Matt, Scott, and Andrew discuss the latest smartphone from HTC, the HTC U12 Plus. The specs keep pace with everyone else, but there’s a lot more than just bullet points. Will the user experience be enough to make this a hit?
Where does this fit against the likes of other recent phones from LG, Samsung, and OnePlus? In the battle of flagships, is there something that helps HTC’s newest rise to the top? What would we do differently with this phone?
All things considered, is HTC U12 Plus worth the money?
We’re currently beta testing this podcast and doing it in the real world. We’ll iterate and improve and be on track with the formal numbering convention in no time!
Nowadays, mobile devices are something that everybody needs. While searching an app for your Android device, Google Play is the place to do it. This platform was released in October 2008 and was called Android Market. Moreover, it was designed to give its customers a wide variety of music, magazines, books and films. To get back to the point, by the end of 2009, Google Play store had to offer just 1,600 apps. Further, by December 2017, there were over 3,500,000 apps to download.
If we take a look at mobile casinos, there is the same story. Their number is increasing and there is no sign that it will stop. Try searching for “mobile casino apps” and GooglePlay will give you wide range of apps to choose from. With so many results, is not easy to select the right online casino that fits your preferences.
What to Look for in a Casino App
While searching for one, look for one that offers numerous games, has welcome bonuses and does not need a registration to play your favorite casino games. One of the most successful casino app that meets the conditions mentioned above is Slotpark App. Here you’ll find one of the most wanted slot games like: Book of Ra or Sizzling Hot.
The first slot machine mentioned is about spinning a set of reels that has a theme based in ancient Egypt. With 5 reels and 10 paylines, there are enough winning combinations. Over the years this virtual reel earned the reputation of being one of the most played slot.
The other one is Sizzling Hot. While most of the online slot games have fancy graphics, flashy colors and many bonuses, this slot is very simplistic. Having fruit symbols and a simple graphic, this game is a classic among all its rivals.
In Brief
As has been noted, the app world is expanding each year. If there were only 2.1 billion smartphone users in 2016, by the end of 2019 there will be about 2.5 billion users. Hence, casino apps are the future of land based casinos.
Editor Note: Our editorial stance on including links to apps or games with gambling and/or casino links is as follows: We will only consider them if there is an official app in the Google Play Store and/or Apple’s iTunes. The sentiment being that if it’s good enough for those outlets, it’s good enough for us to mention. Slotpark Free Slots Casino can be found in Google Play now.
When Razer introduced its first smartphone last year, it was hailed as an exciting and innovative device, all except for the camera which was of mediocre quality.
But the good news is that Razer is taken steps to improve its quality. This week, following the recent upgrade to Android 8.1 Oreo, the company started rolling out a new update which brings some welcome improvements.
What changed with the latest update?
First off, the new software adds a new camera mode. Most premium smartphones today offer a Portrait Mode which allows users to take pictures where the subject is in focus and the background is blurred. Now you’ll be able to do the same with your Razer Phone.
Secondly, the update delivers the May security patch, alongside a few bug fixes. These fixes cover a number of issues like the multi-touch malfunction many users have been dealing with after the Android 8.1 Oreo update.
Last but certainly not least, Razer has updated the Privacy Policy for GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) compliance.
GDPR is a regulation that requires businesses to protect the personal data and privacy of EU citizens for transactions that occur within EU member states. The new rules around protecting consumer data will be effective starting May 25. You can read more about it on the Razer website.
The update weighs 370MB, so make sure you are connected to a reliable Wi-Fi and have plenty of battery left before downloading and installing it on your Razer Phone.
The new build is rolling out in waves. Hence some users might get it sooner than others, depending on geographical location. If you see the notification on your phone, you can go ahead and install the update. If not, you might have to wait a few days.
Earlier this month, the Razer Phone landed at Best Buy. Previously, the device was available only via Amazon.
Now customers can go down at a Best Buy location and give the Razer Phone a go before deciding whether they actually want to purchase it. The handset is up for grabs for $699 a pop.
Introduced a few generations back in Android 5.0 Lollipop, Trusted Places are a way of getting around your device’s lock screen. Because, let’s face it, PINs, patterns, and fingerprints are great security, but they can get redundant.
Consider how many times you want to check your phone at home. Depending on what sort of lock screen security you’re using, it can be a real nuisance to unlock just to check messages.
Smart Lock, interestingly, isn’t a smarter way to lock your phone; it’s a smarter way of unlocking it. One aspect, Trusted Places, turns security and concern into something you don’t even have to think about. At least when you’re at home.
In short, Trusted Places are just that – a place you trust enough to leave your phone virtually unlocked. For many of us this means our homes. For some, we also feel safe at school, work, or a particular friend’s house.
We’re here to help you set up a Trusted Place, or two, to your phone. But first, a couple of things you should know.
Know This First
Trusted places work best when based on Wi-Fi, and are approximates. You’ll want to have your phone’s location accuracy set as high as possible to get the best results. Keep in mind that walls, ceilings, trees, and other things can affect your GPS signal. Moreover, the estimate is based on a radius of up to 80 meters.
Add a custom place
In the Smart Lock menu, tap Trusted places
Tap ‘Add trusted place’ and you’ll see a map open to your current location
To use this current location, tap ‘Select this location’ and then Select
To pick a different location, tap ‘Search’
Name your trusted location (such as “Work”)
Tap ‘OK’
Edit or remove a custom place
In the Smart Lock menu, tap ‘Trusted places’
From the list of trusted Smart Lock options, pick the place you’d like to edit or remove
Instagram is consistently making changes to improve its app for its users. We’re always writing up about a new feature weekafter week. This week’s new feature is the ability to mute posts from your feed. Muting allows you to no longer see a specific users’ post (or story) without unfollowing them.
You will be able to mute posts straight from your feed. All you need to do is tap the three dots next to a post, select “mute posts,” and confirm. Now you’ll no longer see their posts in your feed, but you’ll still be able to visit their profile and see posts. You’ll also have to go to their profile to unmute their posts to start seeing them in your feed again.
This new mute feature was created as a way to better personalize your feed based on what you want to see. It can also be helpful for managing different types of accounts and dynamics.
Today starts the rollout as the feature is coming “over the coming weeks.” If you don’t have the feature now, wait and keep updating the app and hopefully it will appear soon. Currently, I do not see the feature on my Android or iOS devices. Who out there is anxious for this feature to appear? I may stick with just unfollowing people…
LG announced its new flagship, the G7 ThinQ, earlier this year which we found out everyone would be carrying, besides AT&T. Soon the phone will be available in stores and deals are starting to appear. T-Mobile is showing one of the first advantages of buying from their carrier with a pre-sale starting a week earlier.
T-Mobile is having a pre-sale of the LG G7 ThinQ starting this Friday, May 25th. In which you can go online beginning at 8:00 am EST at T-Mobile’s website and order the phone. This way, you are more than likely going to receive and have the phone before the official June 1st release.
In general, though, T-Mobile will be selling the G7 ThinQ for just $30 down and $30 a month. The carrier is also carrying an exclusive, unique Raspberry Rose color variant to offer as well.
Also coming from T-Mobile is a buy one, get one deal! When you get two LG G7 ThinQ’s on the company’s installment plan, one will be eligible to receive monthly bill credits. As long as you keep both phones on your T-Mobile account, one is virtually free. Great stuff is coming from T-Mobile! Don’t forget to check your T-Mobile Tuesday app today!
TCL on Tuesday confirmed that its Alcatel 3V phone will be available for purchase from Amazon starting next week. First introduced earlier this year at Mobile World Congress, the unlocked Alcatel 3V will carry a $150 price tag.
As a GSM smartphone, the handset is compatible with carriers like AT&T, T-Mobile, and their respective prepaid brands. Powered by Android 8.0 Oreo, the 3V houses a quad-core MediaTek processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB internal storage.
Design & Specs
The first of its kind to feature Alcatel’s SIMGANIC design; the new philosophy includes a “balance of organic and simplicity from a human centric perspective”. In other words, it has 2.5D contoured edge glass and curves everywhere you look.
The 3V boasts a 6-inch display at 2160 x 1080 pixel resolution. With an 18:9 aspect ratio, and a nearly bezel-free edge, it will be easier to hold than older devices with smaller screens.
Cameras & Extras
As for cameras, the 3V as a 12-megapixel rear sensor with a 2-megapixel secondary sensor for depth and bokeh-style photos. Around front you’ll find a 5-megapixel shooter with LED flash. Moreover, the front-facing camera can be be used for Face Key, or facial recognition for security.
The phone also includes a number of extra touches for user experience including Social Mode (photo editing tool), Social Square (side-by-side viewing of pics next to camera), and Instant Collage (image mashups).
Availability
The Alcatel 3V will be available in the US in black for $149.99 starting next week at Amazon. Best Buy and Walmart are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks.
Just last week, the OnePlus 6 was finally unveiled, showing off the hard work that has been put in. The handset hopes to be the ‘flagship killer’ of 2018, with its top-of-the-line specs and even better price.
Speaking of the specs, we have a 6.28-inch AMOLED display with a little notch at the top. Powering the handset is the Snapdragon 845 SoC, which is coupled with up to 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.
OnePlus also packed in an impressive camera system with a primary 16MP lens and a 20MP sensor. On the front, there is a 16MP selfie camera, which also carries the ability for face unlock.
All of this can be had for just $529, which is only a $30 increase over its predecessor. But how well does the device actually perform in day-to-day usage?
The reviews are starting to roll in, and we’re here to share what others in the industry have to say. These range from our contemporaries in the Android space, to other publications such as Wired or Ars Technica in the OnePlus 6 review roundup.
This is not a perfect phone, but it’s one that is worth the $530 asking price. That’s just the 64GB/6GB model. The OnePlus 6 is fast, and you won’t have to spend an hour removing bloatware.
The good
Overall, Android Police gave the OnePlus 6 a great review, stating its a great value at just $530. The handset features a near-stock experience with Oxygen OS and a plethora of extra features.
When it comes to the notch, Android Police states that it’s rather unobtrusive and “doesn’t require an obnoxiously tall status bar”. This is something that Android users will have to get used to over the coming months.
The bad
Not everything is sunshine and daisies in this review, as there are some issues on the camera front. There is a slight improvement over the OnePlus 5T, however, the OP6 still pales in comparison to the Galaxy S9, Pixel 2 and others.
Additionally, there are some complaints when it comes to the glass due to the number of fingerprints that show. This is also a sign of the times, and Android Police recommends picking up an official case or a dbrand skin.
It lacks a couple of features I enjoy on devices that cost considerably more — wireless charging and a high-quality vibration motor, to be specific — but there’s very little else about it with which I can find fault. It’s not the best camera on the market — that honor is still reserved for the Huawei P20 Pro — but it’s a remarkable one for the price.
The good
At the end of the review, Android Central gave the OnePlus 6 a score of 4.5 out of 5. The handset sports a “great” OLED display, while also providing an “attractive design”.
Android Central also states that the camera is “much-improved” over its predecessor. On the software side, the review claims that this is “as good as you’re going to get” when it comes to gestures on Android.
The bad
On the other side of the fence, there are some nit-picky problems that were found with the OnePlus 6. These include frustrating haptic feedback and the fact that the software “lacks a few niceties”.
Considering that the OnePlus 6 shipped with a glass back, many of us expected to see wireless charging. The fact that there is no such feature, is rather disappointing and “would have been nice”.
The OnePlus line has a lot of the same charm as the Nexus line did. It isn’t just the low cost, but also how open the community is towards rooting, ROMing, and other tech enthusiast activities.
The Good
In what seems to be the only opinion of its kind, Android Authority claims that OnePlus is taking over the Nexus “charm”. This means that there is a low-cost device on the market with flagship specs, but has the appeal of being able to dive into rooting and ROMing, without hurdles.
Although the camera does not hold up against others on the market, low-light performance is a “major upgrade”. Plus, the software is “clean, fast, and doesn’t overwhelm you with any unnecessary apps”.
The Bad
For the first time since the OnePlus One, the company stated that its latest device features “daily water resistance”. In today’s day and age, this is rather disappointing as there is no verifiable IP water-proof rating.
Although the OnePlus 6 includes many great software features, Android Authority feels it could use further refinement. This is especially true in the AI Department which “is an area where OnePlus is behind the pack”.
Powerful high-end phone for hundreds less. Good battery life. A screen notch that isn’t as obtrusive as competitors. Packed with useful one-handed gestures.
The Good
Putting it bluntly, the Wired review claims the OnePlus 6 “is a kickass Android phone”. At the $500 price point, the handset is also “the best-unlocked device you can buy”.
Combining its flagship specs with a gorgeous, new, design and software tweaks, there is no better option. Instead, you will get the most out of OnePlus’ latest flagship without dealing with too many compromises.
The Bad
On the other side of the fence, Wired states that its carrier compatibility limitations are frustrating. Only being compatible with GSM networks is rather annoying, as the number of Verizon customers is staggering.
This is only compounded by the fact that the OnePlus 6 actually includes the correct CDMA bands. Also, the glass backing “holds a smudge like nobody’s business”.
The lack of microSD expansion and wireless charging may annoy some, but the OnePlus 6 delivers the best balance between performance and value.
The Good
Jumping out of the gates, Engadget gives the OnePlus 6 a score of 91 out of 100. The device scores points for a “vastly improved camera”, along with its “new elegant design”.
What is even more surprising is that Engadget claims that the OnePlus 6 outperforms the iPhone X. Not that the iPhone X is considered the best option anymore, but it is still mentioned alongside the Pixel 2 and Galaxy S9.
The Bad
Engadget didn’t have too many bad things to say about the OnePlus 6. Instead, the publication stated that the lack of wireless charging and microSD expansion were downfalls.
Also falling in this category was the price, as the OP6 is the most expensive OnePlus phone to-date. But it seems that these are just annoyances and should not deter those from considering the OnePlus 6.
The OnePlus 6 is still a great value, perhaps even more so now that every other flagship phone has ballooned in price.
But it doesn’t change the conversation.
The Good
Despite saying that the OnePlus 6 “doesn’t change the conversation”, the handset scored an 8 out of 10. This is thanks to the “large, vibrant display”, “great software experience”, and “reliable battery life”.
Another notch in the “good” column is that OnePlus isn’t chasing any of the recent trends. This includes the recent surge in random and questionably useful “AI enhancements”. All-in-all, the OnePlus 6 offers the best “bang for the buck”.
The Bad
Complaints from The Verge seem to line up with those from Engadget. Most notably, the lack of support for CDMA carriers such as Verizon or Sprint.
Not including these customers immediately knocks out a large portion of potential customers in the US. Another complaint is that although the OnePlus 6 is gorgeous, there is no smaller option for those who don’t want a 6-inch display.
With a switch to a glass back and a notched display design, OnePlus’ flagship seems more generic than ever. But for that price, it’s still hard to beat.
The Good
When it comes to what OnePlus did right, it all comes down to the price. At $300 cheaper than the competition, the OnePlus 6 is hard to not recommend to those tied to GSM networks.
The OnePlus 6 also excels in community support thanks to the inclusion of an unlocked bootloader, and Project Treble support. The review reminds everyone that you can sign up for the Android P beta program with the new OnePlus 6.
The Bad
On the downside, the Ars Technica review states that the move to a glass back should have included wireless charging. The lack of such technologies is “a straight downgrade over last year”.
Additionally, OnePlus did not share any specific plans for future upgrades to Android. Despite being a part of the Android P beta, the OnePlus 6 should have a clear timeline in the future.
Where is our review?
While other publications have been reviewing their devices for some time, that’s not how we do things here. Instead of spending just a week or two with the handset, we are hard at work putting the OnePlus 6 through its paces.
Stay tuned to the front page, as you should be seeing more content coming in the next few weeks. Let us know if you have any specific questions regarding the OnePlus 6 and we’ll be sure to answer them!
LG just unveiled the mid-range Q7 family of devices. But if you’re looking for something in the entry-level category, then you might be interested to know the LG K30 is now available for purchase as an Amazon Prime Exclusive Phones.
Starting this week, Prime members will be able to grab the LG K30 for only $139.99, instead of the regular $179.99. Amazon sells the phone unlock and in the US, the K30 is compatible with carriers such as Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.
Amazon Prime Exclusive Phones are Android devices sold at discounted prices for Amazon Prime members. The phones used to show ads on the lockscreen, but that’s not the case anymore. Instead, the devices are ad-free but come with some Amazon apps preinstalled like Amazon Shopping and Prime Video.
What will $139.99 get you?
Since we’re talking about an entry-level device, don’t expect the LG K30 to come with mind-blowing specs. Even so, it includes the basics and most importantly it keeps the price low, which makes it perfect for anyone who doesn’t want to spend a fortune on a smartphone.
The handset packs a 5.3-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and relies on a Snapdragon 425 processor. LG also throws in 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage on this model.
If you feel you need more, there’s a microSD card slot on board which lets users expand internal memory up to 2TB.
Customers will also get an 8-megapixel rear-facing camera and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Although not very impressive, the two snappers will get the job done when needed.
The phone will also ship with the Alexa app pre-installed. Amazon’s artificial intelligence-powered voice assistant is spreading like wildfire, and is now available on entry-level phones too. What’s more, users can easily set Alexa as their default assistant app after updating the Alexa app.
Unfortunately, the LG K30 runs the outdated Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box. Will it get Oreo at some point? It might but chances are quite slim.
But if you can get past that, the LG K30 seems like a good deal at only $139.99.
Last year following the launch of the G6 flagship, LG introduced a mid-range line of devices called Q6.
The Q series basically offered essential premium features like a FullVision display, but at affordable price tags. And this year, LG returned with a refreshed lineup.
The company just unveiled the Q7, Q7+ and Q7α models this week. The new smartphones will first go on sale in Europe next, followed by select markets in the Americas and Asia.
All three new models come with a 5.5-inch FullVision display with FHD+ resolution (2160 x 1080 pixels) and an 18:9 aspect ratio. So unlike the G7 ThinQ flagship, the Q7 series does not boast a notch design.
What sets the three models apart?
The main differentiators here are the amount of memory and the cameras. But before we go on to detail each model, we should also note the three phones include either a 1.5GHz octa-core or a 1.8GHz octa-core processor.
The standard Q7 version includes 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. Customers who need more should probably consider getting the Q7+ model which includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. Last but not least, the Q7α has the same internal configuration as the Q7, meaning you get 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Moving on to cameras, the Q7 takes advantage of a 13-megapixel rear-facing snapper with PDAF, while the Q7+ has a 16-megapixel main camera living on the back. LG will allow users to choose between having an 8-megapixel or a Super Wide Angle 5-megapixel selfie camera on the front.
As for the Q7α, it will be offered with a 13-megapixel camera with PDAF and a Super Wide Angle 5-megapixel selfie camera.
The Q7 trio will come packing durable metal bodies. The devices are also MIL-STD-810G-compliant and IP68 waterproof. All versions come with a 3,000 mAh battery and run Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box.
What’s more, customers who will be opting for the Q7+ version will also get Quad DACs, just like on the G7 ThinQ or V30.
LG said that pricing details for the Q7 family will be announced locally at the time of availability. But expect them to be moderately affordable.
