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LeEco invites you to spin the wheel, unlock discounts for its TVs, smartphones

Alexandra Arici
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LeEco has announced its upcoming Tax Refund Sales Event which will be held between April 14 at 12:01 a.m. EDT and April 18 at 11:59 p.m. EDT. During this period the Chinese company will be offering instant rebates on its products through the www.LeEco.com website.

In addition to the instant rebates, customers can also spin the LeEco Wheel for even bigger savings, including chances to win an extra $20 off smartphones, $50 to $150 off X65 and X55 or even $1,000 off the uMax85 Ultra HD TV. On top of that, all smartphones and TVs purchased under the promotion will arrive with a three-month subscription to DirecTV Now.

Here’s the full list of the Tax Refund Deals:

Smartphones:

  • LeEco Le S3 – $169 (instant rebate of $30, previously $199)
  • LeEco Le Pro3 – $299 (instant rebate of $50, previously $349)

4K Ultra HD Smart TVs:

  • Super4 X55 – $599 (instant rebate of $200, previously $799)
  • Super4 X65 – $1,199 (instant rebate of $200, previously $999)

Accessories:

  • All metal earphones – $11.99 (instant rebate of $8, previously $19.99)
  • Bluetooth headphones EB20 (black) – $14.99 (instant rebate of $25, previously $39.99)

On top of the Tax Refund Deals, LeEco also announced new retail partners including HSN and Walmart.  Customers will soon be able to purchase the LeEco Super4 X43 Pro, X55 and X65 Super4 TVs and LeEco Le Pro3 and Le S3 via www.HSN.com. The two phones ae also available to buy from www.walmart.com.

Limited time sale sees AliExpress offering Ulefone Power 2 for $169.99

AndroidGuys
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Online retailer AliExpress is running a limited-time promotion which puts the Ulefone Power 2 as low as $169.99. Starting from April 12, there will be 500 coupons worth USD $10 each which can be applied to the recently released phone.

Already sold at a discounted price of $179.99, the Power 2 comes with a gift bag of accessories valued at $40. Customers who take advantage of the AliExpress deal will still receive the kit which includes a phone stand, tempered glass screen cover, and leather case.

The metal-clad Ulefone Power 2 packs a behemoth 6,050mAh battery and features a MediaTek octa-core 1.5GHz processor with 4GB RAM. Running Android 7.0, it offers up a 5.5-inch full HD display, a 16-megapixel rear camera, 13-megapixel front-facing camera, and 64GB of storage. Sold in black, grey, and gold colors, the Power 2 also houses a fingerprint scanner.

Ulefone is now fulfilling the pre-orders of the Power 2; orders are expected to ship within a week of placement. Head to AliExpress to place your order.

Note: North American buyers may want to double check to ensure that the Power 2 is compatible with their respective service provider. While it might work for phone purposes, the data speeds may be less than expected.

  • WCDMA:2100/900(B1/8)
  • GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 (B5/8/3/2)
  • FDD-LTE:2100/1800/2600/900/800(B1/3/7/8/20)

Gear Up: Caseology cases for LG G6 and other flagships

AndroidGuys
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Are you the proud owner of a new LG G6 smartphone? What are you using to protect that flagship device? As delicate and sleek as that phone is, the last thing you want to do is drop it or scuff its surface. You’ll want to get a case on that thing as soon as possible.

Caseology has a pair of cases for the LG G6 which we think you’d be interested in checking out. We were sent samples of the Parallax and Vault cases and have been testing them out for the last few days. Both, as we see it, are excellent choices for customers looking to cover up the G6.

Parallax

With a diamond pattern that can be felt in your hand, this one has Military Grade protection to keep your phone safe and secure. Its slim profile and somewhat grippy material are a pleasure to hold, and keep the device from feeling bulky. Available in black, burgundy, and navy blue, the Parallax runs about $20 through Caseology’s website. Head to Amazon, though, and you can likely find it for around $15.

Vault

Equally slim and low profile, the Vault is made from a TPU/Polycarbonate material that looks like brushed aluminum. The overall aesthetic looks great against any color variation of the phone with the cutouts letting the gorgeous phone peek through in just the right amount. And, while it is light and rather flexible, the case is strong enough to take scrapes and general abuse. Offered in black, you can buy this one from Caseology for $20. Amazon is currently selling them for only $11, about half price.

Caseology has a wide variety of cases for not only LG phones, but Samsung, Apple, Pixel, and more. Most of the devices supported include the Parallax and Vault models. Heck, there’s even a screen protector for the Nintendo Switch, too. Be sure to check out its growing portfolio.

Oniri Islands: Children of the River is a wondrous adventure (App Preview)

AndroidGuys
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During my time at this year’s Game Developers Conference in San Francisco, I came across a lot of new and interesting Android games and apps from both popular developers and new studios alike. There was one game that stood out to me the most, however, due to its unique concept and excellent execution. Oniri Islands: Children of the River by Tourmaline Studio, based in Geneva, is a toys-to-life game similar to Skylanders made for Android and iOS tablets. The focus of the game is on cooperative puzzles and following a narrative, and is aimed for kids but can be enjoyed by all. The developers are currently hosting a Kickstarter for the game, in order to fund mass production of the toys themselves.

The big feature that made Oniri Islands stand out, to me at least, is the figurine-based controls for the game. The two characters are controlled by small toy versions of themselves that feature no electronics at all, but instead, a unique base design that allows the game to differentiate between the two characters, as well as their position on the screen. This makes the toys much cheaper, and easier to produce and also makes it harder for them to be broken with rough play from kids. The toys also feature accessory masks that tie into the story of the game but are purely cosmetic and don’t add any functionality to the toys themselves. This unique control scheme adds a layer of deeper interactivity and cooperation to gameplay, as you need two players to move the pieces to progress and solve puzzles.

The toys themselves work very well as “controllers” for the game. especially for having no electronics to connect directly to the tablet. Navigating and rotating the pieces to progress was simple and intuitive, and the game does a good job of not holding your hand through tutorials and instead letting you learn through play. There were some small hitches in using the toys, where my tablet would not always pick them up on screen or wouldn’t exactly follow my movements, but they weren’t frequent and were easily resolved by picking up the piece and putting it back in place. Small kids may have some difficulty at first, but with parental help, they should quickly get the hang of playing the game.

I will say that this game should be played on the largest screen you can get. Tablets larger than six inches are preferred, as the play screen is quickly taken up by hands and pieces on a smaller tablet or smartphone. Also, be mindful of swiping down the notification shade or hitting the on-screen navigation buttons by mistake as well. I had some early growing pains accidentally dropping the shade down, but you can adjust easily enough to avoid interrupting play.

As far as the game itself, it is a simple story about a brother and sister navigating across a fantasy island full of magic and adventure trying to get home. The art style is stunning, with beautiful backgrounds and cute characters that should appeal to anyone’s tastes. The game has a fully voiced narration that is well done and doesn’t get in the way of enjoying the game at all, and the music is top notch as well, featuring an appropriate amount of whimsy and fitting the island setting.

The game spans 6 levels that each take about 30 minutes to complete, which is great for keeping kids engaged without wearing out their attention spans. The core gameplay is cooperative navigation, exploration, and puzzle-solving. no violence and kid-friendly difficulty of course. There are magical powers that come into play as well, upping the challenge and diversifying the puzzles to keep things fresh. In terms of replayability, I can see kids wanting to replay this one for sure. I would hope that the developers consider adding more content post-launch to further encourage a return trip to Oniri Islands.

The developer’s Kickstarter is currently underway, and as of writing is very close to reaching their $29,958 goal. The campaign is to facilitate mass production of the toys and materials. The game itself is developed and fully playable, with a launch window aimed at November according to the Kickstarter page. I had a chance to play the game with the developers at GDC, as well as at home with a review sample. Both times I played I was genuinely surprised and impressed with the game and it’s a unique concept, and that’s the reason I did this app preview because I am genuinely hopeful that their campaign is successful because unique ideas and good game development deserve a chance to be seen by everyone. The project ends on Tuesday, April 18th, check it out here.

If you’re looking for a fun and new experience for you and your kids to enjoy together, I’d definitely recommend checking out this game, and even consider backing their Kickstarter before it’s over. Check back here once the game launches to see a full review of the game!

LG G6 vs LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition (Smartphone Showdown)

Alexandra Arici
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In recent days, Chinese technology giant LeEco unveiled its latest flagship, the Le Pro3 AI Edition. The phone is actually a revamped version of the Le Pro3 of last year, which comes equipped with a bunch of new features.

And while most folks were expecting LeEco to come out with a new brand phone on the market, the occasion is as good as any to see whether the company’s latest and greatest can be a match for other flagships available on the market like the LG G6. Let’s see how the two compare against each other:

Design & Display

5.7-inch display with 2880 x 1440 resolution vs 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution

564 ppi vs 403 ppi

The LG G6 is surely a step up from the controversial LG G5. At first glance, one will surely notice the phone features a metal body with striking unusual dimensions. The phone boasts a 5.7-inch edge-to-edge display with 2880 x 1440 resolution and a bizarre 18:9 aspect ratio, hence the LG G6 is a little wider and longer than your average smartphones.

The 18:9 aspect ratio is here to allow users to watch videos on YouTube or Netflix without the any annoying black borders being visible along the edge of the phone. But while some shows have been shot in 18:9 and look brilliant on an 18:9 display, most videos today are shot in the traditional 16:9 format, so most of the videos you do end up watching on the phone won’t be wide enough to fill the LG G6’s wider screen.

As for the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition, the phone doesn’t have a fancy ratio or anything like that. Actually it brings about a pretty straight forward 5.5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution, just like its older Le Pro3 brother. This device is also made of metal and features skinny bezels on the sides, but those on top haven’t really been trimmed much. Nevertheless if your goal is to get a phone with a spacious scree, you’ll probably want to get the LG G6.

Computing power

Snapdragon 821 vs Helio X23/Helio X27

Adreno 530 vs Mali-T880 MP4

4GB of RAM vs 4GB of RAM

32GB/64GB of internal storage vs 32GB/64GB

Despite expectations, the LG G6 takes advantage of last year’s Snapdragon 821 (clocked at 2.35GHz) platform – but that does mean that apps and games won’t run smoothly on the device. As for the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition, the phone trades the Snapdragon 821 of the standard Le Pro3 for two MediaTek options.

The new edition is available in two models – one (Standard model) with a deca-core Helio X23 chipset clocked at 2.3GHz plus 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage and another one (Eco model) with a deca-core Helio X27 clocked at 2.6GHz and 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. No microSD card slot is available for either models.

As for the LG G6, the phone features the exact same storage options. However, LG’s flagship does take advantage of a microSD card slot which allows memory expansion up to 256GB.

Cameras

Dual main 13MP + 13MP vs dual main 13MP + 13MP

Secondary 5MP vs secondary 8MP

One of the biggest changes the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition brings to the table is the addition of a dual camera setup on the back of the phone which consists of a 13MP (f/2.0 phase detection AF, dual-LED flash) + 13MP (monochrome) setup. By contrast the dual camera affair on the LG G6 is a combination of 13MP (f/1.8, OIS, phase detection AF) + 13MP (f/2.4) sensors.

In the selfie department, the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition might deliver better results thanks to the 8MP shooter with f/2.2 and 76.5-degree field of view. As for the LG G6, it bundles a 5MP camera with wide angle lens, which means users can take better selfies with more people.

Software

Android 7.0 Nougat vs Android 6.0 Marshmallow

Software is where the new LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition really sucks. For a device launched in 2017, it runs the outdated Android 6.0 Marshmallow out of the box and will probably never get Android 7.0 Nougat treatment (but maybe we’re being pessimistic). If it’s any consolation the new LeEco phone comes with the company’s newer EUI 5.9 interface.

The LG G6, on the other hand comes with Android 7.0 Nougat out of the box and LG’s own skin laid on top which features several big elements of stock Android. Naturally, LG brings its own slew of proprietary features such as Q-Slide or Knock Code.

Other features

The LG G6 features wireless charging in the US, but the quad DAC audio feature that made the LG V20 great is limited to South Korea and a few Asian countries. The phone also has a fingerprint sensor which doubles as a power button located on the back of the device. It’s also waterproof and offers access to the Google Assistant.

While the LG G6 doesn’t come with a proprietary AI-virtual companion, the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition does. The virtual assistant is called “LeLe” and can called forth even if the display being off. Like many other AI helpers out there, LeLe can learn users’ habits over time and provide better results and suggestions. With the Le Pro3 AI Edition, LeEco also offers users a bunch of free stickers to decorate the main camera with.

Battery

The LG G6 relies on a 3,300 mAh non-removable battery, while the new LeEco has a 4,000 mAh one, also non-removable. We’re hearing the LG G6’s battery life is surprisingly good, but on paper, the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition should last you more given that it has a less demanding display onboard. On the other hand, Android 7.0 Nougat brings significant battery optimizations, but LeEco’s latest flagship is stuck at Marshmallow.

Pricing

Pricing is where the LeEco Le Pro3 AI Edition really trumps the LG G6. While available only in China at first, the new LeEco flagship will probably make it out to other markets soon enough. The Standard version with 4GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage sells for $261, while the Eco version with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage can be grabbed for $348.

As for the LG G6 it starts at a hefty $650. It’s available with major carriers in the US including Verizon, Sprint and T-Mobile (hey, pssttt…did you know we are giving away a LG G6?).

Verdict

LeEco’s latest flagship is sure super affordable. So if you want a dual camera setup and the power of LeEco’s self-developed virtual assistant, you might as well opt for the Le Pro3 AI Edition. On the other hand, the LG G6 takes advantage of the Google Assistant, as well as a stunning display and Android 7.0 Nougat. It also has a microSD card slot and is waterproof.

Dual-camera Bluboo D1 gets unboxed on eve of launch

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Recently we’ve heard a lot of buzz about the upcoming Bluboo D1 smartphone. Now, thanks to an official video from the phone maker, we can finally see how the devices looks fresh out of the box.

If there’s one reason to give the Bluboo D1 a look, it’s likely the affordable price point. Launching at only $60, it figures to make the entry-level smartphone space just a little bit more competitive. For instance, as of today there are no other dual-camera devices in that range.

As you can see in the video, the D1 is built with aircraft-grade aluminum alloy and figures to have a unibody design. Moreover, we learn the phone has a selfie softlight for softening pictures and smoothing out complexion. The light also breathes and lights up as part of the notification system. Included in the box are the typical USB cable, charger, warranty card, and manual.

As for the actual specs, we’re looking at a 1.5GHz quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB of internal storage. Those who need more room for media files will be able to add a microSD card for up to 256GB of additional space.

Powered by Android 7.0 Nougat, the D1 offers up a 5-inch HD display and a 5-megapixel front-facing camera. Around back is where we find the dual-camera setup; the 8-megapixel shooter is paired with a 2-megapixel camera.

If you’re interested in learning more about the Bluboo D1 visit the phone maker’s official website. In the coming days Bluboo will demonstrate and show off the phone at an annual trade expo in Hong Kong.

Google Photos gains video stabilization option in latest update

Alexandra Arici
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If you hate shaky videos as much as we do, then you’ll be glad to know that Google has added video stabilization to Google Photos through the app’s latest 2.13 update.

The video stabilization feature can be accessed from the Albums page. Find a video and tap on it, then hit the pencil icon (edit) and you’ll be able to see the “Stabilize” option on the next page. Tap on it to commence video processing.

Daniel Stone’s YouTube channel already lists a few videos, which show that the feature can deliver pretty awesome results. Here’s the video without stabilization:

And here’s is it again with Google Photos stabilization:

However, there is a downside to having your videos go through stabilization processing. The resulting effect is achieved through cropping the video, so you won’t get to see the clip in full after it has been processed. Still Google will save a copy of the original in your library, so you can always go back to the original if you find you like it more.

Optical and electronic image stabilization is becoming the standard in more and more smartphone cameras, but its yet to become a ubiquitous. That’s why Google Photos’ feature becomes comes really in handy. The feature has been hinted at ever since August 2016 and now it is finally here.

Specs of Maze’s upcoming bezeless smartphone leak out

Alexandra Arici
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Last month we told you that smartphone industry newcomer Maze is poised to launch a Xiaomi Mi MIX alternative soon.

The company calls the phone Alpha, but so far we didn’t have much info on it, except for a teaser images which showed a phone with incredibly skinny bezels. Well now thanks to frequent leakster @evleaks we were able to get an idea about what the Maze Alpha will bring to the table.

For starters, the phone will come packing a huge 6-inch display with FHD display (1920 x 1080 resolution) and Gorilla Glass 4 protection. The beast will supposedly receive power from an unnamed octa-core processor in combination with 4GB or 6GB of RAM and 64GB / 128 GB of internal storage.

Like a lot of flagships coming out these days, the Maze Alpha should come boasting a dual camera setup with at least one of the sensors being a 13MP module made by Sony. We’re also told the device will feature a 4,000 mAh battery and will run Android Nougat out of the box – which version exactly we don’t know – could it be Android 7.1.2?

We’ve also taken a look at Maze’s official website and we spotted an Alpha thumbnail which reveals its entire body. While pictures we’ve seen so far, didn’t showcase the lower bottom of the phone, this one does showing a pretty consistent lower bezel which also houses a physical home button (and most likely a fingerprint scanner).

Originally, the Maze Alpha was supposed to launch sometime in April, but given that we’re already almost half-way through the month, we dare speculate the announcement has been pushed back. We’ll just have to wait and see.

Bixby Voice won’t be ready in time for Samsung Galaxy S8’s launch in the US

Alexandra Arici
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As Samsung mentioned before, Bixby – its recently unveiled new virtual assistant – is still a nascent platform that isn’t fully operational just yet. And with the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+’s official launch coming up on April 21, we have some bad news for those who were excited to try out Samsung’s Siri-wannabe.

In a statement made to The Verge, Samsung acknowledged that Bixby Voice won’t be available in time for the Galaxy S8’s launch in the US. However, some elements of Bixby like Bixby Vision, Home or Reminder will work on the first Galaxy S8 batches to arrive in the country.

During the Unpacked event in New York, Samsung made a point in highlighting that Bixby was designed to allow users to do all things they do with touch with voice commands, as well. So it’s quite amusing that Bixby’s most marketed feature won’t be available by the time the new phones start shipping.

You can’t talk to Bixby just yet

Samsung didn’t give a reason for the delay, but it did say the feature should become available in the US “later this spring.”

Bixby is certainly one of the main selling points of the Galaxy S8 – which got a lot of customers excited for the product. The phone even comes with a dedicated button that launches the AI-driven assistant, but the absence of key Bixby features at launch might hamper customers’ enthusiasm for the phone.

Android Pay now comes integrated with 5 major mobile banking apps

Alexandra Arici
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So far if you wanted to pay using Google’s Android Pay service you needed to download the stand-alone application onto your device. But that won’t be the case anymore, at least for some users, as Google announced it has integrated the functionality of Android Pay right into a few mobile banking apps including that of Bank of America, Bank of New Zealand, Discover, mBank and USAA.

As of this week, Android Pay users will be able to add cards from within their mobile application with a simple tap. Google says that shoppers will receive notifications each time they have used Android Pay to purchase something.

While Google’s mobile paying service is primary used to make contactless payments, it can also be used to pay online or on websites that support the service.

For those whose bank app doesn’t support Android Pay just yet, there’s always the option of manually downloading Google’s official Android Pay app. But the good news is that Google expressly mentioned Android Pay support will soon be coming to additional mobile banking apps.

While online retailers have been pretty slow to adopt Google’s mobile payment service, the search giant is doing everything in its power to change that. Back in October the Mountain View-based company announced Android Pay is adding support to VISA and Mastercard cards. Google is also keen of driving adoption of its service internationally, as it’s offering it in countries like UK, Ireland, Japan, Poland, Singapore, Hong Kong or New Zealand.

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