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Samsung Gear S3 could soon gain a Spotify offline mode

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Users have been able to use Spotify on their Gear S3 and Gears S2 smartwatch ever since last year. Now Samsung has accidentally revealed a possible update that’s coming to the Gear S3 smartwatch – Spotify offline playback support. Which means you’ll be able to download songs from Spotify for later listening.

The Korea tech giant made the announcement on its Swedish website some hours ago, but for some reason, Samsung took it down shortly after. Given that offline Spotify playback is apparently in the works for the Apple Watch too, it’s possible that Samsung wanted to wait for the feature to be ready, as well.

Going back to the Gear S3, users will need to download a Spotify add-on app for their watch via the Gear Manager app on their paired smartphone in order to be able to play Spotify tunes offline. Once the add-on is installed, users will be able to see a Listen Offline option inside the app.

In case you’re wondering, Android Wear smartwatch users don’t have the same option in Spotify, although playing songs offline is available in the Google Play Music app.

For the time being, we don’t really know when the new Spotify feature will become widely available. For all we know, some select users might already be able to access it.

In case you managed to activate the feature on your Gear S3 Classic or Frontier, do let us know in the comments below.

Will the OnePlus 5 work on Verizon? Not really

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Unlike its previous OnePlus 3T, this year OnePlus announced the new OnePlus 5 will be released in one version for the entire world. The phone boasts 34 distinct cellular bands thus covering at least one band in every country, but even so, folks on certain networks might not be able to use OnePlus’ latest and greatest.

Out of the 34 cellular bands, none of them form exact compatibility with Verizon (or Sprint for that matter) in the US. The good news is that the phone will work smoothly for AT&T and T-Mobile users. Just pop your carrier-specific SIM in and the phone should be good to go.

This isn’t to say that the OnePlus 5 won’t work on the Verizon network AT ALL. But since it’s missing LTE band 13, it will have limited Verizon support. A user on the xda-developers forum already tried out putting his Verizon SIM inside the phone (he/she is from New York, so they probably got the phone at the OnePlus pop-up event in case you were wondering) and here’s the result in his/her own words:

I put my Verizon Sim in my OP5 and it did get signal, but it showed 1x and right above it 3G. I did a quick speed test and I was at about 1MB/s. I get around 70MB/s with my iPhone. So I guess the answer is that it does work, but it does not work well. I also don’t know about MMS, I tried SMS and phone calls and that worked fine.

So as we were telling you above – the OnePlus 5 does work on the Verizon network, but it’s quite limited. The conclusion is: it’s not really a good idea to use your OnePlus 5 on Verizon. Sorry, folks!

This weekend T-Mobile is offering up BOGO on 2017 flagships, but with a catch

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T-Mobile is back at it again. This weekend the nation’s third largest carrier is pushing a new buy one, get one deal this weekend on some of the hottest phones of 2017, but as always there’s a catch.

Here’s how it breaks down. This offer is open to both new customers and current customers, which is a nice change. New customers will have to purchase both phones on T-Mobile’s Equipment Install Plan and activate T-Mobile One, the carrier’s unlimited plan. Current customers will pick a phone to add to an Equipment Installment Plan and add an unlimited voice and data line to their plan.

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

After you’ve added you’ve taken those steps, you’ll need to head over to your account page and enter the promo code 17JUNESAMEBOGO. You can’t take advantage of the BOGO deal without that promo code and you only have 30 days to enter it to get your free phone.

So, all a free phone is great, but it doesn’t matter if the selection sucks, right? Well, you’ll be happy to know that you can get some of the best Android flagships available right now. The Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8 Plus, LG G6, and LG V20 are all available and you can mix and match what phones you get but you’ll get a rebate for the cheaper of the two devices.

Still, this is a pretty great deal and the timing couldn’t be better. The G6 and S8 have only been out for a couple of months and are two of the best phones on the market. The V20 is nothing to sneeze at either.

Are you going to take T-Mobile up on its offer? Let us know down in the comments.

T-Mobile, failed mergers, bold moves, and the path ahead

Google Glass on the comeback? The wearable gets its first update in three years

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In 2014 we were on the verge of a hardware revolution! Wearables were the hot new thing and everyone was convinced that this new technology would completely change how we lived our lives. Then we actually got to play with them and interest fizzled. People are still wearing smartwatches, but all of those sweet headsets and smart contact lenses never really came to fruition.

Google Glass was pretty much the poster boy for the first wave of cool wearable tech. I was personally all in on the product even if I couldn’t afford one myself. A Heads Up Display showing me relevant information and giving me the ability to snap pictures, roll on video, and Google search without touching anything? Man, I still want that!

Watch this guy be a Google Glasshole at the mall

So, when it became apparent that Google Glass was no longer a priority of the search giant, I was bummed. The updates stopped and it was no longer cool to walk around with this little screen in front of your face. But, that’s how it goes in the tech world I guess.

But my hopes are high once again because Google just released a software update for the first time in THREE years for Google Glass. The new update allows users to natively pair Bluetooth peripherals like keyboards. It’s entirely possible that this is an update created one or a few engineers at Google that wanted the functionality for their personal units and there is nothing big happening behind the scenes but…. I’m going to keep my eye on this, just in case.

I mean, how could you not want to walk around looking like this? I don’t care if it is in the Museum of Failure. It’s awesome.

Source: New York Magazine

You can snag the LG V20 for only $400 in the US if you hurry

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If you’re about to buy a new smartphone, stop and pay attention. One of the best phones on the market today just went on sale. The LG V20 can currently be had for only $400 on Daily Steals. This matches the now expired deal that B&H offered last week and represents one of the best values on the market today.

The V20 is a flagship in every sense of the word. It has excellent specs. Here’s a look at how it stacks up:

  • Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820
  • GPU: Adreno 530
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Battery: 3200mAh (removable)
  • Storage: 64GB (expandable)
  • Display: 5.7″, 2560 x 1440p LCD with Corning Gorilla Glass 4
  • Software: Android 7.0 Nougat with LG UX 5
  • Camera (rear): Dual 16MP (f/1.8) and 8MP (f/2.4) cameras
  • Camera (front): 5MP (f/1.9)
  • Dimensions: 6.29 x 3.07 x 0.30 in (159.7 x 78.1 x 7.6 mm)
  • Ports: USB type-C, 3.5mm microphone, Infrared

That’s a great package for only $400. Normally you’d find good, but not great, phones for that price point. Here’s what we thought of the V20 in our review.

The V20 is still one of the best phones you can get today. It has great build quality, a great camera, good battery life, and the best audio experience on the market. It might not stand up to some 2017 flagships, but if you can find it for the right price, it’s a good choice.

You can read our full review below before hopping over to Daily Steals for this deal. The phone is currently priced at $499 (which is still a good price, to be honest) but when you apply promo code LGV20DS at checkout, it drops it another $100. Are you going to pick up the V20 at this price? Let us know down in the comments.

LG V20 long term review: is it still worth your money?

Check out this Samsung Galaxy S8 clone with a dual-camera

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The Samsung Galaxy S8 is a gorgeous device, but unfortunately, it costs a truckload of money. Naturally, this has created an opportunity for Chinese device makers which are now racing to offer affordable Galaxy S8 alternatives.

For example, obscure device maker Leagoo is gearing up to offer a new handset which according to teasers bears a striking resemblance to the Galaxy S8, down to the atypical 18:9 aspect ratio.

Leagoo phone called KIICAA S8 appears to look exactly like the Galaxy S8 in the promo shot the company posted on Twitter. We have the same tall and narrow appearance and extremely slim bezels – especially on the sides.

The real Samsung Galaxy S8, can you spot the difference?

However, the KIICAA S8 will differ a bit from the Galaxy S8 in terms of specifications. For starters, we don’t know whether it’s going to feature an advanced QHD+ resolution like the Galaxy S8 or settle for less. Secondly, the Leagoo phone uses a MediaTek MT6763 SoC instead of the powerful Snapdragon 835.

The Leagoo KIICAA S8 will be available in two configurations, one with 4GB/64GB and the other with 6GB/128GB.

But there are other reasons other than pricing which might prompt users to consider buying the KIICAA S8 when it becomes available – unlike the Galaxy S8, the phone will be outfitted with a dual-camera setup on the back. Also, the fingerprint scanner lives below the camera and not next to it, as it’s the case with the Galaxy S8.

Leagoo hasn’t revealed the pricing for the KIICAA S8 yet, but given the company’s track record, we don’t expect this Galaxy S8 clone to cost more than $250.

Bixby Voice for Samsung Galaxy S8 now available to members of the Early Access Program

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Earlier this week Samsung announced the Bixby Early Access Program in the US and now it’s rolling out Bixby Voice to Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ users who have signed up for the program. By the way, Samsung is no longer accepting submissions, so you haven’t subscribed yet you are out of luck.

Now if you’re not currently seeing Bixby Voice on your Galaxy S8 or Galaxy S8+ you might want to try and update Samsung Apps from the Galaxy App Store first.

Bixby Voice comes packed with 3,000 voice actions for Samsung’s self-developed assistant and voice control API support for native Samsung apps. It’s possible the Korean tech giant will roll out the public release later this month or sometime in July, although we can’t be 100% sure at this point.

Bixby was a large part of the Galaxy S8 announcement at launch, but the fact that it wasn’t actually available didn’t seem to affect a large number of customers since the product turned out to be quite popular with Android fans everywhere. And with Bixby onboard is bound to get even better.

In related news, Samsung just released an official list of tips and tricks for your Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+ to ensure users get the most out of their device.

Did you just get a OnePlus 5 ad on your OnePlus 3 too?

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OnePlus recently unveiled its new device the OnePlus 5 and successor to the OnePlus 3 and OnePlus 3T but incase you missed that, the company are sending notifications on those devices alerting you to the release.

Some would have taken advantage of the various discounts on the OnePlus 3 leading up to the unveiling of the OnePlus 5 but the company seemingly wanted to make sure you knew there was a new device out.

It’s key to note that these are not an opt-in notification. All users appear to have gotten the notification, raising the question that OnePlus have the ability to pretty much send anything they want. This time it is an ad from the company itself, but what’s stopping them selling this functionality to the highest bidder?

Rather interesting that OnePlus can do this but seems it took the opportunity to try and get owners to upgrade although I feel this may have the opposite effect.

Deal: Grab the Xiaomi Mi IV Earbuds for under $15 with free shipping during this sale

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Xiaomi is a name you probably recognize. It’s one of the biggest and fastest growing smartphone makers in the world right now, but they make more than just phones. In March we spent some time with the Mi Over the Ear Headphones and were crazy impressed with them. They punch well above their price-point and sound absolutely fantastic.

Well, now you can get a pair of Xiaomi’s in-ear version of those headphones, the Xiaomi Mi IV Hybrid In-Ear Earphones for only $14 with free shipping. Right now Light in the Box is having a sale on the earbuds taking 33% off the regular purchase price.

The Xiaomi in-ear earbuds offer a reference-quality sound through its combination of one dynamic driver and two-way balance-armature (BA) drivers. The earbuds come with three pairs (small, medium, and large) of silicone eartips and include a microphone for answering and making calls. The control button offers you the ability to switch songs and use voice controls.

If you’d like to grab a pair of these earbuds, head over to Light in the Box and grab yours for under $15 with free shipping.

[graphiq id=”cFmVM0z2ZPT” title=”Xiaomi” width=”500″ height=”750″ url=”https://sw.graphiq.com/w/cFmVM0z2ZPT” frozen=”true”]

NOTE: This is a paid placement from our friends at LightInTheBox. As such this should not be considered a full endorsement from AndroidGuys

STM Kings review: Is this the best bag available?

When it comes to keeping your devices safe on the go, most of us try to find the best backpack while traveling. There are a few different aspects that go into this search – comfortability, pockets, space, and price.

With many different options available on the market, it can be a bit difficult to stand out from the crowd, but that’s exactly what STM attempted to do with its Kings backpack. Before jumping any further, I would like to make note of my familiarity with STM Bags.

As I have been a writer for the better part of 10 years now (wow, has it really been that long), I had the pleasure of being able to check out various STM offerings. I made my decision and had been using a now-discontinued STM product for the last 3 or 4 years. Unfortunately, that bag met its demise and I was thrust into the search for a new option.

Considering that I had used STM for so long, I wanted to see what the market looked like, and the results weren’t too great. There were bags that offered everything that I wanted, but not for at the price tag. Then there were other options which seemingly wanted to overcharge for nothing more than just a one or two pocket bag. Nope.

After wrestling around for a few weeks trying to find a replacement, I decided to check out the STM website and noticed the company’s latest offering. The STM Kings bag seemingly had everything I wanted, as well as a few extras.

Starting with the barebones, the Kings offers a total of 12 different pockets for your various devices. You’ll be able to get an idea as to how durable the Kings bag is as soon as you hold it. The outer shell has a canvas feel to it, which may remind you of something that would be used by someone going on a trek in the woods.

This may sound like some overkill, but when you use a backpack as frequently as I do, you’ll come to appreciate the small things. But the zippers…the zippers are amazing. I can’t tell you how many times that I’ve had zippers get stuck or broke or whatever during even heavy usage, and that has not been the case here.

It’s no secret that the most important part of a bag is protection. STM knocks this one out of the park with its new SlingTech protection. What this means is that instead of your laptop resting against the bottom of the bag, it’s actually suspended with a “gapless corner” below.

This allows you to put your bag on the ground, and not have to worry about your laptop, tablet, or anything else from banging against the floor. Plus, in the off chance that you put your bag down a little too hard, STM has included some extra padding to help keep your belongings safe from disaster.

The second most important part of a backpack is how comfortable it is to carry on your shoulders all day. STM definitely doesn’t disappoint here, as the Kings bag features “breathable Airmesh fabric” which helps to ensure that your back and shoulders won’t get sweaty. As you would expect, the arm straps are padded and don’t cause any issues from rubbing.

As for the aforementioned pockets, there are two smaller side pockets, which can be used for an array of products. On the front, there are also two pockets – one smaller pocket at the top and another pocket with the zipper facing off to the right.

This larger pocket won’t house anything of value but will be able to hold up to two books before it starts to get cramped. There is also a smaller pocket within, which you can throw some odds and ends into for safe keeping.

Moving onto the bigger pockets, STM really thought ahead when it came to the Kings. The pocket that rests against your back no longer houses your laptop of choice. Instead, there are two pockets which allow for you to slide your tablets or thin notebooks into. These are also big enough to house an iPad Air 2 with a case on, and I won’t feel anything pushing against my back.

Now for the mac daddy of the King’s pockets. This pocket will be the home for your laptop, with a pocket large enough for a 15-inch laptop. The bag is also deep enough where you can put an array of other items in it. For example, I was able to put my laptop, Nintendo Switch in its hard-shell case, laptop charger, portable charger, and the included “Stash” bag.

Speaking of the Stash bag, this is an included bag that attaches to the inside of the main pocket. This included pouch is large enough that I was able to stick an array of charging cables, pens, and even the Nintendo Switch Joy-Con Grip, into it.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. If you look at the inside of this main pocket, you may notice some orange holsters on that follow alongside the edges of the pocket. Following this trail down to the bottom of the bag, you’ll notice a smaller bag nestled against the left side.

This pocket is designed to house your portable charger, making it easy for you to charge your mobile devices. Hell, if you’re fancy enough to have one of those new MacBook Pro’s, you could even charge your laptop on the go without ever having to worry about running out of juice when it’s time to leave.

This is an extremely convenient feature to add to your bag, especially when you think about how many devices we carry with us. This will be an excellent way to keep everything charged, so that when it’s time to get to work, you can do so.

Finally, there is another small pocket on the outer shell, which is actually lined with fleece and can hold up to 2 pairs of sunglasses. However, I’ve been using it to carry my spare smartphone or MX Master mouse when I’m on the go.

If I’m 100% honest, I absolutely am in love with this bag. There is only ONE qualm that I’ve had with it, and it’s the fact that there’s no quick-access pocket for a water bottle. This isn’t enough to make me go crazy, but it’s just something to consider.

All-in-all, STM really hit a home run with its latest offering, the Kings. The bag has pockets for just about everything you can imagine, while also making sure that all of your valuables are protected from the outside elements.

You can grab the STM Kings backpack from either the STM Goods website or Amazon for $149.95. Let us know what you think about this bag and if you could see yourself using it.