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Niantic wants to help you celebrate the Equinox, announces Double Stardust Pokemon Go event

Alexandra Arici
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Niantic wants to help Pokemon Go enthusiasts celebrate the upcoming Equinox, so it is offering players the option to earn some extra goodies soon.

So starting from 1 PM PDT / 9 PM BST on September 22 until 1 PM PDT / 9 PM BST on October 2, you’ll be rewarded for every Pokemon catch and egg hatch with double Stardust.

On top of that, new special 2km eggs will be available from Pokestops and Gyms. Be sure to visit them for a chance to hatch rare Pokemon such as Chansey, Mareep, Larvitar and more.

A rare Chansey Pokemon

But wait there’s more. During the period outlined above, the in-game shop will offer items such as Lucky Eggs, Lure Modules, and all-new Super Incubators that can hatch eggs 1.5 times faster.

Registering a new Pokemon to the Pokedex during the event will earn players triple the XP. This comes just in time as you prepare to battle against the Legendary Pokemon. Don’t forget that Raikou, Entei or Suicune will be in a different parts of the world on September 30, so don’t miss the chance to confront the Legendary Pokemon while it is in your area.

Don’t forget the festivities begin in two days. Until then, make sure to update your Pokemon Go to version 0.75.0 if you are on Android and version 1.45.0 if you’re an iOS user.

Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 vs LG V30 (Smartphone Showdown)

Alexandra Arici
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As you have probably already noticed – this year’s biggest trend in phone design is slimming down the bezels around the screen as much as possible. Even since the Xiaomi Mi MIX was unveiled last year, we’ve seen a parade of high-end phones from Samsung, LG, and Essential that have basically taken the same approach to design.

This year, Xiaomi unveiled a successor to the first bezel-less smartphone which amazed the Android crowd last year. It’s called the Mi MIX 2 and in this article, we’re going to pit it against LG’s latest flagship effort, the V30. Both are sleek devices that impress by virtue of their +premium designs, but also powerhouses brimming with features. So, if you were given a choice which one would you choose? Keep reading to get an idea which model is more exciting.

On the outside

The new Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 boasts a sleek metal/ceramic design. While it has managed to keep the bezels on top and sides as minimal as possible, Xiaomi also shrunk down bottom bezel (12% less chin size according to the company) which also accommodates the frontal camera and the ultrasonic proximity sensor. But unlike the original Mi MIX, the successor swapped out the piezoelectric acoustic driver for a standard earpiece which now sits at the top of the phone. The device is 7.7mm thin and weighs 185 g.

Moving on to the display, Xiaomi also switched to an 18:9 display ratio this year, following the trends imposed by LG and Samsung. The phone boasts a 5.99-inch screen with 2160 x 1080 resolution and includes a handy sunlight mode, which selectively boosts contrast when outdoors to improve readability in harsh sunlight conditions.

What about the LG V30? The phone rocks a metal/glass sandwich design with minimal bezels just like the company’s previous flagship the LG G6. However, the V30 takes advantage of a more spacious 6-inch OLED display with 1440 x 2880 resolution and 18:9 aspect ratio. The LG V30 supports HDR effects that make videos and pictures look more vibrant and colorful.

Unlike the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, the LG flagship also offers IP68 water and dust resistance, as well as MIL-STD-810G drop protection.

The LG V30 is a bit sleeker and lighter than the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2, as it’s only 158g in weight and 7.6mm thin. The phone also has a USB Type-C port located at the bottom and a 3.5mm headphone jack on top (which is missing on the Mi MIX 2).

On the inside

Both handsets are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, but while the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 offers a choice between 6GB of RAM and 8GB of RAM (available only with the Special Edition) in combination with 64GB/128GB/256GB storage, the LG V30 only includes 4GB of RAM and either 64GB or 128GB of storage. Just the latter offers a microSD card slot for memory expansion.

What about batteries? With this year’s model, Xiaomi is using a 3,400 mAh battery (last year’s model included a 4,400 mAh one), while the LG V30 relies on an even smaller 3,300 mAh one. So big chances are you won’t be able to go through a full day without needing to pop these devices in for a charge.

Photography

LG flagships are well-known for their advanced photographic qualities and the LG V30 is no different. The phone includes a dual-camera setup that pairs a main 16-megapixel sensor with massive f/1.6 aperture and a 71-degree field of view with a 13-megapixel wide-angle lens with f/1.9 aperture and a 120-degree field of view. Unlike the Galaxy Note 8, the V30 only has OIS (optical image stabilization) on the main lens.

The phone also includes a host of additional features for photography and videography fans like Graphy or Cine Log. A series of manual controls are also available.

Unlike most flagships launching this year, the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 goes against the grain as it doesn’t feature a dual-camera setup on the back, but only takes advantage of a singular 12-megapixel sensor with f/2.0 aperture and dual-LED flash.

Both phones include a 5-megapixel selfie snapper. In the case of the LG V30, it’s a wide-angle sensor with f/2.2.

Other features

The LG V30 has a leg up when it comes to audio, as it ships with Hi-Fi Quad DAC on board that was tuned by B&O Play engineers. A pair of B&O Play headphones will ship out alongside the LG V30 as part of the bundle, although we’re not sure at this point whether US customers will be able to take advantage of this freebie or not.

What’s more, the V30 is the first phone to support MQA, which means users will be able to store hi-res audio files more easily.

We should also note that the LG V30 will ship as a Daydream-ready phone out of the box, while the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 doesn’t offer this feature (just yet?). The LG phone also offers iris scanning and runs Android 7.1.2 Nougat with LG’s UX 6.0+, but the device will probably be among the first LG models to receive the Android 8.0 Oreo update. The same can be said of the Xiaomi Mi MIX 2 which also ships with Android 7.1 Nougat of the box with MIUI 9 on top.

Last but not least, we should mention that unlike last year’s LG V20, the V30 doesn’t take advantage of a secondary ticker display. Instead, LG is using a software alternative dubbed the Floating Bar which gives you quick access to things like Settings, Notes and so on.

Cost

LG hasn’t officially revealed the pricing for the V30 in the US just yet. However, we expect the phone will start selling in the country for $750 and up. The phone will be available in Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue and Lavender Violet.

As for the Mi MIX 2, it’s a little bit more affordable as you’d normally expect a Xiaomi device to be. The 6GB of RAM/64GB storage version was announced with a price tag of approx. $500. The standard version is only available in Black.

Turn your Google Home into a portable speaker with LOFT

Alexandra Arici
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Remember the Vaux? The accessory which was introduced by the Ninety7 startup back in March, could turn the Echo Dot into an Alexa-powered portable speaker.

Now, Ninety7 aims to bestow the same portable capabilities to the Google Home. Say hello to LOFT – basically a Google Home bottom which attaches to the speaker using magnets to add battery power.

LOFT is available in a choice of Carbon Black, Snow White and Copper Fabric with metal trim for the base. According to Ninety7, it can provide up to eight hours of wireless use for your Google Home. Pretty neat!

Don’t miss: Google Home Mini and Daydream View leak ahead of October 4 unveil

While you can do all sort of things with your Google Home like ask questions, set reminders, control your smart home or play music, the device still has to be plugged in while you do them. Not anymore. Snap off your Google Home base and add the metallic LOFT instead and voila! you won’t have to leave your Google Home behind as you move from room to room inside your house.

Large households typically require multiple Google Home units if their owners want to talk to the Assistant from every room in their home, but with LOFT owners won’t have to spend more cash on multiple speakers.

Besides LOFT, Ninety7 also unveiled the DOX this week – which is a similar accessory for the Amazon Echo Dot (2nd generation). Both products are available for pre-order right now. Grab a LOFT for $39.95 (regular RRP is $49.95), while the DOX can be yours for $29.94 (regular RRP is $39.95). Ninety7 says t expect them in October.

Google Home Mini and Daydream View leak ahead of October 4 unveil

AndroidGuys
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Google is gearing up for an October 4th announcement, where it is rumored that we’ll get to see the wraps taken off the Android owner’s second-generation Pixels – the Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2. As is the case with Google I/O announcements, though, product unveils often bring an additional gadget or accessory, and newly leaked images of what’s to come confirm just that.

Images of the upcoming Google Home Mini and second-generation Daydream View headset have leaked, devices that will make their market debut at the Pixels unveiling. The Google Home Mini will be a smaller, flatter version of the original Google Home, and the new Daydream View headset appears to have received some design upgrades.

First, the Google Home Mini will be a smaller more portable version of Google Home, the device known for its hands-free phone calls, voice commands, and around-the-house tasks. As technology continues to make its way in the home (home automation is a rising trend), consumers desire greater portability. The leaked images of the three different Google Home Mini color variants (Chalk, Charcoal, and Coral) show the presence of four dots at the top that are assumed to be LED notifications regarding the device.

These LED notifications are likely for battery life, with Droid-Life saying that the Google Home Mini will be battery-powered instead of wirelessly charged. Those who have never purchased Google Home but are familiar with Mophie Juice Pack LED battery levels on smartphones can understand the idea. The Google Home Mini is rumored to carry a $49 price tag.

The second-generation Daydream View headset is ready for its October 4th unveiling alongside of the Google Home Mini. Coming in three colors (Charcoal, Fog, and Coral), the new Daydream View appears to sport a more ruggedized build than its first-gen sibling. The Daydream View controller makes a return, bringing back the trackpad and volume buttons you’ve grown to appreciate in last year’s handset. The Daydream View VR headset will cost an additional $20 this time, making it more expensive than the 2016 headset ($99 for the second-gen. Daydream View vs. $79 for the first-gen. device). Pre-ordering the Pixel or Pixel XL last year netted users a free Daydream VR headset; perhaps the same good luck will grace this year’s Pixel 2 buyers.

With a more ruggedized build and some improvements on the headset (a more water-repellent material in design, perhaps?), the extra $20 should be worth it. The Pixel 2 XL build, colors, and prices have already leaked as well, so you can go ahead and select the color of your matching Daydream View headset. Of course, the new accessories will be ideal for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL buyers, though interested buyers can always wait for a price drop on the first-gen Daydream View (it’s bound to happen at the Pixel 2 unveiling).

If these leaks come true, which device(s) are you planning to pick up in October?

OnePlus 5 JCC+ limited edition is a “creative machine”

Alexandra Arici
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As expected, OnePlus and fashion designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac have taken the wraps off a special edition OnePlus 5. The new design – called the OnePlus 5 JCC+ limited edition – comes boasting a blue power button, yellow mute/vibrate button, as well as a red volume rocker.

On top of that, the phone’s back has been adorned with a piece of text which reveals what OnePlus and Castelbajac’s were trying to achieve with the limited edition OnePlus 5 – to combine technology, art, and fashion. The phone will launch on September 22 at 10 am CEST during a Pop-Up event at the Colette fashion boutique in Paris.

The OnePlus 5 JCC+ limited edition will be available only in an 8GB of RAM + 128GB storage configuration, while the rest of the specs remain the same. Hence, the device will ship with a 5.5-inch fullHD display and Snapdragon 835 processor just like the standard model.

Fashion techies will also be thrilled to know that the OnePlus will be selling related accessories including limited edition t-shirts, tote bags, caps, and holsters – all designed by Jean-Charles de Castelbajac.

While the phone will be available for purchase only in Europe (for approximately $670 a pop), the accessories will be offered to OnePlus fans in North America, Europe, China, and India. You can also download a set of designer wallpapers for your phone from the official OnePlus website.

Starting October 2, customers will be able to grab the OnePlus 5 JCC+ limited edition in Europe via the OnePlus.net website. The t-shirts will also go on sale on the same date for $29.95, as well as the tote bags for $24.95. The rest of the apparel will go on sale later this year.

New Pixel 2 will start at $649 in variety of colors

Dan Bartram
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We’ve seen the Pixel 2 XL so it seems only natural that we get a peek at its little brother.

The HTC-made Pixel 2 is set to arrive in three colors – ‘Kinda Blue’, ‘Just Black’, and ‘Clearly White’.

There’s not a whole lot to be determined from the official look at the Pixel 2 except it looks like a smaller Pixel 2 XL. It has the same two-tone color scheme and the fingerprint sensor on the rear. Like the Pixel 2 XL, it comes down to what extra features Google packs into the device that will dictate if the Pixel 2 is an iteration or evolution of the previous model.

It’ll come in 64GB and 128GB variants and reflect the same pricing as last years’ models at $649 and $749 respectively.

Like the Pixel 2 XL, financing will be available for each storage option. The 64GB Pixel 2 will cost $27.04/mo over 24 months and the 128GB model will cost $31/21/mo.

 

This is the Pixel 2 XL, starting at $849

Dan Bartram
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The Pixel 2 leaks have been slowly trickling out over the past few months as we build up to the device release, each revealing slightly more about the device each time.

However, this is the mother of all leaks. A final and official look at the Pixel XL 2, as well as a price.

The LG built Pixel 2 XL will come in a Black & White configuration as well as a single Black color. The device will be available in both 64GB and 128GB configuration that will cost $849 and $949, respectively.

The design looks very similar to that of the current Pixel devices with the fingerprint sensor on the rear and a distinct camera section at the top of the device. It’s not yet clear why the pricing has increased as much as it has and if there are new features in the Pixel 2 that warrant the added dollars. Perhaps it could be a bezel-less display or perhaps it will be OIS dual-cameras? Either way, we’ve not long to wait, but likewise, will certainly make a dent in the wallet when the Pixel 2 launches.

The new Pixel 2 will launch on October 4th 2017.

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

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