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Misconduct at Google, Alphabet earnings, and more news you need to know

Andrew Myrick
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Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Thursday, October 25th, 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, Verizon certifies the Razer Phone 2, Alphabet slightly misses the target for Q3 2018, Google reportedly covers up sexual misconduct case, and more news for you.

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!

Verizon certification comes to the Razer Phone 2

Now that the Razer Phone 2 is in the hands of the public, there have been some complaints. The biggest of which comes from those who were trying to use the device with Verizon.

It seems that the handset had not yet passed through Verizon’s certifications, making it practically unusable. Today, Verizon confirmed that the Razer Phone 2 has received its approval and is “ready for BYOD activation”.

In addition to receiving its Verizon certification, the device will be available through Best Buy. If you wan to pick one up, you can do so for $799.99.

Alphabet slightly misses earnings targets in Q3 2018

Google’s parent company, Alphabet has reported its earnings for Q3 2018. The company reported an earnings of $33.74 billion, which is an increase of 21% when compared to Q3 2017.

However, this falls short of the estimated $34.04 billion which was projected by analysts. Google itself accounted for $4.6 billion, but that does not include the launch of the Pixel 3 or other recently-announced Google products.

Not everything was rosy for Alphabet, as its other ventures such as Verily and Fiber operated at a loss of $727 million. It will be interesting to see how Google’s latest devices perform in Q4 2018, but one thing’s for sure – they are rolling in the dough.

LG inches closer to making money from its smartphone division

From a company providing a great report in its earnings call to another company that continues to struggle. LG also revealed its Q3 2018 earnings report, which show that the company as a whole saw a 45% increase in operating profit, year-over-year.

The mobile division ended up losing about $130.5 million in the quarter, but provided the second highest sales out of LG’s major divisions. Losses in Q3 2018 accounted for $331.37, compared to $171.95 million in Q2 2018.

LG is continuing to hope that it will be able to “turn the corner” and get back in the green for its mobile division. However, the company may have some new competition looming as OnePlus is gearing up to launch its latest device.

38% of Spotify users are Premium subscribers

A new report from the Consumer Intelligence Research Partners announced that 38% of Spotify users are Premium subscribers. These numbers are as of September 30th and are a 2% increase compared to Q2 2018.

It seems the reason for the slight increase could be due to changes in Spotify’s Family Plan. Back in June, the streaming giant began verifying that Family Plan members live in the same household.

Forcing “the truth” from subscribers, has forced those taking advantage of the system to pick up a Premium subscription for themselves.

Google reportedly covered up misconduct from Andy Rubin

Earlier today, a report from the New York Times surfaced which shares exactly why Andy Rubin left Google. The report claims that during Rubin’s tenure, he had various affairs which violated company policies.

These violations eventually led to Google forcing Rubin out, but the company ended up paying $90 million to “leave quietly”. Another stipulation was that Rubin could not work for competitors for a period of time.

Instead of paying Rubin $90 million all at once, Google has been paying $2.5 million per month and then dropping to $1.25 million per month since 2014. The company issued a statement to ArsTechnica, which didn’t refute the claims, and instead focused on what the company has done since Rubin’s departure.

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Anker intros the world’s smallest wall charger and a new Nebula Capsule projector

Alexandra Arici
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0

Anker today unveiled a series of new products including a very small wall charger.

After a whole year of development, the PowerPort Atom PD 1 makes its debut as the first product in the Atom series which will offer slim, lightweight PD wall chargers for MacBooks, phones and other PD devices.

Aptly named, the device is slightly bigger than a 5W stock smartphone charger, so you’ll be able to fit it almost anywhere. It features one single USB-C port that can deliver up to 27W of power through the Power Delivery standard.

Anker managed to make the Atom slimmer and more efficient than other competing products by using GaN (Gallium Nitride) components. It’s actually the first device of its kind to do so.

The PowerPort Atom PD 1 will go on sale towards the end of November for $29.99 on Amazon.

Next, Anker has also unveiled the Nebula Capsule II, a small entertainment device that brings new capabilities such as Android TV support and Google Assistant integration.

The gadget features a black cylindrical body and is only 5.9-inch tall, so it’s quite portable. It’s also able to project a 720p image at 200 ANSI lumens.

The new projector is powered by Android TV 9.0, so it brings support for a myriad of applications including YouTube, Hulu Plus and much more. And with Google Assistant on board, finding searching for media is a walk in the park with the Capsule II.

But wait there’s more, the Nebula also doubles a Bluetooth speaker that can offer up to 30 hours of playtime on a single charge.

The product will become available for early adopters on Kickstarter on October 26. Early Bird backers can order their device for $349.

Last, but not least, Anker announced the availability details of its Soundcore Model Zero+ speaker today. According to Anker, this is a product that has been envisioned by artists and sculpted by designers. Made from premium materials like brushed aluminum and woven fabric it’s quite stylish-looking, albeit a bit oddly shaped.

The portable speaker is the first from Soundcore to come with integrated Dolby Audio, so it can deliver a crisp and extremely detailed sound experience. It also has Google Assistant support and can offer 5 hours of battery life.

What’s more, the Model Zero+ also advantage of another first. It includes “Designed by Scan-Speak” drivers which are known for offering unmatched sound quality and music reproduction.

The speaker will go on sale in late November for $249.99.

Niantic Adventure Sync: Pokemon Go will now track your steps even if the app isn’t running

AndroidGuys
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Incubating your eggs will never be the same again. Niantic today introduced Adventure Sync, a tool that changes how its games operate.

If there’s one thing that Pokemon Go does well, it’s getting people out in the real world. If there’s a second thing, it’s that it rewards you for being active.

Raid battles, special events, Community Day, and new Pokemon are all compelling reasons to open the game and get to the park. But, what about all of the other times you’re out and about? It’s kind of a drag to have the game open all day long as you hope to eek out more distance in hopes of hatching eggs.

While Trainers will be rewarded regularly in Candy found by Buddy Pokémon or Eggs hatching more efficiently, they will also be able to participate in weekly milestones for walking that will reward them for their hard work.

Thanks to Adventure Sync, the game integrates tightly with Google Fit and iOS HealthKit and works in the background. In essence, it will track all of your activity, including random walks, jogs, and fitness-based movement.

With a weekly synchronization, the system will deliver a summary to Pokemon Go trainers with data like distance, calories burned, and steps counted.

Read More

This doesn’t just go towards faster egg incubation and candy found by buddies, either. According to Niantic, there will be weekly milestones for walking that reward trainers for their efforts.

Given that the winter months are approaching, it stands to reason that you’re not getting to the park as often. The implementation of Adventure Sync will ensure that you don’t fall out of love with Pokemon Go.

Look for the new mode to hit Pokemon Go in the coming weeks.

The Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is official with four cameras, slider design, and barely there bezels

Jason England
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Xiaomi officially launched their Mi Mix 3 today incorporating a magnetic sliding 6.4-inch display. Making use of the slider design maximizes screen real estate providing a true 93.4 percent screen to body ratio without including an unsightly notch.

Without a cut out in the display to house the front-facing cameras you’re left with a near bezel-free screen. The cameras have to go somewhere though, and this is where the slider comes into play. In order to take a selfie, you’ll be forced to slide up the back portion of the phone to reveal the 24MP + 2MP front-facing cameras.

Xiaomi has attempted to make the slider more fun and added a little customization. Users will have the option to change the sound effect when sliding as well as the ability to assign a shortcut to the action.

Specs

As far as specs you’re looking at a pretty similar line up to most other 2018 flagships. Unfortunately, with all the Mi Mix 3 is packing, they saw fit to exclude the microSD card slot and 3.5mm headphone jack.

  • Display: 6.4-inch 2340 x 1080 19.5:9 AMOLED
  • Processor: Snapdragon 845
  • RAM: 6GB, 8GB, 10GB
  • Storage: 128GB or 256GB; no microSD expansion
  • Rear Cameras: 12MP f/1.8 + 12MP f/2.4 telephoto
  • Front Cameras: 24MP + 2MP
  • Battery: 3200mAh
  • OS: Android 9 Pie MIUI 10

The dual camera setup on the back has garnered a score of 103 from DxOMark currently positioning it as the 5th best mobile camera. Xiaomi took time to show off how the Mi Mix’s new Night Mode will improve night time photos.

It does so by taking multiple exposures and combining them to reduce noise. This to the similar technology used by Huawei providing and they used side by side examples against the P20 on stage.

The Mi Mix will also include the trendy AI scene recognition that many other flagships are touting, along with a 960fps super slow motion mode.

Availability

Pre-orders for the Mi Mix 3 begin today starting at 3,299 yuan ($475) for the 6GB+128GB model, 3,599 yuan ($518) for the 8GB/128GB variant, and 3,999 yuan ($576) for the 8GB/256GB model. The Mi Mix 3 comes in three colors including Jade Green, Onyx Black, and Sapphire Blue. All models will include a 10W charger and will be available November 1.

Outside of the traditional models, there will also be a special Forbidden City edition launching at the end of November with 10GB of RAM for 4,999 yuan ($720). Xiaomi also said to expect a 5G variant in Q1 of 2019.

Google’s new contract makes 2 years of Android updates mandatory for OEMs

Alexandra Arici
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0

In response to being slapped with a record-breaking fine in the EU this summer, Google is preparing a major change to its business model.

The search giant recently revealed it will start charging a licensing fee for Android device makers that want to deliver handsets pre-installed with popular Google apps like Gmail or Maps.

Now The Verge has managed to obtain a copy of the new contracts that Google will soon start implementing. The documents disclose how much the search giant plans to charge Android OEM for its apps – up to $40 for every device – but also unearth another interesting piece of information.

Google nudges Android OEMs to take updates seriously

The new contracts include new guidelines for how long and how often an OEM must provide Android security updates for their devices. Google mandates that smartphone makers send out at least four security updates in the first year after the device’s launch. This should be followed by a second year of support, although the company isn’t so specific about the minimum number of releases.

Google rolls out security patches every month, but most OEMs and carriers are extremely slow in implementing these updates. Especially if the devices that need updating are non-flagships or a bit older.

A failure to comply with new rules which will come into force on January 31, 2019, could have the effect of Google refusing to grant the needed certification of the Android devices in question.

However, the contract has a loophole that has the potential to permit some OEMs to get away with it. Apparently, only devices that sell in more than 100,000 units are targeted by Google’s new rules. We should also note, that the contract only applies to the EEA for now. Even so, we expect the global rules are going to be similar, or even stricter.

The new rules combined with Google’s emphasis on Project Treble, indicate the search giant is taking the issue of lackluster updates by third-party manufacturers quite seriously. Even so, it remains to be seen whether the new stipulation will “scare” Android OEMs into obedience or not.

Assistant on Chrome OS, Samsung fined, and more Android news you need to know

Andrew Myrick
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0

Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Wednesday, October 24th, 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, Google Assistant comes to Chrome OS devices, OnePlus 6T passes through Verizon, Google will force OEM’s update older devices, and more news you need to know.

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!

Google Assistant comes to “all” Chrome OS devices

It seems that Google’s latest big push comes at a good time for Chrome OS users. The company has been bringing new updates to devices, while new products are coming out all the time.

The latest update brings Google Assistant to just about every Chrome OS device, including tablets and Chromebooks. In order to access this, you will need to have Chrome OS Canary installed.

From there, a new flag is available which will bring Assistant to “all” Chromebooks. While this is in testing, Google is still working out the kinks and the interface isn’t all that great just yet.

OnePlus 6T rumored to pass through Verizon certifications

Earlier this month, a report revealed that the OnePlus 6T could end up being compatible with Verizon. This is huge because up until now, OnePlus devices were limited to only working with GSM networks like AT&T and T-Mobile.

The latest report from PCMag claims that the OnePlus 6T has passed through Verizon’s certification process. If true, this means that you will be able to use the 6T on Verizon without jumping through hoops.

We are already expecting to see the OnePlus launch its next device in a partnership with T-Mobile. Here’s to hoping that OnePlus is ready to make the plunge in the US and really take the market by storm.

The OnePlus 6T will debut at an event on October 29th in New York City.

Google plans to force OEM’s update to new versions of Android

Hot off the heels of the changes coming to Android in the EU, it seems Google is looking to get more from OEM’s. The Verge has obtained a contract which will require device makes to “regularly install updates for any popular phone or tablet for at least two years”.

The contract also states that OEM’s will be required to “provide at least four security updates” within the first year of a device’s launch. There are mandates for bringing security updates to devices in the second year, but there’s no mention of how many will be required.

It’s no secret that one of Android’s biggest issues comes down to software updates. Unless you own a Pixel, there is no telling when the next major update will be pushed to handsets, and security updates can be few and far between.

Samsung fined for slowing down smartphones intentionally

For years, Samsung has been accused of intentionally slowing devices down, with some instances beginning just a few months after launch. It seems that Italian authorities have found that Samsung is forcing unwanted updates on older devices.

An announcement has been made which shows that Samsung has been fined €5 million. The announcement surrounds the release of the Galaxy Note 4 where users were “incessantly pestered” to install the update.

Then, the users would complain on forums that the smartphone became practically useless, including lasting just a few hours before the battery would run out. Samsung has yet to respond to the fines, but it will be interesting to see how this turns out.

AT&T working on dedicated DirecTV Now Android TV box

For the last year or so, AT&T has been rumored to be making a dedicated DirecTV Now box which is based on Android TV. Today, we received reports that the device is alive and well and has even passed through the FCC.

Originally, the Android TV device was set to launch by the end of 2018, but AT&T CEO John Donovan stated that the company will “roll out trials in the first half of 2019”. We are hoping that this new Android TV box won’t just be available for DirecTV Now customers.

However, if the release finally happens, then we can hopefully see more similar devices launched in the future.

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How to delete your Google Search history

AndroidGuys
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Google makes it incredibly easy to manage your account activity. As a company that got its start in search, it now gives users dead simple controls over search activity and history.

If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to delete your Google search history, you’re in luck. You can do that, and so much more. It’s definitely not new by any stretch, but it’s much easier now  and we definitely recommend you check it out.

If you visit myactivity.google.com from a desktop or mobile web browser, you’ll find there are all sorts of tools and options available. It’s here where you can pull up pretty much anything you’ve done while logged in with your Google account.

Read More

How to delete your Google Plus account

What is Google Takeout and how do you use it?

We’re not just talking about search history, but web pages you’ve visited, places you’ve traveled, pictures you’ve taken, and more. It’s an amazing portal for those of us who like to see just how much we rely on Google. Moreover, it’s granular control over the data, too.

Should you wish to, it’s easy to delete your Google search history one item at a time, one day at a time, or by specific terms. Digging deeper, you can also pare down results and delete things done by voice search or Google Assistant.

We suggest spending a few minutes looking around at the various ways you’re sharing your information and using Google. There may be something there that you were not aware of, including sharing your location history or how ads are tailored to you.

It’s almost scary how much stuff there is to look through, and you could fall down a proverbial rabbit hole. Head to the Activity Controls to check out the data that’s being collected and how it helps your overall experience. If there’s something that doesn’t sit right with you, it’s here where you’d manage the information.

The Delete Activity By section allows users to selectively delete items based on topic, date, or product. Want to get rid of those search queries from 2013? Maybe you’d like to delete today’s Google Assistant-based content. There’s a ton of options here.

Google Pixel Stand review

AndroidGuys
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One of the most noteworthy additions to the Pixel line of phones for 2018 is the option for wireless charging. Available in many other flagship phones of the day, it’s been sorely lacking from Google’s seat at the table.

Not only did the Pixel 3 arrive with wireless charging, but it showed up with a new charger, too. Available now, the Pixel Stand delivers a fast, wireless charge to the Pixel 3, Pixel 3XL, and other Qi-capable phones.

The Pixel Stand runs $79.99 and comes in one color – white. It’s a simple design that looks very much in line with other Google products. In other words, it’s soft to touch, easy on the eyes, minimal, and modern. If Material Design were to make the leap to physical products, this would be a shining example.

As a single piece of hardware, the Pixel Stand looks a tad unorthodox. A circular disc forms the bottom base while a pill-shaped platter creates the stand. A small, bumpy ledge on the base ensures your phone doesn’t slide around. The whole unit is soft and smooth and comes across more like rubber than plastic.

The Pixel Stand isn’t designed to fold and go; it’s the type of charger that requires a more permanent placement. You cannot disassemble or fold it to pack up for travel so don’t look to this one for your on-the-go needs.

Read More

There’s almost no physical setup required to get going with the Pixel Stand. Simply plug in the included USB Type-C cable underneath and flip it upright.

The charging stand employs the Qi standard for charging so it will work with other phones that allow for wireless recharge. Our suggestion, though, is that you might want to consider other chargers as they’re going to be less expensive and possible have different features.

In fact, it’s reported that Google only provides the full 10W worth of power to the Pixel 3 phones. Other models with Qi wireless charging capabilities are getting 5W speed. For that alone we suggest looking elsewhere for a wireless dock for non-Pixel models.

The Pixel Stand is primarily designed for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL.

What’s so special about those phones that they pair so well with this particular charger? It’s the Google Assistant smarts and other features that unlock when you connect to charge.

Place your Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL on the Pixel Stand for the first time and you’ll be prompted to set up a few additional options. Instead of simply charging, the stand can turn your phone display into something that is actionable and powered by Google Assistant.

Using the ambient display of the phone, you can glance over for weather, time, date, notifications, and Google Assistant on standby. You’ll also see a small button that says “Good Morning” or another message based on the time of day. Tap it and you’ll get the same stuff you might hear when asking Google Assistant how your day looks.

The visible snapshot of your day (weather, traffic conditions, schedule, reminders) is a welcome addition to the charging experience. Having something to glance at often helps us to recall things later in the day.

You can set things up to show upcoming appointments, or tap the Google Feed to display headlines, trending topics, and other suggested actions. It’s great to have a visual companion to Google Assistant and essentially turns your phone into a small Google Home Hub of sorts.

It’s also possible to customize the phone to show your Google Photos as a screensaver or changing wallpaper. Choose from a particular album or two or let it automatically display recent highlights. It’s always random and sometimes stacks two photos on top of each other or next to one another.

If there’s a minor gripe about the photos, it’s that they are displayed at full brightness. So, depending on where you have the Pixel Stand, you might find yourself distracted every time a new image (or two) pops up.

Another situation where we found ourselves somewhat flustered is when we’d use the Pixel Stand in the same room as a Google Home or Google Home Mini. Specifically, there was no way to tell either device which we’d like to set as default.

For instance, we would prompt our Pixel 3 with a query which would normally pull up a video and the Google Home would pick up the command. The speaker wouldn’t know how to handle the request and the phone wouldn’t respond to it.

This didn’t happen often, but enough that we noticed the inconvenience. We’ve slowly started to add smart speakers and devices to our house and office and this issue could be worsened if not addressed soon. We would like to see some sort of setting in the Google Home app which lets us configure a “room” or “group” with default, or primary devices.

Use the Pixel Stand in your bedroom as an alarm clock and you’ll get another cool feature. Set the time to wake you up and your Pixel 3 will slowly increase the brightness with a yellow sun-like color that helps to pull you from sleep in a more gentle manner.

If charging is all you care about, and you really don’t want to be bothered, you can configure the Pixel Stand to take you off the grid, so to speak. It’s really simple to set up the “do not disturb” mode which silences everything and doesn’t bother you with notifications.

Given this is a charger, we should tell you about that aspect, right? Here it goes: it’s fast. Really fast.

The Pixel Stand comes with an 18W wall plug and USB Type-C cable. With up to 10W of wireless charging power for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, it tops off the phones quicker than most wireless platters.

We found the Pixel Stand would charge our Pixel 3 XL at a rate of around 20%-25% after about 20 minutes on the charger. Given the size of the battery this was really impressive. This is one of those experiences that makes other chargers feel slow by comparison. We get the feeling that we’ll want this speed as often as possible, or at least in as many places as possible.

The Pixel Stand doesn’t come cheaply with its $80 price tag. If you’re just looking for a wireless charger, start elsewhere. But, if you have a Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL, you owe it to yourself to grab this one. The Google Assistant features, and other fun smarts, make it worth the extra money and further enhance that really awesome phone.

TicWatch C2 announced with 2-day battery life in a classic design

Andrew Myrick
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0

As we get closer to the Holiday 2018 season, chances are you are getting ideas of what to pick up. One product likely to be a hot commodity will be smart watches, as they offer an extension of our phones, while leaving them in our pockets.

TicWatch C2

Mobvoi, the maker of TicWatch, has been looking to push the envelope over the last few months with its various smartwatch releases. The latest offering is the TicWatch C2, which aims to provide a great set of features inside of a classic watch design.

On the spec side of things, the TicWatch C2 actually comes in two different sizes; 20mm and 18mm. However, other than the dimensions and band size, these are exactly the same.

TicWatch C2 20mm
Dimensions 42.83mm x 42.83 x 13.10
Colors Black, Platinum
Watch Case Stainless Steel
Watch Strap Leather (20mm)
Operating System Wear OS by Google
Processor Snapdragon Wear 2100
Display 1.3-inch AMOLED
GPS GPS, GLONASS, Beidou
Sensors Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Heart-rate
NFC Yes
Waterproof IP68

 

At first glance the TicWatch C2 lineup looks absolutely amazing. It aims to offer 2-days of battery, features a classic design, and a great AMOLED display. However, there is one major issue – the Snapdragon Wear 2100.

READ MORE: TicWatch Pro Review

Just yesterday, we saw the Misfit Vapor 2 announced, which also sports this almost 3-year old chipset. We aren’t sure why OEM’s aren’t taking advantage of Qualcomm’s latest processor, other than the MontBlanc Summit (at $1000).

Nonetheless, the TicWatch C2 is still an interesting smartwatch that will definitely appeal to those looking for a classic look. Plus, you won’t have to worry about breaking the bank, as the 20mm version is priced at just $199.

Starting today, you can pre-order the TicWatch C2 from Mobvoi and Amazon. The company is expecting these to begin arriving in your homes in the first week of December, just in time for Christmas.

TicPods Free

Mobvoi didn’t stop there on the announcement front. You may remember an announcement back in April for the TicPods Free. These are Mobvoi’s take on the truly wireless headphone and are rather interesting.

Here’s a quick list of what the TicPods Free has to offer:

  • In-ear detection
  • Intuitive touch controls
  • Noise isolation
  • Voice assistant support
  • Fast-charging
  • Ambient noise cancellation
  • 18-hour battery life
  • IPX5 water resistance

The project started as an Indiegogo campaign, where Mobvoi raised almost $3 million. Since then, these have shipped out to the backers and are now ready for prime time.

Mobvoi has announced that starting today, you can purchase the TicPods Free from Amazon or the Mobvoi website for a cool $129.99. This is one of the best prices you can find for truly wireless earbuds, but we’ll have to test them out ourselves to see if they fit the bill.

Unlike the TicWatch C2, you can purchase these headphones today and they’ll arrive as fast as possible. If you would like to see a review, let us know in the comments below.

Pixel 3 hindered, Xiaomi releases first phone with 10GB of RAM, and more news for you

Andrew Myrick
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0

Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Tuesday, October 23rd, 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, Google slows down fast-wireless charging on the Pixel 3, Xiaomi unveils the first phone with 10GB of RAM, and more news that you need to know.

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!

Google handicaps fast wireless charging on Pixel 3

With the release of the Pixel 3, Google finally embraced the world of wireless charging. The company also went so far as to create a unique wireless charger with the Pixel Stand.

However, now that the Pixel 3 is in the hands of consumers, we are learning more. One user took to Reddit and shared that the Pixel 3 is capped at 5W charging speed when using third-party wireless chargers.

In comparison, when using the Pixel Stand, your Pixel 3 will charge at 10W. Google claims the reasoning for this is because “a secure handshake takes place.” Hopefully, a future software release will reverse this decision, but there’s no telling what Google will do.

Xiaomi Black Shark Helo Gaming Phone Announced

There seems to be a new focus on gaming smartphones, and Xiaomi is the latest to jump in the fray. The Xiaomi Black Shark Helo is the latest offering, and is completely focused on gaming enthusiasts.

The device sports a 6-inch AMOLED display, coupled with dual-front-firing speakers. Under the hood, the Black Shark Helo is powered by the Snapdragon 845 SoC, along with up to 10GB of RAM.

This inclusion marks the first smartphone released with 10GB of RAM. There are also 6GB or 8GB options for those who don’t have a bottomless wallet. Pricing for the Black Shark Helo starts at around $460 and goes up to $605.

OnePlus will release a 5G phone in 2019

Qualcomm is currently holding its 4G/5G Summit in Hong Kong and we have learned some exciting news. We already know that 5G will be the next big push from smartphone manufacturers, but OnePlus will be one of those companies.

Co-Founder Carl Pei revealed that it will be one of the first companies to launch a 5G-enabled phone in 2019. Testing for the upcoming 5G device started back in August.

Unfortunately, we aren’t sure when this device will be released, but we do know the 6T won’t be compatible. Qualcomm revealed there will be a device launched in H1 2019 which will likely be the first of its kind.

New ‘Home View’ features rolling out to Lenovo Smart Display

Lenovo Smart Display

A few weeks ago, Google announced a few new features would be coming to Smart Displays everywhere. One of these is the Lenovo Smart Display, and it seems those features are now rolling out.

For those who are unaware, the updates include multi-room audio support, Live Albums from Google Photos, and Home View. This last feature makes it possible to control and see all smart home devices on a single dashboard.

Lenovo has stated that the features will be rolling out to all users over the next few weeks.

Misfit Vapor 2 unveiled with the Snapdragon 2100 Wear

After being leaked last week, the Misfit Vapor 2 is now official. The Wear OS-based smartwatch comes in two different sizes at 1.2-inches and 1.4-inches.

Both versions sport 512MB of RAM, 4GB of storage and either 300 or 330mAh batteries. Unfortunately, the Vapor 2 is powered by the Snapdragon 2100, which is now almost 3 years old.

Pricing for the Vapor 2 starts at $250, but forgoing the Wear 3100 chipset practically makes this dead-on-arrival. You can pre-order the smartwatch from Misfit, Best Buy, and others.

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