Nokia being reborn under the HMD Global umbrella was one of the best piece of nostalgia that could have happened. For years we have wondered by a Nokia branded Android device may have looked like, and while this isn’t the Nokia we used to know and love, it’s pretty close.
Nokia, or HMD Global, have up until now dipped its toes in the low to mid end Android market testing the waters. It seems the company is finally set to release something truly flagship into the arena with the Nokia 8.
The Nokia 8 is said to feature Android 7.1.1 Nougat and will appear on July 31st. Recent benchmarking data for the device shows it has a Snapdragon 835 chipset, QHD resolution, either 4GB or 6GB of RAM, and a pair of main cameras offering 13-megapixel resolutions and Carl Zeiss optics.
While pricing is yet to be clearly announced, a Scandinavian retailer recently listed this model (albeit as the TA-1004) for €589 (about $675).
It’s great to see the Nokia name lives on but I reserve judgement of the Nokia 8 and if it has stayed true to its roots until we see the final product.
This is something a little different, Android Guys. As per our name, we normally focus on the mobile side of technology – specifically, the Google-centric brand of mobile technology – but today I’m writing to you about a podcasting microphone that I’ve been toying around with, instead.
While Samson’s (rather boringly named) Q2U Recording and Podcasting Pack won’t win any style awards – it very much looks like every other microphone you’ve seen since your school days – it’s a very solid wired mic (for use with a computer or as stage performing) that includes everything you need to get started. This microphone offers both XLR and USB connections, letting it handle live performances or virtual podcasts with equal ease.
Top – Mini-USB | Right – 3.5mm | Bottom-Left – XLR
What’s in the box
Q2U Mic  |  Tripod (w/Mic Clip and Extension)  |  Windscreen  |  USB and XLR Cables
Essentially, the Q2U bundle brings everything you need to get your voice to the world, assuming you already have a computer or sound system. The mic itself has both XLR and Mini-USB (in a world now rife with MicroUSB and Type-C USB, this struck me as very, very odd), meaning it’s equally capable of serving as a plug-and-play mic for recording, podcasting, or streaming as it is broadcasting your voice to a live audience.
The mic looks like exactly what you’d expect when someone tells you to imagine what a microphone looks like.
Setup using a computer is almost painfully simple; unfold the tripod, screw on the mic clip (or extension, then mic clip), plug the Mini-USB cable into its respective ports on the computer and mic, and you’re good to go – just remember to change your sound input and output to your proper settings. I learned this the hard way, grumbling as I couldn’t figure out why my YouTube videos weren’t outputting any sound.
Which brings me to my petty gripe of the day; the fact that “Samson” looks way too much like “Samsung” on-screen. A few times now I’ve had to change my audio output from the Mic – which is silly – to my Samsung monitor, and it’s taken me a few seconds too long to realize it wasn’t already set to the SAMSUNG, not SAMSON.
Performance
While it’s not a premium studio mic, the Q2U should be more than sufficient for most recording purposes in the comfort of your home. I’ve recorded school projects, hosted teleconferences, and used it for Skype calls – audio quality was clear in all three instances. I haven’t tested its functionality using the XLR connection – I’m no performer – if the quality of output via USB is indicative of the XLR output, you won’t be disappointed.
Value
At $54.99, this bundle is a touch pricey when compared to other, USB only microphone offerings. So if you’re looking to get a mic that only handles digital recording and live streaming via USB, you may be better served checking out one of the more inexpensive, specialized offerings from Tonor or Neewer. If you have need of a mic with an XLR connection, though, you can do a lot worse than Samson. Most XLR/USB Microphones start at $50 and range all the way up to $500+, so Samson’s Q2U bundle is a good starting point, and a great value at that price point.
We’ve all heard the story of Bixby voice not being ready for the prime time when the Galaxy S8 was launched. Samsung have been working hard on getting the virtual assistant ready and even opened up a private beta for a limited number of US owners.
Despite this, a release date of when we could see Bixby come to the general public remained a mystery. However, a number of retail rumours suggest that the virtual assistant could be on the verge of a general release and appear as early as July 18th.
The below screenshot is a capture of a notice given to employees suggesting they watch a webinar on how to use Bixby Voice to familiarize themselves with the functionality before the release.
This obviously is only a rumor but seems pretty interesting that such a briefing is being distributed if it wouldn’t come to fruition.
Could Bixby finally be launched in the US? It was only a few days ago Samsung claimed the lack of data of the English language was to blame for the delay. Could they have overcome this or just release it anyway?
Let us know in the comments below if you’re looking forward to the release of Bixby Voice.
Xiaomi has been relatively quiet following the launch of the Mi 6, but the company is gearing up to announce its latest smartphone — the Redmi 5. The device is expected to launch sometime later this year, but it may be sooner rather than later.
A series of leaks has given us a look at the device from all sides, while also revealing the specs and pricing for the Redmi 5. The device will launch with a 5-inch FHD display, but will come with two different processors — the Snapdragon 625 and the Snapdragon 630.
The variant powered by the SD625 will come coupled with 3GB of RAM and either 16GB or 32GB of storage. The SD630 variant will come with packaged with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.
Xiaomi Redmi 5 Specs
5-inch FHD IPS LCD Display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 625/Snapdragon 630
3GB/4GB RAM
16GB/32GB/64GB Expandable Storage
5MP Front Camera
16MP Rear Camera
3,680mAH Battery
Android 7.1.1 Nougat w/ MIUI 9.0
Additionally, pricing for the Xiaomi Redmi 5 was also shared, as the device is set to start at ~$126 for the 3GB/16GB model. The 3GB/32GB variant will be priced at ~$153, and the 4GB/64GB variant is priced at ~$162.
Let us know what you think about the Redmi 5 and if you’re like me and are super interested in picking one of these up for yourself.
When you see the first games coming out for the Play Store, and compare it with the games we currently have, we can see how much more advanced they’ve become. Graphics, in particular, have come a long way if you analyze games that strive to look as realistic as possible. However, as we all know, graphics are not everything in a game. Dark Echo is aware of that; it creates a superb atmosphere with outstanding sound effects and little more than a black screen.
When you first launch the game, you will not be greeted with the sign-in process for Google Play Games. You could wrongly assume that Dark Echo doesn’t support said service, but in reality, it does.
To actÃvate it, however, you need to head to the game’s settings and sign in manually. It’s a weird way of doing things since I believe developers have determined that the first launch of the app is the perfect place to do it. It still works though, and it lets you earn achievements through it.
Anyways, the game will welcome you instead with a very small tutorial. Since the game’s controls are absurdly easy, there’s no need for much more than this.
Overview
The tutorial teaches you the few basic things you need to learn.
Even though Dark Echo could look like a very simple game at first, it has a lot of depth thanks to its unusual gameplay. You control a character that you actually can’t see because everything is dark. Instead, you rely on what you hear and the echoes your sounds make against objects to determine the direction you should take.
To move, just tap in that direction and your shoes will make a sound for each step you take. You will be able to see the echo bouncing through walls and hazards, making it very tense because you don’t know what is ahead of you until you move.
When there are only walls around you, the echo will be white. However, there are hazards, water, and switches that you need to take into account, and these will all have different colors to identify them. When enemies are following you, the game will display a red hazard around you.
General Impressions
The approach of not being able to see your own character in-game is unlike anything I’ve seen before, and, combined with the fact that there’s no easy way of seeing what lies ahead, the game can be very tense at times.
Regarding difficulty, at first, stages are pretty easy and straightforward. However, things can get ugly fast, and then a lot of patience and good timing is required to go through the later levels. Nevertheless, you never feel like your deaths are just because the game is being cheap, but rather a consequence of your own mistakes.
This will make more sense once you start playing.
In a world in which game developers try to create high-quality worlds with an impressive amount of detail and enticing backstories, Dark Echo relies on you to build up its world. I imagine the world being a dungeon very similar to a jail. I’ve read that other people think about it as a mine or as a cave similar to what you would find in RPGs. It’s up to you to decide in which setting you are playing, and that’s something very few games are able to provide nowadays.
Also, the game tries to build a story through the names of the stages. Don’t expect anything mind-blowing, though, but it is nice to have some kind of story to string the stages together. There’s also a more difficult mode when you finish the game, providing added replay value.
Graphics and Sound
There’s nothing more terrifying in this game than having red lines following you.
Because of its little reliance on graphics, Dark Echo does not feature flashy artwork or similar. Instead, a lot has been done to refine the core gameplay. This isn’t a bad thing, though. Graphics in this game help to enhance the gameplay in a significant way, and the lack of high-quality graphics does not hinder the overall experience at all.
Sound, however, is clearly one of the priorities set by the developer. This emphasis on sound effects is evident right from the beginning, where the game reminds you that your experience will be greatly enhanced if you turn up the volume of your device. Using headphones will be even better, though.
The sound effects are absolutely superb and they aid a lot in creating the tense atmosphere that Dark Echo tries to achieve. The echoes, the footsteps, the enemies, everything is done in a top-notch way. Normally sound effects are done in a game to add to it, but here, they are such a big part of the game that their execution could make or break the game. Fortunately, the dev team did a splendid job.
Conclusion
While most games try to improve graphics to create more impactful and visually impressive worlds, Dark Echo focuses on sound effects and almost no visual feedback to create an immersive experience that can get very tense but rewarding at the end. The idea of having to decide your movements based on sound only (and sometimes, intuition) makes for a very engaging gameplay and provides a pleasing experience. If you are looking for something out of the ordinary, then Dark Echo is exactly what you’re looking for.
Nowadays, you don’t need to spend upwards of $400 or more on a reliable smartphone, as more manufacturers are releasing viable options under $200. The Moto G5 lineup is the first of these to come to mind, but ZTE is looking to get in the fun with a new sub-$100 smartphone.
The ZTE Blade Spark has been announced with a price of $99, and features a rather impressive spec sheet for the price. No, you won’t find the top of the line processor or 6GB of RAM, but you do get a respectable 5.5-inch display.
ZTE Blade Spark Specs:
5.5-inch 720p Display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 SoC
2GB RAM
16GB Expandable Storage
5MP Front Camera
16MP Rear Camera
3,140mAh Battery
Android 7.1.1 Nougat
Fingerprint Scanner (Rear-mounted)
Additionally, the Blade Spark is powered by the Snapdragon 425 SoC, coupled with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of expandable storage. Now, there is a catch with the device, as it will only be offered through the new AT&T PREPAID plans, but for $99, that’s a deal that is tough to beat.
Plus, did I mention there’s a fingerprint scanner? That’s absurd for a phone that’s just $99, and is definitely worth checking out if you’re in the market for a budget device.
When the HTC U11 was announced, the company confirmed that there would be the option for users to switch between Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa. However, support for Alexa was not made available out of the box, leaving owners of the device wondering when the U11 would be properly updated.
It seems that the update is already happening, but there’s a bit of a catch. If you fire up the Play Store on your U11 now, you’ll likely see an update for the Edge Sense application. Once updated, there will be an option to enable Amazon Alexa now, but it won’t actually do anything.
Instead, HTC will be flipping the switch on Alexa come Monday, July 17th. From then, you will be head back to the Edge Sense settings, enable Alexa, and use Amazon’s voice services to your heart’s content.
This is a huge development for Amazon as it looks to continue taking on the likes of Google Assistant in a battle that has moved from your living room to your smartphone. A similar update was expected for the Huawei Mate 9, but there were mixed reactions about performance.
Hopefully, Amazon and HTC recognized the issues that were appearing and continued updating Alexa to become a more viable option with the HTC U11. Only time will tell, so we’ll be waiting (im)patiently for HTC to push Alexa to the U11 on Monday.
Back when Motorola announced the new Moto Z2 Play, the company also announced a few new Moto Mods which would be compatible with previous iterations of the Z lineup, as well as future ones. One of these new Moto Mods was the new Moto Style Shell with Wireless Charging, which added a bit of flair to your device, while also making it possible to completely get rid of the wires when charging.
There was a bit of a hold up on Motorola’s end, but now the new Style Shell is available for purchase, and it’s only $40. You would naturally expect something like this to cost closer to $100 for an accessory, but that’s not the case here.
Currently, the standard Style Shell is sold out, leaving you with the option to purchase a pretty flower-pattern Style Shell, if that’s your thing. In the meantime, we’re sure that Moto is trying to keep up with demand, so keep your eyes peeled to see when the standard Style Shell is restocked.
Let us know what you think about the new Moto Mod and if you’ll be looking to pick one up for yourself. Additionally, let us know if you went for the new Moto Z2 Play, or if you’re holding out until the Moto Z2 Force is unveiled next week.
As we approach the time of the year when attention turns to what Google have in store for the next Pixel, naturally rumors emerge as to what that could entail.
The larger Pixel XL 2 is codenamed Taimen and will feature a 5.99-inch 1440p display provided by LG. According to the latest rumors, the screen will also feature an Always on Display option that will display useful information when the device is locked and idle. A similar feature has been available on the Samsung Galaxy S devices for a few generations so it’s good to see this come to the Pixel line.
Also in the rumor mill is the inclusion of HTC U11 inspired squeezable bezels that can be linked to shortcuts or actions. It is thought that this will be used as a shortcut to launch Google Assistant and can be customized depending on the pressure of the squeeze.
Google seems to be continuing it’s work on enhancing the Pixel display as it is expected to include Display Profiles. The Pixel 2 display settings will be accompanied by a Vivid Colors option to enhance the colors of the display.
It seems the Pixel XL 2 is going to include some great new features when it comes to the display and also borrow some features that seem to have worked from other already released devices such as the almost bezel-less display of the LG G6 and Galaxy S8.
Stay tuned to AndroidGuys for more Pixel 2 news as we approach the official launch.
The Samsung Galaxy S8 has been out for a few months now and that means there has been plenty of time to test our some cases for the device to see what offers the best balance of practicality against aesthetics.
You may have seen our other review of the SHIELDON Leather Wallet Case that is aimed at those who want to condense the number of things they carry on them. The Galaxy S8 Dual Layer Case serves a different purpose and offers a slim profile rear and side protection for your device.
The SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Sunrise Series Dual Layer Case -SAMSUNG S8 Protection Case Details:
– The Galaxy S8 Case provides full protection, 4 thickened TPU cushion corners ensure your phone against drops and bumps; Raised edges and the 4 extra 1MM Raised Pads on the bottom of the TPU case to protect the screen, camera and the slim hard back case from scratches and dirt
– 2 IN 1 Hybrid dual-layer design, features a soft TPU Inner Protective Case and a Hard Polycarbonate Back Frame Cover, helps enhance the protection of the phone
– Precise laser cutouts enable easy access to all Buttons, Ports, Speaker, Fingerprint sensor, Cameras and Flash. Allows charging without removing the case
– Keeps the natural shape of the Galaxy S8. The 3D textured internal design holds the phone steadily, reduces the force from drops and lessens the heat via improving airflow
-4 Extra 1MM Raised Pads on the bottom. Lift the case off the ground, protect the slim back case from scratches and dirt.
– Easy Snap On. Just snap on the case in one smooth step and enjoy super full protection
The first thing you’ll notice when unpacking the case is that it feels very solid in the hand. The Galaxy S8 fits extremely well into the case and offers sufficient access to all the necessary ports that you’d expect without any excess movement. The case has a raised lip design around the edge that aims to protect the screen should it experience a front impact, or to protect it when placed face down on a surface. There are also 4 thickened TPU cushion corners designed into the case in order to further protect the device against drops.
The case is extremely well made and will definitely protect the device from everyday knocks and bumps. The layered design to offer added protection does come at a cost, however, adding some additional bulk to the thickness profile of the device that those who prefer a minimalist design might find bulky. It’s a small price to pay for the level of protection the case offers.
The SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Dual Layer Case is an extremely good case for those who are looking for some added protection and is thoroughly recommended.
If you want to get your hands on the SHIELDON Galaxy S8 Dual Layer Case then head on over here to pick one up. Better yet, there’s a special 10% discount for AndroidGuys readers’ using the code SDCODE10.
