Want to try out the latest Instagram features ahead of everyone else? Then you’re in luck because the Facebook-owned app just opened up an alpha program for its Android app.
An Instagram employee – who was subsequently verified by a Reddit mod – started a thread inviting people to join the new alpha program. The post has since been deleted, which could mean that a lot of users already enrolled in the new program. However, if you like to be part of Instagram’s league of testers, you can still do so.
In order to be part of the alpha program, first join this Google Group. Then visit this link and join the Instagram testing program on the Play Store. It only takes one click, so it’s super easy.
But while the alpha program will let you play with new features before they are rolled out across the world, you might also have to deal with quite a handful of bugs. Fortunately, you can always leave the testing program and put memories of these bugs behind by reverting to the public version via the same Play Store link.
In related news, Instagram recently rolled out a series of new creative tools with which it hopes you’ll be enhancing your snaps this Christmas. You have new Super Zoom effects to play with as well as holiday-themed Face Filters, Stickers and Color filters.
As the build-up to the launch of the next Samsung device approaches, we’re given a glimpse of some exclusive renders showcasing the cases for the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.
The renders show off an Olixar case for the upcoming devices that reveal some interesting leaks. From the images, we can see that Samsung has changed the placement of the fingerprint sensor ever so slightly to underneath the camera on the Galaxy S9. On the current Galaxy S8, the fingerprint sensor is to the right of the camera, which was a focal point of discussion due to its awkward placement. It seems Samsung listened and have lowered and centered the fingerprint sensor for the Galaxy S9.
The screen is also slightly bigger on the Galaxy S9 than on the current Galaxy S8 and is expected to be revealed in mid-February.
Obviously, case leaks take a punt at estimating the physicals of upcoming devices in order to be first to market but moving the fingerprint sensor makes sense and is something Samsung is expected to do if not able to embed it under the touchscreen itself.
You can find the new Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus cases by Olixar in a range of colors exclusively at Mobile Fun.
The popular ZTE Axon 7 was released in 2016 with Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box. But despite the phone reaching its end of life (it’s no longer manufactured), the Chinese company has decided it will update the phone to Android 8.0 Oreo in the near future.
Inspired by positive feedback from customers, ZTE announced on its official forums it has already started developing Android Oreo for the ZTE Axon 7. However, owners are urged to be patient, as the company needs more time to perfect it.
ZTE hasn’t provided an exact release date, but the official post title claims that “Android 8 is just around the corner”.
This is very good news for people who are still holding on to an Axon 7. But the bigger question is where is the Axon 8? A few months back, the company promised a successor for the Axon 7 was in the cards, but so far we haven’t heard anything else on the matter. Yet, it’s not like ZTE hasn’t been busy.
The Chinese device maker recently unveiled the bizarre dual-screen Axon M smartphone, which is focused on productivity. The handset is sold exclusively through AT&T for a pretty substantial price tag and in our opinion has little chance of matching the Axon 7’s popularity. So hopefully, the Axon 8 will come along at some point.
Interested in purchasing the first phone to boast a screen with a 120Hz refresh rate? Yes, it’s the Razer Phone we’re talking about.
The handset is pretty unique compared to other offerings on the market, so if you’re considering gifting it to one of your friend or even yourself, this might be the right time to buy it.
The Razer Phone comes with a pretty spicy $699.99 price tag, but if you’re willing to spend this amount, Razer will reward you with a freebie.
US customers who purchase a Razer Phone today (December 19) will be awarded a Razer Leviathan Mini Bluetooth speaker free of charge. The device normally costs $179.99, although this holiday season, you’ll be able to get it for $99.99 (if you buy it individually).
In order to take advantage of the promotion, customers are required to use the promo code PHLVLUP at checkout.
The first true gamer phone was launched merely a few months ago with a 5.7-inch Sharp IGZO LCD display with 2,560 x 1,440 resolution and a Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood. The product ships out with 8GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, as well as a dual-camera setup on the back and a 4,000 mAh battery out of the box.
Unfortunately for customers who want to pair the Razer Phone with the official case for the phone, this accessory is now sold out. But you can still get the Razer Hammerhead USB-C earphones for $79.99.
Samsung today introduced the latest members of the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A8 (2018) and A8+ (2018), the successors of the Galaxy A5 (2017) and A7 (2017).
Often leaked in the past few months, the two smartphones will be on display at CES 2018 in a few weeks, where more details about availability and pricing will hopefully be shared with the public.
Samsung has given the InfinityDisplay treatment to these new premium middle-rangers, which means the Galaxy A8 and A8+ feature thin bezels all around and an immersive 18:5:9 display ratio. However, unlike Samsung’s flagships phones, the two Galaxy A8 duo offers only 1080p+ resolution, which is apparently enough to support the Gear VR. The smaller of the two is the Galaxy A8 which includes a 5.6-inch display, while the Galaxy A8+ includes a 6-inch one.
Display aside, the Galaxy A8 and A8+ are really unique among Samsung phones, as they are the first phones from the company’s portfolio to come with a dual selfie camera on the front – a 16MP+8MP combo with f/1.9. The module switches between the two sensors as needed, so users can get the selfie they want. Samsung also throws in a Live Focus Feature which lets Galaxy A8/A8+ owners easily adjust the bokeh effect before or after they take a shot.
The main camera is a single 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.7 and digital stabilization for shake-free videos. A new hyperlapse feature for creating time-lapse videos has also been added.
Both phones are powered by an octa-core chipset, but the Galaxy A8 will be offered with 4GB of RAM and either 32GB/64GB of storage. The Galaxy A8+, on the other hand, boast 4GB/6GB of RAM with 32GB or 64GB built-in storage. A microSD card slot is available in both cases for memory expansion up to 256GB.
Samsung has also bundled the two new models with Samsung Pay support, IP68 certification, fast charging over USB-C and 3,000 mAh and 3,500 mAh batteries respectively (just like the Galaxy S8 duo). The new handsets will be available in four color options including Black, Orchid Gray, Gold and Blue.
Unfortunately, the Galaxy A8 and Galaxy A8+ will launch with Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, which is quite disappointing. God only knows when the Android 8.0 Oreo update will be available, but all products come with their disadvantages.
Samsung says the new phones will become available in early January, so don’t forget to tune in for CES 2018 to find out more details.
It’s been a while since we’ve seen movement from Sennheiser’s higher end earphones. That is, the company’s IE line of in-ears, where the mid-range has been owned by the IE 80 and the flagship of the series being the IE 800 (which we looked at) for the past few years. Well, Sennheiser is now getting around to updating its shining stars. And judging by the nomenclature, we very well are looking at refinement rather than reimagining.
Taking a page from Apple’s naming method, Sennheiser tacks on an “S” to the model name. Here, we’re taking a look at the new contender for mid-range in-ear king, the IE 80 S.
Much of what made the original IE 80 great is still here, like the detachable cable and analog bass adjustment, but the design/ergonomics and acoustics have been reworked for the better. Let’s take a look at what to expect.
Design
Since this is a refinement, the overall form of the IE 80 S reflects that of the original. They still have that interesting trapezoidal shape and are meant to be worn around the ear. One immediate difference in the design is the reduction of the brushed metal plate on the flat, outward surface of the earpieces.
We don’t think everyone will be a fan of this move, as the metal looks more premium than the predominate material of the earpiece chassis, which feels like your standard-fare hard plastic (but with a stealthy, smooth matte finish). But we can understand what Sennheiser was going for. This is a more streamlined look and it draws the eyes to the Sennheiser logo and that intriguing bass control dial.
Durability is something else Sennheiser says was a focus with the IE 80 S, and we believe it. The earpiece housing, connector neck, and cable construction all feel like they can hold up to a beating.
Speaking of the cable, it’s also looks like it’s made of a pretty standard-fare black sheathing. It feels better in-hand, by sporting a smooth, rubbery finish. It has a thickness that backs its durable up-bringing, which serves good for resisting tangles but not for being the most compact when rolled up for travel.
Usability
We’re glad that the IE 80 S comes with a similarly awesome selection of accessories like its predecessor. First and foremost are the wide variety of ear tips, which now include different sizes of Comply foam tips. The in-canal seal is extremely important with in-ear headphones, and anyone should be able to find something that works out of these nine different pairs.
That said, I didn’t have a very positive experience with either types of the silicone tips. I don’t know if it’s because the stubby shape of the tips, or their firmness, but I had a hard time getting an appropriate seal. It’s hard for a reviewer to comment about this aspect of an in-ear, because all ear canals are different. But for what it’s worth, I try a lot of earphones and these gave me more fit trouble than usual. I eventually found that jamming them in tightly got me the seal I wanted. Anyways, I’m glad that Sennheiser threw in foam tips as an option. Things were all good using those. And you may want to opt for foam anyways, because isolation isn’t this earphone’s strong suit.
Fortunately, our fit issues didn’t bode badly for comfort. The earpieces are lighter than they look, and their unique trapezoidal shape actually fit nicely in the ear. We actually barely feel them when donned, and that’s what you want. The around-the-ear wear makes for a secure fit, which works together with the thick rubbery sheathing to stop microphonics at its tracks. These are earphones you can workout with; they stay in place despite movement.
We love that Sennheiser retained cable swappability, but hate that it’s with a proprietary 2-pin connector – which means third-party cables are a no-go.
We must mention a slight difference with the design of this around-the-ear earphone compared to others. The stem interface where the cable connects to the earpiece is long and sticks up vertically when you wear the earphones. This is partly what makes the IE 80 S so comfortable, but we did find that it caused the cable to fall from our ears at times (when turning our head). You’ll want to utilize the chin slider to keep the cables tightly against you, or use the optional ear hooks that are included.
The cable has a generous length short of 4 ft (3.93′ to be exact). Sennheiser made a tweak to the Y-splitter, smoothing out the original blocky form. For some reason, it has also changed the orientation of the 3.5mm jack. It used to be right-angled and now is straight. We feel like this is an unnecessary change and also inconsistent, because the update to the IE 800, the IE 800 S, continues to use a right-angle connector. Please choose one method and stick to it.
The bass tuning dial on each earpiece requires a small flathead tool, which Sennheiser places on the opposite end of the ear wax cleaning tool – so you’ll want to make sure you have this around if you often change the bass. There’s five little markers with a quarter circle section in which to increase the bass.
We really wish that Sennheiser at the very least marked the lower and upper limits of the bass dial. There’s no visual reference, so you have to remember what you last set it on. If you forget, you’ll have to listen, change it, and listen again to figure it out. You of course can try to remember what’s what relative to the earpiece orientation, but we still stand by that a simple marker would have been best.
Sound
Sennheiser set themselves up for scrutiny when it comes to the sound of the IE 80 S, because it’s one of the big updates and a big reason why you’ll be paying the original premium of this headphone. Suffice to say, the IE 80 S doesn’t disappoint.
One of the things that continues to stands out in Sennheiser’s audio reproduction is clarity. We’ve seen it in our listen of the wallet-busting IE 800, and we can tell a similar prowess in the IE 80 S. Throughout the spectrum, notes cleanly hit with appreciable separation. There’s plenty here to enjoy from an analytical standpoint, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t the kind of energy that gets our feet thumping.
Many headphone makers opt for a V-shaped frequency response to get this kind of impact. Sennheiser aims for a good balance between impact and accuracy with a U-shaped response, which lifts bass and treble but keeps the mid-range appreciable. I’m usually a stickler about ample mid-range presence, but didn’t find the IE 80 S really lacking in this area. What helps is the natural and airy vocals.
Out of the box, we didn’t feel that the bass needed any boosting. It’s the strongest aspect of the sound by default. But it is nice that Sennheiser includes an analog boost for bassheads; this is an option rarely found on earphones. We really enjoyed the bass on the IE 80 S. It’s authoritative, which coupled with its ability to be tuned should make this the best choice for basshead audiophiles. The qualities of both the bass and treble are about the same level for us; they’re where they should be at this price range but could be better. The mid-bass has a looseness to our ears, and the sub-bass isn’t as deep as what you’d find on the IE 800, nor is the treble is extended/sparkly as it either.
But what helps the entire presentation (and pleasure) is the airy soundstage. The IE 80 S follows in the steps of its more expensive counterpart in this respect. So this means that it’s a more 3D space than it is wide, and the dynamics of different notes in the space are superb.
Final Thoughts
We reckon that the two biggest questions that the IE 80 S will raise are if they’re a worthy upgrade and if they’re worth their hefty $350 price. We’re more inclined to say Yes to the second question than the first, but it will come down to what the listener values. The IE 80 S in no way wipes the floor with the original IE 80, and the recommendation becomes difficult when the still-capable original costs $150 less than the new guy.
But if sound quality means a lot to you (which, if you’re thinking about dropping a few hundred, then it probably does), than the IE 80 S may be worth it. Sennheiser has carried over some of its higher level expertise to its mid-range champ and it can make a valuable difference. It also helps how the device is refined as much out as it is in.
KOOGEEK has launched a special sale just in time for Christmas with as much as 57% off the RRP.
The sale focuses on the Internet of Things devices that will help you connect your life to the cloud from a smart arm blood pressure monitor with 35% off and a wireless digital body weight scale with 30% off.
Up for grabs is an Apple Homekit enabled smart plug reduced down from $28.99 to $24.64 and a smart light bulb reduced from $36.99 to $31.44. There’s also a variety of smart light switches for $33.59 or less.
KOOGEEK are even offering smart fitness gear for as little as $49.99 from the $79.99 RRP. For all the best deals in time for Christmas, be sure to check out the store for all the discounts to be had – there’s simply too many to list here.
Editor Note: This article is a paid or sponsored publication. AndroidGuys has vetted the links at the time of publication; however, the articles should not be considered a blanket endorsement for the products or services highlighted herein. In some instances AndroidGuys may receive a small percentage of revenue derived from purchases through affiliate links. Money generated here is used to help pay for the site and/or staff.
In the market for an affordable, quality Bluetooth speaker? You might want to check out what Wicked Audio has to offer.
A brand many of you are probably acquainted with (their products are sold via Best Buy, Amazon and more), Wicked Audio’s portfolio also includes two Bluetooth speakers. I’ve been testing them both for the last few weeks, and I have to say I’m quite taken with them. With competitive price tags attached to them, these two speakers provide a great alternative for music lovers who don’t want to spend premium on an entertainment device they might not use on a daily basis.
The first thing that struck me when I received the two speakers was the super cool packaging. I am an illustration/graffiti lover, and the their boxes were adorned with lots of fun art to behold. A real visual treat indeed and definitely something I wasn’t expecting. Also kudos for the name; Wicked Audio sounds a lot better than Sonos or Sennheiser or anything of the sort.
But what about the products? I’m getting there…
Wicked Audio Outcry, the mini Bluetooth speaker
The two Wicked Audio speakers are named Outcry (the smaller, portable one) and Outcry Extreme (the bigger one) and you can get them set up in an instant. Just turn them on, while also making sure Bluetooth on your mobile device is also on. The Wicked Audio speakers should show up in the Available Devices section on your phone and from there you can easily pair them together. Note that you can only pair one mobile device to either of the speakers at a time.
The smaller Outcry speaker is a tiny cylinder, that can fit basically anywhere (in your pocket, palm or in your bag/purse). It feels quite sturdy in hand, as it’s made of durable materials. It’s also water-resistant. The speaker grill lives at the top and that’s where the sound comes out.
The tiny Outcry does a pretty swell job of filling a room with music, even as it relies on a less than stellar 40mm driver. Portability is probably this speaker’s main selling point, as well as the fact that it features manual controls that let you adjust the volume on the speaker without actually doing so from the smartphone.
What’s more, as mentioned above the Outcry is pretty sturdy. I’m a pretty clumsy person and I must confess I must have dropped the speaker at least three times. Two times it was playing music, but it continued to stream the sound unperturbed. I could not spot any post-battle scratches on it either.
The mini speaker has a battery life of only 3 hours – which isn’t much – and takes up to 1.5 hours to fully recharge. Wicked Audio notes it has a Bluetooth range of 32ft/10m and in my experience of using it in my small apartment, I didn’t notice any connection drops.
What about the larger Wicked Audio Outcry Extreme?
Wicked Audio Outcry Extreme gets the party started
Despite the aesthetically pleasing package design, the Wicked Audio Outcry Extreme Bluetooth Speaker boasts a very familiar look. It’s rectangular in shape with rounded ends and features a grille made from metal that wraps around most of the speaker except for plastic-made top and bottom. Technically, the Outcry Extreme isn’t a true 360-degree speaker, but it does have sound coming out from the back, as well as the front.
The Outcry Extreme features an On/Off switch on the back of the device, alongside a 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB port for charging. On top of the speakers, you’ll find the manual controls for adjusting volume, skip or play/pause tracks, as well as answering phone calls.
Like it’s smaller brother, it’s designed to entertain. Not only will the speaker provide a robust musical background, but it also put a smile on your face every time you connect (or disconnect) your phone to it. When the Bluetooth connection is lost or you disconnect it, the speaker lets out a frustrated “Grr” sound, but when it connects again, it will greet you with a goofy “Ding!”.
Moving on to sound quality, the Outcry Extreme features twin 45mm drivers that managed to do a pretty decent job when the sound volume wasn’t too high. When playing some tracks (mostly metal or rock) at full volume, the sound had a tendency to become quite distorted. Bass lines aren’t particularly striking either, although Wicked Audio promises “earth-shattering, rock you to the core, ghetto blaster bass”. Fortunately, if you have a music player such as nPlayer installed on your phone, you can use its embedded equalizer to enhance the bass experience.
Obviously, the Outcry Extreme is louder than the tiny Outcry, but even so don’t expect it rattle your windows.
And here’s an observation that might prove relevant to some. The Outcry Extreme and smaller Outcry don’t shut themselves off when you disconnect Bluetooth or leave it inactive for a while. You’ll just have to do it manually, annoying as it might sometimes be.
The Wicked Audio Outcry Extreme offers up to 8 hours of audio playback but will take more than half that time (4.5 hours) to fully recharge, so it’s best to do it overnight.
The Outcry Extreme has the same Bluetooth range as the tiny Outcry (32ft/10m) and is also water-resistant, so it shouldn’t be harmed if you forget it in the backyard and a few drops of rain touch it overnight (although I did not test this scenario).
Conclusion
While the Outcry speakers don’t deliver the kind of audio that makes you feel you’re standing in a concert hall while the band is playing on stage in front of you, they do offer decent quality sound and set of functions without breaking the bank. Not to mention great packaging. The mini Outcry is available for $29.99 a pop, while the Outcry Extreme can be yours for $54.99. They can surely make for great Christmas gifts!
Enjoy talking to your Google Assistant on your phone, but don’t like using the traditional “OK Google” trigger? Well, you don’t have to anymore.
Google is finally letting people use the much more intuitive alternative “Hey Google” to wake up the virtual assistant. Users from all over the world have started receiving a prompt to setup voice recognition with Google Assistant, with the new command being included.
Smartphone owners were asked to repeat a few phrases a few times including “Hey Google” in order to retrain their voice model settings. Don’t be worried if you’ve grown attached to the old “OK Google” phrase, you can keep using it if you prefer it. It’s up to you!
The “Hey Google” command was already available for Google Home owners, but now the search giant is expanding its availability to phones. Back in October, Google started testing the new way to interact with the Google Assistant on smartphones, but made it available only to a few select users.
Speaking of the Assistant, Google recently started rolling it out for Android smartphones running the older Lollipop version. The Mountain View-based company also said the virtual assistant will make its way to tablets starting this week. Will the “Hey Google” hotword work on slates? It remains to be seen.
If you haven’t received a prompt on your device, you can manually check whether the new hotword is available for you by checking Settings>Google>Search>Voice>Voice Match to see if the new command is there.
An interesting rumor just surfaced online fueling dreams of a Nokia e6 comeback. You see according to an anonymous tipster Nokia could be in the process of working on a handset with a QWERTY keyboard à la BlackBerry.
According to the information, the BlackBerry-inspired Nokia phone will allegedly feature a 3.3-inch display with 480 x 480 resolution.
The source claims it will be an entry-level device to be powered by an unimpressive Snapdragon 205 processor. What’s more, we’re told the handset won’t run Android, but KaiOS – a lightweight mobile operating system based on HTML 5 designed for entry-level phones. Still, users will be able to have access to an app store, third-party apps, video calls, live TV streaming and more.
What’s more, the mystery device might have already popped at the FCC. The Nokia TA-1047 – which recently passed through the regulatory agency for certification – is apparently one and the same with the QWERTY-equipped Nokia revealed by the leakster.
Sadly, the FCC filing does little to corroborate the story, as the documents merely reveal the phone takes advantage of dual-SIM support, Bluetooth 4.2, LTE bands 5, 7 and 38 and an FM radio antenna. Oh, and the phone is listed as being 2.7-inch / 68 mm wide and 5.2-inch / 133 mm tall.
What do you think? Would you be interested in a modern take on the Nokia e6?
