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OnePlus 5 spotted running Android 8.0

Dan Bartram
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If you’re in the closed Beta for Android 8.0 then you’ll already be familiar with Oreo on your OnePlus 5. For the rest of us there’s some good news in that a OnePlus 5 has been benchmarked running Android Oreo lending suggestion that an update could be imminent.

A benchmark result could indicate that the company is internally testing the update or that more users have Android Oreo on their device and someone happened to run a benchmark. The result comes from Geekbench which is one of the most popular benchmarking websites. I would expect OnePlus to have its own benchmarking software and not rely on Geekbench to test performance gains and losses from Android Oreo, but you never know!

While it doesn’t necessarily indicate anything specific about an Android Oreo release, it does show that an update does exist for the OnePlus 5 and it’s a matter of time before it is released to the public.

Google Assistant is now on Google TV

Dan Bartram
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Google Assistant first make its appearance on the Pixel devices and has steadily been rolled out to a number of devices over the past year. We can now add Android TV to that list as Google adds the virtual assistant to the NVIDIA SHIELD TV.

Google Assistant allows aspects of the Android TV to be navigated and content summoned just by using your voice.

You’ll need to accept the update on your Android TV to get Google Assistant running on your device.

Here are some ways your Assistant can help you on your device:

  • “Play Game of Thrones”— your Assistant can play a wide variety of content, from movies and TV shows to YouTube clips and music. With HBO NOW, Netflix and YouTube, you can instantly watch something by asking for it by name or, if you aren’t sure what to watch, try “show me movies about climbing Mount Everest.” You can also ask your Assistant to “play some music” or listen to a specific song on YouTube Music, Google Play Music, Spotify or Pandora.
  • “Play business news”— catch up on what’s going on in the news, from business to tech to entertainment. And once you’re caught up, prepare for your own day by asking “what’s on my agenda for today?”
  • “Talk to Fitstar”— apps for the Google Assistant are also now available on Android TV, so you can talk to Fitstar for a quick home workout, Tender for a cocktail recommendation, Wall Street Journal for a market update and more.
  • “Order more popcorn”— stock up on binge-watching snacks right from the comfort of your couch. With Google Express, you can shop and reorder from Walgreens, Walmart and many other stores.
  • “Turn off”— it’s as simple as that. With your Assistant on Android TV you can turn up the volume, pause, control your smart home devices and more, just with your voice.

Google is offering a three month trial of YouTube Red on your SHIELD TV to celebrate the launch of Google Assistant.

Go ahead and check for updates to get started.

Ulefone Power Max will packing a whopping 13,000mAh battery

AndroidGuys
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Ulefone has an impressive handset in the Ulefone Power 2, a phone with an unusually large 6,050mAh battery and a faster-than-fast fingerprint scanner that rivals premium, high-end Android-powered handsets for an extremely low-end price. Ulefone gives good specs and some decent performance for a fraction of the costs of high-end smartphones, which makes Ulefone one of those OEMs that delivers on affordability.

We’ve received word from Ulefone that the OEM is working on two new smartphones. One, a next-generation version of the Ulefone Power 2, will be called the Ulefone Power 3 and retain the 6,050mAh battery of the Ulefone Power 2. The Ulefone Power 3 is expected to have an updated Android system update from the Power 2, while retaining the premium look and feel.While the Ulefone Power 3 will make waves of its own, Ulefone has another device it’s working on whose battery capacity will blow the Ulefone Power 2 and Power 3 out of the water. The device will be called the Ulefone Power Max and will bring a 13,000mAh battery to the table. Yes, you’re reading that right: 13,000mAh of on-the-go juice! The Ulefone Power 2 gets users through the day and then some; imagine what the Ulefone Power Max will do?According to the photo above, if one zooms in on the back cover, you’ll notice (apart from a slightly protruding camera hump, that the Ulefone Power Max will also bring dual rear cameras, a dual-LED flash, and back-mounted fingerprint sensor. Yes, Ulefone looks to bring dual rear cameras, already present on its Ulefone Gemini, Ulefone F1, and Ulefone F2, to the Power Max. It appears that dual bottom-firing speakers are present, but your ears will have to be the judge of its audio output (when the device arrives to market, that is).

3,000mAh batteries have been good enough to get users through two-thirds of a day if not an entire one, so the Power Max should ensure users have a few days of battery life and may surprise light to moderate users.

The Ulefone Power Max will be the first smartphone on the market to pack a battery capacity the size of a power bank. Both the Ulefone Power Max and the Ulefone Power 3 will be released by year’s end.

For users who want to know what to expect with the Power 3, check out our Power 2 review. The review will come in handy, now that Ulefone has a sale going on the Power 2 for Spanish and British customers. Use discount code UER9AYYP at the Spanish Amazon store to get the Ulefone Power 2 for €189 or 2IE7CXJM in the British Amazon store to get the Power 2 for ￡159. The discount offers are valid through October 15th, after which the price of the Ulefone Power 2 will return to its $199.99 price tag.

What do you think about the Power 2 discounts? Interested? How about the Ulefone Power Max? Would you love carrying around a 13,000mAh battery-enabled phone? Concerned that the battery size may prove too big or heavy in the hands? Think high-end smartphones should push battery limits beyond 3,000mAh? Do your thing in the comments.

Think carefully about your wireless carrier: why your choice matters! (Sponsored)

Guest Blogger
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You spend time researching each smartphone to discover which one best suits you, how much memory it has, what features it offers, what shape will be easiest to carry, and what color best defines you. But no phone can work to its best potential without being connected to the right network. Why don’t we spend quality time researching our wireless carriers? If you’re not checking into the following six factors, you’re not getting the best deal.

Matching Your Service to Your Lifestyle

Image via Flickr by Sole Treadmill

Do you travel often or need to keep your options open for a future switch of providers? A plan can have an impressive array of features but still not suit you.

CDMA and GSM are the two major network bands used in mobile phones. Some wireless carriers use GSM, as does most of the rest of the world. While this choice doesn’t have a significant effect on your phone’s day-to-day network coverage, if you move around or travel often, the SIM card technology associated with GSM makes this mobile activity easier for you.

Not All Companies Have the Phone You Want

This item is an easy first step, as it’s mostly about personal choice. Now that all major carriers offer the popular iPhone, the choice of carriers that support the phone you want is no longer a restricting one. All the major service providers may claim to have the best choices, but you know which phone you want. Whether it’s an iPhone or an Android, if a certain wireless carrier doesn’t offer it, it’s out.

Enhancing Your Smartphone Features

What does it matter if your new smartphone can do standup comedy and cook you dinner? If your wireless carrier can’t provide a service that enhances these features, you wasted your money.

Take the time before picking a service provider to compare the current OS systems of each provider. Otherwise, you’ll simply be waiting around for an update. Compare the data plans and multimedia features offered by each provider to find the one that matches your needs.

Customer Service Is Worth Paying For

Smartphones are fantastic until something goes wrong and you’re stuck on the phone with customer service for hours. If you do some research beforehand, you shouldn’t have poor experiences dealing with customer service. You want friendly service from a real person who can offer you simple solutions without wasting your time. Get online and read some customer service reviews before you sign up for a carrier selection.

Comparing Speed and Wireless Coverage

So you picked the smartphone with all the latest capabilities. If you don’t have a carrier that can enhance this potential, you may as well go back to using smoke signals. We know that 4G is good, with more coverage at faster speeds. But without LTE capability, the 4G symbol on your phone is ultimately meaningless.

Weighing the Perks With the Cost

As much as we may want all the perks, money is still one of the most important deciding factors when choosing a wireless plan. By researching plan options beforehand, you can make sure that you’re not wasting money by paying for perks you don’t need or want.

The big companies are often competing with each other, and T-Mobile is rolling out great deals on its wide range of cell phones thanks to the fact that this wireless carrier is removing subsidiaries and offering more choices when adding calling, texting, and data to your plan. Combine these deals with the company’s current ranking as the fastest 4G LTE service provider in the United States, as well as the one with the widest coverage of this service reported by OpenSignal earlier this year. Basically, you can’t go wrong.

You wouldn’t buy a Blu-ray player without a television to use it or a laptop without storage, right? Why would you buy your favorite smartphone without having the best wireless service provider to enhance your experience with your device? A simple comparison of the six factors presented above will make sure you get the best wireless service for your needs.

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.

Google tipped to be working on an Amazon Echo Show rival

Alexandra Arici
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Google is playing catch-up with Amazon when it comes to the smart home devices, as the retail giant is currently dominating the market thanks to its extensive Echo family of products, which just received new additions yesterday.

But soon the Google’s smart home device portfolio will be extended to include a few new devices including the Google Home Mini, Google Home Max and according to the newest rumors a tabletop smart screen for video calling just like Amazon’s Echo Show.

A few days ago we brought you news that Google blocked YouTube access on the Amazon Echo Show without a warning, later citing issues related to the violation of its terms of service. But there might be another reason for why Google took the decision – the search giant is working on its own Echo Show alternative which will also provide YouTube access – on Google’s own terms (with all the critical subscriptions and video recommendations).

Two sources have confirmed for TechCrunch – one of which got the information straight from a Google employee – that Google is currently developing a product with a 7-inch display, codenamed “Manhattan”. Apart from offering YouTube access, the device will come featuring the Google Assistant, Google Photos and video calling options (probably through Google’s video chat apps Duo and Hangouts). On top of that, we’re told Google’s upcoming device will be able to act as a smart hub and control Nest and other smart devices in the home.

Last but not least, one source notes that the yet-to-be-released smart gadget will be running Android (and not a version of Chrome) which will allow the Mountain View-based company to leverage existing apps, as well as get developers on board.

While the original target to launch this product was mid-2018, the presence of the Echo Show on the market is putting pressure on Google to get it on retail shelves by the end of 2017. Although we shouldn’t expect to see it get unveiled during the Pixel 2 event scheduled for October 4.

Sign-up for an Amazon Music Unlimited trial and get $10 in credit

Alexandra Arici
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To celebrate the arrival of the new Echo devices, Amazon is currently offering music enthusiasts $10 promo credit when they sign up for a free 30-day trial of its Music Unlimited service by using the promo code MUSIC1.

That sounds good, but there are a few things to be taken into consideration here. First off you need to be a new subscriber to take advantage of the promo, so current subscribers or older are not eligible to get the free credit. Secondly, you can only spend the $10 on products sold and shipped directly by Amazon.

Once you’ve signed up with the service, you can change (or cancel) the subscription to not auto-renew in order to make sure you won’t be charged additionally after the promotion expires.

A subscription to Amazon Music Unlimited normally costs $7.99/month for Prime members or $9.99/month for non-Prime members.

Amazon’s Music Unlimited service is home to tens of millions of songs and thousands of playlists users can stream from their smartphones, tablets, Alexa-enabled devices and more.

If you’re interested in trying out Amazon’s own music service, remember you have until October 6 to sign up and until October 31 to use the $10 credit.

Even if you prefer using Spotify or Google Play Music, it wouldn’t hurt to sign-up for this free trial. You’ll get $10 credit to spend on Amazon, but also the chance to see if Music Unlimited would work for you or not.

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is coming to T-Mobile soon

Alexandra Arici
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Samsung and AT&T teamed up for years ago to offer the Galaxy S4 Active and since then customers looking to purchase a rugged version of Samsung’s Galaxy S flagship could only grab it from AT&T which had exclusivity over the Active line.

But in 2017 things will be a little bit different, as T-Mobile is gearing up to introduce a Galaxy S8 Active of its own. According to promo materials that were shared with Venture Beat, the device – known as model number SM-G892T (AT&T’s model is SM-G892A) – will land with the Magenta carrier in the near future and will be available in Meteor Gray and Titanium Gold.

Like in the case of the AT&T model, the T-Mobile Galaxy S8 Active will come sans the signature curved edges of the Galaxy S8. However, it will boast a body that’s resistant to water, dust, and drops (from up to 5 ft) instead. It will also offer a larger 4,000 mAh battery which is certainly a big bonus. We expect the phone to sell for around $800, although this information hasn’t been confirmed yet.

Apart from the T-Mobile version, an unlocked (or universal model) of the Galaxy S8 Active might also land on the market, at some point. The phone bearing the model number SM-G892U received certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance not so long ago.

ASUS ZenFone V, Kyocera Dura XV LTE rugged basic phone now available at Verizon

Alexandra Arici
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Verizon this week has some news to share with us. The most important part is related to the LG V30 which will (finally) be landing at Big Red on October 5.

There’s not going to be a pre-order period for it, which means you won’t have to wait for the phones to start shipping out. Pricing and additional info is coming soon.

Furthermore, we’re told the Verizon-exclusive ASUS ZenFone V is now available for purchase. You can get it either for $384 in full or for $16/month for 24 months.

The ASUS ZenFone V is middle-range device coming with an outdated processor, but at this price, it might attract some customers. The phone comes boasting a 5.2-inch fullHD AMOLED display and takes advantage of a Snapdragon 820 processor working side-by-side with 4GB of RAM, 32GB of storage and a 3,000 mAh battery.

The handset also includes a 23-megapixel main camera with dual tone flash capable of shooting video in 4K, as well as an 8-megapixel selfie camera.

Big Red also launched the Kyocera Dura XV LTE flip phone this week. The basic phone comes with a rugged design and boasts Military Standard 810G for dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, blowing rain, low pressure, solar radiation, salt, fog, and humidity. The device is also IP68 certified.

It also boasts a 2.6-inch QVGA display with high-contrast LCD mono and offers the services of a 5-megapixel autofocus camera with LED flash and video camcorder (you can opt to buy the phone without the camera).

Verizon is selling this rugged phone for $264 in full or for $11/month for 24 months.

“Ultra Pixel” could be the third Google Pixel smartphone in store for October 4

AndroidGuys
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We’ve seen that Google has the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in store for the company’s October 4th unveiling, and these phone monikers match their first-gen. counterparts from last Fall.

Rumors about a third smartphone swirled earlier this year, particularly about a device codenamed “Taimen” that would sport a larger display than either the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, codenamed “Walleye” and “Muskie.” The rumor appeared to be squashed weeks ago (according to another rumor), but the Taimen device may not be as dead as the rumor said.

According to a source that has received images, Google could have a third Pixel smartphone in the works after all, a device that could be called “Ultra Pixel” and bear the “Ultra Pixel Phone by Google” branding. The name “Ultra Pixel” has a lowercase “P” in “Pixel” on the shared images, but the name “Ultra Pixel,” if you’ll remember, was the branding HTC gave to its 4MP, rear-facing camera on the One M7 back in 2013 and has been using the branding on its cameras ever since.

Could it be that Google acquired HTC in order to use this branding without legal repercussions? It seems quite likely, especially considering the timing of this rumor: it arrives just days after Google acquires HTC’s mobile hardware division.

What can be known about this rumored “Ultra Pixel” smartphone? First, the Ultra Pixel would be as close to bezel-less as we’ve ever seen Google come in smartphone design, and photos comparing the Ultra Pixel with the current Pixel and Pixel XL show a significant decrease in bezel size. The Ultra Pixel appears to be taller than the current Pixel and Pixel XL and have more screen real estate for the user, so we could also be looking at an 18:9 aspect ratio for the device.

Next, the Ultra Pixel will be heavily gesture-based, with the smartphone no longer featuring software buttons at the bottom of the display. One other leaked photo shows a screen with a bezel-less smartphone that appears to be a replica of the Ultra Pixel with the words “The future of Android is Fluid,” confirming that perhaps Google wants gestures to dominate this new user experience. Perhaps the gesture-based setup will create a more advanced Pixel Launcher that will borrow some elements from Google’s OS on the side, Fuchsia.

Google’s Dave Burke has said that Fuchsia is related to something entirely different, but with all that we’ve seen, Google isn’t working on Fuchsia for fun alone. The squeezable frame (the Active Edge) is said to contribute to the new gesture-based experience on the Ultra Pixel, a rumor that has remained constant and probable based on screenshots taken from the upcoming device.

Finally, the Ultra Pixel could feature an under-the-display fingerprint sensor. This has been a desire of Android OEMs this year, with Samsung placing its fingerprint sensor on the back of the Galaxy S8 duo and the Galaxy Note 8 as an admission of defeat in this regard. Synaptics doesn’t have its sensor displays ready (Samsung’s Galaxy S9 may retain the back-mounted sensor because of it), and Qualcomm’s won’t arrive until 2018, so we recommend you take this rumor with a heap of salt.

On October 4th, we could see Google unveil the Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, and the Ultra Pixel – or, we could see a Pixel (2), Mega Pixel (Pixel 2 XL), and Ultra Pixel. I personally think these three monikers would drill the “Pixel” name in better fashion than Pixel 2 XL, but a phone by its expected name will still be as good. It goes without saying that HTC will craft this device. We have a feeling the acquisition was right on schedule.

What do you think about the rumor of an Ultra Pixel? Would you be interested in a premium Google Pixel smartphone whose price tag would run north of $950? If an Ultra Pixel is coming, what feature would make it a must-buy for you?

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL specs leak out showing what Google has in store for us

Dan Bartram
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Google is set to announce the next generation of Pixel devices next week and despite already seeing a leak showing the rear of the device, this time a new leak reveals the specs of both the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

The Pixel 2 XL will feature a curved QHD screen and will be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor with either 64 GB or 128 GB of internal storage, which we already suspected. It is said that the screen-to-body ratio will be around 80% and 85%, lending a similar look and feel to that of the Note 8. The Pixel 2 XL will also feature dual stereo speakers but no headphone jack.

It appears the Pixel 2 devices won’t see dual rear-cameras but instead retain the single front-facing and rear-facing cameras we’ve seen in previous models. These will be specifically called Pixel cameras though so that could lend some suggestion as to how much focus Google will be placed on the camera functionality.

The source also suggests that the Pixel 2 devices will come equipped with an E-SIM that would allow the device to connect to different carriers without the need for a physical SIM. The Pixel 2 XL will have IP67 water resistance and Gorilla Glass 5 and be powered by a 3520mAh battery.

The subtle differences of the Pixel 2 over its bigger brother are that it is likely to have a larger bezel and will be removing the headphone jack. The device will have an FHD screen instead of the curved QHD screen on the Pixel 2 XL and have a smaller 2700 mAh battery given the smaller profile of the device.

This is how the two devices lineup:

Google Pixel 2 Google Pixel 2 XL
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Screen FHD with Gorilla Glass 5 QHD Curved Gorilla Glass 5 Wide Color Gamut
Cameras Pixel Cameras with OIS and Google Imaging Chip Pixel Cameras with OIS and Google Imaging Chip
Battery 2700 3520 mAh
Storage 64 and 128 GB 64 and 128 GB
Dust/Water Resistance IP67 IP67
Audio No 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Dual Stereo Front-Facing Speakers		 No 3.5mm Headphone Jack
Dual Stereo Front-Facing Speakers
OS Android O Android O
SIM E-Sim E-Sim
RAM N/A N/A
Extra features Active Edge Active Edge

Some of these specs may be surprising while others seem spot on with exactly what we were expecting from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. With only a few days left to the event, the devices are certainly shaping up to reveal some interesting features. Based on what we know so far, which device would you go for?

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