Halloween is just around the corner, and Instagram wants to make sure you can celebrate by posting a bunch of appropriately-themed images/videos.
So the Facebook-owned app unveiled a new tool called Superzoom, which aims to help users create a dramatic effect. As the name indicates, the feature allows you to create extreme close-ups short clips using creepy sound effects. You can find the Superzoom option right next to Boomerang.
On top of that, Instagram has also announced a series of Halloween face filters that can turn you into a zombie, blood-thirsty vampire, ghost and more. You’ll be able to take advantage of them until November 1st.
Halloween stickers are also available for those who want to decorate their pictures and videos with pumpkins, zombie hands and other holiday-themed decorations.
In order to be able to access Superzoom and the new stickers and filters, you need to have the latest Instagram version 20 installed on your device.
In recent days, the photo and video app announced a new feature is available in Stories which allows you to make a live Story with a friend. Stories is one of the most popular features ever introduced by Instagram, and the company wants to keep it that way by keeping users interested.
The Google Pixel 2 XL just launched the past week, but over the weekend reports begun to surface that the device’s OLED display was already showing signs of severe burn-in. Theoretically, all OLED panels have the risk of developing screen burn-in, but that usually happens after a screen displays the same image over a prolonged period of time. But the Pixel 2 XL has developed the issues only after a few days after launch.
On top of that, additional reports that the Pixel 2 XL’s display is not as vibrant as other phones have also been popping up. In the wake of these complaints, Google was said to be actively investigating these issue. Now the Mountain View-based company released an update on the situation.
Speaking about the screen burn-in problem, Google basically calls it a non-issue. Referring to it as “differential aging” Google says the problem is in line with that of other premium smartphones and that it should not affect the normal, day-to-day user experience. However, to alleviate concerns, Google promises future software updates to optimize user experience and maximize the life of the OLED display.
For those who are unhappy with the sRGB color gamut on their phones, the search giant says it will release a new update to add a new mode for more saturated colors to the Pixel 2 XL and Pixel 2. In a bid to explain its decision of going with a narrower color gamut by default, Google invites users to do some further reading on the engineering behind the Pixel 2 XL’s P-OLED display in close conjunction with Android 8.0 Oreo.
Google also said that in order “to give users peace of mind”, all Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL units will now come with a 2-year warranty worldwide. Which is great news, especially for US customers, as in the country, most phones usually come with 1-year warranty. LG also offers an additional year of warranty for free with the purchase of its flagship phones.
OnePlus seems to be gearing up for the release of the next device in its T range. Last year, the company pushed out the OnePlus 3T only four months after announcing the OnePlus 3 and if we are to believe recent leaks, the same scenario is going to repeat itself in 2017.
The Chinese smartphone maker rolled out the OnePlus 5 in June, which is already sold out on the company official website. This fueled speculation that the company is prepping to unveil the OnePlus 5T in the upcoming weeks. Some leaked images also showed up which gave the public a preliminary look into what’s coming next.
So what improvements will the OnePlus 5T bring over the OnePlus 5? Here are six features we expect to see on the new phone based on leaks and rumors so far:
New design
A lot of customers were disappointed when the OnePlus 5 arrived featuring a standard design with prominent bezels. Well, the biggest difference between the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 5T – we expect – is that the latter will make the transition to modernism in terms of design aesthetics.
Yes, the OnePlus 5T will probably come with a larger 6-inch a bezel-less display with 18:9 aspect ratio, which will allow it to compete for head to head with flagships such as the LG V30 or Pixel 2 XL.
A few alleged images of the OnePlus 5T leaked online showing us what to expect. What’s more, it is believed the phone could use the Vivo X20 or OPPO F5 as a design reference. Which isn’t surprising. In fact, the OnePlus 5 looks almost identical to the OPPO R11. And given that OnePlus, Vivo and OPPO are all part of BBK Electronics Corporation, this scenario is not far-fetched, at all.
Goodbye physical home button
The Vivo X20
Don’t like physical buttons? Then you’re going to love the OnePlus 5T. Samsung ditched the home button when it started incorporating the InfinityDisplay into its flagships and now its OnePlus’ turn to the same. The two capacitive buttons for “back” and “most recent apps” will probably also be removed. Say hi to virtual, on-screen buttons instead!
Fingerprint scanner changes location
The OPPO F5 or OnePlus 5T?
Since there will be no physical home button in front, the fingerprint scanner will most likely be moved to live on the back of the OnePlus 5T. While some people prefer to have the scanner in front, most of the today’s flagships including the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, LG V30 and Google Pixel 2 have it incorporated on the rear.
Bigger battery
We don’t have any actual info on this one – leaked or otherwise, but last year the OnePlus 3T launched with a bigger 3,400 mAh battery than its predecessor which relied on a 3,000 mAh powerhouse. So we can assume, the OnePlus 5T will also benefit from a larger battery pack.
Android 8.0 Oreo
According to a leaked AnTuTu screenshot listing, the OnePlus 5T will launch with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box. The OnePlus 5 runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat out of the box, but the producing company plans to upgrade it in the upcoming months.
Higher price
Last year, the OnePlus 3T launched with a slightly bigger price tag. So we assume the OnePlus 5T will too. The base OnePlus 5 model was offered for $479, so maybe the OnePlus 5T will retail starting at $500?
Google has expanded the ability Google Home got last week of being able to send YouTube to a TV nearby to now include HBO Now and CBS.
You can now instruct Google Home to start playing shows from HBO, CBS, or The CW on a nearby Chromecast or Android TV. Simply say “Play Breaking Bad” and specify what device to play it on and so it shall be done. The functionality works with Netflix too.
Just start by saying, “Ok Google” or “Hey Google”:
“Watch Curb Your Enthusiasm”
“Play Star Trek: Discovery”
“Turn the volume down”
“Go back 30 seconds”
“Play Riverdale”
To get setup, head into the Google Home app, swipe out the side menu and tap on “More settings.” From there, scroll to the very bottom “Videos and Photos” section and tap it. Inside this menu, you’ll be able to link accounts for casting.
It’s great to see functionality extending to make Google Home more useful and the need for remotes and navigating tedious menus a thing of the past.
Give it a try and let us know how well it works for you in the comments below.
Flash cards don’t have the most “fun” reputation, am I right? The utterance of the term brings about the specter of a coming test; of hours or repetition in your bedroom….memorizing, guessing, and re-guessing until either you have the facts implanted in your brain, or you fall asleep on your bed. Either way, it’s not a fun prognosis.
But! For eons, the same was said concerning learning a second language; that is, until a now-famous app called “Duolingo” arrived. The app gamified the traditionally arduous task of learning new languages….combining the use of digital flash cards along with an almost platforming-style of quiz gaming, making it a top name in the Play Store.
Now Duolingo has finally brought a similar approach to all kinds of academic topics, with Tinycards. Tinycards is a free, kiddo-friendly app that allows you expand beyond language, choosing the subject you want, and you have (usually) multiple stacks of flash cards to take on.
Setup
After downloading from the Play Store, you either register or log in (you can log in with your Duolingo credentials, or other social media options). Once in, you arrive at the app’s home screen. Here you have four tabs across the top: Home (we’re going to unusually wait to cover this one to the end), Search, Add (more on that in a minute), and Profile.
Lets’s start with Profile. Here you can edit your profile, and adjust multiple settings (notifications, username, password, audio settings, profile photo, etc). Nothing out of the ordinary here.
App Experience
So with that out of the way, let’s move to the meat of the app: the Search tab. Here is where you simply type in your subject keywords, and a corresponding match list of card stacks appears. You pick one and off you go.
Playing a stack is pretty ingenious. In all cases, you start very simple: you get 2-3 flash cards; clicking on them flips it giving you the answer right off. After these first tutor cards, the app gradually starts inter-mixing quiz-type cards. These start off as multiple choice, but can also evolve into fill-in-the-blank and other more interactive questions.
As you progress through the cards, you complete a “level”. As with a platforming-type game, you continue to level-up, graduating to harder and harder content for you to master.
Social
The app does have a social aspect to it, too. Primarily, while there’s a base level of cards created by Duolingo, there’s an awful lot more that have been created by other app users. You can choose to play individual card decks from a given user, or you can “follow” that person to get notified of any new content put out by them, as well.
You can be a creator, too! This brings us to the Plus (+) tab of the app interface. Here you can select create, customize, and publish your own Tinycards content for others to enjoy. You can choose to share more privately or put them out for all to enjoy; your call.
Visuals & Sound
If you’ve tried the Duolingo language app, then Tinycards will feel immediately familiar. The colors are bright but simple; no busy screens to be found here. The interface is extremely friendly, with smiling faces and non-threatening visuals all-around.
The same can be said for the audio; there’s little in the way of background sounds. When you get an answer right you are rewarded with a bright chirp. If you get one wrong, the resulting sound isn’t punitive, but more of an “uh-oh! let’s try that again” sound….almost encouraging. My kiddos loved it as it made a tougher set of cards a lot less discouraging as they tried to conquer it.
Overall
As a dad to school-age kiddos, Tinycards is a fantastic app for their devices. It’s a killer downtime filler; for the car, for a waiting room, for any downtime where if they want screen time, you can at least make it productive in addition to fun. It’s an app I do not see leaving anyone’s device for the foreseeable future.
Not a fan of the fragile glass smartphones and prefer rugged, sturdy devices instead? Then you might be interested to know that Caterpillar just announced its latest durable smartphone called the Cat S41.
The rugged phone carries MIL-SPEC 810G military certification to ensure it doesn’t get harmed even if exposed to the most extreme conditions like intense heat and cold. It should also be able to survive if dropped onto concrete from up to 5 feet 9 inches. On top of that the device is also waterproof/dustproof (IP68 certified).
When it comes to specs, this highly durable phone features a 5-inch fullHD super bright display optimized for outdoor use and relies on an octa-core 2.3GHz MediaTek chipset to keep the lights on. The phone also includes 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage, as well as a 13-megapixel primary camera with LED flash, autofocus with PDAF and an 8-megapixel selfie camera. Both benefit from an underwater mode.
The highlight of the new Cat S41? It’s massive 5,000 mAh battery which promises up to 38 hours of 3G talk time and 44 days standby. On top of that, the phone benefits from the so-called Battery Share functionality which allows owners to use it as a backup power bank to charge their other devices.
The handheld device also includes programmable shortcut keys for Push to Talk (PTT) or SOS (Lone Worker app). What’s more, it takes advantage of a textured, extra grip design which ensures it doesn’t slip from users’ hands.
Interested parties will be able to purchase the new Cat S41 for $449 from the official catphones.com website (deliveries start on November 16), as well as Amazon, Best Buy, eBay, Home Depot and B&H.
Amazon’s Prime Exclusive family of phones is getting bigger. The retail giant has announced it will be offering four new unlocked LG smartphones, including the middle-range LG Q6 which offers a FullVision 18:9 display on the cheap. Amazon’s Prime Exclusive handsets are offered at reduced prices but include (personalized) ads on their lock screen.
Anyway, starting today you’ll be able to place a pre-order for the LG G6, LG Q6, LG G6+ and LG X charge. The phones will start shipping to customers in November.
While you may be quite familiar with the LG G6 flagship which was the company’s first phone to boast a bezel-less display with aspect ratio, you’re might be a bit confused about the rest of the other models. If that’s the case, let us tell you a bit more about each device.
LG Q6
Price: $229.99 ($70 off its retail price)
Announced a few months ago, the LG Q6 is a watered down LG G6 version which offers a 5.5-inch bezel-less FullVision display with the modern 18:9 aspect ratio, on the cheap. Apart from the stunning display, the phone includes a Snapdragon 435 processor, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage.
Unlike the premium LG G6, the LG Q6 does not offer a dual-camera setup but relies on a single 13-megapixel sensor on the back. It also includes a 5-megapixel camera for selfie-taking purposes.
LG G6+
Price: $499 ($300 off its retail price)
The LG G6+ is a version of the LG G6 which offers more storage and 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC. Apart from that, it’s almost identical to the standard LG G6 coming with a 5.7-inch QHD+ display with rounded corners, a Snapdragon 821, 4GB of RAM, dual 13-megapixel cameras, IP68 certification and a 3,300 mAh battery.
But instead of bundling 64GB of internal storage it comes equipped with 128GB (expandable up to 2TB via the microSD card).
LG X charge
Price: $149 ($50 off its retail price)
Want a phone with a big battery? Then you might want to consider purchasing the LG X charge which takes advantage of a 4,500 mAh power house. Apart from its stand-out feature aside, the LG X Charge boasts specs on the low-end side of the spectrum including a 5.5-inch HD LCD display, Snapdragon 425 processor, 2GB of RAM, 16GB of expandable storage, 13-megapixel/5-megapixel camera combo and Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.
We should also note that the LG G6 – which is available for Prime members for only $399, LG G6+ and LG Q6 are all compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon networks, but the LG X charge supports AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile networks.
From smart speakers to intelligent light bulbs to thermostats, the number of Alexa-enabled devices has been steadily growing Amazon’s public release of the Echo in mid-2015. And it’s no wonder the tech giant is looking for new ways to monetize its success in the smart home market.
Case in point, Amazon recently announced it’s rolling out subscriptions for “premium” Alexa skills. Skills are applications that extend the basic functionalities that come pre-integrated with Alexa, and while Alexa has a ton of functionality out of the box, the real magic happens when you dig into the world of third-party skills.
And now Amazon will allow developers to make money with their third-party Alexa skills. The first skill to get a subscription fee is the Jeopardy! one, so Alexa device owners will be able to access 6 additional clues every day in exchange for a $1.99/month fee.
However, if you are a Prime member, Amazon will let you have access to this premium feature in Jeopardy! free of charge. This is perhaps another way in which the retail giant is trying to attract customers to its Prime service. Yet, the company says that not all future premium skills will necessarily be free for those who are part of the Prime family.
It remains to be seen whether developers will find this option particularly helpful, especially considering how common Amazon Prime subscriptions are and that they are intimately tied to Echo device usage.
Back at MWC 2017 in Barcelona, HMD said it will launch a special edition of its Nokia 6 handset dubbed Arte Black. Now, the phone has popped up on Amazon listed as “Temporary out of stock”. However, customers can place an order for the device now and Amazon pledges to send out an email about the estimated delivery date as soon as it has more information at hand.
The phone is available with a $299 price tag, which makes it $70 more expensive than the standard Nokia 6 version. Why the difference you might be wondering? Well, for starters the Arte Black model boasts a glossy back cover, as opposed to the matte rear of the regular Nokia 6. Furthermore, the special edition includes 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, unlike the standard version which only features 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
Amazon will offer the Nokia 6 Arte Black version unlocked. The phone is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile.
Users who are contemplating spending money on a Nokia 6 or Nokia 6 Arte Black might also be interested to know that Nokia announced this week a beta testing program for Android 8.0 Oreo. For the time being, only Nokia 8 users are eligible to join, but soon Nokia 6 owners will be able to do so, as well.
Last year, we reviewed a nice surprise from Fiio – its entry into the high-end digital audio player market (DAP). The Chinese company has historically been known as a manufacturer of bang-for-the-buck HiFi audio devices – and according to the audiophile community, one of the best ones out there. The X7 was new territory for Fiio in two ways: 1) A player made and priced to compete with higher-end competitors, and 2) Its first hack at using Android to drive it.
In a nutshell, we found the X7 to be a great first try at a high-end Android DAP, but in some ways it felt like a beta. At the $700 range, the design and function need to be near flawless. Well, Mark II of that device is now here, and we can see that Fiio worked very hard since. Fiio’s catchphrase for the X7 II is “Thoroughly Transformed, Inside and Out”, and that certainly is the case. Let’s go over the improvements and if we can recommend the X7 II at its still substantial $650 price.
Design
The packaging of the Fiio X7 II is noteworthy, particularly because the company includes not one but two cases – a TPU wrap and a premium-feeling leather cover-up. Not many companies are this generous. What’s more, a screen protector comes pre-installed. Something else you won’t typically find in a device box is a torx screwdriver. If you know anything about the original X7, you may remember that it had a unique removable module feature that provided the flexibility to upgrade the amp or add balanced output. This design is back with the X7 II.
The amp module design of the X7 II is the same as the original, so they are interchangeable.
As for the player itself, the form doesn’t stray too far from the original, but it’s definitely more than just a touch-up. Most notably, the edge with the physical controls is lifted in an eye-catchingly angled manner. This creates a notch for the volume scroll wheel to reside in. The scroll wheel itself is also an upgrade from the volume rocker in the original, though we wish that Fiio made it a bit firmer. It locks to each increment (with a click sound) but very lightly and with a little play to it.
The X7 II is still a chunky, silver aluminum block like before, but feels much better in hand.
Two of our complaints in our review of the original X7 were that the display was raised above the chassis (increasing its vulnerability to mishaps) and a hump on the back that made the thick device even thicker. Fiio addressed both of these things with the X7 II. The screen is now flush and the elevation on the back is less noticeable. The unit lost about 1mm of thickness and 8 grams of weight.
Function
Internally, Fiio made some natural component progressions, such as doubling the RAM from 1GB to 2GB and internal storage from 32GB to 64GB. What’s more, there’s now two microSD card slots that can each handle 256GB (so a whopping 512GB externally).
The two microSD trays are flush on the flat side of the X7 II, and require an ejector pin to access.
Battery capacity has also been bumped from 3,500mAh to 3,800mAh. But it looks to be using the same quad-core Rockchip RK3188 processor as before, along with same spec’d 4″ LCD IPS display with a measly 480×800 pixel resolution. I’m sure Fiio’s thinking was to focus on the components that really matter in an audiophile player. We just need the processor and display to work, and they do just fine.
The 8 hour battery rating is via the 3.5mm output. Using Balanced, we saw more like 7 hours. This isn’t spectacular. Also, while we appreciate better fidelity wireless audio with the AptX codec, we would’ve expected at least AptX HD in a high-end audio player.
More importantly is what upgrades have been made to improve sound quality? The original model used the latest from ESS Technology (the same high-end audio chip company that LG partners with on its V-series flagships), and the same is true here. Sound on the X7 II is processed with the SABRE ES9028PRO DAC, which particularly makes big steps to improve frequency response and signal-to-noise ratio.
A strength of the X7 is the ability to use Tidal HiFi streaming.
Our biggest gripe about the original X7 was that we intermittently heard interference when streaming music over WiFi. Fiio acknowledged the issue and rectified it in the X7 II by not just using better components but shielding area of the PCB that could cause it. And we’re happy to report that we don’t hear any noise whatsoever, even with highly sensitive Shure SE846 earphones.
On the software side, the X7 II features a custom Android 5.0 build (no, it’s far from the latest from Google but better than version 4.4.4 KitKat from before) and a revamped player interface. We didn’t find the original X7’s player to be very user friendly, and it sounds like that pain was heard. The X7 II software is a breath of fresh air.
On the Android side of things, we’re looking at a bare-bones version of Lollipop with minimal pre-loaded apps (basic things like clock, email, file explorer, and browser). The Play Store is on there, so you can install what you want. But being that you probably didn’t get this device to watch movies and surf the web, what you’ll add is music apps that you use.
One thing to note is that Fiio has a nifty software trick to throw the X7 II into a “Pure Music” mode. This essentially turns off every software feature but Fiio’s player. This way, if you want to use stored music, you don’t have to keep stuff on that you don’t need. The Fiio Music software is still available in Android mode via an app.
Sound
The stock amp module on the X7 II now includes a Balanced jack (2.5mm, TRRS).
Plainly said, Fiio wasn’t kidding when it said that the X7 II was revamped on the inside as well as out. As a user of the original X7, I can say that Mark II is a whole ‘nother animal (in a completely good way).
One of my biggest gripes with the first X7 was the sterile sound. It was detailed, no doubt, but Fiio’s reference aim sided too much for analytical listeners than those who want toe-tapping fun and energy. It’s immediately apparent with the X7 II that Fiio turned up the speakers, so to speak. The sound is now stupendously full and engaging. This is thanks in part to a commanding mid-range. That said, balance is beautifully struck, not just in the frequency response but in the delivery. The X7 II is equally as musical as it sonically skillful.
Separation is a grade-A quality of this DAP. There’s a real nice cleanness and discernible positioning to the different sounds. Its airiness serves well for the perceived dimensionality. Another notable quality is the sub-bass. It is deep and powerful, but in no way overdone. Moving into the mid-range, I don’t hear any bleeding. It’s all clean and articulated, even up to the elaborate treble. No particular frequency range is favored; each is equally detailed and present enough to be analyzed and appreciated.
I really struggle to find any flaw in the sound of the X7 II, which in itself leaves me at a loss for words. I review a lot of audio gear and can always pick off an imperfection or two in high-end devices. I just can’t here. This is what my ears want to hear, and what my headphones need to show their potential. As far as I’m concerned, Fiio has a hit with the X7 II.
Well, there is one thing…
If you recall my mention that the X7 II has standard 3.5mm (single-ended) and balanced 2.5mm jacks, turns out that they don’t sound quite the same. My impressions above were with the balanced output, which the audio system clearly favors. I don’t put Fiio completely at fault, because the company is simply trying to adhere to today’s audiophile standards. Many high-end mobile audiophiles use the 2.5mm balanced standard, and Fiio is far from the first company to do a DAP with standard and balanced options. Astell&Kern and Onkyo are two big examples that embrace balanced output.
So with that said, I find the standard output of the X7 II to be still be good, but it’s missing the key aspects that I praised with the balanced output. The full/liveliness takes a clear step back. The detail and balance is still present, but the punch and dynamics is average.
Final Thoughts
So back to the question from the beginning – Is the X7 II worth it? Well, the answer comes with a caveat. If you’re going to use the balanced output, then yes, yes, and yes. Unfortunately, that condition limits most of the mobile audio listeners out there. Most people probably don’t even know what a balanced cable is, let alone the ability to use one with their current headphones.
But for what it is, Fiio did an amazing job on the X7 II. It can definitely stand among the best DAPs out there, and at a price that undercuts them. Do not overlook this DAP if you’re in the market, especially for one that runs Android and can utilize streaming music services.
The app does have a social aspect to it, too. Primarily, while there’s a base level of cards created by Duolingo, there’s an awful lot more that have been created by other app users. You can choose to play individual card decks from a given user, or you can “follow” that person to get notified of any new content put out by them, as well.
