Verizon on Thursday introduced a number of new mobile hotspot plans for subscribers, gathering them into four options with pricing that starts at just $20 per month.
As one might expect, subscribers get a bigger data allowance as the price increases; however, it’s more than just extra gigabytes of usage. Data streaming, for instance, is one of the things that changes from plan to plan. Also, the barebones “Essential” plan does not include access to Verizon’s 5G Ultra Wideband network.
Here’s a breakdown of the major features for each of Verizon’s mobile hotspot plans.
Essential – $20
Includes 15GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited 600 Kbps data
720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE
Plus – $40
5G Ultra Wideband access
50GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited 3Mbps speed data
4K UHD streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband network
720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE network
Pro – $90 (Standalone) or $60 (w/ phone on an eligible Unlimited plan)
5G Ultra Wideband access
100GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited 3Mbps speed data
4K UHD streaming on 5G Ultra Wideband network
720p HD streaming on 5G Nationwide/4G LTE network
Premium – $100 (Standalone) or $80 (w/ phone on an eligible Unlimited plan)
5G Ultra Wideband access
150GB of premium mobile hotspot data, then unlimited 3Mbps speed data
With the days slowly getting shorter and July drawing to a close, it’s time to look ahead to back-to-school season. And while shopping lists used to be about paper, pencils, and crayons, today’s classes often call for a laptop or tablet.
If it’s time for you to upgrade your laptop, but you don’t have the budget for something brand new, consider a refurbished model. Doing so gives you much more bang for your buck.
The AG Deals Store has a wonderful offer on a refurbished Dell Latitude 5480 14″ laptop which features a big screen, plenty of performance, and a price tag that’s budget-friendly.
The Dell laptop is a perfect option for high school students, college students, and families who may need to split time with the device. Moreover, there’s enough power to last casual users a few years of usage and buy time before needing to go all-in with a new model.
Key features
Windows 10 Pro
Intel Core i5-6200U 2.3GHz processor
8GB RAM
256GB SSD
3 USB ports
14-inch display
Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11ac)
The refurbished Dell Latitude 5480 is graded as an “A” which means it has a near-mint condition and may have very minimal to zero amounts of scuffing on the case.
For more than a decade now, much is made about the various iterations of Android. Not so much the specific release number or name, but the general approach to Android. That is to say, a fair amount of people care whether it’s the standard, or “stock”, version that Google releases or if it’s skinned, or otherwise modified.
As a platform, Android has gone through numerous changes over the years with some of them being more obvious than others. Further, device makers have done quite a bit with their respective approach to Android, too.
Let’s take a look at the different builds of Android. From the vanilla, “Android as Google intended” stuff to the skinned and customized approach that phone makers employ.
What is Android?
This seems like a no-brainer, but it’s well worth explaining for the purposes of the article. Android is a mobile operating system (like iOS) that is produced by Google and runs on most mobile devices in the world. In fact, Android has the biggest market share, even beating Microsoft’s Windows.
What is Stock Android?
AOSP vs Consumer Android
Android in itself is an open-source operating system that runs on a modified version of the Linux kernel. Open source means, of course, that anyone can view and modify its source code. This makes Android a collaborative platform that everyone can have a say in.
The Android stack
This official collaboration is called the Android Open Source Project, or AOSP. However, AOSP and the consumer version of Android that ultimately ends up on your phone are not the same.
The consumer version of Android comes with proprietary or non-free components including device firmware (the stuff that makes it so the operating system can actually play nice with your device hardware) and the Google Mobile Services (GMS). This includes Google Play Services, the Google Play Store, and Google apps such as Chrome and YouTube.
Stock Android
This basic version with only the firmware and Google Apps constitutes what is commonly referred to as “Stock Android”. In essence it gives you only the basic functionality needed for your device to work within the Google ecosystem.
The main benefits of stock Android include a clean UI, with no extra apps. Perhaps more importantly, devices with stock Android receive quicker software updates. Largely, they can get updates pretty much as soon as a new Android version is released
Manufacturer Skins
Many manufacturers make their own customizations on top of Android, producing so-called “skins.” Examples include OnePlus’s OxygenOS, Samsung’s One UI, and Xiaomi’s MIUI. In the past we also had HTC Sense UI and Motorola’s Motoblur.
These experiences include a different user interface (UI), bundled apps such as browsers or messaging apps, and some features that you wouldn’t see in stock Android. Depending on your perspective these customizations can sometimes be viewed as bloatware or bloat.
All of these extras take up more memory and storage than a stock version of Android would. In the earlier days of Android this would be more of an issue as it taxed the hardware more than the bare bones approach.
On top of the OEM touches your wireless carrier might include more apps, services, and customization on the phone. This is about as far as it gets from the stock Android look.
Some people may prefer these customizations because they implement far more features. Done right, these are truly valuable touches and tweaks.
Stock Android of the Past
Beyond the very first generations of Android phones, there have been various iterations of stock Android phones. Notably, there were two defunct versions known as “Google Play Edition phones” and the “Nexus” devices. Here’s a quick breakdown of the two.
Google Play Edition (GPE)
Google offered Google Play Edition versions of select handsets.
Google Play Edition phones were a program that ran for about two years, between 2013 and 2015. These were versions of popular consumer phones that, instead of running the manufacturer’s skin, ran a stock version of Android. Furthermore they were sold by Google through the Google Play Store and received software updates rather quickly.
Nexus Series
Google’s Nexus phones were similar to Google Play Edition phones; however, the Nexus phones weren’t simply rebranded versions of existing smartphones. Instead, Nexus phones were developed through a collaboration between Google and mobile manufacturers.
These devices were marketed as developer-centric devices as they were unlocked and came with an unlockable bootloader by default. In short, one didn’t have to deal with carrier software or extra OEM apps.
Nexus phones also received updates directly from Google and were often first in line to pick up Android beta releases and developer previews.
The end of the Nexus line came with the Nexus 5X and 6P, both released in 2015. The Pixel line would pick up the mantle and see a nearly identical approach to software.
Motorola and Essential
Google announced its intention to purchase Motorola Mobility in 2011 and then sold it to Lenovo a couple of years later. In the interim Google revamped Moto phones and the devices in that era featured an essentially stock version of Android. This software experience continued once ownership moved to Lenovo.
Android founder Andy Rubin, who had left the Google team and started his own Essential brand would also lean on stock Android for its PH-1 handset. As he envisioned it, this would be the perfect Android phone.
Stock Android of Today
Where do you find stock Android in 2021? Surprisingly enough, it’s in quite a few places. Considering how the early years of Android saw device makers adding many customizations and enhancements, things have tightened up as of late.
Google Pixel
The Google Pixel line is the successor of the Nexus phones and represents the ideal hardware experience to run its software. Pixel devices are designed and manufactured by Google, but may their genesis had help from the last remnants of HTC.
It’s worth making the distinction that Pixel phones don’t run an explicitly stock Android, but more of an enhanced approach. The UI is essentially untouched, but Pixel phones enjoy features no other Android offer. Consider it more of an early look at things that could come to the general Android experience at a later date.
The Android One program got started in 2014, and was initially designed as being a reference platform for low-end devices and emerging markets. Think dirt cheap smartphones with lesser-known device makers in countries with very little data infrastructure.
Android One has since expanded to target more territories and include mid-range and high-end devices. Android One handsets see software updates fairly soon after a new version is released. More importantly, they also pick up two years of Android updates and up to three years of security updates.
Nokia phones, manufactured by HMD Global, are pretty much the face of this program, but it’s not without the occasional hiccup. Motorola is also a fairly big participant in the Android One program as is the increasingly popular Xiaomi brand.
Android Go
Android Go, or as it’s more officially recognized, “Android (Go Edition)”, is a stripped-down version of Android for low-end and budget handsets. Intended for smartphones with 2GB of RAM or less, it was first made available in 2017 with the Oreo release.
Android Go platform has optimizations designed to reduce mobile data usage, and includes a suite of Google Mobile Services and apps that require fewer resources and less bandwidth.
The interface is largely the same as the standard version of Android, but it does have easier access to quick-settings for features such as battery, mobile-data limit, and storage.
More importantly, there are a few modifications such as limiting to four apps in recent applications and disabling access to other settings. This is all in service of squeezing more performance out of the low-end hardware.
Most devices running Android Go have the stock Android user interface but it’s not a full requirement. Several manufacturers still employ customizations.
‘Almost’ Stock Android
As the unlocked phone market continues to evolve and brands emerge in new territories, we’re seeing more device makers taking a relaxed approach to Android.
Some phone makers, like Blu, have long designed handsets with a stock-like approach. That is to say things look generally untouched and free of overt customization. Save for the occasional extra settings, these look like Android as Google intends. On the other hand, this doesn’t mean the phones are free of bloatware or pre-installed apps.
Other companies who employ a stripped-down Android to various degrees include OnePlus, Sony, Xiaomi, Poco, TCL, Alcatel, NUU Mobile, and assorted international brands.
Focal has been making high-quality audio equipment for 40 years now and recently we were lucky enough to be sent the Focal Sphear Wireless Earbuds for review.
Design
At first glance, you may look at the Focal Sphear Wireless Earbuds and think, how retro. These days, in a world of mostly true wireless earbuds, the Focal Sphear stands out by having both buds connected by a wire.
Hanging from the left bud are the in-line controls that allow you to adjust the volume and control music playback. It’s also where the micro USB charging port resides. I’ve never been a fan of the micro USB port and it’s unfortunate that Focal didn’t go with USB-C instead. However, on the plus side, at least all the buttons are clicky and work well.
Comfort
Since the battery and other components are housed on the cable portion of the Focal Sphear Wireless Earbuds, it helps take a lot of pressure off your ears that you typically experience with true wireless buds. This makes them comfortable to wear and Focal includes a set of silicone and memory foam ear tips in the box giving you even more options when it comes to comfort.
It’s not all good news though, since there is more weight on the cable, I found it tugged on the earbuds and kept pulling them out of my ear. To solve this, I used the included handy magnetic clip to hold the wire in place. It was the first time I’ve ever seen a magnetic clip like this and I really liked the extra bit of design and how premium it felt compared to boring plastic clips that other headphone makers usually use.
User experience
Unlike many other high-end Bluetooth headphones, Focal doesn’t have an app for its earbuds. I was really disappointed there was no way to customize the equalizer and no Google Assistant or Alexa support built-in.
While I know Focal focuses mostly on providing high-quality audio in its products, at this price point I’ve come to expect more from the user experience, such as a fully-featured app or active noise cancellation.
Sound quality
Focal puts a focus on precision sound and makes use of the aptX codec from Qualcomm for a high-quality connection between the Sphear Wireless and your phone.
I’d describe the sound signature of the Sphear Wireless as neutral, bright, and crisp. These aren’t buds for bass lovers, although the Sphear Wireless does provide a nice tight punch of bass. There’s even a different sound profile you can enable by long-pressing the volume up and down buttons with a bit more in the low-end.
However, overall, I found the bass to be lacking in both modes for my tastes, but if you prefer your audio with a flatter more neutral sound then the Sphear Wireless won’t disappoint.
Battery life
Focal rates the Sphear Wireless Earbuds for up to eight hours of continuous playback. In my experience, that was very close to accurate, however, I wish it were longer. Many true wireless earbuds these days offer several hours of listening time, some matching the eight hours of the Sphear Wireless, with even more when combined with the charging case.
Final thoughts
While the Focal Sphear Wireless sound good for those who prefer a more neutral sound signature, I felt they came up a little short for the $250 asking price. I wish there had been a way to tweak the EQ with an app and that they offered longer battery life.
When you can get a pair of true wireless pair of buds with similar acoustics for $200 or less, along with having more battery life and more features–such as the Klipsch T5 True Wireless II–the Focal Sphear Wireless is a bit of a hard sell. And for a little more, you can also snag a pair of Sony’s fantastic WF-1000XM4 ANC earbuds for $280.
Taking that into account, it makes the Focal Sphear look like not much of a bargain and you really have to be a Focal fan to choose them above some of the true wireless competition.
What are your earliest memories of Android? Were you paying attention to the platform all the way back in 2007 and 2008? We certainly were.
For this season of the AndroidGuys podcast we’re taking a trip through time, looking at each version of the Android platform.
We often take for granted all of the great things that our devices do for us. There was a time when our smartphones could not do “basic” things by today’s definition. The series of podcasts aims to educate listeners about the features added into Android along the way.
About This Episode
History of Android Releases – Android 1.6 Donut
Scott Webster and Luke Gaul continue the series, heading back to the early days of Android and the first software releases. The two discuss not only where Android was at the time, but also where hardware was, too. Do you remember all of those strange Motorola phones? We certainly do.
If you subscribe to the podcast through your favorite outlet, you’ve already heard a few of these. Each episode is dedicated to a specific release as well as key devices of the time.
If you need to replace or buy a tablet, it can be a somewhat overwhelming experience, what all of the the options and prices to deal with. To make things worse, new technology can sometimes be prohibitively expensive.
There are opportunities to upgrade devices for a lower price if you spend time looking around, or stumble across a good deal. Such is the case today with the refurbished Lenovo Tab 4 Plus 10.1, on sale in the AG Deals Store for just $159.99.
The unlocked tablet is Wi-Fi ready as well as built for your carrier’s 4G SIM card, too. Feel free to use it around the house, or get a data plan through your service provider and have it with you on the go.
Lenovo Tab 4 Plus 10.1 Features
10.1” HD display: Watch your favorite TV shows on Amazon, Hulu, or Netflix
Dolby® Atmos: Turn your tablet into a mobile entertainment hub with immersive audio
Razor-thin design: Take anywhere with a slim design that’s only 0.28″ thick
1.4GHz Quad-core CPU: Get more done faster with an ultra-powerful processor
Multi-account: Multiple users can open their own account
Eye-friendly: Blue-light screen filter to protect your eyes
Tough: Made with shock-resistant bumper
The Lenovo Tab 4 Plus is features a 10.1-inch HD display which is perfect for taking in Hulu, Netflix, and YouTube or playing games. Then again, it’s also an excellent size for managing emails or reading books.
Extremely thin and light, it packs a 1.4GHz Quad-core CPU, a powerful processor, 3GB RAM, and 16GB of storage. The 7,000mAh battery ensure things run smoothly for long periods.
Refurbished Rating: This product is listed with a grade “B” rating. It may have light scuffing on the bevel/case or light scratches/dents on the body.
Poco has made a name for itself by providing some of the best bang for the buck out there, and now it’s looking to do it again with the launch of the Poco X3 GT.
Let’s start with the price, which is an affordable $299 and is one of the most appealing things about the X3 GT, although not the only one. So, what do you get for this alluring price?
First, the Poco X3 GT boasts the flagship 6nm MediaTek Dimensity 1100 chip with 5G to keep the phone running swiftly. Plus, it’s paired with 8GB of RAM to ensure it’ll be able to handle all the apps you throw at it.
Next, the Poco X3 GT uses a 6.6-inch 120Hz LCD display with DynamicSwitch technology to intelligently change the refresh rate to match the content you’re viewing. Additionally, the display features a 240Hz touch sampling rate and features Corning Gorilla Glass Victus to be highly resistant against cracks or scratches, a first in the Poco phone lineup.
Speaking of firsts, the X3 GT also includes a 5,000mAh battery with 67W Turbo Charging. Not only will the large battery help you get through the day, but the Turbo Charging will take the battery from 0% to 100% in only 42 minutes.
When it comes to connectivity, the Poco X3 GT keeps it speedy with 5G and Wi-Fi 6 support. This ensures your connection will have no trouble keeping up with you and your fast-paced life.
On the rear of the phone the Poco X3 GT sports a 64MP main shooter, 8MP ultra-wide camera, and 2MP macro camera for all your photography needs. The X3 GT also includes several shooting modes, such as Pro Time-Lapse, AI Shutters, HDR video recording, and real-time bokeh video.
When you’re not busy shooting videos, you’ll be able to enjoy watching them with flagship-level dual speakers with Dolby Atmos technology.
The Poco X3 GT is launching soon in Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa with a starting price of $299 for the model with 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There is also a slightly more expensive X3 GT with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage for only $329.
You’ll be able to pick it up in Stargaze Black, Cloud White, or Wave Blue once it’s released.
Recently, Android Police alum David Ruddock wrote an article about how he made the switch to an iPhone. Not too long after, Rita from the same outlet also wrote about how Apple makes it extremely tempting to switch to its ecosystem.
I can admit that Apple does have a compelling lineup of products. I use an iPad Pro because there simply isn’t a better tablet out there. The new ARM-based MacBooks are also killing it with performance and battery life. Plus, as a home theater geek, the new Apple TV has my interest piqued with its new remote and the ability to automatically calibrate your picture settings using an iPhone.
After not using an iPhone in nearly a decade, I decided to pick one up on a whim a couple of weeks ago. After seeing a deal I couldn’t resist, I grabbed the three-year-old iPhone XR.
I preface this because I fully understand that I cannot judge it as a brand new flagship phone or base it on hardware merits. Instead, I’m simply judging it by iOS and how it functions for my personal needs.
Seeing how Apple is famous for its update policies, even this older iPhone runs the latest version of iOS; the experience should be very similar to a current iPhone, just slightly slower.
I’ll start things out on a positive note about all the things I enjoy about using the iPhone.
What I like about the iPhone
Updates
First and foremost is the software support. Despite this being a three-year-old phone, it is running the latest version of iOS. And later this year when iOS 15 is released the iPhone XR will also be eligible for this update.
In fact, going by Apple’s track record, this iPhone XR will be seeing more updates for years to come. When iOS 15 launches later this year, support goes back as far as the iPhone 6S which was launched in 2015.
In comparison, the oldest phone to receive the next Android 12 update will be the Pixel 3 from 2018 and that will be the last update the phone sees.
Furthermore, when an update is released, all supported iPhones get it on day one. That’s a far cry from what we see on Android where Pixel smartphones and maybe a couple of others get the update the first day. If you’re a Samsung user like me, then the wait will be at least another three months, if you’re lucky.
Privacy
Beyond updates, iOS is also more protective of your privacy. It gives you one simple switch to flip to disable apps from tracking your activity. Plus, there is an overview in the App Store for each app, something Google is currently in the process of copying.
However, no matter what privacy features Google copies or implements, it will always fall short of Apple. That’s because Google is in the business of collecting data and serving ads while Apple is not.
Face ID
While I’ve been aware of Face ID for years, this is the first time I’ve ever experienced it myself. I must admit, it is an impressive piece of technology, and I was truly surprised at all the various angles it worked from. Whether I was holding it down by my waist or holding it askew, it just worked, and quickly. Since I wear a hat most of the time I thought that might throw it off, but no such luck.
Although, as impressive as Face ID is, I was not as amazed as I was the first time I went from entering a PIN to a fingerprint sensor. The jump between those two technologies was life-changing. While I could never go back to a phone without a fingerprint sensor, switching back to a smartphone without Face ID was no big deal. It’s certainly something I can live without and I won’t miss Face ID no matter how nifty the technology is.
Picture-in-Picture
On the iPhone just about every video app I use has PiP support, which is great when I just need to check an email real quick or reply to a message. I don’t have to leave the now playing video or stop it. This was really nice to have while streaming Hulu, Disney+, and Netflix.
On Android, you can still do something similar with split-screen view with these apps, but that’s far more cumbersome to set up when all you need is to jump back and forth between an app for five seconds.
Battery life
While using the iPhone XR I easily got two days off the charger with my normal usage. This is far better than I’ve gotten with most Android phones or my current Android phone. Of course, it comes at the cost of a worse display on the iPhone XR, but there’s no denying that Apple hardware and software have always worked well together helping to provide fantastic battery life.
Now that I’m done gushing about all the things the iPhone does well. Let’s get on with why I’ll be returning to my Android phone. To sum it up, freedom and usability.
What I don’t like about the iPhone
Home screen woes
Regardless of Apple’s stellar update record, even on the latest version of iOS, I found myself missing the freedom and control I get on an Android phone.
For starters, the home screen on an iPhone is still a mess. Despite allowing users to hide icons, introducing a poor excuse for an app drawer, and adding widgets iOS still comes up short.
I’m so used to having the layout of my home screen icons exactly where I want them and within reach on these large displays, something iOS doesn’t make possible. Icons are always placed at the top or under a widget, and it can only be placed in a 4×7 grid with no real customization for spacing or placement.
Another home screen annoyance is the inability to swipe down to pull down the notification tray on the home screen. Many launchers on Android offer this and it makes it much easier to access your list of notifications and quick toggles without requiring the one hand shuffle or a second hand to reach all the way to the top and pull it down.
Notification panel, quick toggles, and status bar
While we’re on the topic of the notification panel, it’s also segregated into two sections. One shows the quick toggles for Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, volume controls, etc. if you swipe down from the right corner. While if you swipe down to the left of that you’ll see your notifications.
It took a while to get used to this and I just don’t see the need to separate the two. I much prefer the way Android has them combined and gives you one hub to manage everything with a swipe down.
Looking to the top of the screen is the almost nonexistent status bar thanks to the massive notch from Face ID. I’ve always hated notches, and delayed purchasing a new phone until they shrank to the smaller more acceptable cut out for front-facing cameras.
The size of this notch is so ridiculous that it might as well be a top bezel. It cuts into videos and games, and just looks plain awful. Plus, there’s not even any space to add the battery percentage, and I hate not being able to see the exact number, requiring me to guess the exact percentage.
Galaxy S20 FE with hole punch
Back to the status icons though, or the lack of them. In iOS, your only reminder of pending notifications are dots on app icons, which you may have hidden, or accessing the notification panel.
I so miss the notifications icons in the status bar on Android. They were always a quick reminder of messages or emails I had pending to look at. Without this subtle reminder, I often forgot there were messages that I hadn’t replied to yet.
Mismanaged notifications
Even worse, is how iOS mismanages notifications. Swiping it to the left only removes them from the notification panel but leaves the dot on the app icon.
Say you set off your security camera and get a notification, you don’t need to look at this, you know you set it off. Try swiping that away from the notification panel to be done with it and yet the dot remains on the app’s icon on the home screen driving you nuts. Meaning you have to physically open the app to clear it, even though you swiped it away on the notification panel already.
This was a daily occurrence that caused me a lot of frustration and it’s only one of the ways iOS mismanages notifications. Another example is when I’d have a stack of 3-4 messages from one person in the notification panel, swiping to open the messaging app would only dismiss that one notification while leaving the rest.
It didn’t matter that I had read all the messages in the app itself, or that I had replied, the notifications remained in the panel and that annoying dot remained on the app icon on the home screen.
In short, notifications on iOS are a mess and I don’t see how anyone can be productive using this buggy system that’s not user-friendly at all.
Task switcher
Over the years, Android has evolved to copy the task switcher in iOS. I didn’t like it when Android made this shift and I’m so grateful for Good Lock on Samsung phones for allowing me to change it.
I find side-scrolling inefficient and the large app previews add really no benefit. However, at least when Android copied it they made some improvements by placing app suggestions down at the bottom.
Keyboard
I tried the default iOS keyboard for about an hour but I quickly became annoyed with its lack of functionality. Using Gboard on Android I’m so used to being able to long-press on buttons to bring up numbers and symbols while typing. This makes it much more efficient and it wasn’t long before I swapped to Gboard.
Unfortunately, this didn’t completely correct the problem. While this gave me quick access to numbers and some commonly used symbols, it wasn’t the full experience I’m used to on Android and was just another aggravating annoyance I had to live with daily on iOS.
Settings
Whether you want to change settings for your browser, the camera app, or anything else–they are all grouped together under the settings menu in iOS. This is another cumbersome way I found iOS unfriendly to use.
I would constantly be in an app searching for the settings menu to make a simple change only to realize I had to back out of the app and open the main settings menu, search for the app in the list, and then finally make the change, only to then have to swap back to the app I wanted to use in the first place.
Conclusion
In the end, I don’t think the iPhone is a bad smartphone, it’s just not for me. The things I don’t like about iOS far outweigh the things I do like, and Android gives me the freedom and customization I need to make my phone work for me.
The iOS experience is more or less me trying to find a way to work around its idiosyncrasies. That doesn’t mean Android is perfect or that iOS doesn’t do anything better. When it comes to tablets, I use an iPad Pro because it’s simply the better device.
Smartphones are a very personal object and it’s difficult to make a device that’s one size fits all when we all have different needs and use cases. My needs just happen to not fit into the iOS box.
Using an Android smartphone gives me a wealth of options and allows me to pick the hardware and software skin that best suits me. As the old Google commercial says, “Be together. Not the same.”
July is drawing to a close, the temperatures are rising across the US, and summer is in full swing. We’re not quite ready to look ahead to the back-to-school season, but we’re always on the prowl for a good deal.
We’ve collected a handful of products, apps, services, and other items from the AG Deals Store. It’s a very small fraction of what’s available there so, if you’ve never had a chance to check it out, we encourage you to do so.
What follows are a random assortment of some of the coolest things offered today.
Crave Curve Mini 5W Bluetooth Speaker
Any activity becomes better with a little music. Do exactly that with Crave Curve Mini! Featuring all the powerful perks of Crave Curve in a 3″ Bluetooth speaker.
A truly portable device made for friends and family, this small yet powerful Bluetooth speaker provides up to 10 hours of playback so you can listen at home, work and on the go without ever having to slow down for a charge. This makes it ideal for every outdoor journey!
This innovative Bluetooth portable speaker provides gorgeous clarity and deep, thumping bass with a wide range thanks to dual sound drivers. More than music, Curve features a built-in microphone for answering calls. $35
DIY Coding Kit for Ages 9 to 12
The Coding Kit is designed for children ages 9-13 and is accessible for both beginners and advanced coders. Through hands-on playful learning, kids’ intrinsic curiosity drives the learning process. As children develop their coding skills, they can continue to use the kit to build on their projects. $65.99
Everything a child needs to give a head start to coding is in the kit
Free Twinner – STEAM and Robotics mobile app is also available for download for easy guidance
Sample projects will encourage children to develop & design
Using the manual, children can start building, playing & coding as fast as possible
The modules are produced to be LEGO compatible so that they can be easily designed & played
Reveal the creative power at your fingertips through coding
Jumpstart coding and bring your creations to life
Flux Original Scientific Toy + Magnet Shield Bundle
Imagine a device that can truly surprise people around you. Show your friends the unusual anti-gravity effect Feel Flux provides and they won’t believe their eyes, guaranteed! There are no batteries, no electronics, just a solid piece of metal and a super-strong magnet ball — the simplicity of it makes it even more magical. The slowly descending ball makes for an oddly satisfying experience that people find very relaxing. $119.99
Relies on a rarely know magnetic principle called Lenz’s law
Displays amazingly unusual anti-gravity effect
No batteries, no electronics; just a solid piece of metal & super-strong magnet ball
All-in-one conversation starter, stress reliever, & fidget toy
Suede leather cover seamlessly blends into the surface of the metal & complete with a special desk stand
GhostVolt was started with the simple goal of making robust, secure, and easy-to-use tools for security-minded people like you. This powerful software has all the features you need to protect your personal files with enterprise-level encryption. It lets you encrypt any document on your computer, securely share files, integrate to OneDrive, create secure notes, and more.
GhostVolt uses 256-bit AES encryption to secure your data on your computer or home network. It’s easy to use too! It’s built to work like your usual file explorer so you’ll already know how to use it. $29.99
Unlocked Google Pixel 3A XL (Refurbished)
The Google Pixel 3A XL Smartphone offers everything you need to capture the in-between moments by recording life better, editing easily, and sharing more often.
It features a 12.2MP dual-pixel main camera with phase detection autofocus, so you can capture photos and shoot videos in great detail, even in the dark. It runs on an Octa-core CPU, letting you multitask without your phone slowing down. This phone also comes ready and unlocked, so you can pop in your preferred sim and use it right away.
It also comes with 64GB storage, a 6″ fullscreen display, Wi-Fi connectivity, and more features. With a 3,700mAh battery, you can enjoy this sleek phone for up to 30 hours. $199.95
Ocushield Anti-Blue Light Screen Protector for Samsung S8/S9
Blue light is everywhere. It’s in sunlight. But it’s especially common in digital devices: iPhones, laptops, tablets…all those gizmos. Blue light penetrates your retinas, giving your brain a cue that it’s time to wake up and seize the day. But extended exposure to blue light can have a significant impact on our wellbeing – headaches, eye irritation and fatigue are all common symptoms of blue light exposure. $29.99
Rootd Anxiety & Meditation App
Rootd is your “anxiety and panic attack relief in your pocket.” It is a female-founded and created mobile app that blends engaging modern design, therapist-approved exercises, and on-demand accessibility to help users during all stages of managing panic attacks and anxiety.
Rootd provides relief from the debilitating effects of panic attacks and anxiety. This support is available in users’ pockets anytime, anywhere – including in moments when other valuable resources such as counseling are not. Rootd helps users feel brave enough to return to school or work, depend less on their partners, feel less isolated, and reclaim the amazing potential in their lives. $25.99
ZTE made waves last year when it released the Axon 20 5G, the first phone to feature a front-facing camera hidden beneath the display. Unfortunately, the camera quality left a lot to be desired, however, this year ZTE is back with a brand-new Axon sporting another under-display camera.
Today, the brand launched its latest flagship, the ZTE Axon 30 with an improved hidden front-facing camera. This time around ZTE promises the camera will be even more invisible behind the display along with offering better image quality. ZTE has accomplished this by using a special pixel matrix, an independent display chip, a larger light-sensitive pixel camera, and more.
Whether or not all these new technologies will make a great leap in image quality remains to be seen, but it’s clear that under-display cameras are the future and ZTE has the jump on everyone else.
As for the display that the camera will be hidden beneath, this year ZTE has gone with a 6.92-inch FHD+ AMOLED panel with a 20:5.9 cinema-grade screen ratio. ZTE also marks a new milestone by upping the refresh rate to 120Hz making the Axon 30 the first phone with an under-display camera with this refresh rate.
To go along with the new cinema-grade aspect ratio, the Axon 30 also packs DTS:X Ultra immersive 3D audio technology for the perfect movie viewing experience.
You’ll also be able to shoot your own blockbusters thanks to the quad-camera array on the back featuring a 64MP main shooter, a 120-degree wide-angle camera, a 3cm macro camera, and a depth-of-field camera. Additionally, ZTE provides plenty of ways to get the most out of your videos with 3D Lut filters, dual-way video stabilization, and effects such as Hitchcock zoom and pull focus effects.
Under the hood, the Axon 30 is powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870G and up to 12GB of RAM. The Axon 30 also supports memory fusion technology which is capable of converting 8GB of storage space into RAM when needed.
Finally, the Axon 30 will pack a 4,200mAh battery with support for 55W fast charging to keep you powered up and on the go.
ZTE will begin selling the Axon 30 on August 3, 2021, in China starting at $338 for the model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. There will also be a $476 version featuring 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, as well as an 8GB with 128GB model for $384 and an 8GB with 256GB of storage model for $430.
Global sales of the Axon 30 are expected to begin in September and perhaps that means we’ll see it here in the states as well later this year.
