Google may have been a few months delayed in announcing its 4a smartphone but that surely won’t keep it from dragging its feet from additional devices. Indeed, it is back with new phones equipped with 5G support — the Pixel 4a (5G) and Pixel 5.
The Pixel 4a (5G) builds on the recently introduced 4a, but gives it more than just 5G connectivity. It packs a bigger display, bigger battery, and improved camera experience.
Launching with Android 11, the handset will receive two years of major software updates and three years of security updates.
Pixel 4a 5G Features
6.2-inch 2340 x 1080 display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor
6GB RAM
128GB storage
Rear 12.2-megapixel camera
Rear 16-megapixel wide-angle camera with 107-degree field of view
Front-facing 8-megapixel camera with 83-degree field of view
3.5mm headphone jack
3,885mAh battery
Soft touch polycarbonate material
$499 starting price
Although it’s very common to quickly want to compare devices by bullet points and head-to-head matchups, there’s a lot more going on here. The Pixel 4a (5G) is loaded with quite the software experience.
Key among the features here are HD screen sharing in Google Duo, an enhanced Recorder app, and a preview of a new Hold for Me service.
Then there’s the camera experience. The Pixel 4a (5G) gains an ultrawide lens, a software feature called Cinematic Pan, Night Sight in Portrait Mode, Portrait Light, and an improved Google Photos editing tool.
It doesn’t stop there; the phone comes with three months of Stadia and YouTube Premium, three months of 100GB of Google One storage, and Google Play Pass and Gold/Silver Status on Play Points.
Availability
The Pixel 4a (5G) will be available in Japan starting on October 15 and will arrive in eight other countries starting in November. Expecting to see the phone are Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Taiwan, United Kingdom, and United States.
Verizon announced it will also offer the Pixel 4a (5G) starting on November 19. Its version is called the Google Pixel 4a 5G UW and will include support for the carrier’s 5G Ultra Wideband network.
Pre-orders for the phone commence October 29; the carrier will have an exclusive on the Clearly White color. Pricing is $100 more expensive, though. Subscribers can get the handset for $24.99 a month for 24 months ($599.99 retail price).
AT&T on Tuesday announced that it revised its unlimited postpaid plans, giving customers mix-and-match family options. AT&T says it “Unlimited Your Way” are available immediately.
As part of the Unlimited Your Way plans each family member chooses the unlimited plan right for them, all the while getting the multi-line discount.
AT&T breaks its unlimited plans into three options, each of which has different benefits.
AT&T Unlimited Starter – Includes unlimited talk, text and data, access to the 5G network, and spam and fraud blocking.
AT&T Unlimited Extra – All the benefits of Starter plus 15GB of hotspot data, 50GB of premium data, and advanced security (safe browsing and identity monitoring).
AT&T Unlimited Elite – Comes with everything Extra has but doubles the hotspot data to 30GB and premium data to 100GB. Plus, plus unlimited HBO Max content.
Each member of a family plan can pick from the aforementioned three options. The price per line will drop based on how many total lines are on the account.
To learn more about AT&T’s Unlimited plans, head to att.com/unlimited where you can also sign up for service.
Remember some years ago when Microsoft got completely taken apart for wanting to release an Xbox that had to have constant internet access and wouldn’t have a disc tray? Fast forward to 2020, the year of the alien invasion. Ok maybe that hasn’t happened, but at this point would it really surprise anyone?Â
While both Microsoft and Sony have announced a disk tray-less version of their next gen consoles, Microsoft has just taken a very commanding lead with the launch of Cloud Gaming on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. It has over 150 titles available on the cloud. If you’re already a member, you don’t have to pay extra for cloud gaming, you just get it.
How does it work?
To put it very basically, all your games are saved on the internet. What that means is while you technically won’t “own” the game you will have access to it anywhere you go with a decent internet connection. No, you don’t have to take your console or even your laptop with you. As long as you have an Android phone/tablet you’re in the game. Could you imagine playing on your brand new Galaxy Fold 2?
What’s even better is, say you start a Gears 5 on your Xbox console at home, but have to go to Grandma’s (or in-laws). Grab your phone or tablet before you leave and you’ll be able to pick up right where you left off. Isn’t technology great?
Pricing
This is all fantastic but it doesn’t really matter too much if it costs $100 every month. While that may be worth it for some, thankfully Microsoft didn’t go that route. If you’re a new member you can get your first month for only $1! That’s right, you could get your first month for the loose change you find in Grandma’s couch. Unless it’s covered in plastic. If you’ve already been a member you’ll still only have to shell out $15 per month to get your game on.
What about the games?
None of this really matters if the games are horrible. While you might have to weed your way through a handful of games you don’t care about, you can find some real good titles in the mix. This list isn’t exhaustive, but the ones that stand out to me.
ARK: Survival Evolved
Batman: Arkham Knight
Battletoads
Crackdown 3: Campaign
Darksiders III
Dead by Daylight
Forza Horizon 4
Gears of War 1, 4, and 5
Guacamelee! 2
Mortal Kombat X (not available in Korea)
Streets of Rage 4
There are a ton more, you can find the full list here. One last thing, you don’t even need to own an Xbox console to take advantage of Game Pass Ultimate. As long as you have a compatible controller paired with an Android phone/tablet or a PC. This has got to be one of the best values in gaming at the moment.
Will you be getting Xbox Game Pass Ultimate? If so, what game(s) are you looking forward to playing? Sound off in the comments!
Your phone wallpaper is something you’re going to look at almost daily. Why not make it look as good as you can?
As an age-old feature in Android devices, you should know how to change your wallpaper. Whether it’s something you found online, a favorite picture you’ve taken, or something else, you can make it your background.
Find out how to change your wallpaper on Android 10 in a few simple steps.
How to change your wallpaper on Android 10
Due to the massive variety in Android devices, the steps may vary from one device to the next, but it ultimately comes down to the following three fundamental techniques.
The following methods were tested on a OnePlus 7T. Your mileage may vary depending on the OEM of your phone.
First method: Long press the home screen
This is the super simple manner that works for a majority of devices. Like the heading says, all you have to do is long-press an empty space on the home screen.
You might see options for Wallpapers, Widgets, and Home Settings. Choose Wallpaper.
Next, you will have to navigate to which screen you’re looking to apply a new wallpaper to. In the case of OnePlus (used here), you can swipe left or right on the top half of the screen to determine if you’re on the lock screen (A lock icon at the top) or the home screen (where your apps will be showing).
Based on this, you will have to select which one you wish to change first.
From here, you have the option of browsing a variety of options. If you continue swiping to the right on the bottom, most phones come with preset wallpapers for you to use and choose from.
Once you have an image you like, select Set Wallpaper at the top right of your screen to save the change.
Swiping to the left in most cases will let you choose pictures from the gallery, or a gallery of shots captured by the respective community.
At the end, whichever course you choose, you can easily apply the wallpaper and use it immediately.
Here’s a video of what it all looks like once you get the hang of it.
Second method: Through the phone settings
If you’re unable to adjust your wallpaper through a long press, you will have to venture into the phone settings. Over here, look for anything that has the words “Display, Background, Wallpaper, Customization”.
Most Android 10 versions have implemented search in the settings. If you can’t find it on your own, you can use the search function to make it easier.
Third method: Third-Party Apps
This is another measure. If you would prefer, you can have an app do it. There is a wide variety of great wallpaper apps in the Play Store. You can take your pick, but some of my favorites are Google Wallpapers, Walli and Backdrops.
With Google Wallpapers and Backdrops, all you have to do is browse an image you like, and the app will tell you whether you want to set the image as a wallpaper for your home screen or your lock screen and apply it for you.
Walli can change your wallpaper at a specified frequency. It can change your wallpaper after a specified number of minutes, hours, or days.
Mobvoi on Thursday announced that its newest wearable, the TicWatch Pro 3, is now available to purchase. Offered through its website and Amazon, the $299 Wear OS-based device promises up to three days of usage per charge.
The TicWatch Pro 3 is the first Wear OS smartwatch to employ the Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 processor. This means faster app launching, smoother multi-functioning, and better overall performance.
Mobvoi TicWatch Pro 3 Features
454 x 454 display
1GB RAM
8GB storage
Qualcomm Snapdragon 4100 processor
NFC (Google Pay)
595mAh battery
GPS, Heart Rate Sensor, Barometer
Mic/Speaker
22mm watch straps
Key features in the wearable include Dual-display 2.0 with Smart Mode and Essential Mode, giving users the ability to toggle between the 1.4-inch AMOLD Retina screen and an always-on display. Smart Mode provides up to 72 hours of usage while Essential Mode allows for up to 45 days of battery life.
Mobvoi has introduced a number of features for the TicWatch Pro 3, including TicOxygen, TicZen, TicBreathe, and TicHearing. These join the previously available TicHealth, TicMotion, TicExercise and TicSleep functions.
New Mobvoi Apps
TicOxgen: will monitor blood oxygen saturation. The app starts tracking as you start your day and gives you an indicator of your overall health.
TicZen: monitors stress by analyzing the Standard Deviation of NN intervals (SDNN), the key indicator of Heart Rate Variability (HRV). It uses TicBreathe to bring your stress levels down to normal.
TicBreathe: helps improve heart-rate level and stress through scientific breathing methods and monitors your heart rate changes through algorithms based on their stress condition.
TicHearing: measures environmental noise between 30dB to 120 dB and determines whether it’s safe for your hearing organs and nervous system to be in the area
The TicWatch Pro 3 comes in a Shadow Black color and is made from stainless steel and high-strength nylon plus glass fiber. At 47mm in diameter and 12.mm thickness, it is lighter than its predecessors.
Mobvoi includes a black interchangeable 22mm silicone watch strap with orange stitching, giving consumers an option for working out.
Learn more about the TicWatch Pro 3 at Mobvoi’s website where it’s also available to purchase. You can also find it at Amazon, too.
TCL on Thursday announced its Signa is now available through Verizon Prepaid as part of its entry-level roster of phones. Priced just $80, it’s the first handset to launch with a major wireless carrier which bears the TCL branding.
The TCL Signa runs Android 10 and offers up a 5.5-inch HD display and an 8-megapixel rear camera. Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 429 processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB storage.
Rounding out the hardware are a 3,000mAh battery, USB Type-C charging, a microSD expansion card slot, 3.5mm headphone jack, and dedicated Google Assistant button.
TCL previously offered phones in the US through its Alcatel brand, spreading them around various wireless carriers. Having dipped its toes into the self-branded phone waters earlier this year, we suspect we’ll see more devices like these through Verizon and others.
EDITOR NOTE: This is a promoted post and should not be viewed as an editorial endorsement.
The popularity of mobile apps is indisputable. The number of downloadable apps on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store is only increasing. Everyone who has a smartphone has at least one app on it. But what does this mean for businesses?
Mobile apps have given companies a completely new way to connect with their customers, and they offer a lot of opportunities for small businesses to grow and expand. If you want to learn how to create an app and make money, you’ve come to the right place.
Benefits of creating a mobile app
Credit: Pexel (Pixabay)
If you’re not completely sure how a simple mobile app can be beneficial for your business, you’ll probably be surprised by all of the reasons why you need to create an app. Not only does it help you keep up with trends, but it also allows you to expand your market and increase revenue.
There are multiple ways mobile apps help you do this.
Reach customers from all over the world
Not that long ago, businesses could only cater to local buyers, especially if they were small and didn’t have a large marketing budget. However, thanks to the mobile app revolution, you can now offer your products and services to people from different cities, regions, and even countries.
While you will cater to local buyers at first, once you start growing, you can use geo-location technologies to expand your customer base easily. Furthermore, customers will have access to your store at their fingertips, no matter where they’re located.
Easy to create brand awareness
Branding is very important if you want to grow your business. When you think of some of the most successful companies, you can probably see their logo in your mind’s eye as well. Branding plays a significant role in staying at the top of your customer’s mind and increasing visibility.
When you have a mobile app, creating brand awareness becomes significantly easier. This is because when a customer installs your app on their phone, your company’s logo will be on full display whenever they look at their mobile screen.
You can create better customer experience
Unlike mobile websites that depend on organic traffic to be even remotely successful, mobile apps only require the user to download it. Once a customer finds your app and installs it consciously, it is easy to turn them into a loyal customer if they find your app useful and helpful.
Mobile apps can use optimized device features to create a more enjoyable experience for all users. Mobile payment technologies make transactions quicker and easier, while geo-location technologies can leverage more business opportunities by providing contextual and location-based advertising.
Collecting user data is easier
Nowadays, it’s common practice to always have your smartphone with you wherever you go, and businesses with mobile apps can use this to their advantage. Since mobile devices have an array of device-specific sensors built into them, it’s easy to collect accurate user data.
You will be able to find out a plethora of valuable user-specific data such as location, demographics, buying habits, and preferences. This allows you to create better targeted marketing strategies.
Advice for mobile app creation
William Iven (Pixabay )
Before you create an app marketing strategy and start attracting users, you need to make sure your app follows some basic principles. After all, you need to be careful about every aspect of your app if you want to prioritize business growth.
Don’t put too much information in your app
Keep in mind that when someone installs your app, they do it because they’re already familiar with your business and products. There’s no need to over-educate them and provide them with the information they already know.
Many business apps have long texts on their opening screens, which does nothing except annoy users. Replace these with tooltips that will tell your users more about the app and a tutorial that will explain how to use the app and what it’s meant for.
Remove all sources of friction
The smallest things can cause friction in your app, so you need to remove all potential risks.
Make actions clear. Every screen on your app needs to have one clear action that makes it easy for users to move through the app without making any wrong choices.
The CTAs need to be consistent. Every CTA you include needs to have the same superficial traits. This includes placement, color, wording, and font.
Avoid cognitive load. Examine how much text you have on every screen and decide if all of it is necessary. If not, remove everything that doesn’t explain how to reach the next screen.
Include positive reinforcement
It’s important to encourage users to go through your app, and the best way to do so is by rewarding them for every action no matter how small it is. This can be done by including checkmarks when they fill out form fields and including transition animations that will thank users after performing an action such as completing a purchase.
Prioritize effective referral channels
A referral program needs to be an essential part of your app, as 92% of consumers trust referrals from people they know. In the early stages, offer multiple referral channels, but after some time, analyze their success rates to find the channels that yield the highest number of referrals. Once you do that, only keep those channels and focus on maximizing send volume from them.
Make referral programs appealing to both sides
Referral programs can be a powerful tool that influences your business’ growth, but only if it appeals to both the people who invite their contacts and the ones who are invited. The best way to make your referral programs appealing to both sides is to offer double-sided incentives.
For instance, you can offer a discount, a free sample, free shipping, or any incentive that would appeal to customers who love your brand. Just don’t forget that once new customers come to your app, you need to provide them with great user experience so they stay there long-term.
Final thoughts
The widespread use of mobile apps has made it easy for companies to utilize their power, attract more customers, and make their business grow. Now that you know all the benefits of mobile business apps and how to design a good one, there’s nothing stopping you from growing your business. All that’s left to do is create an app and start making money with it.
Arlo on Tuesday added two new cameras to its portfolio of wireless cameras. Both devices, the Arlo Essential and Arlo Essential Spotlight XL, are set to arrive in the coming months.
As part of the Essential line of cameras, these are more affordable than the Pro line, and give consumers a wallet-friendly way of outfitting their home. The two more or less bookend the already-available Essential Spotlight camera.
The cameras are designed to work indoors or outdoors and can even handle heat, cold, rain, and sun. Moreover, they’re compatible with your favorite digital assistant and can be tied to IFTTT for automation.
The Arlo Essential will be offered later this holiday season for $99.99 and features 1080p HD video, two-way audio, and a 130-degree viewing angle.
Arlo Essential Features
Full High Definition Camera:Â Capture clear details in full high definition with the ability to record video in 1080p
2-Way Audio:Â Hear and speak to visitors clearly with superior audio quality
Built-in Siren:Â Siren can be triggered automatically or manually from the app
Night Vision:Â Black and white night vision turns on automatically once its dark so you can see even without a light
Weather-Resistant:Â Designed to withstand heat, cold, rain or sun and can be used indoors or outdoors
Motion Detection and Alerts:Â Alerts sent directly to your phone when motion is detected
Rechargeable Battery: Convenient and long-lasting battery with six-months of battery life on one charge
130° Viewing Angle: Keep an eye on more of what matters with a wider field-of-view
Platform Compatibility:Â Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT for easy interaction, automation and control
The Arlo Essential XL Spotlight is basically the Arlo Essential Spotlight (read our review) with an extended battery. According to Arlo it will last up to one year on a full charge. Customers can pre-order the camera for $149.99 today; the launch date is not clear.
Arlo Essential XL Spotlight Features
Extended Battery Life:Â One year of battery life on one charge, perfect for high traffic locations or areas that are difficult to reach so you can charge less frequently1
Integrated Spotlight: Let’s you see what’s lurking in the dark with a bright spotlight to illuminate the area of activity; spotlight can be motion activated or manually turned on
2-Way Audio:Â Hear and speak to visitors clearly with superior audio quality
Built-in Siren:Â Siren can be triggered automatically or manually from the app
Color Night Vision:Â See color even at night thanks to an integrated spotlight
Full High Definition Camera:Â Capture clear details in full high definition with the ability to record video in 1080p
Weather-Resistant:Â Designed to withstand heat, cold, rain or sun and can be used indoors or outdoors
Motion Detection and Alerts:Â Alerts sent directly to your phone when motion is detected
130° Viewing Angle: Keep an eye on more of what matters with a wider field-of-view
Platform Compatibility:Â Works with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and IFTTT for easy interaction, automation and control
Google has made a super simple mesh router system with the previously Google-branded, and now Nest-branded WiFi devices. Management of this has been done since launch over a mobile app aptly called Google WiFi. Recently, Google made the call to sunset this app and fully support the functionality through the Google Home app instead.
Moving the Google Wi-Fi options into the Google Home is a natural progression for Google and the smart home movement. This gives Cast, Nest, and now Wi-Fi a single app to help you manage all your home’s connected devices.
What are we doing?
Adding Wi-Fi management to the Google Home app simplifies Google’s networking under the same landing spot of other Nest and Smart Home devices. We are going to walk you through transferring your Google Wi-Fi options into the Google Home app.
Let’s head over to the Google Home app to get started. Once you know where to look, this new settings menu will be unlocked in just a few minutes. Afterward, you should see a new WiFi option on the main landing page for Google Home.
Find and open the Google Home app
Locate new banner at the top for Import Google Wi-Fi network
Follow prompt for choosing your home network to bring over
Agree to allow Google Home access to manage
Find the new WiFi section in the Google Home app
Home and Wi-Fi in one spot
There you have it! You should be able to uninstall the Google Wi-Fi app. Most of the overall functions of this app are now available via the Wi-Fi section of the Google Home app instead.
We’d suggest keeping it around for a bit though just in case. Even with the new options in the Home app, you may have some deeper settings in your network configuration that might take longer to migrate over.
As if we ought to be surprised, the main details have surfaced for the Google Pixel 5 and Pixel 4a 5G ahead of their launch on September 30.
Included in the information are the anticipated processors, screen sizes, and camera configurations. We’ll have to wait a few days to find out how accurate the specifications are, but they come from reputable outlets.
According to WinFuture we can look forward to the following hardware in the Google Pixel 5.
Google Pixel 5
6-inch 2340 x 1080 display with Gorilla Glass 6, 90Hz refresh rate
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor
8GB RAM
128GB storage
Rear 12.2-megapixel camera with 4K 60FPS and 1080p 240FPS video recording
Rear 16-megapixel wide-angle camera with 107-degree field of view
Front-facing 8-megapixel camera with 83-degree field of view
IP68 water and dust resistant
4,080mAh battery with wireless and reverse charging
Made from recycled aluminum
Support for sub-6GHz 5G
As for the 5G-ready version of the recently introduced Google Pixel 4a, WinFuture tells us to look for the following:
Google Pixel 4a 5G
6.2-inch 2340 x 1080 display with Gorilla Glass 3
Qualcomm Snapdragon 765G processor
6GB RAM
128GB storage
Rear 12.2-megapixel camera with 4K 60FPS and 1080p 240FPS video recording
Rear 16-megapixel wide-angle camera with 107-degree field of view
Front-facing 8-megapixel camera with 83-degree field of view
3.5mm headphone jack
3,800mAh battery with fast charging
Polycarbonate materials
$499 starting price
There are still a handful of unknowns for each device but all will be made clear inside of the next week. Google has a virtual press event scheduled for September 30.
