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Huawei’s Mate 20 and Mate 20 Pro are here and they are truly beastly

Alexandra Arici
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During a press event hosted today in London, Huawei unveiled its latest flagship Mate 20 series. We’re looking at two models, the standard Mate 20 which arrives with a tiny teardrop-shaped notch (aka dewdrop), and the more premium Mate 20 Pro which feature a regular-style notch.

The Mate series is Huawei’s answer to the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Google’s Pixel 3 XL. Both devices feature large screens and are packed with top tech.

The two models have a few things in common, like being based on the same Kirin 980 processor and running Android 9.0 Pie out of the box with EMUI 9 on top. But they differ in a lot of aspects.

Differences abound

The standard Mate 20 version lacks some of the headline features seen in its larger brother. The phone arrives with a 6.53-inch LCD display and a unique 18:7:9 aspect ratio, but does not have an in-display fingerprint sensor like the Mate 20 Pro. Instead, the phone features a circular authentication sensor on the back. The standard model also lacks the stereo speaker, and IP68 certification that are found in the Pro model.

Huawei Mate 20

Nevertheless, the LCD display on board the Mate 20 comes with an extra white pixel in the RGBW matrix, which translates into an increase in brightness levels. Huawei says the phone rocks an impressive 820 nits.

In contrast, the Mate 20 Pro features a smaller (?!) 6.3-inch OLED display with 1440p resolution, HDR support and 19:5:9 aspect ratio.

Huawei Mate 20 Pro

Design-wise, the Mate 20 series has glass bodies and offers the now-trademark gradient colors introduced by the company’s previous flagships. However, there’s a new addition to the recipe. Huawei calls this “hyperoptical pattern” which basically translates into the phones being less slippery in hand.

However, this texture will be available only on the Midnight Blue, Emerald Green and Twilight versions. For some reason, the Black and Pink Gold options didn’t get the same treatment.

A bit about the powerful Kirin 980

Introduced back at IFA 2018, the Kirin 980 is marketed as the world’s first 7nm smartphone SoC with a dual-core NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit).

According to Huawei, the new chip improves performance by 20% and energy efficiency by 40% over its predecessor. The dual NPU is one of the standout features of the Kirin 980, and its main purpose is to speed up AI applications such as face recognition, object detection, and object segmentation.

Huawei claims that the chip is 135% faster overall than the Snapdragon 845, and 88% more efficient.

Paired with the Kirin 980, there’s 4GB or 6GB of RAM + 128GB of storage on board of the Mate 20. While the Pro version has either 6GB or 8GB of RAM together with 128GB of storage. In both cases, there’s a nanoSD card slot on board for expansion to up to 256GB.

The cameras

We all know Huawei’s relationship with Leica is a strong one, and the two companies are continuing their long-lasting partnership on the Mate 20 series.

The company introduced the world’s first tri-camera setup with the P20 Pro and on the Mate 20 Pro, it made a few tweaks. For starters, it replaced the monochrome sensor with an 20MP ultra-wide angle one.

The two phones continue to boast the huge 40MP sensor with f/1.8 aperture, which is joined by a 8MP 3x telephoto lens with f/2.4. The main sensor now benefits from a new technology called FusionMind which is capable to achieve 4-in-1 pixel binning in such a way as to bring low-light photographs to a new level. Users will also be able to combine info from all the sensors for ultra-macro shots.

As for the Mate 20, it comes equipped with a less impressive 12MP main + 16MP wide-angle + 8MP telephoto assembly with 2x zoom. Both handsets feature a 24MP front-facing camera which will allow owners to take some stellar selfies. In the case of the Mate Pro, the selfie shooter houses the 3D depth sensor needed for face-unlocking.

Battery

The standard Mate 20 comes equipped with a 4,000 mAh battery, while the Mate 20 Pro relies on a larger 4,200 mAh powerhouse. Huawei is also including a razor-fast 40W charging option on the Pro model, while the standard version gets the “typical” 22W charger.

Huawei says the fast charger on the Pro model can juice up the battery up to 70% in just 30 minutes. Additionally, the device also gets 15W wireless charging abilities and also doubles as a wireless power bank for other phones that support the Qi standard. Unfortunately, there’s no wireless charging available for the Mate 20.

Price

The Mate 20 will go on sale in select European markets on October 16. Pricing starts at €799 / $924. The Mate 20 Pro will land on retail shelves on the same day, for €1049 / $1214. As for the US, the Mate 20 Pro (but not the Mate 20) will probably become available through third-party retailers like Amazon at some point. Although we can’t tell exactly when it will land.

Izzbie review: a new kind of VPN

Matt Adams
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Data security is a hot topic. We’ve seen leaks from massive companies like Google and Facebook recently where people have had their data publically exposed. Many people are also concerned about third-party companies and the government snooping on their traffic. Because of these issues, Virtual Private Networks or VPNs have never been more popular.

The way most VPNs work is by creating a secure tunnel from your computer or phone to the VPN service’s servers. Your data travels along that tunnel and then once it gets to the servers, it heads to its intended location.

Read more: Should you use a VPN on your phone?

The reason for using a VPN numbers in the hundreds, if not thousands. First off is privacy. By using a secure connection and encrypting your data, it’s hard if not impossible for someone to snoop on what you’re doing. VPNs also allow you to get around region restrictions and ensure that your connection isn’t susceptible to a man-in-the-middle attack while connecting to a site where you use sensitive information, like your bank.

There are a number of VPN options out there. Many are paid like Private Internet Access. There are some free services out there, but as the saying goes, if you’re not the customer, you’re the product.

But, now there’s a new kid on the block. For the last couple of weeks, we’ve been testing out the new VPN service from Izzbie.

Izzbie is a different kind of VPN that leverages your home network to a create safe and convenient private network. There’s no third-party cloud or 2P2 software involved and it uses military-grade AES 256 encryption for your data.

Sounds amazing right? So, let’s take a look at how it works.

First up, you attach an Izzbie One box to your network. I have mine coming out of my switch. You don’t have to fiddle with putting it between your connection and modem or router, it just connects with an open ethernet port.

Then, you run through the setup process and log in. Walking through setup in the app can be a tad confusing, but Izzbie has informed us that the app will be getting a redesign to make it more functional and intuitive to use. The company includes setup instructions in the box and has a video walkthrough on its YouTube channel as well. We found that the setup, once properly executed, is done within minutes and pretty painless.

After your account is set up, its time to find the Izzbie box on your network. A simple tap of the “discover devices” button and you’re off. Once you are connected to the box, you’re done. Now, all of your data from your phone is flowing through your home internet connection.

At this point, you may be asking yourself why you’d even want to do this. I am by no means a networking guy and I had trouble wrapping my head around the advantages here. If I’m going to route all of my network data through my home internet, why wouldn’t I just stay connected to WiFi all the time?

The real magic of Izzbie is when you leave the house. Now, you’re not connected to your WiFi but your data is still running through your home network. And, you get the added benefit of encryption.

If you’re on a business trip in another country and want to watch your favorite Netflix shows during your downtime, this is perfect for getting around region restrictions. If you have a home NAS that can only be accessed from inside your network, boom, you’re good to go.

You can also expand your possibilities by adding another Izzbie box to your arsenal. During our testing, I had a friend set up a box at his house so I could test the functionality. It helped quite a bit as I was troubleshooting some Plex server issues I was experiencing. But, if your workplace requires a secure connection to remote in, this is also an excellent option.

Izzbie tells us that the real value of the system is hooking up multiple Izzbie One boxes. It allows users to connect multiple LAN networks into a virtual LAN. This allows users to get a LAN-like connection to all of the IT resources they need access to. It also allows user-to-network and network-to-network communications as if they’re all on the same network.

There are downsides here, but they minor. You are capped to the speed of the internet connection your box is connected to. Instead of pulling 80-100Mbps through my cellular connection, I was limited to 15 up and down because that’s my home internet speed’s upload limit. If you have fiber, you shouldn’t really run into this issue. Additionally, if you’ve ever used a standard VPN, you know how slow they can be.

Izzbie is generally much faster, especially when connecting to a NAS. You get a LAN-like connection, which is much much faster. This allows users to map the NAS as if they were inside the same LAN. The same benefits apply if you’re connecting to devices like IP cameras, printers, or servers.

And it is a little pricey. The almost $300 price tag does feel a little prosumer. But, you are getting all the hardware you need and a lifetime subscription. In a world where everything has a recurring cost to it, it’s nice to be able to buy something and just be done paying for it. And Izzbie is appropriate for a prosumer or small business environment, so those who are looking for a little bit more than your standard consumer-grade options will be getting your money’s worth.

Despite those minor annoyances, we really find a lot of value in just how simple the system can be to set up and use. You see a ton of value here when you compare Izzbie One to a VPN router. Izzbie doesn’t require router configuration, a static IP, or DDNS. Additionally, you never have to open any incoming ports to get Izzbie to work, a major plus for network security. All you need to is a single user login and you’re on your way.

If you’re maintaining a corporate network, there are a ton of advantages for you too. It’s super easy to add and remove users for the Izzbie network. The system also allows your users to connect to multiple locations with just one login, instead of juggling multiple logins. No more tickets to reset credentials!

We think this is a great start for Izzbie. There are some things that need addressed like the aesthetics of the app, but those changes are on the way.

We spoke to the CEO, Alan Hui, to get an idea of where the company and the service are going in the future.

He told us that Izzbie isn’t stopping here. It plans to bring IoT products to the market like smart door locks and cameras that all use the Izzbie platform. Since you’d be able to use these devices without requiring the cloud to relay the data transmission, it’ll be much faster and more secure to use. It will also allow you to connect to IoT products in multiple locations using the same login, something most cloud services can’t do at this time.

So, should you invest in Izzbie? If you’re looking for a different kind of VPN, we think so. There’s a lot of promise here and we’re really interested to see where the company goes. If you’d like to get in on the ground floor, you can pre-order by checking out Izzbie’s Indiegogo campaign.

Pokemon GO for Android gains AR+ mode

AndroidGuys
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Pokemon GO just keeps getting better. With the fourth generation of Pokemon having just arrived, we’re busy hunting down our friends from the Sinnoh region.

Things are fresh and fun and new all over again, regardless of which phone you’re using to play. But, there’s also a way to dial things up to another level, even with the older Pokemon creatures. That’s right, AR+ mode has finally arrived for Android

With the new mode Pokemon GO players can up close to their favorite monsters; the Pokemon scale in size and provide a more realistic encounter. Indeed, that Eevee can detect when you are getting to close and may hide.

Pokémon GO AR+ mode requires ARCore on your Android phone. While it can be downloaded from the Google Play Store, it’s only available for select phones. Nevertheless, many of the more popular Android handsets of the last two years offer support.

Noteworthy AR+ Android phones

  • Google Pixel, XL
  • Google Pixel 2, 2 XL
  • Google Pixel 3, 3 XL
  • Motorola Moto Z3, Moto Z3 Play
  • Motorola Moto G6. G6 Play
  • LG G6, G7 ThinQ, V30, V35 ThinQ, V40
  • Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S8, S8+, S9, S9+
  • OnePlus 5, 5T, 6

You can check to see if your device is supported through Google’s website. If so, make sure to enable the feature inside of the settings menu in Pokemon GO.

For more details on ARCore and Pokémon AR+ for Android users, check out the Niantic Help Center.

What is ARCore and which phones support it?

AndroidGuys
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If you’ve been keeping up with tech companies lately, you’ll realize they’ve been focusing much of their attention in a few areas. The first being AI, of course, with the rise of smart assistants. The next attention areas are Augmented and Virtual Reality (AR and VR).

Within the bigger broader companies (e.g., Google and Apple), AR is being focused on more than VR. What exactly is AR, what is this ARCore/ARKit, and how will it impact your life. We’ll dive into that now.

What is AR and ARCore?

For the sake of simplicity, AR and VR are very similar but have the main difference in location. Augmented Reality places a virtual object in the environment around you, viewable through a lens (whether glasses or phone cameras). Virtual Reality requires the user to be immersed in a separated virtual environment through the use of special goggles.

See Also: Google steps into the world of VR with Cardboard

Both are used for gaming, learning skills, or merely examining information. VR has had the stigma of being more for entertainment, while AR has been known to be for acquiring information. They both serve unique purposes well.

Now that we’ve got that settled let’s discuss ARCore. Google uses ARCore to help build the various AR experiences its phones create. ARCore consists of a new set of APIs, frameworks, and other software tools.

ARCore uses three key capabilities to achieve environment creation and interaction. These concepts are Motion Tracking, Environmental understanding, and Light Estimation.

How do they work?

Motion tracking occurs with not only objects that your phone sees, but also the movement of the phone itself. ARCore uses visual feature points to help map out the movement of the device.

READ: Customize your Android with one of these six highly flexible apps

ARCore also uses these feature points to detect flat surfaces to be used as planes in any specific app. This process is involved in Environmental understanding.

Lastly, ARCore detects the lighting of an environment to provide average light intensity and color at any given camera angle.

Those are the leading capabilities ARCore uses for creating environments, but some other concepts could include user interaction, oriented points, anchors, and augmented images.

While ARCore is impressive in its own right, it can be beneficial to developers and general consumers. ARCore is a public source, so any developer can call upon its APIs to use in their apps to enjoy benefits like motion tracking and environmental understanding. This way they don’t have to try and create APIs on their own.

AR, in general, can also be handy to the general public in their personal and business lives. The Curate app, for example, allows real estate agents the chance to show prospective homebuyers a fully furnished and built home, without actually having to stage a pre-built house.

The app saves everyone time and money. In a broader aspect, Ikea and Amazon have AR built into their apps, allowing the user to simulate what an object looks like in their home. There are also games, you know, for entertainment.

Availability

ARCore as a platform is available for any developers out there needing augmented reality assistance in Android apps. Apple has a virtually similar platform called ARKit.

As far as devices go, anything higher end in the past 2 years (Android 7.0+) is likely to support ARCore. The phones include Pixels, Galaxy S7 onwards, Oneplus 3T onwards, LG G6 onwards, and more. Google has a complete list of devices if you want to check to see if your phone is compatible.

Noteworthy ARCore-ready Android phones

  • Google Pixel, XL
  • Google Pixel 2, 2 XL
  • Google Pixel 3, 3 XL
  • Motorola Moto Z3, Moto Z3 Play
  • Motorola Moto G6. G6 Play
  • LG G6, G7 ThinQ, V30, V35 ThinQ, V40
  • Samsung Galaxy S7, S7 Edge, S8, S8+, S9, S9+
  • OnePlus 5, 5T, 6

All in all, ARCore is an excellent platform from Google for developers to include in their apps to help with AR content. Augmented reality, in its own right, has many uses including entertainment and learning.

Watching companies invest more into the AR space can only create a host of opportunities for us in the real world. Imagine if we could wear AR with us on a regular basis. I’m still waiting for an updated Google Glass to be available…

Jaybird X4 Review: Has the king of Bluetooth headphones returned?

Andrew Myrick
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Whenever you think about wireless Bluetooth headphones, chances are that Jaybird is one company that comes to mind. Jaybird has been in the game for quite some time and is back with one of its more popular products, the Jaybird X4.

Read More: Jaybird Run Review

These are the true successor to the Jaybird X3 that were launched back in 2016. Since then, we have seen the Jaybird Freedom and Jaybird Run headphones launched, but nothing beats the fan favorite, right?

What’s in the Box?

Before jumping into all of the fun stuff, let’s take a look at what you get for the $130 price tag. Jaybird sure knows how to take care of its consumers, as it includes an assortment of ear and wing tips.

Doing so ensures that you will be able to use the Jaybird X4 regardless of how big or small your ears are. Already installer is a set of medium, plastic, ear-tips, but you’ll want to change these out for the included Comply Foam tips.

Additionally, Jaybird included a carrying pouch, so that your brand new headphones won’t get tangled up with anything else in your pocket or bag. Finally, there is a proprietary charging cable that can be used with any USB wall-plug in your home. You can even use your computer in a pinch.

The problem with this charger is that Jaybird continues to opt for its own proprietary charging method. Why we can’t get USB-C or even micro-USB is still a mystery that has yet to be solved.

Design

When you look at the Jaybird X3’s and the Jaybird X4’s there’s really not much difference here. You have the two earbuds with a cable connecting them, and in-line controls on the right side of the cable.

This hub also provides the housing for the included battery and is what you use to connect the charger too. There are three buttons for Volume Up, Volume Down, and Play/Pause.

Moving back to the cable for a bit, there is a new clip that helps you control how much spare cable you have. Obviously, this is a great addition for those who don’t want a cable flopping around and getting caught on something while you’re working out.

If you’re someone who frequents the gym, then you’ll be happy to learn about the sweat rating. The Jaybird X4 includes an IPX7 rating which means that they can be submerged in up to 3-feet of water for 30 minutes.

Obviously, you won’t really want to go swimming with these. However, the IPX7 rating ensures that the X4’s will continue pumping out the music even if you’re caught in a rainstorm.

Usability

As is the case with just about every set of Jaybird headphones, there is an accompanying app for iOS and Android that helps get things set up. Simply install the app, turn on your new Jaybird X4 headphones, and follow the prompts on your device.

In order to put your device in pairing mode, you’ll need to press the middle button on the in-line controls. The charging light will begin blinking between Red and Green, and a voice will say “Ready to Pair”.

From there, just follow the instructions in the Jaybird app and you will be on your way. After the pairing process has been completed, then you can begin listening to your favorite content.

Sound

Now that we got the pairing process out of the way, you’re likely wondering just how well the X4’s sound. Well, if you are a fan of Jaybird then you will feel right at home.

As expected, these won’t really replace your favorite over-the-ear cans, but they are perfect for when you’re on the go. The bass is heavy enough that it won’t blow your eardrums out, while the high’s are just good enough.

The best part about the entire Jaybird experience is the aforementioned MySound application. This allows you to fine-tune the EQ to your taste and updates in real-time to help you decide what is the best fit for your music.

Jaybird has really figured out how to create a set of great-sounding headphones. And that trend continues with the X4’s.

Battery Life

Other than sound and sweat-resistance, the next biggest question behind Bluetooth headphones is battery life. Jaybird claims that the X4’s will provide up to 8 hours before needing a recharge.

In our testing, we never really hit that 8-hour mark. Instead, we consistently saw between 6 to 7 hours of usage before needing to recharge.

What makes this even better is that Jaybird has finally hopped on the quick-charge train. The X4’s are capable of getting about an hour of listening time with just a 10 to 15-minute charge. If you are charging them after being drained to 0%, you can recharge back to 100% in just about an hour.

For this reason alone, the Jaybird X4’s are a must have for anyone looking for a solid set of Bluetooth headphones.

Conclusion

Jaybird has become one of the most reliable brands in Bluetooth headphones. The Jaybird X series is extremely popular and for good reason.

While we have some quirks about the X4 headphones, primarily around the proprietary charging, these are still great. The Jaybird MySound app makes it extremely easy to tune these to your personal listening habits.

All-in-all, the Jaybird X4 is a great buy for anyone looking for a solid set of Bluetooth headphones. Even the $129.99 price tag won’t scare anyone away from at least considering these.

Be sure to sound off in the comments below to let us know what you think about the Jaybird X4. Are you going to pick a set up for yourself? Or is there another set of headphones that has your attention.

Should you upgrade? Google Pixel 3 vs Pixel 2

Alexandra Arici
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Google has finally pulled the wraps off its latest flagship effort, the Pixel 3 series during an event in New York. But just how different are the new models compared to the old ones?

At a glance, it doesn’t appear that many things have changed, but there’s plenty more going on beneath the surface. So in this article, we take a look at what sets the new Pixel 3 family apart from the Pixel 2 and try to answer the question: should you upgrade?

Design and display

The Pixel 3 and 3XL share most of their DNA with the Pixel 2 lineup, but there are a handful of meaningful differences when it comes to design. Even so, from the back, these distinctions aren’t all that visible. Both the Pixel 2s and Pixel 3s have two-tone rears, but while the Pixel 2s are made mostly out of metal with a glass panel at the top, the Pixel 3s are all glass.

On the front, Google has given each of the new phones a larger screen without making the devices noticeably larger. The Pixel 3 now sports a 5.5-inch screen, up from the 5-inch on the Pixel 2. It also makes a transition from the traditional 16:9 aspect ratio to the modern 18:9 one.

At the same time, the Pixel 3 XL now sports a 6.3-inch display, compared to the Pixel 2 XL’s 6-inch one. Last year, the OLED display on the Pixel 2 XL was plagued by numerous issues, so hopefully this year Google has managed to improve the situation.

The Pixel 3 XL stands out the most out of the two because it comes equipped with a notch on top, while the standard Pixel 3 doesn’t. But even as it retains the classic look, the standard Pixel 3 has shed the notoriously chunky bezels.

Both phones include front-facing speakers still, but Google says the Pixel 3s are now 40% louder than before. We should also mention that the two new handsets are water resistant thanks to the improved IPX8 rating. The previous models were only IP67 rated.

Specifications

Obviously, the Pixel 3 series makes use of a newer Snapdragon 845 processor. Google has provided an upgrade over last year’s Snapdragon 835, but it didn’t do the same when it comes to RAM.

So the Pixel 3s come with the same 4GB of RAM and up to 128GB of storage configuration as their predecessors. In 2018, when most flagships offer at least 6GB of RAM on board, it would have been nice to see Google do the same. Fortunately, Google’s software does an excellent job with RAM management, so you won’t have to worry about your Pixel 3 not working smoothly.

Like the Pixel 2s, the Pixel 3s don’t come with a microSD card slot for memory expansion, so you’ll be stuck with the amount you select when you purchase the device. So choose wisely!

Photography

One of the biggest differences when comparing the Pixel 3s with the Pixel 2s is the cameras. On the front, Google this year has added an extra camera. It’s an additional 8-megapixel wide-angle lens with 97-degree field-of-view. So uses will be able to fit more people into their selfies.

As for the main (singular) camera, it stays pretty much the same, at least on paper. We have a 12.2-megapixel sensor which in the case of the Pixel 3s supports new features.

For example, you get Nightshift, a tool designed to take extra-nice low-light photos by employing an algorithm that readjusts the light settings. There’s also Top Shot, which takes a burst of HDR shots before and after you press the shutter button and picks the best one. Another interesting tool is Motion Autofocus which allows users to tap a subject once to track its movements.

Battery and charging

Google increased the battery size on the Pixel 3 to 2,917 mAh, compared to the 2,700 mAh of the Pixel 2. But in the case of the Pixel 3 XL, things are the other way around for some reason. The device relies on a 3,430 mAh battery, which smaller than the Pixel 2 XL’s 3,520 mAh one.

But why did Google choose to do that? Perhaps the Snapdragon 845’s battery optimizations might provide a clue, although it would have been nice to see a larger battery instead of a smaller one.

The good news is that Google this year included wireless charging with the Pixel 3s. Both support the Qi wireless charging standard, so they are compatible with a large number of existing chargers. Note that Google is also selling its own charging stand, although it’s a bit expensive.

Software

The Pixel 3s run Android 9 Pie out of the box and offer some new features. For example, the two will be the first phones to support Gmail’s Smart Compose feature. They also include Call Screen, which basically allows the phones AI to answer a call for you in real time.

The older Pixel 2s also run Android 9 Pie, though their firmware upgrade support ends in 2020, while the Pixel 3’s expires in 2021. What’s more, all four Pixels come with Active Edge, which allows users to squeeze the side of the device to bring up the Google Assistant or open other apps.

Should you upgrade?

The Pixel 3s do bring a few upgrades to the table including a new processor, an extra front-facing camera, wireless charging, and hopefully better displays, but if you are coming from the Pixel 2, an upgrade really doesn’t seem necessary. Unless you really really want to have the latest phone.

The Pixel 2, especially the XL model still remains a worthy phone, even with the Snapdragon 835 processor on board. What’s more, with the Pixel 3 out, it’s more affordable than ever. So if you’re not looking to spend a ton of money on a new smartphone, the Pixel 2 might be a better option for you than spending $799 and up on a new Pixel 3.

Pick up some new gear from the likes of Skagen, TaoTronics and more

AndroidGuys
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In the past week, we have seen quite a few new products unveiled, and we still have a few weeks left of #phonepocalypse. To help tide us over in between all of these announcements, you’re likely going to want some accessories to go along with them.

The Weekend Recommender is our chance to share some of the better tech items that have recently crossed our path. What you’ll find below are a few products that we’ve spent time with over the last few weeks which deserve special recognition. Who knows? Maybe your next favorite thing is listed here!

Solo NY Elite Backpack

In our last edition of Weekend Recommender, we featured the Solo NY Altitude backpack. This time around, we are featuring another backpack with the Solo NY Elite.

On the outside, this looks like just your run of the mill backpack with a few pockets. However, once you start exploring the bag, you’ll realize this is so much more.

Sure, there’s a pocket for your laptop, (up to 17.3-inches), and there is are some outer pockets to slide smaller items in. But the real story comes after you get to the main compartment and the secondary compartment.

At the bottom of the Elite Backpack, you will find a bottom compartment designed to hold either your shoes or some clothes. There is an included organizer that allows you to create a more sturdy bottom in case you need some extra space.

The best part is that there is still loads of room to keep all of your possessions inside. The Solo Elite NY Backpack is just $79.99 and you can pick one up for yourself today.

Skagen Falster

Earlier this year, renowned watchmaker decided to jump on the Wear OS train with the Skagen Falster. The Falster debuted at CES 2018 and sported a much sleeker design than other comparable smartwatches.

The casing measures in at 42mm while the strip size comes in at 20mm. Skagen includes 4GB of onboard storage to go along with the 300mAh battery.

Speaking of the battery, Skagen included quick charging, making it possible to charge back up to 100% in just 2-hours. A nice touch was the inclusion of the IP67 water resistance rating, which ensures that you can submerge the Falster in 3-feet of water for up to 3 hours.

While the casing is made of Stainless Steel, Skagen offers Mesh or Leather bands. Currently, you can snag one of these for just $199 with Prime shipping.

TaoTronics

The great thing about the headphones market is that there are so many different options. The Bluetooth headphone market is also continuing to expand with an array of products.

TaoTronics is a company that we’ve featured here at AndroidGuys before, and they have a new set of Bluetooth headphones. The TaoTronics TT-BH042 is a bit more special than the rest for two reasons; noise-canceling and price.

These headphones sport Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) and have been working pretty darn well in our time with them. This is combined with the 8-hours of battery life with ANC enabled, or 16-hours without ANC.

One downside is that these headphones aren’t traditional in the matter that there’s actually a neckband. In our usage, we didn’t really find this too annoying, but if you have an earbud hanging out, be careful to not get it caught on anything.

Now for the price: $45.99. This is an absolutely bonkers price for what you’re getting with the long-lasting battery and Active Noise Canceling. If you’re in the market for Bluetooth headphones, we can’t recommend these enough.

CHOETECH Fast Wireless Charging Stand

If you’re looking for a more permanent, or home-based solution, this is what you’ll want to consider.

There are two coils inside the unit so it more easily connects to your phone, making it quicker and easier to get started with a charge. Whether landscape or portrait, the stand is sure to recognize your phone quickly.

There are two coils inside the unit so it more easily connects to your phone, making it quicker and easier to get started with a charge. Whether landscape or portrait, the stand is sure to recognize your phone quickly.

Underneath you will locate four anti-slip rubber feet which ensure the charger isn’t slipping and sliding all over your desk. Additionally, a rubber pad meets the bottom of your phone, providing both padding and stability.

The charging stand holds your phone at a great angle which allows for reading or checking notifications with a quick glance. It’s a great accessory to have on your kitchen counter or nightstand.

Like other CHOETECH products, this one’s backed by an 18-month guarantee and 30-day return policy. Purchase one for about $18 from Amazon.

JLAB Epic Air Elite

Truly wireless earbuds are all the rage today. You can go grab a cheap pair on Amazon for a few bucks, or you can invest in something you plan on keeping for a while. JLAB recently introduced its Epic Air Elite and we’re really pleased with them during our testing.

First and foremost, these are fantastic workout earbuds. They have built-in wings that go behind your ears and make sure they’ll never fall out. We also love the IP55 rating that ensures the swear from your workout won’t ruin them. This is an important feature that many earbuds overlook.

If you love pumping bass during your workouts, you’re going to love these too. The bass THUMPS harder than any other truly wireless earbuds we’ve used. Sure, the bass can get a bit muddy but when you’re powering through that last mile, these can help push you through. We found the highs a little less detailed than we like, but they aren’t piercing, so that’s a plus too. These are also the loudest truly wireless earbuds we’ve ever listened too and could never comfortably listen to them above 50% volume.

Finally, the battery case. It’s one of the best out there right now. The earbuds are rated at 6 hours and the case can get you an additional 32 hours. Not only that, but it has both USB in and out ports so you can charge up other devices with the included USB cable that wraps around the case. It’s a fantastic design.

You can grab the JLAB Epic Air Elite for $150 from JLAB or Amazon.

Galaxy X is a tablet in your pocket, OnePlus bringing new gestures to 6T, and more news for you

Andrew Myrick
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Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Friday, October 12th, 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 learn about Samsung’s plans for its foldable smartphone, OnePlus is bringing new gestures with the 6T, and more.

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!

Samsung Galaxy X will put a tablet in your pocket

Samsung’s foldable smartphone/tablet hybrid has been rumored and teased for some time. It seems that we are learning more about the Galaxy X after an interview from CNET with DJ Koh of Samsung.

In the interview, Koh stated that the device will be a tablet that you can fold up and put in your pocket. This will be advantageous for those focused on productivity, while also still working as a phone.

As for when we are expecting to see this device, Koh stated that the device will launch later this year. Considering that there are only a couple of months left, time’s running out.

OnePlus 6T to bring overhauled OxygenOS UI and more

It seems like we are learning more about the OnePlus 6T on a daily basis. The company has now confirmed which type of fingerprint scanner will be used.

Today, OnePlus has announced that the 6T will sport a “more distinct and intuitive” version of OxygenOS. This software is already regarded as one of the most popular due to how close to stock Android it is.

In addition to the brand-new UI, OnePlus is also bringing new gestures to the table. One such gesture is the ability to launch Google Assistant just by holding the power button for half a second.

These brands are joining the “Made for Google” Program

Now that the Pixel 3 lineup and new devices from Google have been announced, the company is continuing to make moves. The latest of these moves is providing an updated list of brands participating in the ‘Made for Google’ program.

For the unaware, this program was introduced last year and allows companies to get their accessories to work along with the Pixel and Google Home. The latest update brings almost 20 new brands to the program, including some familiar names.

The list includes:

– Gamevice
– Mophie
– Nomad
– Brydge
– Kensington
– Logitech
– And more…

The new Samsung Chromebook Plus V2 is “always connected”

Earlier today, Samsung announced a new LTE version of its Chromebook Plus V2. This sports a 12.2-inch full HD display along with the Intel Celeron 3965Y chipset and 4GB of RAM.

Samsung has also included up to 32GB of solid-state storage, and enough battery life to get you through the day. While it matches up with the standard Chromebook Plus V2, the difference comes with the new LTE chip with the help of Verizon.

This new Chromebook is priced at $599.99, which is $100 more than the standard version. Finally, it will launch on November 2nd and will be available from Samsung, Best Buy, and Verizon.

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How to disable the Google Pixel 3 XL notch

AndroidGuys
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The notch.

Does hearing that word trigger you? What about seeing one in a smartphone?

When it comes to display cutouts you probably feel one of two ways about them; you either don’t care or you don’t shut up.

Love ‘em or hate ‘em, they aren’t going anywhere anytime soon. It’s the hot new trend and a way for OEMs to get a little more screen real estate from their phones.

The Google Pixel 3 XL is a perfect example. Announced in early October, it’s the latest flagship handset to feature the “notch”.

If you’re among those who were just about sold on the device except for that nagging little cutout, you’re in luck. It’s not something you have to live with.

As we quickly learned from Google, the display can be adjusted for users based on personal taste. In short, you can disable the notch.

We’ve been using a review unit for a couple of days now and are happy to show you how to do it. The process is fairly simple and takes but a few taps.

Until Google pushes out a different method, or adds it into the main settings, there’s only one way to remove the notch: enable and modify developer options.

Here’s how to disable the Google Pixel 3 XL notch:

Enable Developer Options

First things first — you need to turn this setting on in order to unlock the other stuff.

In your Google Pixel 3 XL, open your apps tray and follow these steps:

  • Settings>System>About Phone>Build Number

Tap on Build Number a few times until it tells you that you’ve enabled Developer Options. All set? Great!

Now, back out a few steps and you’ll now go into those settings.

Hide the Display Cutout

  • Settings>System>Advanced>Developer Options

Inside of Developer Options you will look for the subcategory of Drawing and scroll to where it says Display Cutout. Tap that and you’ll get a popup window. Select “Hide” and back out to your home screen. All set!

You can play with this setting whenever you want, enabling and disabling as needed.

First Impressions: What does the Sony Xperia XZ3 offer in 2018

Andrew Myrick
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Before getting started, it’s important to note that I have never owned or used a Sony smartphone for more than just a few minutes. Those times have been limited to seeing the display units in my local Best Buy and putting around with those for just a few moments before moving on.

Now that we got that out of the way, let’s talk about the Sony Xperia XZ3. This is just our first impressions of the device, as we have had it for just less than a week.

Sony Xperia XZ3 Specs

As a precursor, let’s give everyone a quick breakdown of the specs for the XZ3:

  • 6-inch 18:9 QHD+ (2880 x 1440) Display
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Processor
  • 4GB RAM
  • 64GB of Expandable Storage
  • 13MP wide-angle selfie camera
  • 19MP Motion Eye Camera
  • 3,330mAh Battery

So as you can see, Sony has pretty much packed all of the expected specs into the XZ3. There’s not too much that is really surprising or head-turning, at least at first glance.

Hardware

When I took the XZ3 out of the box, I was instantly surprised. While the handset felt great in the hand in terms of materials, I also felt like I had just picked up a brick.

Sony Xperia XZ3 3

Sony’s website state that the device weighs in at 6.8 ounces. Considering that I was coming from a combination of the iPhone X and LG G7 ThinQ, the weight was immediately a concern.

In fact, it was such a concern that I was worried about dropping the device. I ended up quickly ordering a case from Amazon just to avoid any accidental drops that could occur.

Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s take a look at the design itself. Gone are the days of the squared, box-like smartphone and now we have rounded edges and a smooth build.

The back is curved quite nicely so that it fits better in your hand. But there is major quirk that I am continuing to struggle with – fingerprint scanner placement.

Sony Xperia XZ3 2

Before the case arrived I was still using the XZ3, just extremely carefully. The rear-mounted fingerprint scanner is placed just slightly above the middle of the device.

Since the camera module rests vertically and quite low, I found myself touching the camera instead of the scanner. I would brush my finger across the lens and then wonder why the XZ3 didn’t unlock.

Now that I have the case, it’s a bit easier, but there still have been some times where I miss the target. You will get used to it, but it’s going to be an annoyance in the beginning.

There are no more sharp edges to worry about digging into your hand as the display just melts into the frame.

Speaking of that display, Sony knocked it out of the park here in our early testing. Admittedly, I’m not someone who is overly-critical of displays, but the Xperia XZ3’s OLED HDR display pops much more than others.

Sony Xperia XZ3 4

There are some software adjustments that can be made in the Settings panel, but I haven’t touched any of those. Instead, I just switched the “Display Size” and “Font Size” to get more information on the screen.

We have not had enough time to put the camera through its paces and pushed it to its limits. However, we have taken a few quick shots and things seem to be doing quite fine for the most part.

While LG and Samsung have added additional hardware buttons for digital assistants, Sony added one for the camera. On the right frame, near the bottom, there is a camera button that allows you to quickly take pictures.

There is a bit of a feeling of using an old point and shoot, which is a nice feeling. Plus, the button is placed low enough where accidental presses aren’t really a thing.

Software

Whenever a new version of Android is announced, there’s usually a party or two. The first is to celebrate the final release, while the second is for the first OEM to launch a device with the latest version.

Well, Sony didn’t really get to have a great party despite being the first phone from 2018 to be released with Android Pie on board. Of course, Pixel, Essential Phone, and OnePlus owners had this already, but those are devices with last year’s hardware.

Starting off with the launcher, Sony has done a pretty good job emulating a near-stock experience. You have your shortcuts that appear with a long-press of the app icon.

Sony Xperia XZ3 6

Sony also included the Google News Feed when swiping to the right from your home screen. Plus, the on-screen navigation buttons are also “borrowed” from the Pixel devices which is a nice touch.

We have noticed a few smaller features here and there that we will cover in the full review. So stay tuned for that.

Bottom Line

In our limited time with the Xperia XZ3, there are some great features that improve the experience. And I, for one, am excited to continue this adventure and get even more acclimated with Sony’s latest and greatest.

Despite its heft, the XZ3 is definitely a sleek handset and will turn some heads thanks to its gorgeous display. If you have any questions about the device, please sound off in the comments below and we’ll try to cover them in the review.

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