Home Blog Page 799

Pixel 2 XL display of focus again with unresponsive edges

Dan Bartram
-
0

The Pixel 2 XL has been of much focus recently with a variety of screen problems that have done the rounds on the internet recently. Following reports of the screen flashing when some owners unlock their Pixel 2 XL, some users are now having issues with unresponsive patches around the edges of the screen.

The good news is that Google has acknowledged the issue and have said it will be sorted by an OTA patch. That’s good since it means that it’s not a hardware problem and can be solved by a software patch.

The issue first arose on the Pixel User Community forum where a user noticed that while sliding his finger along the screen’s edges worked fine, his taps along the edges were not always registered and there were patches of unresponsive areas.

It doesn’t seem to be a wide-spread issue and only seems to impact a handful of users, which is odd if it is a software bug. However, some users who have not previously noticed the issue have seen the problem manifest itself when the test is repeated in the video above, so perhaps it is a software issue that seems to be more prevalent to some users.

We’d love to hear from you if you’ve seen issues with your Pixel 2 XL. Drop us a comment below.

Android 8.1 will reduce the size of inactive apps to save size

Dan Bartram
-
0

While the base storage has seen smartphones get rid of the 16GB models, storage is still much of a contention point when it comes to app sizes. New applications are getting larger in size and while devices with 64GB of storage may not think twice about installing an app over 100MB, those with lower-end devices and limited storage could find their smartphones running out of space.

A new mechanism in Android 8.1 will help devices with limited storage by reducing application cache sizes for those apps not regularly used. An October 31 commit to the Android Open Source Project (AOSP) framework describes a feature that triggers automatically when a device is running low on space. Applications not used in a specific window will be marked as inactive. It’s those apps that Android considers as not recently used in the foreground or by packages in the background that will be in scope for the optimization method.

In Android 8.1, applications marked “inactive” aren’t run through dexopt, the Android tool that optimizes .dex files to produce an .odex file. As a result, they don’t take up space in the Dalvik compiler’s cache and therefore don’t take up valuable resources.

Applications will take up the same amount of install space but the cache side of things will be limited and it’s here where the gains are to be had. While the feature is good, it’s still part of Android 8.1 which the likelihood of the devices that would benefit from this feature actually getting it is pretty small. At least things are moving in the right direction.

QardioBase 2 – a pricey but top-tier smart scale (Review)

Donovan Jeska
-
0

I’ve owned perhaps half a dozen scales in my lifetime; analog, digital, smart, you name it. My current daily use scale is the HTC-made Under Armour Scale, and I love it. It’s solidly made, convenient, full-featured, and fool-proof.

The QardioBase 2 blows it – and all the ones before it – right away.

Build

 

Right when you pull it out the box, you can tell a lot of thought and love went into its design. The glass top is neatly sloped around the edge, and the rubberized bottom casing – not even visible 90% of the time – is soft and cleanly designed, where Qardio easily could have skimped on it. A MicroUSB port is hidden under a flap around the rim, used for wired data transfer and (in a mind-blowing revelation) to recharge the internal 12 month Li-Ion battery. Every scale I’ve ever owned – even the Under Armour Scale – has been battery powered – and we’re talking AAA or C batteries here, not Li-Ion – so having the ability to recharge it instead of replacing the batteries is nothing less than a revelatory no-brainer. Beyond that rechargeable battery, the QardioBase 2 also has built-in 802.11n WiFi and Bluetooth 4.0 – also rare for smart scales, which usually use one or the other or neither.

 

Performance

Initially I had some concerns with the QardioBase 2, because it was reading my weight at five pounds lighter than the UA Scale or a dumb, analog one. Flattering though that sudden weight loss was, I suspected it to be inaccurate. Fortunately, with some advice from a very helpful Qardio rep, I discovered it to be user error, nothing more. With the dumb scales of the past, all that’s been required is to stand on the scale and let it weigh you. With Qardio, though, you need to give it a firm tap with your foot to wake it up, allowing it to “zero” itself and accurately reflect your weight.

Operator SNAFUs aside, the QardioBase 2 offers a range of functionality to track your weight progress, be it gains, loss, or the development of a small parasite with a nine month gestation period in your abdomen. The scale will automatically detect which user is standing on it, up to 12 unique profiles. It not only measures weight, but also BMI (which in my opinion is a horrible decision, given that BMI is a deeply flawed, even emotionally-toxic measure of health) and body composition (the percentage of your body weight that’s Bone, Muscle, Fat, and Water). The information is mostly conveyed through the companion app rather than the LED screen, though the emoji that display when you turn the scale on are at once charming and creepy.

Yeah. This guy.

Companion App

The Qardio app is a simple affair. Unlike the Under Armour app, which strives to be a one-stop shop for all your fitness needs, Qardio’s only has three purposes; to manage your Qardio devices, record your weight progress, and automatically track your activity level (in conjunction with your phone and/or the QardioArm. It can configure your scale to four different modes – Normal (which tracks Weight, BMI, and Body Composition), Weight Only (which is useful for people with a pacemaker or other implanted device), Smart Feedback (which judges your weight gain or loss as a smiley instead of a number), or Pregnancy (if you’re expecting that aforementioned parasite). Overall it’s a pretty simple, unambitious app that more companies should emulate – too many try to be that one-stop shop in a shop full of one-stop shops.

Value

At $149.00, the QardioBase 2 is a little pricy. When compared to other similar models (for example, the Under Armour Scale at $79.99 or the FitBit Aria at $87.79) it’s definitely at the high end of the price sheet. That being said, though, I find it to be in another class when it comes to build quality and ease of use. The QardioBase 2 quickly became my go-to smart scale for daily weigh-ins, and I never looked back. My poor Under Armour Scale is is now collecting dust in the cupboard.

Buy the QardioBase 2 on Amazon

Turn your Android phone into a Polaroid camera with Prynt Pocket

Alexandra Arici
-
0

Nostalgic about the good old days when your Polaroid camera used to print your pictures on the go? The you might want to check out this add-on unit from Prynt that can add Polaroid camera functionality to your Android smartphone.

The module is called the Prynt Pocket and so far is compatible with select high-end smartphones including the Google Pixel, Samsung Galaxy S8, and Galaxy Note 8 or Nexus 6P. You can check your phone’s compatibility by following this link.

The add-on uses sticker paper and can print around 20 photos per charge. It should be noted that because the Prynt Pocket uses ZINK ink-free thermal printing technology, you’ll be required to use the company’s proprietary printing paper.

To get started all you need to do plug your phone, take a photo and print it. Prynt also incorporates a surprise – it makes use of augmented reality in the accompanying app to create a short video from which a still image will be generated and printed. So, when the printed photo is viewed through the app by hoovering the phone on top of it, it will come alive. It’s certainly a pretty fun little trick to try out with friends!

For those interested, the Prynt Pocket already surpassed its funding goal on Kickstarter, but you can still make a pledge. For $119 you’ll get one Prynt Pocket for Android + 10 sheets of ZINK Sticker Paper. The estimated shipping date is set for April 2018.

Google’s Files Go app launches on Android

Dan Bartram
-
0

Google earlier this week began testing a new app for sharing files called Files Go that was spotted on the Play Store by some keen onlookers. Google since pulled the app from the Store but now it’s back.

Named Files Go (Beta), the app primarily acts as a file manager for your Android device but focuses heavily on sharing files, which doesn’t even need a network connection.

There’s a whole ton of tools embedded in the app such as a duplicate image detector, cache cleaner, and a range of notifications that will alert you to ways to free up space on your device. Aside from the obvious access to the files on your device, Files Go will let you know how much space can be freed up by deleting unused apps and downloaded files.

Mileage may vary on the availability of the app since Google hasn’t exactly officially launched it yet, so be prepared for it to disappear and reappear at its own will. It’s also Beta so if you do have it and notice any bugs or it deletes the entirety of your smartphone’s files then, well, tough.

It seems a good way of sharing files on Android similar to Apple’s AirDrop but not as refined just yet, but it’s in development so has time to get better.

For those that are interested in Files Go, check it out here.

2-day battery smartphone showdown: Nokia 2 vs LG X charge

Alexandra Arici
-
0

A smartphone is only as good as its battery. After all, without power, it’s reduced to a simple brick. And while most flagships rely on a decent power source, it’s the budget handsets that lead the pack when it comes to providing a long battery life.

Case in point, the recently unveiled Nokia 2 and LG X charge are two such budget-oriented devices perfect for customers looking for a smartphone that can last them 2 days on a single charge. And in what follows, we take a look at the phones’ spec lists and see how they compare to one another:

On the outside

The Nokia 2 is the cheapest smartphone in HMDs portfolio and its main selling points are obviously affordability, as well as its long battery life.

The body is made out of plastic, but customers will surely appreciate the classic but elegant design with simple lines and no buttons on the front side. The device includes a 5-inch display with low-end 1280 x 720 resolution.

The LG X charge, on the other hand, includes a more spacious 5.5-inch display with the same 720p resolution and no buttons, but its main body is made of sturdy metal.

Neither model features a fingerprint scanner.

On the inside

Since it’s an entry-level smartphone, the Nokia 2 packs a quad-core 1.3GHz Snapdragon 212 processor, as well as 1GB of RAM and 8GB of expandable storage (up to 128GB). As for the LG X charge, it relies on an octa-core MediaTek MT6750 processor clocked at 1.5GHz and 2GB of RAM + 16GB of expandable storage (add up to 2TB).

Battery life is the standout characteristic of both models. The Nokia 2 relies on a 4,100 mAh juice pack, and between the low draw processor, Android 7 optimization, and 5-inch 720p display, it will be able to deliver two days of usage with its eyes closed.

The LG X charge relies on an even larger 4,500 mAh battery which is also expected to last up to 2 days away from the charger. Moreover, the phone boasts fast-charging capabilities.

Photography

While you won’t be able to use the cameras on these phones to take spectacular shots, you’ll be able to snap a few decent casual pictures. The Nokia 2 packs an 8-megapixel main snapper and a pretty unimpressive 2-megapixel selfie camera which will probably produce extremely grainy self-portraits.

As for the LG X charge, it relies on the standard 13-megapixel with flash/5-megapixel (with LED flash and Auto Shot) camera combo.

Software

The Nokia 2 ships out with Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, but HMD has already confirmed the Android 8.0 Oreo update for it. What’s more, the phone will also have the Google Assistant on board.

The LG X charge takes advantage of Android 7.1 Nougat, but we believe it’s quite unlikely that LG will update it to Android 8.0, although we can certainly hope it will.

Value

The Nokia 2 is priced at a super affordable $99, but for the time being customers in the US won’t be able to purchase it. At this point, it’s still unclear whether HMD will offer the device in the States. But keep your fingers crossed!

The LG X charge, on the other hand, is available to buy from a number of locations. If you are a Prime member you can pick it up from Amazon for $199. Or you can grab it for $99 from Cricket Wireless (with an accompanying plan).

Xfinity Mobile also has it in stock and you can acquire it for either $180 or $7.50/month for 24 months.

What should you get if given the chance to choose? It’s up to you, obviously but remember this: the Nokia 2 is more affordable and will receive the Android 8.0 Oreo update. On the other hand, the LG X charge boasts a metal body, has more storage and RAM and includes better cameras.

South Park: Phone Destroyer hits the Google Play Store

Alexandra Arici
-
0

Announced by Ubisoft back in June, South Park: Phone Destroyer is now available for download from the Google Play Store.

Created in collaboration with RedLynx, the game is practically a digital card game in the vein of Hearthstone, but the story is placed in the South Park universe. Phone Destroyer offers real-time PvP battles, but also a single player story, which has been co-developed with South Park Digital Studios.

Obviously, the game stars your favorite characters – Cartman, Kenny, Kyle and Stan, I’m looking at you. But this being South Park, be prepared to hear some offensive language here and there, so this is not really a game suitable for kids.

The game is virtually free to download and play, but it’s sprinkled with optional in-app purchases ranging from $2.99 to $69.99. Nevertheless, this aspect won’t hamper a player’s ability to fully experience what the game has to offer. According to Ubisoft:

“The game is free to play. Everything can be earned in the game without paying, but you can choose to spend real-world money if you wish. The game is designed so that nothing is ever locked behind a paywall. Everything in the game is available to all players as they progress, whether they choose to spend real-world money or not.”

Download South Park: Phone Destroyer from the Google Play Store.

Stunning Sony Xperia XZ Premium in Red is now available in the US

Alexandra Arici
-
0

Not so long ago we made a roundup of some of the best smartphones available coming with a dashing red paint job and the Sony Xperia XZ Premium was included in the list. However, at the time the device was only available in Japan. Not anymore, as customers in the US can now place an order for the fiery smartphone through Amazon.

The Rosso (Red in Italian) Sony Xperia XZ Premium can be purchased for $599.99 and is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Ironically, the red Xperia XZ Premium does not work on Big Red’s network (aka Verizon).

When it comes to specs, the alluring new model doesn’t differ at all from the other color variants of the smartphone. The device will ship out with a high-end 5.5-inch 4K display and packs a Snapdragon 835 processor, aided by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage.

Perhaps its most impressive feature is the primary 19-megapixel MotionEye camera which allows users to shoot super slow motion video at 960fps. The snapper is also equipped with predictive phase detection, laser autofocus and LED flash.

The phone runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box but will be among the first Sony handsets to be upgraded to Android 8.0 Oreo.

Samsung Galaxy S9 probably won’t have in-display fingerprint sensor

Dan Bartram
-
0

The move to all-display screens and reduced bezels has presented a new challenge to manufacturers where the fingerprint sensor is now placed with the loss of the home button.

Many smartphones had the fingerprint sensor built directly into the home button but the move to eliminate bezels meant the home button had to make way. Some opted for the sensor to be placed on the rear of the device, while others like Apple got rid of the sensor completely. While part down to a move towards facial recognition as a replacement for fingerprint security, much of the decision was forced due to the lack of available technology to embed a sensor under the display.

It was expected that the technology would make an appearance in the Note 8 but was reportedly not ready. Expectations then shifted to see it included in the Galaxy S9 but a new report suggests that Samsung may have bailed on the idea altogether.

Reported by The Investor, Samsung is said to have to come to the decision not to include fingerprint sensors in the display of the Galaxy S9. Instead, a fingerprint sensor is likely to remain in situ on the rear of the device as current models.

The report comes as apparently, Samsung have no finalized the hardware and design of the Galaxy S9 and the decision has once again been forced by the lack of technology and space in the device to house the necessary sensors.

It could be that while a sensor under the display would be a great improvement over the current placement, it’s not exactly a game changer and perhaps Samsung was wasting too much resource into something that Apple just decided to get rid of entirely.

While disappointing if true, as the fingerprint sensor placement on the Note 8 and Galaxy S8 sucks, it certainly won’t deter people from flocking in their masses to purchase the Galaxy S9.

How to hide photos on Instagram (without deleting them)

Alexandra Arici
-
0

There are many reasons why you might want to delete a photo from Instagram. Maybe you don’t want to be reminded of that awesome holiday you took with your ex, or you’ve come to realize that pic you were so very proud at 2 am in the morning actually looks pretty horrible.

But that doesn’t necessarily mean you want to delete them forever. Maybe you want to keep them around for later laughs or in case nostalgia hits. Fortunately, you can do that quite easily, as Instagram gives you the option to archive unwanted images rather than permanently delete them from your feed.

To do so, follow these simple steps:

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android phone
2. Bring up the photo in question
3. Above the photo, tap on the three dots (settings)


4. Select the “Archive” option at the top of the list to achieve the image. This means the picture is visible to you, but no one else. Original likes and comments will remain attached to the post.

If in a few weeks you change your mind, you can easily re-add the photo in question to your feed.

1. Open the Instagram app on your Android phone
2. Tap on the Clock icon which will open up Archived Images


3. Tap on the photo you want to restore to your feed


4. Tap on the three dots above it
5. Select “Show on Profile” to have it show up on your profile again

1...798799800...1,314Page 799 of 1,314