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The best Android phones at Sprint (August 2017)

AndroidGuys
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We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from Sprint, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from Sprint.

Motorola Z2 Force

Motorola’s second generation Z Force arrived in the middle of 2017 with quite a powerful spec sheet. Powered by the newest version of Android on the market, 7.1.1 Nougat, the Z2 Force will be offered across a variety of carriers. This is somewhat of a departure for Motorola who had been heading toward a direct-to-consumer only route.

Interestingly enough, Motorola has opted for a smaller battery capacity for the Z2 Force. But, don’t let that discourage you from buying as it does have feature the TurboPower Charge capability and Android is ever more optimal for battery life.

Currently, the Moto Z2 Force is available in a few color variants with pricing that hovers around $750-$800.

HTC U11

HTC needed to make a big statement with its 2017 flagship, and it has definitely seemed to do so with the HTC U11. The device features design cues taken from the HTC U Ultra lineup with a shiny metallic finish, but there are extra goodies thrown in.

The specs for the U11 line up with other 2017 flagships, as the device features a 5.5-inch 2K display, while being powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC. The U11 also includes two different variants – 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

As for the cameras, the U11 features a 16MP front camera with HTC’s UltraPixel technology. The rear camera features a 12MP Sony IMX362 sensor with a f/1.7 aperture and the ability to shoot up to 4K video.

Other features of the U11 include a 3,000mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, along with a USB Type-C charging port. Finally, the U11 features Edge Sense Technology with a pressure-sensitive frame, which allows users to perform various tasks by simply squeezing the edges of the U11.

Pricing for the HTC U11 comes just under $700 through Sprint; customers can opt for monthly payments for the device or purchase it outright.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

The best Android phones at T-Mobile (August 2017)

AndroidGuys
-
0

We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from T-Mobile, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

See Also

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from T-Mobile.

Motorola Z2 Force

Motorola’s second generation Z Force arrived in the middle of 2017 with quite a powerful spec sheet. As is to be expected, though, it’s one of the flagship models for the unlocked phone maker, and is yet another take on the modular experience.

Powered by the newest version of Android on the market, 7.1.1 Nougat, the Z2 Force will be offered across a variety of carriers. This is somewhat of a departure for Motorola who had been heading toward a direct-to-consumer only route.

Interestingly enough, Motorola has opted for a smaller battery capacity for the Z2 Force. But, don’t let that discourage you from buying as it does have feature the TurboPower Charge capability and Android is ever more optimal for battery life.

Currently, the Moto Z2 Force is available in a few color variants with pricing that hovers around $750.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

Go Unlocked

One of the benefits of T-Mobile being a GSM service provider is that you can bring just about any unlocked smartphone to its network. Moreover, many of the top devices being offered in 2017 are sold in an unlocked capacity. You might have to purchase directly through the handset maker or another retailer, but you are by no means restricted when it comes to choice.

EDITOR NOTE: Where applicable, this article contains content that found on other shopping guides.

The best Android phones at AT&T (August 2017)

AndroidGuys
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0

We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from AT&T, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

Also, keep in mind that you can purchase your own phone from another outlet which can work with AT&T. Because it is a GSM service provider, there are plenty of unlocked devices around which are compatible with its network.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from AT&T.

Motorola Z2 Force

Motorola’s second generation Z Force arrived in the middle of 2017 with quite a powerful spec sheet. Powered by the newest version of Android on the market, 7.1.1 Nougat, the Z2 Force will be offered across a variety of carriers. This is somewhat of a departure for Motorola who had been heading toward a direct-to-consumer only route.

Interestingly enough, Motorola has opted for a smaller battery capacity for the Z2 Force. But, don’t let that discourage you from buying as it does have feature the TurboPower Charge capability and Android is ever more optimal for battery life.

Currently, the Moto Z2 Force is available in a few color variants with pricing that hovers around $800.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

 

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S7 Active

Although they are a year old now, these are certainly worth considering in 2017. The price has dropped on them over time, but the specs are still more than enough to get the job done for most users. The hardware and software industry moves quicker than the needs of the average consumer. There’s nothing wrong with saving a few bucks on these flagships.

Now powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S7 family draws strength from Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 processors with 4GB of memory. The standard bearer has a 5.1-inch display at 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution while the Edge model is slightly larger at 5.5-inches.

The Galaxy S7 employs a 3,000mAh battery while the bigger model squeezes in a 3,600mAh power supply. Both feature support for fast wireless charging. Offered in multiple colors, the phones are also IP68 rated for protection against water and dust.

The Galaxy S7 Active, which is exclusive to AT&T, comes with a 5.1-inch shatter resistant display and an incredibly generous 4,000mAh battery. Moreover, it steps up the protection with its MIL-STD-810G certification against salt, dust, humidity, vibration, thermal shock resistance, and more. If you’re tough on phones, this is the one for you.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

EDITOR NOTE: Where applicable, this article contains content that found on other shopping guides.

The best Android phones at Verizon (August 2017)

AndroidGuys
-
0

We’re asked on a regular basis to help determine which phone is the best one available. We get it as a team here at AndroidGuys, but we also field it on an individual level, too. To help address that, we’ve put together a list of top models to choose from at various carriers.

If you’re in the market for a new smartphone from Verizon, this is where you’ll want to start. Note that while this is called the “best Android phones” you can purchase this month, it’s worth noting there are plenty of other models to choose from.

See Also:

Best is not a universal term to apply to all consumers. Some of you might have a limited budget; some of you may only have very modest needs. To that end, we suggest digging around a little bit and checking with the service provider.

Also, keep in mind that you can purchase your own phone from another outlet which can work with Verizon. Take, for instance, the Google Pixel, which can be bought at a variety of outlets. The unlocked handset can be paired with pretty much any major carrier.

With that out of the way, let’s take a look at the best phones you can purchase this month from Verizon.

Moto Z2 Force

Motorola’s second generation Z Force arrived in the middle of 2017 with quite a powerful spec sheet. As is to be expected, though, it’s one of the flagship models for the unlocked phone maker, and is yet another take on the modular experience.

Powered by the newest version of Android on the market, 7.1.1 Nougat, the Z2 Force will be offered across a variety of carriers. This is somewhat of a departure for Motorola who had been heading toward a direct-to-consumer only route. Unlike last year’s model, there will be no Droid or Verizon-exclusive take on the handset.

Interestingly enough, Motorola has opted for a smaller battery capacity for the Z2 Force. But, don’t let that discourage you from buying as it does have feature the TurboPower Charge capability and Android is ever more optimal for battery life.

Currently, the Moto Z2 Force is available in a few color variants with pricing that hovers around $750.

Motorola Moto Z2 Play

Another recent Motorola smartphone, the Moto Z2 Play, is a second-generation device with modular capabilities. Indeed, it features support for the Moto Mods that have been on the market for the better part of a year.  The modules, including the mophie Juice Pack, JBL SoundBoost Speaker, and others, add a whole extra layer of functionality to the handset.

Like its predecessor, the Z Play/ Z Play Droid, this one isn’t so much about its performance and prowess as it is about value. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a better experience at this price, especially from a key smartphone brand.

Powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 626 (2.2GHz) processor, the phone runs Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and comes in Lunar Gray and Fine Gold. Internally, the Z2 Play offers up 3GB RAM, 32GB internal storage, and microSD support for up to 2TB of extra space.

Other specifications include a 5.5-inch display and a 3,000mAh battery with TurboPower quick charging. In terms of cameras, you’ll find a 12-megapixel rear camera and a wide-angle, 5-megapixel front-facing camera. The Moto Z2 Play is water-repellent and includes a fingerprint reader for security and applications.

Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus

Now in its eighth iteration, the Samsung Galaxy S series is better than ever. It’s not only more powerful and sleek, but it’s bigger, too. Indeed, the Galaxy S8 comes with a 5.8-inch screen while the S8 Plus packs a massive 6.2-inch display. Not that you’d notice, though, as they 18.5:9 aspect ratio makes it much more comfortable in hand than predecessors.

Samsung has opted for the curved screen on both versions of the phone which signals the company may have done away with the “Edge” variants of devices. Time will tell, however, but we suspect this could be the norm for its flagship phones going forward.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus feature Samsung’s custom UI. Making its debut in the new generation is Bixby, Samsung’s new virtual assistant. As you might expect, it allows for voice commands and marries itself nicely with other Samsung apps and features. It’s not fully available for the US market just yet (Spring 2017), but, once it rolls out, it will give Samsung users one more reason to stay inside of its ecosystem. Apple has Siri, Google has Assistant, and Samsung has Bixby.

Key hardware in the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB RAM, and 64GB of internal storage. Camera, which are better than ever, are 12-megapixels around back with an 8-megapixel front-facing shooter. Battery capacity for the S8 is 3,000mAh while the S8 Plus gets a 3,500mAh power supply.

The S8 line is IP68 rated against water and dust and is available in a variety of colors. New for this generation of Galaxy S phones is the Samsung DeX dock which essentially lets use use your phone to power a desktop computer. As you might expect, the S8 is compatible with the new Gear VR headset, too.

LG G6

Whereas last year saw LG diverge from its flagship experience with its modular approach to the G5, this year sees them returning to form. Quite literally, really, as the G6 goes back to what made the LG line what it is. For 2017, LG has put together one of the best phones on the market, internally, and externally.

The LG G6 offers up a 5.7-inch Quad HD LCD display with a unique 18:9 aspect ratio; this lends itself to a thin, yet spacious screen that’s a pleasure to behold. Under the hood we find a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor bolstered by 4GB RAM and plenty of storage space. In fact, the microSD card slot allows for up to 2TB of media, apps, and files.

In terms of cameras, the G6 has a dual 13-megapixel setup around back and a 5-megapixel shooter around front. Other specifications include an IP68 rating against water and dust, a capacious 3,300mAh battery with Quick Charge 3.0 and wireless charging capability.

LG V20

The LG V20 might be nearing its anniversary, but it’s still everything you need to blast through a work day with plenty left over for down time. The hardware is right in line with the needs of most and the price is equally attractive.

Running the latest version of Android (7.0 Nougat), the V20 is a multimedia fan’s dream experience. The main display is 5.7-inches of high-resolution gorgeousness but the secondary display at the top is every bit as useful. Although it’s smaller and only occupies a small section, it’s right where you’ll look for notifications and shortcuts. Music sounds tremendous thanks to the 32-bit Hi-Fi Quad DAC.

Other key hardware includes 4GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Need more space? Throw in a microSD card up to 2TB and you’ll have all the room you can hope for, plus some.

As for cameras, the LG V20 comes with a 16-megapixel rear unit and a 5-megapixel front-facing shooter for selfies. Rounding things out, the V20 packs a 3,200mAh battery which is more than enough to get you through a busy day.

Google Pixel and Pixel XL

The only phones offered through Verizon with a “stock” version of Android, the Pixel and Pixel XL are Google’s flagship phones. Gone are the Nexus models of yesterday and in its place is the Pixel line. At least that’s how it looks to be for now.

As the first phones to offer Google Assistant out of the box, they’re smarter than your average Android handset. Voice commands, searching, and other software touches are available here that you won’t get in many other devices.

The pair of phones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor with 4GB RAM and storage capacities of 32GB and 128GB. The 12.3-megapixel rear camera is the best experience you’ll get from a mobile phone, period.

The Pixel comes with a 5.0-inch display and a 2,770mAh battery while the Pixel XL offers up a 5.5-inch screen and a much larger, 3,450mAh power source. Both phones are sold in Very Silver, Really Blue, and Quite Black and include lightning quick USB Type-C charging. VR lovers will be drawn to the Daydream View compatibility.

 

Anker’s Eufy Genie is a cheaper Echo Dot

Dan Bartram
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0

Anker have gotten into the Internet of Things game with its latest Eufy Genie speaker.

The latest accessory by the company is a small smart speaker with built-in Alexa for only $35.

It’s very much like an Amazon Echo Dot, only slightly bigger and slightly cheaper. Anker claims it’ll offer better audio than the Dot but all the same features. You’ll be able to ask Alexa questions, give it commands to play music and order things, just like the Amazon products.

The product is being announced today, but it doesn’t ship for another week, until August 16th. The Genie will also be able to connect with and control other Eufy-branded smart home products from Anker. The company plans to release some lights and wall plugs in the next few weeks that can be used with the Genie.

Anker also plans on releasing a $40 version of the product that will include Bluetooth support that could allow external speakers to be connected for even better quality.

Could Anker beat Amazon at its own game and become the small speaker of choice for Alexa in the home? Let us know your thoughts below.

Help protect against Harmful apps with Google Play Protect

Dan Bartram
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0

Google Play Protect was pretty much a rebrand of security features that had long been part of the core of Android. It seems that now these rebranded changes are finally rolling out to the front end of the Google Play Store.

Google Play Protect aims to scan your installed apps and pending updates to ensure that there is no malicious code embedded in the app. By doing so it inherently keeps your Android device safer by blocking any app that could be considered harmful.

You’ll now notice a new box in the Updates section of the My Apps and Games page that allows you to manually scan your apps for problems. There’s also a badge labeled “Verified by Play Protect” that has begun appearing for some on the Play Store listings for apps themselves.

Backed by the strength of Google, Play Protect brings control to your fingertips while giving guidance along the way. Together, we lay out the ideal security blanket for your mobile device. Consider yourself covered.

There’s also a Play Protect button that seems to be showing up for some in the hamburger menu that will take you to the settings page for Protect. From here you can see a page that displays all the recently scanned apps and also toggles that let you disable devices scanning and the sending of unknown apps to Google for better detection.

Many users on Reddit are seeing the Google Play Protect feature rolling out so expect to see hit a device near you soon as it gradually gets activated on the Google servers.

T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+ plan discounts unlimited talk, text, and high speed data for customers 55 years or older

AndroidGuys
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0

While most major wireless carriers offer dedicated plans for senior citizens, the options are usually limited in scope or come with caveats. Some plans don’t include much data, if at all, and others restrict the handset selection. T-Mobile’s newest rate plan, the ONE Unlimited 55+, aims to disrupt that space.

Right now, there are more than 93 million Americans in the U.S. over age 55, and the vast majority (74 percent) of them have a smartphone. And that number keeps growing. In addition, Boomers spend an average of 149 minutes a day on their smartphones — about as much as smartphone-obsessed Millennials at 171 minutes per day. In fact, the majority of those 55+ say a smartphone is the #1 way they connect with family and friends.

Rather than going after those in their sixties, the T-Mobile option is geared for those who are age 55 and above. In short, it’s a two-line plan for $60 per month, with unlimited talk, text, and high speed data. It does require automatic payment, though, but it includes taxes and fees.

The cheaper two-line plan does come with the same benefits and features of the other ONE rate plans, including zero contracts, T-Mobile Tuesdays, and free hotspot tethering.

The new plan takes effect today at T-Mobile retail stores around the country.

 

MetroPCS rolls out two-line unlimited plan for only $75 per month

AndroidGuys
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0

T-Mobile’s prepaid brand MetroPCS has just introduced a new two-line plan for customers looking for unlimited data. Priced just $75 per month it includes unlimited talk, text, and high speed data.

In essence the plan is like taking one line for $50 per month and adding a second line for $25 per month. Moreover, if customers would like additional lines, they can add them for the same $25 monthly rate. There’s a limit of five lines total so it should be sufficient for most families. Additionally, subscribers can add 8GB worth of 4G LTE hotspot data for only $10 more each month.

In addition to the new rate plan, MetroPCS is offering a $100 instant rebate for each line that is switched over from another carrier. Limited to five lines, it’s a great way to cut the price on many devices. In fact, depending on what models you’re looking at, you could end up with free phones.

HTC throws in 3 months of Amazon Music Unlimited with purchase of U11 flagship

AndroidGuys
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HTC this week announced a new limited-time promotion which gives its customers three months of Amazon Music Unlimited. It’s a pretty simple and straightforward deal; purchase its latest phone, the U11 from Amazon.com or HTC.com and you’re eligible. The promotion is only available for new US subscribers and runs through the end of September.

Available in Black, Silver, Blue, and Red, the HTC U11 can be paired with pretty much all major carriers. Pricing for the 64GB model is listed at $649 while the 128GB version is slightly higher at $729. Both storage capacities are offered as unlocked phones, too.

What is Amazon Music Unlimited?

Not to be confused with Amazon Prime Music, Amazon Music Unlimited is an on-demand music streaming service with access to tens of millions of songs through an app and website.

Priced $9.99 per month ($7.99 for Amazon Prime users), Amazon Music Unlimited also offers thousands of Playlists hand-curated by Amazon’s music experts as well as personalized Stations. The music is ad-free and available on a wide array of devices.

Road Draw is an interesting spin on driving puzzles (Review)

AndroidGuys
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Overview:

Road Draw is a driving puzzle game that tasks you with drawing a road for your car to drive on while avoiding obstacles and collecting coins, going as far as you can before you run out of gas.

Developer: Fun Free Puzzle Games

Cost: Free (With ads and microtransactions)

Impressions:

Road Draw is reminiscent of old Flash games like Line Rider, where you draw a course and let the character traverse it to completion or until they fail. However, Road Draw doesn’t quite live up to expectations and is rather simple. You simply drag your finger across the screen to make a path for your car to get across. You have to collect gas cans to keep going, and only fail when your car flips or you run out of gas.

The gameplay is simple, but the difficulty is raised by a mix of the car physics and the level design. The car seems to want to flip forward and has difficulty with upward inclines or drops of any kind. It makes for a frustrating experience and the game winds up being a test of your patience after a while.

The graphics are rather simple as well, with a basic cartoon style and no significant animation or stand out visuals at all. The music, on the other hand, is cool sounding but the in-game tunes are rather intense and out of place for the pace of the game. It has a rather hard rock vibe to it, with guitars and a fast tempo. The gameplay is rather sedated in comparison, and there’s no engine sounds to accompany the music either.

Conclusion:

Overall, I was disappointed by Road Draw’s lack of unique features or compelling reasons to play it over similar games. There are no additional track types, only 10 cars, and two stages to play with. I would have liked to see more variety and puzzle elements added to make this game stand out more, as I rather like the “draw a track” style game from my grade school days of playing in the library.

I would still recommend Road Draw to someone looking for a simple puzzle game, maybe for their kids. It has a decent amount of replay value and challenge to keep you busy for a while and it is at least functional and isn’t filled with bugs or incomplete content.

Download Road Draw from the Google Play Store.

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