Over the last month or so, we have been learning more and more and information about the LG V30, as it aims to help LG take over the 2nd half of 2017. There have been various renders and leaks showing off the possible design of the V30, along with a few spec leaks here and there.
The latest LG V30 leak gives us some more concrete information on what to expect with the device. @OnLeaks has shared that the V30 is due to include wireless charging, much like the LG G6, leading to speculation that the V30 will feature a glass back.
Now we aren’t expecting an almost exact copy of the G6, but anything is possible as LG has recently done just that with the slightly-improved LG G6 Plus. It was also revealed that the V30 will keep the dual-camera setup on the rear of the device, with the fingerprint sensor placed below the camera sensors on the rear.
Other expected features and specs of the V30 include the return of the iconic secondary display, along with the Snapdragon 835 SoC and 6GB of RAM. We are also expecting to see LG implement a new Quad-DAC for those audiophiles out there.
Let us know what you think about the LG V30 and if you’ll be looking to get one, provided it holds up against the Galaxy Note 8.
Whenever a new Samsung flagship is announced, we expect to see a rugged version with the “Active” moniker released. However, that hasn’t been the case yet in 2017, but we are learning more information about the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active.
Previously, there have been references on Samsung’s own website for the device, but now the device has passed through GFXBench. With a model number designation of SM-G892A, the device clocked in with the following specs:
5.4-inch 2008 x 1080 Display
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 SoC
4GB RAM
64GB Storage
8MP Front Camera
12MP Rear Camera
Android 7.0 Nougat
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Active
The first question that you’ll likely have is regarding the display size and resolution. The 2008 x 1080 pixel resolution equates to an aspect ratio of 16.7:9, which lines up more with the Galaxy S7 Active and not the new aspect ratio found in the Galaxy S8 lineup.
This may be due to the nature of Samsung providing a flat Infinity Display, versus the curved option found on its 2017 flagship lineup. However, it’s also possible that the GFXBench results simply misreported the screen resolution.
Regardless, it’s already known that the Galaxy S8 Active will be made available through AT&T exclusively. But, we’ll have to wait to see more information regarding what the design will look like.
Let us know what you think about the Galaxy S8 Active and if you’ll be looking to pick one up for yourself once it’s made official.
Present at the VidCon conference in Anaheim, California, YouTube made a pretty interesting announcement: soon its mobile app will soon be able to fill the screen when you’re watching a clip – regardless of how it was shot.
Soon the YouTube app will gain the capacity to dynamically adapt to any type of video you’re watching, even if it was formatted in 16:9, 4:3 or in square shape.
This means that next time you’re watching a square video, YouTube’s mobile app will be able to fill in the entire screen, rather than displaying those annoying black bars on the sides of the video.
It’s not an overwhelming upgrade, but certainly, a nice feature to have that was long overdue. It will become available to users in the next few weeks.
On top of that, YouTube announced a new way of sharing videos via its platform directly from your mobile app. After selecting a video, users will be able to share it with their phone’s contacts alongside a message. Each video will be accompanied by a dedicated chat section and contacts will be able to respond with texts, videos or hearts.
The new way of sharing is coming to Latin America in a couple of weeks, after which it will make its way to the US.
Stress is an everyday fact of life that we must all deal with. It comes in many shapes and sizes and spares none of us.
The unfortunate reality is that stress is a common symptom of our modern lifestyle which leaves us feeling drained, tired or defeated and can over time lead to some serious health issues.
However, there are ways to combat stress – you could try meditating or go on a nice, long vacation. Or if you like technology, you can try this wearable. It’s called TouchPoints Basic and comes in two pieces. Users can wear them around their wrists like a watch or clip them to a piece of clothing.
Once the wearables sit comfortably on your body, they will start using something called Bi-Lateral Alternating Tactile (or BLAST) tech to send alternating vibrations to the body in order to modify the Fight or Flight response caused by stress.
While the exact scientific details on how the technology actually works are not available on the wearable’s Indiegogo, BLAST should, at least in theory, restore homeostatic nervous system functioning, thus leaving the person feeling calmer and more relaxed.
The wearable duo can also be used to increase focus, optimize performance or to sleep better.
TouchPoints Basic apparently has a whole scientific advisory board behind it, comprised of Neurology professors and Clinical officers, so we’ll have to assume the product does produce some noticeable results.
The TouchPoints Basic features 3 speeds – slow, medium and fast, and is available in four color options including Cornflower Blue, Marine Green, Fuchsia Pink or Graphite Gray.
The Indiegogo project has already exceeded its funding goal, so the wearable should start shipping out to backers starting August 2017. If you think the TouchPoints Basic has the potential to make your life better, go make a pledge. For $169 you’ll receive 1 set of TouchPoint Basic (includes two wearables), a charging cable, linen carry bag and four watch bands.
You’ve probably heard of Evernote – the popular cross-platform app which allows users to create quick notes in several formats.
This week we bring good news for Android fans of the app, as the much request fingerprint security feature has become available to some.
The feat would allow users to easily secure their notes in order to keeping prying eyes at bay. Now the functionality is available in the beta version of the Android app.
So if you’re part of the Evernote Android beta testing community you’ll be able to try out the new feat. However, if you’re using the regular non-beta Android version, you won’t be able to secure your notes. Not for the time being, anyway.
In order to enable fingerprint unlocking, users will first need to enable a passcode lock. The option can be found in the app by going to Settings>Account Info>Set up passcode lock. Once you enable it, the fingerprint unlocking feat will appear under the new Manage passcode lock menu.
Once enabled, users will be able to unlock Evernote with their fingerprint, instead of entering a four-digit PIN. For some users unlocking Evernote via their fingerprint probably seems more intuitive, so it’s a welcome addition.
No word on when the stable release is set to arrive, but given that the feature has made it into beta, we assume it won’t be long now.
WhatsApp is one of the most popular messaging platforms out there which lets you share a wide variety of files – from images, videos to PDFs and Word documents. But that’s not to say you can share anything you want via WhatsApp – some things like APK files aren’t allowed to go through.
But that’s about to change in the near future. As revealed by WABetaInfo, soon you’ll be able to share anything you want via WhatsApp. Provided the file is under 100MB on Android or 128MB on iOS.
Basically, users will be allowed to share images and video without the usual WhatsApp compression, but given the pretty limited 100MB cap you won’t be able to send things like 4K videos.
Anyway, the feature will come in handy for folks who have long wanted to share different types of files like APKs. Some users have taken to Twitter to show that the feature actually works.
For the time being, only a few select users are seeing the new feature, but we expect it to roll out to everyone – on both Android and iOS – soon enough. However, we urge you to have a bit of patience.
In case you are seeing the new feature in WhatsApp, do let us know in the comment section below.
Motorola introduced the Moto E4 earlier this month and now the phone is available for purchase from Verizon.
Big Red is the first to offer the phone. As part of its prepaid portfolio, customers can pick up The Moto E4 for only $69.99 (apparently discounted from a previous $199).
In case you don’t remember, we’re taking the opportunity to remind you the Moto E4 arrives with a 5-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and a quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor under the hood. The product also includes 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and an 8-megapixel/5-megapixel combo with LED flashes.
The Moto E4 is powered by a 2,800 mAh battery and offers LTE, as well as a splash-resistant coating. It runs Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box, thus being one of the most affordable Nougat phones offered by Verizon at the moment.
A gold version might be soon available too
Customers will only be able to buy the Black Moto E4 for the time being, although an older leaked revealed a Gold model also exists. The phone will be offered later this summer by Motorola in its unlocked form and will also land at Sprint, Boost Mobile and others soon.
As for the Moto E4 Plus with its hefty 5,000 mAh battery, we have info regarding when and where it will start selling.
Bluboo, having just launched pre-orders of its S1 smartphone, is already looking ahead to its next big, flagship experience. Indeed, the next model in its portfolio could be the S8 and it may boast the 18:9 aspect ratio for its display.
Bluboo is a brand that often releases handsets with hardware that contend with other, more recognizable companies. But, rather than just putting out “me too” models, it delivers them at a much more attractive price point. Moreover, it’s among the first companies to embrace newer technologies in phones, such as dual-cameras on the back of devices.
The Bluboo S8 will allegedly be the first smartphone to employ the 18:9 aspect ratio for the screen. What exactly is that? Oh, that’s just the design used by LG and Samsung for their flagships which give the appearance of “all screen” bodies.
Reportedly, the Bluboo S8 will have a 5.7-inch HD+ display at 1440×720 pixel resolution. Set to be powered by a MediaTek Helio X30 processor, the phone should come in two iterations: 4GB RAM/64GB storage and 6GB RAM/128GB storage. Rounding out the specs are a dual-camera (Sony) setup on the back with dual rear LED flash.
From what we’ve been told, the Bluboo S8 will launch by the end of July; it’s currently in a testing phase. In the meanwhile, be sure to sign up for your chance to win one of the new Bluboo S1 phones. The handset maker is looking to give away up to 2,000 of them!
For more details on Bluboo, you can check out its official website.
Every now and then, a developer comes out with a game so good that it gains critical acclaim by the industry and shapes it moving forward. Remember Flappy Bird? It wasn’t a complicated game at all (from a technical point of view) but it gained so much traction in the industry that even the developer could not handle it and pulled it from the stores.
The same can be said about Monument Valley, by ustwo games, a puzzle game that combines so many good elements on different levels that you are left wondering why does the developer is asking just $3.99 for it. It is easily the best puzzle game in the Play Store, and probably one of the best mobile games ever created. Seriously, I am not exaggerating.
You can see the philosophy of this game right from the beginning. You don’t get a conventional tutorial or anything. You get thrown right into this world and, after a couple of minutes, you will get the hang of the controls. If you tap somewhere and Ida is able to move there, then she will. There are also several elements that you can interact with, but I will not spoil the fun for you.
After finishing this very easy introductory level, which is actually Stage 1, you will get to the game itself, and then the fun starts for real.
Overview
The game will take you to the stage selection, which features a very nice spinning portal with the ten available levels. Yes, there are only ten levels in the game, but more on that later. Even the stage selection screen is one of the most beautiful I’ve seen, if not precisely functional.
Entering a level is like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get. Although every level has (obviously) the same art direction and chill vibe attached to it, they’re very different from each other. Each one has its own unique setting and mood. From dark, eerie environments to gleeful, yellow tinted backgrounds, there’s no level that feels the same to another.
This game can turn from colorful to eerie in no time.
These levels are called monuments, and it’s all part of a background story. The fact that the game actually has a story, something that is so rarely seen these days on mobile games (and even on some console games), is worthy to mention (if a bit sad, since it says a lot about the current state of mobile game development).
Don’t expect something ground-breaking, though. There’s only so much you can tell in a couple of hours with very few interaction between characters. However, it is still nice to have a story to follow through, and not just wander aimlessly without any explanation of what is going on and what are we doing here.
The stage selection screen is very innovative.
Along the way, said characters will help you understand what is going on. However, most of the time you’re going to be cracking down these puzzles and just being in awe about even the smallest aspects have been thought of and executed in an admirable way.
Your mission is always to reach a goal at the top of these monuments. When this happens, Ida places a geometric object on top of it and clears the stage. Monument Valley is not like common games in this day and age, in which you earn coins, orbs, gems, or similar, in order to buy in-game stuff and move forward, so you won’t actually win any kind of in-game currency.
Rather, the developer is focused on giving you the best possible experience. If I had to choose my favorite part of this game, then it would be this lack of “pay-to-win” strategies that has plagued the store these days.
General Impressions
As you go through each stage, they get bigger and more complicated, with Ida “learning” new stuff (such as walking sideways) and new ways of interacting with the environment. Elements such as the crow people are introduced in later levels to spice things up.
At first, the puzzles are easy, but, as you progress through the game, you have to think more deeply about your next move. There’s no timer, score, or anything related to competition. This game is meant to be as relaxing as possible while providing a decent challenge, and that goal is fulfilled in a superb manner.
Stages are easy at first but they get very complex later on.
Part of the challenge comes from the fact that you have to play around with the positioning of the world elements and your character in order to progress. Once you figure out things, you will see how clever puzzles are, and it is rewarding to figure out what it is needed to do in order to progress.
The only bad thing that could be said about this game is how short it is. Sure, it is a great experience that feels very polished, and probably generating these ten levels took an insane amount of time, but, when finishing the game, you still have this “I want more” feeling. It’s a shame that the game is not longer but probably the game developer had to choose between shipping it in its current state or spending more money and time developing it, and thus increase the asking price.
Graphics and Sound
This screenshot speaks for itself. Simply awesome.
In case you haven’t noticed yet, graphics are by far the most impressive aspect of this game.They are not flashy or cutting-edge, but they way they have been done is what makes this game special and unique. As previously said, each level has its own unique character and setting.
Animations are extremely fluid and meticulous, while Ida’s movements are limited but fluid. Notable is the attention to detail by the developer, which can be easily seen thanks to the intricacies of each stage. This game is proof that you don’t need Need for Speed or Modern Combat graphics to create a visually appealing game.
Sure, those games look outstanding and it is sometimes even hard to believe that they’re being rendered by a mobile phone, but Monument Valley manages to look absolutely superb with its charming approach to graphic design.
Regarding sound, it tries to maintain the same tone set by the graphics and gameplay. Soothing music and simple sound effects are all you will hear in Monument Valley, and they do a superb job in not disrupting what is achieved by the other elements of the game.
Conclusion
Sometimes, a game comes that completely changes the gaming landscape. Super Mario 64, Pokemon Red & Blue, Metal Gear Solid, GTA: San Andreas, and Minecraft come to my mind as revolutionary games on consoles, while Candy Crush Saga, Clash of Clans, Pokémon Go, and Temple Run could be equivalent in terms of impact on the industry. I can confidently say that Monument Valley can be added to this list, thanks to its relaxing vibe, massive attention to detail and satisfying puzzles. While short, this game is easily one of the best games ever released for a mobile device, and one that every person even remotely interested in gaming should experience.
The OnePlus 5 made a debut into the world this week and got lots of people excited. Priced a little bit higher than the previous OnePlus 3T at $479 and up, the OnePlus 5 lands in the same price category as the new Moto Z2 Play which is valued at $499.
In this article, we compare the capabilities of the OnePlus 5 to those of the Moto Z2 Play in an attempt to see which one should be more worthy of your attention.
Design and Display
The OnePlus 5 offers an aluminum unibody and an overall design reminiscent of the iPhone 7 Plus, although it has more rounded corners and edges. It’s also a bit slimmer than its predecessor, featuring a frame of 7.25mm instead of the 7.3mm of the OnePlus 3T.
As for the Moto Z2 Play, the handset is made of metal, but it’s a lot skinnier at only 5.99mm. In contrast, its predecessor – the popular Moto Z Play – was 7mm thick. The Moto Z2 Play’s design is more striking, although in league with previous models released by Motorola this year.
The phone includes the redesigned home button which the Moto G5 Plus initially brought along which does not only house the fingerprint scanner but also supports gestures for back and opening up the multitasking window.
As for the OnePlus 5, the phone also features a physical home button on front (coated in ceramic) which doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The company notes the technology can unlock the phone in just 0.2 seconds.
The two phones take advantage of a single loudspeaker, but in the case of the Moto Z2 Play users can pump the volume up with the JBL SoundBoost 2 speaker Mod.
When it comes to the display, both phones have the same 5.5-inch footprint with fullHD resolution (1920 x 1080) with 401ppi.
The Moto Z2 Play is water-resistant and although Motorola doesn’t produce IP-ratings, we’re told the phone comes equipped with a resistant coating from inside out, in a vacuum, in order to deliver component-level resistance to water. In contrast, the OnePlus 5 is not water-resistant.
Performance
The OnePlus 5 takes advantage of the latest chip technology from Qualcomm, meaning it’s powered by the Snapdragon 835 processor clocked at 2.45GHz just like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or HTC U11.
The phone comes with 6GB/8GB LPDDR4X configurations with either 64GB or 128GB (UFS 2.1) storage onboard. Sadly, the OnePlus 5 does not include a microSD card slot onboard.
As for the Moto Z2 Play, the phone takes advantage of a less impressive Snapdragon 626 chipset which includes eight 2.2GHz Cortex-A53 cores. The product will be offered with 3GB/4GB LPDDR3 variants in combination with 32GB/64GB built-in storage. The good news is that Motorola is offering a microSD card slot to help users expand memory up to 256GB.
Cameras
The OnePlus 5 biggest upgrade this year is the dual-camera assembly which includes a primary 16-megapixel sensor with f/1.7 and a secondary 20-megapixel telephoto lens with 2x zoom and f/2.6 aperture.
It allows users to snap portraits that have a shallow depth of field and blurred backgrounds (the “bokeh” effect). It can also take great low-light pictures due to the f/1.7 aperture which lets in more light and focuses 40% faster than last year’s model.
Nevertheless, there are some notable absentees like optical image stabilization which becomes useful in low-light situations by keeping frame steady and reducing shaking in videos.
Despite not jumping on the dual-camera bandwagon, the Moto Z2 Play has a pretty decent main 12-megapixel camera with dual LED, f/17 aperture and phase detection and laser autofocus. It also boasts a 5-megapixel selfie shooter with f/2.0.
The OnePlus 5 carries a 16-megapixel with f/2.0 self-portrait shooter on the front side.
Battery
Both models have reduced battery capacity compared to their predecessors, but now accomodate skinnier frames.
However, the OnePlus assures users that due to the efficient processor onboard (and other optimizations) the new phone can offer up to 20% more battery life than its predecessor.
What’s more, an updated version of Dash Charge is available which can get up to 60% juice in your device in only 30 min.
The Moto Z2 Play expected usage dropped from 50 to 30 hours this year. Luckily the phone comes with Quick Charge onboard, which at least on paper will allow users to get 50% juice flowing in their phone in 30 minutes.
Don’t forget Moto Z2 Play users have the option of adding the Turbo Power Pack Mod, which brings an additional 3,490 mAh battery.
Software
Both phones rely on Android 7.1, but the OnePlus 5 has the company’s own Oxygen OS laid on top.
The Moto’s typically clean software is usually considered a positive aspect by those who prefer the stock Android experience. That’s not to say that the Moto Z2 Play doesn’t come with its own unique set of features. One which has a lot of potential is a neat voice-trick which opens apps when you simply say “show me”.
Naturally, Oxygen OS comes equipped with its own set of new features including a new reading mode, off-screen gestures and a do-not-disturb gaming mode.
Value
$479 vs $499
As you can see the difference in pricing between the two is not so big. The OnePlus 5 has the advantage of a Snapdragon 835, dual-camera and more RAM onboard. However, the Moto Z2 Play is water-resistant, features a microSD card slot for memory expansion and boasts a better design. Yet both phones are pretty sleek and should offer pretty great battery life cycles.
The Moto Z2 Play can be paired with old and new Moto Mods including the recently launched Turbo Power Pack, Moto GamePad, JBL SoundBoost 2 for better sound and StyleShells with Wireless Charging. All these Mods will cost you additionally.
The OnePlus 5 is set to officially launch June 27, while the Moto Z2 Play is coming this summer.
Once the wearables sit comfortably on your body, they will start using something called Bi-Lateral Alternating Tactile (or BLAST) tech to send alternating vibrations to the body in order to modify the Fight or Flight response caused by stress.
The wearable duo can also be used to increase focus, optimize performance or to sleep better.
So if you’re part of the Evernote Android beta testing community you’ll be able to try out the new feat. However, if you’re using the regular non-beta Android version, you won’t be able to secure your notes. Not for the time being, anyway.
Once enabled, users will be able to unlock Evernote with their fingerprint, instead of entering a four-digit PIN. For some users unlocking Evernote via their fingerprint probably seems more intuitive, so it’s a welcome addition.
In case you don’t remember, we’re taking the opportunity to remind you the Moto E4 arrives with a 5-inch display with 1280 x 720 resolution and a quad-core Snapdragon 425 processor under the hood. The product also includes 2GB of RAM, 16GB of internal storage and an 8-megapixel/5-megapixel combo with LED flashes.
