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Google Pixel 4 rumors: Gestures, astrophotography mode, and bright orange

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We’re in the final weeks before the expected Google Pixel 4 launch so that means the rumors are bound to come in a flurry. The past few days have given way to a handful of details for the upcoming device and definitely paint an interesting picture.

Bright Orange

You know how Google likes to release a colored variant of its phones to sit alongside black and white models? Whereas previous years had muted takes on pink (Not Pink) and purple (Purple-ish), the 2019 experience could be more bold.

A new image posted to Weibo, and spotted by Android Central, shows what potentially could be a bright orange approach to the Pixel 4. The picture appears to show the phone from the back with its large camera array in the top left.

Reportedly, the color may be called “Coral” which is the same as what Google uses for its Home Mini. That smart speaker, for its part, is more red than orange, but, hey whatever.

Gestures and Camera Modes

A promo video obtained by ProAndroid looks to confirm some of the details we’ve expected from the Google Pixel 4, namely gestures.

The video smells like something Google might run on TV to promote its phone and shows off the AI smarts and camera tech. Assuming this proves accurate, the Pixel 4 should dial up the camera experience for low-light environments, especially with the rumored “astrophotography” mode.

Chatter surfacing in the previous week suggests a new Motion Mode will be included to assist sports and action shots. The astrophotography is said to work in tandem with an 8X zoom mode.

Google Assistant

Tying things up, the video shows off how one might use Google Assistant to search for specific videos in Google Photos and share them with a contact — all by voice.  We saw hints of this at Google I/O 2019 and expect to see this included in the Pixel 4, potentially as an exclusive feature at launch.

Google is expected to introduce the Pixel 4 in early October as that’s been the case for the last three years.

Blu debuts new premium Bold brand of phones with 6.4-inch N1

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Blu Products on Monday introduced not just a new phone, but an entirely new brand. Called Bold, it’s a “premium” line of devices which are expected to launch around 1-2 phones per year.

The Bold brand is different from the standard Blu line and promises a “guaranteed Android upgrade” and two years of security maintenance. Moreover, it figure to offer phones made with a higher grade of materials — at least that’s what its first model, the N1, uses in its build.

The Bold N1, launching today, is a $250 affair which offers up an incredibly attractive bundle for the money. It’s comprised of mid-to-high end hardware features with some of the newest in phone trends.

READ OUR REVIEW

Our team has had a Bold N1 in hand for about two weeks and have put together a review of the device and our experiences thus far. Check out the review here.

The N1 is powered by Android 9 Pie and features a generous 6.4-inch display that runs edge-to-edge in all directions. Indeed, there’s no front-facing camera taking up bezel or eating into the screen. Instead, it pops up from inside the body of the phone much like OnePlus 7 Pro.

The 6.4-inch AMOLED screen has a 92% screen-to-body ratio and packs a 2,340 x 1080 pixel resolution. Moreover, it has Gorilla Glass 5 protection on top. The fingerprint scanner is also located in the display.

In terms of performance, the Bold N1 houses an octa-core processor at 2.1GHz with 4GB RAM and 128GB internal storage. This borders on the upper end of the mid-range, and ought to be more than sufficient for most users.

As for cameras, the Bold N1 employs a pair of shooters on the back, a 16-megapixel AI camera with f1.8 aperture and a 5-megapixel depth sensor. Software can help users get better images by automatically detecting various environments and subjects. Super Zoom can capture images up to 96-megapixels.

The N1 includes a 3,500mAh battery that supports both quick (18W) charging and wireless charging. According to Bold, 10 minutes on the charger can add three hours of calling or 1.4 hours of web browsing.

Availability

The Bold N1 is now available for $249.99 at Amazon or directly through the Bold website at BoldPhone.com. Similar to Blu’s strategy of offering a limited-time launch discount, the Bold N1 comes with a $50 instant rebate for a short time. Indeed, it’s yours for just $200 while supplies last.

An unlocked phone that works with T-Mobile and AT&T networks, it potentially supports Verizon as well.

Learn more about the Bold N1 by checking out our review of the ambitious new device.

LG trots out G8X and refreshed Dual Screen at IFA

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Not to be outdone by other phone makers, LG has announced a new phone at IFA, the G8X ThinQ. With it, LG is also showing off a revised approach to the Dual Screen.

G8X ThinQ

The LG G8X arrives in the fourth quarter and is among the more powerful phones to arrive in 2019. It runs Android 9 Pie and features a generous 6.4-inch display with a 2,340 x 1,080 pixel resolution.

Internally, the phone has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor with 6GB RAM. Storage capacity is pegged at 128GB with a microSD expansion card slot that allows for up to 2TB of external media.

The G8X is IP68 water and dust resistant and offers MIL-STD 810G compliance, meaning it can go anywhere you’d go and handle things better.

For rear cameras, the G8X has two, a 12-megapixel standard and 13-megapixel ultra-wide lens. The front-facing camera is a 32-megapixel sensor; however, LG says it’ll default to 8-megapixels for capturing.

LG has focused on new software modes such as AI Action Shot which can boost the shutter speed up to 1/480s when detecting fast-moving subjects. Stabilization on video recording has been improved and you can also now switch between back and front cameras while recording.

For what it’s worth, there’s also a new ASMR mode that makes the microphones three times more sensitive.

Tying things up, the LG G8X includes a 4,000mAh battery, 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC, in-display fingerprint scanner, and USB Type-C.

Dual Screen

For the new version of the Dual Screen, LG turned to consumers for feedback, implementing various improvements including the additional 2.1-inch Cover Display. This external display lets users view the time, date, battery levels, notifications, and other information without opening the Dual Screen.

The first Dual Screen offered users two different viewing angles, but new Dual Screen adopts a new 360 Freestop Hinge which lets is work much like any convertible laptop.

LG’s apps can take advantage of both screens at the same time, adding functionality to things like email composition and camera capturing. Indeed, the Dual Screen features the same 6.4-inch display and resolution as the G8X ThinQ.

Availability

The LG G8XT hinQ and the upgraded LG Dual Screen will be available in key markets in the fourth quarter. Pricing, carrier availability, and exact timing will be announced in the coming weeks.

Diesel, Emporio Armani, Michael Kors, and Puma launch new Wear OS watches

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Fossil brands Diesel, Emporio Armani, and Michael Kors have announced new Wear OS watches for launch later this year. Additionally, it is working with Puma to introduce its first wearable as well.

Although all four brands are ultimately cut from the same cloth, they look distinctly different and cater to different demographics.

Diesel: On Axial

The Diesel On Axial is much like the Fossil Gen 5 with a slightly stronger and more pronounced case. It’s bulkier with a stainless steel casing and comes in gunmetal, silver, and bronze. The On Axial has the same ethos of other Diesel watches in that it’s massive and tough looking.

The Diesel On Axial is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 processor with 1GB RAM and 8GB internal storage. Performance should be the same as what we found in the Fossil Gen 5. In other words, it should be excellent.

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Other features you’ll find in the watch include NFC (Google Pay), Google Assistant, built-in speaker, and a number of battery modes. Rounding it out are built-in GPS, heart rate monitoring, and water resistance. The Diesel On Axial goes on sale in October with a $350 price tag.

Michael Kors: Access MKGO, Access Lexington 2, Access Bradshaw 2

The Michael Kors brand is getting an upgrade for fall 2019 as it refreshes two models and introduces a new one. The MKGO is the first fitness-focused model under the Michael Kors umbrella and is similar to other recent sports-related Wear OS watches.

With a Qualcomm Snapdragon 3100 Wear processor and 512MB RAM, and 4GB RAM it’s more in line with previous generation Wear OS watches. Additional details include GPS, heart rate monitor, a 350mAh battery, water resistance, and NFC.

There are three buttons on the right side edge of the 43mm nylon case with lugs that stick out ever so slightly. Offered in a number of colors, it uses replaceable 20mm silicone straps.  The Access MKGO is priced $295 and can be purchased at the Michael Kors website in a number of colors.

Access Bradshaw 2 and Access Lexington 2

These two watches are more powerful and opt for more traditional and professional designs. The Access Lexington 2 has a stainless steel case with a classy-looking 22mm stainless steel band and 44mm case.

Available in silver stainless steel and combinations of silver and gold, it has the Wear 3100 processor, 1GB RAM, and 8GB storage. Similar to the Fossil Gen 5 and aforementioned Diesel On Axial, it houses GPS, NFC, and offers 3 ATM water-resistance.

The Access Bradshaw 2 will be sold in different color options, including gray, gold, and a rose gold.

Here, and with the Access Lexington 2, there are three buttons on the right edge for controlling different aspects of Wear OS. Each has a 1.28-inch AMOLED (328 pixels-per-inch) screen and 310mAh battery.

The Lexington 2 and Bradshaw 2 have prices that start at $350 with the aforementioned model available now at Michael Kors. You’ll have to wait until October if you’d like the Access Bradshaw 2.

Puma Smartwatch

Resembling the Fossil Sport, the Puma Smartwatch is a compact affair that features the previous generation of hardware. Slim, lightweight, and somewhat more sporty than the Fossil counterpart, it has an oversized textured crown which should be easy to twist or press even when sweaty.

The Puma Smartwatch will be offered in three colors: all black, rose gold with white, and yellow with black. The straps are silicon with a Puma-branded clasp and strap channels are located underneath to help alleviate sweat.

Among other apps, the watch includes Google Assistant, Google Pay, Google Fit, and Spotify. Puma has added its own selection of watch faces such as the “Scorecard” which displays fitness and hear data with the time. The Puma Smartwatch launches in November with a $275 price.

Just $69, this bundle preps you for CompTIA certification

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CompTIA is the voice of the world’s information technology (IT) industry. As a non-profit trade association, it advances the global interests of IT professionals and IT channel organizations.

CompTIA it enables pros to be more successful with industry-leading IT certifications and IT business credentials, IT education, resources. and the ability to connect with like-minded, leading IT industry experts.

Great, lucrative, and family-sustaining IT jobs are out there, but the vast majority of candidates are not yet qualified. CompTIA certifications help to train and identify qualified, knowledgeable employees and match them with employers who have jobs to fill.

When you show up for a job interview with CompTIA credentials under your belt, that employer knows that you not only have the IT skills to do the job, but you also have a commitment to your career to continue learning.

If this sounds like something that you’d be interested in, you would be wise to go to the AndroidGuys Deals Store today. Head there and you’ll find a damn good deal on the Complete 2019 CompTIA Certification Training Bundle. Worth thousands of dollars, we can get it to you for less than $70 right now.

Included in the bundle are some twelve categories spanning topics such as Linux+, Network+, A+, CySA+, and much more.  All told there are more than 200 hours of education across the bundle.

Features

  • Linux+ LX0-101 & LX0-102 ($195 value)
  • Advanced Security Practitioner CASP CAS-003 ($195 value)
  • PenTest PT0-001 ($195 value)
  • CySA+ (Cyber Security Analyst) ($195 value)
  • Security+ SY0-501 ($195 value)
  • Network+ N10-007 ($195 value)
  • A+ 220-1001 & 220-1002 ($195 value)
  • IT Fundamentals FC0-U51 ($399 value)
  • Mobility+ MB0-001 ($399 value)
  • Cloud Essentials CLO-001 ($299 value)
  • Cloud+ ($299 value)
  • Linux+ XKO-002 ($672 value)

Where to Buy

Normally valued around $3,400, this complete training bundle is brought to you for just $69 right now. You’ll have a dozen courses of training for just over $5 a piece!

Best Sellers

Save even more!

For every $25 you spend in the AG Deals Store you get $1 credit added to your account. And, if you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

First Time Buying?

If this is your first time buying, you are also eligible for 10% discount! Just be sure to subscribe for email updates.

Free Stuff

Not looking to spend any money today? No worries. You can still visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and pick something anyhow.

Samsung to sell Galaxy A series unlocked for US buyers

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Samsung on Friday announced that it will soon offer its new Galaxy A model phones direct to consumer as unlocked devices.

Starting from September 20, the Galaxy A50, A20, and A10e will be available on Samsung’s website as well as through select retail partners.

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Best Buy and Amazon are already accepting pre-orders for the Samsung Galaxy A50. Best Buy customers can receive a savings of up to $150 with purchase and activation, putting the price at just $200. Amazon offers the phone at just $264 as of today.

Standard pricing for the Galaxy A models break out to as follows:

  • Galaxy A50 – $350
  • Galaxy A20 – $250
  • Galaxy A10 – $180

Unlocked phones give consumers freedom to select carriers, particularly those which use GSM technology. AT&T and T-Mobile subscribers, as well as their respective prepaid and MVNO brands, can choose from a wide variety of unlocked phones.

Motorola One Zoom goes official with five cameras

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As anticipated, Motorola has added a new member to its One family of phones, this week introducing the One Zoom. It’s an ambitious one at that, as it features no less than five cameras.

Powered by Android 9 Pie, the One Zoom houses a 6.4-inch display at 2,340 x 1,080 pixel resolution. Similar to other phones with a 19:9 screen aspect ratio, there’s a notch cutout at the top.

The One Zoom gets its performance from a Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor with 4GB RAM and storage capacity is pegged at a generous 128GB. Not too shabby for a mid-range phone to be sure.

Housed in a polished aluminum frame, the One Zoom comes in three colors: Electric Grey, Cosmic Purple, and Brushed Bronze. A splash-proof nano-coating ensures the phone can withstand splashes and sprinkles. Oh, and Motorola’s logo lights up on the back.

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The main draw here, of course, is the four camera array on the back of the phone. Indeed, it’s pretty impressive stuff, and should give users plenty to play with when it comes to snapping pictures in a whole array of environments.

The four rear cameras include a 48-megapixel main shooter with 12-megapixel output, OIS, and f/1.7 aperture. It’s bolstered by a 16-megapixel wide angle (117 degree) camera, an 8-megapixel 3x optical zoom camera with OIS, and a depth camera for portrait and bokeh effects.

Between the hardware and a host of software features, the One Zoom will capture accurate colors and details in bright and low-light environments. There are AI tools such as Smart Composition to automatically create and suggest more interesting photos based on the shot you took.

Wrapping up the main hardware are a 25-megapixel front-facing camera, a 4,000mAh battery with turbo charging, USB Type-C, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a fingerprint scanner tucked under the display.

Availability

The One Zoom is available now in Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Europe, and various Latin American countries with a starting MSRP of €429. An Amazon exclusive version with built-in Alexa hands-free is also available in UK, Germany, Spain, Italy, and France.

The Motorola One Zoom is available in the United States exclusively on Motorola.com as a GSM unlocked device and is compatible with AT&T and T-Mobile brands. The starting MSRP is $449.99 US.

Lenovo launches Smart Display 7 and convertible tablets

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Lenovo loves Google Assistant. So much so, in fact, that it has announced three new devices which feature the virtual assistant.

As one of the first brands in the space to introduce Google Assistant-enabled smart displays, Lenovo has started to carve out a decent presence in the space.

New for fall 2019 is the Lenovo Smart Display 7 and a pair of Smart Tab tablets that run Android with deep Google Assistant integration.

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Lenovo Smart Display 7

Similar to its larger brethren, the Smart Display 8 and Smart Display 10, it provides a camera for video calls. The speaker moves from the side of the display to the bottom here, but otherwise it’s the same general experience.

In terms of specifications, the Smart Display 7 offers users a 2-megapixel camera, two 1.5-inch 5W stereo speakers, and a dual microphone array.

The Smart Display 7 will be sold in white and is expected to cost $130 when it launches in October.

As beloved entertainment and media tablets in their own right, the Yoga Smart Tab and Lenovo Smart Tab M8 double as immersive, hands-free smart home hubs with Google Assistant’s Ambient Mode.

Lenovo Smart Tab M8

The Lenovo Smart Tab offers a up a mid-range tablet experience with an 8-inch 1280 x 800 display, 2GB RAM, and a quad-core MediaTek A22 processor. A 5-megapixel camera is found on the back with a 2-megapixel shooter around front.

As a Google take on the Amazon Alexa-based Smart Tab M10, it’s equipped with two far-field microphones that transform it into a smart display when placed into its included dock.

The Ambient Mode for Google Assistant turns the tablet into a smart display, offering up calendar info, weather, reminders, notifications, smart home controls, and more. Similarly, it also turns the tablet into a digital picture frame of sorts.

The Smart Tab M8 will cost $120 when it launches in October.

Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab

The Lenovo Yoga Smart Tab is a unique device in that it has an integrated kickstand, letting one prop it up anywhere. And, thanks to the hole punch, it can even be hung on a wall.

Specifications include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 439 processor with 3 or 4GB RAM with 32 and 64GB internal storage capacities. The 10.1-inch display has a 1920 x 1200 pixel resolution.

The Yoga Smart Tab will have a retail price of $250 with general retail availability expected in September.

Lock in a lifetime of essential project management training for $29

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Stuck in a rut at work, spending your days working for the man? Wouldn’t it be better if you actually were ‘the man”? As you know, many jobs and careers worth pursuing require upper management knows how to organize and run things smoothly. You need to know how to manage projects if you wish to to climb the proverbial ladder.

One way of ensuring candidates are qualified to head up projects or teams is with certification. There are many disciplines to project management and some of them are trusted more than others. Among the key methods are Agile, Jira, and Scrum.

The AndroidGuys Deals Store has a really awesome bundle of training around project management. The Complete Project Management Bundle features 11 courses and some 29.5 hours of instruction to you through the basics of the best approaches.

SEE ALSO: Better understand IT project management for less than $30

Whether it’s Agile, PMP, Scrum, or Six Sigma, this training blows the door wide open on securing certified project manager status and one of the six-figure salaries that come with it.

Features

  • Course 1: Setting Up A Real-World Project In JIRA
  • Course 2: Team Workflows In JIRA
  • Course 3: JIRA Visual Reference: Issue Administration
  • Course 4: Understanding JIRA For Users, Managers & Admins
  • Course 5: Agile Project Management: Scrum Step By Step w/ Examples
  • Course 6: PMP Project Management
  • Course 7: Product Management: Agile Requirements Using Product Backlog
  • Course 8: Project Management: Deliver On Time & Scrum Project Delivery
  • Course 9: Scrum Advanced: Software Development & Program Management
  • Course 10: Kanban: Productivity & Efficiency For Agile Lean Project
  • Course 11: Scrum Certification Prep Training & Agile Scrum Training

Where to Buy

You can Complete Project Management Bundle from the AndroidGuys Deals Store for only $29. With a retail value of around $2,200, it can be yours for a massive 98 percent off.

Think about it, that thirty dollar bundle could change your career, and life! At less than three bucks per course it’s one of the cheapest ways to invest in your future.

Save even more!

In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.

How about a freebie?

Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!

Sony Xperia 5 squeezes flagship specs into compact design

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Sony is back with another take on compact smartphones, this week introducing its Xperia 5. Running Android 9 Pie, it’s a smaller take on the flagship experience.

Sony teased a smaller approach to phones earlier this week, promising something that would fit “in the palm of your hand.” Well, it’s smaller than standard Sony phones, yet somehow manages to pack a 6.1-inch (2,560 x 1,080) screen.

The Sony Xperia 5 boasts a number of high-end hardware and signature Sony touches. The phone supports Dolby Atmos and HDR with the ability to upscale stand dynamic range content.

At just 68mm wide, the Xperia 5 is a tall phone that boasts a 21:9 aspect ratio. This leads to an experience that fits more easily in hand.

The Xperia 5 houses a triple-lens camera design with a main 12-megapixel sensor, a telescopic lens, and a wide-angle lens. As far as software goes, Sony says it’s the same eye auto-focus stuff used in its Alpha cameras.

The Sony Xperia 5 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 processor with 6GB RAM and 128GB UFS memory. A microSD expansion card slot supports up to 512GB of external media and the 3,140mAh battery provides for USB PD fast charging.

Like other Sony phones, this one is water resistant and protected against dust. The Xperia 5 will be available to pre-order in Europe starting next week, and is expected to be available starting in October. Look for it in four “sophisticated” colors: Blue, Red, Black and Grey.

Where to buy unlocked phones

Consider an unlocked phone? Ask yourself these questions

Sony has all but given up on selling phones in the US through carriers; however, some of its phones are offered unlocked direct to consumers. It’s hard to forecast what Sony plans to do with the Xperia 5, but it’s worth noting it supports many US carrier LTE bands.

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