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LG G7 ThinQ Review – Is LG finally back?

Andrew Myrick
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LG has been stuck in a rut for the last few years, similar to other OEM’s not named Samsung. The company has been trying out different tactics, starting with the LG G6 from last year.

In a move that shocked just about everyone, LG released its 2017 flagship, the G6, with 2016 specs, namely the Snapdragon 821 chipset. Sure, this was fine for awhile, but then as we saw the Snapdragon 835 released, the G6 fell to the wayside.

Read more: LG G6 Revisited

Moving into 2018, there were a lot of rumblings about what LG would be doing with its 2018 flagship. Instead of making its debut at MWC 2018, the LG G7 was delayed due to LG’s attempts to change the design and more.

The G7 was officially announced back in May, and actually carries the following name: “LG G7 ThinQ”. I’m not going to continue referencing this phone as the “G7 ThinQ”, so you’ll just see G7.

The device has been out since May, but we really wanted to take our time with the device since this is such an important release for LG. Of course, it’s time to reveal our thoughts on one LG’s latest and greatest.

Design

In order to get started with the design, we’ll have to take another look at the G6. LG moved to glass on the front and rear, while an aluminum frame was sandwiched between.

Previous generations of LG flagships sported plastic builds, which was beneficial in some aspects. However, the introduction of an all-glass design has been a welcome addition for a flagship handset.

The G6 also sported more of a blocky design which was good for some and bad for the others. With the G7, we see some slight improvements, with more curves and less ridges.

The glass seems to melt into the metal frame on both the front and rear of the device. The rear glass is just slightly curved, which provides a very enjoyable experience when using the handset.

Also found on the back is LG’s latest attempt at a dual-camera system. We’ll touch on this setup more later on, but it is orientated at the top, with the LED flash placed to the left and fingerprint scanner mounted below.  

Found at the bottom, we have the standard USB-C charging port, flanked by a microphone and bottom-firing speaker. This may seem a bit boring, but there’s a reason behind LG sticking to a single speaker.

Keeping with the frame, the left-side sports the volume rocker and an all-new button. This is dedicated to activating Google Assistant, similar to Samsung’s Bixby button.

On the right side, LG has included a standard power button, removing the button from the fingerprint scanner. Previously, LG integrated the power button into the fingerprint scanner for easy access. It seems that now the company is falling more in line with other OEM’s.

In terms of placement, these are placed quite nicely, save for the occasional accidental press of the Assistant button. Finally, the G7 sports a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top. So there’s no need to worry about losing a dongle in your travels.

Display

All displays are great now. Sure, some are getting brighter or have deeper blacks, but the LG G7’s looks fantastic regardless of those buzzwords.

As for dimensions, we have a 6.1-inch IPS LCD display sporting a resolution of 3,120 x 1,440. With the notch and slim bezels, this equates to an aspect ratio of 19.5:9.

If you are someone who wants more control over what your content looks like, LG has you covered. Hidden in the Display settings, you can adjust the RGB and color temperature sliders, along with using different display modes.

Another neat feature included with the G7 comes in the brightness department. It can be annoying to use your phone in direct sunlight, only to have to squint or shade the display with your hand just to see part of the screen.

This complaint has been removed with the new Super Bright mode. This boosts your G7’s display up to 1,000 nits, making it extremely easy to see what’s going on, regardless of what you are doing.  

Notch

You knew it was coming. LG is attempting to keep up with the trends, and it did just that with the LG G7. No, there aren’t six different cameras, but there is a notch on the display.

This notch is a little bit less intrusive than others found on the market, and actually blends into the screen quite nicely. However, if the #notchedlyfe is not your cup of tea, then LG has included a few software tweaks to actually “hide” this.

Instead of just calling it the notch, LG actually calls this portion of the display as the “New Second Screen”. From here, you can use a black wallpaper to hide the notch, or opt for a rainbow theme to have a more unique look.

The second screen is nothing new for LG as a similar feature was released starting with the LG V20. However, the difference is that instead of having two separate displays, the G7’s second screen is a part of the whole display.

Speaker

For years, LG has been integrating a quad DAC system into its flagship smartphones. This brings a higher-quality sound, less distortion, and a better dynamic range.

However, the G7 turns things up to 11 with its new interesting and unique bottom-firing speaker. Instead of opting to use stereo speakers, sound from the G7 will be amplified just by placing it on a flat surface.

You can truly notice the difference when you start the music playing in your hand than placing it down on a table. While this is a neat trick, it’s nothing more than that, and it doesn’t even mimic stereo sound.

It was still a nice touch and something that could be improved upon in future iterations.

Performance

Before jumping too far, let’s take a look at what is powering the G7. LG decided to use the best processor, which is currently the Snapdragon 845 from Qualcomm.

In the RAM and storage department, we have a couple of choices. The standard model comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. However, there is a pricier model which sports 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The storage space should be no concern, as the G7 is equipped with a microSD card slot compatible with a 2TB option. Of course, you can’t exactly get a 2TB SD card just yet, but 400GB should suffice. This is located next to the SIM card within the SIM card slot.

Now that the specs are out of the way, I have to say that the G7 is extremely snappy. I’m not sure if it’s due to “Samsung Experience”, but the G7 feels even faster than my S9 Plus.

Something LG did under the hood has really helped to improve the performance. Playing mobile games, including Fortnite/PUBG is a breeze, and multitasking is everything you could want and more.

The only complaint that I have in the performance department is the battery life. Including a 3,000mAh battery is a real disappointment nowadays, and if you are a power user, be prepared to have a charger handy. The saving grace here comes thanks to the wireless charging, along with compatibility with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 4.0.

All-in-all, the G7 will definitely swing for the fences, but you may have to take a few hits in the battery department.

Camera

I don’t know if it’s just me or what, but I fell out of love with the wide-angle camera. Including one on the G7 is unique, as others are focused on providing “portrait” images with the secondary rear camera.

LG is doing the opposite and using a wide-angle 16MP secondary sensor. The lens has a 107-degree viewing range, which is slightly lower than that of previous generations.

Nonetheless, if you are trying to get as many people in the shot as possible, this is the camera for you. LG has really excelled over the last couple of years in the camera department, and this year is no different.

I’m not much of a selfie-taker, but the G7 doesn’t disappoint thanks to the crisp and clear photos. Plus, you won’t have to worry about extra gimmicks to make cartoons of yourself like AR Emoji or Animoji.

LG G7 ThinQ Samples

Overall, the LG G7 does an extremely good job at being the best camera you can put in your pocket.

Software

For years, LG has wavered between Samsung and Motorola in the software department. It’s not quite a stock Android experience, but there’s not a boatload of extra bloatware onboard.

It seems that the G7 is a fine medium between the two, while still giving enough extra customization options. You don’t have a settings panel for every minute detail, but the main ones can be found with relative ease.

The stock LG launcher is something that I continue to use, even though you can throw the ported Pixel 2 launcher onboard. LG has really improved in the software department, giving the users more control over what they use.

You may have to dive deeper into the settings to add back the app drawer, but it’s still serviceable. Loading up the camera or Google Assistant is a breeze and getting your work done should pose no problems. It still has some overlays from LG, but this software is far from as buggy as others offered.

Final Thoughts

If I am 100% completely honest, it’s difficult to recommend the LG G7 ThinQ. This is in large part to the $750 retail price tag offered through your favorite carriers.

However, the wonderful thing about LG smartphones is the deterioration in pricing. In just a few months, you can already find steep discounts on the G7, even as low as just $550 from eBay.

Another hang up that I have is with that wide-angle camera, as I have become accustomed to using a secondary zoom lens. But to each their own, and your experience may differ from mine.

Overall, the G7 ThinQ is still a wonderful device which will power through your work, and allow you to get some gaming done. The notch won’t bother you, especially if you use the software tweaks to hide it.

You just may run into some issues keeping charged up throughout the day.

Motorola announces its list of phones that will receive Android Pie

Andrew Allen
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Do you own a Motorola device and jealous of all the new great features of Android 9 Pie your Pixel friends are enjoying? Well, the company has released a blog post sharing which phones it will update to Android Pie. Did your phone make the list of 8 devices the company says made the initial cut for the upgrade?

Here’s the list of Android Pie-ready devices:

  • Moto Z3
  • Moto Z3 Play
  • Moto Z2 Force Edition
  • Moto Z2 Play
  • Moto X4
  • Moto G6
  • Moto G6 Play
  • Moto G6 Plus

Understandably, the new Moto Z3 and Z3 Play are at the top of this list. As is the Moto G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus. Moving back in Moto’s timeline, it will also refresh the software on the Z2 Play and Z2 Force Edition. Rounding out the announcement is the Moto X4. The list contains most of its core mid-range to premium devices released in the last 18 months.

One thing it did leave out of the post is a date for rolling out the Pie software. The company is not giving anything in that regard and recommends that you keep an eye on its official update landing page for more information in the future. The blog post also leaves some rather new devices in the Moto E lineup with no mention of getting a software bump, but this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise with the Moto E variants targetting the super budget market.

Motorola has struggled under its new ownership to push timely updates. After setting the gold standard while Moto was under the umbrella of Google’s ownership several years ago, updates have slowed considerably since being a Lenovo subsidiary. Let’s hope these phones receive it sooner than later.

Google rumored to be working on a health assistant for smartwatches called Coach

Alexandra Arici
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With the Pixel Watch closer to release, a new report has revealed that Google might be working on a health and fitness assistant for wearables called Google Coach.

According to the Android Police who received the tip, Google Coach will be more than a simple tool for tracking your workouts. Like the Google Assistant, the upcoming personal trainer will also use AI to learn about your behavior and then suggest ways to lead a healthier lifestyle.

Internally known as Project Wooden, Google Coach could be able to do things like recommend workout routines or offer alternatives when you missed a planned sporting session.

Google Coach: a new take on Assistant?

Another big part of Coach appears to be nutrition. The assistant will apparently help you creative in the kitchen by suggesting meal ideas or places where to eat. What’s more, it will also be in charge of sending you reminders to drink water or take your medication.

But you won’t be bombarded by suggestions every second. According to the report, the health assistant will serve these notifications bundled together, as to make them more conversational.

The report goes on to mention that Google Coach will probably be rolled out to Wear OS devices in the initial stage. However, the health assistant will be functional in part on smartphones, as well. For example, you’ll be able to monitor suggestions and older data on your handset, but you’ll still need a Wear OS smartwatch for live tracking.

Google might also add Coach to other types of hardware products including Android TV and Google Home. But this will most likely sometime after launch.

We have no rumored date for the launch of Google Coach just yet. However, it’s possible that it might make an appearance on the upcoming Pixel Watch. Although we’re just speculating.

As it’s the case with most rumors, we don’t have something definitive. So Google Coach could end up being launched under a different name or with other features on board.

Google intros Android 9 Pie (Go edition), will become available this fall

Alexandra Arici
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Last year, Google launched a stripped back version of its mobile operating system designed for low-spec smartphones. The promise behind Android Go was pretty simple. Built on Android Oreo, this version was meant to run better on phones with either 512MB or 1GB of RAM.

Google said that every Android release would have an Android Go configuration. And with Android 9.0 Pie out and about, Google has this week announced the updated Go variant.

It’s called Android 9 Pie (Go Edition). The new build relies on the foundation of the previous version but brings a series of new features.

Android 9 Pie (Go edition) adds new features and more options

For starters, Google has managed to shrink down its size with an additional 500MB compared to the Oreo Go edition. This allows the new variant to leave up to 5.5GB of free space on a device with 8GB of storage. The search giant says the regular version of Android 9.0 Pie would leave only 2.5GB free.

Other improvements coming in the new Go Edition include faster boot times and increased security. What’s more, Google has also baked in a dashboard especially designed to monitor data consumption.

Google’s host of Go Edition apps, which have been reimagined to provide a better experience on lesser hardware have also been improved in the new version.

For example, the Android Messages app for Go now weights half the size compared to the regular variant. What’s more, the Google Assistant Go app supports new languages like Spanish and Portuguese. Google also updated Maps Go with navigation services, while Files Go is now capable of transferring data peer-to-peer without using mobile data.

Google says the new Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) will arrive sometime this fall, but it hasn’t revealed the exact date yet.

There are currently over 200 Android Go devices available in 120+ countries like the US, Nigeria, Brazil or India. And according to Google, more than 100 manufacturers have plans to release new devices by the end of this year.

How to print from your Android smartphone or tablet

Alexandra Arici
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As much as we strive to live in a paperless world, there are bound to be times when you need to print.

Fortunately, you can do that directly from your Android phone or tablet, even if you don’t have a wireless printer. Good old Google has created a system that links your printer, Chrome account and phone in order to let you print seamlessly from your mobile device.

It’s called Google Cloud Print and works with most printers out there. Even so, some models aren’t be supported, so before anything, you might want to check Google’s list to see whether your printer is good to go. If it is, you’ll need to follow these instructions to connect to Google Cloud Print.

How to connect to Google Cloud Print

  1. Open up Chrome on your desktop computer and Sign-in with your Gmail account.
  2. Access Settings (the three dot-menu located in the top-right corner).
  3. Go to Advanced Settings (by clicking on Settings, now in the top-left corner).
  4. Choose Printing.
  5. Click on Google Cloud Print>Manage Cloud Print devices>Add Printers.
  6. Select your Printer of choice.

Now take out your Android device. You’ll need to have the Google Cloud Print app installed on your phone/tablet. Some handsets already have it onboard, but if yours doesn’t you can always download it from the Play Store. You won’t have to run the app once you install it, because it functions as an add-on.

How to print from your Android device

  1. Open a document/picture you’d like to print on your phone.
  2. Tap the three-dot menu in the right corner.
  3. Click Print and then Cloud Printing.
  4. Select the Printer you want to print with. If you don’t see it right away, tap on All printers to see a list of all the printers that are connected.
  5. Once you’re all set, tap on the print button and wait for the printing job to start.

On top of being allowed you to print documents and pictures, Google Cloud Print also lets you print webpages from Chrome or Gmail.

You should find the Printing option in Chrome under the Share option in Settings. While in Gmail, you simply have to tap on the three-dot menu located in the top right corner to find it.

Have you ever tried Google Cloud Print to print from your Android device? We’d like to hear your thoughts on using the service, so let us know in the comment section below.

T-Mobile gets personal with customer support and teams up with Pandora

Jason England
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No more robots for T-Mobile, the Un-carrier is getting more personal with their support. From now on when you call T-Mobile in need of help you’re going to get a real human being. Not only that but T-Mobile promises no more run around by being bouncing around the call center.

Team of Experts

Traditionally when you would call for support you would get a robot or bounced from person to person, hoping to find someone who could solve your problem. All the while having to re-explain your issue again and again to each new agent. T-Mobile is putting a stop to all of this madness. Beginning today when you call you’ll get a real person and not just any person but a Team of Experts.

Similar to how Best Buy has the Geek Squad and Apple has their Geniuses, T-Mobile will connect you with a Team of Experts to solve your problem. This highly trained team is dedicated to you with knowledge of a wide range of topics. What that means for you is, less time explaining yourself and more time getting your issue resolved.

The Un-carrier believes that real problems deserve real people. Which is why this tight-knit group of Experts will be ready to serve you whenever you call or message. If you’re wondering how much this is going to cost you, then here’s the even better news. It is 100% free.

How to Contact

You might have gotten used to other brands telling you when to call and living by their schedule. T-Mobile will have none of that, with the Un-carrier you are the one in control. Your Team of Experts will be available 24/7 at your convenience. If you’d rather schedule a call back that’s fine as well.

Soon you’ll even have the ability to ask Alexa or Google Assistant to schedule your callback. T-Mobile has also launched asynchronous messaging for all customers through the T-Mobile app and iMessage for Apple users.

Beginning today Team of Experts is live for all T-Mobile postpaid customers and being rolled out to business and public sector customers as well. The best way to reach the Team is by dialing 611, messaging through the T-Mobile app, or iMessage using Apple Business Chat.

Live Nation and Pandora Plus

To T-Mobile, you’re not just a customer but a rock star, which is why they treat you like one. Through an exclusive deal with Live Nation, you’re about to get some fantastic benefits. Beginning with access to $25 tickets for amphitheater shows and the use of last-minute reserved seats in sold-out sections. This is a first for Live Nation and be on the lookout for more benefits in the future.

Concerts are great, but how are you supposed to get your music in between live shows? T-Mobile thought of that as well and has struck a deal with Pandora. With their new partnership, every T-Mobile customer will get a free 12 months to Pandora Plus through the T-Mobile Tuesday app beginning August 28.

Being a T-Mobile customer just keeps getting better and better as they shake up the industry and show everyone what being the Un-carrier is all about.

 

Gear Up: Consider myCharge’s wireless charging and Nintendo Switch solutions

AndroidGuys
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Look around your home, school, or office, and you’ll probably find a number of devices that require regular charging. Maybe it’s a few phones, a tablet, wearable, or even a Nintendo Switch. Chances are that you’ve got something that needs an occasional, or daily charging.

Toss in a roommate, spouse, or co-worker, and we imagine things get pretty hairy around the wall chargers. No matter how big phones are or how great the battery life, you’re always going to want (or need) more.

What happens if you’re out and about and don’t have access to a wall or auto adapter? Consider adding something from myCharge.

SEE ALSO: myCharge portable chargers are perfect for Pokemon Go hunts

We’ve long been a fan of myCharge portable charging solutions, having had the privilege of reviewing them over the years. The 2018 selection is no different; it’s bigger capacities, faster charging, and smaller footprints. Not only that, but myCharge has a few recent tricks, too. What’s more, we’re happy to see the brand moving into other areas, such as the Nintendo Switch.

For your consideration

Our team has spent a few weeks using a number of myCharge portable charger options, each of which speaks to a different type of user. Here’s a couple that we’re more than happy to recommend.

UnPlugged 10K | $69.99

Having 10,000mAh of juice in your bag or pocket is pretty cool, but you’re probably still lugging around a cable. Even if it’s short, or attached to the charger, it’s one more piece to worry about breaking down.

The UnPlugged 10K is not your standard power bank. Sure, it can juice up your phone some 3-4 times, but that’s not all. There’s a Qi-ready charging platform on the top of the unit which lets you top off the battery simply by placing your phone on it.

Like other portable units, though, you still have a couple of USB-A ports to work with, too. This way, you can plug in your older phones for a direct charge. Or, mix and match at dinner time and you’ll all be ready to go for the rest of the night — or weekend.

Sold in white, you can purchase the UnPlugged 10K for $69.99 at myCharge’s website.

PowerDisk+ | $49.99

With so many phones offering wireless charging today, it just makes sense to take advantage of the technology. Sometimes it’s pretty expensive to go with the OEM’s preferred charger; myCharge offers a more affordable alternative.

The PowerDisk+ delivers incredibly fast charging speeds with Qualcomm 3.0 Quick Charge support. With up to 10W of output, it’s strong enough for any device you place on the platter.

Not only do you have the wireless surface to work with, but you’ve also got a USB port on the side. Indeed, you can plug in a secondary phone or device and charge (2.4A) at the same time.

Offered in white, the high-end charging pad won’t break your budget. At just $50 it’s the Qi-enabled charger your new phone deserves.

PowerGame | $49.99

A departure from the stuff you’d use for a phone or tablet, this one is more niche. That’s not to suggest there’s not a market for it, though. No, this one is designed strictly for the Nintendo Switch.

Featuring a 7,000mAh battery, the PowerGame plugs directly into your Switch and hugs the back of your console. Good enough for 10 hours of gaming, it’s everything you need for a week’s worth of commutes.

In addition to charging your Switch, it also pulls double duty with its kickstand. Feel free to put the unit down on a table and remove the controllers. It’s equal parts practical and convenient. Grab one for only $49.99 from myCharge today.

[amazon_link asins=’B01K2UP6JW,B01IFJPB06,B07CP5LHMV’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’androidamazon-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’29eb2fc9-9c17-11e8-897c-5fb88de37193′]

Android Pie Review: The reason why I gave up my iPhone X

Andrew Myrick
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It’s August which means that we were greeted with a new version of Android. This has been Google’s MO for the last few years, and Pie is now available on your Pixel devices, along with the Essential Phone.

Android Pie made its debut after being unveiled at Google I/O 2018 and then came to handsets through Google’s beta program. Then, in a move that surprised most, Android 9 Pie was officially made available.

Read Later

For the purpose of our review, we have been using Android Pie for the last month through the beta program and final release. This is also the reason why our review is a bit later than others, because we wanted to spend some time with Google’s final product.

What’s new?

At first glance, you probably won’t think that there is much packed into this latest release. But the real fun comes when you start diving deeper. Here is a list of some of the features coming with a “higher profile”:

  • Adaptive Battery
  • Adaptive Brightness
  • Digital Wellbeing
  • Gesture Navigation
  • Notch Support (up to 3)
  • App Actions
  • New App Switcher

These are just some of the new features, and while that’s all fine and dandy, you probably want to know about the important ones. So let’s get started with the most surprising one – Battery Life.

Battery Life

Android Pie has provided a pleasant surprise in the battery department. In my usage, I was seeing all-day battery life with around 15% left with at least 4 hours of screen on time (SOT).

In fact, there were a few nights where I forgot to plug in my Pixel 2 XL, only to find that the battery drained just a little bit. Most recently, I went to bed at 1 AM with around 50% remaining, and woke up with 42% battery remaining.

This is no doubt in part to the new Adaptive Battery features. Google explained that this new functionality was intended to learn which apps you use, when you use them, and when to shut them down.

It seems that Android Pie really takes things into overdrive, as my battery life has just been incredible. From time to time, I noticed that an app (like Twitter) was closed when it had been a few hours, but notifications continued to come through.

Adaptive Brightness is another feature that is undoubtedly helping with the battery life race. The only issue that I found came when I was looking at my phone at night. The dark light of my room seemed to cause confusion with my device, as the brightness would fluctuate randomly and annoyingly.

What is making these new battery tweaks exciting is Google’s initiative to integrate Artificial Intelligence into its software. This is nothing new, but it will be interesting to see how everything holds up over time and with newer devices launched with Pie.

How are the gestures?

The next biggest change that users will be able to see is the removal of the good ole’ navigation bar. Instead of having three buttons to tap at the bottom, you are now greeted with a “pill”, which acts as the navigation for your device.

Android Pie ‘pill’ button

As someone who switched from an iPhone X to the Pixel 2 XL with Android Pie, the learning curb was not all that bad. Here are how the gestures work:

  • Tapping the pill button will take you home
  • Swiping to the right once will take you to the previous app
  • Swiping and holding will allow you to scroll through your open apps
  • Swipe up once to reveal the multi-tasking drawer
  • Swipe up twice to reveal the App Drawer

In practice, this makes quite a bit of sense, other than the whole App Drawer debacle. You can do a slow drag to reveal the drawer, but having to swipe up twice to reach all of your apps is rather annoying.

Android Pie Multi-tasking

To help combat the issue, I resorted to placing more apps on my home screens. My home screen has turned into folder-central and it is rather annoying for someone who doesn’t want a whole lot going on.

One extra feature that has been added is for those who make use of rotation lock. If you are using rotation lock but want to view one specific app in landscape mode, a new icon shows up in the navigation bar. This will allow users to view content how they want to, with just the tap of a button.

Visual enhancements in Android Pie

Something else that you may notice when you start poking around Android Pie is some slightly redesigned panels. Most notably, there has been a slight redesign to the notification tray, as the toggles are a bit brighter and more vibrant.

Additionally, since more devices are launching with notches, the clock has been moved from the right side to the left. This is to help make sure that you can see all the necessary notifications, while still seeing the time.

For some reason, Google has placed a limitation of three notches for Android OEM’s to be able to use with Android Pie. Hopefully, this doesn’t mean that Google knows something that we don’t and a phone is incoming with too many notches.

Notifications for messages have also been slightly revamped, as there are new quick reply features. You may remember an app called “Reply” which surfaced earlier this year that added smart replies to your favorite messaging apps.

This has been integrated into the system of Android 9 Pie, making it possible to quickly respond to your friends or family. The API has been also opened for developers, which hopefully means more apps will take advantage of this in the future.

The fight to improve your “Digital Wellbeing”

At Google I/O 2018, during the Android P introduction, a new feature/app was announced called Digital Wellbeing. Google stated that the purpose of this app was to help provide users with a way to see exactly how much you are using your phone.

Not only can you now see that you are spending way too much time on Twitter, but you can also limit yourself. This is done with the help of App Timer, which is a setting that you set up for your “problematic” or “time-wasting” applications.

As someone who has no penchant for restraint, app timers seems like something that could be really useful. However, I ended up being more annoyed that I couldn’t access the app I was trying to view on my smoke break.

It was also a bit alarming to see just how many times I unlocked my screen or how many notifications that I received. Suffice to say, Digital Wellbeing really has given me a different look at how I should be staying off my phone when I don’t need to be on it.

READ MORE: What is Digital Wellbeing and how to sign up for it

The odd thing here is that it’s not automatically built into Android Pie. Instead, you have to sign up for a beta program and then wait for it to auto-magically appear in your settings menu.

As a side note, Chris Lacy (of Action Launcher fame) developed an app that allows you to view Digital Wellbeing as an application. It creates a direct shortcut, so you won’t have to dive into your settings to see what is going on.

Download Pixel Shortcuts

What’s next?

For owners of the Pixel, Pixel 2, and Essential Phone, you likely have already been enjoying the fruits of Android Pie. However, the real question remaining is when are other OEM’s going to jump on board.

As much as I would like to sit here and give you a rundown of what each manufacturer will be doing, I can’t. We have seen failed promises time and time again, and it just wouldn’t be fair for us to convey those failed promises to you, the readers.

So instead, I will say that it’s time to just sit back and play the waiting game.

Final Thoughts

Android 9 Pie is one of, if not the best, iterations ever released. My personal excitement drove me to pick up a Pixel 2 XL of my own, and put my iPhone X in a drawer.

In the time spent with Pie, I really fell back in love with Android and enjoyed all of the new features. I can safely say that once Pie arrives on more devices, it will be a joy to just about everyone to use.

Sure, gesture navigations may be annoying, but I feel that this is the way to full experience bezel-less devices. Google is making all of the right moves, and the Pixel 3 will be interesting to see how the latest version of Android works with the latest hardware

We want to hear from you. Sound off in the comments below and let us know what you think about Android Pie. Have you been using and enjoying it? Have you run into any issues? Let us know if you have any questions!

Google promises a fix to solve Pixel charging issue on Android 9

Jason England
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Update: Google has been made aware of the issue and is currently working on a fix. In a statement sent to The Verge, the search giant said the following:

“We’re aware of an issue where non-Power Delivery (PD) USB-C chargers no longer rapidly charge the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL after the upgrade to Android 9 Pie. The 18W rapid charger included in-box is a PD charger and does not exhibit this behavior. We are verifying a fix for non-PD USB-C chargers and will roll it out in the coming weeks.”

Original post:

Some owners of the original 2016 Pixel XL have been experiencing issues with quick charging since upgrading to Android Pie. The issue existed back on the Android P beta as well, but by the time you get an official release, all bugs should be resolved.

When quick charging the original 2016 Pixel XL can charge at a maximum rate of 5V/3A significantly decreasing charging times. With the Android Pie update, many users are reporting a much slower charging rate.

Regardless of the phone reporting it is charging rapidly, it is never reaching the full 5V/3A speed. That makes it even more annoying because you believe your phone is charging rapidly when in fact it is not reaching the maximum charging rate.

This can be particularly frustrating for users with ageing phone batteries that might not hold a charge as long as they used to. Especially if you are using the official Google chargers and cables. Having the ability to quick charge and top off your battery in the middle of the day could be essential and change the way you use your phone.

Frustrated Pixel XL users have taken to the Google Issue Tracker to report this bug only to have the bug rejected. The original bug was marked as “Won’t Fix (Infeasible)”. Most likely this is due to the fact that the Google Issue Tracker is set up for bugs found in Android AOSP. Which is a bug that will affect all Android users, while this particular bug is only affecting Pixel XL users.

That would make the quick charging bug something for the Pixel team to address and not the Android team. However, a new bug has been opened on the tracker for the same quick charging issue. This time garnering even more attention with 26 stars currently instead of 8 on the previous bug. At the current time, this bug is still open with the status of “Assigned”.

Pixel XL users can only hope that someone from the Google team is finally communicating this issue to the Pixel team. Only time will tell as irritated Pixel XL users wait for a patch to cure their rapid charging woes. Do we have any original Pixel XL users in out there? Are any of you experiencing slower charging rates with your original cable and charger?

Xiaomi’s Pocophone F1 to take on OnePlus in India

Jason England
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The Pocophone F1 is the first phone from Xiaomi’s new sub-brand meant to take on OnePlus. It seems rather commonplace in China for big mobile brands to have a sub-brand. Even OnePlus is a sub-brand of OPPO, while Huawei and ZTE have sub-brands as well.

While the Pocophone F1 hasn’t launched officially yet but that hasn’t stopped people from getting their hands on it early before the event on August 22. There are even videos on YouTube of it being unboxed.

Thanks to the unboxing and other leaks, we not only have a great view of the phone but have most of the specs confirmed as well.

Specs

  • 5.99-inch 2246 x 1080 LCD display
  • Snapdragon 845
  • Adreno 630
  • 6GB of RAM
  • 64GB/128GB of storage with microSD card slot
  • 12MP f/1.75 dual lens rear-camera
  • 20MP f/2.0 front-facing camera
  • 4000mAh battery
  • Android 8.1 Oreo

On paper, the Pocophone F1 is a powerhouse ready to take on the OnePlus 6 and any other flagship out this year. It even includes the trendy notch display with a large chin like most other 2018 flagships. Other features include an IR face unlock, fingerprint scanner, Bluetooth 5, headphone jack, and quick charge 3.0.

Availability and Price

Besides India, it is not yet clear where else the Pocophone F1 might launch. It is very possible Xiaomi would also offer it in Europe considering some European bloggers and journalists have already gotten them. Whether or not Xiaomi expands the Poco brand even further remains to be seen.

Pricing so far isn’t official but Roland Quandt of WinFuture tweets that the 6GB/64GB model will be priced at 420 Euros and 460 Euros for the 6GB/128GB model. With those prices converted that comes to $478 or Rs 33,500 for the 6GB/64GB model and $523 or Rs 36,700 for the 6GB/128GB version. A subsequent tweet from Roland put the pricing even lower at 390 Euros.

We’ll have to wait till August 22 to find out the official pricing and availability. However, if the price is in the market of what has been leaked it would be a steal for this phone.

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