We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite iOS apps to hit the App Store in March 2018. The apps highlighted in this video include Fortnite, PUBG Mobile, 'Sodes, Focos, RoboKiller, Paste 2, Resize 2x, Froggipedia, Unfold, and Kingpin Bowling. Which app is your favorite?
Bungie only just released Destiny 2's "Go Fast" update, but it's already set to talk about its next releases -- and this time, the most important moves are outside the game itself. The studio is readying updates to both the Companion mobile app and its website that will make them decidedly more useful when you're away from home. An April 4th update to Companion for Android and iOS will bring back the 3D models available in the original Destiny era. You can not only see what your Guardian looks like with equipped gear, but explore your weapons, vehicles and ghosts. It's helpful for bragging rights with your friends, of course, but it also gives you a better reason to dig through your equipment when you aren't playing.
Source: Bungie
We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite Android apps to hit the Play Store in March 2018. The apps highlighted in this video include PUBG Mobile, Sip Stories, Stories Diary, Jungle Monkey Run2 , Textto, Readably, Vimage, The Sims Mobile, Beacon, and Edge Action. Which app is your favorite?
The new Apple iPad 6th Generation is here with the same low $329 price tag and improved specs! Does this budget iPad deserve a place in your home?
It won't shock you to hear that Siri is lagging behind rivals like Amazon's Alexa or Google Assistant -- the HomePod struggles to handle non-music tasks as well as competing smart speakers, for instance. And Apple appears to be aware of this shortfall. Thinknum has noticed that Apple has been on a Siri-related hiring spree in recent months, with 161 positions listed as of the end of March. There's been an uptick ever since summer 2016, but there was a distinct surge in February of this year.
This has been a good week for Galaxy Note 8 owners, as the AT&T, Sprint, and Verizon versions of the device have all been updated to Android 8.0. Now it looks like T-Mobile Note 8 users won't have to wait long for their own Oreo treat.
T-Mobile has approved the Android Oreo update for its version of the Galaxy Note 8, says T-Mo product guy Des Smith. The update will begin rolling out over the air as early as the night of Sunday, April 1.
THIS JUST IN! @TMobile #GalaxyNote8 #Android #Oreo update approved! Will start hitting customers phones as early as Sunday night!!! (No April Fool's here) - Des pic.twitter.com/r1yEl2myMW
— Des (@askdes) March 30, 2018
Getting bumped up to Android Oreo brings new features like picture-in-picture, which will let you watch video from one app while using another app, and autofill. Oreo also includes notification dots so that you can glance at your home screen and see which apps have alerts for you.
We're sure to learn more about T-Mobile's Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update when it begins rolling out. Until then, you T-Mo Note 8 owners can rest easy knowing that it won't be long before you get to sink your teeth into an Oreo treat.
Researchers can estimate your expected lifespan based on physiological traits like your genes or your circulating blood factor, but that's not very practical on a grand scale. There may be a shortcut, however: the devices you already have on your body. Russian scientists have crafted an AI-based algorithm that uses the activity tracking from smartphones and smartwatches to estimate your lifespan with far greater precision than past models.
Source: MIPT, Nature (PDF), App Store
We've seen quite a few deals on the Galaxy S9 and S9+ since the two flagships launched two weeks ago, and now another offer has launched.
T-Mobile is now offering a Buy One, Get One deal on the Samsung Galaxy S9. Specifically, customers who buy a Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9+, or Galaxy S8 Active can get $720 in bill credits when they buy a second Galaxy S9, S9+, or S8 Active. Those bill credits would cover the cost of a second Galaxy S9, but customers who choose an S9+ ($840) or S8 Active ($850) would still owe some money for their second device after the credits.
This deal is open to new and existing T-Mobile customers, but you do need to activate at least one new line of service to get it. You also need to purchase both phones on a 24-month Equipment Installment Plan and pay the down payment ($120 for the S9+, $130 for the S8 Active) and any applicable tax for your devices at the time of purchase.
T-Mo's Galaxy S9 deal will be available for a limited time and is valid only for purchases made starting today, March 30. It may be combined with other active offers, but two offers that it cannot be combined with are Carrier Freedom and Get Out of the Red.
This looks like a pretty nice deal for anyone interested, as the Galaxy S9 is a brand new flagship phone that looks to be pretty solid. The requirement of a new line may turn some people off, but if you know someone who wants to join you on T-Mobile or you and a friend want to switch together, this is definitely a deal to consider.
We're a skeptical bunch at Engadget, and when Huawei briefed us on its P20 Pro smartphone, listing an endless torrent of specifications and dubbing its Leica Triple Camera system "the most advanced camera on a phone yet," we collectively rolled our eyes. Forty-megapixel camera sensor? I've heard that one before, Huawei.
It was only once I was able to test the P20 Pro away from briefing rooms and technical demos (spending a day shooting around a rain-soaked Paris) that the phone started to win me over -- and others. If you like the idea of an accomplished 5x zoom function, and the potential for gorgeous nighttime photography, you have to consider Huawei's latest phones.
Source: Full size sample images (Flickr)
China's Legal Daily reported today that officials in the country just shut down a major smartphone smuggling scheme. A total of 26 suspects were arrested in connection with the plot. The individuals allegedly used drones to string two cables between Shenzhen in southern China and Hong Kong and with the setup, they could reportedly transport as many as 15,000 phones in a single night. Those arrested are accused of smuggling 500 million yuan (approximately $79.5 million) worth of smartphones.
Via: Reuters
Source: Legal Daily
Huawei has had a pretty rough few months, with AT&T and Verizon reportedly deciding not to sell the Mate 10 Pro due to pressure from the U.S. government and then Best Buy allegedly opting to stop offering all Huawei products. Despite all of this, though, the company isn't giving up its U.S. ambitions.
Richard Yu, CEO of Huawei's consumer business group, says that Huawei will continue working to establish itself in the U.S. and earn consumers' trust. Yu's statement to CNET:
"We are committed to the US market and to earning the trust of US consumers by staying focused on delivering world-class products and innovation. We would never compromise that trust."
Yu went on to say that the security concerns that the U.S. government has about Huawei are "based on groundless suspicions and are quite frankly unfair." He added that Huawei is open having a discussion with the heads of the CIA, FBI, and NSA so long as it is based on facts.
While Huawei has a significant international presence, the company hasn't been able to gain much traction in the U.S. That's because to date, it's only ever sold it's best phones unlocked, while most U.S. consumers buy their phones through their carrier. It's good to hear that Huawei is going to keep plugging along in the U.S. because products like the Mate 10 Pro and P20 Pro look like solid smartphones, but it's going to be difficult for the company to gain a significant foothold in the U.S. unless it can convince carriers to sell those products.
Our phones have improved so much over the years that it might be easy to think that we don't have to really deal with any settling as far as features are concerned. We might not have to make many sacrifices, to put it another way. At least that seems to be the case with high-end phones. We expect our flagship phones to be the best possible hardware in every single category, especially if we're forking over so much money.
That's a bit of a blessing and a curse, though.
Just look at the Pixel 2 XL last year. That's a smartphone that Google pegged as one of the best-of-the-best, especially in terms of the camera and build quality. Software, too, of course. But it didn't take long before the Pixel 2 XL was embroiled in a pretty big controversy related to its display. A lot of folks were unhappy with the screen's overall quality, and many were running into hardware defects.
Some of those issues were pretty big, and definitely needed Google's response. Some, though, were pretty minor, and probably would have gone under the radar if those other problems weren't cropping up at the same time. But it just goes to show how we all expect these devices to be worth the money, and if we're seeing distinct defects or we're made aware that the screen might not be as good as what else is out there, well, that can rub buyers the wrong way.
Google did right and improved the elements of the display it could. And I imagine, or hope, that they don't run into the same issues this year with the successor to the Pixel 2 XL.
I've been thinking about displays lately. I think it's one of the more interesting parts of a new phone's release, even if it's also pretty straightforward. We know that when Samsung launches a new phone it's going to have the best display on the market. But that's where devices from LG, Motorola, HTC, Essential, OnePlus, and others can be exciting. Maybe we'll finally see one of these other companies surprise us and launch a phone with an even better panel.
That's what Apple did last year with the iPhone X. We knew they were going to adopt OLED (finally), but the results were outstanding. The blue shift when the phone's tilted is pretty harsh, but that's just a byproduct of the technology. Even with that notch, the iPhone X's display is fantastic.
And then we've got the Galaxy S9 which managed to oust the iPhone X as the best display and we're neck-deep in the cycle all over again. Which is great! But I want to see other companies start to make a run for the crown, too. Can't always be a head-to-head race with Samsung and Apple.
That being said, I'm curious how important the screen on your smartphone is. After all, it's the window to all of our content on our most important device in our daily routine! Looking at a sub-par panel isn't any fun. But I can also understand why it might not be the most important part of your phone's many different aspects.
So how important is the display to you? Let me know!
Today, handset maker ZTE made the first Android Go phone available in the US. The Tempo Go retails for $80 and is available for purchase at the company's website.
Via: Android Police, The Verge
Source: ZTE
The first Android Go phone is now available for purchase.
The ZTE Tempo Go is now in stock on ZTE's web store. Pricing is set at $79.99, and the device includs free standard shipping.
ZTE's Tempo Go runs Android Go, a version of Android Oreo that's optimized for devices with 1GB of RAM or less. Android Go comes Google apps that are designed to used less memory and storage, including special versions of Google Maps and Gmail.
When it comes to hardware specs, the ZTE Tempo Go is packing a 5-inch 854x480 display, 5MP rear and 2MP front cameras, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and a microSD card slot. Also included is a quad-core Snapdragon 210 processor, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a 2,200mAh battery.
The ZTE Tempo Go is designed to be an affordable Android device for customers on a budget. Its features aren't going to blow anyone's hair back with raw performance, but for shoppers on a budget, the Tempo Go and its optimized Android Go software should be worth a look.
A few days after AT&T began updating its Galaxy Note 8 to Android 8.0 Oreo, two other major U.S. carriers have starting doing the same thing.
Android 8.0 Oreo is now arriving for the Verizon and Sprint versions of the Galaxy Note 8. PhoneDog readers Steve and Travis began getting their updates early this morning, and several Note 8 owners on Reddit have received their updates as well.
The update to Android 8.0 Oreo brings with it new features like picture-in-picture, autofill, and notification dots. Also included is the March 1, 2018 Android security patch and some Samsung-specific improvements.
These updates are now rolling out over the air, so if you've got a Galaxy Note 8 on Verizon or Sprint, you should see it over the coming days. You can also check for it manually by going into your Settings app.
Now we wait to see when T-Mobile will push out its own Galaxy Note 8 Oreo update.
Thanks, Steve and Travis!
Anime streaming network CrunchyRoll is making a video game based on the Is It Wrong to Try to Pick Up Girls in a Dungeon? series. The free-to-play Memoria Freese/Dan-Memo is available for both Android and iOS and will feature in-app purchases and an original storyline from the show's first season. Series creator Fujino Omori is handling writing duties, with Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, Inori Minase, Saori Ōnishi and others lending their talents to the voice cast. And don't worry about dubs here: CrunchyRoll promises there will be Japanese voices with English subtitles.
Snapchat is hosting a virtual egg hunt that will still give you a workout. Starting today, you'll find decorated eggs hidden in your local neighborhood's Snap Map, which usually displays public Stories in your area, if you're in the US and Canada. You'll find them in public locations, such as coffee shops, airports, malls, parks and campuses, since you'll have to physically go there to collect the virtual egg.
Love the T-Mobile Sidekick? If so, then the T-Mobile Sidekicks may be just what you need.
T-Mobile today announced the Sidekicks, the first ever Smartshoephone. These smart Converse Chuck Taylors include features like a touchscreen on the bottom of the shoe and a bonus slide-out screen built into the sole, retractable smart laces that double as earbuds and charging cables, a fitness tracker, and sole speakers.
The Sidekicks also have a built-in "No BS Assistant" that's voiced by T-Mobile CEO John Legere. Just say the phrase "Hey Sidekicks" and you can have T-Mo's CEO place calls, give you directions, and more.
Excited for the Sidekicks? Unfortunately, these Smartshoephones are an April Fools' Day joke, like last year's T-Mobile Onesie. Also like the T-Mobile Onesie, though, T-Mo is selling a version of the Sidekicks that are not smart.
You can pre-order your own pair of T-Mobile Sidekicks right now. These magenta Coverse Chuck Taylor sneakers have T-Mobile Sidekicks branding and are available in women's and men's sizing. Pricing is set at $65 per pair and pre-orders will be open until April 15. T-Mobile estimates that Sidekicks orders will begin shipping on April 15.
The T-Mobile Sidekick is one of the more beloved phones in recent history, and while T-Mo isn't bringing back the device quite yet, these Sidekicks could make be nice for fans of the flip-out phone. Are you going to buy a pair of T-Mobile Sidekicks?
ProtonMail's encrypted contacts are now readily available beyond the web -- the company has updated its Android and iOS email apps to add the privacy-minded contacts manager. It uses zero-access encryption to prevent everyone but you (yes, including ProtonMail) from seeing anything besides a name and email address, and includes digital signatures to check for signs of tampering. It's pitched as ideal for journalists who may need to protect their contacts, but it could be just as important to you if you're worried that a thief might use your contacts as a burglary hit list.
Via: VentureBeat
Source: ProtonMail
A couple of months after launching audiobooks on Google Play, Google is adding new features for folks that like to listen to their books.
Google says that it's got a handful of improvements for audiobooks, including some that integrate with Google Assistant and Google Home. They are:
These new features are rolling out today, and they're available on Android, iOS, and devices with Google Assistant.
If you've ever used MyFitnessPal, then you should be aware of a new data breach.
Under Armour says that personal details of around 150 million MyFitnessPal user accounts have been breached. The breach occurred in late February 2018, but Under Armour didn't learn about it until March 25, 2018.
The user data that was affected includes user names, email addresses, and hashed passwords, the majority of which have the hashing function called bcrypt used to secure passwords. Under Armour says that government identifiers like Social Security numbers and driver's license numbers were not affected.
Under Armour is currently investigating the breach and is working on the matter with "leading data security firms" as well as law enforcement.
It's good to hear that information like SSNs weren't a part of this breach, but this is still a big deal for Under Armour and MyFitnessPal users. Under Armour says that it has begun notifying MyFitnessPal users about the breach using both email and in-app messaging, so if you've used MyFitnessPal in the past, you should keep an eye out for a message from Under Armour.
Previous leaks have shown that LG may include a display notch on its next flagship smartphone, but before the device launches, the company wants to know what you think of notches.
An official LG Support account on Reddit is asking people what they think of display notches. The account says that it wants to "gather some more feedback to share with our R&D team", and even though the question was posted just two hours ago, lots of people have weighed in.
Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of responses are anti-notch, with users saying things like having a notch is "terrible design" and complaining that it ruins the symmetry of a phone's display. Some users have suggested that LG just use slim bezels around the display or, if LG does use a notch, give users the option to turn the status bar black to hide the notch.
Rumors have suggested that the LG G7 will have a 6-inch display with a notch at the top. The notch will let LG offer a slightly smaller device by sticking out into the display rather than having a full-on top bezel. As some of these Reddit users suggested, though, leaks have shown that LG may offer the option to turn the G7's status bar black to hide the notch.
What do you think of display notches?
Sportswear brand Under Armour announced today that its subsidiary MyFitnessPal was affected in a significant data beach, compromising as many as 150 million accounts, according to CNBC. Account information involved in the breach includes user names, email addresses, and hashed passwords, but no financial information like credit card numbers or government or identifiers like social security numbers.
Under Armour acquired MyFitnessPal, a website and mobile app for tracking diet and exercise activity, in 2015 for $475 million, when MyFitnessPal had 80 million users. The service has since more than doubled in size thanks in part to the company’s largely agnostic approach to apps and fitness trackers, nearly all of which can be plugged into...
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Recent speed tests showed T-Mobile's network posting download speeds higher than 500Mbps using License Assisted Access (LAA) LTE in New York City. Now AT&T's network has done the same thing in Chicago.
Speed tests conducted by PCMag show AT&T's LTE network putting up speeds of 537Mbps in downtown Chicago. The test was conducted using a retail Galaxy S9 on AT&T's regular LTE network, which included LAA small cell sites. They aggregating 15MHz of LTE Band 2 with 60MHz of LAA coverage.
While 537Mbps was the top download speed that the Galaxy S9 achieved, PCMag was able to get some pretty respectable speeds in other locations. This includes 273Mbps down at Kinzie and Dearborn in River North and an average of 424.2Mbps near the Merchandise Mart.
AT&T began deploying LAA in Indianapolis late last year, and since then it's been deployed in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago, too. AT&T plans to roll out LAA in 24 cities in 2018.
You will need a phone that supports LAA to take advantage of the improved coverage. Devices like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S9 support LAA, as does the Galaxy Note 8, LG V30, and Moto Z2 Force Edition.
LAA is another way that U.S. carriers are bolstering their 4G LTE networks while they begin building out their 5G coverage. AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon are deploying LAA, which utilizes unlicensed 5GHz spectrum. LAA coverage doesn't reach very far, but for devices within range of a small cell site, it can help to offer seriously faster speeds.
Hit the source link below for more details on AT&T's LAA coverage and speeds in Chicago.
Apple released iOS 11.3 today, and along with a slew of other fun additions, the update includes a new feature: Health Records. If you're a patient within certain health systems -- like Duke, NYU Langone, Stanford and Yale -- you can view your medical records on your iPhone.
Source: Apple, Apple | Health Records feature
Instagram and Snapchat completely removed Giphy stickers from their apps after finding racist GIFs, but the feature is now ready to come back... on Instagram, that is. The photo-centric social network has restored stickers after Giphy said it "made specific changes to our [moderation] process" to prevent a repeat incident. Snapchat hadn't made a similar move as of this writing (it reiterated its earlier position in a statement to TechCrunch), but it may be just a matter of time if the company is satisfied with Giphy's response.
Source: TechCrunch
The Razer Phone launched late last year with Android 7.1 Nougat, and owners may be wondering when they'll get their Oreo update. Today Razer shed some light on its update plans.
Razer says that it plans to skip Android 8.0 and go straight to Android 8.1 on the Razer Phone. The update will launch in mid to late April.
If you don't feel like waiting a month to get Oreo on your Razer Phone, you can try the update right now by flashing Razer's Android 8.1 Oreo Developer Preview. Keep in mind that flashing this factory image will wipe all of the data on your Razer Phone and that, because this is pre-release software, the update will contain bugs.
Attention Razer Phone owners! We’re making the jump straight to Android 8.1 Oreo and we’re pleased to announce that the update will be coming to you mid to late April 2018.
Want in on the milk and cookies early? Download the Developer Preview now. https://t.co/4ftaevUT4x pic.twitter.com/SIvzOQQDQo
— R Λ Z Ξ R (@Razer) March 29, 2018
Also of note is that the Android 8.1 Developer Preview may not contain all carrier-specific features like VoLTE, enhanced voicemail, and Wi-Fi Calling support. Finally, there will be no over the air (OTA) updates for the official Android 8.1 Oreo release. So if you flash this Developer Preview, you will have to also manually flash the official Android 8.1 release when it becomes available.
Some Razer Phone owners may be frustrated about waiting another month for their Oreo update, but at least then they'll be on the absolute latest and greatest version of Android. It's good to see Razer being transparent about its update plans and even offering a preview of its Android 8.1 update for developers and eager Razer Phone owners that don't mind dealing with some bugs in exchange for getting to try their Oreo update early.
In iOS 11.3 (and macOS 10.13.5), Apple has introduced a new data and privacy feature where users can get a better understanding of how their data is used. Now whenever Apple asks for access to information to enable certain features or experiences, a privacy icon will appear -- two blue silhouettes shaking hands -- along with detailed privacy info for those who want to learn about what's being done with their data.
Apple is updating nearly all of its operating systems today. Alongside the newest iOS 11.3, the company has released new versions for its tvOS, WatchOS and HomePod, which is getting its first post-launch update. Unfortunately, the hotly-anticipated AirPlay 2 is nowhere to be found.
Via: 9to5Mac, AppleInsider
Source: Apple
Instagram was very quick to remove GIFs from Stories after it was discovered that Giphy — the company responsible for overseeing the GIF library — had let a racist image slip through. (Snapchat also removed GIFs as a result of the incident.) But now the ability to add GIFs to your Instagram Stories is being restored, according to TechCrunch.
Giphy removed the racist GIF sticker immediately after being alerted of its presence. “After investigation, a bug was found in our content moderation filters affecting stickers,” the company said. That bug has since been resolved, and Giphy claims it has re-moderated the entire GIF sticker library four times to be absolutely sure there’s no other inappropriate content. It’s also tightening future...
Apple said that iOS 11.3 would launch to the public this spring, and a little more than one week after spring began, the update has arrived.
iOS 11.3 is now available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch. The update brings with it several new features, including four new Animoji: a dragon, a bear, a skull, and a lion. Also included is ARKit 1.5, which will enable better augmented reality experiences.
Another major upgrade included with iOS 11.3 is Battery Health. With this feature, iOS will tell you whether or not your phone's battery is at maximum capacity and its peak performance capability. It'll also be able to tell you if your phone's performance is being slowed due to the age of the battery, and if it is, it'll allow you to disable that performance throttling, though your phone could end up unexpectedly shutting down as a result.
Other notable features in the iOS 11.3 update include Business Chat for Messages, which will let you talk to businesses inside the Messages app and order products, as well as a Health Records feature that'll combine all of your health data in one place and will send you notifications about lab results, medications, and more. It will only work with hospitals and clinics that participate in the app, though.
You can download iOS 11.3 by going into Settings > General > Software Update on your iOS device.
Also released today is watchOS 4.3, which brings with it support for portrait Nighstand mode, the ability to control music playing on an iPhone to be controlled with the Music app on the Apple Watch, a new charging animation, and more. Apple today released tvOS 11.3 for the Apple TV, too.
Apple launched iOS 11.3 this morning, bringing updates to ARKit, introducing Health Records and, most notably, adding new battery features. The update comes just a few months after Apple drew scorn for its practice of slowing down processor speeds on iPhones with aging batteries, and the new indicators help address users' concerns about throttling and artificial breakdowns.
Google recently added audiobooks to Google Play, allowing users to listen to their favorite reads across Android, iOS, web, and home speakers, and presenting another option for readers aside from Audible or iBooks. The company has now rolled out some new features to listeners, allowing them to save bookmarks and add books to their daily routine.
The updates rolled out today for Android, iOS, and devices that use Google Assistant.
In all, there are four updated features for listeners. If you pause your book, Google will rewind to the beginning of a word or sentence. Second, Google now allows listeners to adjust the speed of the narration; you can set it to 3x speed to get through your book faster, or slow narration down to 0.5x. Third,...
Twitter is introducing a feature called Timestamps that will allow anyone to tweet a live video or replay that starts at the exact moment they want it to. Twitter said it decided to introduce the feature after seeing users tweet live videos along with a specific time in the video they wanted to talk about.
To use Timestamps, you just tap to share a live video. The video will then pop up, and you can use the scroll bar to select the time you want your followers to start watching. Then, you can add whatever description you want to tweet and share it. The video will start playing from the time specified for anyone who sees the tweet. If the broadcast is still live, though, users can also select the “live” button to skip forward to what...
iOS has become one of the two most popular mobile operating systems on the planet, with Android filling in the other spot. It is used by millions of people all across the globe, and Apple has taken years to refine the software in a variety of different ways. We've seen features come and go, and we've seen elements like Control Center get changed quite a bit. And while there may be some issues folks still have with Apple's mobile operating system, it stands that iOS has improved over the years, and it certainly deserves its place in the market.
That being said, and while I'm an iOS user for my daily driver more often than not, I can also say that while the software has improved and added some great features, it can also be wildly frustrating sometimes. And in light of Apple about to release iOS 11.3 out into the world, I wanted to reach out to you, whether you're current iOS users or not, and find out what you've found frustrating about the software.
There is a bit of a silver lining here, though. At least on my part.
I've opted to use iOS as my daily driver for a variety of reasons, but that doesn't mean it's not capable of driving me insane from time to time. But, while that's easy to admit, I can also say that these issues aren't actually problems with iOS's feature set, or even something that's missing. In reality the issues I have with iOS are related to software bugs.
But let's not beat around the bush: software bugs that linger for any considerable amount of time are issues, full stop. The longer they're around the more it can feel like "that's an iOS thing" or "that's an Android thing", which is definitely a problem.
So, what annoys me about iOS? Most of these issues aren't happening on a daily basis, thankfully, but some are. Like the stock Weather app's widget not updating to the current time of day or temperature. This is definitely one of those "you had one job!" scenarios, and the weather widget fails on this way too often. Even as I'm writing this, the widget is telling me the weather for 11:00 PM -- except that it's 8:40 AM local time, so that's not helpful!
The worst issue, though, and when it crops up makes me want to just shut down the iPhone X altogether, is a broken lock screen. I've had this issue pop up randomly, just switching on the display, or when I leave an app, lock the screen, and then, a few moments later, unlock it because I need to do something else. In these situations the lock screen is just . . . gone. I can see my background image and that's it. No clock. No notifications.
And, worse, no music controls.
The only way to get it back consistently is to restart the phone (which, at least, satiates my need to turn off the phone and walk away for a bit). But sometimes it will just come back and start working like it should. This is by far the most annoying part of iOS right now for me.
But, that silver lining? iOS 11.3 is going to probably get released today and I know that at least one of those issues is going to get fixed for me. Or at least Apple says it's going to get fixed. I'll have to wait and see if that's actually the case. Fingers crossed!
But, what about you? What's the most annoying part of iOS in your opinion, whether you're currently using iOS or have used it in the past? It can be a bug, or bugs, like in my case. Or it can be something like still not being able to select default apps outside of Apple's own stock options. Either way, let me know!
Earlier this year, Samsung committed to enabling the FM radio chips in its upcoming smartphones in the U.S. and Canada. But while the carrier versions of the Galaxy S9 do indeed have FM radio support, it turns out that the unlocked models don't.
According to NextRadio, makers of an FM radio app for Android and iOS, Samsung forgot to add the NAM FM API to its unlocked devices. The good news is that Samsung will add it in with the first update that it releases for the unlocked S9, according to the statement NextRadio gave to Android Police:
"Samsung mistakenly did not add the NAB FM API to the unlocked devices. Our team confirmed this with them a couple of days after release upon receiving reports the app did not work. Samsung has said it will be in the first update they do, but have not yet settled on a date.
The model numbers are SM-G960UI and SM-G965UI that do not currently work for FM. SM-G960U and SM-G965U are sold through carriers and do work for FM."
FM radio is handy because it lets you tune in to music or talk radio without you having to worry about your cellular connection or data usage. It's free, too, so you can use it whenever you want without having to pony up $10 per month like you do with popular music streaming services. Owners of the unlocked Galaxy S9 in the U.S. may be frustrated that their expensive new flagship phone doesn't have these features because it lacks FM radio support, but thankfully a fix is comoing.
Do you ever listen to FM radio on your smartphone?
Pinterest is introducing a big, but decidedly familiar new feature today: a feed, which will show recent pins from the people and boards you’re following. And mercifully, the feed will largely be shown in chronological order.
The current Pinterest experience already revolves around a feed of pins, but it doesn’t take into account who you follow all that much. Over time, Pinterest says it found that the pins it algorithmically placed in the feed saw much higher engagement than pins from people that users chose to follow, so its main feed has grown to become almost entirely algorithmic, based around interests that users have selected and the things they’ve been pinning.
That feed isn’t going to change. But Pinterest says it’s heard from...
Apple announced it would be giving music videos their own section in Apple Music as part of the iOS 11.3 update, but today, it did so even before publicly releasing the new version of iOS. Music videos can be found under the main “browse” tab of the Music app.
Apple Music has given subscribers access to music videos ever since the subscription service launched. The new section is meant to make give those videos more prominence, highlight new additions / exclusives, and serve up curated video playlists such as “Today’s Video Hits” and “The A-List: Pop Videos.” Apple says its ad-free, curated approach makes Apple Music the “best music video-watching experience available anywhere.”
Is it enough to pull people off away from YouTube / Vevo...
After a series of VR apps like The Wall and USS Eisenhower VR, USA Today Network is now exploring storytelling on another new (ish) platform: AR. 321 Launch is the network's first AR app, and it's designed to deliver what it says is the "industry's first, multi-layered interactive experience for space news and content." It's a collaboration between USA Today and one of the company's local news brands Florida Today, which makes sense since the Kennedy Space Center is in that state. The app releases today, and you can try it out if you're using an iPhone 6S or later with at least iOS 11, or a handset running Android 7.0 or newer. If you're a space buff or enthusiast, you'll probably enjoy it.
Way, way back in 2009 we were all left to the mercy of Palm and Sprint, as the two companies worked together to launch the Palm Pre into the wild. What looked like just "another slider phone" quickly turned into something much more, and webOS became one of the best mobile operating systems on the market. We'd see devices like the Pre 2 and the Pixi find their way out the door later, and, if you're anything like me, that Pixi smartphone surprised you quite a bit.
webOS is one of those things from the past that I wish would make a huge comeback. Just surprise everyone with not only a stable, super user-friendly user interface, but also plenty of developer support for its burgeoning app store. The latter would probably be impossible these days (just look at Windows 10 Mobile), but the former seems like it could be possible.
Will it happen? Probably not. But I can't help but start wishing when I hear that TCL is going to launch a Palm-branded smartphone later this year.
That news arrived earlier tonight, and I was a little bummed to see that there wasn't much in the way of details at the time. There still isn't: we don't know what this phone will look like, what it might feature, and what operating system it's going to be running. But of course the likely bet --the safest bet-- is that the new Palm phone is going to be running Android.
I am oddly still excited to see Palm resurrected into the smartphone market, even if we'll ultimately see "just another Android phone". But I've got hope that the new Palm smartphone will be something worthwhile, even if we're just looking at newer BlackBerry-branded smartphones. TCL has been doing some solid work there, so I'm hoping we see the same thing with the Palm brand.
But, all that being said, I have to ask: do you want a Palm smartphone? By now I imagine most of you have picked your favorite smartphones manufacturer(s), and while Palm is definitely a recognizable brand for some of us, it might not be for everyone. Getting someone to replace their Samsung smartphone for a Palm device would take some legendary marketing and hardware specs, I think.
In an unrealistic vision of the future, I'd throw money at my computer screen if TCL announced a new Palm smartphone with an updated version of webOS on board, with all the necessary apps ready to go right out of the gate. But, while I'm still excited to see which hardware design comes to light later this year, I can't help but be a bit skeptical if a new Palm phone is going to make any impact at all.
What do you think? Do you think TCL will launch a high-end flagship smartphone with the Palm brand? Or will we see a mid-range, or even an entry-level smartphone launched into the market? Are you excited for a Palm phone running Android? What design do you want to see: Pre or Pixi? Let me know!
We've seen flagships like the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy Note 8 get updated to Oreo in recent weeks, and now it's time for an LG flagship to get the same treat.
The LG V30 is now receiving its Android 8.0 Oreo update. Specifically, it's the AT&T model that's being updated.
V30 owners that've gotten the 1.8GB update say that it includes Android 8.0 Oreo, the March 2018 Android security patches, and AI camera features found on LG's V30S ThinQ. For example, the AI Cam feature uses machine learning to recognize what your camera is being pointed at and show keywords on-screen. You can then use those keywords to make sure that the camera's settings are set up for whatever you're photographing to help you get a better picture.
It's good to see another Android phone get its update to Oreo, and LG V30 owners will have even more new goodies to look forward to since they're getting some new ThinQ camera features. If you've got an LG V30 on AT&T and you haven't gotten your Oreo update yet, you can check for it manually by going into Settings > General tab > About phone > Software Update > Update now.
The Samsung Gear S2 is getting a bit long in the tooth, having launched two and a half years ago. If you're still rocking the Tizen smartwatch on a daily basis, though, you'll be happy to know that it's getting some new features.
Samsung has announced a new update for the Gear S2. This update will introduce a clearer user interface that optimizes the icons and widgets for the Gear S2's round display and unifies the appearance of each screen, making the content easier to read.
Samsung has also added an Apps Shortcut widget to display your most recently used apps and your manually selected favorites, and a Quick Panel that'll let you easily toggle settings like display brightness and volume. The Quick Panel can be accessed by swiping down from all screens.
Another notable change of this update is to Samsung Health. Info like pace count and heart rate are easier to read at a glance, and a new Multi-workout widget will let you set your preferred workouts as presets. More inactivity alerts are being added, too, and a Weight Management feature will show your daily exercise and caloric intake. You'll be able to control exercise video content on your Samsung TV or phone with your Gear S2 as well.
This update will enable you to control more devices with your Gear S2 smartwatch. The Gear VR Controller app will let you control your Gear VR headset with your Gear S2 smartwatch, and the PPT Controller app will let you control PowerPoint slides, including a timer.
Finally, the Gear S2 can offer weather forecasts with daily high and low temperatures, wind chill, sunrise and sunset times, UV index, and more.
If you've got a Gear S2, you can download this update using the Samsung Gear app. This sounds like a significant update for the Gear S2, and it's awesome to see Samsung continue to update the device with new features and usability improvements more than two years into its life.
Last year, a TCL executive teased that we might see something new from Palm in 2018, and now it looks like that really could end up happening.
A Palm-branded device made by TCL will launch on Verizon in the second half of 2018, according to an Android Police source. Unfortunately, no other details of the release or the device itself are known right now.
TCL originally bought the Palm brand way back in early 2015, but so far we haven't really seen TCL do much with it, as the company has been focusing on cranking out BlackBerry products instead. Now it appears that TCL is ready to stage a revival of the famed Palm brand.
We'll have to wait a bit longer before we know anything about this upcoming Palm device, but it's probably a good bet that whatever it is, it'll run Android. Palm released a few webOS sliders with physical keyboards like the Palm Pre, Pre 2, and the HP Veer, and it'd be kind of neat to see an updated version of the Pre running Android. Who knows if that's something that TLC and Palm will end up doing, though.
What kind of Palm device would you like to see from TCL?
