that make a phone solid today; LG appears to be very serious about the V line of handsets.

Below, you can find out when and where you can buy the LG V20.

[vc_custom_heading text=”Where to Buy” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23d70060″ google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

[vc_cta h2=”Verizon” h2_font_container=”color:%23ef1d1d” h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizonwireless.com%2Fsmartphones%2Flg-v20%2F%23sku%3Dsku2190286||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.verizonwireless.com%2Fsmartphones%2Flg-v20%2F%23sku%3Dsku2190286||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]With a full retail price of $672, the LG V20 can be had in Titan and Silver options. The cost, for qualified buyers, can be split up into 24 payments of $28.00 each.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”AT&T” h2_font_container=”color:%23067ab4″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.att.com%2Fcellphones%2Flg%2Fv20.html%23sku%3Dsku8080246||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.att.com%2Fcellphones%2Flg%2Fv20.html%23sku%3Dsku8080246||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Ma Bell carries the LG V20 in two colors: Titan and Silver. Pricing for the 64GB model runs a hefty $829 but qualified buyers can spread the cost out. Doing so over 30 months breaks out to $27.67 per month[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”T-Mobile” h2_font_container=”color:%23ff009f” h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phones%2Flg-v20.html||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.t-mobile.com%2Fcell-phones%2Flg-v20.html||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]The full retail price of the LG V20 is $770 at T-Mobile; Customers can spread the cost out over 24 months at a rate of $30 each month with a $50 payment due up front.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Sprint” h2_font_container=”color:%23fee100″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sprint.com%2Fshop%2F%3FINTNAV%3DTopNav%3AShop%3ALGPhones%23!%2Fdevice%2Flg-v20-64gb-titan%3FskuId%3D107800018%26duration%3D24EP%26contractType%3DeasyPay%26lineId%3D2791659871||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sprint.com%2Fshop%2F%3FINTNAV%3DTopNav%3AShop%3ALGPhones%23!%2Fdevice%2Flg-v20-64gb-titan%3FskuId%3D107800018%26duration%3D24EP%26contractType%3DeasyPay%26lineId%3D2791659871||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Available in Titan, the LG V20 carries an all-in $792 price tag at Sprint. Customers can sign a two-year service agreement and score one for $350 after mail-in rebate. Those who opt for equipment installation can have the phone for $33 per month over two years.[/vc_cta]

[vc_cta h2=”Amazon” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2g7Z9yx||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F2g7Z9yx||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]A factory unlocked version of the LG V20 runs $800 through Amazon. The Titan Grey model is compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and select MNOS in the US and around the globe.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”B&H Photo Video” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1285960-REG%2Flg_lgus996_ausatn_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html%2FBI%2F20229%2FKBID%2F14505||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bhphotovideo.com%2Fc%2Fproduct%2F1285960-REG%2Flg_lgus996_ausatn_lg_v20_4gb_ram.html%2FBI%2F20229%2FKBID%2F14505||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Priced $800, the carrier-unlocked phone is compatible for both GSM and CDMA carriers. Customers can choose from Titan or Silver color options.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Best Buy” h2_font_container=”color:%23444444″ h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fsearchpage.jsp%3Fcp%3D1%26searchType%3Dsearch%26st%3Dlg%2520v20%26_dyncharset%3DUTF-8%26id%3Dpcat17071%26type%3Dpage%26sc%3DGlobal%26nrp%3D%26sp%3D%26qp%3Dcarrier_facet%253DCarrier~Verizon%255Ecarrier_facet%253DCarrier~AT%2526T%255Ecarrier_facet%253DCarrier~Sprint%26list%3Dn%26af%3Dtrue%26iht%3Dy%26usc%3DAll%2520Categories%26ks%3D960%26keys%3Dkeys||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bestbuy.com%2Fsite%2Fsearchpage.jsp%3Fcp%3D1%26searchType%3Dsearch%26st%3Dlg%2520v20%26_dyncharset%3DUTF-8%26id%3Dpcat17071%26type%3Dpage%26sc%3DGlobal%26nrp%3D%26sp%3D%26qp%3Dcarrier_facet%253DCarrier~Verizon%255Ecarrier_facet%253DCarrier~AT%2526T%255Ecarrier_facet%253DCarrier~Sprint%26list%3Dn%26af%3Dtrue%26iht%3Dy%26usc%3DAll%2520Categories%26ks%3D960%26keys%3Dkeys||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Customers can purchase the LG V20 for Verizon, AT&T, and Sprint with prices that range from $672 to $830. Depending on carrier and credit qualification, the phone can be spread out over 24-30 month periods.[/vc_cta][vc_cta h2=”Swappa” h2_google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” shape=”square” add_button=”bottom” btn_title=”Shop” btn_shape=”square” btn_i_icon_fontawesome=”fa fa-shopping-basket” use_custom_fonts_h2=”true” h2_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fswappa.com%2Fbuy%2Flg-v20||target:%20_blank” btn_link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fswappa.com%2Fbuy%2Flg-v20||target:%20_blank” btn_add_icon=”true”]Maecenas in lectus auctor, mollis eros at, sodales ipsum. Pellentesque eget neque eu lectus commodo commodo. Cras vitae fermentum purus.[/vc_cta]

How DxOMark scored the Pixel phone camera

Andrew Orr

-

October 5, 2016

0

Yesterday at the Google event, the blogging world was surprised to hear that DxOMark, a trusted source for camera reviews, gave the Pixel phone camera a score of 89. Google proudly announced that the Pixel has the world’s most powerful mobile camera. But how exactly did DxOMark reach this score?

Camera Specs

Rear Camera

12.3MP with a Sony digital sensor
f/2.0 with 1.55μm-sized pixels (bigger pixels can capture more photons)
Autofocus: phase detection autofocus (PDAF) and laser detection autofocus (LDAF)
4K video capture at 30fps
HD video capture at 240fps (8x slo-mo); full HD video at 120fps (4x slo-mo)
CRI-90 dual-LED flash (CRI is color rendering index – a measure of its ability to accurately reproduce colors of different objects in comparison with a natural light source)

Front Camera

8MP
f/2.4 with 1.4µm-sized pixels
Full HD video capture at 30fps

DxOMark Mobile Score

With a score of 89, the Google Pixel edges out top flagship phones such as the HTC 10, iPhone 7, and Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge. There is a little controversy surrounding the score. The iPhone 7 Plus has not received a score yet, and many think that this phone will match or beat the Pixel score.

In its review, DxOMark noted that the Pixel camera has a high level of detail in its photos, with low noise levels in every tested lighting condition. The photos have accurate exposure with good contrast and white balance and fast autofocus.

Outdoor Scenes

Color accuracy in photography is extremely important. You want to make sure that your camera – as well as your computer and smartphone screens – are accurately representing color. You can do this with color calibration, but you’ll also want to find out how your camera handles white balance.

DxOMark notes that the Pixel “produced some of the most natural-looking outdoor images we have ever seen in our tests.” The article also mentions outdoor photos with the Pixel have rich colors, life-like white balance, and great rendering of highlights and shadows.

Low Light & Indoor Scenes

In tests to see how the Pixel fares under low light, as well as indoor shooting, DxOMark used Tungsten lighting rated at 5 lux. Tungsten light has to do with the temperature scale of light, or more specifically, black body radiation.

tungsten_light

Tungsten lights are also called “hot lights” because they put off more heat than most types of lighting. These lights tend to fall at the warmer end of the color temperature scale. Without proper filters, this light can make photos look redder. The photo that DxOMark took indoors looks fairly balanced when it comes to color temperature.

In low light scenes, the Pixel had great rendering even at 10 lux and below. Lux is a measure of how intense your light source is. It’s an SI unit of illuminance and luminous emittance, and one lux is equal to one lumen per square meter.

Since the Pixel has both types of autofocus – PDAF and LDAF – this lets the phone excel in low light. PDAF, or phase detection autofocus, works by using a sensor in the direct path of the light coming into the camera lens. The light bounces off of a mirror, and two tiny sensors detect the phase difference in the light’s path and finds the exact distance.

In contrast, LDAF or laser detection autofocus uses a laser to adjust the focus of the phone’s rear camera. The Pixel shoots out a tiny laser burst that travels out until it hits into whatever you’re photographing. The laser is reflected back towards the sensor, and an algorithm calculates the time it takes for the laser to leave and return.

Due to its nature, the LDAF system doesn’t always give you correct results. It doesn’t work that well over long distances or in open spaces, like shooting a landscape. This is where PDAF kicks in to make up for the laser.

Photos taken with the Pixel have less noise than other photos. Image noise is when the photo looks “fuzzy” because the camera sensor can’t pick up as many photons as it can with more light.

Flash

Photos taken with the Pixel’s LED flash were “stable from frame to frame.” Using a color checker, DxOMark was able to accurately test how the Pixel’s flash affected the color of the scene. The photos had great target exposure and flash falloff. Flash falloff means how powerful the flash is – how far it reaches before the light is too dim to light up the scene.

The Pixel’s flash is rated at CRI-90, which is a score that not many LED bulbs reach. CRI measures how accurately the flash keeps the color of your scene. It’s worth noting that this doesn’t refer to the color temperature of the LED flash itself. Rather, it’s about how the LED light source affects the colors of the object, compared to a radiating black body light source.

flash-photos__920

For example, an LED bulb with a CRI score as low as 20-25 can still produce bright white light, while a bulb rated at 90 could render red hues poorly, such as skin tones.

HDR+

One of the features Google mentioned in the keynote was the Pixel’s HDR+ capabilities. It was first introduced in the Nexus 6P, and it lets the Pixel combine several RAW images to produce one enhanced JPEG image.

HDR, or high dynamic range, is an aspect of photography that can be hard to get right. Basically, shooting in HDR or applying an HDR filter balances the shadows and highlights of the photo. This lets you see the fine details of the image better, but it can also affect the color.

DxOMark compared the HDR+ capability of the Pixel and the Nexus 6P. The was achieved by taking a photo every second for more than 10 seconds, then comparing the image quality of each shot. If the image quality was significantly lowered, this meant that the phone didn’t have enough processing power to render the image.

auto_hdr__920

The Nexus 6P wasn’t able to keep up with the Pixel. In the test, the Pixel was able to take as many as 9 HDR+ photos in a row before stalling and going back to a single-frame image. In another test, DxOMark took a photo every three seconds. In this way, the Pixel was able to shoot HDR+ photos “indefinitely.” After four photos, the Nexus 6P wasn’t able to provide HDR+.

The Final Score

Exposure & Contrast: In exposure and contrast, the Pixel got a score of 90. As we noted above, it performed well in all lighting conditions.
Color: The phone got a score of 85 in color. It has accurate white balance, although in one scene DxOMark notes that the Pixel gave the picture a slight yellow cast, but most people probably wouldn’t notice this unless they were a professional photographer.
Autofocus: Since the Pixel has two kinds of autofocus, this received a score of 93. It’s both fast and accurate in most conditions.
Details & Noise: In this category, the Pixel got a score of 93 for details and 84 for noise. This is mainly due to its use of HDR+. The only phone that rendered more details than the Pixel was the HTC 10.
Artifacts: The score for this category was 84. JPEG artifacts, or moiré patterns, were visible in subjects with heavy patterns and high-contrast edges, like architecture.
Flash: The flash score of the Pixel was 88. The high quality of the LED flash made this possible. While there was some flash falloff under certain conditions, this is pretty normal even in high-end smartphones. Mobile flash isn’t as powerful as the flash of a DSLR. The white balance of the flash was also accurate, even when warm tungsten light was added.
Video: Finally, the Pixel’s video score came in at 88. Thanks to hybrid autofocus and image stabilization (although not OIS), the Pixel took great videos under most conditions. Some weaknesses in the video were apparent in certain conditions. Slight motion blur in low light while walking, jello effects from the rolling shutter (common for phones), noise, and color shading with low light. However, these issues didn’t seriously affect the video score of the Pixel.

google_pixel__photo_chart__920

Conclusion

The combination of all of these factors is what gave the Pixel a score of 89. So far, this is the highest score that a smartphone has ever achieved, and Google is quick to point this out. Combined with unlimited photo/video storage in Google Photos, the Pixel should be a good asset in any mobile photographers’ bag. You can read more about the Pixel’s review over at DxOMark.

10 Google Home features that flew under the radar

Opinion

Dan Bartram

-

October 5, 2016

2

More details on Google Home came yesterday at Google’s keynote event in San Francisco. These are a few of the features of Google Home that went a bit under the radar but are worth noting in a bit more detail.

Price

Google has priced the Home competitively at $129, noticeably cheaper than the $180 for the Echo, Google Home’s main rival. This price plus it’s features are sure to make Google Home popular enough to make Alexa sweat a bit.

Capacitive top

This is a neat feature indeed. The touch sensitive top means that if you need to activate Google Home and don’t want to use your voice, for whatever reason, you can simply tap the top and it’ll wake up and be ready to do it’s thing. It’s also handy if you plan on having Google Home bedside, and use it as an alarm clock. Just tap the top to silence the alarm instead of having to shout first thing in the morning.

Interchangeable bases

This one is definitely exciting. One thing I wish was available on the Amazon Echo is an option for some color, as it’s a big black cylinder that sticks out in my living room. Google Home has kindly added six different swappable base options in different colors and materials so that it will better suit me and my space. Also, this means that potential third-party bases may be made with Home compatibility for further style and maybe functionality will come to Google Home in the future.

Television support

The ability to send a YouTube video straight to my TV using only my voice is something I wish I had the capability of doing years ago. Google Home’s ability to control my Chromecast or Android TV automatically is a huge leap over the Echo. It’s a surprise that Echo cannot do this in Amazon’s own ecosystem of products considering they have all the tools, but points to Google for adding this excellent feature.

Machine Learning

Google Assistant is something Google has been pushing for a while now, and the machine learning engine behind it makes the Google Home experience an always improving and learning one. Home will only get better as you use it, and will learn new tricks automatically without needing any sort of updates or product refreshes to get them.

Context awareness

The ability to ask a follow-up question is something Google users have taken for granted for a while now, since it’s been a part of Android for a few years. Google Home brings that functionality to your home with Google Assistant’s ability to be context aware and be able to respond to follow-ups like “What team does LeBron James play for?” and then “What’s his uniform number” and get the right answer without having to clarify. A game changer for trivia night at home.

Cast support

Cast support for audio and video is a big feature of Google Home, for good reason. Cast allows Home to act as a whole-home stereo system through Chromecast Audio and Cast-enabled speakers. The party-hosting possibilities with Google Home are infinite and awesome.

Design

The simple, small design of Google Home is certainly a killer feature, seeing as it is something that will be visible and part of your home and everyday life. Google did well to make the Home pleasing and unobtrusive, as well as customization so it won’t stand out, but still be functional.

Speakers

One place where Amazon Echo suffers the most is definitely in speaker performance. While by no means the worst ever, the Echo’s speaker is not excellent for music playback. Google Home will (hopefully) be an improvement in that regard with it’s speaker design which they claim will be loud and great for music and everyday use.

Made by Google

Being “Made by Google” means that Google Home has access to the whole of the Google ecosystem. That means an excellent, feature-rich search that trounces Echo’s Alexa platform for knowledge-based inquiries, as well as compatibility with many devices and systems like Android, Chromecast, Chrome OS and more.

Posh Optima LTE L530 review: A budget device with a premium feel

Phone Reviews

AndroidGuys

-

October 5, 2016

3

Posh Mobile is a relatively new player to the mobile phone scene. Posh released its first devices in 2013 and has grown its portfolio to include over 20 GSM unlocked Android-based phones and tablets. In a crowded market filled with hundreds if not thousands of budget friendly devices, Posh sets out to be different from the crowd with the mission “Elegance for all.”

I have spent the last two weeks using Posh’s Optima LTE L530 as my daily driver on the T-Mobile network. For a budget device, the unboxing experience was a good one. Included with the phone, Posh gives you a case, screen protector, headphones, charger and a sim tool. Posh Mobile was a relatively new name to me when I received the Optima L530. I was aware that the company had made the largest and smallest Android phones available on the market, but this was my first experience using one of its devices.

I know it is said a lot, but cheap phones are continuing to get better. The Posh Optima L530 is a GSM unlocked device that was released in April of 2016. Though I missed my 6P, I found myself missing it less than I would have predicted. The Optima is a very solid selection for those looking for a budget phone with a premium feel, great battery life, and a decent display. While Posh lists the MSRP for the Optima at $229.99, you can buy the phone on Amazon in both black and gold for $169.

Specs

Display: 5.0″ 720p IPS LCD (~294 PPI)
Processing Package:
- CPU: Mediatek MT6753 Octa-Core 1.3 GHz Cortex-A53
- GPU: Mali-400
- RAM: 2GB
Battery: 3000 mAh Li-Po non-removable
Storage: 16GB (Expandable 32GB)
Connectivity: Dual Sim
- GSM: 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
- LTE Bands: 2 / 4 / 7 / 17
- WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Hotspot
- Bluetooth: v4.0
- USB: microUSB v2.0
Price: ~~$229~~ $169 (on Amazon)

Build and Design

The Posh Mobile Optima LTE L530 has a very nice balance between metal, glass, and plastic. Glass is used to cover both the front of the device and the rear facing camera. This Glass gives the phone a premium feel while also providing increased durability. A plastic plate covers the back of the phone, but it does not detract from the phone’s premium feel. Joining the front sheet of glass and rear sheet of plastic together is a metal skeleton. In addition to feeling great in hand, the metal band provides a lot of rigidity to the device.

To get this premium feel out of a “budget material” like plastic, Posh used a glossy hard plastic that feels similar to glass. While I’m sure this plastic back allowed them to save a lot of money on production thus keeping the device cheaper for consumers, the back is slippery and scratches extremely easily. A few days of setting the phone on my desk and visible scratches appeared on the rear of the device. Despite the slippery feel and ease of scratching, I’m glad Posh used the materials they did. Between the 5.0″ screen and premium feel, the device is a joy to use and fits well in your hand.

Many budget phones don’t include added features like fingerprint scanners, but Posh decided to add one to the Optima. The fingerprint scanner, if implemented properly, could have been a nice touch for the device at its price point. Unfortunately, I found the fingerprint scanner to be more of a nuisance rather than a useful feature since I could only get the fingerprint scanner to recognize my finger about 50% of the time on the first try. One reason for this lack of functionality could be the fact that the Optima L530 is still running Android 5.1 Lollipop. To get its fingerprint scanner to work, Posh had to develop its software to integrate its fingerprint scanner into Android since Android did not officially support fingerprint sensors until Marshmallow.

Display

The Optima LTE L530 has a 5.0″ IPS LCD with a resolution of 720p. Following the example of many budget phones before it, the Optima uses a lower resolution LCD panel to presumably save money and get the most out of the battery. The display did not seem cheap in the slightest, though, and I enjoyed using it to watch videos and read. The Optima has wide viewing angles and PPI nearing 300 allowing text to be read clearly at nearly any angle.

A few Posh devices have had issues with the overall brightness of their displays being very low; this is not the case with the Optima L530. I found that I had to turn the auto-brightness feature off to prevent the device from cooking my eyeballs indoors. I leave the brightness at around 35% at almost all times both indoors and out. The only time I adjust the brightness is in bed at night when I’m reading. Even with the phone’s ability to deep fry your corneas, its lowest light setting is still shockingly low and allows for a good experience reading at night.

Software and Performance

The software experience across the Posh lineup varies significantly. Some devices like the Volt L540 come with a heavily skinned version of Android. The Optima L530 does not. Posh has added some “enhancements” to its version of Android, such as functionality for the fingerprint scanner, but I was excited that the phone still feels distinctly like stock Android Lollipop.

When you get the device, you will need to do a bit of downloading. The phone comes with almost nothing installed. No bloatware, no extras, nothing except the mandatory Google apps and a handful of Posh apps like “Posh Apps” (Which doesn’t load), Inbox (Not to be confused with Googles Inbox), an FM radio tuner, and a basic sound recorder. This is a nice change from the bloatware riddled devices I am used to. I was able to choose what I wanted to install, and I didn’t have to navigate around other “mandated” software. This experience was a bit freeing for me. Despite all this freedom, though, I am still having issues changing my default messaging app. I now have two apps that receive texts and have those lovely notification flags. The messenger bug and fingerprint software aside, I have had no software issues with the phone that would prevent me from using the device in my day to day.

As with many budget friendly devices, Posh had to make sacrifices somewhere to lower the price of the Optima and the performance of the device saw some of the corner cutting. For the first week using the device, I used completely stock settings. While the Optima was usable, I did find it to be a bit slow, and it would stutter through animations occasionally. I decided to try and speed up the phone by enabling developer options and decreasing the animation scale by half. Not only did this speed up the transition between screens, I saw a huge reduction in the stutter between animations as well.

Battery

The battery in the Posh Optima LTE L530 is something to write home about. Posh managed to cram a 3000 mAh battery into the Optima L530. This combined with a power-efficient processor, and a smaller screen with a lower resolution allows the device to go for days at a time. I have come to expect 4 hours of screen on time on any given day from the Optima. Unfortunately, there is a small catch to the great battery life. Once you drain the big battery, you will be tied to the wall for 2+ hours to get back to 100%. To include a quick charge feature on the device, while nice, would have raised the price of the Optima. I think excluding it was a smart move on the part of Posh.

Camera

The Optima LTE L530 has two 13MP sensors with a 2.2 aperture. The rear of the device has a dual-tone LED flash, while the front only has a single tone LED flash. The Optima can record 1080p video at 30fps, has autofocus on both the front and rear sensors, and HDR capabilities. While these specs are far from the worst out there, they do not produce good pictures. Even with perfect lighting conditions and a steady hand, pictures will be blown out, foggy, and have a soft focus. You will not want to use this camera for more than picture messages, and social media.

Conclusion

One major criticism I have with the device is the decision to go with Android Lollipop over Android Marshmallow. The L530 was released six or more months after the announcement and release of Android 6.0, and yet it is still running Lollipop. I feel the inclusion of Marshmallow would have improved my experience on the Optima. The fingerprint scanner would have had built-in software support, the great battery life would have gotten even better with Doze, and general functionality of the phone would have improved and gotten smoother. I’m holding out hope that Posh will release a 6.0 update (or jump straight to 7.1), but regardless of what “could have been,” the Optima LTE L530 it is still a good device.

When Posh Mobile sent me the Optima LTE L530, I was expecting to get a “chunk” of plastic with a cell radio inside of it. Instead, I got the pleasure of using a well-designed phone. Posh has built a well-rounded device in the Optima L530. Many budget friendly devices make enormous sacrifices to make one feature on the phone excel, but Posh went a different route with the L530. The phone does well in many categories with a focus on the display, battery and build quality. This winning combination, combined with the $169 price tag on Amazon makes the Posh Mobile LTE L530 a phone well worth your money.

Motorola pledges Android 7 Nougat support for more than a dozen models

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AndroidGuys

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October 4, 2016

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Motorola on Tuesday confirmed it will deliver Android 7.0 Nougat updates to some fifteen of its models. As we might expect, the list of devices is largely comprised of phones from 2016 with a few from last year, too.

According to the phone maker, the updates are expected to roll out as soon as December. There’s no indication as to which phones will see the Nougat-flavored software first but we suspect it’s the unlocked models first. A number of devices are supported strictly through Verizon so that could add on extra time before the update is pushed out.

Models expecting Android 7.0 Nougat:

Moto G (4th Gen)
Moto G Plus (4th Gen)
Moto G Play (4th Gen)
Moto X Pure Edition (3rd Gen)
Moto X Style
Moto X Play
Moto X Force
Droid Turbo 2
Droid Maxx 2
Moto Z
Moto Z Droid
Moto Z Force Droid
Moto Z Play
Moto Z Play Droid
Nexus 6

One of the best things about a Motorola phone, in our opinion, is its Android build. Aside from those sold through Verizon, there is very little added to the software experience. But, even in instances when we have Verizon’s influence, the overall build is very close to stock Android. This leads to more timely software and security updates.

Motorola has a page designed for customers who want to keep an eye on software updates.

Republic Wireless commits to support for Google Pixel

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AndroidGuys

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October 4, 2016

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Republic Wireless, not one to waste time, today announced support for the brand new Google Pixel smartphone. The service provider was quick on the draw, confirming the unlocked versions of the Pixel would work with its network.

Republic Wireless is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) with service that defaults to Wi-Fi for connection, falling back to Sprint’s and T-Mobile’s cellular network in other places. Also known as “Hybrid Calling” or “Adaptive Coverage“, it allows for rate plans that start as low as $15 per month.

Whereas it initially only offered its own selection of smartphones, Republic Wireless recently began supporting a Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) initiative.

Where it used to take months to certify new phones for our network and restricted our phone selection to one manufacturer, we can now support the latest Android devices from all manufacturers on the same day as the Big 4 carriers.

Due in late October, the unlocked Google Pixel will work with a variety of carriers, particularly GSM-based networks. Customers interested in taking advantage of the Republic Wireless network can order a SIM card for only $5 today.

Google steps out of the box and into VR

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AndroidGuys

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October 4, 2016

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In the past Google dipped its toes into VR by creating and supporting the Google Cardboard initiative. It was a test to see how the popularity of virtual reality would grow, but never a full-on dive into the world of VR. Today that changed with the announcement of Google Daydream.

The Daydream VR headset will be available in three different colors

Google Daydream is a three-tiered initiative into the world of virtual reality. The first component is the Daydream headset. This headset is made exclusively by Google and is designed to focus on comfort and usability. Unlike some bulky and heavy headsets from other manufacturers, the Daydream headset is lightweight, portable and even hand-washable. It also includes a mini-controller with two-button controls and full motion detection.

The controller is small and lightweight and is held by the headset when not in use

The second part of the VR initiative is the phones that will be officially supported by Daydream. The Pixel and Pixel XL were recently announced and are the first official devices to work directly with the Daydream headset. Just pop the phone into the headset and the phone will switch to VR mode. Google stated that more supported phones will follow in the upcoming months.

Finally, you need software. YouTube, CNN, Hulu, HBO and many more are announced as official supporters of the Daydream experience. It’s definitely nice to throw on a headset and have your own virtual theater just inches from your face.

Multiple applications will work directly with Google Daydream

Game developers are also hard at work creating unique experiences for Google’s Daydream. ‘Fantastic Beasts’ based on the movie and book by J.K. Rowling as well as CCP’s Gunjack 2: End of Shift are currently in development and should be available close to launch this November. Check out the Daydream website to see all the games coming. Overall, hundreds of applications will be available within the first year of Daydream.

Google is smart to jump into VR at this time. Multiple large companies like Sony, HTC, Valve, and Facebook have already revealed their intentions for virtual reality. With Sony’s headset launching soon and Samsung’s Gear VR headset already in the wild, there will be plenty of competition and cross support. Google is in a great position to help proliferate the market with high quality VR applications and hardware.

Daydream Phone Controller

We’ll have more on the Google Daydream headset and specific experiences as soon as we get our hands and eyes on them.

Google Home looks to become the center of your connected house

Dan Bartram

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October 4, 2016

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Long has Amazon ruled the ‘virtual assistant home speaker’ market, but Alexa’s days may soon be numbered as King (Queen?) of my living room. Google has released more details on Google Home, its response to the Echo and entry into a deeper smart home experience. Google may be late to the party, but Home packs some killer features that make it a compelling product for the holiday season and for your everyday use.

Design wise, Google Home is a small, unassuming speaker with swappable bases and a white angular top. The top has indicator LEDs, a set of far-field microphones as well as a capacitive area and a mic mute button. The whole design is simple and meant to blend into your home. The speaker is a set of full range speakers with high excursion active drivers for excellent sound and carry, and you can have multiple Home units in your house for simultaneous streaming. Pricing starts at $129 and it comes in white with six swappable bases in two material options: Mango, Marine, and Violet in fabric; Carbon, Snow, and Copper for metal. The extra bases are not currently available for sale, but should be by the time the Home launches.

A robust speaker hides within the small package

First and foremost on the feature front is Google Assistant, Google’s machine learning-powered virtual assistant. Google Assistant allows Home to hold conversations and answer questions with context awareness and control your smart home devices. The Google Assistant is the heart of Google Home, and since it’s a machine learning system, it will improve as time goes on. Google Assistant also allows for searching like you would on your phone or computer, as well as a day brief that gives you a rundown of your schedule as well as weather and important updates when you say “Good Morning.” Google Assistant can handle a lot of queries, such as translations, location searches, routes on Maps, and can even integrate with third-party apps for more control. Google Assistant is the main event here, and there’s so much more it can do that I can’t even touch on all of it here.

Google Home is also Cast enabled, meaning you can wirelessly send audio to the speaker for playback. Cast on Home also allows for control over your cast devices, like Chromecast, Chromecast Audio, Android TV and other Cast-enabled devices. You can just use your voice to send videos from YouTube as well as Netflix straight to your device for seamless viewing. Home also supports Google Photos in the same manor, allowing you to search for photos with your voice and allowing them to be displayed on your TV. This feature paired with Google Assistant really sets it apart from Echo in terms of functionality, and at $129 it’s cheaper than the full Echo as well.

Google Home will be available in the Google Store as well as retail stores like Best Buy on November 4th, and if you purchase one you get six months of YouTube Red for free as a bonus. Do you think that Google Home has what it takes to beat the Echo? Will you be pre-ordering? Let us know in the comments!

Check out these 10 accessories for the brand new Pixel and Pixel XL

News

Matt Adams

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October 4, 2016

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Google just took the wraps off its newest phones, the Pixel and Pixel XL and preorders are now underway! If you’re planning on picking up one of the new phones, you’ll need to keep it protected. With the higher price this year, it’s even more important that you make sure your phone stays undamaged. We’ve taken a look for accessories and found some compelling options. Here they are!

Cases

Ringke [FUSION] Crystal Clear PC Back TPU Bumper – $11.99 + Free Shipping at Amazon

Fits perfectly on the Google Pixel 2016. Available in multiple color bumper finish styles to show off your unique style and passion for trend. Highest quality clear case comes outfitted with laser precise clean bumper in your choice of accent color.
Crystal clear protection with advanced 2X clear quality coating enhances the Google Pixel original look with minimal bulk. The inside TPU corner cushions protect the Pixel from drops, while offering ultimate slimness. Ringke FUSION offers MIL-STD 810G – 516.6 Certified Military Grade Drop Protection in a slim and sleek profile.
Slim transparent TPU bumper with Active Touch Technology allows easy and natural access to all key ports and buttons. Soft flexible premium edges cover all four corners with rear defenderss and tapered lips to offer vital lift design for daily usage scratches.
Ringke’s highest engineering technology for precise tailored cutouts is designed for impeccable perfect fit.
The possibilities are endless! Includes Free DIY template to customize and express your creativity for your perfect Pixel case. Keep the clean and pure look or create endless gorgeous designs with the free easy step DIY template included!

DGtle Google Pixel XL Case, DGtle Anti-Scratches TPU Gel Premium Slim Flexible Soft Bumper – $7.88 + Prime Shipping at Amazon

Made of Lightweight and flexible TPU material compatible with Google Pixel XL
Snap-on slim cover with precise cutouts allows full access to camera, speakers, headphone jack, and control buttons
Providing shock absorbing, anti-scratches and shatterproof with soft comfortable touch feeling
Clear color enhances the original look of your phone without making it bulky
Perfect fit for daily use with a modern design

Pixel XL LK Luxury PU Leather Wallet Flip Protective Case – $9.99 + Prime Shipping at Amazon

Perfect Design for Google Pixel XL [Not fit for Google Pixel]
SECURE WALLET CASE: This wonderful cover case is also multi-functionally designed to act as a case and secure portable wallet. Multiple slots allow you to carry 3 credit cards as well as cash.
PROTECTION: Four corner protection by high quality soft TPU inner skin shell. Shock absorbent material. The automatic magnetic closure holds the wallet securely closed protecting your phone, credit cards, and cash. Quality stitching and strong PU leather is resistant to wear and tear.
HANDS FREE DESIGN: Watching a movie or video on your phone has been made easier with the cover case. Case easily opens like a book with a built in kickstand that lets you make hands-free video calls, read, or watch movies anywhere comfortably.
SECURE FIT: Easy to use. Simply snap on shell. User friendly design with precision cut-outs allow easy access to all buttons, camera, speakers, and connector without removing the case

Pixel XL Case, YOUMAKER Full-body Rugged Belt Clip Holster Case with Built-in Screen Protector – $14.99 + Free Shipping at Amazon

Compatible with Google Pixel XL 5.5 inch (2016 Release)
Precise cutouts for access to buttons, cameras, speakers, and ports
Dual-layer structure of premium shock-absorbing TPU and durable hard polycarbonate provide protection against accidental drops, bumps and shock
Raised lip offers protection against scratches for both front and back of device
Belt clip holster provides an easy solution of carrying the device during travel and work

MP-Mall Pixel XL Case, MP-Mall [Slim Fit] [Shockproof] Flexible Clear TPU – $7.99 + Prime Shipping at Amazon

COMPATIBILITY & DESIGN: Specially compatible with Google Pixel XL. Custom designed to fit your phone with precise cutouts allowing easy access to all buttons, controls and ports.
LONG-LASTING PROTECTION: Shock absorbent and scratch resistant gel TPU material protects your phone from all those bumps and scratches.
SUPER SLIM: This case’s lightweight design allows for a slim and modern look-and-feel with minimal bulk, whilst its slightly raised edges protect the screen when your phone is placed face down.
EASY TO USE: Uniquely more flexible and durable than ever before. Simple snap on/off installation & easily cleaned with water.
SPECIAL DOT PATTERN: Dotted Texture design maintains the phones form and color by preventing air bubbles from forming at the back of your phone.

Cimo Pixel XL Case Premium Slim Protective Cover – $7.98 + Prime Shipping at Amazon

Google Pixel Case for the Google Pixel / Sailfish (2016)
Lightweight, slim and durable TPU and polycarbonate material preserve the phone’s design
Raised bezels protect screen and camera from surface contact
Anti-slip properties gives your smart phone more grip
Precise cutouts allow access to all ports, speakers and cameras

KuGi [Anti-Slip Series][ Dual Layer] Protective, ultra-thin PC Back + TPU Cover Case for Google Pixel XL – $4.50 + $5.95 shipping at Amazon

Designed Specifically for google Pixel XL smartphone, Compatible with All Carriers
Nice appearance, good touch feeling Slim, form-fitted and lightweight
Access to all the controls and features; Perfect cutouts for speakers, camera and other ports
Easy to slip on your device, yet stays on securely
Premium quality TPU cover with High quality PC Back case

SPARIN [2 Pack] Google Pixel Case, Clear Phone Case – $7.99 + Prime Shipping at Amazon

1, Fit For: Specially designed for Google Pixel, with precise cutouts for speaker, camera, and other ports. Full access to all features without removing the case
2, Premium Material: made of eco-friendly TPU with transparent clear body, the case retains all the original color and design of Google Pixel. The soft coating and rounded edges make for comfortable grip
3, Perfect Design: Ultra slim and lightweight case, adds minimal bulk to your Google Pixel, flexible to place or remove easily
4, Maximum Protection: Offer full protection for the back panel, edges and corners (Advanced Shock Absorption Technology: Air Cushioned 4 corners) of HTC Google Pixel
5, Lifetime Warranty: SPARIN provides lifetime warranty

Screen Protectors

TechFilm Google Pixel XL Tempered Glass Screen Protector – $3.49 + $2.99 shipping at Amazon

Made from the Highest Quality Tempered-Glass with 100% Bubble-Free Adhesives for easy installation.
9H Super Tough protects From scratches to high impact drops.
99.9% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating protects against sweat and oil residue from fingerprints.
Protect your screen from scratches, dust and daily wear and tear.
Each TechFilm Screen Protector is accurately designed to perfectly align and fit your Device Screen

Google Pixel Screen Protector [Full Coverage], PLESON[2-PACK] – $7.95 + free shipping at Amazon

Precise Cut: Perfect size for Google Pixel 2016 newest. ONLY Compatible with Google Pixel 2016. 2.5 D Curved Edges and brilliant responsiveness! Qualified glass makes real differences in quality and touch sensitivity!
Excellent material: Industry-leading Japanese special processed glass and innovative glue, ensure maximum protection and wonderful adhere. Anti-Shatter: If broken, tempered glass breaks into small pieces that are not sharp, making it safer than other glass products.
Full Coverage Design: PLESON full coverage design with delicate cutout for front camera and receiver, allows case friendly without peeling off.
External Features: 99.9% High-definition clear hydrophobic and oleophobic screen coating against sweat & oil & water residue from fingerprints. It features maximum protection from high impact drops, scratches, scrapes, bumps. 9H Hardness, Scratch Resistant, Shatterproof, Perfect Clarity and Touchscreen Functionality/No Rainbow Screen/Bubble-Free.
Package Include: 2 x PLESON Tempered Glass Screen Protector, 2 alcohol cleaning wipes( Wet & Dry), dust absorber, installation manual, card for warranty. All Glass Screen Protectors are backed by PLESON’s Lifetime Warranty Program. Lifetime no-hassle warranty provides easy lifetime protection for your tempered glass screen protector.

Everything you wanted to know about Google Assistant

News

Andrew Orr

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October 4, 2016

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The Google event today brought many new products and updates to Android, and one of those is Assistant.

Assistant

The new Google Assistant replaces Google Now as your phone companion. Whereas Google Now was just a more personal version of Google search, the Assistant is more in line with the likes of Siri and Cortana.

The Assistant brings Google closer to its goal of creating the Star Trek computer. It can be found among many products – in the watch, phone, home and car. Now that Google is combining hardware together with software, integrating Assistant into everything should be easier to do.

assistant_2

So what can the Assistant do? You’re probably already familiar with the AI if you’ve been using Allo. You can ask it questions and tell it to do things, like you’ve already been doing with Google Now. On Pixel phones, just long press the home button and start talking. Or just say “OK Google” from any screen.

Set a reminder, make a note, play a playlist, or find out what the capital of Turkmenistan is. The AI learns and improves over time. It can even be integrated into third-party apps, so you can call an Uber or reserve a restaurant table with OpenTable, right within the Assistant.

Privacy

With the release of Allo, many people including myself were concerned about the privacy implications of using the service. The Assistant is able to access all of the data that Google already stores about you. This is to ensure you have a good experience and the service works correctly. How else would you be able to use it if the AI couldn’t access your location, web history, etc.?

assistant_1

Users can choose which personal info you share with Assistant, and you can delete it at any time. Some of the information that is shared:

Your name
Google app version
Your Google Account info, including your search history. This info helps your Assistant provide more relevant results and suggestions.
Your device’s location, which lets your Assistant give you local info like weather and restaurant recommendations.
Info on your device, like contacts or storage. If you’re using the Google Assistant on a Pixel phone, your Assistant can also access content on your screen.

To get the latest updates on Assistant, you can sign up for the email list here.

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Camera Specs

DxOMark Mobile Score

The Final Score

Conclusion

Price

Capacitive top

Interchangeable bases

Television support

Machine Learning

Context awareness

Cast support

Design

Speakers

Made by Google

Specs

Build and Design

Display

Software and Performance

Battery

Camera

Conclusion

Cases

Screen Protectors

Assistant

Privacy