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How does Andy Rubin’s Essential phone stack up against the Samsung Galaxy S8?

Alexandra Arici
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Yesterday the creator of Android, Andy Rubin unveiled the Essential phone, a premium handset which aims to compete with the likes of Google Pixel and Samsung Galaxy S8.

But can it really hope to take on Samsung’s latest and greatest? After all, the Galaxy S8 is one of the best smartphones you can buy right now. Well in what follows, we’re going to highlight some of the similarities and differences between the two devices, so you can compare.

Similarities

Both the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Essential phone come with an edge-to-edge design, although the latter’s is a bit more impressive. Unlike the Galaxy S8, which keeps a bit of bezel on top, the Essential’s display spreads all the way upwards until it finally embraces the selfie camera. The cutout display is certainly a peculiarity, but those who want the closest thing to a true edge-to-edge screen will consider it a mere compromise.

Moving on to numbers, the Galaxy S8 features a 5.8-inch “Infinity Display” with 2960 x 1440 resolution and 18:5:9 aspect ratio. The Essential Phone’s long 5.7-inch display with 19:10 ratio is quite similar to the Galaxy S8’s. Although it offers 2560 x 1312 resolution (almost QHD).

In the computing department, both phones take advantage of Qualcomm’s latest top-tier silicone piece, the Snapdragon 835 and 4GB of RAM.

The two flagships include 8-megapixel secondary snappers, but the one on the Galaxy S8 features f/1.7 while the Essential’s has f/2.2.

Differences

We’ll jump straight to differences, by noting the Essential features 128GB of built-in storage, while the Galaxy S8 has only 64GB. However, Samsung’s flagship does feature a microSD card slot which allows for memory expansion up to 256GB, while the Essential does not offer such a feature.

In terms of photography, the two handsets are quite different. The Essential comes equipped with a dual-camera setup with f/1.85 which pairs a 13-megapixel dual RGB + Mono camera with image fusion technology sensor with a second 13-megapixel monochrome one.
In the case of the Galaxy S8, we won’t find a dual-camera assembly onboard. Still, the product does bundle a capable 12-megapixel main camera with f/1.7.

Andy Rubin’s Essential bets on a modular approach and the first accessory that can be attached to the smartphone externally is a 360-degree camera. More add-ons are expected to follow.

The Essential also packs a slightly larger 3,040 mAh battery than the 3,000 mAh cell inside the Galaxy S8. However, it does not have a 3.5mm headphone jack which the Galaxy S8 preserves. It’s also not waterproof, but should be more durable – due to its titanium/ceramic construction – than its Galaxy S8 rival, which is mostly made of glass.

And while the Galaxy S8 comes with Bixby – the virtual assistant onboard, Andy Rubin says the Essential will be able to run Siri, Assistant, as well as Alexa AND a new digital assistant (developed by Rubin’s company).

We should also note the Galaxy S8 comes with support for Samsung Pay and runs Android 7.0 Nougat, while the Essential also runs Android (although we don’t know what version exactly, could be Android 7.0 or Android 7.1).

So how much do they cost?

Sadly, the Essential comes with a pretty hefty price-tag. It will sell for $699, which frankly is a bit too expensive for a newcomer. As for the Galaxy S8, it’s available on Samsung’s official website for $724.99 and up.

As you can see the difference between the two price-wise is quite minor, but for a bit of extra money, you can get a phone (Galaxy S8) with microSD card slot, waterproof body, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. But if you want a more durable device that is also modular, the Essential is the way to do go.

Vote: OnePlus wants you to choose the design of the OnePlus 5’s retail box

Alexandra Arici
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In anticipation of the grand OnePlus 5 launch, the Chinese company is inviting fans to offer their opinion on how the flagship’s retail box should look like.

OnePlus is conducting a poll which provides users with eight options to choose from. To take part in it, you need to log into Weibo and vote for the variant you like best. The poll seems to be aimed at Chinese customers, so at this point, it’s unclear whether the winning retail package will be made available on the international market, or will be limited to China.

Even so, there’s no harm in checking out the options in order to get an idea of how OnePlus plans to ship the product. Which will apparently happen soon enough.

According to a leaked internal email, OnePlus’s next-gen flagship should launch on June 15 with a 5.5-inch display with FullHD (1920 x 1080) or QHD resolution (2560 x 1440). The handset should take advantage of Qualcomm’s newest high-end chipset, the Snapdragon 835 in combination either 8GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB/128GB of internal storage.

While older OnePlus phones didn’t really shine in the camera department, this year the Chinese company has teamed up with DxOMark to ensure the OnePlus 5 takes advantage of an improved camera.

If the rumors are true, we’re only two weeks away from the OnePlus 5’s official launch, so if you have a Weibo account hurry up and vote before the poll ends.

BlackBerry KEYone now available at Amazon, Best Buy for $549

Alexandra Arici
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It’s a good day to be a BlackBerry fan today. After being first revealed at CES 2017 back in January, the BlackBerry KEYone is finally available for purchase from select retailers in the US.

The device can be acquired in its unlocked from, either from Amazon (both in its GSM unlocked and CDMA variants) or from Best Buy’s online store (and select brick and mortar locations) for $549 a pop. However, you can get only the GSM model from the latter.

In the official press release, BlackBerry also notes the new phone will land at Sprint this summer. And some other carriers might pick up the KEYone at some point, as well.

We’re pretty excited about the BlackBerry KEYone, as it will ship out with a pretty innovative keyboard which also doubles as a fingerprint scanner. The keyboard itself can also be used as a touchpad and you swipe and edit words while texting too.

As for specs, the BlackBerry KEYone is more of a middle-range handset that packs a 4.5-inch display with 1080 x 1620 resolution and a good enough Snapdragon 625 processor nestled under the bonnet. The handset also features 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, as well as a microSD card slot for memory expansion up to 2TB.

It’s worthy to note the phone features a 12-megapixel camera which relies on a Sony IMX378, the same sensor that powers the Google Pixel. The handset relies on a non-removable 3,505 mAh battery and runs Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.

Are you getting the BlackBerry KEYone?

App Highlight: The Little Ball That Could

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by NaissusWorks, The Little Ball That Could is a new app with only around 500 installs. Having been updated on May 23, 2017, the developer is constantly fixing various bugs with the latest update fixing a number of issues users were experiencing in a few levels. The Little Ball That Could is a roll the ball type platform game that has taken inspiration from titles such as Marble Madness, Super Monkey Ball, Manic Marble, Marble Blast and Hamster Ball.

What it does

You have to roll the ball as fast as you can to the end of the level while avoiding various traps such as spikes, portals, and lasers. With 120 levels spread across 5 worlds, there is a ton of challenges to test your speed and precision. The more you play the more you unlock with new skins and new ball types that will change the way you play the game.

The Little Ball That Could has the following features:
• Roll the ball through 5 worlds and 120 large levels, each containing a maze of twisty paths and giving you three tasks to perform.
• Test your speed, precision and curiosity without frustration – the checkpoint system will help you out with that nasty platform, and you can skip the level if you feel puzzled and just can’t escape the room with spike fields.
• Unlock beautiful marble skins using puzzle pieces, and if you are up for a challenge, win fun ball types that will let you play the game in radically different ways.
• Experience the best platforming action with our tight and responsive controls – you’ll have a blast whether you prefer to play using touch controls, tilt or physical controllers.
• Push the limits of your phone with our high-definition, console-grade 3D graphics, or reduce the level of detail to get better performance and battery life.
• Listen to our awesome soundtrack that includes nine piano-driven melodies and an original music piece specifically created for TLBTC.

Why we like it

I love games that you can just pick up and play, and this is a perfect example of one of those puzzle games. It takes a concept that is familiar with bigger titles and builds on it by adding further challenges to make it even more challenging. The controls could do with some work as they can be frustrating sometimes, but otherwise with the improvements the developer has made in the latest update, this one is definitely a game to try out.

How to get it

The Little Ball That Could is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

Google offers incentives to developers for new Google Assistant actions

Dan Bartram
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Google Assistant is one of the best features of Android and one of the best personal assistants across the whole market, but it still lacks certain actions that would unlock its full potential.

To encourage developers to create new actions for it Google is offering more than 20 prizes, including $10,000 and a trip to Google I/O 2018.

Actions is the platform on which developers build Google Assistant interactions and this was opened up to developers last year. It can be used to extend the functionality of regular apps with features that utilize Google Assistant features.

Don’t Miss: What we learned about the Google Assistant at Google I/O 2017

Developers have until August 31 to submit their apps to Google for the contest. The apps will be judged by a panel of Google experts in a number of different categories. Devs can submit up to three apps for the competition. Only those residents outside of Italy, Brazil, Quebec, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea, or Sudan are eligible.

If you have a great idea to hook into Google Assistant then head on over to the challenge page and sign up. You could be the next winner of the best easter egg app, or the most adaptive. It’s a great way to encourage developers to leverage a platform Google seems to be investing in.

MicFlip fully reversible microUSB cable takes the hassle out of charging phones, just $13.99

AndroidGuys
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Whether it’s Quick Charge or standard charging of a phone, there’s one nuisance that has always plagued microUSB cables: orientation. Indeed, there’s only one proper way to plug in a charger for your phone. Really, that’s at both ends, too.

Our Deal of the Day today is the fully reversible microUSB charging cable from MicFlip. Not only does it let you plug it into your phone in either direction, but the other end can be flipped upside-down without problem as well. In other words, there’s no wrong way to go about it on either end of the cable.

I have never nerded out so hard over a USB cable the way I am over Winnergear’s MicFlip reversible Micro USB-to-USB Type-A cable.” Mashable

Features

  • Reversible technology lets you plug both USB & Micro USB in either direction
  • Gold coated plugs resist corrosion
  • Super strong Nylon braided cable resists tangling

Where to Buy

Priced at a mere $13.99, the MicFlip cable takes all of the hassle out of charging your phone or tablet. Pick one up while it’s on sale and save 44% before the price goes back up!

Save even more!

In addition to the savings above, when you buy through AndroidGuys Deals, for every $25 spent, you get $1 credit added to your account. What’s more, should you refer the deal via social media or an email that results in a purchase, you’ll earn $10 credit in your account.

Shop AndroidGuys!

If this is your first time buying, then you are also eligible for a further 10% discount when you subscribe for email updates.

How about a freebie?

Not looking to spend any money today? That’s alright, we understand. Why not visit the AndroidGuys section for freebies and take something anyhow? Go ahead, grab two!

The Defendroid adds a new twist to classic block busting games (Review)

Alexandra Arici
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Overview

Ball and paddle-style games were all the rage in the early days of computers and The Defendroid wants to offer a trip down memory lan while adding its own twist.

Developer: Takeshi Games

Cost: Free (in-app purchases)

Impressions

In theory, Defendroid is a fun remake of the classic block-busting game in a new crazy style. It requires the user to tilt the smartphone left or right in order to control the paddle meant to catch the ball.

The game is unique because it creates a curved playfield, which in my experience made gameplay quite challenging.

The goal of the game is to eliminate all the blocks by bouncing a ball toward them using a paddle at the bottom of the play area which moves circularly. If the ball manages to make it past the paddle and through the bottom of the visible area, you lose one life. It seems quite straightforward but…

I for one, found the whole experience quite counter-intuitive and had to spend quite a few minutes trying to figure out how to move the pad properly. I found the secret is to try and move the paddle as slowly as you can. You have to be extremely careful not to tilt the phone too fast or else risk the pad going haywire. But at times my phone did not detect the gentle tiltings, so I had to resort to brusquer movements, which sadly got me nowhere.

You can try and adjust the sensitivity in the game’s settings and see what works best for you. Gamers also get controls for Music Volume and Effects Volume. There’s also the option to turn on/off Screenshake.

Once the ball hits the alien forcefield, you’ll be able to start collecting the falling power-ups which include yellow, green, blue or red coins. Some power-ups throw an extra paddle or two into the mix – making it easier to hit and control the ball – but the effect is extremely short lived! Don’t forget to avoid the bad power-ups.

Another super annoying thing about this game are the constant ads. Die three times in a row and an automatic popup shows up in your face – which you can only skip it after a few seconds. It was extremely frustrating to have my endless spree of deaths interrupted by these ads. I even gave up playing a few times and returned to the game after regaining my calm. Yeah, you can remove ads, but that will cost you $0.99. You can also buy extra coins for $0.99 and up.

You start playing with a white ball, but there are plenty other (of different colors) to unlock in exchange for points. Gamers can earn badges for hitting different milestones including a certain number of games played or tiles broken. As you play and play, you’ll also be able to unlock different skins. Furthermore, the game offers the chance to choose between multiple game modes including Classic and Endless.

At this point, I am not sure what happens if you break all the blocks, whether you are advanced to a whole new difficulty level or if the game ends. I’m still trying to break past the first two layers of alien bricks and I have a feeling I will be stuck here for a while.

Conclusion

Defendroid tries to put a modern spin on the whole block and pad idea, but it seems to me the game needs to become more intuitive to use. Also, the developers should include a quick tutorial on how to play the game, the first time you start the app – just in case people did not read the description on the Google Play Store. But all in all, it’s an interesting, challenging game I’m not going to stop playing for now.

Download The Defendroid from the Google Play Store

OnePlus is giving away ten OnePlus 5’s in its mobile photography contest

Matt Adams
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OnePlus hasn’t been shy about its upcoming phone, the OnePlus 5. I suppose that shouldn’t surprise us because OnePlus isn’t a traditional phone manufacturer. It’s not going keep the lid on all the specs, ignore the leaks, then announce it at some big event. Leaks are going to happen and instead of trying to hide from them, OnePlus is trying another strategy, be open and honest about what’s coming. The company’s CEO took to the forums to confirm that the OP5 would ship with a Snapdragon 835 and we know that there will be a front-facing fingerprint sensor too.

OnePlus and DxOMark recently announced that they would be teaming up to tune the camera in the OnePlus 5 to compete with the big boys like Samsung and Apple. The cameras in OnePlus’ phones have never been disappointing, but they also haven’t been class leading so there’s room for improvement there.

Android Authority says this is the OnePlus 5. What do you think?

In continuing on with the focus on photography, OnePlus has announced a new contest where 10 users will have the opportunity to get the OnePlus 5 early and give feedback to the company on what can improve. To enter you need to head over to “The Lab” and submit your best mobile photography. OnePlus will be selecting the 10 winners from the over 9000 entrants that have already signed up.

OnePlus hasn’t released a timeline for the contest, but if you’re interested you might want to jump on this opportunity ASAP.

Andy Rubin unveils the Essential Home, a privacy-focused Google Home alternative

Alexandra Arici
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Alongside the Essential smartphone, Andy Rubin’s new company has unveiled a second product called the Essential Home.

The device looks like a hybrid between the Nest thermostat and the Amazon Echo Dot and features a round auto-display that can be activated in three different ways: by virtue of a voice command, a tap or by simply looking at it.

While the device bundles some features that are already available with competing products, Essential boasts that the AI-powering the Home is far more advanced than anything we’ve seen so far. We’re given an example as proof – let’s say you’re listening to music and you get a phone call. When the Essential Home detects you’re talking to someone it will automatically lower the volume levels, so you can have a nice, uninterrupted conversation.

The virtual assistant inside the Essential Home will also be able to learn your habits and make relevant suggestions like alerting you lights have remained on when it “knows” (based on your behavioral patterns) you’ve turned in for the night.

Perhaps the most interesting feature of the Essential Home is that it runs Ambient OS, a new platform which doesn’t rely on the cloud as much as other devices do. Basically, it can interact with smart appliances around the house directly, so it’s also a security focused product. With most data processing happening on the device and not in the cloud, most of your sensitive data will be literally stored in the privacy of your own home.

That being said, we don’t have a lot of information on the Essential Home. The official website does reveal a few images/GIFs showing the product in action, but it does not list any functionalities or show pictures of a real device. Details about release date and pricing are also unknown at this point in time.

Andy Rubin’s Essential phone unveiled with stunning display, modular components

Alexandra Arici
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Following multiple teasers over the past month, Andy Rubin’s contender to the throne of smartphones is finally here. Say hi to the Essential – a premium handset that looks quite stunning.

Like anticipated, the phone features an edge-to-edge display with minimal side and top bezels. But unlike the Galaxy S8, the Essential’s screen goes all the way to the top embracing the front facing camera in the process. There’s a bit of bezel left at the bottom, but that doesn’t diminish the overall aesthetic appeal of the phone.

Contrasting with most high-end smartphones out there, the Essential is not made of aluminum but from a combination of titanium and ceramic (on the back), so it should be able to come out unharmed of most accidents.

Moving on to the raw specs, the phone features a 5.71-inch display with 19:10 aspect ratio and 2560 x 1312 resolution, as well as Gorilla Glass 5 protection. On the inside lives a powerful Snapdragon 835 processor that works in combination with 4GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage. It also runs Android (most likely 7.0 or above).

On the photographic front, the Essential follows this year’s flagships trend, as it comes equipped with a dual camera system that combines a regular 13-megapixel sensor with a second monochrome 13-megapixel one to help shoot better low-light shots. As for the self-portrait snapper, the Essential boasts an 8-megapixel unit with 16:9 aspect ratio.

The phone relies on a 3,040 mAh battery and includes a USB Type-C port, as well as a fingerprint scanner located on the back panel. However, there’s no 3.5 mm headphone jack, but the good news is that the phone could ship with a headphone dongle included in the package box.

The Essential not only aims to bring an attractive design and worthy specs to the table; it also plans to differentiate itself through another aspect – modularity. The phone will be available to purchase in combination with a few accessories including the 360-degree camera accessory that got teased the other day. It clips to the back of the phone and adds dual 12-megapixel fisheye sensors that can capture 4K 360 videos at 30fps.

The second module to be offered at launch is a charging dock. Like the camera, it will connect to the phone via metal pins. More accessories are expected to be made available in the near future.

The phone, which doesn’t feature any kind of branding on front or back, will be available for purchase in Black Moon, Stellar Grey, Pure White and Ocean Depths. For the time being only the Black Moon and Pure White models are available for pre-order for $699 a pop. We don’t know when the handset will start shipping out to customers, but as soon as we know more we’ll update you.

For now, the Essential will be available in the US, but we might live to see the phone launch in other markets, as well.

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