Home Blog Page 693

RED Hydrogen One holographic phone gets closer to release, as it passes the FCC

Alexandra Arici
-
0

RED’s experimental phone, the Hydrogen One has just passed through the FCC, signaling that it might soon go live.

The filing contains some images of the phone, as well as some details on specs. We already know that the Hydrogen One will arrive with a 5.7-inch display with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution. The device will also run Android and is set to bundle a dual-camera setup. Interestingly, RED’s first smartphone will apparently be powered by a Snapdragon 835, which is last year’s flagship chip.

Additionally, as the FCC listing confirms, the phone will pack a 4,510 mAh battery. The product will offer dual-SIM capabilities and appears to be compatible with the majority of LTE bands in the US (sans T-Mobile’s Band 71).

RED’s Hydrogen One phone should start shipping this month

As we mentioned above, the listing also contains a series of very revealing live photos. These confirm the phone will have a USB Type-C and front-facing speakers. The back of the phone is also visible, as well as the display, which is the big highlight here.

RED is paving the way for a new kind of smartphone tech here. The Hydrogen One uses nanotechnology between the LCD and the back-light to create a 3-dimensional 3D effect. While we shouldn’t expect fully-fledged Star Wars-style holograms, RED’s handset is still pretty unique in the smartphone space today, so it will easily draw attention on itself.

When the content isn’t 3D, the phone will display it in normal 2D mode, just like any other phone. To ensure it has content available at launch, RED will be offering a platform from where people will be able to download movies and TV shows.

Earlier this month, Verizon opened up pre-registrations for the upcoming device which is expected to cost between $1,200 and $1,500. Depending on the version you’ll be getting. Pre-registration ensures you get frequent updates regarding developments. The phone will also be offered by AT&T.

The JBL Link View is the next Google Assistant smart display you can pre-order starting now

Jason England
-
0

It’s only been days since the first Google Assistant enabled smart display went up for order from Lenovo and now we have another contender from JBL. The JBL Link view can be pre-ordered starting today from JBL’s site for $250. It comes with an 8-inch screen and two 10w speakers on either side of the display.

Music your way

Considering the JBL Link View and Lenovo Smart Display are both Google Assistant speakers, they will both have similar features. This includes listening and controlling your music, podcasts, and audiobooks. With the ability to start on one device and continue to another.

Speaking of playing music, you’ll have all the same options you’d find on any other Google Assistant speakers out there. Using voice control you can listen to any of the supported services such as YouTube Music, Pandora, Spotify, iHeartRadio, TuneIn, and more. If you’d rather control from your phone then don’t worry because the JBL Link View has Chromecast and Bluetooth built in as well.

Calls and privacy controls

With the power of Google Duo, you’ll be able to make video calls utilizing the 5MP camera and 8-inch HD touch display on the JBL Link View. Of course, for the more privacy-minded people out there JBL includes a privacy switch that closes the shutter and silences the microphone.

JBL Link View

Putting the smart into smart displays

With the power of Google Assistant, you’ll have access to extended weather forecasts, your calendar, morning schedule, and more. Then while idle it can act as a digital photo album showing pictures from your Google Photos stream.

JBL Link View

Just because it has a screen doesn’t mean that you’re limited to only using features that utilize it though. The JBL Link View is capable of doing anything any other Google Assistant speaker out there can do with the added benefit of a screen. That includes controlling your smart home, and thanks to the touchscreen you’ll be able to control your Nest thermostat or view your Nest cam.

Videos with rich stereo sound

Thanks to the two 10w speakers and 8-inch HD display watching your favorite videos will sound as good if not better than they look. With Google Assistant you’ll have access to YouTube, HBO Now, Google Play Movies & TV, Crackle, and more to come in the future.

Thanks to the IPX4 rating the JBL Link View is splashproof making it the perfect kitchen companion. You’ll be able to watch recipe videos and follow along without worrying about a little water here or there.

JBL Link View

Sizing up the competition

The Lenovo Smart Displays launched in 8-inch and 10-inch models offering two different sizes. While the JBL Link View is only offered in an 8-inch model currently. Instead of different display options, JBL has opted to stick to their strengths and that’s audio.

The JBL Link View might be the perfect option for those of you looking to play music more often than you use the display. Given JBL’s audio prowess and the quality of their JBL Link speakers, the JBL Link View looks to be the better option for music lovers. Taking into account the Lenovo Smart Displays only include one 10w speaker the JBL Link View will certainly be the loudest of the two.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 gets revealed in this new leaked video

Jason England
-
0

All aboard the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 hype train, if you aren’t already. As if we have any choice this close to a new Samsung phone release. Today, in a new live video we get a look at the much talked about new Samsung flagship.

The leaked video comes to us from Mobile Fun and stars a prototype used by case makers to ensure their accessories fit properly. As with most leaks, it’s healthy to be a little skeptical unless it comes from a reputable source such as this. The video also confirms many of the leaks we’ve seen previously, meaning most likely it is legitimate.

Honestly, there isn’t much to get excited about here as there has been plenty leaked about the design of the device already. It shows no real departure from previous Samsung phones. The overall shape is the same as the Note 8 with the same camera and fingerprint layout seen on the Galaxy S9 and S9 plus models.

If you came here in hopes of seeing some new radical design then I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed. That could be bad news for Samsung as the Galaxy S9 and S9 plus have sold worse than projected and worse than the Galaxy S8 and S8 plus did.

It’s not all about looks though as the Galaxy Note 9 is expected to feature some upgrades that won’t be apparent to the naked eye. For example, recent rumors speculate the battery will be increased from 3300mAh to 4000mAh. That alone will be a big improvement in helping you extend your battery life.

Another one of these invisible upgrades will come in the form of the S-Pen having Bluetooth connectivity. It is expected this will allow it to act as a remote for taking photos or controlling media playback with the Galaxy Note 9.

The Galaxy Note 9 is expected to launch August 9th and for more information check out our rumor roundup for it. Regardless of how excited or unexcited you might be for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 this is Samsung and you can expect the launch to be quite the spectacle.

Plex podcasts feature is now out of beta with Android Auto support

Jason England
-
0

If you’re not already a user of the media juggernaut app Plex, then you just got one more reason to start. After two short months in beta, Plex has now officially added podcast support to the app with support for Android Auto. Not only that but one of the most important features of a podcast app is support for offline files and Plex has that too.

Thanks to the offline and Chromecast support you can bring your podcasts with you and listen to them how and where you want. Whether it’s on your Sonos, in the car, or on the beach Plex has you covered. With Plex’s smart rules, you can grab just one episode or make sure you have enough to go through the zombie apocalypse.

So, what if you already use another podcast app? You might be thinking switching over and adding all of your podcats would be too difficult. No worries there as most podcast apps should support exporting your subscriptions in OPML format. Once you export them it’s a piece of cake to import into Plex via the app or web interface.

Plex was already known as being an all in one Swiss Army media player. From movies, TV, to your music collection Plex kept it all at the touch of your fingers. With the addition of podcasts, it has taken another great step forward in simplifying your digital media consumption. Now there is one less app to install, one less app to manage, and one less reason to exit Plex.

With this ease of use and all the other great things Plex is known for, there really is no reason to not use Plex or try out their new podcast feature. So, what are you waiting for?

Samsung announces the all new Galaxy Tab S4 with Dex support

Jason England
-
0

Today, Samsung has unveiled their latest tablet the Galaxy Tab S4 with Dex support. Ever trying to bridge the gap between tablet and PC, the Galaxy Tab S4 is the first tablet to include Dex. When connected to the optional keyboard dock the Tab S4 will switch from tablet to desktop mode.

Getting more done with desktop mode

After transitioning to the desktop mode you can open apps in windows, resize them, and even drag and drop content between apps. Thanks to this, multitasking and getting work done becomes much easier.

If you need more screen real estate you can extend the screen by using a USB-C to HDMI adapter. The Tab S4 then provides you with the flexibility to be used as a mouse or sketch pad with the included S-Pen. The S-Pen can also be used to take notes with screen off memo, translate notes with Samsung Notes, or create live messages.

Less bezel, more screen

The new Galaxy Tab S4 shares a similar footprint with the Tab S3 but thanks to the slimmer bezels you still get a 10.5-inch screen. The Super AMOLED display now comes in a 16:10 aspect ratio with a 2560×1600 resolution making it perfect for watching movies. Speaking of movies, the Galaxy Tab S4 includes 4 speakers tuned by AKG with Dolby Atmos sound. This ensures you get the most immersive and highest quality audio experience.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

Whether you’re working or in the mood to watch movies the battery life is important. What good is a tablet if you can’t finish your big project or it dies in the middle of a movie? That’s where the large 7,300mAh battery comes in, it allows for up to 16 hours of video playback.

One of the biggest changes to the Galaxy Tab S4 is the removal of the fingerprint scanner. According to the specifications, there is an included iris scanner. This is sure to be similar to the ones found on Samsung’s other phones and appears to have sent the fingerprint scanner packing.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4

The Samsung experience

The Tab S4 is running Android 8.1 and includes Samsung Flow for connecting Galaxy devices to transfer files, sync notifications, and tasks. While the Daily Board feature will give you access to your favorite photos, weather, calendar, and more all in one convenient place. For those looking to take control of your smart home that’s where the Samsung SmartThings app comes in handy.

Availability

Starting August 10th, 2018 the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 WiFi edition will be available from Amazon.com, Bestbuy.com, and Samsung.com for $649. The LTE Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 will also become available on August 10th, 2018 from Verizon, but won’t be available at other major carriers such as Sprint and US Cellular until Q3 2018.

You can also reserve your very own Galaxy Tab S4 from Samsung.com beginning today through August 9th, 2018. If you order now through September 8th, you can take advantage of a 50% off discount on the Book Cover Keyboard when purchased along with the Tab S4.

Samsung opens up reservations for the Galaxy Note 9

Alexandra Arici
-
0

Samsung will be hosting an Unpacked event on August 9, where the company is expected to introduce the Galaxy Note 9.

Ahead of the big announcement, Samsung has opened up reservations for the flagship. Starting now until August 9, 2018, at 11:59 p.m Eastern Time you will be able to reserve the right to place an order for the upcoming flagship on Samsung.com. If you want to use the Shop Samsung App you can reserve stating August 10, 2018, at 12:01 EM to August 12, 2018, at 11:59 p.m ET. Samsung encourages you to reserve to get a special offer.

But keep in mind that the act of reserve the device doesn’t translate into actually placing an order. To do so, you will have to complete the order transaction within 72 hours after the device has gone on sale. Otherwise, the reservation will be cancelled. The reservation does ensure you’ll be able to get the Note 9 first with early access to pre-order.

Want to be among the first Galaxy Note 9 adopters? Reserve now

The numerous leaks centering the upcoming Galaxy Note 9 have already painted a pretty clear picture of the device ahead of launch. So if you’re sure you want to buy the handset, head on to Samsung.com and sign up with your personal details. Then select your carrier or the unlocked option.

We should also point out that Samsung will also allow customers to save up $450 when they trade-in an eligible device. Although the option doesn’t seem to be active just yet.

We’re just a few days away from the Galaxy Note 9 going live. The handset is one of the most anticipated devices expected to land on the market in the second half of 2018.

The phone is poised to make a debut with a 6.3-inch QHD+ Super AMOLED display. Under the hood, it will have a Snapdragon 845 or an Exynos 9810 chipset, depending on the market.

The Note 9 will also bring a 4,000 mAh battery, an improved and colorful S Pen experience, and lots more.

Stay tuned on August 9 to learn everything about Samsung’s latest flagship.

Huawei overtakes Apple, now second largest phone manufacturer

Jason England
-
0

Preliminary data from the International Data Corporation (IDC) shows that smartphone vendors shipped a total of 342 million units in the second quarter of 2018. Compared to the 348.2 million shipped in the same quarter last year this is a 1.8% drop. Falling phone sales are not generally good news for handset makers but one has a reason to rejoice.

Huawei has moved up to the number two spot right behind Samsung and overtaking Apple in worldwide sales. News that I’m sure has Huawei excited as they expand and take on the top phone manufacturers in the world. This is only the second time that Apple has been knocked out of the first or second position in worldwide sales back in the second quarter of 2010.

Huawei secured their position as second by shipping 54.2 million units in the second quarter with a record high market share of 15.8%. Its numbers were boosted by the popularity of the P20 and P20 Pro models, its sub-brand Honor, and its expansion into new territories. Even after all of that Huawei still has a long way to go for the number one slot. Samsung holds onto it despite a 10.8% drop in sales from 2017 with 71.5 million units shipped.

Samsung’s slipping sales numbers are most likely due to the lukewarm reception of the Galaxy S9/S9 Plus phones. The minor upgrade was not seen as a big enough reason for many of the Galaxy S8/S8 Plus users to upgrade. Most likely this will change with the upcoming Galaxy Note 9 and S10 models in the future.

Rounding out the top 5 are Xiaomi at number four with 31.9 million units shipped and OPPO with 29.4 million units shipped. Xiaomi is currently celebrating its recent good fortune overtaking Samsung in India as the number one seller. Without a doubt, it’s clear that Chinese OEMs are on the move and looking to grow their market share more every year.

It’s important to note that the iPhone X is still the top seller in the high-end market. Not only that but Apple has moved to the top position the past two holiday quarters after product refreshes. It is expected that the same will happen this fall after Apple refreshes their line up of iPhones with new features, screen sizes, and different price points.

Swiping on your phone might not be as innocuous as it seems — here’s why

Alexandra Arici
-
0

Smartphones might be the epitome of modern convenience, but the dirty little secret that’s not so secret anymore is this. Your omnipresent device is a serious threat to your privacy.

With the increasing speed, power, cloud services and millions of apps being available for smartphones, the mobile threat landscape continues to grow.

With more and more people using their devices to shop online, pay their bills or play a game, the threat is all around us. Indeed, we’ve have been warned repeatedly to be careful what kind of apps we install and which permissions we grant. But what if your smartphone screen is not really helping you in this sense, either.

Swiping on your phone could have some nasty consequences

According to a research paper by scientists at the CSIRO Data61 in Australia claims that the way you interact with your phone by tapping, swiping and pinching can be used to track your identity.

The researchers found that touch gestures contain sufficient information to uniquely identify and track the users. Using a custom Android app called TouchTrack, the scientists collected a total of 40,600 touch and data gestures from 89 users. Among this, swipe and tap gestures had the most numbers of samples.

Upon analyzing the data, the scientists came to the conclusion that user touch gestures exhibit high uniqueness. So they can be used to identify the actual physical person operating the device.

By gathering data on a person’s taps, swipes and keystrokes, as well as writing samples, the research team was able to gain access to 98.5% of info about a user. The paper warns that compared to “regular” tracking methods such as cookies and logins, touch-based tracking is potentially riskier.

That’s because it makes it possible to track and identify the actual person behind the device. Touch-based tracking can also distinguish ad track multiple users across one device. And it can do so continuously.

What’s more, researchers claim that standard privacy settings may not be enough, because plenty of apps need to gather data about gesture input in order to enhance the experience.

The paper demonstrates that swiping on your phone is a lot more problematic than we previously thought. But will people be willing to cut down on swiping? Highly unlikely.

Original Pixel and Pixel 2 gain official LineageOS 15.1 support

Alexandra Arici
-
0

CyanogenMod was formerly the most popular custom ROM for Android devices. It even came pre-installed on a number of handset including the OnePlus One.

But while CyanogenMod ceased to exist a few years back, you can still download and install its successor, LineageOS, on select devices. This includes most of Google’s Nexus devices, but interestingly enough the newer Pixel models weren’t part of the list. But not anymore.

The official LineageOS 15.1 builds for the original Pixel (aka “sailfish) and Pixel XL (aka “marlin) are now available and ready for download. Make sure you read the full instructions about how to install the builds before you proceed.

Google’s Pixels finally get a taste of LineageOS

The build packs some of the great features that LineageOS is known for including Privacy Guard, Live Display or Button/Gesture customization. There’s also a series of great stock apps such as the Eleven Music Player and Snap Camera.

But while the older Pixels have gained LineageOS 15.1 support, which is based on Android 8.1 Oreo, there’s no word whether the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will get the same treatment.

A big reason why people choose to install LineageOS on their device is that the developers behind the project take device stability seriously. Which means that when you flash an official build of LineageOS, you can be sure that you’ll device will be running stable software that is kept up to date.

There’s a host of other advantages to using LineageOS which might make the switch worthwhile. For some, at least. For example, most devices tend to get a boost in battery life. It’s also offers improved customization, protection and privacy options.

So if you have a Pixel or Pixel 2 device around the house, LineageOS might be worth considering.

Have you tried LineageOS before? What has been your experience so far? Let us know in the comment section below.

Google Clock gains Spotify support for alarms

Jason England
-
0

Get ready to start your morning off right with Spotify and the Google Clock app. Beginning today Google will be rolling out the ability to use music from Spotify as your alarm sound.

This is available for Spotify free and premium users as long as you have the latest Spotify and Google Clock app, have the apps connected, and are running Android 5.0 or above.

Like all roll-outs from Google, this will show up at different times for everyone and could take longer for some.

Set your favorite Spotify tunes as your alarm in Google Clock

For example, even with the latest Google Clock and Spotify app, it is not enabled for me yet. Google will continue to roll it out this week via the Play Store so keep checking if you’re looking forward to waking up to your favorite tunes.

Google Clock Spotify

Once this feature becomes available on your device, you’ll notice a Spotify tab under the alarm sound menu. From this tab, you’ll be able to browse through recently played music, Spotify’s curated playlists, or search for your own soundtrack.

What makes this even better is once you’re awoken by your favorite music you have the option to continue listening. There’s no better way to start your day than waking up to your favorite song and continuing to rock out while you get ready.

While this is great news, many of you might be asking, why doesn’t this support Google’s own music services? I’m wondering the exact same thing. Google has been trying to push YouTube Music pretty strongly recently, and yet they chose to integrate Spotify into their own clock app first.

However, there is no reason to lose hope Google faithful as a Google spokesperson confirmed with 9to5Google that support for YouTube Music will be coming soon. Even if you’re a loyal Google Play Music or YouTube Music user this is still good news because with Spotify free you won’t be left out in the dark.

1...692693694...1,315Page 693 of 1,315