American phone maker, BLU this week introduced its latest product, the Vivo XL3. Despite being a mid-range offering packing medium specs, the phone boasts a premium metallic finish that incorporates the so-called electrolyzed metal effect. This method was used to give the phone a mirror-like coating to the middle housing.
The Vivo XL3 arrives one month after BLU launched its newest flagship, the Vivo X. The new arrival also takes advantage of a modern 18:9 aspect ratio display, but unlike the Vivo X which ran Android Nougat of the box, the Vivo XL3 is based on Android Oreo.
BLU’s latest phone brings Oreo on the cheap
The phone packs a 5.5-inch display with 1,440 x 720 resolution and includes a 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek 6737 processor under the hood. BLU also throws in 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage (up to 64GB).
If you’re looking for a dual-camera phone, you’re going to be disappointed by the Vivo XL3. The device incorporates a single 13-megapixel sensor on the back, with f/2.0 aperture, PDAF and LED flash. On the front sits a 13-megapixel selfie snapper also with flash.
We should also mention the new phone benefits from BLU’s new facial recognition technology that should allow users to unlock their phones with their face in a matter of seconds. What’s more, a fingerprint scanner is included on the back.
Last but not least, the handset relies on a 3,000 mAh battery. It can be fully charged in up to 1.5 hours using to the 5V/2A quick charger in the retail package.
The BLU Vivo XL3 is sold unlocked and is compatible with GSM carriers including AT&T, T-Mobile, Cricket Wireless or MetroPCS.
The new phone is currently available for purchase on Amazon in Silver. Customers can grab it for an affordable $189.99.
Stay tuned for our own review of the BLU Vivo XL3, coming soon!
The Galaxy S9 is the first Samsung device to launch running Android 8.0 but the software comes with the Samsung Experience bolted on top. While the software offers enhancements that many like some prefer a vanilla build of Android.
The idea of a vanilla build of Android Oreo running on the Galaxy S9 has been made possible, believe it or not, thanks to Google’s Project Treble. Google took aim at the devices that tend to be on the mid-range and lower-tier of the market that typically would miss out on important operating system updates. Project Treble creates a new partition on the system that houses the Android system files. What this means is that it is kept separate from the vendor and carrier specific firmware, which means that it can be accessed and, more importantly, updated without the need to go through the usual channels that typically introduce delay.
With a Treble enabled device, a device can be booted into an AOSP version of Android. Any device that ships with Android Oreo out of the box is Treble enabled, which includes the Galaxy S9. Therefore, putting the two together, XDA member “iamnotkurtcobain” was able to boot up AOSP Android 8.0 on his Exynos-powered Galaxy S9 for a vanilla build of Android.
The ROM that was used was phhusson’s phh-Treble ROM, which, according to the developer, most of the required functionalities work – WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, fingerprint scanner, camera, mobile data, among others. You’ll lose the Samsung-specific features, but then that’s why you’re trying to boot AOSP anyway, right?
If you’re interested in trying this for yourself, you’ll need an Exynos-powered Galaxy S9 as Snapdragon variants still have locked bootloaders. The process is slightly convoluted since TWRP and fastboot don’t currently work on the Galaxy S9. For the full process, head on over to the source link.
PayPal is the preferred online payment processor for just about every virtual vendor/merchant that you can think of, regardless of whether it is the corporate stalwarts or the small sized business entities that operate virtually and are engaged in the E-commerce domain. So, why do all these merchants prefer this payment processor unanimously? This is exactly what has been discussed in the paragraphs that follow. So, read on for better insight.
How do you benefit from PayPal for buying Android devices?
PayPal has teamed up with Google’s Android Pay, which is a mobile payment platform. This has enabled the payment processor to extend its tentacles not just virtually but also for the brick and mortar offices or stores.
The good news is that this teaming up arrangement will allow consumers to make use of Android Pay Service that will enable individuals to avail services like Uber, use the payment processor at other food outlets and stores like Subway, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Walgreens.
The integration will first allow users to choose their own method of payment as far as PayPal balance is concerned. Card users will also be included in this arrangement. Other merchants have also followed suit to team up with PayPal so that its footprints are expanded.
It was anticipated that by the end of 2017, Android Pay would have a customer base that would exceed 24 million and simultaneously, Samsung Pay would record 34 million users.
With the help of PayPal, you can buy several luxurious as well as necessary items and buying Android phones with PayPal has never been this year.
Benefits of using PayPal for online shopping
Check out why using PayPal makes sense virtually. These are as follows-
Plastic card security
Signing up with PayPal means that you have to furnish information about your credit cards/debit cards, whichever you wish to use for making online purchases just once. Once you have done this, you are not required to make the disclosure of personal details again. As such, next time whenever you shop online, you will not be required to divulge your plastic card details to every vendor or merchant from whom you buy stuff.
Transfer money
With the help of a mouse click, you can transfer money to any account across the globe. Alternatively, you can also receive any amount from your loved ones from anywhere. You not only save a lot of time but also money that you would have to shell out for other means of online transfers.
Flexible
If you are opening a PayPal account, you have the liberty to link it with any plastic card and multiple bank account numbers. So, you can be saved from the embarrassment in the event any of your plastic cards gets declined. So, if one account fails to make the payment, you always have an alternative bank account to fall back upon.
Enjoy auctions online
Online auctions are incomplete unless you mention PayPal and you cannot carry out anything on the major web portal eBay without PayPal. This payment processor has tied up with the online auction major for making bids and purchases in a secured virtual environment.
Cost effective
The cost of using PayPal is free, this one being the main USP. You don’t have to shell out service charges, processing fees, and any membership fees, if you are using the payment processor.
So, regardless of whether you are buying a smartphone with your PayPal account, or you are transferring cash to another part of the globe, you can do all this just with a click of the mouse or press of a key. The vast number of benefits that you can enjoy explains why it is the most popular and unanimously approved virtual payment processor.
The Verge has a great writeup of the differences and similarities between the Mobile and PC versions of the game, and we’ll have a full review for you next week. Unlike Fortnite’s Android release, which is still yet to be determined, PUBG is out right now. This marks the first real leg-up PUBG has had on Fortnite since its launch. Fortnite has been gaining ground on (and in many ways has surpassed) PUBG since its release, but the latter appears to have struck back.
The mobile version of the game introduces a number of improvements over the console and PC releases, including daily and weekly missions, login bonuses, guild support, and ranking progression. These are things that players (or maybe just me, I dunno) have been clamoring for, and it’s nice to see TenCent recognize that in its mobile port.
Controlling Shooters on a touchscreen will always be a challenge, but it appears as though Fortnite and PUBG are making strides in that department. We’ll give them both a spin (at least, whenever Fortnite becomes available on Android) and let you know how they are. In the meantime, feel free to download PUBG Mobile on your own device and let us know what you think!
Like glass, when it comes to smartphone displays there are a couple different categories: LCD and OLED. Within these two categories are different sub-types, each with its own strengths, weaknesses, and cost profile. The list of display types below is by no means an exhaustive one, but should serve to clarify the differences between the main types.
LCD
S-LCD makes the Super LCD panels on HTC’s smartphones.
LCD, or Liquid Crystal Display, is perhaps the most common type of display on the market. While OLEDs screens dominate the flagship market (Apple even put one on the iPhone X), LCDs can be found on pretty much any mid-tier phone. There are two primary types of LCDs: TFT and IPS.
TFT LCD
Thin Film Transistor, or TFT, are the cheapest LCDs on the market. This type of LCD is constructed so that each pixel on the display is attached to both a capacitor and a transistor. The strengths of TFT displays include a high contrast ratio and a low cost of production, resulting in a lower cost phone. However, TFT displays also suffer from a narrow viewing angle, poor visibility in direct light, and high power consumption. You’ll most typically see these displays in lower-end, entry-level phones due to their low cost.
IPS LCD
In-Place Switching, or IPS, displays are currently the best LCDs on the market. They feature consistent color and wide viewing angle, even in direct light, when compared to TFT displays. However, they are more expensive to produce, and as such, you’ll typically see them on Mid-level phones and above. Apple uses a high-resolution version of IPS LCDs it dubbed Retina, which means the human eye cannot discern the individual pixels on the screen. Whatever Apple calls it, though, it’s still an IPS LCD.
SLCD
Super LCD is a proprietary LCD technology pioneered by the S-LCD Corporation. Generally speaking, SLCD is used in HTC phones, though some other OEMs have included it on their phones as well. SLCD differs from IPS LCD in that there is no gap between the outer glass and the touch sensor. This results in a “closer” feel and less lens glare when compared to IPS technology.
Resistive vs. Capacitive
In the early days of touch displays, there were two kinds of LCDs – Resistive and Capacitive. Resistive was the first kind of touch-screen LCD, relying on pressing two layers of glass together to detect touch points. Capacitive LCDs, however, rely on the interruption of a screen’s electrostatic field by the human finger to detect touch. Resistive LCDs have largely fallen out of favor with OEMs, who now use thinner, more responsive Capacitive LCDs.
LED
Samsung’s Super AMOLED screen is one of the thinnest, prettiest displays on the market.
Light-Emitting Diodes have been around for quite some time. We’ve been making displays out of them for about a decade, and in that time the technology spawned a number of advancements and subtypes, which are now being used to create smartphone displays. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes use a layer of carbon-based organic material set between an anode and a cathode (these are conducting sheets) set again between two layers of glass. Electricity runs into the two conducting sheets, lighting the carbon sheet and illuminating the display.
While most modern OLEDs on smartphones are AMOLED, Apple included an OLED display on its iPhone X that it’s calling a Super-Retina HD display.
MicroLED
Also called MLED or µLED, MicroLED is a new technology that we may see in the future for smartphones. Called such because each pixel is attached to its own LED – and as such is self-illuminating, with no need for a backlight, MicroLEDs are potentially the next evolution in LED display technology. Ars Technica recently reported that Apple may be considering MicroLEDs for future iPhone iterations, which speaks to its potential as a display. While this technology is a few years away from maturation at the earliest, it’s a potentially exciting evolution indeed.
AMOLED
Active-Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode (Yeah, the acronym is getting pretty ridiculous) is the current iteration of OLED technology most used in phones. The signature characteristic, perhaps, of this display is its ability to “turn off” pixels to display true Black. This means display modes like Moto’s Active Display and LG’s Always-On Display – in which most of the screen is off but notifications are displayed in white – literally turn off the display, and only turn on the pixels needed to display those notifications. This allows us to save power while also allowing information at-a-glance.
These screens have excellent color vibrancy, lighter weight, strong battery life, and higher brightness when compared to LCD screens. While AMOLED screens are often receive criticism for having oversaturated colors, that is, perhaps the only true weakness of the technology.
Super AMOLED
Super AMOLED displays are proprietary Samsung technology. The Korean company licenses it to other OEMs for use on their smartphones in addition to its own phones (like the Galaxy S9). This AMOLED display improves on the capacitive touchscreen technology mentioned above. Super AMOLED screens build the touch-sensitive sensors onto the display itself rather than a separate layer, as in Capacitive screens. As such, it’s the thinnest display on the market – and coveted in a market where thinness is a commodity.
A new icon appeared in the latest Instagram APK (application code files), sparking rumors that an Instagram portrait mode is (finally!!) coming.
Instagram this week confirmed to TechCrunch that they are testing a new camera format called “Focus”. While it did not announce a specific release date, it appears to be approaching launch. Focus is the latest in a series of additions that challenge similar features available on popular social media competitors like SnapChat.
The icon recently noticed in the app’s code would appear as the shutter button on Instagram’s in-app camera.
Instagram portrait mode: The “Focus” Effect
Focus will provide Insta photographers the power to imitate the stylized portrait capabilities of a traditional DSLR camera. Many phones like Google’s Pixel 2 have a portrait mode built in to the camera. Focus gives all Instagram users the ability to use the effects from any device. Lighting and depth effects like bokeh will make your selfies look like professional headshots.
With the bokeh effect, the subject is in focus while the background is blurred.
While it’s certainly no guarantee, Instagram has a history of quietly launching new features after testing. Like the Giphy Stickers which became available in January, shortly after curious Android developers noticed a file in the app’s APK. Barring a fatal error during testing, there’s no reason not to believe Instagram will deliver.
What else is new?
Also spotted in the APK were hints of support for in-app audio and video calling, which would rival similar features currently available on Facebook. While any of these features could be scrapped during the testing phase, it’s exciting to see Instagram offer more tools for users to express their creativity.
What do you think about the tools currently available on Instagram? Is there a feature you’d like to see added, or removed? Let us know in the comments!
To celebrate the arrival of the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+, Sprint announced a sweet deal aimed at customers looking to buy one of the new flagships.
For a limited time, the nation’s fourth-largest is offering a “Lease One, Get One” promotion. This means that if you purchase a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+ on a lease, you will be able to get a second Galaxy S9 for free on another leasing agreement.
Lease one Galaxy S9 at Sprint and get a second for free
Under the terms of the deal, you will have to lease the first Galaxy S9 for $33, and the second device lease is free. The lease will be in place for 18 months, after which you’re given the option to send the phone back or continue paying another six months of $33/month and get full ownership of the device. Customers targeting the Galaxy S9+ will be required to pay $38/month.
You need to keep in mind that you are required to activate at least one new line (and one upgrade) to be able to take advantage of this deal. Sprint will apply your savings as credit within two billing cycles.
We should also note that the Galaxy Forever plan upgrades you, provided you made 12 lease payments. Galaxy Forever was started back in 2016 to celebrate the launch of the Galaxy S7.
So are you getting a Galaxy S9 or Galaxy S9+? If you are, then you might like to know that the flagship duo is getting Disney AR Emoji at launch. At first only Mickey and Minnie Mouse will be available, and users will be able to download them from the AR Emoji mode in the camera app.
But Samsung plans to add more characters from The Incredible, Zootopia and Frozen to the Galaxy S9.
Will this extra feature make customers more prone to considering the Galaxy S9? Probably not, but the flagship has other things going for it like the reimagined camera, stunning display, and fast Snapdragon 845 processor.
Anyway, if you think you might want to take advantage of Sprint’s deal, you should hurry up. The carrier didn’t put an expiration date on the promotion, but we do know it’s available for a limited time.
A new budget smartphone just went on sale with Verizon’s prepaid branch. A successor of the LG Optimus Zone 3, the LG Zone 4 arrives at Big Red with a price tag of $115.
The details about the LG Zone 4 emerged a few months ago when we heard the Korean company was looking to drop the “Optimus” moniker and opt for something new. The Zone 4 is the first fruit of this strategy.
The handset isn’t anything special, but at this price, you shouldn’t expect anything too grand.
LG Zone 4 is the latest low-end phone to go on sale at Verizon
The device arrives with a 5-inch TFT display with 720 x 1280 resolution and standard 16:9 aspect ratio. It’s powered by a 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor in combination with 2Gb of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage (up to 2TB).
Obviously, you’ll be able to snap pictures using the device, although expect the result to be pretty average. The phone includes an impressive 8-megapixel main camera on the back and a 5-megapixel selfie-snapper on the front.
LG’s new entry device also has a fingerprint sensor on the back below the flash and a single speaker, which lives at the bottom.
We should also note the phone relies on a 2,500 mAh removable battery and runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.
The phone is pretty affordable, but if you want a device with the latest Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box and a better camera, you might want to wait for the Alcatel 1X.
Alcatel’s offering is part of the Android Go initiative and will arrive with a 5.3-inch display with 18:9 aspect ratio and 960 x 480 resolution. The device will also include a main 13-megapixel rear-facing camera with f/2.0 and EIS. The product will be offered for under $100.
On the other side of the coin, you’ll probably have to wait a few months for the phone to land on the US market.
SwiftKey is an app that has risen to popularity by offering users an alternative to their native Android (or iOS) keyboard, designed to make typing so much better.
Well in recent days, SwiftKey announced a major update, which is described as the biggest since the company was acquired by Microsoft back in 2016.
Check out SwiftKey 7.0
SwiftKey 7.0 brings a new toolbar menu that’s to be found under the “+” sign on the left of the prediction bar. On Android, the Toolbar will replace the existing Hub.
The new feature offers quick access to things such as stickers, collections, calendar, clipboard, GIFs, themes and quick settings.
Two more features are coming soon. One is location sharing (available only for users in US and India), which will let users insert the address of a nearby place in a message. The second, Calendar sharing, will allow people to insert a calendar appointment from within the app.
The new update brings a large collection the stickers, as well as the ability to the personalize stickers according to a message. Customized or favorite stickers can be saved under Collections, for easy later access. To check out Collections, simply tap on the pin tab located at the top of the keyboard.
Note that SwiftKey is planning to bring an exclusive Microsoft sticker pack in the Toolbar section of the app soon.
The new update also adds support for 8 new “Lish” languages. A “Lish” language is a hybrid language that lets users shift between two languages. In this case English and eight Indic languages including Assamese, Bengali, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Odia and Telugu. With these new options, SwiftKey now offers compatibility with over 40 Indian languages.
SwiftKey’s iconic features including smart autocorrect, Flow and next-word predictions are still available to use. But now users will also be able to use GIFs, Stickers, Settings, Themes, and Clipboard for an even more superior typing experience.
Alcatel recently announced that two of the smartphones it introduced at MWC 2018, namely the Alcatel 1X and Alcatel 3V will launch on the US market.
Both models will be sold unlocked and will become available in the upcoming months. Although the company didn’t offer a specific date.
In case you missed the announcement, the Alcatel 1X is the brand’s first Android Go smartphone. Android Go is a lighter version of Google’s mobile OS optimized to work with low-end phones with 1GB of RAM or less.
Alcatel brings two of its newest models to the US
Yet, unlike most budget phones available on the market, the Alcatel 1X comes boasting a modern 18:9 aspect ratio. It offers the services of a 5.3-inch display with 960 x 480 resolution and includes a 1.28GHz quad-core MediaTek processor with a choice of 1GB or 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage.
Alcatel 1X
When it comes to cameras, the 1X boasts a 13-megapixel rear-facing shooter with f/2.0 and EIS. On the front, there’s an 8-megapixel selfie snapper.
Other specs include a 2,420 mAh battery, LTE, Bluetooth and a fingerprint scanner, a feature available only in the US. Alcatel says the 1X will go on sale for less than $100 in the States.
Moving on, Alcatel will also be launching the 3V, its first phone to come with a dual-camera setup in the US. Unlike, the 1X the 3V includes better specs like a 6-inch 2K display and 2GB of RAM. The phone will ship with a 1.45GHz quad-core MediaTek processor and either 16GB or 32GB of storage.
Alcatel 3V
The dual-camera on the back pairs a 12-megapixel sensor (f/2.2, PDAF) with secondary 2-megapixel sensor (f/2.4). For selfie-taking purposes, the device has a 5-megapixel secondary camera with LED flash. The 3V also includes a 3,000 mAh battery under the hood.
Alcatel hasn’t revealed pricing information for the 3V just yet, although we expect it to be priced around $200.
So what do you think of Alcatel’s new phones? Drop us a comment below.
