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OnePlus release OxygenOS Beta 2 for OnePlus 5

Dan Bartram
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It’s not even been a month since we saw the first Beta of Android Oreo for the OnePlus 5 and the custom OxygenOS layer that OnePlus has. The company is now releasing the second Beta of OxygenOS for the OnePlus 5 and while it isn’t a release that has a ton of new features like the last, it does contain a bunch of bug fixes and performance improvements.

What’s new:

Launcher

  • Fixed widget issues
  • Fixed shortcut issues

Camera

  • UI improvements

File Manager

  • Added f4v format in video category
  • Speed improvements while deleting massive files

System

  • Improvements for Reading Mode
  • Improvements for vibration
  • Improvements for Bluetooth audio
  • Fixed Parallel Apps bugs
  • Fixed reboot issue when using Picture in Picture
  • Updated Android security patch to November
  • General bug fixes and stability improvements

You should receive an OTA for Beta 2 of Oreo if you’ve previously had an Open Beta installed on your device. If you were waiting for the second release and the bugs to be patched before jumping ship then just sign up here and sideload the update or install it via recovery.

It’s worth highlighting this is a Beta release so, despite the whole host of bug fixes in this release, you may find some additional bugs not yet patched, so proceed with caution. If you do find a bug, go ahead and help out OnePlus by reporting it here.

Best Buy discounts entire collection of Moto Mods

Alexandra Arici
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Have a Moto Z2 Play or Moto Z around the house and you have been planning to invest in a new Moto Mod? Then you’ll be glad to know that Best Buy is currently offering discounts on all the Moto Mod lineup.

You’ll be able to get some decent discounts, including $75 off the rather expensive Moto 360 Camera which easily snaps onto the phone to allow users to shoot video in 4K, as well as take 150-degree ultrawide-angle photos. The problem with this Moto Mod is: is a 360-degree camera that costs as much as a decent budget phone really worth it? Well, it might, now that you can snatch it with $75 off.

Here’s the complete list of discounted Moto Mods at Best Buy:

360 Camera Moto Mod – $224.99 (previously $299.99)

Hasselblad Moto Mod – $224.99 (previously $299.99)

Insta Share Projector – $224.99 (previously $299.99)

Smart Speaker with Amazon Alexa Moto Mod – $112.49 (previously $149.99)

Incipio offGRID Portable Charger Moto Mod – $55.99 (previously $79.99)

JBL SoundBoost Portable Speaker Moto Mod – $59.99 (previously $79.99)

JBL SoundBoost 2 Portable Speaker Moto Mod – $59.99 (previously $79.99)

Mophie Juice Pack Moto Mod – $79.99 (previously $99.99)

Gamepad Moto Mod – $59.99 (previously $79.99)

Polaroid Insta-Share Printer Moto Mod – $149.99 (previously $199.99)

Moto Style Shell Case with Wireless Charging – $29.99 (previously $39.99)

For some reason, the Gamepad, Incipio offGRID, JBL SoundBoost and Hasselblad deals are available only in-store, but otherwise, you can take advantage of the discounts simply by purchasing online.

The price cut are going to be available for a limited time, so if you want one of these discounted Moto Mods you best act quick!

Tips to safely download games to your Android device (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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Android is an open source operating system. This sometimes makes it a little tough to determine the fake apps from the genuine ones. There are over two million games and apps on the official app store, third-party app stores and on sites as APK files. In such a situation, it is quite important to exercise caution in choosing an app and its compatibility with your device. We present the tips to safely download games to your Android device in this post.

Tips to safely download games to your Android device

The Android games have ceased to be what they used to be in the past. With the screen sizes of the devices increasing, they have now been equivalent the console games in their portfolio and capabilities. So much so that days are not far away that we will be using the best gaming mouse for playing the games on an Android.

This popularity has given rise to duplicates and look-alikes as well. There are several fake apps that consist of malware or spyware. From that perspective, following a few precautions while downloading games would be advisable.

Get Your Apps from Reliable Sources

It would be advisable to check the source of your Android apps. The most reliable option would be Google Play Store which is the official app store for Android. You may also check out the Amazon App Store if available in your region. The Google Play Store has recently included an added security feature to check the apps if they have any malware.

Apart from Google Play Store, the only reliable option from third-party sources would be Amazon App store. Amazon has been one of the most accountable app stores since long.

Avoid Third-Party App Stores

Android being an open source operating system, it has you several independent third-party app stores. Please note that not all these can be genuine. In fact, we would advise you against using any of these app stores for downloading games onto your device.

You should be beware of these third-party app stores. More so when the app store offers you paid apps for free. Maybe the apps available through the store have malware. Ensure caution if you really have to use any of those app stores.

Sideloading Android Apps

Sideloading refers to installing apps and games on your Android using other options than the official Google Play Store. The option is disabled by default; however, enabling it is quite easy. You just need to go into the Settings menu on your Android device, locate Unknown Sources under the Security tab and toggle the switch. Side loading may be necessary you d not have a genuine application on Google Play Store.

This option lets you download apps and games in the APK format and then install them on your device. Do exercise caution while downloading the APK file from unknown sources. There are several sites that host links to the APK files for popular apps. Not all of them can be safe. Ensure you are downloading the APK file from the official source alone.

Be Aware of Copycats

Copycats galore when it comes to Android apps. When an app or game goes popular, several non-genuine apps are uploaded to the app stores masquerading as the original ones. Detecting the copycats is an essential exercise you need to take care of. It should be noted that the reputed app stores like Google Play Store and Amazon App store too sometimes fail to detect such apps. The recent case where a lookalike of WhatsApp surfaced on Google Play Store.

Checkout App Permissions

Android has a unique system of granting permission to your apps and games so that they would be able to access certain hardware on your device. In fact, this security feature can be used against the rogue apps and games if you are careful enough. The game developer may have their own reasons cited for a particular permission, but make sure the permission is actually needed. If you think it is not, do not grant permission for that particular access.

For instance, a game may ask for permission for making calls or accessing messages. If you are sure that nothing in the game has anything to do with the messaging or phone feature – do not grant permission for this access. If you are on Android Marshmallow or above, you can use selective approach while granting permissions to your apps.

In Conclusion

Well, those tips should be helpful enough in staying safe from the onslaught of illegal or rogue apps and games on your Android. Never ever install a game that claims to be extra beneficial. Too good may not be always true. Avoid those sources that offer you paid apps and games for free.

Being an open source, Android has its own set of advantages and disadvantages. You need to be extra careful in safely downloading and installing the games on your device. Do follow the above tips and stay safe!

Xiaomi also said to be in talks with AT&T, Verizon for US launch

Alexandra Arici
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For the past few years, we’ve been constantly hearing rumors that Xiaomi – a Chinese OEM that’s very popular in Asia – plans to bring its sleek yet affordable smartphones to the US.

Back in April, Xiaomi’s new global chief Wang Xiang, said in an interview following the Mi 6 flagship’s launch, that the company’s phones are bound to make it into the US in two years, if not sooner.

But many people remained skeptical. After all, last year former Xiaomi executive Hugo Barra made a similar statements in 2016, saying that the company has plans to enter the US in the near future. And even as Xiaomi made its first appearance at the CES trade show earlier this year in Las Vegas, it wasn’t to launch any smartphones. Instead, the company unveiled a China-only white color variant of the Mi MIX phablet, as well as a TV and a router.

Well, a new report coming out of Bloomberg today reveals that like Huawei, Xiaomi is also in talks with two US carries about selling their products on the US market. The unnamed sources revealed that both Chinese companies are currently in the process of negotiating with Verizon and AT&T, among others. However, discussions are still fluid, so there is a big chance nothing will materialize in the end.

Xiaomi has been skittish about entering the US smartphone market and with good reason. The majority of Americans haven’t heard of Xiaomi. On top of that, the company’s model of selling its phones directly through its website wouldn’t translate well in the US, where most customers buy a phone through a carrier.

That’s why Xiaomi needs to strike a deal with one or more of the country’s largest carriers. But bringing a device to their network usually implies customization and tedious testing, and that’s something Xiaomi has been reluctant to do so far. But if the information brought us by Bloomberg is correct, Xiaomi seems to have seized a window of opportunity.

 

Xiaomi says it hasn’t rushed into the US is that it doesn’t want to disappoint the fans it does have there. So if the company does make it stateside in 2018, expect a slower start with middle-range devices such as the Mi 5X arriving first on the market, hopefully, followed by flagships like the upcoming Mi 7.

Xiaomi wouldn’t be the first Chinese company trying to penetrate the competitive smartphone market. ZTE, for example, managed to do quite well for itself. The smartphone maker is selling its Axon M smartphone through AT&T and has a number of other lower-end devices available through carriers like T-Mobile and Verizon.

The first phone with an in-display fingerprint scanner will come from Vivo, not Samsung

Alexandra Arici
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Earlier this week, Synaptics announced it has begun mass production with a top-five OEM to produce its new Clear ID FS9500 in-display fingerprint sensor.

While the announcement didn’t specify the name of the company, many assumed Samsung’s Galaxy S9 will be the first smartphone to offer an in-display fingerprint authentication system. After all, the Samsung Galaxy S8 was supposed to get Synaptics’ FS9100 optical fingerprint sensor, but that didn’t happen in the end.

Well as it turns out, these predictions were wrong. According to a new report coming from Forbes, Synaptics has revealed the name of the OEM in question. And it’s not Samsung, but Vivo – a relatively unknown brand in the Western market.

The company, which is part of the Chinese BBK Electronics conglomerate, alongside OPPO and OnePlus is very well-known in its home country due to its products that always seem to be first in line for new trends. Now Vivo is going to be the first OEM to bring the world an 18:9 bezel-less phone with a fingerprint scanner under the display. But will Synaptics’ new sensor get the much-needed exposure inside a Vivo phone? The Samsung Galaxy S9 would have been a much safer bet, although chances are the Korean OEM might have just given up on the idea and cut its losses.

If you are a bit curious about the new in-screen sensor created by Synaptics, this is a small CMOS device planted below an AMOLED display. In order for the technology to work, the finger has to be illuminated, so the scanner can read the reflection on the finger scan.

This means that using the technology will require part of the screen to light up so that the fingerprint scanner can capture the reflection between the AMOLED pixels.

The overall process takes about 0.7 seconds, which is a bit longer than the usual 0.2 seconds advertised by most fingerprint scanners these days. On the bright side, Synaptics notes the tech consumes very little, as low as 80 mA of power.

While it’s quite disappointing we won’t be seeing Synaptics’ new in-display fingerprint scanner on the Galaxy S9, we’re certainly curious to see how Vivo’s phone will turn out. How about you?

Best Android games: What you should play in 2018 (Promoted)

Guest Blogger
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2018 is upon us, and Android players are scrambling to cash in on the hottest games. Gaming on Android smartphones, tablets, and phablets is a big business, and it’s worlds apart from what it used to be. Back in the day, we would be seated on the rug in front of the TV, with an Atari console and clunky cables. Remember those TV sets that weighed a tonne? They were like refrigerators with screens. Nowadays, Android is all the rage. Technology has evolved at a rate of knots, and we can enjoy audio-visual prowess, and spectacular 3D functionality.

The introduction of virtual reality (VR) headsets as accouterments for smartphones and tablets has boosted the appeal of Android games no end. Whether you enjoy playing PC games, console games, or straight up arcade games, there is no denying that Android beats them all. Feature-rich Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S8 crushes many of the finest iOS devices, and now Android is in contention to be a game changer for players. Without further ado, let’s get around to some of the hottest Android games that you can expect in the New Year. Let’s kick the tires and light the fires of great games for your smartphone in 2018.

What’s Hot at the Google Play Store?

The Battle of Polytopia

Here’s a game that is free to play and is a fun-filled attraction for strategy-based gamers as part of the smorgasbord of the civilization series of games. It’s different to what you would traditionally expect from these types of games, because it makes them lots of fun and less tedious. It’s a little quirky, eccentric, and polished. The result is an addictive mobile game that is certainly worthy of an entertaining playing session. The Battle of Polytopia is rated E for everyone, and the game has a stellar 4.5/5 rating from 62,217 reviewers.

You’re about to discover exciting new worlds, build incredible cities, and engage in fierce battles against marauding tribes. This game offers a little something for everyone. There are skill-based elements in it, lots of maps to read, and seemingly unlimited worlds to explore. You’ve got dark and dingy forests, sticky jungles, and populated empires to play your way through. Do you have what it takes to rule the world? I guess we’re about to find out!

Dots & Co

Remember when Two Dots burst onto the gaming scene? It was a ground-breaking success. Since then, there have been many imitators. What’s great about Dots & Co is its simplicity. Don’t think of this game as the next edition of Two Dots – it’s more of a standalone variant of the first game. There are all sorts of exciting new challenges in this version of the game. It’s a puzzle-style game created by PlayDots and rated E for everyone.

The 4.5/5 rating from 73,980 reviewers is testament to the quality of the game. You’ve got 50 exciting new levels added to the game, for a grand total of 550 to work your way through. This game has been installed between 1 million times and 5 million times, so you know that it’s going to be an enormous success in 2018. Did we mention that it’s free to play? That’s right folks, Dots & Co is fun, travel friendly, and great for keeping you glued to your screen.

Bubble Shooter

Anyone in the mood for pop and play games? 2018 is going to be bursting with excitement, and what better way to celebrate the New Year than Bubble Shooter Classic. This game was created by Bubble, and is rated E for everyone. Players can blast their way through 2,000 incredible levels of complex puzzles, with classic point and play, pop and drop functionality. It’s highly addictive, and that’s a good thing because it’ll keep you busy when you’re waiting at the doctor’s office, on the train, on a plane, in the car, at work, or running errands.

It’s simply the must-have Android app for 2018. With a rating of 4.3/5 from 247,458 players, you know you’re in for a good time. Bubble Shooter is a logic-based game with plenty of puzzle-play an arcade-style entertainment. You can connect via Facebook and enjoy it with your friends, and there are exciting leaderboard challenges to make your way through. You get fireballs when you pop 7 bubbles, and bombs when you pop 10+ bubbles. You don’t even need Wi-Fi to get started with this great game – it’s so awesome.

Cats: Crash Arena Turbo Stars

Anyone in the mood for fun? If you’re on Android, you’ve got to play Cats Crash Arena Turbo Stars. This game was a smash hit in 2017 and we expect the same in 2018. What are you supposed to do in this game? Win! You will be building all sorts of contraptions to race against other cats in this hyper-cool, cartoon-style kitty cat-themed game. Some of the cats think they’re tough stuff, but we know better. It’s fun, friendly and all loaded up with great reviews, fantastic animation and surreal gameplay.

The game has been installed between 10 million and 50 million times. Rated E for everyone, Cats Crash Arena Turbo Stars is one of the Editor’s Choice games at the Google Play Store. You’ll be fighting fit against loads of other players as you build the ultimate fighting machine. We’re talking blades, bulldozers, Armageddon-style stuff. Players can also join up in 3 versus 3 clan battles for fun. Unlock amazing new weapons as you gear up for a catfight. Enough said, let’s get scratching!

OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition wallpapers are now available for download

Alexandra Arici
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Bummed that the OnePlus 5T Star Wars edition is available only in India and Northern Europe? Well here’s a reason not to be.

One of the members of the xda-developers community found a bunch of Star Wars wallpapers for the OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition (in encrypted form) in a system update for the regular 5T, and decrypted them.

The results are now available for download, so if you want to try them out on your OnePlus device, all you need to do is follow the source link.

While these wallpapers won’t magically turn your standard phone into a Star Wars edition, it will make it just a little bit sweeter.

The OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition was recently announced and comes with a White paint job and the Star Wars logo plastered on the back. The phone – which comes only a weeks after OnePlus announced the Lava Red OnePlus 5T in China – is identical to the standard flagship spec-wise.

The smartphone includes the same 6.01-inch display with FullHD resolution and bundles a Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood, aided by an 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. The dual-camera setup is still in place, although there’s no telephoto lens like on the OnePlus 5, which has been replaced with a low-light sensor instead.

The OnePlus 5T Star Wars Edition is available for approximately $608 in India

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+ renders based on CAD designs leave nothing to the imagination

Alexandra Arici
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Samsung’s next flagships, the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ – which are widely anticipated to be incremental upgrades over the Galaxy S8 – are bound to make a debut in a few months.

While we wait on the official announcement, we can already take a sneak peek at what’s coming by checking out these newly leaked Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 renders.

Like it’s always the case when @OnLeaks (in collaboration with 91mobiles/MySmartPrice) reveals images of unannounced phones, the renders are based on factory CAD designs. This particular leakster has proven to be reliable in the past, so there is a pretty good chance the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ will look like this when they make a grant debut a few months from now.

According to the report, the Galaxy S9 will measure around 147.6 x 68.7 x 8.4 mm, which means it will be a bit shorter, wider and thicker than its predecessor which features 148.9 x 68.1 x 8.0 mm dimensions.

Furthermore, the Galaxy S9 is expected to arrive with a dual-curved display, water-resistant body, 3.5mm headphone jack and a single lens on the back, which is visible in the renders. The current consensus is that dual-camera treatment will be reserved only for the Galaxy S9+ this year.

Speaking of the Galaxy S9+, the phone is said to come with a 6.1-inch display, which is 0.1-inch smaller than the 6.2-inch display of the soon-to-be-previous-generation Galaxy S8+. The phone should measure 157.7 x 73.8 x 8.5mm. For comparison’s sake, we’ll remind you the Galaxy S8+ is 159.5 x 73.4 x 8.1mm.

Given that both the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9+ appear to be thicker, we dare speculate that Samsung plans to implement larger batteries next year.

The main difference, when it comes to design, is that the Galaxy S9’s fingerprint scanner will no longer live to the right of the rear camera. To prevent users’ finger smudging the camera lens, Samsung will be moving the scanner of the S9 below the camera.

Obviously, we expect Samsung’s next flagships to take advantage of Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 platform – which only recently made a debut. The phones could pack up 6GB of RAM and maybe even 512GB of storage. Recently we also heard, the Galaxy S9 will go on sale in Black, Gold, Blue and a new intense Purple paint job.

Best deals on Verizon right now (December 2017)

Alexandra Arici
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With Christmas just around the corner, it’s time to get gifting and find the presents for your family and friends. If you haven’t picked them out yet, maybe you’d like to take a look at Verizon’s list of discounts for the season.

America’s biggest carrier is offering promotional prices on a lot of products, as well as freebies which can make for great gifts on their own. Below you’ll find some of the most noteworthy deals available:

Phones

$300 off the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL

Previously offered as an in-store exclusive, customers can now get this deal online too. You’ll need to finance your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL over 24 months to get $300 off, which will be applied to your account as a small credit each months starting in 1-2 billing cycles. What’s more, Verizon is also offering 50% off a Google Home speaker with the purchase.

To get the discount, just head over to Verizon and pick your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL and add it to your cart. Choose the finance option that spreads the cost over 24 months. And also make sure to have the Google Home in your shopping cart, to be able to take advantage of the discount.

Free ASUS Zenfone V Live

Switch and add a new line to Verizon and the carrier will give you an ASUS ZenFone V Live free of charge. The low-end phone has a retail value of $168 and could be a perfect first smartphone for a child or elderly member of your family.

Learn more about the ASUS Zenfone V Live here.

Samsung Galaxy J7 V for $5/month

This holiday season, Verizon lets customers save $120 on the Samsung Galaxy J7 V, in certain conditions. Switchers who activate a new line of service will be able to get it for $5/month, meaning the handset will cost you $120 instead of $240. The $120 discount will be applied as bill credit over 24 months.

Moto Z2 Play for $10/month

Similarly, switchers who activate a new line of service can grab the Moto Z2 Play for $10/month. So instead of paying $408 for the phone, you’ll only spend $240.

Tablets

Verizon Ellipsis 8 HD for $149.99

Verizon’s own Ellipsis 8 HD tablet is available with a hefty $170 discount for customers willing to jump on board with a 2-year contract with the carrier.

If for some reason you don’t want to do that, you can still pick the slate up for $249.99 outright or $10.41/month for 24 months.

Verizon Ellipsis 10 HD for $99.99

Similarly, you can get the larger Ellipsis with $200 off with a new 2-year activation. Or you can acquire it for the full retail price of $299.99 or $12.49/month for 24 months.

ASUS ZenPad Z8s for $99.99

Verizon has also discounted two ASUS tablets this holiday season. You can get the ZenPad Z8s for $99.99 with a new 2-year activation or for $249.99 outright.

ASUS ZenPad Z10 for $149.99

Need a bigger slate? The ZenPad Z10 is available with $180 off, for those who agree to a 2-year contract with the carrier. Otherwise, the device is up for sale for $329.99.

You can get other discounts on tablets like the Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 if you embark with a 2-year contract. Check out the full list here.

Accessories

Buy two cases get one free (discount will be applied in cart to lowest-priced item)

Tech21 Evo Check Case for Samsung Galaxy S8 – $39.99

Otterbox Symmetry Series Case for Galaxy J3 Eclipse – $39.99

Incipio DualPro Case for Galaxy Note 8 – $29.99

These are just a few examples, check the complete list of accessory cases right here.

Wearables

Fitbit Charge 2 – $129.99 (down from $140)

Fitbit Alta HR – $129.99 (down from $140)

Fitbit Blaze – $149.99 (down from $199.99)

Fitbit Ionic – $269.99 (down from $299.99)

Michael Kors Access Hybrid – $159.99 + $50 prepaid Mastercard

Garmin Vivosmart HR – $49.99 (down from $149.99)

Samsung Gear 360 (2017) – $229.99 + $50 prepaid Mastercard

For more deals on wearables check here.

Sound

JBL Link 20 – $159.99 (down from $199.99)

JBL Clip 2 Portable Bluetooth Speaker – $39.99 (down from $59.99)

UE Wonderboom – $79.99 (down from $99)

Bose SoundLink wireless headphones II – $199.99 ($299.99)

For more deals on audio products check here.

Connected home and others

Google Home – $79.99 (down from $120)

Google Home Mini – $29.99 (down from $49.99)

Google Chromecast Ultra – $54.99 (down from $80)

Bring your own phone to Verizon and get a $100 gift card

Sentio Desktop is a Samsung DeX alternative that works with any Android phone

Alexandra Arici
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Many companies have tried – and mostly failed throughout the years – to make smartphones work like PCs for years now. Just think of Motorola’s Atrix or HP’s crazy Elite x3 smartphone. But Samsung’s new DeX station seems to have challenged the perception that using a phone as a dedicated computer is something unattainable.

Trouble is the Samsung DeX is only compatible with the Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8+ and Note 8, so not everyone with an Android smartphone will be able to try smartphone as desktop/laptop experience.

That’s where Los Angeles-based Sentio comes in. The startup has recently unveiled the Sentio Desktop, which is an app-based phone-to-PC solution. It’s available for download for free from the Google Play Store for free and is compatible with ANY Android smartphone in circulation running Android 7.0 Nougat or later. Sentio Desktop supports millions of Android apps, including popular tools like Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, and others.

Similar to Samsung’s dock, Sentio Desktop aims to emulate a Windows-like experience on Android which includes multi-windows applications, desktop icons, a file explorer, and other similar features for maximum productivity.

Even as Sentio Desktop works with any Android device running Android Nougat or above, the app is touted as the perfect companion for Sentio’s flagship Superbook laptop shell. The device was launched on Kickstarter back in 2016 and only recently entered mass production. According to Sentio, the Superbook will be available come early 2018.

In the meanwhile, if you have an Android Nougat+ phone around, you can go ahead and download the Sentio Desktop app and see what it has to offer.

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