The iPhone SE is a lone breed these days. Despite it being launched in 2016, it still manages to perform well and be one of the only options for users who prefer smartphones with small displays. How do you like the iPhone SE? Would you like to see some of its design elements make a return?
LG confirmed last week that it will announce a 5G smartphone at MWC next month, and now a new report claims to have some info on what that device may be.
The LG V50 ThinQ 5G will debut during on February 24 during MWC, according to a report from ETNews. It's said that the device will feature a 6-inch screen, Snapdragon 855 processor, a 4000mAh battery, and a vapor chamber to help keep the phone cool. On the software side, today's report says that LG has created a UI that lets you perform hand gestures to control the screen.
This 5G-enabled LG V50 is expected to launch in March. Today's report also says that the LG G8 ThinQ will be shown at LG's MWC event next month, but there's no mention of when that phone might be released.
The details mentioned in this report line up with what we've heard from LG about its MWC plans. The company has confirmed that the phone it's announcing at MWC 2019 will support 5G connectivity, a Snapdragon 855 processor, a 4000mAh battery, and a Vapor Chamber that's 2.7 times larger than the LG V40's heat pipe. LG also teased that it's working on a phone that you can control without touching the screen.
Meanwhile, Sprint recently confirmed that it's teaming up with LG to launch a 5G smartphone in the first half of 2019.
LG's V series of flagship smartphones typically launch in the fall, so it's interesting to hear that the LG V50 ThinQ 5G could be released in March. With rumors that a 5G Samsung phone is coming soon, though, LG may have wanted to push its LG V50 ThinQ 5G up to better compete. Today's report also seems to suggest that the LG G8 could be the last G series phone, which could be another reason for pushing the V50's launch up.
Does a 5G-enabled LG V50 with a 6-inch screen, touchless gesture controls, and a Snapdragon 855 interest you?
Nintendo is developing yet another mobile game, this time making Mario put on the lab coat he wore once back in the '90s. The gaming giant has announced that it's working on an action puzzle game entitled Dr. Mario World with Line Corp. If it's anything like the original Dr. Mario released in 1990 for the NES, SNES and Game Boy, it'll offer a Tetris-like experience that'll have you killing viruses on-screen using capsules tossed in by the beloved Italian plumber-turned-physician.
Nintendo has announced a new entry its mobile game lineup slated for early summer of 2019: Dr. Mario World. The app will be a free-to-download puzzle game, co-developed and jointly operated with Japanese messaging app LINE and developer NHN Entertainment. There isn’t much information about the game yet, except that it will be available for both iOS and Android and, while free, will contain in-app purchases. It’s set to be released in 60 countries around the world.
Nintendo first made its foray into mobile entertainment in 2016 with Super Mario Run, a unique take on the classic platformer that infused elements of the endless runner genre. Since then, there have been some hits and some misses as the company has tried bucking traditional...
Another Nintendo mobile game has been confirmed.
Nintendo announced today that Dr. Mario World is coming to mobile devices. The puzzle game will be available on Android and iOS and will be free to download with optional in-app purchases. It'll launch in early summer 2019, with availability in 60 countries and regions to start, including Japan and the United States.
Also confirmed is that Nintendo will co-develop Dr. Mario World with Line, the company behind the popular chat app. NHN Entertainment will also be involved in the project.
Nintendo is one of the biggest names in gaming, but the company only recently started dipping its toes into mobile. It's released titles like Miitomo, Super Mario Run, Fire Emblem Heroes, and Animal Crossing: Pocket Camp over the past couple of years, and now we know that Dr. Mario World is coming, too. We also know that Mario Kart Tour is coming to mobile, but Nintendo said today that Mario Kart Tour has been delayed to summer 2019 so that Nintendo can improve the app's quality and expand its content after launch.
Apple yanked enterprise certificates from Facebook and Google, shutting down internal iOS apps
Remember how Apple banned Facebook's enterprise certificate this week, breaking Facebook's internal beta apps and employee apps? Now Apple has done the same to Google.
Apple has now blocked Google's enterprise certificate, one day after it was revealed that Google was using Apple's Enterprise Developer Program to distribute a data-collecting app to users. Google said yesterday that its Screenwise Meter app being distributing with an enterprise certificate was a "mistake" and it then disabled the app, but that hasn't stopped Apple from blocking Google's enterprise certificate today.
As a result of this block, early versions of Google apps like Gmail, Hangouts, and Google Maps that are being tested inside Google are no longer working. Also no longer working are Google apps for employees, like an internal cafe app. Google has told The Verge that it's "working with Apple to fix a temporary disruption to some of our corporate iOS apps, which we expected will be resolved soon."
This is a serious move from Apple, but it's not too surprising to see the company do it. Google was doing the same thing that Facebook did to get its enterprise certificate banned, and so Apple had to enforce the same rules for Google as it did for Facebook. "Any developer using their enterprise certificates to distribute apps to consumers will have their certificates revoked, which is what we did in this case to protect our users and their data," Apple said yesterday when it banned Facebook's enterprise certificate.
Facebook said today that Apple has restored its enterprise certificate, the software permission that allows the social network to load internal mobile apps onto the devices of employees, beta testers, and research participants.
The move comes roughly one day after Apple blocked Facebook from using the program after a TechCrunch investigation revealed it had re-skinned its Onavo VPN app, pulled from the App Store last summer, as the “Facebook Research” app. Facebook was paying teenagers and adults $20 a month to use the app, which was not distributed through proper iOS channels and was instead sideloaded using Facebook’s enterprise certificate, to siphon sensitive smartphone data. Facebook pulled the app in response to the backlash, but...
Samsung's Android Pie update rollout continues today with releases for more Galaxy devices.
The Sprint Galaxy S9 is now receiving its helping of Android Pie. The update is version G960USQU3CSAB, and it comes in at nearly 1.5GB in size and includes Samsung's One UI. This new user interface helps to make one-handed use easier, adds a system-wide dark mode to save battery life, and more.
Also rolling out is the Android Pie update for AT&T's Galaxy Note 9. This is especially notable because it's the first U.S. carrier Galaxy Note 9 variant to be updated to Pie. The update is a massive 1.8GB in size, so be prepared to wait a while. When you're done, you should be on version N960USQU1CSAA with Android Pie and Samsung's One UI user interface.
These updates follow Xfinity Mobile and Verizon's rollouts of Android Pie to the Galaxy S9 and S9+ earlier this week. It looks like the Android Pie rollout for Samsung's Galaxy S9 and S9+ is going full steam, so if you've got an AT&T or T-Mobile model, your update should be coming soon.
Hours after official renders of the Samsung Galaxy S10+ leaked out, images of the standard Galaxy S10 have surfaced, too.
Renders that show the regular Samsung Galaxy S10 have been shared by WinFuture. The device looks pretty similar to the Galaxy S10+ that we got a peek at earlier today, but instead of a pill-shaped hole-punch with two front cameras, the Galaxy S10 has just a single camera in its hole-punch.
Around back, the Galaxy S10 is similar to the Galaxy S10+. It's packing a triple rear camera setup with LED flash and heart rate monitor. As a reminder, the Galaxy S10 and S10+ are both expected to have in-display fingerprint sensors, which is why you don't see a fingerprint reader on their backsides like you do on the Galaxy S9. The Galaxy S10 is rumored to have a 6.1-inch screen, while the Galaxy S10+ will reportedly have a 6.4-inch display.
This latest leak also includes more renders of the Samsung Galaxy S10+, which you can see below.
Samsung will announce the Galaxy S10 series on February 20. In addition to the standard S10 and the S10+, it's expected that Samsung will introduce a more affordable Galaxy S10 Lite model and a top-end 5G variant.
Kanye West has settled a lawsuit with a fan who sued the artist in 2016 over false claims that The Life of Pablo would be available to stream exclusively on Tidal. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed, according to court documents, but all charges involved have been dropped.
The court documents specifically state that Justin Baker-Rhett (plaintiff) and West, “hereby stipulate and agree to the dismissal of Plaintiff’s individual claims with prejudice and the putative class’s claims without prejudice, with each party to bear its own attorney fees and costs.” A potential class-action lawsuit that was threatened in 2016 will also not move forward, according to the documents.
Justin Baker-Rhett, a Kanye West fan and seemingly...
Earlier this week, Apple banned Facebook from running internal iOS apps because Facebook had been using Apple's enterprise certificate to distribute software outside of the App Store. Now, Apple has apparently put the same kibosh down on Google, which had done the same thing. According to The Verge, sources within Google have reported that pre-release beta apps of Google Maps, Hangouts and Gmail for iOS have now stopped working, as well as employee-only apps like Google's internal cafe app.
This all came to light a few days ago, when TechCrunch reported that Facebook had used Apple's enterprise certificate to distribute 'Facebook Research,' a VPN app that allowed the company root access to participants' phones. It turns out that Google had done similar with an app called Screenwise Meter.
Google released a statement yesterday, where it admitted to the mistake and disabled the app. It said: "The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple's developer enterprise program — this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We've been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time."
Apple banning these companies from running internal iOS apps have pretty serious consequences. It means that now both Facebook or Google have to stop development of their apps for iOS, at least until they've mended their relationship with Apple.
We've since reached out to Google for comment.
Following its official announcement last week, the Nokia 2 V has launched at Verizon.
You can now buy the Nokia 2 V from Verizon Prepaid for $69.99. It's available in blue and comes with 8GB of built-in storage, though there's also a microSD card slot that'll let you add up to 128GB of additional storage.
The Nokia 2 V's spec sheet also includes a 5.5-inch HD display, Snapdragon 425 processor, and 1GB of RAM. There's an 8MP camera with LED flash and 5MP front-facing camera included, and dual front speakers are above and below the display. Powering the whole package is a 4000mAh battery, and Nokia has also included Android 8.1 Oreo (Go edition) with no skins or UI changes.
HMD Global has largely been selling its Nokia-branded Android phones in the U.S. unlocked and direct to consumers, so it's good to see the Nokia 2 V launching at Verizon. Many consumers in the U.S. still buy their phones from their carrier, and so Verizon's release of the Nokia 2 V will expose lots of people to these new Nokia phones for the first time. If you're in the market for an affordable Android smartphone, you can get a closer look at the Nokia 2 V at the link below.
This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of deals here.
AudioKit Synth One was a minor breakthrough for mobile music making as a free, open source synthesizer that could compete with the heavyweights, but its iPad-only nature limited its audience. You'll be glad to hear, then, that AudioKit Pro has launched a universal version of the app that works with iPhones. It's the same professional-grade hybrid analog/FM poly synth as before, complete with LFOs, oscillators, sequencers and hundreds of presets. It's just crammed into a smaller screen area. You wouldn't want to use this for full-time music creation due to the limited room for controls, but this could be helpful for starting work on a track when you're nowhere near a studio.
Via: MusicRadar
Miss out on the iPhone SE clearance sale that Apple offered earlier this month? Now you're getting another chance.
The iPhone SE is once again available from Apple's online store. Pricing is the same as before, with the 32GB model available for $249 and the 128GB version priced at $299. At the time of this post's publication, both models are available in Space Gray, Gold, Rose Gold, and Silver color options.
Apple is selling these iPhone SE models unlocked, which means you just need to pop your SIM card in and go. While the iPhone SE isn't the newest iPhone around, having originally launched in March 2016, it does run iOS 12 and is still getting software updates from Apple. It's also notable because it's got a 3.5mm headphone jack and a 4-inch screen, which is far smaller than the iPhone 8's 4.7-inch screen and the 5.8-inch screen on the iPhone XS. So if you want an iPhone and prefer smaller screens, this deal is one to take advantage of.
It's unclear how long stock of the iPhone SE will be available or if Apple will restock its clearance store with more units in the future, so if you're interested in the iPhone SE, you may want to jump on this deal now.
Another day, another Samsung Galaxy S10 leak.
The Samsung Galaxy S10+ has leaked out again, appearing in another render image. What makes this different from past GS10+ leaks, though, is that 91mobiles claims that this is an official press render of the Galaxy S10+ from Samsung.
The device in the image lines up with what we've seen in previous Galaxy S10+ leaks. It's got a large display with rounded corners and slim bezels, a pill-shaped hole-punch in its upper right corner with dual front cameras, and a triple rear camera setup. There's no fingerprint reader on the back of the device like there was on the Galaxy S9, which supports rumors that say that the GS10+ will have an in-display fingerprint sensor.
Samsung hasn't said anything official about the Galaxy S10, but the company has teased that the GS10 phones will be announced at an event on February 20.
We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite iOS apps to hit the App Store in January 2019. Which app is your favorite?
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, many folks are looking for a nice gift for a loved one or for themselves. If that's you, then OnePlus has a deal for you.
OnePlus today launched a bundle deal that includes a OnePlus 6T, a bumper case for the 6T, and a pair of OnePlus Bullets Wireless headphones, all for a starting price of $627.95. That's a savings of $20 compared to buying all three items separately.
The base bundle includes the OnePlus 6T model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. If you'd prefer more RAM or storage, you can upgrade the bundle. A package with the 8GB/128GB OnePlus 6T is priced at $657.95, while the bundle with the 8GB/256GB OnePlus 6T is $707.95. No matter which bundle you choose, you'll save $20 buying all three items together.
OnePlus is also offering a deal when you buy two pairs of Bullets Wireless earphones. Getting two pairs will cost you $124.20, which is 10 percent off the normal price.
The OnePlus 6T is a high-end Android phone with specs that include a 6.41-inch 2340x1080 Optic AMOLED display, octa-core Snapdragon 845 processor, and 3700mAh battery. There's a dual rear camera setup that includes a 16MP main sensor and a 20MP secondary sensor, as well as a 16MP front-facing camera in a waterdrop notch. OnePlus has added an in-display fingerprint reader to the 6T as well.
If you'd like some help deciding if the OnePlus 6T is the right gift for yourself or a loved one this Valentine's Day, you can watch our hands-on video with the device right here.
We all know you don't have to be a fan of American football to watch the Super Bowl. The NFL's Big Game, which this year will be played between the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams, goes beyond the sport. Even if you don't like who's playing (we're looking at you, Tom Brady), the Super Bowl is the perfect excuse to get together with friends and enjoy a day full of seven-layer dip, chicken wings and, of course, booze. Thankfully, in 2019, the NFL is making it easy for everyone in the US to watch Super Bowl LIII, even if you don't have a cable or satellite account.
Ultraviolet, one of the entertainment industry’s first attempts at creating a comprehensive digital locker service, is shutting down on July 31st, according to Variety. Users should link their libraries to the service of at least one retailer which can then be used to access their films and TV shows after the shutdown.
Ultraviolet’s days were numbered ever since Disney, the only major Hollywood studio not to join, launched its expanded Movies Anywhere locker service in 2017. Not only did it offer broad studio support, it could also be connected to major digital retailers like iTunes, Amazon, and Google Play, unlike Ultraviolet.
Walmart’s Vudu, the biggest retailer to support Ultraviolet (and later Movies Anywhere), issued a statement...
We've compiled a top 10 list of our favorite Android apps to hit the Play Store in January 2019. The apps highlighted in this video include Memoria Photo Gallery, Language Navi, Oddmar, Apex Weather, Mint Browser, MiX, Hang Line, National Geographic, Redpapers, and OutRush. Which app is your favorite?
The Moto G7 family has been awfully leaky lately, and today a member of the G7 series has shown its face once again.
Hands-on photos of the Moto G7 Plus have surfaced, showing off the unannounced device's waterdrop notch and Motorola-branded chin. We can also see the Moto G7 Plus's dual rear camera setup in the photos as well as its fingerprint reader, which is under the Motorola logo on the back of the device.
When it comes to specs, the Moto G7 Plus is expected to include a 6.24-inch 2270x1080 display, octa-core Snapdragon 636 processor, and 4GB of RAM. Rumors say that it'll come with 16MP and 5MP rear cameras as well as an 8MP front camera for all of your selfie needs. A 3000mAh battery will power the whole package, and you'll be able to recharge it over USB-C.
Motorola is reportedly planning to announce the Moto G7, Moto G7 Plus, Moto G7 Play, and Moto G7 Power at an event on February 7. The Moto G series of phones are often some of the best affordable Android phones on the market, so we're looking forward to Motorola officially unveiling the next entries in the Moto G family. Stay tuned.
You knew it was just a matter of time before Apple's Group FaceTime 'eavesdropping' bug drew the attention of politicians. New York Attorney General Letitia James has launched an investigation into the FaceTime flaw in hopes of understanding both its "failure to warn consumers" and reports of a "slow response" to the problem. Stated residents "need to know that their phones are safe," Governor Cuomo added.
Source: New York Attorney General
We've known for a while now that Google+ was being shut down, but now we've got an exact date to circle on our calendar.
Google says that the consumer version of Google+ will shut down on April 2. On that date, Google will shut down Google+ accounts and any pages that users created, and it'll begin deleting content from the social network. Photos and videos in Google+ archives and on Google+ pages will be deleted as well.
As soon as February 4, Google will no longer allow you to create new Google+ profiles, pages, communities, or events. Buttons that allow you to sign in to other sites and apps using Google+ will stop working on the coming weeks, but some may be replaced by a Google sign-in button that'll allow you to sign in using your Google account.
If you're a Google+ user, you can download your data before the social network shuts down.
Google originally revealed in October 2018 that it would be shutting down Google+ following the discovery of a serious security bug. Google explained that Google+ has not gained broad consumer or developer adoption, with 90 percent of sessions lasting less than five seconds. The shutdown was originally planned for August 2019, but after another major security bug was found with Google+ in December 2019, Google moved the shutdown up.
While Google+ never gained significant traction with consumers, the social network still had some nice ideas and did gain something of a following. That's why it's disappointing to see it going. At least we've got plenty of warning of the impending shutdown, though, so users can download all of their data before Google deletes it permanently.
Facebook isn't the only company using Apple's Enterprise Developer Program to distribute a data-collecting app to users.
A Google app called Screenwise Meter has been discovered that, like Facebook's Research app, uses enterprise certificates on iOS to get installed on users' devices. Google has a support page for Screenwise Meter that walks you through the process of installing it, and it includes steps like going into the Profiles & Device Management section of your iPhone's Settings app and confirming that you trust Google so that the app can be used.
As noted by TechCrunch, Screenwise Meter has been around since 2012, and it was previously open to users as young as 13. Now users must be 18 or older, though people as young as 13 can join as secondary panelists in the family.
Google has posted a video explaining its research program and how it collects data to understand what users like and don't like. The program does offer a "Guest Mode" that can be enabled when you don't want their data to be tracked. When enrolled in the program, users accrue reward points that can be redeemed for e-gift cards. In addition to being available on iOS, Google's Screenwise Meter app is available on Android.
In a statement about its Screenwise Meter app, Google has said that it "should not have operated under Apple's developer enterprise program". The company went on to apologize and say that it has disabled Screenwise Meter on iOS devices. Here's Google's full statement to TechCrunch:
"The Screenwise Meter iOS app should not have operated under Apple’s developer enterprise program — this was a mistake, and we apologize. We have disabled this app on iOS devices. This app is completely voluntary and always has been. We’ve been upfront with users about the way we use their data in this app, we have no access to encrypted data in apps and on devices, and users can opt out of the program at any time."
Apple hasn't commented on this Screenwise Meter app for iOS yet. While Google does seem to be more clear about its app and what it's doing, the company was still using Apple's Enterprise Developer Program and enterprise certificates to distribute a data-collecting app to users. Considering that Apple came out today and revoked Facebook's enterprise certificates because of its Facebook Research app, it'll be interesting to see how Apple reacts to this news.
Another day, another Facebook controversy. The latest backlash follows a TechCrunch report that the company was secretly paying teenagers to access their data and basically monitor their every move on the web. Facebook was asking people to install a VPN app called "Facebook Research," which gave it full access to a user's phone and internet activity. That, according to security expert Will Strafach (who helped TechCrunch with the investigation), gave the company the ability to continuously collect "private messages in social media apps, chats from in instant messaging apps (including photos/videos sent to others), emails, web searches, web browsing activity and even ongoing location information."
Apple's plans to improve iPhone photography might go well beyond adding a third rear camera. Bloomberg sources say the tech giant is developing a 3D camera system that uses a laser scanner to capture depth information at distances much greater than the dot projection system used in Face ID on current iPhones. Augmented reality is reportedly the main focus, since this would help gauge dimensions, but it would also help with portrait mode photos that currently have to rely on software to detect foreground objects.
Source: Bloomberg
The news that Apple is testing a new iPhone with a triple rear camera setup and USB-C isn't the only iOS news that's leaked out today.
Apple is planning to launch a new version of its lower-cost iPad as soon as this spring. A new report from Bloomberg says that it'll have a 10-inch screen and Lightning port. Also said to be in the works is a new, cheaper iPad mini.
Switching over to software, Apple is said to be working on a dark mode for iOS 13 as well as improvements to its CarPlay software. iPad-specific features like a new home screen, improvements to file management, and the ability to tab through multiple versions of an app like web pages are also said to be coming with iOS 13.
Apple is reportedly planning to launch a magazine subscription service and a service with original video content this year.
iOS 12 didn't bring many iPad-specific features, instead focusing on improving performance, especially on older devices. The iOS 13 details mentioned in today's report sound pretty enticing, though, because the iPad-specific features sound like they'd help to make the iPad more like a full-featured computer. The dark mode would also be welcome, especially now that Apple uses OLED screens on some of its iPhones.
We've recently seen a couple of leaks that may show off Apple's iPhone 11 that's coming later this year, but today a new report is focusing on what Apple has planned for 2020.
Apple is planning a new 3D rear camera for its new iPhones next year, according to a new report from Bloomberg. The camera will reportedly scan the environment up to 15 feet away and "create three-dimensional reconstructions of the real world." The current iPhone's front 3D camera works at a distance around 25 to 50 centimeters for Face ID scanning.
This new 3D rear camera is said to include a laser scanner and will improve the iPhone's augmented reality function. It may also help to make the iPhone take photos that better capture depth. Today's report says that Apple previously planned to put this new 3D camera system in its 2019 iPhone models, but decided to delay them to next year.
As for what 2019 holds, Apple is said to be planning follow-ups to the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, codenamed D42 and D43, respectively, as well as an updated iPhone XR. The iPhone XS Max successor will allegedly have three rear cameras on its backside, up from two on the XS and XS Max. This third sensor will help the phone capture a larger field of view and offer a wider range of zoom. It'll apparently also capture more pixels so that the iPhone software can "automatically repair a video or photo to fit in a subject that may have been accidentally cut off."
Also said to be coming to this year's iPhone models is an upgraded processor and an improved Face ID sensor. Apple is reportedly testing some versions of the 2019 iPhones with a USB-C port instead of Lightning. The overall design of the new phones is said to be similar to the current models, though. Bigger changes are planned for as early as 2020 to allow for 5G support.
What would you like to see from Apple's upcoming iPhones?
We're all well aware that Facebook had a dreadful 2018, and 2019 isn't looking any better, what with the company being plagued by scandals surrounding data privacy and the spread of toxic content on its site. But despite those controversies, Facebook's business has continued to rack up billions of dollars over the past few months, although its user growth has indeed started to slow down a bit. And now we know how Facebook closed out the year, thanks to its Q4 2018 earnings report. Today, the social network giant reported that it earned $16.9 billion in revenue, up 30 percent year-over-year. Monthly active users reached 2.32 billion, up nine percent over a year ago. Both of those growth rates are impressive given Facebook's size, but they're still slowing -- a year ago, revenue grew by 47 percent while monthly active users increased by 14 percent.
Developing...
Source: Facebook
Facebook isn't the only tech giant to offer a data-vacuuming app that sidesteps Apple's App Store. Since 2012, Google has allowed people to earn gift cards by offering up their data through its Screenwise project. On iOS and Android, the company gains access to participants' data through a VPN app called Screenwise Meter. But if Facebook's latest turmoils are anything to go by, Google could suffer Apple's ire over it.
Source: TechCrunch
Another U.S. carrier has begun pushing Android 9 Pie to its Galaxy S9 and S9+ phones.
Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners on Verizon are now receiving an update to Android 9 Pie. Verizon's support pages for both phones show that the update is rolling out as version G960USQU3CSAB for the S9 and G965USQU3CSAB for the S9+, and several users on Reddit have confirmed that they've installed the update today.
If you've got a Verizon Galaxy S9 or S9+, you should see the update on your device in the coming days. You can also check for it manually by going into Settings > System updates > Check for system updates.
This update brings Android 9 Pie along with Samsung's new One UI user interface. One UI is a big update for Samsung's software, moving around elements to help make one-handed use easier. There's also a system-wide night mode to help save battery and make the software easier on your eyes at night and an improved camera interface.
Verizon Galaxy S9 and S9+ owners are also getting the January 1, 2019 Android security patches. Let us know when the Android 9 Pie update hits your S9 or S9+, Verizon customers!
Huawei began building its own phone-testing system, xDeviceRobot, in early 2012. The Chinese company hoped to improve the quality of its mobile hardware, which tended to fail far more often than competitors' devices in third-party trials. In May 2012, Huawei China asked T-Mobile if it could license or flat-out buy the company's phone-testing robot, Tappy, which served as a standard for much of the industry. T-Mobile said no.
So, Huawei decided to steal Tappy.
After installing a handful of employees at T-Mobile's headquarters in Bellevue, Washington, federal prosecutors claim Huawei USA and China employees attempted to illegally collect information on Tappy in a year-long espionage campaign that culminated in actual theft. Huawei was found guilty of misappropriating T-Mobile's Tappy intellectual property in a 2014 civil lawsuit, and federal prosecutors in Seattle this week unsealed an indictment that brings new, criminal charges against the Chinese company.
When the Meizu Zero was announced last week, we got some images and spec details of the holeless phone but no word on when it might launch or how much it might cost. Now that info has come out as well.
Meizu today revealed an Indiegogo campaign for the Meizu Zero. The company is offering 100 Exclusive Engineer Units of the Meizu Zero for $1299 each, with units expected to begin shipping in April 2019. Meizu also offered one Exclusive Pioneering Unit for $2999 with an estimated delivery of January 2019, but that perk has already been sold.
This crowdfunding campaign will run through March 1, 2019. Each order comes with a Meizu Zero smartphone as well as a wireless charging base.
The Meizu Zero is a holeless smartphone with no speaker, charging port, or buttons. It uses mSound 2.0 In-screen Sound Technology to allow the screen to work like a speaker. Since there are no physical buttons, the Zero has a "Virtual Side Button" that'll let you power it on and off and control the volume. And since you need a way to charge the phone, Qi wireless charging is included. The Meizu Zero also uses wireless USB 3.0 for transferring data and eSIM.
Specs for the Meizu Zero include a 5.99-inch AMOLED screen, in-display fingerprint sensor, Snapdragon 845 processor, and a ceramic unibody design. Since there are no holes, Meizu was also able to make the phone IP68 water and dust resistant.
If the idea of a holeless phone is interesting to you, hit the link below to visit the Meizu Zero's Indiegogo page.
One day after it was discovered that Facebook was violating Apple's policies and using its enterprise certificate to distribute a VPN app to users to collect their data, that app has been pulled and Apple has blocked Facebook's internal iOS apps.
First up, Apple has confirmed that the Facebook Research app has been banned. "We designed our Enterprise Developer Program solely for the internal distribution of apps within an organization. Facebook has been using their membership to distribute a data-collecting app to consumers, which is a clear breach of their agreement with Apple," the company told TechCrunch. "Any developer using their enterprise certificates to distribute apps to consumers will have their certificates revoked, which is what we did in this case to protect our users and their data.”
Yesterday it was revealed that Facebook had been using its enterprise certificate to quietly get users between the ages of 13 and 35 to share their data via an app called Facebook Research. The users were being paid up to $20 per month to allow Facebook access to info like private messages in social media apps; chats, photos, and videos sent; emails; and web searches and browsing activity.
Not only is this a violation of Apple's Enterprise Developer Program, but it's especially notable because Apple previously removed a Facebook app called Onavo VPN for violating the App Store's data collection policies.
A new report from The Verge says that not only has Apple banned the Facebook Research app, but its decision to revoke Facebook's enterprise certificate has caused internal Facebook apps to stop working. That includes early versions of the Instagram and Facebook apps as well as apps meant for Facebook employees, like one for transportation.
Meanwhile, Facebook is disputing some aspects of the reports about its Facebook Research app. "Despite early reports, there was nothing ‘secret’ about this; it was literally called the Facebook Research App. It wasn’t ‘spying’ as all of the people who signed up to participate went through a clear on-boarding process asking for their permission and were paid to participate," Facebook told TechCrunch. "Finally, less than 5 percent of the people who chose to participate in this market research program were teens. All of them with signed parental consent forms.”
This is quite a situation between Apple and Facebook. It's no surprise that Apple banned the Facebook Research app and revoked Facebook's enterprise certificate after using it to distribute an app to the public. The fact that many of Facebook's internal apps are now broken is surely frustrating to Facebook and its employees, and you can bet that the company will try to get back in Apple's good graces so that it can continue to test its iOS apps and get its employee apps working again.
One year ago to the day, there was a report out that suggested Apple was planning on delaying some features it originally had slated to debut with iOS 12, all in a bid to focus on performance for the mobile operating system. The iOS update last year did indeed focus on performance, while adding a few new features along the way, but the bigger changes are still waiting in the wings. That is, if the rumors are true.
And, hopefully, they are.
Not to say that iOS has grown stale over the years, but if someone did say that I don't think I'd say they were wrong, either. The good news here is that, for most people, iOS still works in the way they want it to, so maybe any major shakeups to the general UI or overall aesthetic isn't necessary. But, if that report from a year ago is accurate, that means we could see many, if not all, of those delayed features see the light of day this year with iOS 13.
The biggest of which is supposedly the redesign of the home screen. Apple's iOS has been a grid of icons since day one, which feels like forever ago at this point. Even if Apple just decided to change this one thing, but keep everything else the same (aside from necessary improvements and tweaks), this could rock the boat in a big way. Some people like the grid of icons the way it is, but just want some minor changes here and there. Others, of course, would like to see the whole thing blown up and designed in some different way.
Whatever Apple chooses, it's likely going to see plenty of backlash. Not that the company is a stranger to that at all, of course. Still, it's potentially the most exciting thing to consider so early in 2019. Will we see a totally redesigned iOS when the Worldwide Developers Conference in June rolls around? Maybe!
Personally, I don't mind the grid of icons. I've just grown accustomed to it at this point, and even when I switch to Android I don't add any sort of widgets anymore. So a major change here doesn't necessarily strike my fancy. Not this early, anyway. Maybe if Apple develops something really awesome it can change my mind.
It does have me wondering what you might want to see out of iOS this year, though. And I want to hear from both iOS owners and Android users who might think about switching to Apple's mobile OS if some key things were changed. What do you hope to see added or changed (or removed!?) in iOS in 2019?
Here's one of my wishes: Change Control Center to something else. The grid of icons/widgets is fine, I guess, but I'm not a fan of it at all. At least, not when it comes to the music section. And that's it, basically. The old Control Center had a dedicated panel for media playback and I want something like that to come back. Bigger album artwork especially.
What about you? Let me know!
There's a lot of talk right now about how much is too much for a smartphone in these increasingly tight times. Meizu is hoping that there's enough folks out there with fat wallets to justify splashing out on the Zero, its "holeless smartphone." The company won't just sell you one, however, and has instead slapped the device onto Indiegogo for users to pre-order. The price? $1,299.
Source: Indiegogo
Apple isn't taking chances just because Facebook is shutting down the iOS version of its controversial research app. The company told Recode in a statement that it was revoking the enterprise certificates Facebook had been using to distribute the software outside of the App Store. The social network's use of business certificates to distribute apps to non-employees was a "clear breach" of its agreement with Apple, a spokesperson said. However, while the pay-for-user-data app was the main offender, the decision appears to have had broader consequences for Facebook -- numerous internal tools might not work.
Source: Recode
Samsung has reached a new milestone with regard to smartphone storage.
Samsung says that it's begun mass production of the industry's first 1TB embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS) 2.1. It offers up to 1000MB per second transfer speeds as well as random read speeds that are 38 percent faster than the 512GB version. And with random write speeds that are 500 times faster than a microSD card, this 1TB eUFS 2.1 allows for high-speed continues video capture at 960 frames per second.
“The 1TB eUFS is expected to play a critical role in bringing a more notebook-like user experience to the next generation of mobile devices,” said Cheol Choi, EVP of Memory Sales & Marketing at Samsung Electronics. “What’s more, Samsung is committed to assuring the most reliable supply chain and adequate production quantities to support the timely launches of upcoming flagship smartphones in accelerating growth of the global mobile market.”
Samsung doesn't say anything about when we might begin seeing this 1TB of eUFS 2.1 storage appear in smartphones, but it could happen soon. Rumors have suggested that we could see a Galaxy S10 variant with 1TB of built-in storage, and mass production of this 1TB eUFS 2.1 is coming just one month before the GS10's announcement.
Do you want 1TB of built-in storage in your smartphone?
Using your streaming services outside of your home's WiFi network (or your data plan) is either a challenge or plain expensive. And inflight? Forget it. That data is way too expensive. For American Airlines passengers and Apple Music users, there's a solution incoming. The companies have announced that subscribers can connect to the airline's complimentary inflight Wi-Fi to access Apple's entire catalogue of songs, music videos and the rest. In the press release, Apple Music vice president Oliver Schusser said that from Friday, subscribers will be able to "stream all their favorite songs and artists in the air, and continue to listen to their personal library offline."
Source: Apple
After years of public mistrust, the US government has finally, officially laid out its cases against tech giant Huawei. The Chinese company stands accused of a laundry list crimes ranging from wire fraud to trade-secret theft to violating Iranian sanctions to obstruction of justice — all told, we're looking at 23 charges across two states. (Naturally, the company denies allegations of wrongdoing.) And now that the US government has made its claims against Huawei we're left with one weighty question: Just how screwed is this company, exactly?
Now TV, the UK video streaming service owned by Sky that lets users purchase premium channels, has added offline downloading to its iOS app. The update brings it up to speed with its parent's Sky Go service, giving customers the option to download films and shows to watch on the go. However, the feature doesn't currently appear to be on the Now TV app for Android. We've reached out to Sky for more information and will update this article with its response.
Source: Now TV (App Store)
Facebook is axing the iOS version of its controversial VPN Research app that paid users aged 13 to 35 for access to their data, according to The Verge. The social network has announced that its market research program will no longer be open to iOS users following a TechCrunch report that made its existence more widely known. That piece also pointed out that the program is likely in violation of Apple's App Store guidelines on data collection, particularly its certificate system.
Source: The Verge
In the future, Samsung's phones will have a whopping one terabyte storage capacity... and that time might come sooner than you expect. The tech giant has started mass producing what it says is the industry's first one terabyte embedded Universal Flash Storage (eUFS) technology for smartphones. It will give the company's mobile devices PC-like storage without the need for large-capacity micoSD cards. And it'll probably be the best thing since sliced bread if you use your phone to take tons of photos and HD videos -- Samsung says it's enough to store 260 10-minute videos in 4K UHD.
Source: Samsung
