Like Sony, Motorola is one of the latecomers to the 18:9 aspect ratio bandwagon. Well this summer, the Lenovo-owned company is going to release its first bezel-less phones.
Within the next few months, Motorola will be unveiling its next-gen flagship, the Moto Z3, alongside the more affordable Moto Z3 Play, both of which will sport 18:9 displays.
Speaking of which, the Moto Z3 Play just leaked in a number of new case renders. And as anticipated, the handset features minimal bezels all around. On the top front, we can spot the selfie camera, sitting alongside an in-ear speaker.
Moto Z3 Play renders show off the phone in all its glory
On the back, there’s a dual-camera setup with a dual-tone LED flash. Nothing else adorns the back. So where’s the fingerprint scanner, you might be wondering? Well it seems this year Motorola has moved it on the right side of the device. This is reminiscent of Sony’s recent phones.
Above the scanner, we can spot two volume buttons for up and down. The power button is placed on the left side of the phone. The bottom is home only to a USB Type-C port, as it appears the 3.5mm headphone jack is no longer part of the package.
Ok, so what about the Moto Z3 Play’s specifications? According to recent rumors, the device will arrive with a spacious 6.1-inch display in tow and will rely on the services of a Snapdragon 636 processor.
Motorola is also going to offer 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, as well as a 3,000 mAh battery. The Moto Z3 Play will launch with Android Oreo out of the box.
Right now, we don’t have the exact launch date for the Moto Z3 and Moto Z3 Play. But last year, the Moto Z2 Play went live during the beginning of June. So, most likely the new flagships will be released around the same period.
Over the last few weeks, there have been some rumors about a possible Marvel and OnePlus partnership. This would be for a special edition OnePlus 6, themed to the tune of Avengers: Infinity War.
Avengers-themed OnePlus 6
It seems that this partnership has been confirmed in press material to our friends at Android Central. A partial reason for this deal is to help celebrate the 10th anniversary of Marvel Studios.
You may remember that OnePlus recently partnered with Disney for the launch of Star Wars: The Last Jedi. So this collaboration should come as no surprise.
The downside here, as was with the Star Wars edition, is that this OnePlus 6 is likely to be limited to India. That means the only way that you will be able to pick one up here in the US is through eBay or Swappa. Unfortunately, it’s also likely that a hefty price markup will also be in tow.
I don’t know about you, but I’m beginning to get really jealous of those in India. First, there was the Star Wars edition, and now the Avengers edition of the OnePlus 6. If there was a world where money grew on trees it would be one thing, but that’s not the case.
While this confirms that a special edition OnePlus 6 is on the way, that’s the only confirmation that we have. OnePlus stopped short of revealing when this device would possibly be released.
We are expecting quite a few changes with the upcoming OnePlus flagship, including a notch. The OP6 will also have a dual-camera system, along with the Snapdragon 845 SoC and at least 6GB of RAM.
OnePlus could be making its official announcement in the next few weeks, so we’ll be sure to keep our ears to the ground. Let us know what you think about an Avengers-themed OnePlus 6 and if you would want one.
While we have seen new devices from Samsung, Huawei, and others, Motorola has been relatively quiet. All of that is about to change as the company is nearing the launch of the Moto G6 lineup.
Moto G6 Leaks
A new teaser clip for the G6 shows off the device from different angles. This reveals a design similar to that of the popular Moto X4, which launched last year.
It’s obvious that the G6 will not be keeping with the trend of Moto Mods found on the Z2 lineup. However, this comes as no surprise as the Moto G lineup is geared more towards the budget-minded consumers.
From the teaser, we get a close-up look of the different buttons around the edges. We also see the front-mounted home button/fingerprint scanner, along with the rear-camera module.
The teaser confirms the existence of a dual-camera setup, which will sport an LED flash placed below. What the teaser doesn’t confirm is whether Motorola will be opting for an 18:9 display with the G6.
In an unexpected move, we are likely to see three devices with the G6, G6 Play, and G6 Plus. However, none of these devices will sport flagship specs and will rest in the mid-range and budget markets.
Previous leaks have revealed that these devices could be launched as soon as tomorrow (April 19th). Motorola is reportedly holding an event in Sao Paulo, Brazil and sent out a “Save the date”.
While these won’t be flagship devices, the new Moto G6 lineup will likely be hot-sellers. Here’s to hoping that these won’t be limited to specific regions that aren’t in the US.
Let us know what you think about this teaser and if you’re interested in seeing what Motorola has been working on. In the meantime, we’ll be keeping our fingers crossed for an awesome 2018 flagship lineup.
As was the case with the Galaxy S8 and Note 8, Bixby has made its presence known with the Galaxy S9 lineup. This includes the dedicated hardware button that has been placed directly below the volume rocker.
The problem is, Bixby isn’t exactly everyone’s favorite assistant. Samsung has recognized this, and has included a few different ways to get Bixby out of your life.
The most annoying feature of Bixby as a whole is the dedicated hardware button. In my time with the Galaxy S9 Plus, I have inadvertently pressed the button more times than I can count.
However, Samsung has made life easier for everyone, as you can now disable the button. In order to do so, you’ll want to follow these steps:
Swipe to the right on your home screen to bring up Bixby Home
Tap the Settings gear icon button in the top right-hand corner
Toggle the switch to turn off the “Bixby Key”
Once completed, you can press that button all you want and nothing will happen. Stay tuned to a future post where we show you how to remap the Bixby button for other uses.
Disable Bixby Home
Now that you have disabled the Bixby button, you can get rid of Bixby Home. This panel leaves on the left-most screen, and includes a myriad of information.
Once enabled, Bixby Home can show you trending topics on Facebook and Twitter, along with calendar events. The problem with Bixby Home is that it can take some time to actually load for some strange reason.
Luckily, there are some extremely easy steps to follow, if you want to get rid of this panel:
Long-press on an empty area on your Home Screen (this can also be done by swiping inwards with two fingers)
Swipe all the way to the left to show the Bixby Home panel
Tap the toggle in the top right-hand corner to turn Bixby Home off
Although you can’t replace this panel with something like Google Now, performing these steps can help avoid interacting with Samsung’s assistant at all.
Disable Bixby Voice
Perhaps one of the most useful features of any Voice Assistant is the “voice” part. Being able to issue various commands without ever touching your phone has many different advantages.
Samsung included this functionality with Bixby Voice. This allows you to perform various tasks, including making calls, control your smart home, or even take a screenshot.
However, keeping with our trend of getting rid of Bixby, you can also get rid of the “Voice” portion. Here are the steps to finally remove the last remnants of Bixby:
Swipe all the way to the left on your home screen
Tap the three-dot overflow button in the top right-hand corner
Select “Settings”
Scroll down and select ‘Bixby Voice’
Toggle Bixby Voice to “off”
From there, you will officially be rid of Bixby one and for all, and you can begin using Google Assistant. Of course, you’ll need the help of an app such as bxActions to use the Bixby button with Assistant.
Disable Bixby on Note 9?
Unfortunately, it looks like Samsung is currently blocking any push to remove the assistant on the Galaxy Note 9. Traditional methods have yet to work, but one of our favorite YouTubers may have found a workaround. If you’re willing to play around inside your phone…
It looks like we have new leaks on more changes about Android P UI and UX. It appears that Google will be changing our beloved navigation bar around and introducing gestures. No longer will we have three icons at the bottom, but rather only a back button and the home button. We will then use gestures on the home button to access our multitasking menu — similar to what a particular competitor does.
Leaked from Google itself, we were shown some of these new changes about a week ago. The most notable difference likely being the new pill design for the home button. To counter the removal of the multitasking button, you will now have to swipe up on the pill home button to access the menu. After that, notice that the vertical array that background apps used to be in are now in a horizontal orientation. They perform as expected, swipe left and right to cycle through, swipe up to quit, and tap to select.
That seems to be the only gesture added to the new OS update. The home button is still a simple button, so no swipe to get home. The back button, although unchanged in basic functionality, does seem to now be contextually-based. This change means that you shouldn’t see it when there isn’t a previous page to go to, such as on the home screen.
These changes should be present in the final version of Android P coming later this year, but we may also get them in future beta builds of the software. Personally, I like the move towards a gesture-based OS. It makes our phones seem more modern. How do you all feel about these upcoming changes? Should we bring back WebOS?
Puzzle games, just like every other genre, are sharing in the mobile gaming boom. Touchscreen controls are perfect for the control of puzzle elements, and short, sharp mental challenges are splendid for gaming on the go.
From abstract games to physics puzzles to murder mysteries, gamers have plenty of options to choose from these days.
And in this article, we’re going to look at an intriguing new puzzle game called Red- which bets on minimalism and ingenuity to attract players on board.
Setup
To get started, download Red from the Play Store and install it on your Android device. Upon opening it, you’ll be greeted by a pretty simple main page with some creepy music playing in the background.
Due to the flickering letters and eerie sounds, you might be tempted to believe this is a horror game of some sort. Alas, it’s not. It’s a puzzle game which spans over a total of 50 levels.
Experience
The idea behind this game is pretty simple: all you have to do is make the screen red. The levels are all different, and since they come with no instructions, you will need to figure out the mechanics of each level.
For example, in one level, you need to tap and hold on the bottom of the thermometer for the mercury levels to go all the way up. Other levels feature a Snake-like game and another has you playing a game that reminds of heavily of Tetris.
Given that all 50 levels are different, there’s a little chance of getting bored. But sometimes, you will find yourself at a loss for what to do. Although, in the majority of cases, the visual clues are enough to guide you.
But if you do get stuck, you can simply tap on the light bulb button in the upper right corner to get a hint or two.
The annoying part is that you’ll have to play an ad or two to get the hints. Or you can simply unlock the Premium version (for $2.99) and get a clean ad-less experience.
No problem, if you don’t feel like paying. You can still play the game in full. The only big difference is that you will have to watch ads in order to unlock a clue.
Levels get harder as you progress, so you will indeed need a few clues. I know I did.
It’s worth mention, that Red is the followup of Yellow, a similar game developed by the same developer (Bart Bonte) which challenges you to make the screen Yellow in 50 levels.
Red is really fun to play. The only complaint I have is that the intense red color is quite tiresome on the eyes, so I had to make frequent breaks during gameplay.
Other than that, the game is challenging enough to keep you going through the whole 50 levels.
Wrap-Up
If you’re looking for a simple yet engaging puzzle game to play, then Red is for you. Although the frequent red screens might make the game playing experience a bit tedious. Fortunately, there’s an easy solution to this problem: take breaks between levels.
With the Samsung Galaxy S9 out, the next big thing to look forward from the Korean tech giant this year is the Galaxy Note 9.
Well, the first rumors regarding the phablet have started to emerge online, revealing a few preliminary details.
In the months that follow, leaks regarding the Galaxy Note 9 will intensify, so more information about the upcoming phablet will be made available to us.
For this article, we’ve gathered together all the info currently available regarding the Galaxy Note 9. The piece will be updated regularly, as new details leak out.
Design and display
The current Samsung Galaxy Note 8 comes with a metal/glass body with curved edges and a dual-camera setup on the back.
That’s pretty much how the Galaxy Note 9 will look like. Most likely the upcoming phablet will be similarly-styled as its predecessor, with not many visible differences to speak of.
The recently-launched Galaxy S9 also looks very similar to its predecessor, so expect the same story in the case of Samsung’s second flagship this year.
Obviously, the bezels on top and bottom are going to be a tad slimmer than last year, although the differences won’t be considerable.
Luckily (for some), we don’t expect the Galaxy Note 9 to come with the controversial Notch. Rather, the company will stick to the design language most Samsung fans know and love.
Over the last few months, we’ve seen several reports claiming the Note 9 will feature a fingerprint sensor under the display. Although, back in March, reputed analyst Min-Chi Kuo of KGI Securities claimed the phablet won’t get the new authentication tech after all.
But who knows, Samsung might end up surprising us after all. Fingerprints readers under the display represent the next-gen in mobile authentication tech, so lots of people are excited to see it in action. But Samsung seems to be struggling with the implementation. A previous report claimed that both ultrasonic and optical solutions have failed to meet the company’s self-imposed standards.
Screen
Galaxy Note 9 concept
Moving on to the display, the phablet is expected to grow a bit in size this year. According to the latest rumors, the Note 9 will feature a 6.4-inch screen. Which tops the Note 8’s 6.3-inch panel. The phone will most likely benefit from the same “modern” 18:9 aspect ratio as its predecessor.
We expect the device to boast a beautiful Super AMOLED display like always, quite possibly with Mobile HDR. In terms of resolution, the Note 9 could launch as Samsung’s first 4K handset. Although for now, we haven’t seen leaks suggesting a resolution increase.
Before we go on and talk about hardware, it’s worth reminding you about an interesting possibility.
Last year, Samsung’s Koh Dong-jin said that Samsung aims to launch a foldable smartphone next year under the Galaxy Note brand. So the Galaxy Note 9 might be the bendable phone we’ve been hearing about for the last few years. However, Koh warned there are still hurdles to overcome, so the release might be pushed back.
Hardware
Like the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, the Note 9 will get the Snapdragon 845 treatment too. As usual, some models will get the Samsung Exynos chip, depending on the market.
The Note 8 has 6GB of RAM under the hood, and we don’t expect an increase in this department. Although, the base version of the Galaxy Note 9 might arrive with 128GB of storage.
And now for the best part: well-known leakster Ice universe has suggested the phablet could have either a 3,850 mAh or 4,000 mAh battery. Samsung hasn’t apparently made a final decision yet.
Huawei’s P20 Pro started a new trend in mobile photography by embedding not two but three cameras on the back of the phone. Will Samsung follow suit, or will it just offer an improved dual-camera setup on the Note 9?
We’ll just have to wait and see. Although, we dare speculate the Note 9 will take advantage of a dual-camera with variable f/1.5-f/2.4 aperture just like the Galaxy S9+.
Samsung will probably keep one telephoto lens and one wide-angle one, just like on the Note 8 last year. Remember the soon-to-be predecessor was the first to bring dual optical image stabilization in the game. So no doubt the Note 9 will come with some worthy enhancements.
At this point, it’s not clear whether Samsung is looking to increase the resolution of its rear and front cameras. No doubt, we’ll know more soon.
Audio
Samsung focused on audio this year, by outfitting the Galaxy S9 with a pair of AKG-tuned stereo speakers. On top of that, there’s improved bass performance, less distortion at higher volumes and access to Dolby Atmos surround sound tech. So we expect the Galaxy Note 9 to borrow some of these features when it arrives.
Software
The Note 9 will arrive with Android Oreo (hopefully, the latest version) with its own Samsung Experience software over the top.
At MWC 2018, the company’s CEO DJ Koh said that the latest version of Bixby will be introduced alongside the phablet. He also added Samsung is looking to develop an ecosystem of products for Bixby 2.0. Samsung already confirmed a Bixby-powered speaker is on the way.
Obviously, AR Emoji will also be part of the Note 9 package, although we hope it’s an improved version.
Release date
Traditionally, the next-gen Galaxy Note phone arrives in the latter half of the year. The Korean tech giant usually unveils during the IFA trade show in Berlin.
The Galaxy Note 8 made an official debut on August 23, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the Note 9 will follow the same route.
However, a report coming out of The Investor indicates the phablet might arrive earlier this year. In a bid to beat the iPhone X2 to the market, Samsung could unveil the Note 9 in July.
Regardless of whether you want to use your headphones for listening to music, attending a conference call, or just chatting with your friends, the product matters. It does make a lot of difference as far as quality of the call you make or clarity of the music you are listening to is concerned.
If you are planning to upgrade to a new pair of headphones, you will find out the difference that it can make.
In this article, let us find out how you can lay your hands on a good pair of headphones and find out step-wise how you can shop for your best headphone that you can use with your Android device as well as device that runs on any operating system. So, read on for better insight.
Identify your requirements
This aspect appears to be very simple but unless you are able to decide upon this, perhaps you will land up buying the wrong one. If you think that you will be able to get everything that you are looking for in one, you are probably fooling yourself. The headphones mentioned in the article are headphones for Android and other devices too.
However, there are 3 main factors that you can look for when you buy a headphone, namely, quality of sound, affordability, and how portable it is. Depending on what you prioritize, you must settle for one. If you want excellent sound quality, be prepared to shell out a lot of money.
Be aware of the basics
You must know how the open and closed back models differ from one another. In case of the open-back models, the music can be heard by you as well as the ones outside. This is because there is nothing that insulates you from the outside world. On the other hand, closed-back models do not permit sound to permeate outside and is not audible to people other than you.
Types of headphones
There are 3 categories of headphones that you can choose from depending on the size and the manner in which you wear them. They are-
Supra-aural:Also known as on-ear headphones, they do not offer a good experience as oftentimes referred to as “compromised” with regards to the quality of sound, portability, and noise isolation.
Circumaural: Also referred to as over-ear headphones, these are regarded as the largest among the 3 categories. With these you can experience superior sound quality. They are available in designs that are either collapsible or compact. If sound quality is what you are emphasizing on, this is perhaps your best bet.
In-ear headphones: As compared to the on-ear counterparts, these are portable and can be carried easily even in your pocket. Despite the fact that these are in-ear, they are somehow not unanimously liked by all since they are not very comfortable to use.
Why do you need it?
There are different uses of headphones.
For office use: For instance, if you are looking for one that you are going to use in office, comfort should be your top priority, given the fact that you have to use it throughout the day or for longer hours. Noise isolation is the other requisite. So, under such circumstances, over-ear headphones are your best bet. When you are in flight mode, the choice is more or less the same.
For gaming sessions: In this sound quality does not hold importance. But the clarity is important.
Regardless of whether you are using it for any particular purpose, make sure you do not forget about your health and be aware to ward off any unnecessary sound quality that can interfere with your normal hearing.
We’ve been telling you about the upcoming Bluboo S3 smartphone. The product is scheduled to go on sale in a few days and you’ll be able to pick only up for $149.99.
The offer is available for a limited time, between April 18 and April 27, after which the price will go up to $179.99.
During the promotion period, Bluboo will select 2 free orders randomly, so you have a chance to win an S3 smartphone. What’s more, 10 half-price orders will be available daily at 10:00 UTC. Interested parties will also be able to snatch a $50 gift pack for the smartphone.
Bluboo gives you the chance to win a free S3 smartphone
The handset is already listed on Banggood, but it’s listed as “Coming Soon.” It also shows a $199.99 price tag.
While the design of the Bluboo S3 is obviously inspired by the Galaxy S9, the former comes with a larger battery and is a lot more affordable.
The capacity of the battery is three times larger than the Galaxy S9’s. Bluboo says the phone can last up to 6 days on a single charge. And thanks to the 12V/2A charge and 1A output recharge function, the device can be fully recharged in 2.5 hours.
The phone comes with a 6-inch FHD+ display with 18:9 aspect ratio and a MediaTek MT6750T processor under the bonnet. Bluboo also throws in 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage.
Rounding up the package is a dual-camera setup which pairs a 21-megapixel sensor with a secondary 5-megapixel one. When it comes to selfies, users will be able to take advantage of a front-facing 13-megapixel snapper.
Bluboo promises the S3 will get updated to Android 8.1 Oreo at a later date, although we’re not sure with which version it will be available at launch.
So if you think the Bluboo S3 might be for you, don’t forget to place your order during the promotional period, so you can get it at a discount.
Amazon has partnered up with retailer Best Buy to sell a series of new smart TVs build on Amazon’s Fire TV operating system. The products will be available in the US and Canada starting this summer.
The press release reveals that more than ten new TV models from Insignia (Best Buy’s own brand) and Toshiba will become available in the next few months. The devices will be sold exclusively through Best Buy and Amazon.com and via the retailer’s chain of brick-and-mortar stores.
“Amazon and Best Buy have a long history of working together, and today we take our partnership to a new level.”
Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos
The new products incorporate Amazon’s Fire TV platform, without the need for an additional Fire TV Stick or 4K Fire TV. Customers will be able to choose between HD and 4K models.
American customers will be able to buy the new TVs first
Each of the new TVs will come with Alexa, the popular virtual assistant, built-in. The products will allow owners to access more than 190 different services and apps including Netflix, Hulu, and Prime Video. For the time being, Amazon hasn’t revealed any details about pricing.
Element 55-Inch 4K Ultra HD Smart LED TV – Fire TV Edition
In the future, Best Buy may carry TVs based on Amazon’s Fire TV OS from other brands, including models that include direct access to Alexa. For the upcoming models, customers will have to press a microphone button on their remote, or add Amazon Echo speaker to their overall setup, to call up Alexa.
Amazon launched its first TV with Fire TV OS last year in collaboration with Element, but the new Best Buy partnership will make such products available to a wider audience.
Best Buy has also teamed up with other notable players in the smart TV space, like Samsung and LG. Additionally, the retailer has a partnership with Roku for Insignia TVs powered by the company’s own smart TV operating system.
