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OnePlus 5 arrives with Snapdragon 835, dual-camera and $479 price

Alexandra Arici
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The wait is finally over! After weeks of intense teasing, the OnePlus 5 is finally here. The successor of last year’s highly acclaimed OnePlus 3T, the OnePlus 5 launches to carry on the company’s “flagship killer” legacy.

Visually the phone looks very much like an iPhone 7 Plus complete with the dual camera setup on the back, the flash next to it and the antenna lines along the top border. And while companies like Samsung and LG have opted for innovative designs this year, the OnePlus 5 isn’t very striking in this respect. Even so there are a few nice touches: the phone features a sleek aluminum unibody that just 7.25mm thin and the rounded corners and edges make it more ergonomic.

The physical home button hasn’t really changed since the OnePlus 3T and it still houses the fingerprint scanner, which according to OnePlus, can unlock the phone in merely 0.2s.

When it comes to raw specs, we pretty much knew the story in advance. The new phone boasts a 5.5-inch display with fullHD resolution and a powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset under the hood with either 6GB/8GB of RAM (which comes in Slate Gray) or 64GB/128GB (in Midnight Black) configurations. We should also note the OnePlus 5 takes advantage of UFS 2.1 storage.

It appearance is not the only reason why the OnePlus 5 looks so similar to the iPhone 7 Plus. Its dual camera setup brings a telephone lens and a dedicated Portrait mode that simulates the bokeh effect around the subject of the picture. But unlike Apple’s flagship, the OnePlus 5 pairs more advanced sensors: the main Sony 16-megapixel IMX398 sensor with f/1.7 aperture and electronic image stabilization with a secondary 20-megapixel IMX350 telephoto lens with smaller f/2.6 aperture.

This combination should, in theory, be able to allow OnePlus 5 to snap detailed, sharp images with great color reproduction. The new f/1.7 aperture on the main sensor allows the camera to capture 34% more light (compared to the OnePlus 3T) for improved low-light shooting.

The Chinese company also revealed it improved autofocus speed which is now 40% faster. A new “Pro Mode” manual mode allows users to shoot in RAW format and control ISO, white balance, focus, shutter speed and more.

As for the selfie camera it’s a 16-megapixel snapper.

The OnePlus 5 features a smaller 3,300 mAh battery than the OnePlus 3T which relied on a 3,400 mAh powerhouse. But wait, don’t get alarmed yet! Thanks to the more efficient Snapdragon 835 processor on board and other optimizations the new phone is said to be able to offer 20% more battery life than its predecessor. OnePlus also updated its Dash Charge technology, so users will be able to charge up to 60% in only 30 minutes – which is really fast!

Naturally OnePlus 5 offers some software improvements compared to the OnePlus 3T. The Oxygen OS onboard laid upon Android 7.1.1 Nougat offers new functionalities like a new reading mode which filters out blue light, auto night mode, off-screen gestures, and a translucent slide-up drawer. There’s also a thing called “App priority” which shows you the apps you use the most when you turn on your phone for the first time in the morning.

On top of that, OnePlus has implemented a neat gaming do not disturb mode and the ability to capture extended screenshots. Another detail we should mention here is that the OnePlus 5 gets a 20% quieter vibration motor which users can customize.

When it comes to connectivity the OnePlus 5 has faster 4G LTE, faster Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, dual SIM. Also, there’s a 3.5mm headphone jack, in case you were worried.

If you’re already wondering when you’re going to be able to pick up the OnePlus 5, the phone will officially launch in North America on June 27. You can pre-order one starting today.

If you watched the event, you should have heard a special code which you can enter on the company’s website in order to get early access to the OnePlus 5.

As for pricing, the OnePlus 5 with 6GB of RAM/64GB of storage will ship for $479, while the 8GB of RAM/128GB of storage will be available for $539.

PS: There’s another option to snag a OnePlus 5 early. Through pop-up stores. The Chinese company will open locations in New York today and across the pond in London, Berlin, Paris, Amsterdam, Helsinki, and Copenhagen tomorrow. Check this website for more info.

Mozilla’s Firefox Focus lets Android users browse privately

Alexandra Arici
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Good news Android users, Mozilla’s private Firefox Focus browser, formerly exclusive to iOS, just landed in the Google Play Store. And it’s a very light download – only 4MB.

Unlike other alternatives, the mobile browser automatically blocks a wide range of online trackers, thus allowing you to surf the web undetected. Firefox Focus taps in the blocklist database offered by Disconnect to disable ads that track online activity. What’s more, one can view how many trackers are being blocked on the current page by accessing the Setting button within the app.

You don’t have to tinker with Settings in order to get the app to work its magic, as Firefox Focus automatically blocks online trackers from the moment it’s launched. Removing trackers and ads has the added benefit of speeding up page load times. What’s more, history gets deleted automatically once you chose to exit the application.

Users can also choose to Block other content trackers, but be warned that choosing to do so might break some videos and Web pages. The app also includes a Stealth mode which you need to disable if you want to take screenshots or see the browser in your list of recently used apps.

We should also note that for the time being, Firefox Focus doesn’t support add-ons, so you won’t be able to open multiple tabs.

Anyhow, the app is currently up for download in the Google Play Store for Android and Chromebook users alike.

Solar Red HTC U11 now available for pre-order in the US

Alexandra Arici
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As anticipated, HTC unveiled a new color option for the U11. It’s dubbed “Solar Red” and honestly, it looks quite stunning. The new model is already available for pre-order in the US for $649 a pop, just like the older variants. Pre-orders will start shipping July 2017.

HTC notes on its website that the Solar Red HTC U11 is sold unlocked and compatible with Verizon, AT&T ad T-Mobile networks. The phone can also be purchased in Sapphire Blue, Brilliant Black and Amazing Silver.

Like the models available so far, the HTC U11 arrives with a 5.5-inch display with 2560 x 1440 resolution (QHD) and a Snapdragon 835 processor under the hood.

The product is sold with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and a 3,000 mAh battery onboard. It’s worth mentioning that the phone’s main camera has been ranked number #1 by DxOMark, thus dethroning the reputable Google Pixel snapper.

On top of kick-starting the pre-orders for the Solar Red HTC U11, the company also announced the Kick Off of Summer Promotion which will be available until June 29 at 12 am Easter Time.

During this time period, customers can pick up several HTC products with a discount. Here’s the list:

HTC U Ultra for $629 ($130 off)
HTC 10 Google Pixelfor $499 ($200 off)
HTC Bolt for $500 ($100 off)
JBL Reflect Aware C headphones for $99.99 (50% off)

Emporio Armani’s first Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch coming on September 14

Alexandra Arici
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Back at Beselworld 2017, Fossil announced new smartwatch models, including Emporio Armani’s first Android Wear 2.0 device called Connected. Last year, Emporio Armani released a Connected hybrid watch.

The new touchscreen wearable will become available in stores starting September 14. It will be offered with a choice between eight straps, as well as a lineup of exclusive watchfaces.

Not much is known related to the watch’s specs, but we can assume the Connected is going to be a pretty standard Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch.

It will be able to offer Activity Tracking, relay smartphone notifications and control your music – all from your wrist.

It will probably feature an AMOLED display and Snapdragon Wear 2100 processor under the hood. Android Wear 2.0 onboard means users will be able to install Android apps right from the Google Play Store, as well as third-party complications and better Google Fit functionalities.

Pricing is yet to be announced, but given that this is an Armani product be prepared to spend a fair amount of money on it. We’ll remind you that the Tag Heuer’s new Connected Modular 45 wearable comes with a hefty $1,600 price tag. So we expect the Armani device to be offered with a similar price-tag.

Would you be willing to pay a premium price tag for an Android Wear 2.0 smartwatch?

Terminator Genisys: Future War Basics, strategies and tips

AndroidGuys
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As long as the Terminator series is concerned, it is almost inevitable that you will become a fan once you’ve completed watching the initial three movies which starred the ace actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Game developer, Plarium, built the game on an established franchise the Terminator Genisys: Future War for both Android and iOS mobile devices. This is going to be the very first clan-based MMO (multiplayer online) strategy game which permits players to choose between Resistance and Skynet. So, what are you going to do? Would you fight to save humanity or leverage the metallic taste of the machine?

Is the game an extension of Terminator Genisys narrative?

Yes, this new mobile Android and iOS game is an extension of the narrative of Terminator Genisys which follows the end of the Skydance film as the gamers begin playing the game in a world that’s torn by fierce battles between the hostile Skynet facilities and Resistance holdouts. Irrespective of which site you will choose to play, each of them contains 24 3D units in six classes, Assault, Infantry, Aviation, Cavalry, Spy Drones and Siege Units.

Players who select the Resistance can transform the weapons of Skynet against it by developing virtual military forces with well-known Terminator technology. At the same time, Skynet players are given the capability of unleashing the crucial T-series Terminators, siege platforms and Hunter Killers.

Terminator Genisys: Future War is a free game which players can play on both Android mobile devices and iOS platforms but they can purchase few in-game items for real money. You will also require a fast internet connection for playing the game.

A walk-through the basics of the game

You might feel strange that Terminator Genisys is getting a game for mobile devices right after two years the film released but in this review; we will take you through the basics of the game so that you know what you should be doing.

THE BASICS

When it comes to the basics of the game, here are few steps that you have to take before starting the game.

  • Select your side: No, it is not that there is too much difference between the 2 sides in the game. The units will seem to be different from each other just as the bases that you’ll be building but the game will play in a similar manner. You just have to choose whether or not you are the bad guys or the good guys.
  • Do what you are prompted: The building log has got recommended missions and you, as a gamer, should be focusing on this. Once you complete them, you will earn rewards and this way you can ensure that the base is heading towards the perfect direction.
  • Invade the troops: When you send out the troops built by you, this can be a vital part of the game. You won’t have total control on them and you even won’t be able to see them scrapping. When you capture resource points, you can earn numerous goodies to strengthen and build the base.

TIPS AND HINTS

  • Do your bit of homework: When you play the game, you have to research in order to get more interesting troops. Watch out for the things in which you can spend your time and dive into them. Remember that the stronger your troops are, the better will be the chance of capturing resources.
  • Make sure you claim rewards: There are several rewards you can claim and few of them are hidden in the UI. Ensure checking everything by applying a notification dot next to it to know you’re receiving everything that you owe.
  • Run missions: Missions are nothing but time-based tasks which don’t need you to do anything. You have to get them going and when you run down the counter, you will get some goodies. It is better to set off a long one when you put down the game so that you may obtain extras when you log in next time.

So, if you’re a mobile gamer who loves to grind out several levels, you are probably going to love Terminator Genisys: Future War. Apart from the sheer joy you will gain, there is very little that we can recommend you.

 

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 tipped to launch in New York on August 26

Alexandra Arici
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The Samsung Galaxy Note 8’s release date has been the subject of numerous conflicting reports, so far. First, we heard the phone will be released later usual in September. In contrast, some industry insiders seem to believe Samsung’s next-gen phablet will launch in August, in an attempt to beat the iPhone 8 to the market, while others claim the Korean tech giant will stick to tradition and launch the Note 8 during the IFA 2017 tradeshow in Berlin. But no definitive dates were thrown around. Until this week.

A report coming out of South Korean publication Naver claims the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will debut during an event hosted in New York on August 26. Last year, the company unveiled the ill-fated Note 7 on August 2.

We’re told that even though Samsung had initially planned to launch the Note 8 at IFA 2017 in September, it later retracted the decision in favor of a late August announcement in the hopes of eclipsing Apple’s iPhone 8 release.

The publication also confirms several facts related to the upcoming Note 8 including the 6.3-inch Infinity Display, improved S Pen, dual-camera, Bixby and a fingerprint scanner located on the back of the phone which has reportedly been moved to the middle of the device.

At some point, it was rumored the Galaxy Note 8 will be the first device to feature an on-screen fingerprint scanner technology. But unfortunately a Samsung official recently revealed the technology is not yet ready for prime-time. So, the Galaxy S9 will probably be the first device to take advantage of the new authentication tech.

You can now initiate Duo calls from the Allo chat app

Alexandra Arici
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If you’re familiar with Google’s Allo and Duo messaging services, you probably know they are pretty much separate entities. Allo is a messaging service that allows users to exchange messages, as well as share media and stickers, while Duo is simply a video calling app.

And despite Google launching the two services at the same time last year, there hasn’t been much integration between the two apps. Until now.

A new update for Allo brings a functionality lots of people have been waiting for – from now on users will be able to initiate a Duo video call from inside Allo. Note that both ends are required to have the two apps installed and activated in order to take advantage of this much-requested feature.

In the past few months, Google has been trying to make Allo a more attractive messaging app by adding features such as chat backup, document support, link previews, smart reply, AI-based selfie stickers and now the Duo integration.

While the update is currently rolling out, it might take a few days before it hits everyone. So you might have to wait a bit before you’ll be able to see the new option becomes available in your Allo chat app.

If you are yet to try Allo or Duo, you can get them both from the Google Play Store.

How to watch the OnePlus 5 launch event

AG Deals Team
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Tomorrow at noon, we’ll be learning every piece of information about the OnePlus 5 that we’ve been salivating for over the past few months. The company will be holding a special event to share every detail possible, and as has been the custom over the last few years, OnePlus will be live-streaming the event.

If you want to be able to watch the event live and follow along as OnePlus and Carl Pei unveil the OnePlus 5, the steps are simple. Either bookmark the YouTube link here, or you can follow along with us here at AndroidGuys through the embedded video.

As a reminder, the event begins at 12 PM EST (9 AM PST), and we’ll be learning everything we need to know about the OnePlus 5. Regarding what we already do know, the OP5 will feature a 5.5-inch display, while being powered by the Snapdragon 835 SoC and either 6GB or 8GB of RAM along with either 64GB or 128GB of storage.

We are also expecting to see a 3,300mAh battery with Dash Charge capabilities which will recharge your device from 0% to 92% in just an hour. Finally, the OP5 will also feature a dual-rear camera setup with interesting low-light capabilities.

If you want to see a roundup of everything we know so far, you can check out our rumor roundup via the link here.

Here’s how you can get Samsung’s exclusive Play Music station on any device

AG Deals Team
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A little-known fact about the Galaxy S8 is a partnership that was made between Samsung and Google to make Play Music the default music player on Samsung’s 2017 flagships. Of course, there were promotions providing users some free time with the app and its services, but wait, there’s more.

A couple of days ago, one Reddit user found an all-new radio station which provides users access to a mixture of “newly released songs”. This radio station was intended to only be available for owners of the Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus, but it seems someone was able to find a workaround.

In order to access the “New Release Radio” station, you’ll need to navigate to your desktop, and click the link here. From there, simply click “Add to Library” and voila, you’ll be able to access the latest and greatest songs in a semi-personalized matter from any of your devices.

Obviously, Samsung didn’t intend for this to be made available for everyone, but here’s your chance to listen to some music you might not have otherwise listened to.

Let us know if you run into any troubles while trying to access this radio station, drop us a line and we’ll be more than happy to help.

LX7 Mini Bluetooth (LX851) Speaker review

AndroidGuys
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Bluetooth speakers are more affordable and easier to find now than ever before. With the saturation of smartphones and tablets, more and more manufacturers are offering Bluetooth speakers as a solution to the slimming down of smartphones and their speakers. Chinese manufacturer, Shenzhen Longxin Industrial has jumped into the foray and has now offered a few Bluetooth speakers that are worth consideration. The most recent being the LX7 Mini Bluetooth with the LX-851 model designation.

Features

Shenzhen Longxin Industrial has designed a neat little speaker that feels great in the hands during transport and still looks sleek and modern while sitting at your desk or table. The features are 100% up-to-date and surprisingly advanced considering the low suggested price.

  • 12 hour playtime
  • Bluetooth 4.1
  • NFC compatibility
  • Micro-USB charging
  • Rugged aluminum casing
lx7 mini speaker small
The LX7 Mini fits nicely in two fingers yet packs a loud punch

Sound Quality

The first thing I noticed with the LX7 Mini was the overall volume and clarity of such a small device. Although the audio coming from the LX7 did not blow me away, I was very surprised with how clean and clear the sound remained, even at high volumes. The unidirectional sound from the single speaker made me wish I had two, especially when listening to music, but still did a nice job filling in when I wanted a little more than just my smartphone speaker. The LX7 Mini allowed me to share videos and music with multiple people in a social setting from my smartphone or tablet.

I listened to all kinds of music and a few podcasts with the LX7 Mini and found that most music and all voice sounds great. It hardly needs to be mentioned that the LX7 lacks a bit in the bass department–it’s virtually impossible with today’s technology to have a tiny speaker that offers decent bass. With that said, I enjoyed listening to music that relied on mid-range instruments and strong vocals as it always sounded near-perfect on the LX7 Mini.

The power button on the front lights up with a nice blue hue; next to it sits the Micro-USB charge port.

Build Quality

The LX7 Mini has a wonderful aluminum casing with a three of four sides perforated with small square indentations. While I love the look, I don’t believe that the perforations add anything to overall sound enhancement or quality. The biggest knock I have against the overall design of the LX7 Mini are the sharp edges that can be uncomfortable when placed inside of a pocket. Thankfully Shenzhen has included a small, soft carrying case the has a cinching pull-string to protect (and soften up) the speaker during transport.

The power button on the front sits flush against the face and has a strong clicky feel that provides nice feedback when pressed. It doubles as Bluetooth pairing button and indicates as much with a blue flashing light while in pairing mode. Next to the pairing button sits the micro-USB charging port that is labeled and easy to utilize. Along the bottom side of the cube, you’ll find a thin rubber base that works great for preventing the speaker from slipping on slick surfaces.

lx7 mini carrying pouch
Use the included pouch to carry the LX7 anywhere, or hook it on your backpack or belt loop for even greater ease

Conclusion

LX7 has created an ultra-compact speaker with enough punch to fill a small area with clear and concise sound. While this “pocket speaker” is designed to generally play music for one person (or a few in close proximity), its size will leave a bit to be desired in its overall range of audio. Bass is virtually non-existent and most music can sound somewhat tinny. With that said, I was very impressed with the overall volume and the ability of the LX7 Mini speaker to be free of distortion at high volumes.

The cubic shape of the LX7 speaker offers stability when placed on a table-top or similar flat surface, yet makes stashing it in a pocket almost completely impractical. Style and Portability are the keys in design here and I feel the LX7 Mini Bluetooth Speaker succeeds at being both portable and stylish while delivering a solid audio punch for its size.

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