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The LG G7 ThinQ is now availabe and here’s where you can get it

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Just a few days ago, the LG V35 ThinQ was surprisingly announced. Earlier this month, the company unveiled its first 2018 flagship with the G7 ThinQ.

As is the custom nowadays, LG has been holding off on actually making the G7 ThinQ available. This is to help get pre-orders rolling and to finish up with the manufacturing process.

Luckily, the wait is over for the LG fans that have been waiting to get their hands on the G7 ThinQ. As a refresher, the G7 ThinQ features many specs you would expect from a 2018 flagship.

  • 6.1-inch QHD+ Display (3120 x 1440)
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 SoC
  • 4GB RAM (6GB w/ G7+)
  • 64GB Storage (128GB w/G7+)
  • 8MP Front Camera
  • Dual 16MP Rear Cameras
  • 3,000mAh Battery
  • Android 8.0 Oreo

Some additional features include a dedicated Google Assistant button on the right-side of the frame. This also allows easy access to Google Lens, marking the G7 ThinQ one of the first devices to launch with this.

Where to buy

If you are interested in picking up the G7 ThinQ, here are the different carrier offerings:

T-Mobile

Pre-orders for the G7 ThinQ have been open since May 25th and it seems the pricing will stay the same. The handset will cost $30 up front, and then another $30 every month after.

This results in the retail price coming in at $750 over 24 months. Additionally, you can purchase the handset outright for $750 from T-Mobile.

Buy from T-Mobile!

Sprint

As was the case with T-Mobile, Sprint also opened pre-orders for the G7 ThinQ on May 25th. However, pricing for the G7 ThinQ is a bit more expensive from Sprint than other carriers.

Instead of offering a down payment of sorts, Sprint is requiring 18-months of $33 per month. If you want to end up owning the device instead of leasing, it will be priced at $792.

Buy from Sprint!

Verizon

Verizon and T-Mobile are keeping up with one another, and the same can be said for the G7 ThinQ. Pricing through Verizon will be $750 in total for the device, at a rate of $31.25 per month for 24 months.

Verizon is also taking off $100 off the price to help celebrate the launch of LG’s latest handset. This promotion can be combined with other trade-in deals being offered.

Buy from Verizon!

Project Fi

In a surprising move, the Google and LG have announced the G7 ThinQ will be coming to Project Fi. The handset is currently listed as “coming soon” and will be available for $31.21 per month.

If you want to purchase the G7 ThinQ outright from Project Fi, you are looking at a price of $749. Although the pricing is the same from T-Mobile and Verizon, it’s amazing to see Project Fi getting more devices in its arsenal.

Buy from Project Fi!

You may notice one major carrier missing from this list – AT&T. That is because the carrier opted to wait for the V35 ThinQ and will be offering that handset instead.

 

The Alcatel 1X with Android Go is coming to the US for $99

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It has been a few months, but you may remember that Alcatel announced a couple of new devices at MWC 2018. One such device was the Alcatel 1X, and it was confirmed to be coming to the US.

Well, the wait is finally over, as the company has announced that the Alcatel 1X will launch next week. As a refresher, the 1X is an Android Go smartphone, which is optimized to work with devices with 1GB of RAM or less.

Alcatel 1X is coming

On the spec front, the Alcatel 1X features a 5.3-inch display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Powering the handset is a MediaTek chipset, combined with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage.

As for the cameras, there is a standard 5MP front-facing selfie lens and an 8MP rear-mounted sensor. Both of these come with flash, along with a few extra goodies that Alcatel has included.

Battery life on the Alcatel 1X should be quite impressive with its 2,460mAh battery. This combined with Android Go could make for quite the one-two punch.

What may be even more impressive is the $99 price tag for the 1X. Of course, this won’t blow the roof off of the place, but the 1X will work just fine for most folks who don’t need bells and whistles.

The handset will officially launch next week, on June 4th, and will work with both AT&T and T-Mobile. If you want to pre-order the 1X now, you can do so via the button below!

Pre-order the Alcatel 1X!

Nokia launches a trio of sub-$250 budget handsets, including the Nokia 5.1

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If you thought that Motorola had a stranglehold on the budget market, you might want to think again. HMD Global, the company providing new Nokia-branded devices, has announced three new budget-minded devices.

These devices are successors to the Nokia 5, Nokia 3, and Nokia 2 that were all launched last year. However, you may end up being impressed by what each handset has to offer for 2018.

Nokia 5.1

Kicking us off is the most expensive new device, the Nokia 5.1. The 5.1 features a 5.5-inch HD+ display with an 18:9 aspect ratio. Under the hood, the device includes a MediaTek 6755S chipset, combined with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM and up to 32GB of storage.

When it comes to the cameras, we have a wide-angle 8MP front-facing camera and a 16MP lens on the back. Also on the rear of the device is a relocated fingerprint scanner.

All of this is powered by a 3,000mAh battery which will hopefully last you throughout the day. Finally, the Nokia 5.1 is an Android One handset, and also features a 3.5mm headphone jack and USB Type-C.

Pricing for the Nokia 5.1 begins at around $220 for the 2GB/16GB model and $250 for the 3GB/32GB variant.

Nokia 3.1

Next up in this new lineup of budget devices is the Nokia 3.1. The Nokia 3 ended up selling surprisingly well, with HMD claiming it has been the “most successful model in our smartphone lineup to date”.

With this new handset, we have a 5.2-inch HD display, also with an aspect ratio of 18:9. The MediaTek 6750N chipset is at the helm with either 2GB or 3GB of RAM and up to 128GB of expandable storage.

Similar to the 5.1, the Nokia 3.1 features an 8MP wide-angle front-facing camera. Ont he rear, we have a 13MP sensor, which is an improvement over last year’s 8MP lens.

Despite being one of the most popular models, the Nokia 5.1 has a disappointing 2,990mAh battery. However, all of this can be had for around $160 for the base model or $195 for the 3GB/32GB variant.

Nokia 2.1

The final option is the one that has me excited the most with the Nokia 2.1. The handset runs Android Oreo Go, which makes life easier as Google’s own apps take up less storage.

The Nokia 2.1 features a respectable 5.5-inch HD display, along with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 chipset. This has been combined with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of storage, which is why Android Oreo Go is so important here.

Perhaps the most impressive piece of the 2.1 is the 4,000mAh battery. This gives the company the ability to claim the device will last up to 2 days on a single charge.

Pricing for the Nokia 2.1 begins at $115 but will not be made available in every market. Instead, emerging markets will be the primary focus for this new device.

 

Digital takes over the world – latest trends in terms of tech (Promoted)

The digital environment transformed excessively during the past few years. 2018 is a promising year for people who want to invest in tech upgrades. Not only that they will have many options to choose from, but prices are also quite affordable. From business integration to the latest release of impressive smartphones, digitalization is now the center of attention. This is the reason why people should start investing their time and efforts into learning more about tech. You probably heard about the concept of digital natives. If not, this is a category of people which includes the persons who were born with a tablet or a phone in their hands. To be more explicit, they are the people who find using technology as simple as breathing. Digital natives are the most advantaged during these times where everything is somehow related to tech.

Given the facts stated above, what are the digital transformations worth mentioning in this article? If you are passionate about this topic and you are willing to learn more, keep reading.

Data speed and analytics

The main goal of 2018 and the following years would be to step up the game regarding data speed. The more data needs to be analyzed, the longer it will take unless technology evolves in this direction. Because everyone spends a lot of time on the phone or navigating on the Internet, mobile providers thought about developing 5G speed. Soon, you can welcome high-speed data in your life. In the same direction, specialists predicted a visible improvement in the field of cloud computing. The sheer volume and the speed of information require strong capacities of analytics and data processing, so it would be impossible for tech not to invest all of its resources in becoming better in completing these tasks.

Integration

Another upgrade that’s somehow related to the digital environment is represented by business integration. Automating the workflow of a business could be the most important benefit of technology in the past few years. Human errors and the amount of wasted time that occur when no automation/integration is involved could lead to serious consequences. A successful business is now dependent on the digital world and everything that technology has to offer. If you were looking for ways to manage business tasks better, integration is the answer. You’d be amazed how much time and how many resources you can save through enterprise application integration.

Blockchain technology

With all the fuss around cryptocurrency, it is paramount to mention some details about the blockchain technology. Even though – at first – blockchain technology was dedicated to Bitcoin, stock market analysts decided that it could be useful in various domains other than cryptocurrency. Stepping beyond virtual coins, blockchain technology could be used for funding and investing in certain assets, authenticating and protecting identity and so on. Banks stated that blockchain technology would reach its peak around the year 2025, but some say that it is going to happen sooner.

Meizu M6T is an entry-level phone with an 18:9 display and dual-cameras

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Looking for a new phone with nice specs, but you’re low on cash? Meizu has your back. The Chinese company just launched this week the new entry-level M6T which packs some features which no long ago were reserved only for flagships.

This is the latest model that was added to the M6 range which also includes the standard M6, M6S and M6 Note.

Despite being an extremely budget device, the M6T comes with a modern 18:9 aspect ratio display, 5.7-inch in size.

Meizu’s M6T launches exclusively in China

It also boasts a dual camera setup comprised of a 13-megapixel sensor (f/2.2) and a 2-megapixel sensor (f/2.4). Meizu says the camera can take bokeh photos, which is what everyone is after these days. On the front, there’s also an 8-megapixel selfie snapper with f/2.0 aperture.

The Meizu M6T is by no means the only entry-level device on the market with an 18:9 aspect ratio and dual-cameras. The UMIDIGI A1 Pro, for example, offers the same and it’s only one example.

Anyway, we should also tell you the phone has 720 x 1440 resolution and relies on a quad-core MediaTek MT6750 chipset to get the job done. Meizu will offer two versions of the device. The base one will ship with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage, while the more advanced one will take advantage with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. A microSD card slot is also available.

The M6T has a fingerprint scanner living on the back (Super mBack button) and you’ll be able to use it to control the UI via swipe gestures. Finally, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 3,300 mAh battery. Unfortunately, the phone comes pre-installed with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box (with FlyMe OS 6.2 on top).

The Meizu M6T will be available only in China. The base version will go on sale for approximately $124, while the beefier version will be available for around $171. There’s also an intermediate version with 3GB of RAM + 64GB storage that has a $155 price tag. The phone is offered in Black, Gold and Red.

Unlocked Moto G6 is now part of the Amazon Prime Exclusive family

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The Moto G6 is the latest phone that was added to Amazon’s Prime Exclusive lineup. The handset is now up for sale for $234.99 (discounted from $249.99) and you can pick it up in Black or Oyster Blush.

The phone is sold unlocked and is compatible with all major carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and Verizon.

 

As a reminder, Amazon Prime Exclusive phones come pre-loaded with a variety of Amazon apps, as well as Amazon’s virtual assistant, Alexa.

Other Prime Exclusive phones available for purchase include the LG K30, LG G6+ and Moto X4.

The Moto G6 was announced earlier this month

As for the Moto G6, this is a mid-range device coming with a 5.7-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 1080 x 2160 pixels.

A Snapdragon 450 clocked at 1.8GHz is keeping the phone alive, aided by 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. Motorola also offers a microSD card slot on board for memory expansion up to 256GB.

When it comes to shooting pictures, users will be able to take advantage of the dual main camera setup which pairs a 12-megapixel (f/1.8) sensor with a secondary 5-megapixel (f/2.2) one. There’s also an 8-megapixel selfie snapper with f/2.2 sitting on the front.

The Moto G6 also includes a 3,000 mAh battery and runs Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.

Don’t want to purchase the Moto G6 from Amazon? No problem. The unlocked phone is also available at Best Buy for the same price. Or you can pick it up directly from Motorola for the full $249.99. It’s up to you.

Verizon also offers the Moto G6 for $10/month for 24 months or in exchange for $240 outright.

So if you’re in the US you have a few options if you want to buy the Moto G6. The big-battery Moto G6 Play is also available in the country from places like Boost Mobile.

Hot Take: LG V35 ThinQ (Episode 8)

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Scott and Andrew break down the V35 ThinQ, the latest smartphone from LG. Who is the target audience? What exactly is LG up to with all of these different devices? Is there too much going on in a short period of time? Tune in to find out what we think of the new device.

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You can now ask the Google Assistant to lock your Schlage Sense deadbolt

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Schlange, one of the most trusted names in home security, this week announced its popular Sense smart deadbolt is now compatible with the Google Assistant on Google Home.

The update was first announced back in January during CES 2018 in Las Vegas, but the functionality is now finally live for users to take advantage of.

Use the Assistant to make sure you’ve locked the front door

You’ll be able to control your Schlage Sense smart deadbolt using Google’s virtual helper. You can now ask the Assistant things like “OK Google, lock my door” or “Ok Google, is my door locked?”.

In addition to Google Home, users will be able to ask their Google Assistant on their Android/iOS smartphone to do the same.

However, note that there’s no voice control for unlocking the door with the Google Assistant. Not yet anyway. But you can use Amazon Alexa’s for voice unlocking via a PIN on your Schlage Sense or Schlage Connect deadbolts.  The smart deadbolt also works with the Apple HomeKit.

In order to use your Google Assistant with the Sense smart deadbolt, you will also need the Schlage Sense Wi-Fi adapter, which is sold separately for $69 a pop. With the adapter in place, you’ll have remote access to your lock via the Schlage Sense app, as well as the option to employ the Assistant’s help.

The smart lock comes with a multitude of features that enable homeowners to stop worrying about losing or forgetting their keys.

The Sense deadbolt from Schlange allows users to create and delete up to 30 unique access codes to enable members of the family and trusted friends to enter by using a unique code at the lock’s touchscreen. These codes can be programmed to work only at certain times or within a certain window.

The lock is available for purchase from retailers like Amazon where it currently sells for around $200.

LG V35 ThinQ is coming to Project Fi soon [Update: More phones will be added]

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LG has a new flagship. Not even a month after it launched the G7 ThinQ, LG is back with the V35 ThinQ.

This is technically the fourth V30 model to hit the market since last August, following the V30, V30+ and V30S ThinQ. And guess what? Apart from AT&T, Google’s Project Fi will also be selling it.

Unfortunately, details about pricing and availability haven’t been shared just yet. But we can tell you’ll that at AT&T the phone will go up for pre-order starting June 1, with shipments going out on June 8.

The LG V35 ThinQ will be an interesting addition to Project Fi’s roster of devices. So far, the MVNO’s portfolio has been quite limited, consisting only of Google’s Nexus and Pixel devices. Last year, the mid-range Moto X4 was also added. So the LG V35 ThinQ will be the first non-Google flagship to be sold by Project Fi.

What does the new phone bring to the table?

The V35 ThinQ might seem indistinguishable from the V30, but LG has boosted the internal specifications and threw in a few new features to entice Android fans to upgrade to the new model.

The newcomer keeps the same 6-inch QHD OLED display, aluminum body, and 3,300 mAh battery. But compared to the V30, there’s now 6GB of RAM on board, alongside 64GB of storage. The dual cameras have also stayed the same, but all the AI features that made their way to the V30 via an update come pre-installed on this model.

So you’ll get the low-light camera, Portrait Mode and all the 18 shooting modes including snow, sky, baby and pet. And lots more.

On top of that, the V35 ThinQ has been upgraded to the newer Snapdragon 845. The older V30 had a Snapdragon 835 under the hood.

We should also mention that unlike the LG7 ThinQ, the V35 ThinQ does not have a Boombox speaker, nor does it include a side button dedicated to summoning the Google Assistant.

Update: Google has released its own statement and it appears more phones are coming to Project Fi including the LG G7 ThinQ and Moto G6.

The Moto G6 is already up for pre-order. You can get it for $8.29/month for 24 months or for $199 in full.

The G7 and V35 will be available starting next month. The G7 ThinQ will be priced for $749 or $31.21/month for 2 years, while the V35 will be offered for $899 or $37.46 per month for 24 months.

The LG V35 ThinQ announced with flagship specs and carrier exclusivity

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For the past few years, LG has been releasing two different flagship models. The LG G series was released in the early part of the year, with the LG V series coming closer to the end of Summer.

It seems that LG has thrown everything out the window as the company just announced the LG V35 ThinQ. You may remember that the G7 ThinQ was launched at the beginning of this month.

LG V35 ThinQ Spec Breakdown

The V35 ThinQ was surprisingly announced today, with a few differences, mainly in the carrier department. Starting off with the specs, the handset sports the Snapdragon 845 SoC, combined with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

LG packed an 8MP wide-angle selfie camera into the front, while a dual-16MP system resides on the opposite side. As is the case with the G7 ThinQ, the V35 ThinQ features a ‘Super Wide Angle’ and ‘Standard Angle’ sensor.

As for the display, LG opted for a 6-inch QHD+ OLED display. This sports a resolution of 2880 x 1440, thanks to its 18:9 aspect ratio. That’s right, there is no notch that can be found on the V35 ThinQ, unlike its slightly-older counterpart.

Finally, the V35 ThinQ comes with Android 8.0 Oreo on the software side, with LG’s skin overlay on top. And in the battery department, LG has included a respectable 3,300mAH battery with Quick Charge 3.0.

Other Features

Unlike the G7 ThinQ, LG’s latest offering does not include a dedicated Google Assistant button. However, LG has still integrated some of Google’s latest features, such as Google Lens which will work out of the box.

Other features for the V35 ThinQ include the following:

  • AI Cam
  • Super Bright Camera
  • Hi-Fi Quad DAC
  • IP68 Water/Dust Resistance
  • Face Recognition
  • Wireless Charging

Looking at the general design and features, it almost feels like LG slapped some parts together and launched a new phone. It’s almost like the company has really forgotten how to play in the smartphone market.

The G7 ThinQ may have been a bit underwhelming to some, but it’s not held in a higher regard than the V35. That’s not to say the V35 is useless, as it still features flagship specs and an impressive camera. Something just feels off with this release.

Release Date and more

You may remember that when the G7 ThinQ was announced, AT&T opted to not carry the device. Instead, the carrier claimed that it would exclusively carry another LG smartphone slated to launch this Summer.

It seems that the V35 ThinQ is that device, but it won’t only be available from AT&T. Instead, it seems that Project Fi is getting in on some of the fun, adding another option to choose from.

Unfortunately, there is no mention of pricing or availability just yet. Instead, LG states that “price and purchase locations will be announced locally at the time of availability.”

Let us know what you think about the V35 ThinQ and if you are interested in this new handset.