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TextNow unveils super affordable unlimited LTE plan for $39.99/month

Alexandra Arici
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If you ever needed proof that technology and services are getting more affordable over time, this offering would have to be on your shortlist.

Mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) TextNow announced this week a new unlimited data plan that costs only $39.99/month. It’s perhaps the most affordable single-line unlimited option available on the market right now.

In order to jump on board with the new offering, you will need an unlocked Sprint or GSM phone and TextNow’s free SIM card. If you use a Sprint device, you’ll be on Sprint’s network, while GSM phone users will be on a third-party carrier, which is most likely T-Mobile.

TextNow gives you unlimited data on the cheap

The plan itself is pretty standard. It includes calls, texts and high-speed data. Like usual, there’s a data cap, which in the case of TextNow is set to 23GB/month. Once you burn through it, your speed will be reduced.

What’s more, TextNow also offers a Family Plan which includes three lines of unlimited LTE data for only $100 per month. This means you’ll be paying $29.99 for an additional line.

On top of the new unlimited plan, TextNow also offers three other plans:

  • Talk and Text only – $9.99/month includes unlimited talk and text to USA and Canada, but not data.
  • 2GB LTE with unlimited talk and text in USA and Canada – $19.99/month
  • 5GB LTE with unlimited talk and text in USA and Canada – $29.99/month

So if you think you don’t need more than 5GB of data each month, you’ll can save even more.

For more info on TextNow’s new unlimited plan, check the official website.

The company got its start in 2009 as a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) app that provided users with a US phone number for calling and texting over Wi-Fi. Four years later, the service bloomed into a fully-fledged MVNO.

Android P beta 2 is now out, available for Pixel owners

Alexandra Arici
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Right on schedule, Google this week released the second beta version of Android P for Pixel owners. It comes bundling the final APIs and updated SDK, so developers can start readying their apps for Android P.

The Android P beta 2 arrives as an OTA update if you’re already running the first beta on your Pixel device. You can also flash the factory image if your Pixel has an unlocked bootloader. Partner OEMs that are part of the Android P beta program will start rolling out the second beta in the coming weeks.

What’s new in the second Android P beta?

The new beta introduces multi-camera APIs, which should let phone stream from two different physical cameras at the same time. This will allow developers to enable a bunch of cool features such as seamless zoom, stereo vision, and portrait mode.

Adaptive Battery and app actions both harness the power of machine learning for different reasons. The latter uses it to prioritize system resources for the apps you care most about, while the former employs it o surface apps at the right time, based on the app’s semantic intents and context. Slices surface rich, template content cards when using Google Search and Assistant.

Smart replies are now headed to third-party apps, and the new OS has a system-managed dialogue to prompt users for any supported type of biometric authentication.

The beta also brings 157 new emoji, including a llama, lobster, bagel, superhero and mooncake. Google also made a few changes to some of its existing emoji.

For example, it took out the egg in the salad emoji to make it vegan. On top of that, there’s also gender-neutral options for family and couple-in-love emoji.

Keep in mind that while any Pixel owner can install the new beta, Google points out that the devices could become unresponsive as a result. What’s more, users might have to deal with slow and janky performance from time to time, while battery life could also take a hit.

If that’s not enough, any NFC capabilities will not work, Bluetooth playback will become unstable, and those with synced devices might not be able to lower or raise the volume on their phone.

Knowing all this, if you still want to get the Android P developer preview beta 2 on your Pixel, you can do so via OTA update of flashing the factory image. Follow the links below to do so. They contain precise instructions on how to install the new build.

OTA

Factory Images

How to watch the BlackBerry KEY2 launch event

Alexandra Arici
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Tomorrow on June 7, BlackBerry Mobile will take the stage in New York to unveil its latest effort the BlackBerry KEY2.

This is the sequel of the BlackBerry KeyONE which launched last year and even though it didn’t sell in millions, the phone earned some praise.

BlackBerry KEY2 will go official tomorrow, June 7

The BlackBerry KEY2 launch event is scheduled to kickoff at 10 am EDT. You can join BlackBerry and watch the event live, as it will be streamed via the company’s YouTube channel. Just follow the link embedded below at the right time.

Watch BlackBerry KEY2 launch event

So what should we expect? The leaked images we’ve seen so far make the KEY2 look like a refined version of the KeyONE with a slightly more spacious keyboard layout.

Obviously, the trademark keyboard represents the highlight of the device. While the keys themselves remain largely the same compared to last year’s model, there’s one extra button consisting of nine dots spread out in three rows. This might be a new multitasking button, although this is just speculation at this point.  But we’ll know the whole story tomorrow, as BlackBerry unveils the phone.

While design changes on the KEY2 appear to be minimal, the phone does bring a significant improvement. Specifically, it’s the first BlackBerry phone to feature a dual-camera setup. According to rumors, it consists of a primary 12-megapixel sensor and a secondary 8-megapixel lens.

Other specs include a Snapdragon 660, 6GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. On the software side, the KEY2 is expected to come with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Some special security features will be included as well. ‘

How much will it cost and when will it be available? We don’t know at this point, but these details will be made available tomorrow by the company itself.

If want know everything about the BlackBerry KEY2, don’t forget to tune in tomorrow at 10 am EDT.

How to improve call quality on your Android phone

Alexandra Arici
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It might be easy to forget this today, but the primary function of a mobile phone is to allow you to make phone calls.

But while smartphones continue to leap forward in most areas, from voice-triggered assistants to super crisp displays and advanced cameras, they seem to be mired in the mud when it comes to improving voice quality.

It’s an experience most of us are all too familiar with: not being able to hear what the person on the other end is trying to say. Fortunately, there are a few different things you can try to do to improve phone call quality on your Android device.

Here are a few tips that might help you boost your phone calling experience.

Clean the microphone, earpiece and speakers

This is the first thing you should do when you notice that your call quality is weak is to check if the microphone or earpiece are being blocked by something. It could be your hand, your ear or even your hair that’s blocking the holes. So try to hold the phone in a different position.

Alternatively, maybe you have a protective case on your phone that is covering what it’s not supposed to? Or perhaps you haven’t cleared all the plastic wrap from your new phone? Make sure you do. All holes should be clear of any obstructions for an optimal call experience.

Also remember to clean the earpiece and speakers. The best way to do this is with a super soft bristle toothbrush. Gently brush the cavities to remove any debris that might have accumulated. Canned air, the sort used to clean keyboards, can also work well once you’ve loosened the gunk. But be careful not to hold it too close, or it could end up damaging the sensitive membranes of the speakers and microphones.

Turn on High-Quality calling

The largest carriers in the US offer some kind of high quality calling on phones sold through their networks like for example HD Voice or VoLTE.

On most Android devices, you can easily tell whether HD Voice is activated. You should see “HD Dialing” appear in the top-right corner when you’re making a phone call. Or you could go to settings and look for an option called Advanced Calling. That’s where you can turn the HD Voice on.

Some smartphones manufacturers such as Samsung and LG also include additional voice quality settings in their Settings menu. On the latest Samsung phones, you get things like Noise Reduction, while LG has something called Personalize Call Settings.

High-Quality calling options don’t usually require you to pay an extra fee. However, this might not always be the case. For example, if you’re on an older service plan, chances are, you will have to contact your carrier in order to get the option turned on for your device.

Give Wi-Fi calling a chance

Wi-Fi calling is a great alternative if you are in a location with weak cellular signal. Provided you are connected to a Wi-Fi network, of course. But keep in mind that Wi-Fi calls they tend to be a little flat and you might notice a little echo from the caller’s end. But on the bright side, they are very clear, so you’ll be able to understand each other without a problem.

How do you enable Wi-Fi calling? Well, it varies based on your manufacturer, carrier or phone model. But make sure you check the network settings, the Wi-Fi settings themselves and the phone dialer settings. You should find the feature in one of these spots clearly labeled as “Wi-Fi calls”.

Also keep in mind that you need both phone and carrier support for Wi-Fi calling to work. This is why the feature might not be available on unlocked models due to carrier restrictions.

Make calls over the Internet using apps

In case your phone doesn’t support standard Wi-Fi calling, you can use apps instead. Most of them are free to download and let you make quality voice calls over Wi-Fi, LTE or even 3G connections.

Many of these apps offer high-quality audio that’s on par with HD Voice, making it a great option for cross-carrier calls. You’ll get clear voice call quality and a bunch of other neat features like video calls and more.

Popular choices include Skype, WhatsApp or Google Duo. An app we’ve tested and liked is Yolla. We were particularly impressed by the loud and crisp sound in calls.

Ten cool tech gifts for Father’s Day

Alexandra Arici
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Father’s Day is coming up, and we bet you’ve already started thinking what to get your dad this year. Well if your pops happens to be a gadget lover, then we have you covered with some nice gift ideas. Forget the classic neckties and whiskey bottles. This year get dad a gift that he actually wants.

Below you’ll find our choices of some great Father’s Day presents and hopefully they will provide you with some inspiration.

Pixel 2 XL

The Pixel 2 XL could make for a really great gift, especially since Google has a deal on it right now which runs until June 17, which happens to be Father’s Day.

So if you buy a Pixel 2 XL from the Google Store, you’ll receive $150 in store credit that can be used towards a further purchase, as well as a free Google Home Mini smart speaker.

The 64GB Pixel 2 XL is priced at $849 or $35.38/month over 24 months. The $150 credit will arrive within 6 to 8 weeks after the purchase.

Indeed it’s not the cheapest of gifts, but if you want to go all out, the Pixel 2 XL might be worth considering. Especially considering the additional freebies you’ll be getting.

Fitbit Ionic

Get dad interested in getting in shape by gifting him a Fitbit Ionic smartwatch. The wearable is currently available for $249.95 (discounted from $299.95) at Best Buy, so you’ll be able to save $50.

The Fitbit Ionic includes a color display, has built-in GPS capability, heart rate monitoring and sleep tracking. But the best part is that it offers customized guidance and insight, so you can get the most out of every training session. The watch also has music storage and allows users to pay for purchases via NFC.

Sonos Play:1 wireless speaker

Sonos makes high-quality audio products, but unfortunately, many customers tend to stay away from them due to their hefty prices.

But if you’d think dad would be love having a quality wireless speaker, then we have some good news for you. The entry-level Sonos Play:1 speaker is available for purchase on Amazon for only $149.00.

The Play:1 is a compact, yet surprisingly powerful speaker that looks and sounds great in any space.

It can connect to any Amazon Echo or Alexa-enabled device in the house, so you can ask the virtual assistant to play the music you love on your speaker. The device contains two Class D amplifiers and one 3.5” mid-woofer for mid-range frequencies and deep bass. Users can also pair multiple Play:1 speakers together in the same room for a more immersive experience.

SIIG Smart 10-Port USB Charging Station

If dad’s a geek, he surely has many devices laying around the house. Which is why a charging station like this one should come super in handy. The SIIG features 10 USB ports that automatically stop charging once the device is full. The station also has a LED-it charging deck, which allows you to charge anything from smartwatches, Bluetooth headphones or speakers. No cord needed.

Power is evenly distributed across all devices, which is essential when buying a charging station. And at only $48.88, the SIIG is quite affordable. The gadget is compatible with smartphones and tablets from Apple, Samsung, LG, Google, HTC, Amazon and many more.

Pulomi TT Easy Trans Smart Language Translator Device

Does your dad like to travel a lot? Blow his mind by getting him this cool gadget. It’s a smart translator device that can help travelers make themselves understood while abroad.

Simply speak into the device and it will speak your words translated into one of the 52 languages available including French, Dutch, Norwegian, Hebrew, Indonesian, Bulgarian and more. You can pick it up from Amazon for $118.

Ring Video Doorbell

Does your dad hate unannounced guests? Then a video doorbell might be the perfect gift for him. The Ring can capture 720p footage and becomes active whenever it senses movement. It also connects to Wi-Fi and sends the video footage to your smartphone, tablet or PC.

The video doorbell also works with Alexa for voice control, although you’ll need to get dad an additional Alexa device.

Ring comes with lifetime protection, so if it gets stolen, the producing company will replace it for free. It’s available for $99.99.

Wacom Bamboo Folio Digital Notebook

Taking notes is great for keeping track of things, but what if you always have the tendency to misplace them? If your dad always seems to be lose his notes, maybe you’d like to consider getting him a digital notebook.

Offered by Wacom, the Bamboo Folio can quickly transform hand-written notes into digital files. The device lets users store up to 100 pages locally but also offers the ability to send digital files to a phone or tablet via the Inkspace app. Scribbles are also uploaded to the cloud, so you get to access them from any device.

The Digital Notebook can be yours for $199.95.

A phone wallet case

Help dad gets organized by getting him a stylish wallet case for his phone. Of course, you’ll need to know the exact smartphone model he uses, so you can get him a compatible one.

For example, if he just ordered the new and shiny OnePlus 6 (or you ordered one for him), you can pair it with the stylish Olixar Leather-Style Wallet Stand Case.

On top of providing protection for your phone and storing credit cards, it also doubles as a stand, so dad can watch videos on his phone more comfortably.

The phone case is a great gift idea if you’re on a tight budget. The Olixar case for the OnePlus only costs $13.34.

Tile Style

Noticed dad is a bit forgetful lately and tends to misplace his keys or wallet? Get him a Tile Style and help the big guy locate his items with ease. Simply attach the Tile Style to anything you don’t want to lose and use the Tile app to find it when it goes missing.

Use your smartphone to make the Tile Style rings when it’s nearby. If in Bluetooth range, the tiny device will play a loud tune until you find it. And it cots only $19.99.

Zmodo Pivot Security Camera

Whether it’s for security or just a way to check what’s going on at home or on a pet, Wi-Fi home cameras are a versatile option.

And if you’re dad likes to keep a closer eye on things back home, the Zmodo Pivot Security Camera could make for a great Father’s Day gift.

The security cam is able to cover the entire home thanks to a wide-angle, rotating 1080p camera. It can record full days of video with 16GB of built-in storage. Owners will receive alerts when motion is detected within the home.

The device also has a built-in Bluetooth speaker and a two-way audio to talk to family back home. The Zmodo camera is available for $74.99 (currently discounted from $99.99).

AT&T offers a BOGO deal on the LG V35 ThinQ for Father’s Day

Alexandra Arici
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Still haven’t decided what to get dad for Father’s Day? AT&T might be able to help. The carrier has a deal going on for the occasion which involves the recently launched LG V35 ThinQ.

It’s a BOGO deal which means if you purchase one LG V35 ThinQ you’ll get a second one for free. So here’s how you can take advantage of the promo:

  1. Select the first LG V35 ThinQ on AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year
  2. Add a second LG V35 ThinQ on AT&T Next or AT&T Next Every Year. This is the free device via bill credits
  3. Select an unlimited or Mobile Share Flex to complete the purchase
  4. That’s it. Credit should start appearing within 3 bills.

With AT&T Next, you will be required to pay $30/month for 30 months. You’ll then have to wait 3 months to start seeing $30/month bill credits on your statement.

Also note that if you bring in an eligible trade-in (minimum trade value of $20) within 14 days of buying the LG V35 ThinQ, you’ll will get $400 in credits.

The LG V35 ThinQ is not even a week old and be released on June 8. The phone is an AT&T exclusive, so you won’t be able to get it from any of the other big carriers. However, Google’s Project Fi will also offer the phone. AT&T opted to skip the LG G7 ThinQ in favor of the LG V35 ThinQ due to the former’s notchy LCD display.

The V35 comes with top specs including a 6-inch P-OLED display with 18:9 ratio and 1440 x 2880 resolution, but no notch. There’s also a Snapdragon 845, up to 6GB of RAM and dual 16-megapixel cameras.

At AT&T, the phone costs $899.99. In contrast, the LG G7 ThinQ starts at $750.

Anyway, the BOGO deal is available for a limited time. So if you think the LG V35 ThinQ might be a good pick for your old man, you should place an order as soon as possible.

LG Q Stylus series is announced with mid-range specs and some premium features

Alexandra Arici
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LG has been quite prolific lately. After launching the V35 ThinQ last week, the company is back yet again with another new smartphone.

The company pulled the wraps off the LG Q Stylus, a mid-range handset coming with some premium features, which LG hopes will help differentiate it from the rest of the crop.

The Korean device maker will be offering three versions depending on market: the standard Q Stylus, Q Stylus+ and Q Stylus α.

As the name suggests, the Q Stylus series comes with a stylus which allows handwritten notes to be recorded, images to be personalized, and videos to be transformed into GIFs.

On top of that, all three models take advantage of a 6.2-inch 18:9 FullVision display with 2160 x 1080 resolution, metal bodies, IP68 water-resistance and a 3,300 mAh battery. The phones rely on either a 1.5GHz Octa-Core or 1.8GHz Octa-Core processor.

The differences appear when it comes to RAM, storage and cameras. Check out the distinct configurations below:

Q Stylus+

• 4GB of RAM
• 64GB of storage / microSD (up to 2TB)
• 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with PDAF
• 8-megapixel or 5-megapixel selfie camera with Super Wide Angle

Q Stylus

• 3GB of RAM
• 32GB of storage / microSD (up to 2TB)
• 16-megapixel rear-facing camera with PDAF
• 8-megapixel or 5-megapixel selfie camera with Super Wide Angle

Q Stylus α

• 3GB of RAM
• 32GB of storage / microSD (up to 2TB)
• 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with PDAF
• 5-megapixel selfie camera with Super Wide Angle

A premium feature you’ll find on board of the Q Stylus series is DTS:X surround sound which improves audio through your headphones. This was borrowed from the V and G flagship series.

What’s more, QLens which is LG’s version of Google Lens is also available on these middle range phones. Oh, and the Smart Rear Key fingerprint sensor on the back also acts as a selfie camera shutter button.

All models ship with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box. Depending on model, customers will be able to pick the phones up in the Aurora Black, Moroccan Blue, or Lavender Violet.

While prices haven’t been announced yet, LG says the Q Stylus series will launch on a “limited basis” this month in North America and Asia, followed by other key markets in Q3.

Android Patches, Google Lens, and Gaming Phones (Episode 10)

Matt Adams
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Welcome to In Brief, our periodic podcast which aims to provide you with all of the important things happening in the world of Android.

In this episode, we discuss a brand new gaming phone, some changes coming for everyone to Google’s favorite email service, Google Lens, and a security update.

Topics

It’s our goal to keep these podcasts short but there’s a reason we call it “The 15-minute podcast that’s never 15 minutes”. We hope you enjoy the show!

Other news to know

  • Google’s Project Fi is now allowing you to add kids under 13. The service had previously been limited to those 13 and up, but now you can officially add your children to your family plan. Google is also adding some new features geared toward the younger set. When you use Google’s Family Link app, you can monitor your kid’s phone usage through Fi and set limits on what they can do. This will allow parents to limit the number of minutes a kid can talk or just how much data they can use.
  • Microsoft has officially agreed to purchase GitHub. GitHub is an ultra-popular repository for open source software that allows developers to have a safe and open place to host their software. The deal is valued at $7.5 billion, which would be the third largest Microsoft acquisition after LinkedIn ($28.1 billion) and Skype ($8.5 billion).

Subscribe to the AndroidGuys Audio Experience!

You can download or subscribe to the podcasts wherever you normally find your favorite shows. For your convenience, you can also click the links below.

Google Play Music | Simplecast | iTunes | Stitcher | Pocket Casts

For questions, concerns, or general feedback about the podcast feel free to contact us at podcast [at] androidguys.com.

Marc Jacobs launches its first Wear OS smartwatch, the Riley Touchscreen

Alexandra Arici
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Early smartwatches were often bulky, boxy things that were designed for tech-enthusiasts, but absolutely failed on fashion.

But in recent years not only big tech companies like Apple or LG created watches that are stylish and also functional. Even fashion brands like Armani, Kate Spade or Michael Kors started joining in the race.

The newest arrival comes from Marc Jacobs. It’s called the Riley Touchscreen and runs the all-new Wear OS.

This is the first fully-fledged smartwatch coming out of Marc Jacobs, which previously offered only hybrid smartwatches.

Marc Jacobs enters the crowded fashion smartwatch market

Well, the Riley Touchscreen is a true smartwatch that runs Google’s Wear OS and features a 1.19-inch AMOLED display.  The intelligent timepiece comes with a polished metal build and a simple silicon strap. There’s also a button that looks like a traditional crown that can be used to control the display.

Like most smartwatches these days, the Riley Touchscreen takes advantage of a Snapdragon 2100 chipset. Recently Qualcomm’s Pankaj Kedia revealed in an interview that the company is working on a new chip for Wear OS watches that will make its way into devices in time for the holidays.

Based on this information, you might want to postpone purchasing a new Wear OS smartwatch until later this year.

Unless you think the Riley Touchscreen looks really pretty and cool and the $295 price tag doesn’t scare you away.

In addition to being classically stylish, Marc Jacobs’ new smartwatch has a IP67 rating and includes a battery which should last you up to 24 hours on a single charge. The Riley charges wirelessly and takes 2 hours to replenish itself fully.

The wearable also offers Google Assistant integration, so after you’ve paired Riley with an iPhone or Android you’ll be able to ask the assistant to play your favorite track and more.

Marc Jacobs has pre-loaded the device with a series of brand-specific watch faces including the iconic Daisy design.

For those interested, the fashion company is offering three color options including the all-black model, a rose gold version with a Cement-colored strap and a gold variant with a plain white band.

You can order the Riley Touchscreen from Marc Jacobs directly or from Target.

ASUS’ new VivoWatch BP smartwatch can monitor your blood pressure

Alexandra Arici
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ASUS at Computex 2018 unveiled a new smartwatch called the VivoWatch BP, which puts a focus on health tracking.

The device takes advantage of ASUS’ HealthAI technology to enable users to keep track of their health stats including heart rate, sleep quality, activity data and distress index.

On top of that, the VivoWatch BP also provides real-time blood pressure measurements in 15 seconds. This is something that isn’t normally found in most smartwatches. Usually intelligent timepieces can only measure heart rate or blood oxygen levels.

Given how blood pressure is measured, this is not something that can be easily achieved on a wearable device. Well, the ASUS VivoWatch BP employs a novel method that’s quite experimental. No inflatable cuffs required.

The watch uses an ECG sensor for reading heart rate that works in concert with an optical PPG sensor to detect blood flow. Together they provide users with their upper and lower systolic and diastolic numbers.

How do you measure your blood pressure using the watch?

It’s easy, simply put your index finger on the sensor on the watch’s face and wait a few seconds (ASUS claims 15).

The company says the smartwatch was build using medical-grade materials and that it’s 70% smaller and 50% lighter than current wrist-bound blood pressure monitors. It promises a battery life of 28 days with normal usage.

But while the VivoWatch BP might be a step forward for health tech, it’s nothing special by smartwatch or sport watch standards. The wearable is quite bulky and unattractive in terms of design. But if you care more about keeping tabs on your blood pressure than looking stylish, then this smartwatch might be indeed for you.

The VivoWatch BP runs a proprietary operating system, not Wear OS, but it can connect to a smartphone via a mobile app.

ASUS is pricing its new smartwatch at $169, which is pretty affordable. The gadget will go on sale in Taiwan by the end of July, and in Europe in August. Unfortunately, it’s unclear whether the wearable will ever land on the US market.

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