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HTC U11 is the first phone to come with a squeezable metal frame

Alexandra Arici
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After being in the rumor mill for quite some time, the HTC U11 flagship was finally revealed today during a conference in Twain.

With this product, HTC finally brings out a flagship that can truly compete with the Samsung Galaxy S8. On top of boasting an appealing premium glass design and a powerful Snapdragon 835 processor, the HTC U11 also introduces the Edge Sense – a completely new way of interacting with the smartphone – which we’re going to talk about in a little bit. But first the raw specs.

Specifications

HTC’s new flagship carries a 5.5-inch Super LCD display with QuadHD resolution (1440 x 2560) with Corning Gorilla Glass. The Taiwanese company is going to offer the HTC U 11 in two variants, one with 4G of RAM and 64GB of built-in storage (for US, UK markets) and another one with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage (for Asia). A microSD card slot which allows for memory expansion up to 2TB (in both versions) is also included.

In the photography department, the U11 is also pretty well endowed, packing a 12-megapixel main camera with ultra-spread autofocus, BSI sensor, optical image stabilization, dual-LED flash, slow motion and 4K video recording capabilities. The selfie camera is of 16-megapixel variety with BSI sensor and full-HD recording.

HTC has finally delivered what customers have been asking for all along, as the U11 packs HTC’s Boom Sound Hi-Fi edition technology, as well as 3D audio recording with four microphones and Hi-res audio certified. The product can be paired with HTC USonic earbuds for active noise cancellation.

The smartphone relies on a 3,000 mAh battery which according to the producing company should offer up to 24.5 hours of talk time and 14 days of standby time. It also sports IP67 water and dust resistance. Like in the case of its predecessor, don’t expect to find a 3.5mm headphone jack onboard, but HTC is also offering a Type-C-3.5mm adapter (with a built-in DAC).

Standout features

The HTC U11 represents a natural progression from the previous HTC U Ultra model, both in terms of looks and functionalities. Which brings us to the U11’s main standout feature – the Edge Sense – basically a series of sensor implemented beneath the phone’s metal edges.

With their help, the phone can distinguish and interpret almost imperceptible squeezes, so users will be able to squeeze the screen to launch the camera or capture a selfie. The exact actions triggered by a squeeze can be configured by the owner to suit his/her particular set of needs.

There’s another reason why the HTC U11 is quite special. It ships not with one but three virtual assistants on board, the Google Assistant and Alexa (on top of HTC’s own Sense Companion) – although the later won’t be available at launch (it will be added via a software update by end of June – hopefully). We’re not sure why you’d need so many AI-driven helpers on one phone, but we guess it’s nice to be given such a wide range of choice.

Availability

When will you be able to purchase the phone? Well in the US the HTC U11 will be sold only by Sprint at first. Sprint has already opened up pre-orders and you can expect the device to start shipping on June 9. Interested parties can get it for $0 down and $29 per month for the next 2 years (which amounts to a $696 price).

An unlocked version will also be made available on HTC’s own website and via Amazon.com which is already taking pre-orders for $649 a pop. The flagship is available in Amazing Silver, Sapphire Blue and Brilliant Black. Other markets will also see two other Ice White and Red/Orange versions.

Deal: HTC is offering early U11 adopters a discount. Use the LOVEU11 code at checkout in order to get a $50 discount on the new HTC flagship and pay only $599.

Google to fully integrate Android into future Volvo, Audi models

Alexandra Arici
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This week Google announced it is partnering  with Volvo and Audi to deliver Android right in your car. But this time around Google and its partners are taking a different route. Instead that simply allowing a smartphone to connect and interact with the vehicle, Google’s Android will now actually constitute the spine of the car’s infotainment system.

Expect Volvo’s models to make an appearance sometime in the next two years, while Audi should show off its own take on Android via the new Audio Q8 Sport concept.

The old days: Android Auto

The OS will act as a built-in connectivity solution, as well as infotainment system that can control things like air conditioning, sunroof and windows.

Volvo XC60 car concept interior with Android

Drivers will also be able to use a wide range of Android apps onboard, including Google Maps for navigation or Spotify for music playing. Naturally, the Google Assistant will be part of the equation too, so car owners will be able to ask the AI-driven helper to do all kinds of things without having to take their hands off the steering wheel.

Audi Q8 Sport concept interior with Android

At last year’s I/O, Google demonstrated a Maserati Ghibli model with a built-in 15-inch 4K center touchscreen and 720p digital instrument cluster. The whole purpose of the prototype was to showcase the possibility the Android platform for cars, taking Android Auto to the next level.

Since then Google failed to provide any more information about the project. But now with the Google I/O 2017 just around the corner, we can expect to learn more about the initiative.

Nintendo is developing a ‘Legend of Zelda’ smartphone game

AndroidGuys
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Super Mario Run, Miitomo and Fire Emblem Heroes.

Let’s just say Nintendo announcing it was moving into the mobile gaming market was greeted through somewhat hesitant but expectant eyes, and by all accounts, it’s been a “mushroom stomping success” ( cough )

Being a HUGE gaming addict since as long as I care NOT to remember, it is with jubilant exuberance I find myself writing this piece documenting reports that Nintendo are bringing Zelda to mobile platforms.

According to The Wall Street Journal The game is likely to be released later this year once we have seen the mobile version of Animal Crossing hit virtual stores. Tatsumi Kimishima, Nintendo’s CEO has announced that the company plans to release two or three new smartphone games between now and the end of March 2018.

Just the mere mention that part of the Zelda franchise is coming to mobile is enough to get any Nintendo nut excited. This is just as well, as at this point, that is all the information available.

Just the fact it is coming, for this moment is enough and one thing is for certain. Regardless of Who What Where When and Why, WE WANT IT.

App Highlight: Goalify – My Goals and Habits

Dan Bartram
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The App

Developed by onebytezero GmbH, Goalify is a new app that will help you reach your goals and succeed in your tasks and tracking your habits. Having been recently updated on May 9 to version 2.5.2, the developer is constantly applying fixes and improving performance with regular updates. Goalify allows you to effectively and efficiently record any goals or tasks that you want to accomplish.

What it does

Goalify will work on tracking everything you do in life, from simple goals and to do lists right up to tracking your habits to improve your persistence and productivity. The app also features a social aspect by allowing you to create challenges and share motivating messages with your friends. You can set up your own daily targets and completely tweak it to suit your lifestyle and motivation. There’s also 7 categories and over 50 ready-to-use goal examples to get you started.

Goalify has also recently introduced a new training plan feature to monitor your activity for professionals. Goalify has a new Coaching Edition that will help you to connect with your students, clients and athletes utilizing the extensive ecosystem for coaching and study support included in the app.

Why we like it

Goalify combines functionality that previously was split over 2-3 individual apps into a single well designed app. With the constant updates and rich feature set, you are able to customize the goals and tracking to your own pace making sure that it works for you. This, combined with the social aspect to provide healthy competition, means Goalify has found a permanent place on our homescreen.

How to get it

Goalify is available for free from the Google Play Store. You can download it right here.

Getting the most out of your applications

Guest Blogger
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Staying Competitive

The man with the horse and carriage was able to compete with “horseless” carriages for a short while. Before automobiles caught on, there was some question as to whether they ever would. That’s the case with any new technology. But as these innovations caught on, the man without one had to change.

A milkman delivering via horse and buggy would soon be outshone by the man with the milk truck. The horse had to be stabled, the truck could be continuously used and repaired as needed. The horse got old, the truck’s maintenance outshone the age-old equine solution. It’s easy to see why in retrospect; at the time? Not so much.

Businesses are confronted with situations like this on almost a daily basis as technology exponentially expands. You’ve seen the original Star Trek, yes? Maybe not; here’s a refresher: in the sixties, they figured a flip-open communicator that allowed for instantaneous contact was something they’d have in hundreds of years.

By the end of the 20th century, cellular “flip” phones were in virtually everybody’s pocket. Now, there are some estimates that put the power of a common smartphone in a realm of utility which outshines that of NASA during the Apollo missions. This idea is even satirized in the film Iron Sky.

If you haven’t seen Iron Sky, there are Nazis on the moon, and America’s female president sends an athlete to the lunar surface in a publicity stunt. He brings his cellphone, gets captured by the Nazis, and their equivalent of Nazi Einstein uses the smartphone he steals from the man to launch an attack on Earth.

The point is this: technological changes are ubiquitous and continuously transitioning. Remaining competitive requires remaining abreast of them, and that means expecting some losses. Those who didn’t invest in automobiles at the turn of the 20 th century likely invested in things like Zeppelins.

The Technology Factor

The Hindenburg blew up any positive stock options pertaining to dirigibles, and cars took over. Well, in today’s age, there are plenty of areas where modern technology seemed as though it would soar into the heavens, but had a hydrogen mishap and blew up on the tarmac.

But there are also “automobile” options which have begun to change the marketplace entire, and one of those is the mobile application. Tablets, smartphones, the Internet of Things, smart watches, smart cars—everything is “smart” these days; which is to say: connected to the internet.

With such connectivity comes nigh-infinite possibility ripe for the exploitation. Mobile applications have become the marketing “milk truck” of modern small businesses. Refraining from having such mobile options available in conjunction to your regular website is like avoiding a website or a phone number in years past.

The thing is, you can’t create an application and leave it be. Any program will have bugs, no matter how well-designed it is. If you don’t believe that, just consider the Affordable Care website. (They really should have beta-tested it!) With mobile applications, the launch is understood to have built-in difficulties.

Logging Errors And Maintaining Market Presence

You can get past these by having errors logged, and correcting them. According to Stackify.com, the top 3 Java profilers include: “Standard JVM Profilers…Lightweight Profilers…[and] Application Performance Management (APM) tools.” These help you refine applications for maximum positive effect.

If you’re going to remain competitively viable in today’s marketplace, you’re going to need an application in conjunction with your online web presence which can be utilized on a variety of mobile, “smart”, internet-enable devices. Ensure that whatever solution you choose is continually maintained, and it will serve you well.

Samsung Galaxy S8 camera can’t quite beat the Pixel DxOMark rating

Dan Bartram
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The Samsung Galaxy S8 camera is a great camera, one of the best, but it still wasn’t quite enough to knock the Google Pixel from the top of the DxOMark rankings.

DxOMark offers a ranking based on extensive testing of a smartphone camera to a level of detail that most average users don’t worry about. However, the overall marking is a good indication on well the camera performs based on the competition.

The Samsung Galaxy S8 scored an 88, which is pretty high. However, it wasn’t high enough to knock the current champion off the top of the charts. The Pixel and Pixel XL was and still is considered the best smartphone camera available with a score of 89.

For still photography, the Samsung Galaxy S8 has three main strengths: excellent autofocus, accurate white balance, and very effective noise reduction.

We know Samsung improved the camera very minimally over the Galaxy S7 and that appears to have translated into the results, with a very minor improvement in the score but not enough to topple the Pixel.

For the full rundown of the DxOMark analysis, you can check it out here.

Let us know what you think if you’ve used both the Galaxy S8 camera and the Pixel. Which do you think is supreme?

Phiaton BT 110 earbuds review

AndroidGuys
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Some people love the over-the-ear feel of headphones, and others love the in-ear simplicity of an earbud.  I am one of the latter, so when I came across the Phiaton BT 110 “Wireless Compact Bluetooth Audio” buds, I was excited.  These earbuds boast up to 4.5 hours for music and calls, and about five days of standby time, all on a two-hour charge.

Design

It’s difficult to find a great way to have truly wireless earbuds with a microphone, so one will see a wire connecting the two earbuds together, along with the volume/call button that doubles as power and pairing. Phiaton has what they call their “RightFit+ technology”, meaning it comes with three silicon ear wings and four sizes of silicon tips to adjust the fit to the wearer’s ears.

Everything fits neatly in a small black bag, so they are ultra-portable, and they look pretty cool. Their total weight is only 16 grams, so they are no burden to travel with, but I found that the buds were not the most comfortable for long periods of time. After playing around with the different tips, I found some that were more comfortable, so even if the out-of-the-box tip fits, I would highly recommend looking through some of the other tips and see if a different one is more comfortable for you.

Sound

These earbuds do not get very loud, but loud enough to hear a spoken-word track or podcast in a public place. You will still hear your train or flight announcements, even with these in your ears, but they muffle enough of the outside sound so you can concentrate on the audio.

The included microphone sounded a little muffled and distant, which unfortunately, is far too common with many earpieces and headsets.  It was not bad, and I could easily be understood and understand what the other callers were saying, but I would not use these earbuds to record a podcast, for example.

There is also a buzzing sound just before and after audio starts to play, like the earbuds are preparing to work, and then go back into standby mode, which is quiet.  Overall, the sound quality is good, but not amazing.

Features

I love special features more than most people I know, and the best one about the BT 110 is the “multipoint connection”.  With these earbuds, I can connect them to more than one device at the same time.  I paired the earbuds with my tablet and was listening to some music while playing a game, and also had it paired with my phone.  I had a friend call me, and it started ringing through the earbuds, interrupting my music–this is exactly what I was looking for.

On both the box and the website, it specifically mentions that one can pair two devices simultaneously, and that’s exactly what it does.  Once I connected my computer to the earbuds, my tablet was no longer connected.

Aside from the multipoint connection, it is IPX4 sweat and water-resistant, so it can be used on-the-go for exercising or walking in the rain–just don’t take them swimming with you.

Battery

The battery life of these earbuds work as expected.  They go from empty to a full charge in about two hours, like the box says, and with normal usage. That is, not sitting around all day with them in, they lasted me about four days before I had to recharge them.

I would typically wear them in 30-60 minute spurts to listen to a podcast or some videos while I would have coffee.  Conveniently, the Phiaton BT 110 charges with a standard micro-USB, so it was easy to grab a quick charge in my car while on the go.  In all, it performs as expected, and I was not disappointed.

Conclusion

I would put these earbuds in the mid-range market.  Although they retail for $119, there are some deals at the sites below. I like these earbuds, especially since I can use one pair for both devices.  My tablet has a 3.5mm headphone jack, but my phone does not, so not having to carry around two sets of earbuds is invaluable to me.

They might not be the perfect set of earbuds, but they do the job, even if they are a little quiet.  Their frequency range is between 20Hz and 27kHz, and work from a 10-meter distance, so that’s not too shabby.

Availability

Walmart has the Phiaton BT 110 on special now for only $50; Amazon has them for just under $60; Best Buy is selling them for $59; Newegg has them for $99.

What you need to know about preventing cell phone spying

AndroidGuys
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When you’re talking about a topic as important as cell phone spying, it’s essential to keep a few things in mind. For starters, a cell phone is not just a phone – it’s essentially a digital assistant. It’s where you have your most private of conversations. It’s where you store photos you don’t want anyone to see. It’s how you access your credit card or bank account information while on-the-go. The results of it falling into the wrong hands would be catastrophic.

Now, when you realize that your phone doesn’t literally have to fall into the wrong hands to compromise all of this information, you begin to get a better idea of just why it’s so necessary to be proactive about preventing cell phone spying whenever you can.

Arm Yourself With the Right Equipment

If you really want to prevent cell phone spying, one of the most important things you can do is use the power of modern technology against your would-be spies. Items like the Lawmate RD-10 RF and Camera Detector, for example, offer law enforcement-grade RF detection and camera lens finding capabilities in one convenient unit. Even if someone doesn’t have access to your device itself, your calls could still be monitored by way of a camera hidden somewhere in a room like an office. Devices like the Lawmate will help you make sure that doesn’t happen.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication

Two-factor authentication requires two forms of input – a password and a secondary, unique numerical code – to allow you to log into a device. Even if someone guesses or cracks your password, they would still need access to a SECONDARY device that ISN’T your phone in order to actually see the content contained on it. Enable two-factor authentication on any account that supports it as quickly as you can.

Monitor Device Access

Have you ever logged into your iCloud account on someone else’s phone to share a song or video with them? If you have, they could be using that access to monitor everything you’re doing – including reading your texts and seeing your photos. Open the “Settings” app on an iPhone and click the “iCloud” banner at the top of the screen. Look for devices with access to your account that you’re unfamiliar with and remove them as soon as you can.

The same goes for Google, too. You can log in and see which devices are currently using your account. Find one that doesn’t seem right or might need to be updated or removed, go ahead and make the change.

Update Your Devices

Many people don’t realize that software updates do more than just add new features or fix broken ones – they also help close security loopholes that people might be using to spy on you. As soon as Android or iOS updates become available, you should download and install them. End of story.

Use Fingerprint Identification

Cell phones which use the fingerprint reader for security should definitely be used as such. PIN numbers can sometimes be guessed but patterns are little harder to figure out. As for fingerprints, though, nothing is more difficult to replicate or spoof.

Beware of Location Services

Many apps require your permission to access certain built-in functions of your phone. Before you can send a snap on Snapchat, for example, you need to give it permission to use your camera. Many people don’t realize just how often apps use your location information, even when you’re not actually using the app itself. Uber is particularly notorious for this. Go into the “Settings” app on your phone and look at all the apps that currently have access to your location information.

If there’s anything that you don’t recognize or don’t feel comfortable with, be sure to disable it immediately. Remember that your cell phone has a GPS built inside – which means that a rogue app could be sending your location to someone without your knowledge with a range of down to just a few meters.

Motorola’s new Moto C and Moto C Plus pack all the essentials at a bargain price

Alexandra Arici
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Motorola took us by surprise today and unveiled the Moto C and Moto C Plus – the company’s most affordable handsets to date. While the low-end duo has been expected to arrive for a while, we had no actual indications they will be landing today.

Anyway, Motorola won’t be launching the Moto C in the US, as they are budget devices destined to go on sale on emerging markets from Latin America, Europe and Asia Pacific. The producing company says the two devices are “packed with the essentials” so customers should expect them to feature the most basic of specifications.

The American company is offering two versions of the Moto C, one with 3G capabilities and the other with 4G. The main difference between them is that the first takes advantage of a 32-bit quad-core MT6580m processor clocked at 1.3GHz, while the later works with the help of a 64-bit quad-core MT6737m chipset clocked at 1.1GHz.

Both model rely a 5-inch FWVGA display with 854 x 480 resolution and 1GB of RAM. The Moto C (3G) will ship out with 8GB of internal storage (microSD card available for expansion to 32GB), but the Moto C (4G) will also have an additional version with 16GB of default storage (available only in EMEA and APAC).

The Moto C duo also take advantage of a 5-megapixel/2-megapixel camera combo plus a removable 2,350 mAh battery. They also offer 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, microUSB port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The Moto C (3G) is available in Black and White starting at €89 ($97), while the 4G variant starts at €99 ($109) in Black, White, Cherry or Gold.

As for the more “advanced” Moto C Plus version, the device carries a 5-inch HD display with 1270 x 720 resolution and 64-bit quad-core MT6737 processor clocked at 1.3GHz. Motorola will be offering two variants as well, one with 1GB and another with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage (microSD card slot available to expand up to 32GB).

The Plus variant offers the services of an 8-megapixel main camera with LED flash, as well as a 2-megapixel self-portrait shooter. An important selling point of this product is the hefty 4,000 mAh battery which is said to be able to keep the phone alive for up to 30 hours on a single charge. Naturally it also bundles 802.11n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2, 4G, microUSB port and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Like the Moto C (4G), the Moto C Plus is available in Black, White, Cherry and Gold starting at €119 ($130).

The new Moto C and Moto C Plus – which run Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box – will be available beginning this spring, but we don’t know the exact details just yet.

Board Kings – The town building, board game mashup (Review)

AndroidGuys
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Everyone loves board games! Okay, okay. That’s a very broad and generalizing statement. MOST people like at least some board games. There’s something fun about seeing what twists and turns will happen and maybe the best part of all is getting one over on your friends. Jelly Button Games took this magic formula and mashed it up with a town building mobile game format to make Board Kings. So grab your dice, chose your game piece, and let’s see if this game is worth passing Go.

Developer: Jelly Button Games
Price: Free/In-App Purchases
Download: Google Play/iOS

Just going for a hop around town.

The Setup

Since this is a board game, and they are usually played with others, you initially get the option to connect to Google Play Games and to Facebook. You can always add these later and they are not necessary to play, but I will say that it is much more fun to play with people you know than just randoms. You are given the choice of 4 common game pieces to play as before you get dropped on the start space and are given the chance to roll the dice. The game has a nice tutorial that runs while you play for first few turns and guides you through all the different types of spaces you can land on and is quite thorough while not being overly complicated. Then you are on your own and are free to start building your town or terrorizing your friends.

Controls

Controls for this game are pretty easy. There is a dice button on the bottom of the screen, and as long as you have rolls left (this games equivalent of energy) you can move around the board the number of spaces that you rolled. Buildings are marked by a green upgrade arrow then they are ready to be upgraded, so simple taps around the board are all that it takes to be in control of your town.

This is my shop. I’m the captain now.

Gameplay

Your game board is filled with a variety of spaces, from chance card spots that give you some unique bonuses, to a vending machine that gives out new game pieces. There are cop cars to scatter about, a piggy bank to store money in, and even a steal space to steal money from other players. There are lots of things to do on your board alone, but what’s really fun is traveling to other players boards and breaking their stuff or taking over ownership of their buildings, netting your cash and bonuses all while trying to dodge their police. A big part of this all happens by chance, however.

Board Kings is a little bit of strategy and a lotta bit of luck. You roll the dice, then move that number of spaces. For every space you move, you get some cash which is awesome, but you have to move what you rolled. Most actions on your board can only be performed when on certain spaces, so since you can’t choose to stop on a particular space, you may find yourself really wanting to stop by the vending machine or the steal space to get a hefty sum of money, only to find yourself coming up short or overshooting. I have found that every time that I jump on and use all of my 35 rolls, the max number you can have banked at any one time) that I will usually end up hitting every space on my board at least once, but it will take several trips around and nothing is guaranteed.

I personally love that there is a bit of chance to it, much like playing Monopoly or Life where I’m not guaranteed to get the property I want to hit the celebrity status I dreamed of, but I know it can be frustrating to not be able to get rid of someone’s ownership of your building because you just can’t seem to land on that one space. This is what keeps the game interesting because you never know what you’re going to land on.

My parents always knew this day would come.

Graphics & Sounds

The cartoony board aesthetics are full of life and fun to look at. From Main Street (your starting board) with all of its city sights and sounds, to Carrot of the Caribbean with its beachy pirate theme, each world looks unique and offers visuals that suck you in. Each board also has 10 different unlockable themed game pieces you can purchase from blind boxes in the vending machine (with a free purchase each time you land there, so IAPs are NOT necessary).

The boards all play the same despite having unique looks, but this means that you will never have a board that everyone is picking because it has less for people to steal from or is more difficult to navigate. Personally, I would have liked to see a little variety in this so that it’s not just the same diamond board for every person I visited. The pirate theme could have been rounded or wavy as you hop along the shore. It’s a small personal gripe and in no way takes away from the game at all.

My list for revenge goes on and on and on…

Longevity

This game has a lot going on. There are loads of upgrades for every building on your board. There are over 6 themes to collect with ten game pieces each, plus after collecting multiples of the same piece they unlock silver and gold pieces. The real fun, in my opinion, comes from taking the train to a friend’s town and wrecking buildings, capturing businesses and raiding their piggy banks. This can lead to rivalries and a battle for land, but it’s also way more lucrative and if you’re a competitive person watching as your face is plastered on top of one of your friend’s buildings is an opportunity you can’t pass up.

Conclusion

Board Kings is everything people love about board games in a town building, mobile game setting. You build your town, you destroy your friend’s town, and you collect items all while rolling a dice and hoping you get a six so you can finally get that last upgrade to get to the next level. There’s a bit of luck involved, since this is a board game with dice, but with a relatively large energy pool, you’ll have enough turns to make it everywhere and get done what you want to get done. The game is great fun on it’s own with random other players, but the real fun comes from playing with friends and being able to take over their town and lock them up in your jail. If you’re looking for a bite-sized game to play with your friends, this is definetly one to not pass up.

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