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You can now finally use the Essential Phone on Verizon

Dan Bartram
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One of the contributing factors that delayed the launch of the Essential Phone was certification from the carriers. Andy Rubin didn’t mention specifically which one, but when the Essential Phone finally shipped without support for Verizon it was pretty obvious where they delay was.

Verizon has a much more extensive certification process for the phones on its network and this naturally takes longer. It seems though that whatever issues were arising from the certification have been ironed out. Andy Rubin took to Twitter to announce certification was finally completed and you could use the device on the Verizon network.

Despite the device now officially working through the carrier, it isn’t directly selling the device so you’ll need to get it directly through Essential or via Sprint.

It is interesting that the certification process was blamed as one of the reasons for the delay yet still wasn’t entirely complete when the Essential Phone launched anyway, so was that really the full story or just a scapegoat? We’ll never know but thankfully if you’re a Verizon customer with an Essential Phone you’ll be all set.

How to block system-wide ads on Android without root

AndroidGuys
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Ads are generally a good thing. They help the hard working people behind a website, an app or a game to earn a few extra bucks and they also help users in knowing about things that are relevant to them. This is however until they become intrusive and ruin the user experience.

While ads that are present at the sidebar of a website or it is placed to flow with the content are not an issue and does not impact much of the user experience, intrusive ads like popup ads, autoplay, or those that vibrate your phone are always annoying and completely ruin the experience of the users and some of them might not even use the app or visit the website ever again.

While there are numerous options to block ads in your web browser and some developers offer a premium ad free version of their apps, Android does not come with an option to block apps across the system.

So, here is a simple trick, using which you can block ads across your entire device, in your browser, in the apps and the games. The best part about this trick is that it does not need root access to function and also it is completely free. However, you need an Android phone running Android 5.0 Lollipop or higher for this to work.

Editor Note: This is a sensitive subject and one that will surely have support on both sides. As a site that relies on banner and traditional advertisement for revenue, AndroidGuys does not explicitly condone or endorse the removing of ads. Moreover, mobile developers who wish to keep their apps and games free to download will often turn to advertising. Be responsible, support the brands and companies you like, and share their respective works.

Step 1:

In order to block ads on your Android phone without root, you first need to install an open source app called DNS66. It is not available for download from the Google Play Store, so you have to download the APK file of the app and install it manually on your device.

If this is your first time in installing an APK file, then you have to first enable the unknown sources permission under security settings. To do that, go to Settings->Security->Unknown sources and then enable it.

adaptive icons

Step 2:

Now click here to download the APK file for DNS66. Once the download is complete, open the file and then select install to install it on your phone.

Step 3:

Once the installation is complete, open the app and you will be greeted with the start screen. You can either enable or disable the ‘Resume on system start-up’ option to ensure that the app blocks ads right after you boot your phone.

block ads

Note:

Unlike other popular ad blocking apps for Android, DNS66 uses DNS level filtering to filter ad traffic. This means that it only filters the ad traffic for a specific amount of time after your device is connected to the internet. Therefore there will not be any significant battery drain when you are using DNS66 to block ads across the system of your Android device.

Step 4:

Now switch to the hosts tab and then enable the filter hosts option.

block ads

Step 5:

Click on the refresh button at the top to update your hosts file.

Now you have to select the hosts file which contains the list of popular ad servers that are hosting the ads you see across the websites and apps.

Select the Adaway hosts and then click on the Action option and select deny. This will now block all the ads that are hosted by the servers in the Adaway host file’s list. It is sufficient to select only the Adaway, as it covers most popular ad servers.

Step 6:

Now head back to the start tab and then select the start button at the bottom. You will now be asked to provide permission to setup a VPN connection on your device.

Click OK to initiate the connection. A key shaped icon will now appear on your status bar. This means that the VPN connection is active and all the traffic will be filtered by the service before it reaches your device.

Step 7:

This step is optional but if you want you can head over to the apps tab and enable or disable specific apps to block or allow ads being displayed in those apps.

block ads

Step 8:

That’s it. You have now successfully blocked ads across the system in your Android phone. You can access the DNS66 app notification from your notification bar anytime to pass or resume the service.

If you have any doubts regarding this process, feel free to comment below!

Looking for a futuristic Bluetooth speaker? Check out these deals

Alexandra Arici
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Bluetooth speakers are compact portable speaker than connecting wirelessly to your phone, tablet or laptop so you can easily stream music, listen to podcasts and more.

If you’re one of those people who just loves music, these gadgets will prove to be extremely useful to you as you move around the house. Being so portable, you can take Bluetooth speakers anywhere with you – for example, you can listen to music while you cook dinner or take a shower.

Now if you’re also a Star Trek fan or want something that will spice up your home décor, we have just the thing for you – futuristic Bluetooth speakers on sale. That’s right. If you’re in the market for a Bluetooth speaker with an atypical design you’ve come to the right place. Below you will find five deals, so you can grab your speaker at a bargain.

XXL Shower Speaker

Price: $19.99 (down from $99.99)

A colorful shower speaker available in Black, Blue, Green or Red which can deliver up to 3 watts of sound. The speaker – which also lets you take phone calls – contains a large battery, so you won’t have to charge your gadget more frequently than once a month. The deal expires in 2 days.

Get the XXL Shower Speaker

Glowbar Speaker

Price: $29.99 (down from $89.99)

The Globwbar has a built-in LED screen which produces unique lighting effects to match the sound produced. It can also produce 12 Watt sound output and can support up to 3 hours of continuous playtime. Put a different spin on your living room with the Glowbar Speaker for just $29.99. The promotional price will continue to be available for the next 6 days.

Get the Glowbar Speaker

The Cube

Price: $21.99 (down from $49.99)

Impress your friend with The Cube Bluetooth speaker. This space-age-looking music playing device easily pairs to your mobile device to stream music. And thanks to its colorful LED lighting, the Cube Bluetooth speaker actually looks like it was dropped off by a space ship. The deal will be available for the next couple of days.

Get The Cube

Levitating Bluetooth Orb Speaker

Price: $64.99 (down from $149.99)

Having a levitating speaker in your home will surely raise your geek status. Made of two parts, the Orb Speaker can create an unobstructed, wireless listening experience. Moreover, you can use the magnetic base independently, as it acts as a charging base for smartphones thanks to the built-in 550 mAh battery. The speaker is available in black and white. You have five days to take advantage of this deal.

Get the Levitating Orb Speaker

Jawbone JAMBOX (Certified Refurbished)

Price: $47.99

Here’s a speaker that can deliver incredible hi-fi audio thanks to the two proprietary highly powerful acoustic drivers embedded within. It can be used to stream & share music, movies, games and take phone calls. The gadget fits right into the palm of your hand and will add a futuristic vibe in any room it is placed in. Deal expires in 3 days.

Get the Jawbone JAMBOX

Sony Xperia XZ1 now available in the US with Android 8.0 Oreo out of the box

Alexandra Arici
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Introduced not so long ago at IFA 2017, the Sony Xperia XZ1 is now available for purchase in the US via Amazon for $669.99 a pop. We’re talking about the unlocked version of the device which is compatible with GSM/LTE carriers like AT&T and T-Mobile. Interested parties can grab this high-end phone in Black, Moonlit Blue, Pink or Warm Silver.

While the Xperia XZ1 packs the same standard design of Sony phones from years past, it comes with pretty impressive internal specs.

Leaving aside the pretty standard 5.2-inch 1080 display, the new Sony flagship takes advantage of Qualcomm’s most powerful platform, the Snapdragon 835 processor, as well as 4GB of RAM and 64GB of expandable storage. Fans of smartphone photography will probably love the device’s 19-megapixel Eye Motion primary camera which is capable of shooting super slow motion video at 960 fps. The phone also packs a 13-megapixel selfie snapper and a pretty small 2,700 mAh battery.

What’s more, the phone has another thing going for it. It can create detailed 3D models of objects and faces which in turn can be 3D printed and sent to family and friends right from the phone’s 3D Creator app.

And like the Sony Xperia XZ Premium which was the first phone to be announced with a Snapdragon 835 on board, the Xperia XZ1 also marks a first – it’s the first to ship with Android 8.0 Oreo pre-installed. So Google’s new mobile OS is no longer restricted to Nexus and Pixels devices (at least officially).

Are you getting yourself a Sony Xperia XZ1? If so head on to Amazon and place your order.

Pi’s new charger fuels dreams of true wireless charging

Alexandra Arici
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Wireless charging isn’t a novel idea despite being introduced for the first time in new devices like the iPhone X. But even as the term implies than an over-the-air energy transfer between two devices is achieved in the real world you’ll have to place your phone or tablet on a charging mat.

In a true wireless charging scenario, users would be able to walk around the house holding (and using) the phone while it charges from a distance. Well, it seems we’re getting closer to achieving just that.

Pi, a startup created by a team of MIT scientists announced a charger said to be the first consumer-ready wireless charging product capable of juicing up multiple devices from up to a foot away (or 12 inches). The gadget takes advantage of resonant induction – which is also the tech behind Qi wireless charging – but can reach greater distance thanks to a special algorithm that lets it direct magnetic fields around the device.

So as opposed to classical wireless charging, when using the Pi charger – which is shaped like a cone – you’ll be able to charge your device by putting it next to Pi and not on top of it. Users will be able to move a device in whatever direction around the Pi and it will still continue to charge. We’re told you can charge up to four phone at full speed including iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones or even larger devices like iPads. However, customers should take into consideration the fact that only devices sitting next to the Pi charger will charge at full speed, while those sitting further from it will juice up at slower rates.

We should also note that newer phones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 that come with wireless charging built-in don’t need anything extra to start charging, but those that don’t will have to be coated in the appropriate magnetic charging case.

Pi says it has plans to start shipping device in 2018 for an affordable price well under $200. To reserve yourself a Pi charger – in black or white, go ahead and visit www.picharging.com. The first 314 people who sign up with receive a $50 discount.

T-Mobile to increase unlimited throttling limit from 32GB to 50GB per month

Alexandra Arici
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In its latest move to make itself more attractive to customers, T-Mobile will soon be upgrading the throttling limit for subscribers of its unlimited plan from 32GB to 50GB.

This piece of info which was first revealed by Android Central was confirmed by the “Uncarrier” itself via Twitter. T-Mobile will start implementing the change on September 20, so starting this week customers will see their threshold being raised to 50GB.

It’s not the first time T-Mobile bumps up its data prioritization limit. The company raised the “fair usage threshold” from 23GB to 30GB and then to 32GB just a few months ago.

It’s worth mentioning that T-Mobile currently offers the highest monthly unlimited throttling limit. AT&T and Verizon both have a 22GB monthly limit, while Sprint is a bit more generous with its 23GB threshold. But the Magenta carrier’s new 50GB limit burns through the competition.

https://twitter.com/Giga_Matt/status/909915059119206401

Don’t forget that once you exceed the 50GB data limit, T-Mobile will proceed to considerably decrease your speeds and prioritize usage behind other customers in the event of network congestion.

Given T-Mobile’s latest moves, we can’t say we’re surprised he carrier decided to bump up its unlimited throttling limit to 50GB. Recently, the “Uncarrier” announced all its ONE customers on a family plan will be getting free Netflix. And obviously, free Netflix means more data consumption.

New malware alert: ExpensiveWall found hidden in Android wallpaper apps

Alexandra Arici
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0

Another month, another Android malware discovery. Recently Check Point security research found that a new form of Android malware was able to evade Google Play’s built-in anti-malware protections and could have infected up to 4.2 million devices.

The new strain of malware – known as ExpensiveWall – was discovered and reported by Check Point early last month. It represent a new variant of the malware found earlier this year on Google Play, and according to researchers the entire malware family has been downloaded between 5.9 million and 21.1 million times.

Check Point said ExpensiveWall was “packed” inside wallpaper apps, which is why it managed to elude the Google Play Store’s anti-malware barriers. “Packing” is a well-known method used to encrypt malicious code within apps which allows them to go undetected by standard security solutions.

The affected apps will start asking for seemingly harmless permissions including SMS and internet access. If granted, the malware will then start sending out premium SMS messages and register the mobile device in question to premium services that don’t exist without the owner’s knowledge.

Even if Google was notified of the issue and worked to remove all the apps affected by the malware (after August 7), users who have installed any of these apps on their device remain at risk, so the solution is to manually remove them from their devices. A list of infected apps has been provided by Check Point.

Play Store user reviews of an ExpensiveWall app

Check Point notes that while Expensive Wall was created with the intent of creating profit, a similar malware could be used for far more sinister purposes like collecting personal content like pictures, recording or other sensitive data.

How can you stay protected against malware such as Expensive Wall? There’s no real bulletproof solution to this issue, but it would be helpful if you decided to stay away from shady/obscure apps and instead install only high-profile apps which have been positively reviewed by the Play Store community.

Blitzwolf BW-BS3 Selfie Stick review

AndroidGuys
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For all the negative connotation that comes with the idea of a selfie stick, they can actually be quite practical to own. That is, of course, if you have the right one. We’ve long shied away from having one of these as we’re not the “vain” selfie-obsessed user types. Rather than marking a special group selfie shot, we’d rather capture a moment from the rear camera.

When we were asked to review the Blitzwolf BW-BS3 Selfie Stick we, admittedly, were not all that excited about it. What else is there besides putting our phone on a long arm and snapping a wider shot? As it turns out, there’s plenty at work here. We’re not going to run out and snap selfies at an Ed Sheeran concert, but we will consider packing the stick for our next day at the park.

Unpack the selfie stick and you’ll see that there’s little that needs to be done in order to get going. It’s essentially a quick pairing process over Bluetooth and then pressing a button when ready to shoot. It takes all of one minute to get set up.

The stick is primarily composed of aluminum with traces of plastic here and there. It feels really light yet it’s also sturdy in the right places. It doesn’t feel like it’s cheaply made.

The expanding phone holder works well and fit all of the different models we tried, even some of the older and wider devices. Moreover, there’s a 360-degree rotation and swiveling head that lets you put the phone in whatever angle you need.

The arm, when fully extended, adds about three feet to your reach. So, rather than taking a shot of 3-4 people squeezed in, you can grab an entire group shot without effort.

One of the hardest things about taking a selfie is pressing the camera button when it’s time to snap the picture. That problem is alleviated here, thanks to the Bluetooth-connected button. While its standard placement is in the base of the stick, you can pull it out and use it a remote, too. It’s small enough that you can hide it in the palm of your hand without anyone seeing it.

Another cool feature of the Blitzwolf Selfie Stick is that it can be used as a tripod. Indeed, you can pull the base apart into three sections which act as legs. This is pretty convenient when you want to place your phone in a static spot and snap pics. Pull out the remote and you’ll be even better positioned to take group shots.

Priced around $15-$20, we found this to be one to be worth its cost. It’s portable, lightweight, and practical — everything you’d want in a selfie stick. The versatility impressed us and we think you’ll enjoy it, too. Throw in the 18-month warranty and you’ve got a real winner. As of the time of publishing this review you could purchase the Blitzwolf BW-BS3 for $15.99 at Banggood and $21.99 at Amazon.

Samsung could be developing a 1000 fps camera sensor for the Galaxy S9

Dan Bartram
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Samsung could be about to up its camera game for the Galaxy S9 as the company is said to be working on a sensor capable of capturing up to 1000 frames per second.

The report claims that the sensor is due to enter mass production in November that suggests it could be readied in time for inclusion in the Galaxy S9 to rival the Sony Xperia XZ1.

With the Galaxy S9 expected to be revealed as soon as January, it would put the November timeframe for the sensor in the prime of the development cycle for the device.

As for how the sensor will work – Sony patented a triple-stacked setup to achieve its results so Samsung must find a different route like a double-stacked sensor to achieve 1000 fps.

The new sensor will be paired with a dual camera setup as found in the Note 8 for the Galaxy S9 but would certainly provide the innovation Samsung needs to differentiate the next iteration of the device when it has already pushed the boundaries of the display.

A sensor capable of shooting at 1000 frames per second would be perfect for slow-motion sports and I certainly would make heavy use of it.

Would such a feature be enough to make you buy a Samsung Galaxy S9? Let us know in the comments section below.

Samsung finally lets you disable the Bixby button on the Galaxy S8

Dan Bartram
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Samsung took a huge gamble on the Galaxy S8 when it went all in on its virtual assistant and included a dedicated button to launch Bixby.

Unfortunately for consumers, Bixby wasn’t ready. That, unfortunately, left the Bixby button as merely a quick launch for Bixby Home, which housed some basic information from your calendar and news feed. There were some workarounds but Samsung kept responding to break the method used to remap the button.

It seems that Samsung may now finally be listening as a new update finally allows the Bixby button to be officially disabled. Unfortunately, it doesn’t go any further than that so you’re left with an even more useless button. Hopefully, Samsung takes this one step further and allow the button to be completely remapped to launch an app of the users choice like Google Assistant.

Personally, I’d love to be able to remap the Bixby button to quick launch the camera in video mode but one step at a time hey?

SamMobile reports the update isn’t appearing for everyone just yet so keep checking in Settings to see when it finally trickles down to your device.

 

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