It’s flagship smartphone season which means this is the time of year where a lot of people spend quite a bit on their new mobile device. Maybe not all at once, but over time, consumers are dropping hundreds of dollars on something they throw in their pocket. Some are even spending upwards of $1,000 for a phone.
You Tell Us
We’re curious; what’s the most you’ve ever spent on a smartphone? Are you the type who has to have the latest and greatest or are you content with picking up last year’s model and saving a few bucks?
We’d like to hear what your buying habits are and whether you’ve spent a bunch on a phone. Do you regret it? Were you happy to do it? Do you plan to do it again? There’s no wrong answer here.
Share your opinion and win a $25 Gift Card!
Leave us a comment below with the most you’ve ever spent on a smartphone. We’ll go through the comments after one week and randomly select a winner. If your name is drawn, you’ll win a $25 Google Play Gift Card. Use it to buy apps, games, movies, eBooks, or music — you decide!
Comments entered before Sunday, May 13 (11:59PM PST) will be counted. As long as you’re on point and stick to the topic, we’ll consider you for the drawing!
Another week has gone by, and that means it’s time for a slew of new deals to be revealed. We have found some of the best devices, accessories, and general tech that are on sale this week.
This time around, we have some great deals on the Galaxy S8, Xiaomi devices, and even a budget Sony option. In the accessory department, there are steep discounts on expandable storage and some impressive smartwatches.
Yes, we know. The Galaxy S8 is now more than a year old and is all but irrelevant thanks to the Galaxy S9. However, this deal for the unlocked S8 is too good to pass up.
For a limited time, you can get the unlocked Galaxy S8 for just $585, down from its retail price of $725. The best part is that this is a new device, so you won’t have to worry about any refurbished products.
It’s true that more and more OEM’s are moving away from expandable storage. This has been the narrative for the last few years.
However, if you own a device with a microSD card slot, you’ll want to pick up the SanDisk Ultra 200GB microSD card. Normally this card is priced at $85, but you can hit the button below and get it for just over $65.
Do you have a product, service, app, or game that’s on sale? We’d love to hear about it. Please take a few minutes to fill out this form and we’ll consider it for an upcoming post.
It’s Saturday, which means you probably have the day off. The world is yours and the weather is great! But, before you get started on yard work or head off to run errands, spend a few minutes with us.
We’re here to help you find something awesome to purchase for yourself or someone else. Be it an accessory for your phone, a new app to chew through your spare time, or something else, we aim to put things on your proverbial radar.
What you’ll find below is a collection of items that the staff has gathered up which we feel merit your attention. Take a look through this short list and you might find your next favorite thing!
realMYST
It might be 25 years old, but we remember playing it like it was yesterday. A true port of the original PC game, this one comes to us from both its original developer, Cyan World’s, and Noodlecake Studios.
Set aside some 700MBs worth of space as you head back into one of the most popular titles of the 1990’s. Dive in, look around, write down your notes and drawings, and just explore the beauty that is MYST.
If you’ve never played the original game, you owe it to yourself to at least give this a try. At a fraction of the cost of what it was the first time around, you’ll be in the Channelwood Age, Selenitic Age, and Stoneship Age trying to figure out what to do.
There’s help available if you really need it, but we dare you to stay away. We didn’t have the internet to help us in 1994; you should have to tough it, too! Download from the Play Store for about $7.
Thinium
Part phone charger, part external power supply, and part kickstand. That’s how we’d bill this guy. Not only does this give your charging setup a low profile, but it also tosses in an extra 3,000mAh worth of juice, too. It doesn’t matter how old your handset is or whether it’s microUSB, USB Type C, or Apple. Thanks to its included adapters, the Thinium works with any device you own.
Go ahead, plug your phone in on the counter top and keep it snug against the wall and free from the messy cable. Unique design includes a charging dock as well. Pick it up for about $70.
Xiaomi 10,000 Mi Power Bank Pro
We might not have any Xiaomi phones available in the US just yet, but that doesn’t mean we can’t check out its other tech. The recently introduced Mi Power Bank Pro (approximately $27.99) is super thin, but packs enough juice to charge your typical phone up at least three times.
At less than one half inch thick, it travels well in a pocket or purse. Whether camping, spending a night on the town, or just being too lazy to get off the couch, you’ll appreciate this little guy.
The two-way fast charging means you won’t spend much time with it plugged into your phone. The 18W tech gets you charged about 40% faster than your standard power banks.
Minty Icons
If you’ve got a custom launcher installed on your Android phone, you’ve definitely got to try some new icons. We recently ran across this free bundle from Patryk Goworowski which includes hundreds of the most common icons. There’s no hard theme across them; it’s not circle or square, rustic, or gradient.
We like the color palette used here as it’s consistent across all icons. It might take a little bit of time to get used to them, but we think you’ll like the approach. There are only four wallpapers included, but the icons work well with pretty much all backgrounds. Give these a try if you’re in the market for something a little more timeless.
RapidX X5 Car Charger
Face it, you have to fight for the car charger when traveling with at least one other person. Whether your phone needs it or not, you’re conditioned to plugging in and refueling while on the go. What happens when you’ve got a whole car full of people with the same mentality?
The X5 Charger turns your single adapter into five ports. At five feet long, it splits things up with two USB ports in the front and another three hanging out in the back seat. It works with 12V-24V outlets and plays nicely with iOS or Android. Best of all, the intelligent charging means you get the fastest charge possible. Choose from a variety of colors and pick one up for about $25.
It should come as no surprise that Xiaomi devices are not easy to get ahold of. The same rings true for the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2, along with other handsets.
However, our friends at GearBest are here to help everyone get the devices they truly want. And what makes this situation even better is the fact that you can save a few bucks to get the Mi Mix 2.
When browsing other sites like eBay or Amazon, you’ll notice that the Mi Mix 2 is pretty expensive. Some retailers are throwing an even bigger premium on the device, coming in over $600.
But that’s not how Gearbest rolls, as the retailer is offering more than 30% off of the Mi Mix 2. For a limited time, you can get the Global Version of the Mi Mix 2 for just $399.99.
It’s important to remember that this device will ship from China, so it may take some time. However, if you don’t mind paying less than $5, you can get “Expedited Shipping”. This will bring the Mi Mix 2 to your doorstep in less than 10 days.
The Xiaomi Mi Mix 2 in white
As a reminder, the Mi Mix 2 features a 5.99-inch display with a 2:1 aspect ratio and resolution of 2160 x 1080. Powering the handset is the Snapdragon 835 chipset, which is coupled with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
In the camera department, we have a standard 5MP sensor on the front, along with a respectable 12MP on the rear. Finally, the handset sports a 3,400mAh battery, which should keep you lasting throughout the day.
For those hoping to use this on a CDMA carrier, you will be out of luck. Instead, the Mi Mix 2 is only compatible with GSM networks such as T-Mobile or AT&T.
If you want to pick up the Mi Mix 2 for yourself, be sure to hit the button below. In the meantime, let us know what your favorite feature of Xiaomi’s device is.
One of the most frustrating aspects of purchasing an Android phone is software updates. OEM’s are notoriously sluggish at bringing its previous flagships up to date. And LG with the V30 is no different.
LG V30 Oreo Update
However, there are sometimes that not all of the onus can be left on the OEM, as the carrier gets in the way. This is where the T-Mobile LG V30 falls in.
We have already seen updates to the LG V30 from Verizon, Sprint, and AT&T. Although T-Mobile subscribers have been left out of the loop wondering what is going on.
The wait is now over, as the Android 8.0 Oreo update is now available for the LG V30. But there’s a catch.
Instead of being able to update your handset through the normal methods, you’ll need a computer. That’s right. If you want to update your V30 to Oreo, you’ll need to use the LG Bridge computer software.
After the software has been downloaded and your V30 is connected, then you will be able to update. Unfortunately, there has been no mention of when the update will roll out via OTA.
As for what the update brings along, it has been confirmed that the new “ThinQ” branding is on board. This started after the V30 ThinQ was launched at MWC 2018, as LG is looking to change things up a bit.
However, unless the company doesn’t get software updates under control, LG may be doomed. If you happened to update to Oreo on your V30, be sure to let us know if you notice anything else new other than the new branding.
For the gamers out there, you may be pretty stoked to see Razer expanding its phone availability. The company has announced that the Razer Phone is now available from Best Buy.
Previously, the handset was only available through Razer’s online storefront or Amazon. But this expansion makes life easier for you to be able to pick one up through a big-box store.
However, the fun doesn’t stop there, as Razer threw in a nice discount. Instead of sticking to the standard $699 price tag, you can save $100 when buying the Razer Phone from Best Buy.
Razer Phone Specs
5.7-inch Display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC
8GB RAM
64GB Storage
8MP Front Camera
Dual 12MP Rear Cameras
4,000mAh Battery
In my opinion, the best part about Razer’s expansion is the ability to actually go to a Best Buy location to check out its latest device. Razer already has a huge presence in Best Buy with its PC gaming peripherals. So making this move with the Razer Phone makes perfect sense.
We aren’t really sure if the $599 price tag is worth it considering you are getting last year’s specs. This is especially true considering that the OnePlus 6 is just a few weeks away, and will likely be around the same price.
Google this past week, introduced a revamped Gmail interface, along with a dedicated Tasks app for Android and iOS.
Known for its scattered approach to messaging, Google fares no better when it comes to its to-do list apps. The search giant has been offering Google Keep for taking notes, Google Reminders, and Google Tasks, which was previously buried somewhere in Gmail’s messy interface.
In an attempt to declutter this confusing landscape, and give you a viable alternative to sort through your daily chores, Google has outed the Tasks app. One of the big barriers to adoption for Google Tasks in the past was the lack of a dedicated mobile app. Now this issue has been solved.
You can download the Google Tasks app from the Google Play Store for free. Just install it and tap on the Tasks icon to launch it on your Android device.
Impressions
Let’s get one thing clear from the start: Google Tasks is not a full-featured to-do list app. In fact, the app is extremely minimalist when it comes to both interface and function. It sticks to the basics in order to get the job done. Well, at least in part. Hey, at least it won’t distract you with any flashy elements, right?
To start creating lists, simply access the app and tap the “Get started” button. Then tap on “Add a new task”. It’s quite easy.
Check the hamburger menu which expands into a little overlay if you want to:
Change your account
Switch between tasks lists
Create a new one
The app lets you create as many lists as you want/need and create sub-tasks too. Simply tap the Add a new task blue button and type a relevant text.
Tap on a particular task to add more info, such as:
Additional details
Date
Adding a sub-task
Tasks can be reordered manually. Just tap on the three dots in the bottom left corner and tap on My order. Tap the checkmark next to each task to complete one or you can swipe them from left to right. There’s also the option to delete all completed tasks, otherwise they will show up in a sub-menu under Completed.
The app sends notifications to remind you a task is due. However, in my experience some notifications got lost and were never delivered.
Tasks are also accessible in the new Gmail interface. Tap the icon located on the vertical panel on the right and start adding tasks. You can also add emails as tasks in the web Gmail interface, just drag and drop them. Everything will be synced between the web and mobile version.
While its main drawing point is the Gmail integration, Tasks is a very limited service which can’t yet compete with the likes of Todoist.
But apparently, that’s exactly what Google was looking to offer – a “simple-to-use and straightforward tasks app.” Nothing more. Although, Tasks product manager Florian Goerisch revealed there are plans to bring additional features to the app.
We’ve seen what Tasks can do, but what can’t it do? Well many things. For example you won’t be able to set reminders or assign a certain time to a task, share lists with others, add tags or alarms. There’s also no integration with the Google Assistant.
Wrap-up
Even though I fully appreciate Tasks’ simplicity, I can’t help feeling Google left out some essential features that would have really made the app a lot better. Like the ability to set a time deadline for your task. But hopefully, the app will get better over time, since there’s clearly plenty room for a lot of improvement.
We already know that the OnePlus 6 will be unveiled on May 16th at an event in London. However, the device had not yet been certified by either the FCC or China’s TENAA certifications.
OnePlus 6 on TENAA
That has changed, as the handset has passed through TENAA, revealing some specs. Unlike other TENAA listings, the one for the OnePlus A6000 does not give us a look at the device.
On the spec front, the certification reveals a chipset clocked at 2.45GHZ. This may be a bit odd to some, as the Snapdragon 845 is clocked at up to 2.8GHz. However, OnePlus likely turned things down a bit to help save on battery life.
The certification also confirmed that there will be a model with 6GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. We are expecting OnePlus to stick with its recent trend of offering handsets with up to 8GB of RAM, so there’s no concern here.
Moving back to the battery, the certifications confirm a 3,300mAh battery will be on board. This is a bit disappointing, but hopefully, the underclocked CPU will help keep the device trucking along.
When it comes to the dimensions, the OnePlus 6 will measure in at 155.7 x 75.35 x 7.75mm. As for the display, OnePlus will use a 6.28-inch AMOLED display, with a resolution of 2280 x 1080.
Surprisingly, this will be even larger than the display found on the OnePlus 5T. Although the included notch is likely the culprit for this increase in display size. Nonetheless, OnePlus has already confirmed that there will be software tweaks to hide the notch if you want to.
Finally, the TENAA listing confirms some specs in the camera department. On the front, the OnePlus 6 will sport a 16MP sensor, which will likely also be able to act as a face unlock.
Moving to the rear, we will again have a dual-camera setup. There will be a primary 16MP sensor and a secondary 20MP lens, which falls in line with previous leaks and rumors.
We’re just under two weeks away from seeing the official launch of the OP6. Sound off in the comments below and let us know whether you’re excited for this handset to finally be released.
We previously told you AT&T confirmed that it will not be stocking LG’s latest flagship, the G7 ThinQ. Instead, the carrier is going to offer a new exclusive LG phone beginning this summer.
In the official statement, the company said that it already offers a “strong lineup of devices from LG”, but failed to mention any more details regarding the upcoming handset.
Now a new report coming out of AndroidHeadlines reveals that the phone in question will most likely be the LG V35 ThinQ. It’s not the first time the V35 ThinQ gets mentioned, as the phone first leaked last month.
LG V35 ThinQ leaks in official-looking renders
Yet this time around, we get also get a couple of renders to look at. And as you can see from the images, the V35 ThinQ looks almost indistinguishable from the LG V30S ThinQ, which recently went up for pre-order in the US. The frontal pic also clearly shows that the phone is registered on AT&T’s network.
According to the info available, the upcoming phone will apparently take advantage of a 6-inch QHD+ OLED display with 80% screen-to-body ratio and won’t have a notch. It will also include a dual rear camera setup à la G7 ThinQ (two 16-megapixel sensors) and a 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.
Need more proof that the V35 ThinQ is indeed the mysterious LG phone headed for AT&T? Recently, reliable leakster @evleaks revealed in a Tweet that the V35 ThinQ (Emma) will arrive around the same time as the G7 ThinQ.
V35 ThinQ (Emma) is arriving around the same time as G7 ThinQ (Neo/Judy), while V40 ThinQ (Storm) is the late summer / early fall flagship. https://t.co/dDLeTYwKEf
What’s more, a second phone in the V series, the V40 ThinQ (Storm) will launch towards the end of summer/ early fall.
At this point, it’s unclear at the moment in what ways the V35 ThinQ will be superior to the V30S ThinQ or G7 ThinQ. We’ll have to assume the improvements are going to be significant, otherwise, it wouldn’t make much sense.
Of course, nothing has been confirmed just yet, so take this info with a grain of salt for the time being.
Need another reason to start using Samsung Pay on your Galaxy phone? Well, Samsung just announced it will start offering cash back to customers who use the service to pay for select items.
This will be done through the new Cash Back program for Samsung Pay which has started rolling out exclusively for users in the US.
Now, when you check your Samsung Pay app, you’ll find there’s a new section in home screen which shows you exclusive offers from select retailers. Initial partners include eBay, Etsy, Instacart, Walmart and Warby Parker.
Once you’ve see an offer you like, all you need to do is to tap on it and make the purchase. You’ll instantly get a percentage back in your Samsung Pay wallet. The funds can be spent anywhere you use Samsung Pay.
Samsung’s new scheme encourages you to use Samsung Pay
Note that the new initiative is independent of Samsung’s Reward Points program, which will continue to operate as usual. Speaking of Reward Points, the company said users will be able to purchase points later this month.
So if you’re merely a few points away from getting an S-View Cover for your Galaxy S9, you’ll soon be able to buy the remaining points. As opposed to just shopping aimlessly just so you can get additional points.
Samsung launched its mobile payment service three years ago. Like in the case of Apple Pay or Google Pay, you wave your smartphone above a point-of-sale terminal to pay for goods.
Since launching the service, Samsung has expanded it beyond merely letting users pay for items with their phones. For example, it works in concert with Bixby, so you can take a picture of an item and the virtual assistant will you what it is and where can you buy it.
Now Samsung has added a new perk for Samsung Pay users to take advantage of. With the mobile payments market being as fiercely competitive as it is, Samsung Pay hopes to stand out thanks to the new cashback scheme.
