While flagship phones such as the recently announced Samsung Galaxy Z Fold3 get a lot of attention and press, for some people that’s too much phone and way too expensive. Most people would be perfectly suited with a phone that offers decent performance for an affordable price, such as the Orbic Myra 5G UW that just launched on Verizon for $350.
This is the first mid-range phone that Orbic has released for Verizon and here’s what your hard-earned $350 could get you. The Myra 5G UW was built for Verizon’s 5G network in mind and supports Verizon’s nationwide 5G Ultra-Wideband network.
Along with its 5G support, the Myra 5G UW features a large 6.78-inch 1600 x 720 TFT 60Hz display with a hole punch front-facing camera. Additionally, the Myra 5G UW will be the first smartphone from Orbic to support Verizon Adaptive Sound, Verizon’s new mobile audio solution, but you’ll have to wait for an update to be pushed to enable it.
Powering the Myra 5G UW is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 750G SoC and 6GB of RAM with 64GB of storage. It’s also possible to expand the storage up to 1TB with a microSD card slot, so you’ll never have to worry about running out of space.
Around on the back of the phone is a triple camera setup with a 48MP main camera, an 8MP 118-degree ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP sensor for taking macro photos. When you’re looking to get your selfie on, that is serviced by the 16MP front-facing camera.
Finally, the Orbic Myra 5G UW comes out of the box running Android 11 and has a large 5,000mAh battery to help you get through the day. It also supports 18W charging speeds with Quick Charge 3.0.
The Orbic Myra 5G UW is not a flashy phone but it offers some decent specs for an affordable price. It can be picked up starting today for $350 from Verizon’s website or retail stores.
ZTE’s Axon 20 5G was the first to market featuring an under-display front-facing camera. Unfortunately, the camera failed to impress in quality and in being completely invisible behind the screen.
Since then, ZTE has been hard at work improving both the quality of the photos as well as making the camera blend in more seamlessly, and now, it’s finally ready to release the Axon 30 with a new and improved under-display camera.
As with the Axon 20 5G, the main focus of ZTE’s latest smartphone is the 16MP under-display camera. This time it has been improved with a special pixel matrix, larger light-sensitive camera, higher resolution display over the camera, and more.
Not only will all of these changes help hide the camera better than before, but they will also ensure your selfies look much better than the ones from the Axon 20 5G.
Beyond the under-display front-facing camera gimmick, the Axon 30 has a lot going for it. For starters, ZTE has included a large 6.92-inch 2460 x 1080 AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and touch sampling rate of 360Hz. Combine this with the DTS:X Ultra immersive 3D audio, and you’ll have a wonderful way to enjoy bingeing all your favorite shows.
Under the hood, the Axon 30 is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 870G SoC and either 8GB or 12GB of RAM. It also features memory fusion technology that allows up to 5GB of free storage space to be used as additional memory. Speaking of storage, the Axon 30 comes with a choice of 128GB or 256GB along with a microSD card slot for expansion.
On the back of the Axon 30 is the AI quad-camera array which includes a 64MP main camera, 120-degree wide-angle camera, a 3cm macro lens, and a depth-of-field sensor. This will give you plenty of options when you’re out shooting.
Keeping you powered up throughout the day is the 4,200mAh battery that supports fast-charging up to 55W.
Sales for the ZTE Axon 30 begin on September 9, 2021, via the ZTE website. The 8GB+128GB model will start at $499 / €499/ £429 while the 12GB+256GB model will set you back $599/ €599/£519.
Verizon has announced that it will make the switch to the Messages by Google app and embrace the Rich Communications Standard, which replaces SMS, beginning in 2022.
This is a big announcement from the last hold out of the big three carriers. Both AT&T and T-Mobile already agreed to adopt the RCS standard earlier this year, and that means customers on all three major carriers will get to enjoy the benefit of the modern texting standard.
Google has spent years trying to push the RCS standard and includes it by default in its Messages app on Android. The new Rich Communications Standard includes a host of improvements over the old SMS many of us currently use.
For starters, it allows for sending of higher quality images and videos. Something SMS has lacked for many years now as smartphones have grown leaps and bounds in the camera department.
It will also allow for chatting over Wi-Fi or data, read receipts, and end-to-end encryption for one-on-one chats. Encryption for group chats is currently in the works as well.
Basically, the only downsides to RCS are that both the network and the texting app you use must support the protocol. That’s why getting Verizon on board with AT&T and T-Mobile was so important, as well as getting Verizon to partner with Google and bundle its Messages app. This will allow Android users to enjoy RCS in all its glory across all the major networks.
It has taken years now, but in 2022 every Android user on the big three wireless networks in the U.S. will be able to enjoy a new modernized texting experience. The biggest problem is that Apple currently doesn’t support RCS, meaning that any time you text with an iPhone user you’ll lose out on encryption and all the other goodies RCS includes.
There is some hope though, RCS is a standard from the GSMA and Apple could adopt it any time it chooses. It just depends on if the Cupertino tech giant decides whether it is worth adding to iMessage or not.
Let’s face it, pretty much all of us could do at least a little bit better with staying active. Are you stretching as much as you should be? How often do you get up from that desk?
Thanks to the global pandemic a lot of people have been forced to work from home or take classes online. And while things do occasionally look better, we might as well admit that the new normal is not going to be anything resembling the old normal.
This doesn’t necessarily mean that things have to be bad or that we cannot make the best of our situations. As I see it, it’s a perfect opportunity to define a better way of doing things. Take working conditions, for instance.
Small changes around the home or home office can have long-lasting effects. Picking up a second monitor can do wonders for your productivity. A standing desk can also help ensure you aren’t falling into bad habits like slumping at the computer for hours on end.
Walking treadmills are nice, if you have the room to put one in place. You’ll also need to make sure your desk situation is conducive to one, too.
The Sit2Go 2-in-1 Fitness Chair, from FlexiSpot, aims to replace your office chair, or at least find a place in your home. It’s more or less like having a stationary bicycle at your desk with a bit of freedom and functionality.
Offered in white, the Sit2Go is an exercise bike that is easy to put together and even easier to work with. It’s designed to sit under your desk, but moves about the house without any real effort.
Thanks to its adjustable seat height, the chair works for family members and coworkers of all sizes. And the breathable mesh backrest keeps you from getting all sweaty should you get carried away with a brisk pace.
Features
Height adjustable seat with mesh backrest
Track distance, calories, time, and more
Adjustable resistance levels
Moves from room to room and locks itself in place
Impressions
I found the SitGo to be simple to install, taking all of about five minutes to put the seat and back rest on and swing the legs out. Toss in a few (four) AA batteries, screw in the pedals, and you’re all set.
The fitness chair is very quiet to operate and works terrific under a standing desk. It captures not only the length of time you’re pedaling, but also calories burned, and distance, too. With a number of resistance levels to choose from you can go from leisurely and mindlessly getting in some miles to pushing your cardio levels a bit.
I liked that this bike pretty much locks in place whenever I sit on it, but it can take a few times to figure out how to manage the desk. Hint, pull the desk to you instead of trying to slide the bike.
Increasingly, I find myself moving to the bike and standing desk as I’ve become more comfortable with the settings. I miss having the multiple screens and more powerful PC, but working from a laptop or Chromebook and getting in a few miles has become more important to me.
Things look to be opening up here and there, but I am not really that interested in dealing with that many people just yet. This means the trips to the YMCA and gym are down. And with high levels of humidity, mixed with plenty of rain, it’s not exactly easy to bike to the office.
Thanks to the Sit2Go, I can get in 10 miles before lunch and not break out in a sweat. Hell, I can get another 10 or more in after lunch, too.
Were I to use this in my home, I suspect I would move it from room to room or even take it out on the back deck. It rolls nicely and takes up less space than a yoga mat. I could see myself enjoying a movie on the projector or taking in a playlist on a sunny Saturday morning.
At $369.99 I’ll be the first to admit that this is a pretty big ask for a lot of readers. That seems like quite a bit of money and it is –if you’re not serious about the purchase. In looking up other exercise bikes I found that the Sit2Go is right in line with expectations.
If you’ve committed yourself to being more active or taking your health more seriously, I can definitely recommend the FlexiSpot Sit2Go.
Where to Buy
Learn more about the Sit2Go at FlexiSpot’s website where you can also purchase it. While you’re there, check out some of the other products available, especially if you’re on the hunt for a standing desk or something to convert your standard one.
Whether it’s working from home, taking remote classes, or doing anything in a virtual setting, the “new normal” can be a challenge for some. Sure, it’s nice to get together over Zoom or Skype to collaborate and catch up, but what happens after you hang up?
Did you take good notes during that call? Are you clear about what was agreed upon or what the assignment is? If only you could recall that conversation and play it back. Thanks to apps like aPowerREC you can.
Available in the AG Deals Store, aPowerREC is the sort of tool that comes in incredibly handy in the post-pandemic world. It’s perfect for recording (parts or all of) your computer screen, plus it also lets you annotate and edit the video.
Further, aPowerREC also lets users record specific windows or programs, capture audio through microphones, and even clean up recordings. It’s also possible to schedule recordings tasks, export your video to Google Drive, Dropbox, and YouTube, and more.
aPowerREC Features
Screen. Record screen activities on your display
Webcam. Record webcam only or record webcam with screen
Audio. Record system sound & microphone
Annotation. Add texts, lines, arrows, & other real-time editing works
Edit. Trim video length, add a watermark, & other advanced editing
Task. Create scheduled recording tasks to record PC screen/webcam at a specific time automatically
Zoom recording. Zoom in on a certain part of area during screen recording
Locked windows. Record a specific window or program exclusively, and the recording process won’t be interrupted even when you’re using other programs
Spotlight recording. Emphasize certain part of the recorded screen, highlighting the screen recording details
Sharing. Integration with Google Drive, RecCloud, FTP, Dropbox, and YouTube
What do you do with your old phone when you’re done with it? Does it pass down to other, younger members of the family? Do you sell it? Ever thought about pulling it apart and turning it into wall art?
Grid Studio does exactly that, taking select phones and other notable gadgets, and repurposing them as a piece of artwork.
With quite a selection of iPhone models to choose from, GRID Studio has been expanding its portfolio to include Android devices. Now available are the first generation Samsung Galaxy S and the original Google Pixel. Also offered are the first-gen Apple Watch, Game Boy Color, and Sony PSP, and other devices.
Our team was provided a framed Google Pixel here at the office and we fell fast in love with it. A perfect way of looking back at a key moment in time, it also provides a way of looking directly under the hood of the phone.
Each piece is more or less a disassembled product spread across a framed white panel. Depending on which device you choose you’ll end up with either an A3 (11.7 x 16.5 inches) or 13-inch square with a two-inch deep black frame.
If you thought a phone was interesting to look at, breaking it apart and looking closely at the individual components is even better. Each part is clearly labeled, including the display, battery, speakers, cameras, case, cables, and processor. Also included are measurements, a blurb about the release, and in some instances, a quote.
Each piece of art is individually and personally constructed with an exacting level of detail. Truly, pictures don’t quite capture how cool the overall design is for the piece.
Should you struggle to find new or interesting gifts for friends and loved ones, I certainly suggest checking out the pieces at Grid Studio. This goes double if they are or were particularly fond of a specific model or gadget.
The care and detail of the GRID Studio artwork
A beautifully wrapped gift
Looks great in any environment
You can tell from the moment you open your box that it’s something assembled with care and love. From the way in which it’s packed to the wrapping paper and wax seal, it’s great stuff.
Order Yours Today
To be clear, these don’t come cheap but a quality piece of art never does. And that’s what these truly are — quality artwork. The attention to detail, the spacing and framing, and the overall approach is unique and different.
Pieces range from around $130 on up with most devices hovering around $150-$180. Sign up for the email mailing list and you can save 10% on your first purchase.
On the hunt for a new handset but don’t need all the bells and whistles that come with a flagship model? That’s totally understandable; most people can get by with a phone that’s a generation or two behind. What’s more, you don’t need a device that was ever considered a “flagship” to begin with. Take the Google Pixel 4, for instance.
One of our favorite phones of the last few years, the Pixel 4 is still a solid representation of how Google thinks a device should look and operate. And while it originally launched in 2019, it still has a decent amount of hardware for most people. Plus, Google will surely support it software updates and patches for the foreseeable future.
Running a stock version of Android, it’s also among the best simple point and shoot camera experiences in mobile.
The AG Deals Store has a sale on pre-owned versions of the Google Pixel 4, listing them for just $399 right now. Sold unlocked, it will work with your carrier of choice, and has a 30-day parts and labor warranty.
Android phones and tablets come in many shapes and sizes, with different versions of software powering things. And while the default build of Android, commonly referred to as “stock” continues to gain traction, some device makers opt for their own user interface (UI) or user experience (UE).
Take, for instance, Samsung and the software it uses for handsets like the Galaxy S20. Having gone through multiple names and iterations over the years, its One UI powers many of its phones.
What is One UI?
In short, One UI is the software that runs on your Samsung phone or tablet. It is a so-called skin over Android that implements features and UI elements not present in stock Android. That is to really say it offers many features and branded customizations on top of the standard Android experience.
Peeling that onion back a layer, Samsung has an app or tool for its devices called Good Lock.
What is Samsung Good Lock?
Good Lock is a modular suite of apps that can customize various elements of the UI, including the so-called “Unit” apps and the “Family” apps, which are listed below with their descriptions.
Good Lock has been around since 2016 and has been updated yearly since then. It more or less offers a whole new layer of customization on top of One UI, embodied by the app’s tagline “Redesign your Galaxy.” Think of it has like a custom ROM experience without the hassle of rooting or messing around.
How do you install Good Lock and its different Units?
Good Lock Main screen
You can install Good Lock here and once you’re within the app, you can click on the name of the Unit to install it. To go into the Unit once it’s installed, once again click on the name of the Unit. You’ll know whether or not a Unit is installed by the icon next to it, with not installed Units having a download icon next to them.
Good Lock Unit Apps
Lockstar – Create new Lockscreen style
QuickStar – Customize your special Quickpanel
ClockFace – Pick a clock style you like!
MultiStar – Enjoy enhanced Multiwindow experience
NavStar – Create your own navigation bar
Home Up – Enjoy enhanced One UI Home Experience
NotiStar – Notistar is new notification management service
Routines+ – Add advanced features to Bixby Routines so you can make more powerful routines
Family Apps
Keys Café – Set up a keyboard that’s tailored to you
Pentastic – Add your uniqueness to S pen with Pentastic!
Wonderland – Create a moving wallpaper
Theme Park – Theme Park is a service to create a theme and install it quickly and easily
Nice Catch – Got tired of mysterious vibration on your phone?
One Hand Operation+ – Control your phone or tablet more easily with just one hand
EdgeTouch – Prevent unintended operation by setting restriction on the edge of your Galaxy
Sound Assistant – Advanced sound utility for your Galaxy
What Good Locks Units stand out the most?
MultiStar
MultiStar
MultiStar, as mentioned above, is dedicated to the Multi-window experience. I think one of the most standout features for more is the first one, “Quick launch of the Multi window”, which makes it so that the Recents key launches your multi-window mode. This is actually a feature I lost moving from my Note 10+ to my Galaxy S21 Ultra, so getting it back is a very pleasant experience. Multi Focus is also an interesting concept, and this can make multitasking much easier because you can switch between apps quickly and easily.
Home Up
Home Up Main screen
Home Up, despite the name, isn’t dedicated to just your home screen. It also has two particularly interesting components in it: Share Manager and Task Changer.
Share Manager
Share Manager
Within the Share Manager Unit, you can change up how the menu looks when you share things, including turning parts off to make it appear smaller on the screen. You can also add Favorites to your Direct Share, the bit that appears at the very top of your share menu.
Task Changer
Task Changer
The Task Changer Unit can change the layout of your Recents Menu and turn on and off certain components. Each layout type brings some different options that you’ll have to explore, but my personal favorite layout is the grid. It makes your Recents easier to see all at once.
SoundAssistant
Sound Assistant
Sound Assistant has actually been around for quite a while before it was part of the Good Lock family. You can theme your volume panel, control individual app volume, increase volume steps (which is good if you have trouble finding a middle ground in your volume), and much more.
QuickStar
QuickStar
QuickStar can change your Quick Panel and your notification bar, including the ability to change where you swipe to open the Quick Panel directly, remove icons from your notification bar, and style your Quick Panel (I’ll touch on this in the future when I cover Theme Park more in-depth).
Parting Thoughts
Obviously, this is only the tip of the iceberg with Good Lock, which offers many more units and a world of customization. Regardless of which units you decide to install and configure, Good Lock can truly Redesign your Galaxy.
In addition to announcing a pair of new folding phones (Galaxy Z Fold 3, Galaxy Z Flip 3) at its Unpacked event, Samsung also introduced the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic and Galaxy Watch 4.
According to Samsung, the new line of smartwatches offer Samsung’s “most complete wellness experience” to date and house a new groundbreaking sensor. The component lets users measure blood oxygen levels, detect AFib (irregular heartbeat), and can also calculate body composition.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Classic (via Samsung)
The Watch 4 series of wearables include more, and better, Google apps, and an overall enhanced experience. Details include faster automatic workout recognition, more accurate calorie counting, and better sleep tracking.
In terms of hardware improvements, they include a sharper always-on AMOLED display, faster charging, and generally thinner body.
The Body Composition measurement tool gives wearers a better understanding of their overall health and fitness, and includes measurements such as skeletal muscle mass, basal metabolic rate, body water and body fat percentage.
The Galaxy Watch 4 has a smooth, thin design reminiscent of the Galaxy Watch Active, and features an aluminum body. The Galaxy Watch 4 Classic dials things up a bit with stainless steel and a physically rotating bezel.
Availability
Both models of wearable will be offered in two sizes (40mm and 44mm) and with an LTE variant. The Galaxy Watch 4 series starts at $250 for the Bluetooth models and $300 with 4G LTE. The Watch 4 Classic is $100 more at $350 and $400. Pre-orders are available immediately with both sold in a variety of color options.
Samsung on Wednesday held its latest Unpacked where it showed off its latest and greatest mobile tech. Unfortunately for Note fans, it appears there won’t be a new model this year as Samsung is going all-in with foldables.
Taking center stage this time around are the Galaxy Z Flip 3 and Galaxy Z Fold 3. The former we’ll detail here, but if you’re interested in learning more about the spiritual successor to the Note series of phones, check out out coverage of the Galaxy Z Fold 3 announcement.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3
The more compact of the folding phones, the Galaxy Z Flip3 includes many of the rugged improvements from the Galaxy Z Fold 3, including the Armor Aluminum frame, IPX8 water-resistance, and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus.
Worth noting, of course, the smaller design means it loses out on some other key specs. For example, the Flip 3 only has Bluetooth 5.1 instead of 5.2, there’s no Wi-Fi 6E support, and it can only charge at 15W instead of the 25W the Fold3 is rated for.
None of this is really a deal-breaker, but it’s certainly a step down from the Fold3. Below are the full specs of the Galaxy Z Flip3.
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 Specs:
Display: 6.7-inch Dynamic OLED 2640 x 1080 120Hz
SoC: Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 or Samsung Exynos 2100 depending on the region
RAM: 8GB
Storage: 128GB or 256GB
Rear Cameras: 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide, 12MP f/1.8 main with OIS
Front Camera: 10MP f/2.4 cover camera
Battery: 3,300mAh with 15W wired charging and 10W Qi wireless charging
OS: Android 11 with One UI 3.1.1
Availability
The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 is available for pre-order now for $999 in the U.S. and it’s expected to arrive by August 21, 2021. It comes in Cream, Green, Lavender, Phantom Black, Gray, White, or Pink.
