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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.

4000mAh or bust: What are the best phones with the biggest batteries?

AndroidGuys
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Ask most smartphone users to name one feature they’d like to see improved on their phone and you’ll likely hear a common reply: better battery life. Indeed, as much as battery capacities and charging technology have improved over the decade, we’re always looking for more.

Today we routinely see devices announced with 2500mAh or more, with most flagships topping 3000mAh of power. Further, Android has vastly improved and become a much more streamlined and mobile processors have gotten exponentially better.

If battery life is your chief concern, you are in luck. At last check there were nearly one dozen models with batteries hitting 4000mAh or higher available from the major US wireless carriers.

What we’ve collected here are the best phones you can buy today — with the biggest batteries. What follows are devices that pair both massive power sources with modern versions of Android.

Motorola Moto E5 Plus

You’re simply not going to get more battery in a phone from a reputable brand. Forget about external power supplies and portable chargers — you’ve got two days of juice, plus some.

One of the best all-around mid-range experiences you’ll get out of a handset, the Moto E5 Plus is built for those of us who can’t get our face out of our phone. It runs a very current version of Android at 8.0 Oreo and there’s no bloatware or extra junk wasting space. Moreover, it will likely pick up a software update as quickly as others.

The hardware is no slouch with the octa-core processor, 3GB RAM, and 32GB of storage space. Need more for your photos, games, and music? Throw in a microSD card up to 128GB and you’re good to go.

You know what else is cool about this phone? It’s got a 3.5mm headphone jack and water repellent coating, two features we’re only too happy to find in a device.

Motorola E4 Plus

If you are a Boost Mobile subscriber, you can save yourself a few bucks and pick up last year’s model at $80. With an equally impressive 5,000mAh power source, the specs are still good enough for first-time users or those who don’t need much from their phone.

LG X Charge

With a generous 4,500mAh battery under the hood, the LG X Charge provides a 5.5-inch display and a solid mid-range experience.

It runs an older version of Android at 7.0 Nougat, but it’s still current enough to merit placement on this list. There’s 2GB memory to go with the octa-core processor and 16GB worth of space. That’s not enough storage for most folks, but the microSD expansion card slot offers up to 2TB of potential.

There’s nothing overly fancy about this phone, but we appreciate that it’s priced accordingly. Available at Sprint for about $270 as of today, it’s much cheaper if you go the prepaid route. Both Boost and Cricket carry it for $80 and $100, respectively.

LG X Venture

A similar approach the aforementioned X Power, this one’s available through AT&T and US Cellular. The 4100mAh battery is more than good enough for casual users to get through two days of usage.

The 5.2-inch display borders on the smaller side of what today’s phones offer so, if you don’t need a big screen to go with the battery, you’re in luck. The octa-core processor, 2GB RAM, and 32GB of storage round out the mid-ranger.

Grab this one for about $330 from AT&T or $360 from US Cellular.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

The Note 9 is that big-screen, stylus-packing experience that we’ve long appreciated. With a 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, Snapdragon 845 processor, and 6GB or 8GB of memory, you can purchase it with a whopping 128GB or 512GB of internal storage. Moreover, it offers up the same dual-camera setup introduced in the Galaxy S9 Plus.

Samsung has ratcheted up the battery from 3,300mAh in the Note 8 to 4,000mAh for 2018. What’s more, the S Pen now supports Bluetooth, meaning you can control your camera and music with the stylus’s button.

Although the dual-camera setup is essentially the same as the S9 Plus, it can now recognize what’s in a photo, automatically adjusting settings for you on the fly.

Motorola Moto G6 Play

A fraction of the cost of what other phone makers command for a 2018 mid-range phone, the Moto G6 Play is one of our favorites — for a number of reasons.

Let’s start with the recent version of Android in the 8.0 Oreo release. Not only is that among the most current you can buy on the market, it’s pretty much unaltered. You get what Google envisions for the platform, plus a few opt-in goodies.

The 5.7-inch display is easy on the eyes, and the internals are enough to satisfy the needs of many. We also appreciate that there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack and a protective water-repellent coating.

Sonim XP8

You want a battery that lasts all day, right? Why not get a phone that goes everywhere you do, too. There’s no use in a massive power source if you’re leaving the handset behind while you head off on a hike or trip to the beach.

The Sonim XP8 not only houses a gigantic 4900mAh battery, but its protected by a rugged, rough and tumble exterior. Indeed, it’s military grade stuff that’s tested against water, drops, shock, dust, and anything else you’ll get into.

We might prefer a newer version of Android, but the 7.0 Nougat is still suitable and up to the challenge. In terms of hardware, however, we’re big fans of the octa-core processor and the 4GB RAM.

Samsung S8 Active

A variation on the 2017 flagship smartphone, the S8 Active is designed to handle all elements. We’ve long adored the Active line and are glad to see it expanding to other service providers.

You’ll still pay a pretty penny for this one but you’re getting some of the best hardware around — even one year later (Read our Galaxy S8 Active review).  The octa-core processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB storage capacity run with the best of 2018.

Until Samsung releases a ruggedized version of its Galaxy S9 we are happy to keep this one in the corner of our mind. And, should the phone maker decide to release something new in this line, we see the price dropping and making the S8 Active even more of a bargain.

The best Pixel Stand alternatives

Matt Adams
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Google recently introduced a slew of new products including the brand new Pixel Stand. The Pixel Stand is a premium fast wireless charging stand that turns your Pixel 3 or Pixel 3 XL into a Google Home Hub. It’ll give you calendar notifications, photo slideshows and more.

But at its heart, the Pixel Stand is a wireless charger. And like almost every other wireless charger on the market, it supports the Qi standard. There’s nothing revolutionary about the hardware in the Pixel Stand, it’s just a fast wireless charger.

Read more: Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: frequently asked questions

And a lot of people aren’t too happy with the price. The stand comes in at $80, which is far more than you can get other wireless chargers for. So, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite wireless charging stands. All of the stands listed below keep your phone hoisted upright so you can see notifications and charge at Qi 2.0 speeds aka fast wireless charging.

Samsung Fast Wireless Charging Stand (2018 edition)

The company that makes the best selling Android phones also makes one of the best selling fast wireless stands. Samsung has embraced wireless charging for years now, and was the first to jump on the Fast Wireless Charging bandwagon.

Its wireless charging stand is one of the best on the market. It’s built well, charges up to 10w, and looks pretty good doing it. And, as if it could get any better, costs half the price of the Pixel Stand.

You can grab the Samsung Fast Wireless Charging Stand from Amazon and Samsung.

Choetech Qi Charging stand

If $40 isn’t cheap enough, how about $20? Choetech’s Qi charging stand enables you to charge up to 1.4x faster than other standard wireless charging stands through fast wireless charging.

Read more: Choetech fast wireless charger review: Substance over style

One of the best things about buying from Choetech is knowing you’re getting a quality product. I have this charger on my nightstand and can personally vouch for how well its built. It has been through two different moves and still looks like the day I bought it. Plus, it charges up my LG G7 overnight with no trouble.

You can get the Choetech Qi Charging stand for $19.89 on Amazon.

RavPower Wireless Charging Stand

RavPower is another name that you should know. The company has been making quality charging products for many, many years now and the Wireless Charging Stand is no exception.

Read more: Gear Up: Check out RAVPower wireless charging solutions and current discounts!

RavPower recognized that sometimes wireless charging can get a bit heated and included its new HyperAir technology. This allows the charger and the phone being charged to stay cool during the process. This protects the battery inside your phone from degradation.

The LED light at the bottom has four different settings, solid red for standby, blinking red when it detects an object it cannot charge, blinking green for charging, and solid green for a fully charged phone. These are great for knowing what’s up with your phone. We’d suggest pointing this thing away from your face when you’re sleeping at night, but that’s about the only fault we can find.

You can grab the RavPower Wireless Charging Stand from RavPower and Amazon.

Anker PowerWave

Anker is one of our favorite companies here at AndroidGuys because of the super high quality of its products. The PowerWave wireless charger is a fantastic example of those quality products.

This is the best built wireless charging stand we’ve had come through the office yet. We love the fan built in to keep devices and the charger cool. The little blue LED light at the bottom of the device is convenient and dim enough to not keep you up at night.

We love to place our phones landscape on this charger and watch a movie or play a game. The included power brick is a really nice touch and cuts down on some of the extra cost when purchasing a fast wireless charger.

Read more: Anker Soundcore Flare+ Review: 360-degree sound and LED lights

The Anker PowerWave is the most expensive charger on our list at $49.99, but you get what you pay for in this instance. It won’t charge faster than the others on our list, but we have no doubt about its quality. If you want to pick one up, you can grab it from Best Buy, Target, or Amazon.

UNREAL Mobile review: How good can a $10/month cell phone plan be?

Matt Adams
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How much does your cell phone line cost every month? $50? $75? $100?

How does $10 sound?

If you think that sounds too good to be true, you’ve never heard of UNREAL Mobile. UNREAL is an offshoot of FreedomPop, another low-cost carrier. UNREAL started quick on the back of incredibly cheap lines of service and now its here to disrupt the industry.

Carriers like FreedomPop or UNREAL are commonly referred to as MVNOs or Mobile Virtual Network Operator. These companies aren’t as big as the major carriers in the United States like Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and T-Mobile, but they are gaining popularity. You’ve probably heard of at least of a few of these MVNOs like Metro by T-Mobile (formally MetroPCS), Project Fi, Virgin Mobile, Cricket, or Boost Mobile.

These carriers generally offer cheaper prices than the big four in exchange for some trade-offs. But, how can they do that? Well, in UNREAL’s case, the company leases tower space from both AT&T and Sprint. Since carriers build more capacity than they need, they can lease unused space to smaller carriers. UNREAL then sells cheap plans to its customers using those same towers as AT&T and Sprint customers.

What are the tradeoffs?

via InsideTowers.com

The first and most noticeable is data speeds. Your phone won’t be able to pull those blazing speeds that carriers advertise, but it should still be enough to surf the web, upload pictures to Facebook or stream music. In my testing, I saw around 10 Mbps down and 1 Mbps up. That’s nothing compared to the 100 Mbps down that I’ve seen on T-Mobile’s network, but I had no problem with these speeds, especially when you consider that UNREAL’s service is about 20% of the cost of T-Mobile’s.

Service can be spotty too. Since you’re relying on Sprint’s and AT&T’s towers, you’re at their mercy. If you opt for a CDMA phone and Sprint’s service isn’t great where you live, you’re just out of luck. Luckily, UNREAL recently added AT&T as a partner, a carrier with a superior network.

If you don’t own your own unlocked device, UNREAL offers a slate of devices for you to pick up. In the month that we’ve been testing UNREAL, the selection has greatly expanded and there are now more and better options.

We have been testing the service with a Samsung Galaxy S6 from 2015. It’s pretty terrible. At the time our review started, it was one of the best options along with the Apple iPhone 6S and Samsung Galaxy S7. Now, you can pick from the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus, S8 Active, LG G7 ThinQ, and plenty of selections from Apple.

If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper, UNREAL offers an LG X Charge or Motorola Moto E4 for $120 or a Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017) for $160. Most of the offerings from UNREAL are CDMA only devices which is something to keep in mind. If you want to use the carrier but Sprint doesn’t have great service in your area, you may want to pick up a cheap GSM unlocked device from Amazon or Swappa.

How much does it cost?

This is where things get really enticing.

You can get UNREAL’s service for as low as $10 a month, but they offer more than just that tier. Here’s how things break down.

The base subscription nets you unlimited talk, texting, and 1 GB of LTE for $10/month. Once you roll through that 1 GB of data, you’re limited to 2G speeds, according to UNREAL.

If you’re looking for a little more, UNREAL offers Unlimited + 3 GB for $20/month or Unlimited + 5 GB for $30/month.

UNREAL also says that all plans come with VPN service, an ad blocker, data rollover, and live agent support. Normally support is one of those trade-offs you have to make when going with a low-cost option so be prepared to wait on hold if you have any problems. FreedomPop’s CEO has stated in interviews that this is one of the areas the carrier is working to improve.

Back to the prices, those are almost eye-wateringly good. It’s hard to find anything of quality for $10, especially cell service. If you’re sitting there thinking “there’s no way I could get by on just 5 GB a month of LTE” then you’re not the target demographic.

No, UNREAL isn’t going after the typical glued-to-their-phone 20-something professional. They’re going after your mom and dad. They’re going after your little brother and sister. Those who aren’t on phones all the time and need just enough to check some emails, send a few text messages, and get directions. Those who rely on WiFi anyway.

Conclusion

So, is UNREAL right for you? Are you looking to save a few dollars a month in exchange for your sites loading a little slower and being conscious of what kind of network you’re connected to? Only you can decide that, but we’re sold on UNREAL Mobile.

The service is easy to sign up for, easy to use, and dirt cheap. That’s a recipe for success.

We do wish there were a few more cheaper options in the store, but that can be remedied by picking up a device on another site. If you decide to go with one of Unreal’s premium options, the prices don’t seem too crazy and you can pay with PayPal, which is a huge plus for us.

We give UNREAL two thumbs up.

Android apps to make your Pokemon Go experience even better

AndroidGuys
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Pokemon Go is huge. Yes, in fall of 2018. In fact, the game is as popular now as it was upon its launch some two years back. It’s a money-making monster and people can’t get enough.

Why is Pokemon Go so popular now? There are plenty of reasons. For starters, there’s no fewer than 350 Pokemon available to catch. New characters are added all the time and the fourth generation appears to be on the horizon. Then there’s Community Day, regular events, friends, trading, and more.

Ask some of the more savvy or long-term players how they were able to hit the high 30’s or level 40 and you’ll find a common thread. It’s not entirely about grinding or paying for advantages.

Indeed, there are a number of ways to gain an upper hand on catching Pokemon or leveling up in Pokemon Go. We’re talking about apps. Chances are high that the guys you find occupying gyms and taking down raid bosses are using other apps.

We’ve gathered up some of the best apps you can find to enhance your Pokemon Go experience. Installing one or more of these is sure to help you not only learn more about the game itself, but how to take advantage of it.

Discord – Chat for Gamers

This one might sound familiar to you as it’s used for much more than Pokemon Go. Really, it’s not so much of an app as it is a service that works across platforms. This just happens to be the Android client of the popular tool.

Many of the loyal players in your area are using a social network to communicate with each other. This is the preferred means.

Is a raid about to go down? Share the location and details with people in your community so they can coordinate a meet-up. A rare Pokemon spawned in the middle of a parking lot at 1AM? Let your buddies know where to get Lunatone before it goes away.

A lot of groups have broken their Discord group into channels with information sharing, friend codes, gatherings, and more. If anything, use it as a way to monitor the goings-on without having to be physically present.

Discord is free to download and use; an account is required to log in. Also worth noting is that many of the Pokemon Go groups are private and/or invitation only.

GO Ranger – Unofficial Field Guide

Given there is always something going on in the game, it can be difficult to keep up. Which Pokemon types are spawning more now? What’s the difference in Field Research and the various rewards? Which Pokemon can be shiny?

GO Ranger is an excellent resource for all things Pokemon Go. Not only does it provide you with the answers to the aforementioned questions, but it also keeps track of plenty of things, too.

Upon opening the app you’ll be greeted with a list of current events. You can see at-a-glance which legendary raid bosses are available and for how long. In the middle of an ongoing festival or event? How about a nice timer that counts down the days and hours?

Hit up the Field Guide for helpful information on which Pokemon can be found in eggs, which might be a Ditto, or what creatures can nest. Moreover, you can see how long you might have to walk your buddy for candy, identify who might be in an upcoming raid, and how to prepare for them. We love how easy it is to figure out who we’ll counter a boss with based on its weaknesses or weather conditions.

The checklists section lets you create and update lists on a variety of topics. On the hunt to collect all regionals, shiny, or a particular region? Easy peasy.  Maybe you want to track those you have available to trade. Whatever you wanna do here is fine.

GO Ranger is free to download but is supported via the occasional display ad.

Silph Road

If you’ve ever played Pokemon Go at a park, you likely noticed that there were particular types that continue to spawn over and over. These “nests” rotate every two weeks and provide players with an opportunity to stock up.

Instead of going all the way over to the park only to find out that it’s Doduo you can save yourself some time and aggravation. Players just like you are sharing their findings with the community and are only too happy to spread the word on the latest nest Pokemon.

The Silph Road app lets you check a map of nests and see which types are spawning. You might have some rare or missing Pokemon just a few miles from you.

Don’t just take from the app, give back, too. Provide your own feedback and insight. How many did you find and how long were you there? Share the information and other players can benefit.

The app also gives you access to the latest in game news and overall research. It’s a great way to learn more about how Pokemon Go works, how to gain an upper hand, or what direction to take.

The Silph Road is free to download and use; you’ll need to create an account or validate with your Reddit account.

Calcy IV

Seasoned players know that Pokemon aren’t just about how high of a CP you can find. No, each one has its own unique individual value, or IV. Using a combination of Attack, Defense, and Stamina, the score determines the overall strength of your Pokemon.

Sadly, you’ve probably tossed away some potent Pokemon, thinking that the low CP meant it was weak. Instead of relying on the in-game appraisal system and trying to guess at power, go with an app like Calcy IV.

This app lets you check the IV levels of your Pokemon, and it does so much more. Use it to learn raid boss weaknesses and possible moves, or how to counter it with your own monsters. Additionally, you can use it to quickly rename your Pokemon for better identification based on a variety of factors.

This is one of those apps that gets better the more you play around with it. It can work as just an overlay atop of Pokemon Go or you could dive deep and really get a feel for your roster and its potential.

Download Calcy IV for free from Google Play and get started today.

Poke Genie – Safe IV Calculator

Ever wonder how much CP your Pokemon will have should you power it up or evolve? How much stardust and candy will you need to max out that Snorlax? Use Poke Genie to figure it out — it only takes a few seconds and can really change the way you’re playing.

Poke Genie is not really all that different from Calcy IV in the big scheme of things. We like the look and feel of this one as it does have a slightly more modern aesthetic. That’s not to suggest, however, that it’s any better than the aforementioned client.

If you’re serious about growing a better roster of pocket monsters, and want a leg up on battles, consider this one.

Poke Genie is free to install but includes advertisements.

Facebook

Yeah, we’re talking about Facebook. Why? Because that’s where a lot of players go to communicate and organize.

It’s a pretty safe bet that there’s a community or page based in your area. Be it major metro markets, counties, cities, or even townships, there’s probably a group of people convening right under your nose.

We imagine you already have an account for Facebook. Start using it for Pokemon Go and you might be surprised at how much more efficient you are as a player.

Download Facebook for free from Google Play.

Google Smart Display updates, OnePlus 6T fingerprint scanner, and other news worth knowing

Andrew Myrick
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Welcome to In Brief, the AndroidGuys tech briefing. Today is Thursday, October 11th, 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, OnePlus confirms the 6T will not use an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner, Fortnite comes to Android, and Google has big plans for Smart Displays.

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!

OnePlus 6T will not use an ultrasonic fingerprint scanner

We are just a couple of weeks away from the unveiling of the OnePlus 6T. While many of the specs for the device have already been confirmed, we are still learning more.

Read more: What we know: OnePlus 6T

The 6T will be removing the rear-mounted fingerprint scanner, for one that is embedded in the display. However, according to OnePlus, the device will use an optical scanner instead of ultrasonic.

We have already seen similar optical readers released in devices from the likes of Oppo and others. It makes sense that OnePlus will use the same technology due to being owned by the same parent company as Oppo and Vivo.

LG V40 already gets a big update to improve cameras

Although the LG V40 ThinQ was just unveiled on October 3rd, the handset is already getting a major update. The update primarily focuses on improving the five different cameras included on the V40.

Read More: What the critics are saying about the V40 ThinQ

The official change-log claims that there are improvements in low light image quality, low light HDR, AI camera Image Quality, white balance and brightness in outdoor conditions, and improved auto-focus performance.

Some have claimed that the update also improves upon the overall UX of the device. It’s great to see LG releasing a sizable and beneficial update even before the device is the hands of V40 fans.

Nokia 3.1 Plus announced with a 6-inch display and 2-day battery life

Nokia fans who were looking for another budget model can now rest easy. The Nokia 3.1 Plus was unveiled at an event in India, just a few days after the Nokia 7.1 was announced.

The handset sports a 6-inch display with a 2:1 aspect ratio and HD+ resolution. Under the hood, the 3.1 Plus is powered by the Helio P22 chipset and either 2GB or 3GB of RAM and 16GB or 32GB of expandable storage.

In the camera department, there is a primary 13MP lens and a secondary 5MP depth sensor. Finally, HMD Global has included a 3,500mAh battery.

Pricing for the Nokia 3.1 Plus begins at around $185 for the 2GB model and bumps to about $210 for the 3GB variant.

Google is bringing major updates to Smart Displays

It’s been a busy week for Google as the company has released a new lineup of devices. However, there has also been a slew of updates released for various apps and services.

Now that the Google Home Hub has been unwrapped, Google has announced big updates coming to Smart Displays. Some of the larger updates include multi-room audio, Live Albums from Google Photos, and Home View.

The most exciting of these is either the multi-room audio support or Home View. Google claims these updates will be coming to smart displays over the next few weeks.

Fortnite is now available for (almost) everyone on Android

After being released in beta-form alongside the Galaxy Note 9, Fortnite is finally available. There are some limitations as to what devices are compatible.

Luckily, Epic Games, the makers of Fortnite, have a list of which devices are compatible. If the smartphone is not listed, Epic states that your device must be running Android Oreo or higher, have at least 3GB of storage and have at least the Adreno 530 GPU.

In order to get Fortnite on your device, you’ll need to head over to Fortnite.com from your Android phone and sign up for the beta. Then, Epic Games will send you an update as access becomes more available.

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Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: frequently asked questions

Matt Adams
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Google finally unveiled its brand new phones, the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, this week at an event in New York. It seems like the endless leaks are now finally at a rest and we’re getting our first look at the devices.

The follow up to last year’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL seem like small, but real, upgrades. Fans will find a familiar design, specs, and price, but there are some new features to get excited about.

Read more: When and where you can buy the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

Google’s presentation certainly long. Coming in at about 70 minutes, it took the veil off four new products– the Google Home Hub, Pixel Slate, Pixel Stand, and the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. We didn’t hear as much as we’d like about these devices at the time which leaves fans with unanswered questions. We’ve been asking around for your questions and we’ve come up with some answers where we can.

Is the Pixel 3 XL’s display better than the Pixel 2 XL?

You might remember that late 2017 and early 2018 was plagued with Pixel 2 XL display issues. We saw pretty bad blue shifting, inky blacks, and more. The problems led to Google extending all Pixel 2 XL owner’s warranties to a second year.

Even though LG produced the disastrous displays on the Pixel 2 XL, its back for round two with the Pixel 3 XL this year. Despite the fact that this might give some potential customers pause, it looks like things are working out.

DisplayMate tested the Pixel 3 XL and gave the phone its “Best Smartphone Display Award”

Now, we have to take this one with a grain of salt, but it is a step in the right direction. We have a hard time believing that the P3XL beat out the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 in terms of display quality. Samsung has a reputation for the best displays on the market for a reason.

Despite that, we are encouraged to see that Google and LG are making progress in this area.

What’s up with the notch?

The most controversial aspect of the Pixel 3 XL has (so far) been the notch. Even though the Essential Phone was the first major device to sport a notched display, Apple gets most of the credit for the design. With the introduction of the Apple iPhone X, a whole new world of smart displays has unfolded in front of our eyes.

Now, it seems like most phones come with the love-it-or-hate-it feature. If you hate it, you can grab anything from Samsung’s lineup of devices, the Motorola Moto Z3, Sony Xperia XZ3, or the Nokia 7 Plus. If you don’t mind the notch, there are great options from the OnePlus 6 and Huawei P20 Pro, to the Xiaomi Pocophone F1 and LG G7 and V40 ThinQ.

Google seems to be straddling the line.

On the smaller Google Pixel 3, there’s no notch. The phone does have a new 2:1 aspect ratio, which is a change from last year’s Pixel 2 that had a 16:9 aspect ratio. On the larger Pixel 3 XL, however, we do have a notch.

And boy is it a doozy.

The notch on the Pixel 3 XL is huge. While it’s not as wide as some other phones, it is very tall. In fact, it looks like you could stack two notification icons in the space for the notch. Android doesn’t let you do this, but that’s the scale we’re talking about.

Most find the notch ugly on its own, but when it’s this big, it’s even worse. Google states that the reason the “display cutout” is on the Pixel 3 XL is to include two selfie cameras, a speaker and some sensors while providing an edge to edge display. Whether you believe that or not is up to you.

Luckily, Google is including the option in software to hide the notch.

There was some initial confusion around this since Google had asked HMD to remove the feature from its new phones with notches. We also didn’t see any sign of this feature in videos from YouTubers like MKBHD. But, now Google is confirming that we’ll see it on the Pixel 3 XL so owners have options.

Why two front cameras?

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL both have dual front-facing cameras. They’re both 8 MP shooters, but that’s where the similarities stop. The main lens has a standard 75-degree field of view and an aperture of f/1.8 and has auto-focus. The second lens is designed for group selfie shots and has a wide-angle 97-degree field of view. It has a f/2.2 aperture and fixed focus.

The second shooter is also designed to pick up depth data. This helps the Google Camera app apply the ever-popular bokeh or blurring effect in portrait mode. While Google was able to do most of this in software for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, the second sensor will help even more now.

We have become accustomed to phones with three cameras on them, but not many with dual front-facing cameras and a single rear camera. We’ll have to see how this changes the mobile photography game in the months to come.

Are there any new camera features?

Even though Google didn’t get on stage and crow about DxOMark scores, it did put an emphasis on photography once again. The Pixel 2  and 2 XL are widely seen, even today, as the mobile photography king and it seems like this case will only get stronger with the Pixel 3 and 3 XL.

Google introduced several new modes and features for us to get excited about. Here’s a quick explanation of each:

Group Selfies

As we mentioned, the secondary front-facing camera is a wide angle lens. It clocks in with a 97-degree field of view which can cause some distortion (fisheye) when taking pictures. The Group Selfies feature removes those effects so you get a great, wide-angle shot every time.

Motion autofocus

This one is pretty simple! Motion autofocus locks onto a subject and keeps it in focus, no matter where it is in the frame. Imagine a person walking toward you as you record video. The app locks onto their face and automatically focuses on them as they get closer to you.

Night sight

Google has always had great low-light shots on its phones, but Night Sight is a new initiative to make them even better. According to Google, it uses machine learning to choose the correct colors for photos. This, in turn, brings out the most light possible in a photo.

Playground

Playground is Google’s augmented reality mode that allows you to place characters like The Hulk and Iron Man into the viewfinder. Snap your picture and they show up too! Pretty cool.

Photobooth mode

This mode detects smiles and silly expressions and snaps a picture. Very convenient for placing your camera down, facing towards you, and doing your thing. Google also lets you open up Photobooth mode with your voice via Google Assistant.

Super Res Zoom

Super Res Zoom takes a burst of photos once you’ve zoomed in on a subject. Then, it stitches all of the pictures together taking the best bits of each to create the best picture available.

Top Shot

Another burst mode! Much like Super Res Zoom, your camera takes multiple bursts shots and automatically suggests the best one.

What’s up with Google Lens?

Google Lens is the search giant’s image recognition software. It allows you to search for products on the web, just by identifying them in a picture. It can also pull off cool tricks like entering a WiFi password from a picture of the bottom of your router.

Now, there are two new and easier ways to access Lens. First off is in the Camera app. You no longer have to hit the Lens button and be taken into a new mode. Now, Google is always looking at what’s in the viewfinder and giving you possible results.

Secondly, Lens works in the multi-tasking window. With the new recents menu, a full page preview of your previous app is shown when you swipe up from the bottom of the screen. When you do that, Lens looks for whatever was displayed on your screen and sees if it can perform a search.

Any other new software features?

Yes! The Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL have some other exclusive software features. Not only that, they will be the first to gain access to others before the roll out to other Android devices.

Google recently detailed its new Smart Compose feature that allows the Gmail app to create emails for you from contextual clues. Think of this as the smart reply you normally see, but much larger. You can find out more about Smart Compose here.

The other two features we’re going to look at both revolve around phone calls. The first is called Call Screen. This new feature screens a call from a suspected Spam number and allows you to pick up the call if its someone you want to talk to. If not, you can let the service do its thing and come back to it later.

The second feature is the popular Google Duplex. This is the service debuted back at Google I/O that can place calls for you to do things like set up a hair appointment. The genius of Google Duplex is that it sounds like you’re talking to a real person. In a couple of examples we’ve seen, the person on the other end of the phone had no idea they were talking a computer. Pretty crazy.

Both Call Screening and Duplex will roll out to more devices, but they’re coming to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL first.

What does the new IP rating mean?

If you’re unfamiliar with Ingress Protection (IP), the numbers can be a little confusing. You’ll usually see an IP rating displayed with two numbers. Some popular examples are IP57 or IP68. The first number stands for how well a device is able to keep out dust and particulates. The second number is for water resistance. The highest rating you can achieve is IP 69K, but you’ll normally see consumer devices top out at IP68.

Last year’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL had an IP67 rating. That means it is totally resistant to dust and particulates and could withstand immersion in water for up to 30 minutes down to 1-meter depth.

Google was able to up the rating this year to an IP68 rating. So, what does that mean exactly? The new devices can withstand immersion in water of more than 1 meter and will generally work down to 3 meters.

A slight improvement, but a welcome one.

Speaking of hardware, is the headphone jack back?

Nope.

Google is including its new USB type-C headphones in the box, but the headphone jack is sadly dead for good. The new type-C headphones are in the same style as Pixel Buds so if you don’t like those, you probably won’t like these either.

But still, it was pretty cool for Google to stick them in the box. Too few companies include earbuds these days.

What’s up with gesture navigation?

Starting with the Android Pie beta, Google gave users the option to choose traditional navigation (back, home, recents buttons) or its new gesture navigation.

Well, starting with the Pixel 3, that’s no longer the case. Users quickly noticed that Google no longer allows you to turn off gesture navigation. In fact, the device maker has stated that gesture navigation is the path forward and will spread to other Android devices in the future.

Can I charge with other wireless chargers besides the Pixel Stand?

Short answer: yes.

Long answer: yes, but you lose some features. The Pixel Stand is a wireless charger, but it does more than that too. When the Pixel 3 or 3 XL detect its connected to the Pixel Stand, it acts more like a Google Home Hub than as a phone. It can show you picture slideshows, your calendar events, and more. Your phone won’t do that when it’s connected to a different charger.

But, if you for some reason have a Pixel Stand but no Pixel, you can still charge your device on it. The Pixel Stand uses the Qi standard which is included pretty much every device with wireless charging built in. So, if your friend with a shiny new Apple iPhone XS Max comes over, he can use your cool new $80 fast charger too.

So, did we answer all of your questions? Those are some of the most asked questions we’ve seen so far, but if you have more, please hit us up on Twitter and we’ll try to help you out.

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