Lenovo Z5 with all-screen design will be officially introduced on June 5th

Lenovo got our attention with its recent teasers of the Z5, a new phone with an all-screen design, and now we know when we'll officially meet the device.

The Lenovo Z5 will be announced on June 5th at an event in China. Details on the device are still pretty light, but Lenovo has dropped a couple more teaser images that show parts of the Z5 and its all-screen design.

We've been seeing smartphone bezels get pretty slim lately, but many devices still have noticeable top or bottom bezels or a notch or something similar. While the Lenovo Z5 may not be truly edge-to-edge, it does boast a screen-to-body ratio of 95 percent, so it will be pretty darn close. The fact that Lenovo's event is being held in China suggests that the Z5 may be primarily targeted at that market, but this device is still one to keep an eye on.

Lenovo

Lenovo Z5 with all-screen design will be officially introduced on June 5th originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Taking a closer look at the transparent Xiaomi Mi 8

Out of the handful of new devices from Xiaomi today, it was the Mi 8 Explorer Edition that stole the show with its transparent design. Right after the keynote, I had to fight a crowd to get up close and personal with one of the few demo devices available, and it was worth the effort. While Xiaomi's website has stated that what's on display doesn't correspond to every single component, a company rep claimed that they are actually all legit, especially the Snapdragon chipset -- which is basically free promotion for Qualcomm-- and its surrounding electrical components. Assuming this is indeed the truth, what remains a mystery is whether this kind of layout would suffer from weaker heat dissipation.

Taking a closer look at the transparent Xiaomi Mi 8 posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Google launches a beta of Neighbourly, an app for crowdsourcing local questions

Google is taking another shot at social apps with the beta release of Neighbourly, a new, hyperlocal-focused app designed to answer your questions, via The Next Web.

The company envisions Neighbourly as a sort of crowdsourced city guide. The residents who know your city best can use the app to share tips, tricks, shortcuts, and recommendations with less in-the-know residents.

Users will be able to ask questions, submit answers, and follow other people’s questions if they’re interested to see the results through a simple stack of cards. According to The Next Web, Neighbourly is starting off with a limited beta. It’s only available on Android and only open to residents of Mumbai, with support for English and eight Indian languages.

In...

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Google launches a beta of Neighbourly, an app for crowdsourcing local questions appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Will you buy the Google Pixel 3 XL if it has a notch design?

Last year, Essential introduced the world to the first smartphone with a notch. Soon after, Apple welcomed the iPhone X, which has a decidedly larger notch on the top of the screen. Since then we have seen a flood of new smartphones that incorporate the notch design. At this point, I think it's safe to say that Essential and Apple both had their reasons, and now the rest appear to just be copying a bold decision from both of those companies.

As a result, we get to live with the notch for the foreseeable future.

Which is fine for some people. At least on some Android phones you can tweak the software to actually hide the notch (kind of). Of course, there are still some companies out there, like Samsung, who refuse to jump on the notch bandwagon. Who knows if that will change at some point in the future, but for now Samsung appears to be holding fast.

And then there's Google. Earlier this year we heard that the Android team had made changes to officially support devices with notch designs, which, at the time, only seemed to give a bit of assistance to smartphone manufacturers who were obviously going to be adopting the choice for their own devices. But it was more than likely always more about building in support for the company's own future smartphone.

And sure enough the rumor mill has been pumping out reports that at least one of the new Pixel smartphones that will be announced later this year will be adopting the notch design. The Pixel 3 XL will reportedly reduce the bezels even more than what we saw with the Pixel 2 XL, and the top will have a "taller" notch than what's present in the iPhone X.

Not too long ago a friend of mine told me that if Google adopts the notch, they'll probably switch to Samsung for their upgrade later this year. They are not a fan of the notch design at all and I don't blame them. I've had to force myself to get used to it, and, even all these months later, I still kind of hate it.

But where do you stand with the design decision? If Google does indeed adopt the notch design for the upcoming flagship Pixel 3 XL, will you pick one up? Or is that a move that will make you jump ship from the Pixel smartphone lineup? Let me know!

Google Pixel 2 XL

Google

Will you buy the Google Pixel 3 XL if it has a notch design? originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is an affordable fitness tracker with a 20-day battery life

Alongside its trio of new Mi 8 phones, Xiaomi today took the wraps off of a new wearable device.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 features a 0.78-inch 128x80 OLED capacitive touchscreen that can show you incoming messages, let you see and reject incoming calls, view weather info, and morew. It can also show health data like your heart rate and step count.

In addition to tracking your heart rate and steps, the Mi Band 3 can monitor your sleep. The device is waterproof up to 50 meters, too, so you can wear it while swimming without worry.

Xiaomi says that the 110mAh battery in the Mi Band 3 can last for around 20 days on a single charge.

The Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is compatible with devices running Android 4.4 and up or iOS 9.0 and up. It's launching in China at a price of 169 yuan ($26 USD). While it may not be the most advanced fitness tracker out there, the Mi Band 3 looks like a nice wearable for its low price, offering activity and sleep tracking along with smartphone notifications in a small, affordable package.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi Mi Band 3 is an affordable fitness tracker with a 20-day battery life originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Apple will make digital health a focal point at WWDC

Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference kicks off on Monday and it looks like we can expect more of a focus on software tweaks and little in the way of hardware updates. Bloomberg reports that while MacBook and MacBook Pro refreshes -- including the addition of new Intel chips -- and a new lower cost option to follow the MacBook Air are in the works, they're not expected until later this year. Same for a revamped iPad Pro line. Bloomberg also notes that some bigger changes to software, including a new Home Screen, an AI upgrade for Photos and iPad file management tools, have been pushed to next year.

Via: Bloomberg

Apple will make digital health a focal point at WWDC posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Apple has blocked Telegram from updating its iOS app, says founder

If you're wondering why Telegram hasn't updated its iOS app in two months, there's a clear reason for that, according to founder and CEO Pavel Durov. He says Apple blocked Telegram from issuing updates after Russia ordered the app's removal from the App Store last month.

Source: Pavel Durov (Telegram)

Apple has blocked Telegram from updating its iOS app, says founder posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Uganda passes tax law on social media users to curb ‘gossiping’ online

Uganda’s parliament has passed a law to tax those who use social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Viber, and WhatsApp, as reported by BBC. The controversial tax was first introduced in April after the country’s president, Yoweri Museveni, wrote a letter to the treasury stating that social media encouraged gossip that was costing Uganda time and income.

The tax will come into effect on June 1st, imposing a 200 shilling ($0.05) levy per day on those who use social media platforms, but it’s unclear how it will be enforced. About 17 million people, or 41 percent of Uganda’s total population, use the internet, and there doesn’t seem to be a definitive plan on monitoring how and when social media sites are accessed. According to the...

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Uganda passes tax law on social media users to curb ‘gossiping’ online appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Xiaomi intros Mi 8 flagship, Mi 8 Explorer Editon with transparent back panel

We're deep in new flagship season, and today Xiaomi took part by unveiling its latest high-end smartphone.

The Xiaomi Mi 8 is another smartphone that gets in on the display notch trend. Inside that notch is a 20MP front-facing camera with a 1.8μm pixel size, proximity sensor, earpiece, and a combo of infrared lighting and an infrared lens for face unlock that works in the dark. The display itself is a 6.21-inch 2248x1080 AMOLED panel from Samsung.

Around back there's a dual rear camera setup with two 12MP sensors. The main 12MP sensor has a wide angle lens, optical image stabilization, 1.4 μm pixel size, and an f/1.8 aperture, while the second 12MP sensor is a telephoto lens with an f/2.4 aperture. Xiaomi touts that the Mi 8 earned a score of 99 from camera testing group DxOMark, the same as the Galaxy S9+ and higher than phones like the Pixel 2 and iPhone X.

Inside the Mi 8 is a Snapdragon 845 processor paired with 6GB of RAM and up to 256GB of storage. A 3400mAh battery powers the whole phone, and recharging is done over USB Type-C. Also of note is that there's a fingerprint reader on the back of the phone and a dual-frequency GPS that Xiaomi says will increase the location accuracy of the Mi 8.

The Mi 8 will be available in China starting at 2699 yuan ($421 USD) for the 6GB/64GB model and going up to 2999 yuan ($468 USD) for the 6GB/128GB model and 3299 yuan ($515 USD) for the 6GB/256GB version.

Also announced today is a limited edition version of the Mi 8 called the Mi 8 Explorer Edition. It adds an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 3D Face Unlock feature that uses "advanced structured light technology". The back of the phone features a transparent design that shows the internals of the device.

The Mi 8 Explorer Edition will launch in China in July with 8GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 3699 yuan ($577 USD) price tag.

Finally, there's the Mi 8 SE. This device has a design that's similar to the standard Mi 8 but with a smaller 5.88-inch 2244x1080 AMOLED display. It's also the first phone with a Snapdragon 710 processor.

Other specs of the Mi 8 SE include a dual rear camera setup with 12MP and 5MP sensors, a 20MP front-facing camera, up to 6GB of RAM, and 64GB of storage. The battery in the Mi 8 SE is a bit smaller than the one in the Mi 8, measuring in at 3120mAh. The price tag is smaller, too, starting at 1799 yuan ($281 USD) for the 4GB/64GB model and going up to 1999 yuan ($312 USD) for the 6GB/64GB version.  

Xiaomi

Xiaomi intros Mi 8 flagship, Mi 8 Explorer Editon with transparent back panel originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Bizarre Android bug displays private text messages

Android smartphones are susceptible to a strange glitch that shows recent text messages when a specific malformed web address is entered. If you type "the1975..com" (with two periods) into the Google app, it delivers a summary of recent conversations instead of performing a search or attempting to pull up the eponymous rock band's website.

Via: ZDNet

Source: Reddit

Bizarre Android bug displays private text messages posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Alcatel 1X launching in the U.S. next week with Android Oreo (Go edition), $99.99 price tag

The Alcatel 1X first made its debut in February at MWC, then Alcatel confirmed a couple of months later that the 1X would be making its way to the U.S. Now we know when it'll launch.

Alcatel's 1X will be available from Amazon next week for $99.99. It'll make its way to Best Buy and Walmart.com, too, launching at those retailers in the coming weeks. The Alcatel 1X is sold unlocked and is compatible with GSM networks.

In case you need a refresher, the Alcatel 1X runs Android Oreo (Go edition), a version of Android Oreo that's optimized to run entry-level hardware. Additionally, Google has optimized many of its apps for these devices so that the Go editions take up less storage and save data usage.

Alcatel has equipped the 1X with a 5.3-inch 960x480 display with 18:9 aspect ratio, a quad-core MediaTek MT6739 processor, 1GB of RAM, and a 2460mAh battery. There's also 16GB of built-in storage and a microSD card slot that'll let you add 32GB of additional storage.

Rounding out the Alcatel 1X's hardware specs are 8MP rear and 5MP front cameras, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and a rear fingerprint reader. On the software side, Alcatel touts that the 1X includes Social Mode to help you take, edit, and share photos, as well as a Social Square mode that'll let you view recent photos on one half of your screen and use the camera viewfinder on the other half.

At $100 unlocked, the Alcatel 1X is an intriguing device for anyone in the market for an ultra-affordable device. The specs are pretty entry-level, but because Android Oreo (Go edition) is optimized for that, the lower-end specs should be an issue with regard to performance. If you're in the market for a low-cost device, the Alcatel 1X could be worth considering when it launches next week.

Alcatel

Alcatel 1X launching in the U.S. next week with Android Oreo (Go edition), $99.99 price tag originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Alcatel's first Android Go phone reaches the US next week

ZTE's Android Go phone might be hard to get in the US thanks to its trade debacle, but don't worry -- there's another option on the way. As teased in March, Alcatel is releasing its Go-equipped 1X phone in the US sometime next week (the first full week of June) in a carrier-unlocked form for $100. It'll be available through Amazon at first, but should be available through Best Buy and Walmart's online store in the weeks ahead. As with other Go devices, the hardware isn't really the highlight here -- it's all about the software.

Source: Alcatel

Alcatel's first Android Go phone reaches the US next week posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Lenovo's true all-screen phone will debut on June 5th

The smartphone arena is seeing more and more bezel-less contenders, as tech giants battle it out with their own version of what an all-screen phone means. According to Lenovo's Weibo page, the company is joining the fray very soon: the Z5 smartphone it teased in mid-May will debut in Beijing on June 5th (2PM local time). Unlike other Android-makers that took inspiration from the iPhone X's omnipresent notch, Lenovo chose to make the Z5 a notch-less device that's nearly all screen.

Via: The Verge

Source: Lenovo (1), (2), (3)

Lenovo's true all-screen phone will debut on June 5th posted first on https://www.engadget.com

OnePlus 6 face unlock can be fooled by a simple printout

For smartphones without home buttons, face unlocking has become a necessary and ostensibly more secure method for preventing unauthorized access. The iPhone X and Samsung Galaxy S9 have adopted the technology, but it turns out there's a way to cheat the system -- for the OnePlus 6, anyway. Twitter user @rikvduijn discovered that it's possible to exploit the face unlock feature with a printed color copy of the phone owner's face.

Via: 9to5Google, Phone Arena

Source: Twitter

OnePlus 6 face unlock can be fooled by a simple printout posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Samsung phones will offer AI-powered medical consultations in the UK

Samsung phones sold in the UK will soon come pre-installed with Babylon's AI-powered medical consultation technology, according to Financial Times. The Korean tech giant has reportedly forged a deal with the startup, which you might know for its partnership with the UK's NHS called "GP at Hand" that lets you book doctor consultations via video chat. Like GP at Hand, the technology Samsung will pre-install on its devices will also allow you to arrange video consultations with a doctor and to check symptoms through its Health app. FT says the deal will "propel Babylon further into the market for private medical care," which probably means you'll be able to use the technology to secure video appointments with private GPs.

Source: Financial Times

Samsung phones will offer AI-powered medical consultations in the UK posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Philips’ app that syncs Hue lights with computer displays is surprisingly good

Today, Philips is making its Hue Sync app available to anyone looking to synchronize their Hue lights with whatever’s running on their Windows or Mac computer. Hue Sync detects whatever colors it sees on the screen and then projects a matching aura onto the walls around it. It works with anything, really, even music and web browsing, but the experience is especially immersive when gaming or watching video at full screen. It works surprisingly well, too. I know because I’ve been testing a pre-release version of the app on an iMac for the past few days.

Let me guess: like me, you spend a lot of time behind your home computer. Maybe it’s also the biggest screen in your house, surrounded by a rumbling speaker configuration that’s perfectly...

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Philips’ app that syncs Hue lights with computer displays is surprisingly good appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Xiaomi's transparent Mi 8 also does 3D face unlock

Xiaomi may have already released the Mi Mix 2S earlier this year, but it's actually kept its true 2018 flagship, the Mi 8, for marking its eight anniversary -- hence the jump from last year's "Mi 6." As announced in Shenzhen today, the new handset starts at 2,699 yuan (about $420) and comes in a familiar-looking dual-sided glass design, with the most notable difference being the new vertical dual camera -- exactly the same module found on the Mix 2S, according to Xiaomi. And yes, there's a notch, which is for accommodating an infrared front camera for facial recognition.

There's even a higher-end Mi 8 Explorer Edition which uses a more powerful 3D face scanner instead -- one that's similar to the TrueDepth camera on the iPhone X. Not only that, this version also has a fully transparent back to show off its chips and battery. For the sake of this cool look, there's no rear fingerprint reader; instead, this device uses an in-display fingerprint reader, which is backed by pressure activation to save power. This is priced at 3,699 yuan or about $580 off-contract.

Xiaomi's transparent Mi 8 also does 3D face unlock posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Apple releases iOS 11.4.1 beta 1 and watchOS 4.3.2 beta 1 updates

Now that iOS 11.4 is available to the public, it's time for Apple to begin beta testing its next iOS update.

iOS 11.4.1 beta 1 is now available to registered developers. If that's you, then you can download this update by going into Settings > General > Software Update on your device or by going to Apple's Developer Center on the web.

There's no word yet on what changes might be included in iOS 11.4.1. Considering that it's an x.x.1 release, though, we can likely expect bug fixes and under the hood improvements rather than any major new features.

Also released today is watchOS 4.3.2 beta 1. Like iOS 11.4.1, this update is likely focused on squashing bugs and improving performance.

Apple

Apple releases iOS 11.4.1 beta 1 and watchOS 4.3.2 beta 1 updates originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Google's Project Fi adding Moto G6, LG G7 ThinQ, and LG V35 ThinQ

Google's Project Fi is gaining three new non-Google smartphones.

The Moto G6, LG G7 ThinQ, and LG V35 ThinQ are all coming to Project Fi. You can pre-order the Moto G6 right now, and the LG G7 ThinQ and and LG V35 ThinQ will be available next month.

Here's how the pricing breaks down for these three new Project Fi phones:

• Moto G6: $199 or $8.29 per month for 24 months
• LG G7 ThinQ: $749 or $31.21 per month for 24 months
• LG V35 ThinQ: $899 or $37.46 per month for 24 months

It's great to see more phones coming to Project Fi, giving customers interested in the service more options. What's more, these options range from the affordable but still solid Moto G6 to the pricier but flagship-tier LG G7 ThinQ and LG V35 ThinQ. 

LG G7 ThinQ

Google

LG

Motorola

Google's Project Fi adding Moto G6, LG G7 ThinQ, and LG V35 ThinQ originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Google brings AR tours to its Expeditions field trip app

Last year, Google announced that it was working on bringing AR to its Expeditions platform and since then, it has been testing AR expeditions with around one million students. Today, the company has made those AR tours available to everyone, adding around 100 of them to the Expeditions app. Now anyone can check out the planets of our solar system, Leonardo Da Vinci's inventions, the skeletal system, art and a number of other AR tours with their phone. "AR takes the abstract and makes it concrete to the students," California teacher Darin Nakakihara said in a statement. "We wouldn't be able to see a heart right on the desk, what it looks like when beating and the blood circulating."

Source: Google

Google brings AR tours to its Expeditions field trip app posted first on https://www.engadget.com

New Google Lens features are now live on Android phones

It wasn't too long ago that Google announced a slew of new features coming to its various products, from the terrifyingly realistic Duplex phone-calling Assistant to the tantalizingly useful camera-based navigation for Maps. These new tools are starting to trickle out, and some of the first to arrive are updates to Lens, Google's app that provides "real-time answers to questions about the world around you." Now, things like Style Match and Smart Text Selection are available to all "devices featuring Lens in Google Assistant," according to the company. That means basically all Android phones now have the updates, while iOS users will have to wait awhile till Google Photos receives the new software.

New Google Lens features are now live on Android phones posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Project Fi now works with LG's newest phones and Moto's affordable G6

In spite of recent additions, Google's Project Fi hasn't had great device choices. You've hadto buy a Pixel if you want a high-end phone, and the most affordable modern option has been the mid-tier Moto X4. No more -- Project Fi now supports three more third-party phones that fill in some huge gaps in the experimental carrier's roster. You can now use LG's G7 ThinQ and just-unveiled V35 ThinQ, for starters. They're not cheap at $749 and $899 respectively, but they do give you a viable choice if you feel the Pixel 2 is long in the tooth (or just prefer LG's self-branded designs).

Source: Google

Project Fi now works with LG's newest phones and Moto's affordable G6 posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Moto G6 now available through Amazon's discounted Prime Exclusive program

Amazon's Prime Exclusive family of devices is growing again.

The Moto G6 Prime Exclusive is now available from Amazon. It's sold unlocked and is compatible with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon.

Like other Prime Exclusive phones, buying this model will get you a bit of a discount compared to buying a regular Moto G6. In exchange for getting that discount, your Moto G6 will come preloaded with Amazon apps like Prime Video, Amazon Kindle, and Amazon Music.

When it comes to specs, the Moto G6 Prime Exclusive is just like the standard G6. That means that it's got a 5.7-inch 2160x1080  screen, dual 12MP and 5MP rear cameras, an 8MP front-facing camera, 32GB of storage, and a microSD slot. There's also a Snapdragon 450 processor in there along with 3GB of RAM and a 3000mAh battery.

Other notable features of the Moto G6 include a front fingerprint reader, a USB-C port, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Like other devices in the Moto G family, the Moto G6 looks like a solid device for consumers in the market for an affordable smartphone. The Moto G6 is even more affordable with Amazon's Prime Exclusive program, so if you're in the market for a new device that'll offer you solid bang for your buck, the Moto G6 is worth a look.

Amazon

Moto G6 now available through Amazon's discounted Prime Exclusive program originally posted at http://phonedog.com

LG V35 ThinQ official with Snapdragon 845 and 6GB of RAM

Less than one month after announcing the LG G7 ThinQ, LG has introduced another high-end Android phone.

The LG V35 ThinQ is now official. It's got a design similar to the LG V30, but its internals have gotten an upgrade. For example, the V35 ThinQ is packing a Snapdragon 845 processor and 6GB of RAM, up from the Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM in the LG V30.

Also of note is that the LG V35 ThinQ boasts dual 16MP rear cameras like the LG G7 ThinQ. This includes a 16MP standard angle lens with f/1.6 aperture and a 16MP wide angle lens with f/1.9 aperture. The front camera has gotten an upgrade to an 8MP wide angle lens.

LG has included its camera software features in the LG V35 ThinQ as well. AI CAM will analyze the subject in front of your camera and recommend the optimal shooting mode of the 19 that it's got available. There's also a Portrait Mode to add a blurry background to your photos and a Live Photo feature to record the scene before and after you capture a shot.

Other features of the LG V35 ThinQ include a 6-inch 2880x1440 OLED display, 64GB/128GB of storage, a microSD card slot, a rear fingerprint reader, and a 3300mAh battery. There's a USB-C port for recharging that battery as well as wireless charging support, an FM radio, and IP68 water and dust resistance. When it comes to audio, LG has thrown in a Hi-Fi Quad DAC for better sound when you use a pair of high-end headphones as well as DTS:X for virtual surround sound.

The LG V35 ThinQ is powered by Android 8.0 Oreo and will available from AT&T in the U.S. for $30 per month for 30 months ($900 full price), with pre-orders starting June 1st and a launch scheduled for June 8th. The V35 ThinQ will also be offered in "limited markets" in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

LG

LG V35 ThinQ official with Snapdragon 845 and 6GB of RAM originally posted at http://phonedog.com

'Jurassic World Alive' is like 'Pokémon Go' with dinosaurs

Before kids had Pokémon to obsess over and memorize, they had dinosaurs. And now, Universal Studios and developer Ludia Inc. are smashing those two worlds together with Jurassic World Alive, basically Pokémon Go with dinosaurs. From the looks of the launch trailer below, that's an accurate summation rather than a reductive statement.

Via: Variety

Source: Google Play, iTunes

'Jurassic World Alive' is like 'Pokémon Go' with dinosaurs posted first on https://www.engadget.com

LG V35 ThinQ hands-on: Modern brains but last year’s looks

LG's flagship V30 has been on the market for well under a year, and it — somehow — has already spawned two sequels. The first was an AI-infused redux called the V30S ThinQ only recently became available for pre-order in the US. The second, which LG just revealed today, takes many of the features found in the new G7 and packs them into a very familiar body. Say hello to the V35 ThinQ: it's a dead ringer for last year's V30, with a few modern niceties tucked away inside.

LG V35 ThinQ hands-on: Modern brains but last year’s looks posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Plex adds podcasts and personalization so you never have to leave the home screen

Today Plex is releasing an entirely redesigned mobile experience on iOS and Android. The new apps offer improved navigation, and full control over how your movies, TV shows, music, photos, and, now, podcasts(!) are organized on the most personal of personal devices that you own. I’ve been testing a pre-release version of the iOS app and podcast service for a few days and let me tell you, these changes are welcome.

First, podcasts. Plex podcast support is basic right now. You can do all the stuff you’d expect — search and subscribe to your favorite shows, discover new podcasts through Plex’s recommendation engine, skip forward and back a few seconds during playback, and play your shows at unnatural speeds if you’re a monster. But Plex’s...

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Plex adds podcasts and personalization so you never have to leave the home screen appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Snapchat logins could work for other apps in the future

You might be seeing the words "Log in with Snapchat" in non-Snapchat apps in the near future. According to TechCrunch, the company is planning to launch its first full-fledged developer platform called Snapkit, which will allow third-party developers to give users the option to log into their apps with Snapchat credentials. In addition, the kit will give developers a way to host Snapchat's camera instead of having to create one that's not quite as powerful. If they choose, they can also let people use their Bitmoji avatars in their apps.

Source: TechCrunch

Snapchat logins could work for other apps in the future posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1, and Nokia 2.1 debut as affordable Android Oreo phones

HMD Global has been cranking out Nokia-branded Android phones lately, and today the company introduced three more devices that are coming soon.

First up is the Nokia 5.1, which features a unibody aluminum design with rounded edges to make the phone more comfortable to hold. There's a 5.5-inch Full HD+ 18:9 display and an 8MP wide angle camera on the front of the phone, and around back there's a 16MP camera with LED flash and phase detection autofocus, as well as a fingerprint reader below it.

Crammed inside the Nokia 5.1's aluminum body is a 2.0GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6755S processor, 2GB or 3GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage, a microSD card slot, and a 3000mAh battery. The Nokia 5.1 offers a USB-C port for charging and includes a 3.5mm headphone jack, too. On the software side, the device is an Android One phone with Oreo.

The Nokia 5.1 will begin rolling out in July 2018 in 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB configurations with a starting price of  €189 ($218 USD).

Next is the Nokia 3.1. This device boasts aluminum sides to give it a premium feel and a 5.2-inch HD 18:9 display for easier one-handed use. It's got 13MP rear and 8MP front cameras, a 1.5GHz octa-core MediaTek MT6750N processor, and 2GB or 3GB of RAM. There are 16GB and 32GB versions of the Nokia 3.1, both of which also include a microSD card slot.

Rounding out the Nokia 3.1's feature set is a 2900mAh battery, a USB-C port, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and Android One with Oreo.

Sales of the Nokia 3.1 will begin in June 2018 with 2GB/16GB and 3GB/32GB models available. Pricing will start at €139 ($160 USD).

And then there's the entry-level model of the bunch, the Nokia 2.1. This device is equipped with a whopping 4000mAh battery that HMD says will last for two days on a single charge. It's also got a 5.5-inch HD 16:9 screen and dual front-facing stereo speakers to improve your mobile entertainment.

The Nokia 2.1 comes with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 425 processor paired with 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, and a microSD card slot. There's an 8MP rear camera with LED flash and a 5MP front camera for all of your selfie needs. HMD has given the Nokia 2.1 USB-C and 3.5mm jacks, too, as well as Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition).

The Nokia 2.1 will begin rolling out in July 2018 with a starting price of $115.

Nokia

Nokia 5.1, Nokia 3.1, and Nokia 2.1 debut as affordable Android Oreo phones originally posted at http://phonedog.com

What to keep in mind before switching to a mobile-first bank

The day I got my first-ever paycheck, I scrawled my signature on the back, went to the bank, dropped it off with a kindly teller and left with a deposit slip and a smile on my face. A few years after that, a Canadian financial titan bought my bank and started managing it differently. That made the decision to embrace an upstart, mobile-first bank — Simple, in this case — that much easier. I can't pretend that the idea of trusting my money to a startup wasn't a little worrisome, but the appeal of novel features and Silicon Valley speed quickly won me over and I haven't looked back. You might enjoy making the switch too, but before you pull the trigger, here are a few questions to ask yourself.

What to keep in mind before switching to a mobile-first bank posted first on https://www.engadget.com

iOS 11.4 and watchOS 4.3.1 updates released by Apple

After six beta releases, Apple has determined that iOS 11.4 is ready for public consumption.

iOS 11.4 is now available for download. You can grab it by going into Settings > General > Software Update on your iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch.

The update to iOS 11.4 includes AirPlay 2, which adds a larger buffer so that small network issues don't interrupt your audio as well as a tighter clock sync between devices, which enables multi-room audio. Apple's HomePod supports AirPlay 2, and devices from Bang & Olufsen, Bluesound, Bose, Bowers & Wilkins, Denon, Libratone, Marantz, Marshall, Naim, Pioneer and Sonos will also support the feature.

In addition to multi-room audio, Apple has confirmed that the HomePod is gaining stereo support with the update to iOS 11.4, letting you set up two HomePod speakers as a stereo pair.

Also included with iOS 11.4 is Messages in iCloud, which feature syncs your iMessages with iCloud to ensure that your messages are up-to-date on all of your Mac and iOS devices. Some unspecified bug fixes and improvements are included in iOS 11.4, too.

Apple also released watchOS 4.3.1 today. This update includes a fix for an issue that would cause the Apple Watch to sometimes get stuck at the Apple logo during startup.

Apple

iOS 11.4 and watchOS 4.3.1 updates released by Apple originally posted at http://phonedog.com

AirPod-holstering Apple Watch band is equal parts obnoxious and useful

Just when you thought goofy AirPod shirt-collar pockets were bad, another company comes along to prove you wrong. Elago (not to be confused with Elgato) has come out with an AirPod-holding wristband accessory for the Apple Watch, as spotted by Macrumors. The $14.99 silicone Wrist Fit band is an add-on that slides on to your wristband (apparently it'll fit on "most" 38mm and 42mm bands), and holds your AirPods. It's pretty simple and potentially useful -- if a little expensive -- for times when you don't have pockets. Just don't expect to win any fashion contests with the Wrist Fit and AirPods on your arm. Hey, maybe we're being too harsh though. After all, fanny packs are ugly as sin and they're somehow making a comeback.

Via: Macrumors

Source: Amazon

AirPod-holstering Apple Watch band is equal parts obnoxious and useful posted first on https://www.engadget.com

iOS 11.4 confirmed to include AirPlay 2, new HomePod features, Messages in iCloud

Apple has confirmed two major features of iOS 11.4, which will be released to the public today.

First up, the HomePod is getting better with the addition of stereo pairs and multi-room audio. The stereo pairs feature will let you use two HomePod speakers as a stereo pair, while multi-room audio utilizes AirPlay 2 to stream audio to multiple AirPlay 2 devices (not just the HomePod) throughout your home with the audio in sync.

AirPlay 2 is a major update for Apple's wireless audio tech. It adds a larger buffer so any small network issues don't interrupt your music as well as a tighter clock sync to enable the aforementioned multi-room audio.

Also included with iOS 11.4 is Messages in iCloud, which syncs your iMessages between your iOS and Mac devices so that you'll always have up-to-date texts.

Rounding out Apple's announcement is the news that the HomePod will launch in Canada, France, and Germany on June 18th.

 

Apple

iOS 11.4 confirmed to include AirPlay 2, new HomePod features, Messages in iCloud originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Uber's 911 assistance is now available in the US

Uber's promised 911 assistance feature is now available in the US. If you're ever in an emergency, you can now call for help without having to leave the mobile app and lose track of your location. And if you live in certain cities (Denver, Charleston, Naples, Louisville and three Tennessee cities), a tie-in with RapidSOS will automatically share your location with 911 dispatchers. Uber told TechCrunch that it's in talks with other cities to implement location sharing, and that it'll ideally be available everywhere.

Source: TechCrunch

Uber's 911 assistance is now available in the US posted first on https://www.engadget.com

HTC U12+ doesn't include a 3.5mm to USB-C headphone adapter

We've seen quite a few phones ship without 3.5mm headphone jacks, including the iPhone 7, iPhone X, Google Pixel and Pixel 2, and the HTC U11. Many of these devices include a 3.5mm adapter to let owners use their own 3.5mm headphones, but HTC's new U12+ won't.

HTC has confirmed that the U12+ won't include a 3.5mm headphone adapter. The phone does include a pair of HTC USonic earbuds with a USB-C connector, so U12+ buyers will be able to listen to tunes right away, they'll just have to use HTC's included earbuds to do it.

Wow! We'd like to thank you and congratulate you in advance for your upcoming HTC U12+, Aaroni. However, it does not come with a headphone adapter. It includes, HTC Rapid Charger 3.0 with USB Type-C Cable, HTC Clear Case, & HTC USonic™ Adaptive Earphones. Thank you :)

— HTC USA (@HTCUSA) May 26, 2018

HTC does sell its own USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter for $11.99, but that product is currently out of stock in the U.S. online store.

The news that the HTC U12+ won't ship with a 3.5mm adapter is disappointing. The U12+ is a flagship phone that starts at $799, so it'd be nice if HTC would include its $12 adapter for the customers that are dropping serious cash on its new device. And while the U12+ does include USB-C earbuds, many people have headphones that they're happy with and would like to use on their devices. 

HTC U12+

HTC

HTC U12+ doesn't include a 3.5mm to USB-C headphone adapter originally posted at http://phonedog.com

iOS 11.4 will add multi-room and stereo audio to the HomePod today

Apple will release iOS 11.4 today, which, with the inclusion of AirPlay 2, will bring more functionality to the HomePod. Though other speakers, like the Amazon Echo and Google Home already feature multi-room audio, the HomePod didn't launch with that capability. It also hasn't yet supported stereo pairing. But with today's update, the HomePod now supports both features. Users can sync their HomePods with other AirPlay 2-enabled speakers and play audio throughout multiple rooms. They can also pair two HomePods to create a stereo system. HomePod will launch in Canada, France and Germany on June 18th.

iOS 11.4 will add multi-room and stereo audio to the HomePod today posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Poncho weather app to shut down after being acquired by a drink company

After five years of delivering forecasts, the weather service Poncho will shut down. According to Fast Company, Poncho has been sold by its parent company, Betaworks, to Dirty Lemon, a beverage startup that makes expensive detox drinks ($7.50 to $10.83 for a 16-ounce bottle) that are mostly water and lemon juice. It’s a strange end for Poncho, though it’s kind of a wonder that the service lasted this long.

Poncho launched in 2013 and immediately stood out in two ways: it texted the weather to your phone every morning, and the app pretended that all of its messages were written by a cartoon cat. The service eventually expanded into apps and chatbots and added other features like alarms, but it was ultimately the core weather-telling...

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Poncho weather app to shut down after being acquired by a drink company appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL front designs purportedly shown in new image leak

It's expected that Google will introduce Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL phones later this year, and today we may be getting our first look at the designs of the front of the phones.

A photo that allegedly shows tempered glass screen protectors for the Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL has leaked. The top of the Pixel 3 XL shows a display notch, like several other recent Android flagships, while the top of the Pixel 3 shows a full black bezel.

Both phones have a smaller cutout that's likely for sensors like an ambient light sensor as well as two larger circle cutouts. One of those is probably for a front-facing camera, but what about the second? It's possible that Google will equip its new Pixel phones with dual front cameras, but it may also be that one cutout will be a front-facing camera and the other will be for a face unlock feature.

Meanwhile, the bottom bezel of both phones looks like it'll be home to a front-facing speaker.

We may be waiting until October for Google to officially introduce the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, so it could be awhile before we know if these leaked designs are legit. If they are, they look like nice upgrades from the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, with both getting slimmer bezels. A Pixel 3 XL with a notch may upset some people, but considering that Google officially added notch support to Android P, this design is definitely a possibility. The good news for those folks is that the Pixel 3 could be notch-free.

Google

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL front designs purportedly shown in new image leak originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Pandora Premium Family Plan now available for $14.99 per month

One year ago, Pandora stepped up its fight against Apple Music and Spotify by launching Pandora Premium, its own $9.99 per month on-demand streaming service. Now Pandora is offering another tier of service to keep up the competition.

A Pandora Premium Family Plan is now available. The plan costs $14.99 per month for up to six unique Pandora Premium accounts. These accounts can be used simultaneously, each with all of the Pandora Premium features like on-demand listening, offline listening, higher-quality audio, and no ads.

If you're currently a Pandora Premium subscriber, you can change your plan to a Family Plan. New Premium subscribers can sign up for a Family Plan right away. Once you've signed up, go to the Subscription section of your account and select "Manage Family". You can then sent invitations to your plan.

Apple Music and Spotify have offered family plans for awhile now, so it's good to see Pandora Premium adding the feature, too. With it, you can get more people onto your family plan, making it cheaper for you if each person pays for their portion of the service. This is a good move for Pandora, too, because it'll likely get more people using its Premium service.

Have you tried Pandora Premium?

Pandora Premium Family Plan now available for $14.99 per month originally posted at http://phonedog.com

Snapchat launches its first Lens that reacts to sound

Snapchat has quite a few intriguing Lenses you can play with, including its body-tracking ones that can follow you around and its majestic sky whale Lens that uses sky segmentation technology. Now, it has rolled out the first ever Lens that reacts not just to what it sees, but also to what it hears. The ephemeral messaging app has just added the first Lens that reacts to sound to its carousel. It's a cute animal mask overlay for your face, with ears that pulse and glow and eyes that move based on the sounds it hears. While perhaps not as awe-inspiring as the sky whale, Snapchat says it's just the first of many: the company plans to launch more Lenses that react to sounds over the coming weeks.

Snapchat launches its first Lens that reacts to sound posted first on https://www.engadget.com

How to listen to every conversation you’ve ever had with your Amazon Echo

Digital assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant are designed to learn more about you as they listen, and part of doing so is to record conversations you’ve had with them to learn your tone of voice, prompts, and requests. Recently, this feature-not-a-bug has landed Amazon in a string of bizarre headlines; in March users reported that their Echo speakers began spontaneously laughing, while last week a family in Portland said their device recorded and sent conversations to a colleague without their knowledge. For these instances, Amazon claims that the devices were likely triggered by false positive commands.

It’s not uncommon for smart speakers to pick up random parts of your everyday conversation and misunderstand it as a wake...

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How to listen to every conversation you’ve ever had with your Amazon Echo appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

After dropping $18,000 worth of phones, these are the toughest

We all know that feeling. You're walking along the street, answering a text message, when someone bumps you, and your phone goes flying onto the concrete. Will your phone hold up, or will it crack under the pressure?

After dropping $18,000 worth of phones, these are the toughest posted first on https://www.engadget.com

Snow, the Korean Snapchat clone, now has its own version of Animoji

If you’re over Snapchat because of the countless redesigns and re-redesigns but Instagram’s filters don’t tickle your fancy, there’s a Korean app called Snow that takes all of the beloved features and combines them into a super cute camera app. Snow has been around for a while, but the latest update gives it even more features, including its own take on Apple’s adorable Animoji, real-time beauty effects, and a new mirror mode.

The new AR emoji feature lets you overlay your face with animated characters, including a puppy dog and an old man. Once selected, the camera detects your face, masks it with the sticker, and mimics your expressions. The major difference between this and Animoji is that you can still (kind of) see your body....

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Snow, the Korean Snapchat clone, now has its own version of Animoji appeared first on http://www.theverge.com

ESPN+ subscription service will broadcast League of Legends competitions starting this summer

ESPN’s recently launched ESPN+ streaming service is adding e-sports to its repertoire. The company has announced that it will broadcast live coverage of several League of Legends competitions this summer, beginning on June 16th with the 2018 North American League of Legends Championship Series Summer Split (NA LCS). After that comes the NA LCS Summer Finals in September September and then the League of Legends World Championship in the fall.

The deal between ESPN and Riot Games is non-exclusive, so you’ll still be able to stream those same competitions for the hugely popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) title on Twitch. For free. But ESPN is likely hoping that covering e-sports will help bring in more subscribers for the...

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ESPN+ subscription service will broadcast League of Legends competitions starting this summer appeared first on http://www.theverge.com