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Google Home Hub review

AndroidGuys
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First there was the Google Home. Then, the Google Home Mini and Home Max. For 2018 it’s the Google Home Hub.

Unlike its predecessors, the Home Hub is the first product in the smart home line to offer up a full display. It’s the same smarts underneath, and features a a decent speaker, and sounds pretty much like the same experience. It’s not. The Google Home Hub changes the game for Google.

Think back over the last decade or so and chances are good that you’ve either owned or known someone who purchased a digital picture frame. Google Home Hub is that, but so much more.

Almost all of us have at least one Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connected speaker that we like to listen to music, podcasts, or audiobooks on. Nothing fancy, just a favorite unit that travels either throughout the house or stays in a convenient location. The Google Home Hub is that, too, but so much more.

Many of us own a smart speaker that we can tap into for reminders, grocery lists, help with cooking or homework, or general search. Google Home Hub is… well, you already know.

Falling Fast in Love

After just a few days with the Home Hub we’ve already come to appreciate it for so many reasons. From the simple, intuitive design to the technical prowess under the hood, it’s one of those devices we can see in each room of the home.

The Home Hub is more compact than you’d imagine, but it doesn’t feel small. It’s comprised of a 7-inch display with a white bezel and a speaker. The former sits in landscape mode at a reclined angle while the latter is your base. The speaker is wrapped in a fabric not unlike what Google has on the Home Mini.

The front side features two far-field microphones, and “Ambient EQ” light sensor. Around back is the volume rocker and the microphone toggle. There’s no camera to be found, but you won’t really need, or miss that option.

The light sensor automatically adjusts brightness and color temperature based on the ambient lighting in environment. Place it in a well-lit kitchen or living room area and it pushes out a brighter image. Dim the lights, or keep it on the nightstand, and it dials things down so they’re not jarring or harsh.

Display

Surprisingly, the display resolution is relatively low at 1024 x 600, which is far less than what you’re getting in today’s smartphones. What’s more, the pictures you’re capturing tend to have exponentially higher pixels. That’s hardly noticeable here as pictures still pop right off and look every bit as sharp as you’d like.

Color balance and saturation are tuned to our liking and we never really felt like we needed to dial something up or back. Brightness, thanks to the sensor, is always what the room calls for and doesn’t distract.

Tips and tricks every Google Home user should know

If for no other reason than to provide a connected digital picture frame, the Google Home Hub is worth the price. Moreover, it’s incredibly simple to set up and work with; it’s a perfect gift idea for grandparents or long-distance family.

Setup

Setting up the Home Hub is incredibly simple, particularly if you’ve already got a device or two in the home. Our process consisted of plugging and following the prompts in the Google Home apps on our phone. All told, we probably spent 3-4 minutes in setup with some of that coming from an update.

The connected device is designed to work as a passive, always-ready, speaker and display. You can leave it alone for days on end and let it cycle through your Google Photos or a collection of curated pictures. Alternatively, you can opt to show one of a few clock options.

Choosing your pictures to showcase can be a lot of fun as all of your shared albums are ready to go. Additionally, you can just let Google do its magic and pick highlights of your gallery, randomly pulling up your best stuff.

Users have control over how often pictures change with a range of five seconds to ten minutes. Changing the album(s) and speed is a breeze; you’re never stuck with anything.

The Google Home app has really improved over the last few releases, adding in options and a more friendly interface. It’s insanely easy to configure your connected speaker or display.

If anything, the Google Home Hub is the easiest device we’ve added to a network. Why? Maybe it’s the visuals that help us see where we are in the process.

What Else?

The Google Home Hub is ready for you to Cast to it. That’s an awesome feature and one we’ve found ourselves using quite a bit. Depending on where you’ve placed the unit you might want to send YouTube TV or Hulu over to it to act as a second or third screen in the room.

You can cast pretty much anything you want to the Home Hub save for Netflix. This isn’t a limitation on the side of Google so much as an Netflix decision. Nevertheless, as much as we’ve enjoyed watching small bursts of news or sports as we go about chores, we don’t see ourselves binge-watching our way through Ozark on it.

Sound is good, but it’s not great. If you’re primarily concerned with pumping out music, you’ll want to pair a separate Bluetooth speaker to it. Generally speaking, we’re okay with the somewhat flat audio experience as it’s right in line with the Google Home or Google Home Mini.

The more we’ve used Google Assistant over the last few years, the more we’ve come to appreciate it. We’ve evolved from having it on our phones as a Google Search/Google Now on steroids to something we often rely for small things.

Today we’re routinely asking Google Assistant about our day, the weather, our appointments, or commute. Getting that information is helpful not only on a phone, but anywhere we happen to be. Having visuals makes that better.

It cannot be overstated how nice it is to see a graphic representation of the weather, or calendar events. Ask how your day looks and you get a map of the route with any slow downs or accidents to accompany the commute details.

We’re going to have a difficult time getting the Home Hub outside of the kitchen. Not only are we enjoying the manner in which recipes look and work, but we’ve asked it to be our oven timer and conversion tool, too.

Although the Home Hub doesn’t have a camera on it, you can use it for Google Duo calls over voice. By contrast, the Lenovo Smart Display does allow for this, and it’s pretty nice to have. We don’t necessarily need it, though, as it’s not a primary means of communication.

As the name implies, the Home Hub does give you control over the various connected items in your home or office. You can’t set everything up directly from within the app, but it’s a solid way of managing things once they are up and running.

Controls can include things such as dimming lights or switches throughout the house, adjusting the thermostat, or viewing Nest doorbells and cameras. Google has done an excellent job of adding in new controls and hardware partners over the last couple of years. Looking ahead we fully expect that to ramp up, particularly now that we have visuals.

Conclusion

The Google Home Hub is a must-have device for those who rely on Google Assistant. For about $20 more than the Google Home you end up with a 7-inch digital display that compliments search and routines.

We like creating groups of speakers and devices so we can play music, podcasts, and other media throughout the home. As we move from room to room in the morning, as part of readying for bed, we appreciate that we can keep up with the news or a book.

Given how easy it is to install and configure, we’re really itching to add devices like these to other rooms. In fact, we’re already looking ahead to the holidays and outfitting the homes of friends and family.

If you’re considering a connected or smart speaker, you absolutely should put the Google Home Hub on your list. Whether it’s your first foray into the world of Google Assistant or if you’re complimenting your current setup with something visual, it’s the stepping off point.

6 things we like about the new OnePlus 6T

Alexandra Arici
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During an event in New York City earlier this week, OnePlus unveiled the much-anticipated follow-up to the OnePlus 6, which arrives with a number of new hardware specs and features.

The OnePlus 6T is set to go on sale soon, so with the imminent release here are six things we like about the new device.

If you’re still pondering whether you should get the OnePlus 6T or not, this article will hopefully help you in making up your mind.

New look

This past year, the notch has become the go-to design element for many top Android smartphones. But in many cases (see the Pixel 3 XL), the notch is wide and runs across a large portion of the top of the screen.

The OnePlus 6 also had a notch, albeit smaller compared to other flagships. But with the OnePlus 6T, the company wanted to offer even more display real estate, so it implemented a tiny waterdrop-shaped notch, which only contains the selfie camera.

The bottom bezel has also been shrunken down, thus ensuring the display is more expansive than it has ever been on a OnePlus phone. The screen takes up 86% of the front surface, and it’s covered with the latest Corning Gorilla Glass 6.

It’s a 6.41-inch AMOLED display, by the way, with FHD+ resolution. OnePlus has yet to make the jump to QHD+, but even so, we expect the panel to be excellent.

In-display fingerprint sensor

The biggest change brought by the OnePlus 6T is the in-display fingerprint sensor. The unlocking sensor no longer lives on the back on the device and has now moved to live underneath the display.

It’s an optical affair that shines green light to ensure every detail is captured when a fingerprint is registered. The company claims that the in-display fingerprint technology it uses it’s the fastest around, taking just 0.34 seconds to unlock the device.

The phone also offers face unlock, so users have a choice when it comes to unlocking the display.

Big battery

The OnePlus 6T arrives with one of the biggest batteries we’ve seen on a OnePlus device. Compared to the OnePlus 6’s 3,300 mAh power box, the OnePlus 6T gets a superior 3,700 mAh one.

Given how well optimized the OnePlus 6 was and how long the battery lasted, we’ll have to assume the 6T will perform even better. Actually, the company says users should expect to see a 23% increase in overall battery life, but we’ll have to wait for reviews to be able to actually confirm that.

What’s more, you also get fast charging which has been rebranded from Dash Charge to Fast Charge on the new model. The technology should users to juice up the device in no time. We expect the OnePlus 6T will be fully charged in about an hour an a half.

Android Pie with OxygenOS 9.0

OnePlus is among the few Android OEMs that jumped on board the Android Pie train very early on. The OnePlus 6 already received the stable update and now the OnePlus 6T comes with Android 9 Pie out of the box with the company’s own OxygenOS skin on top.

Obviously, you can expect a very clean and fast user experience. All the new features of Android Pie are to be found on board including improved navigation gestures. On top of that, you’ll also find OnePlus’ own set of exclusive features.

For example, there’s a new Smart Boost tool, which improves the app cold-start speeds by up to 20% by storing data from frequently used apps in the phone’s RAM.

New camera modes

While the main camera hasn’t changed all that much since the OnePlus 6 in terms of hard specs, the 6T does bring some novelties to the table. We still have the 16MP+20MP sensor duo, both of which flaunt f/1.7 aperture. The main camera also has OIS (optical image stabilization) and EIS (electronic image stabilization).

On the OnePlus 6T, users will get two new shooting modes: Nightscape and Super Slow Motion. The latter allows you to shoot 1080p resolution video at 240fps. As for Nightscape, the feature lets you capture low-light photos with improved clarity, less noise and more accurate color reproduction.

What’s more, the OnePlus 6T also brings something called Studio Lighting, which is a feature that allows users to enhance the luminosity in portraits.

Readily available

You won’t have to wait long to be able to get the OnePlus 6T. The company will start selling the handset as soon as tomorrow via its official website.

What’s more, for the first time ever, T-Mobile will also be offering the device in the US. So the OnePlus 6T will be the company’s most widely available phones.

Not only that, but the OnePlus 6T is also fully certified to work on Verizon Wireless, unlike the previous iterations.

How to change your Google Assistant voice

Alexandra Arici
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During its I/O 2018 keynote earlier this year, Google announced that it has been working on newer, more lifelike versions of its AI-infused virtual assistant. According to CEO Sundar Pichai, the goal is for the Google Assistant to to have a more natural voice that is closer to how humans speak.

The refreshed Assistant, which now features both male and female voices, is built on a machine learning technology called Wavenet. This allowed Google to simulate an entire vocabulary using much less human recording. In other words, the human actors don’t have to spend as much time in the recording studio, like the original voice, “Holly” did.

This is how Google is able to more easily turn popular voices, like John Legend, and others in the future, into the voice that living in your smartphone or smart speaker.

If you were excited about trying the new voices yourself, the good news is that you can do so directly from your phone. Here’s how!

How to change your Google Assistant voice

  • Summon the Google Assistant on your phone by saying “OK Google”
  • Tap the blue icon in the upper right corner of Assistant screen
  • This will open up the Explore tab
  • Tap on the three-dot menu in the upper right corner
  • Tap on Settings

  • Choose Preferences.
  • Tap on Assistant Voice.
  • Choose the one you like best.

The Google Assistant voice you select here the one that will answer all your questions when you use the Assistant whether that be Android devices, Google Home speaker, or Google Home Hub.

Note that the voice selection works with multiple users, so each household member can pick his/her favorite voice to interact with.

Gear Up: Belkin USB Type C chargers and cables

AndroidGuys
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With so many smartphones and electronics having transitioned over to USB Type C for charging, it stands to reason you might need to pick up a couple of new cables or chargers. Sure, you get one with pretty much every device you buy, but who wants to drag a cord around the house or lug it back and forth to school or work?

If you’re the proud owner of a new flagship phone, you probably have a handset that relies on USB Type C for its charging port. Moreover, laptops, Pixelbooks, and gadgets like the Nintendo Switch also feature the new standard plug.

We were recently sent a handful of products from Belkin which center around the Type C plug. Having spent some time playing with them and putting them in our cars, home, and office, we’ve found each to be helpful in their own respect.

If you’re looking to pick up some cables or chargers for your devices, check out Belkin’s selection. Without further ado, here’s some info on the various products we’ve tested and are happy to recommend.

USB-C Charger Kit + Cable

This three pack bundle includes a 15W USB-C Home Charger, 5W USB-C Car Charger, and a USB-C to C cable.  The 15W allows for safe, and really quick charging of smartphones and tablets. This is roughly 50% faster than what you’d get out of a normal 5W charger.

The cable, which is Type C on both ends, can connect to both the wall charger and the car charger. Moreover, you can use it for file transfers or sharing photos between devices. And, at five feet long, it’s the kind of cable you can tuck away behind a hard-to-reach spot under the desk. Pick this kit up for about $50 directly from Belkin.

BOOST↑UP Quick Charge 3.0 Home Charger with USB-A to USB-C Cable

When what you really care about is charging and getting back out there, you want something that’s super fast. That’s what you get here in the 18W charger that features Qualcomm Charge 3.0 technology. Backwards compatible with QC 2.0 devices, it’s smart enough to know what speeds your device needs.

The included cable is USB C on one end and traditional USB A on the other. At four feet long it’s tested to be tough and works great for syncing files or devices. Add it to the charger and you’re looking at about a half hour to go from empty to around 80 percent full. Now, get back out there. Belkin offers this two-piece kit for around $35.

MIXIT↑ DuraTek USB-C Cable Built with DuPont Kevlar (USB Type-C)

If you’re the type of person who does need to carry a cable with you, the build quality makes all the difference in the world. Chances are you’ve seen a regular cable break at the charging port or even split along the line. That doesn’t happen to strong cables with Kevlar and braided coating.

Backed by a five year warranty, this cable comes in four color options: Black, Gold, Silver, and Rose Gold. You’ll have a hell of a time trying to tangle this one up. The cable is as flexible as anything else you’ve used, but it’s a lot tougher and a whole lot smarter.

The intelligent chip supports up to 60W optimal charging and up to 480Mbps data transfer. Oh, and kiss those breaks goodbye as this cable features a longer neck at the end which can withstand more than 5,000 charges when the cable is bent at 180 degrees. Grab yours for about $30 at Belkin’s website.

How to set custom ring tones with Zedge

Alexandra Arici
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Android is a flexible operating system that allows for tons of customizations. And one of the most common ways to add a personal touch to your smartphone is set your own ringtones.

On Android, this feature is readily available, and it’s actually very simple to use. Here’s how to do it using Zedge.

There are many third-party apps out there that offer custom ringtones. But Zedge is one of most well-known out there. The app not only lets you customize your sounds, but also your wallpapers. There’s also a Games section, which recommends some of the best titles available.

How to set custom ringtones with Zedge

  1. Open the Zedge app on your Android device.
  2. Tap on the hamburger menu in the top left corner.
  3. Tap on Ringtones.
  4. Browse through the list of ringtone and choose your favorite.
  5. You can tap on the Play button to listen to the ringtone and see whether you like them or not.
  6. Once you’ve decided on one, tap on it.

  1. Tap on the Set button located below.
  2. From here you have four options:
  • Set alarm sound
  • Set notification
  • Set contract ringtone
  • Set ringtone
  1. Select which option you prefer and the app will set that particular tune as your ringtone, alarm sound and so on.
  2. In case you prefer to do it manually: tap the tree dot menu in the upper right corner and select Download.
  3. The ringtone should now be saved to your internal memory and you will be able to see it in your phone’s ringtone list.

How to set a custom ringtone to a contact

  1. Open up the list of contacts on your phone.
  2. Tap on the contact you wish to set a custom ringtone for.
  3. Tap on the three-dot menu in the top right corner.
  4. Tap on select ringtone.
  5. Because you’ve already downloaded the custom ringtone from Zedge, it should show up in the list of local ringtones..
  6. Pick the ringtone you want to set.
  7. That’s it!

So now every time you get bored with the sounds your phone makes, you can fire up Zedge and download a bunch of new ones. The app has an extensive database, so you won’t run out of them any time soon.

Get Zedge from the Google Play Store

New OnePlus 6 features, Google’s new Emoji movement, and more news you need to know

Matt Adams
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Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Tuesday, October 30, and we’re taking a look at all the tech news you need to know. In this post, we want you to learn about the news the way you want to learn. We’ve embedded a podcast version of all this news below. If you don’t want to listen, you can read just like you normally would.

In today’s edition, we’ll tell you what OnePlus 6T features are now available on the OnePlus 6, how bad things look for Sony Mobile, and a security flaw that Google says isn’t that big of a deal.

We’d love feedback on this post, so please let us know what you think in the comments. If we can improve in some way, we’d love to know!

Open Beta 6 brings new features to the OnePlus 6 ahead of 6T launch

There’s quite a bit of excitement around OnePlus right now. Not only did it just announce its brand new flagship phone, but it also made waves by signing its first carrier agreement in the United States. Yes, if you’re a T-Mobile customer, you can go pick up the OnePlus 6T on Thursday.

But, what if you’re holding onto your current OnePlus 6? The 6T isn’t a massive upgrade so we expect plenty of people to continue rocking their phones for a while. Well, you’re all in for some good news as the brand new OnePlus 6 beta is bringing some brand new features to your phone.

In Open Beta 6, the OnePlus 6 now gains access to new features like Nightscape. Nightscape is a feature that uses computer learning to brighten up darker photos without adding distortion to the photos.

The OnePlus 6 now also has a new gesture system, improved UI for About phone, better options for screenshots, and the November security update. If you’re already enrolled in the beta program, you should see the update soon. If you’re not and would like to sign up, you can head to downloads.oneplus.com and sign up.

Gboard lets you customize emojis

Emojis are an important part of life. Now, that’s a sentence I never thought I’d utter, but its true. People use emojis more and more every day and now Google is giving users of its Gboard keyboard some customization options.

Starting in its newest beta, Gboard allows users to create “Emoji Minis” which are emoji-sized stickers that look like you. Now instead of sending a random winking face, you can send yourself winking. Not creepy at all, right?

Google stated in a recent blog that, “Emoji Minis are designed for those who may have stared into the eyes of emoji and not seen yourself staring back. These sticker versions of the emoji you use every day are customizable so you can make them look just like you.

Your customized emoji can have different colored hair, piercings, hats, head coverings, glasses and more. If you’d like to up your emoji game, head over to the Play Store listing for Gboard, then opt into the beta for the update.

Sony Mobile could be in trouble

Sony Xperia XZ3 1Sony is a well-known name, but its mobile division could be facing some bleak times. The company released its recent financial results and the numbers reveal that Sony only shipped 1.6 devices in the last three months — a record low.

On the back of the results, Sony reduced its full-year shipment expectations to 7 million, a third consecutive downgrade.

So, what’s the cause? It looks like Sony lost its momentum in Europe. The company makes several popular mid-tier devices that it sells in European and Asian markets, but sales are down and it’s not pretty.

Sony recently adopted a new design language that is very “love-it-or-hate-it.” It seems like more potential customers are on the “hate it” train and Sony knows it. The company’s Chief Financial Officer recently stated that “The competition is fierce and our products have not been attractive enough.”

Is the Google Home Hub secure?

Google’s new Home Hub is a cool little gadget. It puts a face to the voice of Google Assistant and displays relevant information. When it’s not displaying the weather, a recipe, or a YouTube video, it can play a slideshow of your Google Photos library. Pretty nifty.

But now security researchers are ringing the bell about the device. One researcher is claiming that the smart display is “beyond dismal”, a harsh rebuke of Google’s efforts. For Google’s part, it’s denying the claims.

Jerry Gamblin, the security researcher causing waves, says he spent a couple nights poking around with the Home Hub. What he found was that the Hub allows full remote unauthenticated control by an undocumented API.

Speaking to Android Authority, Google says the claim about security on the Home Hub is inaccurate. “The APIs mentioned in this claim are used by mobile apps to configure the device and are only accessible when those apps and the Google Home device are on the same WiFi network. Despite what’s been claimed, there is no evidence that user information is at risk.”

Huawei Watch and Watch 2 get an update that brings better performance

The Huawei Watch and Watch 2 are two of the most popular Wear OS watches on the market today. Despite their introduction the better part of three years ago, the watches remain as solid options until a new breed of watches come out later this year and early 2019.

Much to the surprise of everyone, the watches are still being updated. They recently were updated to Wear OS 2.0 which brought a new interface and features. Now, with version 2.17, the watches are getting even more improvements.

The update brings new swipe gestures, the latest Wear OS interface, and Google Assistant and Fit shortcuts. Users are also reporting that performance has received a boost too. We’ll be keeping an eye on this update to see if battery life gets better too, but it’s too early to tell right now.

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Hexologic review: A hexagon-based logic game that will twist your brain

Alexandra Arici
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Most of the times we play a game on our Android device, so we can relax and take our mind off things. Simple games like Cooking Madness or Candy Crush are a great way to tune out the daily noise, but what if you’re looking for something more challenging? Something that truly puts your mind at work?

Well, today we’re taking a look at Hexologic, a game that will challenge you to think differently, imagine and solve ever-changing problems that won’t allow you to get used to them and fly on autopilot.

Overview

Hexologic is a game developed by MythicOwl and costs $0.99 to download from the Play Store.

The game doesn’t offer a tutorial, but the gameplay is simple enough, so you won’t have to do much guessing.

Impressions

First off let me tell you that Hexologic has a very calming overall feel. It features nice, soothing graphics in pastel colors that allow you to concentrate on the puzzles at hand. Although, they tend to be a little repetitive, boasting the same vibe throughout the entire game.

On top of that, you also get some nice ambient music thrown in, so for a moment, you might think you’re in a meditation app instead of a game.

The premise of this Sudoku-inspired game is pretty straightforward. It’s all about hexagons! You’ll need to combine the dots inside the hexes in three possible directions so that their sum matches the number at the edge.

As with any puzzle/logic game, the level starts easily enough, and you’ll find you can go through the first 10 stages quite fast. But by the time you hit level 30, things get a lot more complicated.

For example, more advanced levels feature linked blocks, so when you change the value of one of these hexes, others with the same colored outline will also automatically get the same value. Which means you’ll have to adapt your whole strategy based on that.

Alternatively, some tiles have numbers of them which you cannot change. Their value can larger than the three dots you’re normally allowed to add in the empty hexagons.

There are 60 levels in total, which are broken off in four worlds which have their own, unique gameplay mechanisms.

Unlike other puzzle games, Hexologic doesn’t have a timer. So you can take your sweet time completing the levels. Interestingly enough, there are no repercussions for incorrect moves, so you’ll never have to start from the beginning if you make a mistake.

So in that sense, the game poses no real challenge. But the satisfaction of knowing you’ve mastered the complete set of 60 levels is in itself a goal.

Additionally, the game has no real replay value. Once you’ve figured out the levels, there’s nothing else much to do. Yes, you can unlock certain bonus stages, but they are not so very different from the standard levels.

Honestly, Hexologic ends way to quickly – you could finish it in one day if you have a few hours to spare – and I think the game could have used a little bit more variation when it comes to gameplay. For example, it could have included a timer, as to prolong gaming sessions.

Conclusion

Hexologic is a fun and addictive puzzle game, set in a beautiful world. Yet, it feels a bit minimalistic when compared to other games in the category. You can complete it in a few hours, but again, that’s probably something that casual gamers will appreciate. After all, most of us don’t have the time to spend countless hours playing games.

Download Hexologic from the Play Store

Best Samsung Galaxy Note 9 cases

AndroidGuys
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the big screen, stylus-totin’ powerhouse of a smartphone that gets better with every release. If you’re a fan of top-tier hardware and a modern approach to Android, this phone is high on your list.

Should you have one of these devices, you’ll want to protect your investment. We’ve picked out some of the best Galaxy Note 9 cases you can purchase.

See Also: Best cases for the Google Pixel 3

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[vc_custom_heading text=”Spigen Tough Armor Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

With a bad-ass carbon fiber design the all-black case looks mean and rugged. The military-grade certification tells us that it actually is. Still, it’s flexible enough to go on easily with buttons that respond nicely to the touch. It ain’t fancy, but it’s practical and affordable. $13 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Maxboost Wallet Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Keep your wallet at home because this case allows you to carry cash and credit cards. The magnetic lock design snaps things up tightly and hides your screen from life’s scrapes and scratches. Crafted by PU Leather, the case is convenient, tough, and has a lifetime warranty. $11 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Vinve Carbon Fiber TPU Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Available in a variety of colors, this one is a nice balance of elegance and practicality. There’s a subtle wire pattern that runs horizontally throughout the main part of the case with a carbon fiber approach at the top and bottom. Thin and flexible, it’s a little more stylish approach to protection. $8 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Poetic Revolution Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Want a phone case that looks like it was carved from a robot? This one’s gonna protect you from the front and back and it’ll keep all of your ports safe, too. It’s a great shell for the rough-and-tumble user and it just also happens to feature a built-in kickstand. Choose from blue, silver, and black. Blue, pink, or black, they all look awesome. $17 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Mofi Fabric Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Glass and metal are nice and all, but they can sometimes feel cold to the touch. What’s more, they open your phone up to potential scratches and scrapes. This flexible and case is slim and easy to hold and is wrapped in a fabric. Offered in three colors, it’s not going to add bulk or weight to your Note 9. Pick from Black, Brown, or Gray, all of which match any style. $13 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Moko Clear Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Transparent, but still reinforced for drops and bumps, this lets you show off that really cool color you picked for the Galaxy Note 9. The flexible and soft TPU rubber bumper edges and hard PC back work together to protect the phone from all angles. Cutouts give you full access to the speakers, cameras, and other ports. $7 at Amazon

[vc_custom_heading text=”Terrific Value” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%232b2b2b” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]
[vc_custom_heading text=”VRS Design Crystal Chrome Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Because protection isn’t necessarily synonymous with bulky, black, and ugly. This is the sort of case you get when you want to let everyone know what color you picked for that beautiful phone. A TPU bumper and a hard polycarbonate (PC) backplate allow your phone to be seen, yet still provide flexible and tough protection. The raised edges keep you from resting your phone directly on surfaces while the corner air cushions ensure great drop protection. $24 at VRS Design

[vc_custom_heading text=”Tech21 Evo Check” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Available in your choice of Orchid, Smoky Black, or Ultra Violet, this case lets you keep things nice and clear, but with twist. Yes, you’ll be able to see through the case to admire the color of the phone, but it also has a nice check pattern. It’s subtle stuff but makes a big difference in that otherwise boring black. Oh, and it also survives drops of 12 feet, too. $45 at Tech21

[vc_custom_heading text=”Otterbox Symmetry Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Don’t worry about drops and dings when you’ve got one of these on as it comes from one of the first names in phone protection. It goes on in a single piece but shields your device like it has a dozen layers. Active Edge works surprisingly well with the case on yet its edges maintain a solid line of rigidity. For five bucks more we really like the Love Triangle and Gradient Energy color options but there are others to choose from. $50 at Otterbox

[vc_custom_heading text=”Lifeproof NËXT Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

For the most physically demanding of lifestyles, this is the case to get so you can sleep easy at night. Protected against drops of two meters, it also blocks snow, dirt, dust, and general debris. Transparent and more sleek than you’d expect, it’s your last line of defense. Pick from Black Crystal or the eye-catching Cactus Rose. $80 at Lifeproof

[vc_custom_heading text=”S-View Cover Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

More of a multi-purpose tool than a simple case, the official accessory protects the phone and works as a kickstand. Perfect for watching video on your lunch breaks, it’s a great way to grab selfies, too. Leave the cover on and access time, date, battery, control music, and and check notifications. $60 at Samsung

[vc_custom_heading text=”Obliq K3 Case” font_container=”tag:h4|text_align:left” google_fonts=”font_family:Oswald%3A300%2Cregular%2C700|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal”]

Features three interior card slots, one interior side pocket, and one exterior card slot. Design with premium synthetic leather, the case gives a smart and sophisticated solution to clean up and declutter your life. Internally, the PC material secures your device from drops and falls. Externally, the engineered cutouts are precise and allow for easy access to buttons and still allow for third-party jacks and ports. $21 at Obliq

What should you get? OnePlus 6T vs Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Alexandra Arici
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0

The newly unveiled OnePlus 6T is one of the most powerful flagships right now. But if you’re on the market for a new Android phone then you’ve probably already checked out the Samsung Galaxy Note 9. Indeed, Samsung’s latest flagship is a really great device, but it’s so very expensive compared to the OnePlus.

So which device is the way to go? In this article, we pit the OnePlus 6T against the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in an attempt to highlight all the major differences.

Design and Display

One of the first things any buyers looks at when considering to buy a new phone is the screen size. These days, the majority of people want a big screen, and these phones deliver exactly just that. Although there are a few design aspects that set them apart.

The Galaxy Note 9 features a 6.4-inch AMOLED QHD display that looks great. It doesn’t have a notch, so those who prefer the classic look will be very happy. Even so, the phone has the modern bezel-less look with razor-thin bezels all around encasing the huge display.

The Note 9 also features accentuated square corners, a characteristic of Samsung’s phablet family. A candy-shaped fingerprint scanner sits on the back of the device, below the horizontally-aligned dual-camera setup. The phone has an 8.8mm profile, but the OnePlus 6T is a bit slimmer at 8.2mm.

While the Note 9 keeps its classical look, the OnePlus 6T benefits from the latest trend in notches. The phone’s 6.41-inch AMOLED display has a tiny waterdrop-shaped notch at the top. The screen features FHD+ resolution (1080 x 2340), so it’s lower than the Note 9. Even so, if you ever used a OnePlus phone you’ll know that’s not really a problem, as the screen is more than capable of displaying vibrant and punchy colors and also has excellent brightness uniformity.

Unlike the OnePlus 6, the OnePlus 6T does no longer feature a fingerprint scanner on the back. That’s because the 6T is the first flagship to be made commercially available in the West that comes with an in-display fingerprint sensor. The company calls it “Screen Unlock”.

The technology powering it is similar to the one we’ve seen in the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and basically uses light from the display to illuminate the finger as it’s being read. OnePlus says the in-display scanner can unlock the device in as little as a third of a second. Sounds quite impressive.

The OnePlus 6T marks another first for the company. Unlike its predecessors, the new flagship has dropped the 3.5mm headphone jack. A controversial change, which might sway some customers towards the Note 9, which retains the headphone jack.  What’s more, Samsung’s phablet is also IP68 rated, while the OnePlus 6T is yet to gain official certification in this sense.

Performance and battery

Both smartphones rely on the best Qualcomm chipset available now: the Snapdragon 845. This is the same processor powering other top flagships such as the Pixel 3 or LG G7.

The OnePlus 6T will be available in three configurations as follows:

  • 6GB of RAM + 128GB of storage
  • 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage
  • 8GB of RAM + 256GB of storage

The OnePlus 6T does not offer microSD card slot, so you’ll be stuck with the configuration you choose to buy.

As for the Galaxy Note 9, it’s available with 6GB/8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 512GB of storage. In the case of the Samsung flagship, there’s a microSD card slot which allows for memory expansion up to 512GB.

Up next, we’re going to look at the battery. The Galaxy Note 9 benefits from one of the largest batteries even seen in a Samsung flagship. It’s of 4,000 mAh variety and should provide a satisfactory battery life. The phone also has support for wireless charging and fast battery charging.

As for the OnePlus 6T, it includes a larger 3,700 mAh battery, compared to the 3,300 mAh unit of its predecessor. This is expected to result in a 23% increase in battery life. Unfortunately, wireless charging is still not in the cards. However, you get the company’s rebranded Fast Charge (from Dash Charge) tech, which will juice up your phone in no time.

Cameras

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has one of the most impressive cameras around. The phone has the all-new variable aperture camera introduced with the S9. This means the aperture can change from f/1.5 to f/2.4 depending on lighting conditions. Just like the human eye adapts in different environments, so does the Galaxy Note 9’s camera.

Samsung pairs two 12MP sensors on the back, which is the same setup we find on the Galaxy S9 Plus. The first one has PDAF and OIS, while the second telephoto one, offers OIS and 2x optical zoom.

So the Galaxy Note 9 should be able to deliver some excellent results, photography-wise, similar to what we’ve seen on the S9 Plus.

Another major highlight is the camera’s ability to shoot super slow-mo video at 960 fps. The front camera is an 8MP selfie snapper with autofocus.

In the case of the OnePlus 6T, the main camera is quite similar to the OnePlus 6’s with a few new additions. We still have a 16MP (f/1.7) + 20MP (f/1.7) couple with OIS and EIS for stabilizing shots.

But on the new model, OnePlus offers a new Nightscape feature, which is basically an enhanced HDR night mode which combines info from several shots to enhance details and reduce noise and motion blur. There’s also a new Studio Lighting options which helps with enhancing portrait shots.

Software

The OnePlus 6T ships with the latest version of Android and that’s Android 9 Pie. Obviously, the company’s own OxygenOS custom user interface is laid on top of that to provide a smooth and clean experience.

The new OS version includes refined gesture navigation and other useful features like Gaming Mode, Reading mode and a built-in dark theme.

As for the Galaxy Note 9, it runs Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box with Samsung Experience 9.5 on top. While Samsung’s UX has been gradually getting better over the year, it still pales in comparison to OxygenOS.

Samsung is yet to offer the Android 9 Pie update for the phone, although Samsung Experience 10 based on Pie did leak a while ago, so the company is working on it.

Other features

On top of what we already mentioned, the Galaxy Note 9 comes with a bunch of extra features including S Pen and DeX desktop experience support. The phone also offers the services of Samsung’s own virtual assistant, Bixby which has been improved compared to its original iteration. Stereo speakers are also part of the package.

The OnePlus 6T doesn’t have all of that, but you can activate the Google Assistant on it if you so desire.

Price

The OnePlus 6T will go on sale here in the US starting on November 3 for $549 and up. OnePlus will be selling the unlocked model (compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon networks) right from its official store.

But this year, the OnePlus 6T will also be offered at T-Mobile. You’ll be able to grab the 8GB of RAM + 128GB of storage model from the carrier’s stores starting on November 1.

T-Mobile also lets you trade in an eligible phone, so you can get $300 off in monthly bill credits when you buy the OnePlus 6T. Or you can get the device for $24.17/month for 24 months.

As for the Galaxy Note 9, the phone is widely available in the US from all major carriers, as well as from the company official store. Unlocked the Note 9 starts at $999.99 which is a lot more expensive than the OnePlus 6T.

Conclusion

While the Galaxy Note 9 does have a better display, camera and overall more features, it doesn’t necessarily mean it’s a must-have. Not at this price anyway.

For those who like the idea of getting a flagship-specced phone, the OnePlus 6T is more than enough. Especially since it has a feature that the Galaxy Note 9 does not and that’s the in-display fingerprint scanner.

The OnePlus 6T is fast, boasts new technology and also has a big battery and a much lower price, so overall it’s a great choice. But if photography is super important for you, or you’re interested in stuff like the S Pen, then the Galaxy Note 9 is the way to go.

Sony Xperia XZ3 Tips and Tricks

Andrew Myrick
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0

When it comes to smartphones in 2018, there are a lot of different features offered by each device. Some of these are available on flagship Android devices, but there are others that are specific to the device.

The Sony Xperia XZ3 is no different, and now that we have had some time with the device, we wanted to share some of the best. This is not the “end-all-be-all” list of tips and tricks, but there are some that you may not have known about.

How to disable the all apps button

Even though it’s obvious that gestures are the way of the future, some folks still like having buttons. One button that keeps returning is the App Drawer icon, and it’s here on the Xperia XZ3.

However, you can actually bring back the swipe-up gesture on your home screen. Here are the steps you’ll need to follow:

  1. Press and hold on the home screen
  2. Tap Settings
  3. Toggle Enable swipe up

This will remove the app drawer icon, and allow you to just swipe up to see all of your apps. This can then be turned off by following the steps and toggle the Enable swipe up switch to “off”.

Customize Home Screen

Unlike other handsets where you will want to immediately install Lawnchair or Nova Launcher, you may want to think twice with the Xperia XZ3. The included Xperia Home Launcher is actually quite robust and extremely customizable.

Here’s a breakdown of the options given when pressing and holding down on the home screen:

  • Widgets
  • Wallpapers
  • Shortcuts
  • Transitions
  • Grid
  • Settings

You can turn things up a notch if you want, by heading into the launcher settings itself. From here, you are greeted with a bunch of different toggles, including the option to have a Google feed on the home screen.

You can also change the icon size, icon appearance, icon background, and much more from here. This really is one of the best built-in launchers we’ve used in quite some time, and hopefully,x Sony will continue to improve it.

Disable bloatware/unwanted apps

Out of the box, Sony doesn’t actually install too many “extra” applications, and you won’t find carrier bloatware. This is because none of the four major US carriers are actually carrying the Xperia XZ3, but it’s refreshing to see just a little bit of bloatware.

One app that is frustratingly pre-installed is Facebook, but we also have Google News, Netflix, and Sony’s suite of apps. If any of these don’t really tickle your fancy and you want to get rid of them, the process is simple.

  1. Open Settings
  2. Tap Apps & notifications
  3. Select See all ** apps

From there, you can see all the apps that are currently installed on your Xperia XZ3. In order to disable or delete the apps you don’t want, you can follow these steps:

  1. Scroll and find the app you want to remove or disable
  2. Tap the application
  3. Select Uninstall/Disable

We do want to note that if you are disabling one of Sony’s own applications, you may run into issues. This is primarily for apps like Movie Creator or 3D Creator, but many of the pre-installed apps can be uninstalled.

Don’t forget to accessorize

What’s the point of getting a new phone if you don’t get some accessories to go with them? Here are a few of the best accessories to consider for your new Xperia XZ3.

Cases

Wireless Chargers

Storage

Portable Chargers

Sony Dynamic Vibration

For some reason, Sony opted to only stick a single speaker in the Xperia XZ3. You may think that this is not a great move, but the speaker sounds surprisingly good.

Sony also packed a new feature called “Dynamic Vibration”, which aims to improve media playback. The way that this works is that your device will actually vibrate, hoping to create a more immersive experience.

In order to enable Dynamic Vibration, follow these steps:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Scroll down and select Sound
  3. Locate and toggle Dynamic Vibration

Sony does state that this functionality will not work with every application that plays media. However, for the ones that it does, the included vibration is pretty nifty, especially if you want to pump up the bass a bit.

Customize Sony Edge Touch features

There are only so many features you can add to the hardware side of a device. That means that OEM’s are turning to the software more and more to bring new functionality and make life a bit easier for users.

The Xperia XZ3 is no different, as Sony has included its Edge Touch features. This brings up an array of suggested applications based on your usage, along with a few key toggles.

In order to activate this, you’ll want to tap on the frame of your device twice. Then, the menu will appear, offering some of your most used applications. For example, my list includes the Camera, ESPN Fantasy, Hangouts, and others. As for the toggles, we have Wi-Fi, DND, One-handed mode, and others.

There are sensors built into the frame of the device, which will activate Side Sense when you’re ready. In the Settings panel for this feature, there are a slew of different options:

  • Side Sense Menu
  • Sensor sensitivity
  • Sensor enabled on
  • Navigate back
  • Apps with Side sense enabled

At first glance, this may seem like a bit of a gimmick, but it has come in handy a few times. But be prepared for some accidental activations from time-to-time.

What is 3D creator?

We told you that Sony was trying to include a bunch of new software to enhance your experience. Another one of these features is the 3D Creator.

This application allows you to scan various objects in 3D, while offering 5 different modes:

  • Selfie Scan
  • Face Scan
  • Head Scan
  • Food Scan
  • Freeform Scan

Before you can even get started, you are forced to calibrate the applications. This makes it possible for more accurate scannings without having to jump through hoops.

After you have finished, you can begin scanning whichever subject or object you want. You will want to follow the instructions on the screen to make the scanning become reality.

Ambient Display

One way that phone manufacturers are trying to combat battery usage is with the help of an Ambient Display feature. The reason this is helpful is that you can just glance at your screen when locked, and see what’s going on. Doing this, eliminates the need to turn the display on and off for no reason.

Sony has included its own version of Ambient Display with the Xperia XZ3. This is not as robust as the option provided by Google, but is still rather useful in its own way.

Without customizing any features, you are provided with a clock, the battery remaining, and any notifications that arrive. These notifications are displayed with a simple icon, but then can be expanded if you want to see what’s goign on.

In order to adjust the Ambent Display settings, here are the steps:

  1. Open Settings
  2. Scroll down and select Lock Screen & Security
  3. Tap Lock Screen Preferences
  4. Select Ambient Display

This will provide you with all of the different settings you need to make Ambient Display yours.

Super Slow Motion

It was interesting to see the Xperia XZ3 launched with just a single camera, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some awesome features. Just as was the case with the XZ2, the XZ3 is capable of shooting in Super Slow Motion.

When recording, you can shoot super slow motion video at 960fps in Full HD. Sony states that this is done by letting you “capture the action 32 times slower than in a regular movie”.

If you want to jump in on this fun, here’s how to activate Super Slow Motion:

  1. Open the Camera app
  2. Swipe to access video recording
  3. Tap the Super Slow Motion clip button
  4. Tap Record
  5. Tap the Super Slow Motion button again to record a 0.18-second clip

After you record the slow motion video, the button will be disabled for 2 seconds. This is to allow the camera to properly store the data for later consumption.

Conclusion

As we stated before, this is not the “definitive” list of tips and tricks for the Xperia XZ3. However, these are some of our favorites, and we hope that you learned more about your new device.

In the meantime, we want to hear from you! Let us know some of your favorite tips and tricks for the Xperia XZ3!

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