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BlackBerry Mobile will unveil its latest handset, the ‘Key2’, on June 7th

Andrew Myrick
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While Samsung, LG, and Huawei are making headlines, BlackBerry Mobile

is trying to join the fun. The company posted to Twitter stating that the new BlackBerry Key2 would be announced on June 7th.

BlackBerry Key2

The event will be held at 10 AM in New York City, and we are unsure whether this will only be live-streamed. There’s obviously a strong possibility that BlackBerry could have some type of hands-on event.

As for what we are expecting, there have not been very many rumors. Previously, the ‘Athena’ was being leaked which was set to be the successor to the KeyOne.

Speaking of the KeyOne, the handset is still quite popular with its 4.5-inch display and Snapdragon 625 chipset. This is coupled with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.

The leaked handset shows that there will be a full QWERTY keyboard placed below the display. Additionally, the fingerprint scanner is likely to be embedded into the space bar on the keyboard.

In the spec department, the Key2 is unlikely to be a true flagship from BlackBerry Mobile. Instead, we are expecting to see the Snapdragon 600 SoC, along with 6GB of RAM.

Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a few more weeks before TCL shows off what it has been working on. Surprisingly, the KeyOne was one of the more underrated devices when it launched, and TCL is hoping to see the same with the Key2.

Let us know what you think about the BlackBerry Key2 and if you are interested in seeing what’s to come. It seems that the company is going to corner the market for those who want a hardware keyboard.

Urban Armor Gear Pathfinder case for OnePlus 5T review

Alexandra Arici
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The OnePlus 5T is a great smartphone coming with top specifications and a fair price. Even so, it’s far from being a perfect handset. For example, while the device feels good in hand, it’s extremely slippery.

OnePlus solved this with the Sandstone White version of the flagship. With a matte finish and slight texture, it provides significantly more grip. But if you own the Midnight Black model, it’s highly recommended that you use a protective case with your phone.

There’s no shortage of covers for the OnePlus 5T out there, but if you’re looking for something more rugged you should probably check out what Urban Armor Gear has to offer.

Part of the Pathfinder series, the Urban Armor Gear case for the OnePlus 5T is among the lightest cases ever designed by UAG.

Unfortunately, it does add some bulk. Without a case, the OnePlus 5T is a very sleek device. But snap the UAG case on and the device automatically loses its slimness and becomes more voluminous.

On the bright side of things, the case provides two-layer protection and is military standard MIL-STD 810G-516.6 compliant. Consumers can trust MIL-STD-810G as a primary indicator that the case was designed to, at minimum, survive a four-foot drop and come out unharmed. The case’s armor shell and impact resistant soft core see to that.

The case features oversized tactile buttons and facilitates easy access to the touchscreen and ports. The protective cover offers full compatibility with the OnePlus 5T’s fingerprint scanner, frontal and rear cameras, including face unlock.

The highlight here is represented by the oversized clicky buttons for power and volume which provide a rewarding user experience.

Most rugged cases are usually too bulky to support wireless compatibility with NFC payment systems. However, this particular case is slim enough so you can still use services such as Google Pay.

Does the case protect against falls as advertised?

Yeah, it does. The bumper is raised around the glass to help protect the display, so even if you drop your phone on the floor or on the sidewalk, the screen will come out unharmed. I’m usually pretty clumsy, which makes me prone to dropping phones a lot. But with the UAG case on, I don’t have to worry about shattering the OnePlus 5T’s beautiful AMOLED display anymore.

So should you invest in a UAG case for your OnePlus 5T? Yes, because the accessory can provide great protection. Mind you, it’s not a versatile case, meaning it does not double as a stand or anything like that. But it gets the job done. It will keep your phone away from harm’s say.

Yet, two things keep me from recommending this case wholeheartedly. First off, it’s pretty bulky. The OnePlus 5T is a sleek, beautiful device. But slapping the UAG case on it will transform it into a sturdy beast. I over exaggerate a bit, but you get the point.

Secondly, the case costs $39.95, which is quite a lot to pay for an additional accessory. Especially when there are more affordable options available. For example, the Anccer Ultra-Slim Hard Case keeps the flagship killer beautiful and only costs $12.

On the other hand, OnePlus’ official cases aren’t exactly cheap either. The OnePlus 5T Bumper Case in Ebony Wood/Rosewood or Carbon will take you back with $29.95.

In Brief: Episode .5

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 sit down to discuss some of the big news coming out of Google I/O 2018 including Android P, machine learning, and mobile software updates. We also talk about the rumored Pixel watches which could arrive later this year.

It’s our goal to keep these podcasts short; in the future they will be around fifteen minutes or less. Given this was a pretty big week for Google we decided to spend a little extra time opining and speculating. Enjoy!

Why is this episode called .5, you ask? Because we’re beta testing ourselves and doing it in the real world. We’ll iterate and improve and be on track with the formal numbering convention in no time!

Google will introduce up to three Pixel-branded watches this year

Source

  • Famous leaker and VentureBeat mobile reporter Evan Blass tweeted out that besides the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, and new Pixel Buds, Google will introduce a Pixel-branded watch this year.
  • Roland Quandt, another writer and leaker followed up that the company would be releasing not one, but three new watches.
  • The codename for the watches are Ling, Triton, and Sardine
  • The watches will be based on the new Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 platform
  • The Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 will feature a quad-core CPU with an unknown clock rate. They will feature GPS, LTE, and VoLTE support. It will also feature the Bluetooth codec apt-X for better audio streaming.
  • The chip is basically a Snapdragon Wear 2100 but with better power management

Google to require that OEMs roll out regular security patches

Source

  • At Google I/O, David Kleidermacher (Google’s head of Android Platform Security) stated that Google is working on building in security patching into its OEM agreements. “This will lead to a massive increase in the number of devices and users receiving regular security patches.”
  • Kleidermacher stated that Google is making it easier for OEMs to roll out security patches thanks to architectural changes that come with Project Treble
  • Google releases security patches in the first week of the month for its down devices
    It gives the security patches to OEMs one month in advance but sometimes the OEMs either wait to deploy them or never deploy them at all
  • A recent study from SecurityLab found that some OEMs like OnePlus, Honor, HTC, Blue, and others can take months to deploy any security patches at all with some devices only seeing quarterly updates

Android P features revealed at Google I/O

Source

  • Android P will do away with the familiar navigation buttons and move to a chip at the bottom of the screen you can use to go home, pull up the multitasking window, or the apps list. A back button will appear when you can actually go back, but will not when there are no back actions
  • A new “Android Dashboard” will show you exactly what you’re spending your time doing while on your phone to give you a better idea of how you’re wasting your time.
  • A new “Adaptive Battery” feature will attempt to increase battery life through optimization. It gives more power to applications you’re using while pushing idle apps to low-power cords
    Adaptive Brightness looks at how you manually set brightness and then adjusts auto-brightness to your preferences. Will use machine learning to find the perfect brightness for you, not just relying on the light sensor.
  • New App Standby Buckets classify your apps by how much you use them and then assigns the number of system resources the app can use. This should dynamically save battery.
  • via Android Authority:
    • If an app is placed in the active bucket, the system does not impose any restrictions. For example, an app that is open or running a foreground service is categorized as “active.”
    • An app that is placed in the working set bucket is subject to mild system restrictions. An app that runs often but is currently inactive will be characterized as such. These apps may not be able to run jobs or trigger alarms.
    • An app is in the frequent bucket if it is used regularly but not daily. These apps, which may include apps like workout assistants, are subject to stronger. restrictions on their ability to run jobs and trigger alarms. The system also imposes a cap on high-priority FCM messages.
    • If an app is not used often, it is placed in the rare bucket, which means that its ability to run jobs, trigger alarms, and receive high-priority FCM messages is strictly restricted. The system also places a limit on its ability to connect to the Internet.
    • The never bucket, as the name suggests, is for apps that have been installed but have never been run. They are subject to severe restrictions.

Google Duplex

Source

  • In a demo shown off at I/O 2018, Google showed off Duplex, a technology that allows Assistant to have real conversations with people over the phone
  • The focus of Duplex right now is to have Assistant call and set up appointments or reservations for you, so you don’t have to make the call
  • The voice sounds just like a human even putting in pauses, “ums” and using realistic inflection.
  • Google plans to test the service with a small number of users later this Summer with no release date hinted at
  • Many people are calling the technology revolutionary while there are those that are freaked out and call it creepy. Some tech commentators like MKBHD have brought up the Turing Test as well.
  • Google has since said it will put a disclaimer on the calls when they are made

Google plans to make slow security patches a thing of the past

Alexandra Arici
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According to a new report quoting Google’s head of Android security, David Kleidermacher, the company could soon require OEM partners to roll out regular security patches.

The Google executive was giving a speech during the Google I/O developer conference this week when he revealed that:

“We’ve also worked on building security patching into out our OEM agreement. Now this will really lead to a massive increase in the number of devices and users receiving regular security patches.”

In order to keep devices as safe as possible, Google has been releasing monthly security patches for Android ever since 2015. But under this new agreement, OEMs should also start rolling out available new updates as soon as possible. At the moment this is not a requirement and sometimes these patches take weeks or even more to arrive.

More info on the new OEM agreement should be revealed soon

Google is more than justified to want to take action in this direction. A recently published two-year-long study by Security Research Labs found that many Android phone makers were far behind with security updates. Even worse, some were apparently lying about the latest security updates applied on their phones.

The results are undoubtedly a cause for concern. But hopefully, Google’s new OEM agreement will be a move in the right direction.

Yet many details about the upcoming program remain unknown at the moment. We are only left to speculate how often will updating be required. Or to wonder about how Google will be able to verify that an OEM is providing regular updates.

Whatever the agreement ends up looking like, one thing is certain. Google is keen to improve the Android update situation. And not only while security patches are concerned. Google has also made it easier for smartphone manufacturers to work on updates for their Android devices, thanks to the architectural changes implemented with Project Treble.

123FormBuilder: True mobility without network constraints (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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Have you ever needed to collect data, add photos to field reports, or fill out inspection checklists while out in the field?

When you are doing fieldwork, relying on network coverage is not the best idea, especially in remote areas. What can you do if the network coverage is down?

123FormBuilder just launched a new mobile app that allows you to collect data anytime, anywhere… Even if you temporarily have no network coverage.

Field workers who need to collect data, add photos to field reports or fill out inspection checklists are now able to do all of these even when the network coverage is down.

How does it work? It’s pretty simple, actually. The app uses the internal device storage to securely collect and store all form submissions, photos or any other type of uploaded documents right there in your phone. That way, you can use it offline, and not lose any data! Then, once you reach an area with network coverage, the app automatically syncs all the submissions and sends all the required data to the 3rd party apps supported by the native integration suite.

Core capabilities:

  • Users can view and fill out forms on their mobile device online and offline. Even while in offline mode, all form features (like the conditional dynamic behavior) are preserved.
  • While in offline mode, collected data is stored on the device123formbuilder. When internet connectivity is reached, all data is synced in the cloud.
  • File uploads are supported in offline mode as well. This is especially useful when users need to take photos on the field.
  • Users can view and edit form entries both online and offline.
  • Forms are fully responsive, looking and working well on any mobile device.
  • Data is securely stored on your device

123FormBuilder has built their mobile & offline app working closely with partners from multiple industries, focusing on day to day use cases in order to improve efficiency and enhance mobility.

The app is available for both Android and iOS devices and it’s free to use with a 123FormBuilder account which users can create directly on their device.

Instagram Stories gets a new type of poll, the Emoji Slider

Alexandra Arici
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Another day, another new feature makes its way to Instagram’s popular Stories. The photo-centric app just announced a new variation of its polling sticker in Stories.

It’s called the “Emoji Slider” and you can put it on photos or videos just like used to with the regular polling sticker. The difference is that you’ll be able to get more nuanced answers about how your followers feel about something.

Instead of simply picking between two suggestions, the emoji sliding scale will allow Instagram users to better convey their preferences.

For example, you could add an emoji slider to ask people what they think of an artist’s new single or how they like their food.

How to add the emoji slider to your Story

To add an emoji slider sticker to your Instagram story, tap on the sticker tray located in the upper right corner. Select the emoji slider from the available options, then select the emoji you want to use. Type up your question and you’re good to go.

When you see an emoji question in one of your friend’s stories, drag the emoji left or right to respond. When satisfied, release it. Afterwards you’ll be able to see the average response.

The new feature is part of the Instagram version 44 update, downloadable in the Google Play Store and App Store.

In related news, Instagram has recently taken yet another step towards becoming at least in part, a shopping app.

Starting this week, the Facebook-owned app is giving users the option of buying movie tickets without leaving the application. Both Fandango and Atom Tickets have announced ticketing integration on Instagram.

Also, another quick reminder that you can now upload photos and videos in-batch to Stories. The recently added feature lets users add up to 10 pieces of media in one go. Folks can select the pics and videos and edit each one before posting them.

As many as three ‘Pixel’ smartwatches could launch with the Pixel 3

Andrew Myrick
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We already had a pretty good idea that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL would be launched this October. However, we’re seeing some early rumors suggesting that new Pixel-branded smartwatches could also launch (possibly the Pixel Watch).

Pixel Watch

The notorious leaker, Evan Blass (@evleaks) shared that the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL would be coming this Fall. Additionally, we could see the brand-new Pixel Buds, along with Google’s first Pixel-branded smartwatch.

Not much else was shared until Roland Quandt jumped in on the fun. Quandt stated that there would actually be three Pixel-branded smartwatches.

These smartwatches, codenamed “Triton”, “Ling”, and “Sardine” will all be powered by the new Snapdragon Wear 3100. This is Qualcomm’s first new Wear OS chipset since the launch of the Wear 2100 back in 2016.

This Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset is said to vastly improve upon battery life compared to its predecessor. This is due to the Qualcomm’s new power management system, named “Blackghost”.

Other Wear OS manufacturers are expected to use this new chipset, including Fossil, Movado, and TAG Heuer. Unfortunately, there has been no official announcement from any of these OEM’s.

While there aren’t any specifics regarding the Pixel 3 or Pixel Buds, we have some hopes and dreams. The original Pixel Buds seem to be quite a good set of Bluetooth headphones. However, these aren’t the true AirPods competitor that we were hoping for.

Instead, I would like to see Google release a fully-wireless set of Pixel Buds. Of course, the Google Assistant functionality would come on board, and there would likely be some type of charging case.

As for the Pixel 3, I’m hoping to see the smaller of the two devices move to a bezel-less design. Obviously, the Snapdragon 845 chipset will be onboard, and this will be paired with at least 4GB of RAM.

On the other side of the table, there’s a chance that Google could move to a dual-camera system of sorts. The Pixel 2 is already one of, if not the best smartphone camera on the market. A move to a dual-camera system would be extremely welcomed and would likely open the door for more features.

 

Eight best educational apps for teens

Alexandra Arici
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Teenagers and smartphones are an unstoppable force. It would be extremely hard today to find a single high school in the Western world where the hallways aren’t crowded with teenagers texting or taking selfies.

But this trend has spiked a wave of worry among adults. Is all that time spent messaging, listening to music and playing gamers really good for kids? Opinions vary, of course. But we can all agree that if used right, technology can become a powerful educational tool. For those wondering, “Can someone write my paper for me?” educational apps and tools can offer similar benefits to help students excel.

So rather than trying to enforce strict time limits for phone use, parents might want to consider getting educational apps on their teenagers’ devices. A well-chosen app can boost a child’s learning or even help him/her overcome a specific challenge.

Here are eight great apps that you may want to encourage your teen to use.

The Moron Test

What it is:

Developed by DistinctDev, the Moron Test is a fun app which challenges players to solve seemingly simple yet tricky puzzles and tasks.

Why we like it:

  • It has simple but cute, colorful graphics. The background looks like a piece of paper and the numbers and images that appear look like things you’d normally hang on the wall of a classroom.
  • Each puzzle comes with its own set of instructions, so learning how to play it’s easy. Some are to the point, while others require you to pause and think a bit before acting.
  • The game includes six different sections including Skip Day, Food Fight and Tricky Treat featuring hundreds of puzzles. Want more puzzles? You can install and download The Moron Test 2.

Install The Moron Test

TED

What it is:

TED is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing important ideas on a variety of topics. It brings together the world’s most innovative people, including teens to deliver short powerful talks on certain issues. The TED app offers access to all these talks.

Why we like it:

  • Provides access to the entire TED Talks video library, with subtitles in over 100 languages.
  • Easily lets teens learn something new by letting them browse certain categories (for example: What would it be like to live on another planet or The evolution of music). You can also browse by mood.
  • Allows users to download the talk in video or audio format for later offline use.
  • Great for fostering curiosity in young minds.

Install TED

Lumosity

What it is:

A compelling brain training app developed by Lumos Labs, which aims to help you develop your memory, attention and more.

Why we like it:

  • There’s actual science behind this app. Games are based on common and neuropsychological tasks that challenge core cognitive skills.
  • On top of its database of games intended to work your cognitive skills (like information processing or spatial orientation), the app has also a Mindfulness category that includes meditation sessions.
  • The app is available in various languages including English, German, Japanese, Portuguese or Korean.

Install TED

Narrate

What it is:

Narrate is an app that can teach teens the benefits of keeping a dairy, as expressive writing is known for being a pathway to psychological healing.

Why we like it:

  • Narrate demonstrates journal-keeping is not as overrated as one might think. The app has a beautiful, minimalist interface that’s bound to inspire users to record their thoughts and experiences.
  • Gives you the ability to sync your journal across all the devices you own, so you can access your diary everywhere.
  • Let’s you save photos and to categorize them using tags.

Install Narrate

Ready4Sat

What it is:

An app developed by Ready4 and aimed at teens who are prepping for their SATs. It gives students access to over 1,000 questions with detailed answer explanations and more.

Why we like it:

  • Turns your teen’s smartphone into a personal tutor. Includes intuitive lessons which go through must-know SAT concepts step-by-step.
  • Gives access to hundreds of flashcards.
  • Includes customizable practice tests.
  • Comes with a list of 400+ colleges and universities and also offers additional info on each institution like the average SAT score you need to be accepted.

Install Ready4Sat

SoloLearn: Learn to Code

What it is:

An app designed to help teach kids (but not only) the essential skill of coding. It covers different languages including CSS, PHP, C++ and Java.

Why we like it:

  • Coding is becoming the most in-demand skills across industries, so the sooner kids start learning it the better. This app allows teens interested in technology to absorb the basics on their own.
  • The app includes a free mobile code editor, so you can write, run and share code right from your smartphone.
  • When users eventually get stumped on a concept or lesson, they can turn to the SoloLearn online community to get help and guidance.

Install SoloLearn

Toshl Finance

What it is:

An app developed by Toshl Inc. can be a great tool for parents who want to teach their teens financial literacy.

Why we like it:

  • The app looks like a serious digital money manager for adults, but it does pack a lot of handy features which makes it right for the teen crowd. For example, the app focuses on analyzing spending habits and helps you identify potential areas for saving.
  • It includes features like bill organizer, receipt database and currency converter.
  • Toshl is packed with fun monsters that offer occasional budget tips and tricks.

Install Toshl Finance

Wattpad

What it is:

Wattpad is an app (and a site) where teens and adults alike can publicly share their fiction writing in a blog-like format as well as read and comment on other people’s works.

Why we like it:

  • The app encourages teens to read, but also to share their creative efforts.
  • Wattpad is also a social app, as it allows you to join the community and connect with authors and readers from across the world.
  • The app also has a section dedicated to well-known writers, where you can find works from iconic authors like Dan Brown, Paulo Coelho, Margret Atwood or Kevin J. Anderson.

Have you tried any of these apps before? If not, which would you try first? Let us know what you think in the comment section below.

How to get Nokia’s Bothie camera effect on any Android phone

Alexandra Arici
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Introduced back in later 2017, the Nokia 8 marked the culmination of efforts to bring the Finnish telecom’s brand back to the mainstream market. Designed to compete with the likes of the iPhone 7 and Samsung Galaxy S8, the Nokia 8 came equipped with a polished aluminum body, Carl Zeiss cameras, and a high-resolution display.

With the Nokia 8, HMD also started pushing what it calls the Bothie as the next evolution of the selfie. The feature allows users to snap a shot using both the front and the back camera at the same time.

Originally an exclusive feature of the Nokia 8, the Bothie camera is now available on other models including the more budget Nokia 6 2018, Nokia 7 Plus and Nokia 8 Sirocco.

Even so, you don’t have to purchase a Nokia phone to give the Bothie camera experience a go. Actually, you can easily install an app and get similar results on your Android phone. So below we’ve assembled a list of apps which mimic Nokia’s Bothies.

Frontback – Social Photos

Frontback is an easy-to-use app which lets you capture multiple sides of the same story at once. Get started by taking a picture using the main camera. Then the app will immediately switch to the selfie camera for the second snap.

You can edit your snaps and re-arrange them in the order you prefer (selfie first and panorama second, or vice-versa).

The camera app quality is not too stellar, so although I used the OnePlus 5T which tends to produce decent results in bright light, the photos taken with Frontback don’t look as good (especially the selfies).

Nevertheless, if you want to see the Bothie camera in action, you can give this app a try. Unlike other similar apps we’ve seen, it produces pretty neat results.

Install Frontback

phoTWO

PhoTWO offers a slightly different perspective on the Bothie camera. Users can take a picture with the main camera and then a smaller, superimposed second pic with the selfie camera.

Naturally, you can edit the secondary pic and arrange/move it in the position you see fit. Picture quality is ok, but nothing out of the ordinary.

Install phoTWO

Split Lens 2

Split Lens 2 offers a bit more variety when it comes to shooting your Bothies in either video or image format.

Once you open the app you will be asked to pick a certain layout for your collage. It can be anything from a screen split in two, three or a heart shape superimposed on a background.

You start by snapping a picture using either camera which fills out one portion of the screen. Once you’ve captured the first image, another portion of the screen will become active, and so on.

The app allows you to adjust and blend your results. It also contains interesting features and effects such as Swapping Your Body Parts, Make Your Own Ghost or Make Yourself Float in the Air.

Install Split Lens 2

Take into consideration that none of these apps have both cameras working at the same time when you shoot. First, the main camera will work and then the selfie one, or vice-versa. This is not the case if you use a Nokia phone, which offers a more advanced Bothie experience.

But if for some reason you don’t like Nokia, using one of these apps provides a quick solution to satisfying your Bothie curiosities.

Infographic: Six tips on how game developers can market their game into profitability (Promoted)

AndroidGuys
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Top video game designers are introducing their games into the market every other day. Even though the video game industry has a large market base, it doesn’t make the launching of a new game any easier.

The industry is very competitive and doing effective marketing is the only window to having a breakthrough. The impression you make in the market on the first attempt will go a long way in determining your level of success and the game’s profitability. It is therefore essential to storm into the market and make the most of this stage as it will make it easier for you to maneuver the market as everything else will fall into place.

Less than 25% of games in the market are generating profits; here is an infographic of the six tips that can help you market your game into profitability, including doing the best adverts of your game within the correct timing.

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