The case for a Nexus 7P

Why a smaller, Huawei-built Nexus tablet would make a lot of sense.

Recently spotted online, a trademark filing for a “Huawei 7P” has the rumor mill churning once again. There’s talk that this might be some kind of follow-up to the Huawei-made Nexus 6P, perhaps in a larger tablet form factor. With Google I/O just a month away, there’s even speculation that such a device could even break cover at Google’s annual developer conference, just as the first Nexus 7 did back in 2012.

Until we see something more conclusive, there’s no way of knowing for sure whether Huawei and Google are partnering on the next Nexus tablet. But the circumstantial evidence for it is tantalizing.

It’s pretty clear that Huawei values its involvement with the Nexus program. “It has always been a dream for Huawei to work with Google for the Nexus 6P,” Huawei VP of R&D Eric Fang told Android Central in Beijing last year. “We believe that Huawei is moving up to the elite and high-range product,” Fang added. “So in terms of the hardware and communications we can help Google develop high-range products.”

Huawei clearly isn’t done with Nexus just yet.

Collaborating on a Nexus product is one way for Huawei to achieve a longstanding goal — to grow its brand awareness and establish itself as a tier-one device maker in Western markets, particularly the United States. And it’s not done yet. Huawei’s Device VP of smartphones, Chanzhu Li, told PC Mag at Mobile World Congress this February that the company was in discussions with Google about the next collaborative product.

“I think of [the Nexus 6P] as a starting point. Our local team is discussing the next product with Google,” Li told the publication. “So far it’s not clear [what it will be], but there are a lot of potentials to explore.”

Nexus development cycles are notoriously quick — the original ASUS Nexus 7 came to fruition in just four months.

It’s unclear whether Li was being deliberately coy. But even if the nature of Huawei’s next Nexus wasn’t clear back in February, Nexus development cycles have been notoriously quick.

“The first challenge [of working on a Nexus] is that we have a very short development cycle,” Eric Fang told us following the 6P’s launch. Indeed, the original 2012 Nexus 7 was apparently conceived at CES in January, and ready to go four months later.

On the smartphone side, the most credible rumors thus far point to HTC partnering to launch a pair for Nexus handsets later in the year. If things play out in this way, Huawei would be a natural partner for a 2016 Nexus tablet, given its active development of own-brand Android slates and its global reach. And if we are — at least initially — looking at a Wifi-only Nexus tablet, with fewer regulatory hoops to jump through, a dev cycle as quick as the 2012 Nexus 7 isn’t out of the question.

Even so, why return to the 7-to-8-inch space when tablets in general are encroaching on laptop territory with ever bigger screens? The success of the first two Nexus tablets might explain this. Smaller, cheaper Nexus tablets were big sellers, and more broadly popular than the larger, more expensive Nexus 9 that followed. At the same time, Google’s own Pixel C — effectively a Nexus in all but name — isn’t exactly flying off store shelves.

Until Android can realistically challenge Windows in productivity and multitasking, or iOS in its tablet app ecosystem, smaller, cheaper Android slates are going to be the better mass-market option.

A new 7- or 8-inch Nexus would allow Google to showcase Android N’s new split-screen multitasking features in an accessible, relatively inexpensive product. Google has an eager partner in Huawei, and the company has shown with its own product portfolio that it’s capable of bringing premium metal construction to less expensive devices. As far as internals go, Qualcomm now has great mid-range chips, like the Snapdragon 652, that could comfortably handle the 2K display resolution of such a tablet.

A smaller, cheaper Nexus tablet could give Google a mass-market showcase for Android N’s multitasking features.

The “Huawei 7P” trademark remains something of a mystery. It’s unlikely Google is going to jettison the Nexus brand, and equally implausible that Huawei would channel its own 6P in a completely unrelated product. But Huawei’s home country of China presents one possibility. Just as Lenovo sold a modified Nexus 6 in China as the Moto X Pro, Huawei might look to release a version of a future Nexus tablet in the country, perhaps with its own EMUI software onboard.

So we still don’t know anything for sure. But there’s a compelling case to be made for Google’s development of a future 7- or 8-inch Nexus slate. The timeframes involved with previous Nexus tablets suggest it could go from concept to reality relatively quickly, and Huawei has the motive and the means to help Google bring such a product to life. As for Nexus 7P or Huawei 7P? That could equally be a tantalizing clue or a total red herring.

When it comes to release timing, my gut feeling is that Google is more likely to wait until late summer, when Android N is expected to officially debut, for any new hardware launch. That said, a mid-cycle Nexus tablet release wouldn’t be unprecedented.

For now, we’ll just have to wait and see what shape the next Nexus tablet takes. Keep it locked to Android Central in the months ahead to be the first to know.

What would you like to see in a future Nexus tablet? Let us know down in the comments!

Subgrid positioning: why I keep coming back to Nova Launcher

There are features on a launcher that keep you coming back.

Action Launcher has Quickdrawer. Apex has its theme engine. Aviate has its quirky app organization. Well, Nova Launcher’s got quite a few features that keep users coming back year after year, theme after theme. But beyond the ridiculous amount of launcher customization and the best damn launcher backups on Android, Nova has an ace in the hole.

And that ace is subgrid positioning.

So what if a widget looks wonky at 5×1?

Now, the grid on your launcher dictates how many spaces you have for shortcuts, folders, and widgets. Most launchers default to a 5×5 or 4×4 grid depending on how big/old they are. That means you can put a 5×1 widget completely across one row of your home screen: like a music widget or a weather bar. So what if a widget looks wonky at 5×1? Well, you can resize widgets in most launchers, including Nova, and change that widget from 5×1 to 5×2. The problem then becomes that this widget is taking up 40% of your home screen. You need the stretch your widget somewhere between the two. So you can either resize your home screen grid, or you can use the handy option sitting on that same page in Nova Settings.

Enter subgrid positioning.

Now, instead of being stuck between a 5×1 or 5×2 widget (or more often a 7×1 vs 8×2 widget), you can split the difference and resize the widget to be 5×1.5. It seems like a simple thing, but it makes a huge difference, especially when trying to place widgets around a feature on your wallpaper like the Zooper widgets in our Deadpool theme. It essentially double your options when resizing a widget or placing a shortcut. On a 5×5 grid, instead of having 5 width or height options, you have 10 each. On a 7×7 grid, what I use, I have 14 widget sizes instead of 7. And when scaling and placing widgets, those options can make all the difference in the world.

Snag a Moto X Pure Edition for just $350 at Motorola

Motorola is selling the Moto X Pure Edition smartphone for $349.99, a $50 discount from its normal price. The sale lasts until Monday, May 2.

While we have seen this smartphone sold for a lower price in the past by other retailers, this discount comes directly from Motorola on its site. That means you can customize the Moto X Pure Edition with the company’s Moto Maker for different front, back and accent colors, along with custom engravings and greeting messages.

See at Motorola

Facebook Messenger’s group calls let you chat with your whole squad

Anyone using Facebook Messenger around the globe can now take advantage of group voice calls within the app. Announced by Facebook’s David Marcus, group calling has just begun rolling out to users across the globe.

To start a group call, you simply have to tap the phone icon from any group conversation. On the following screen, you’ll then be able to select and manage individual call participants.

Group calls are rolling out to users over the next 24 hours, according to Marcus, so they may not be available to everyone just yet. However, if you’re using the latest version of Messenger, you should see the feature pop up relatively soon.

Have you tried Facebook Messenger’s group calls yet? Let us know what you think in the comments below!

Where to buy the Huawei P9 in the UK

Huawei’s 2016 flagship, the P9, has the widest UK availability of any Huawei-branded phone

Huawei is hoping to make a big splash with its new high-end phone. The P9, with its dual cameras and metal unibody, will be available SIM-free at a compelling £449 price point, as well as being picked up by all four major network operators. We’ve rounded up some early pre-order details for the Huawei P9 below, so be sure to check them out if you’re considering Huawei’s latest handset.

Carphone Warehouse

The high street’s biggest independent phone seller has the P9 up for pre-order for £449.99 SIM-free, or on contracts starting at £26 per month. Network options include EE, Vodafone and O2, as well as Carphone’s own ID network, which runs on Three’s spectrum. The phone is available in grey and silver color options.

See Huawei P9 at Carphone Warehouse

Vmall

Huawei’s own online store is taking P9 orders for £449, and offering the grey and silver color options. The first 75 orders will receive a £50 voucher redeemable against purchases of Photobooks, Wall-Art and Calendars from photo store Jessops.

See Huawei P9 at Vmall

O2

O2 has confirmed that it’ll sell the Huawei P9 in grey, but doesn’t have any tariff or price information just yet.

See Huawei P9 at O2

Vodafone

Vodafone is selling the Huawei P9 in grey on contract, with a free Huawei watch thrown in for good measure. Prices start at £30 per month with no upfront fee.

See Huawei P9 at Vodafone

EE

EE has confirmed that it’ll range the Huawei P9 in grey, but hasn’t announced any further details.

See more phones at EE

Three

Three has confirmed that it’ll be carrying the P9, and says it hopes to share more information soon.

See more at Three

Tempted by the Huawei P9? Be sure to shout out in the comments and share your thoughts!

Huawei P9 and P9 Plus

• Huawei unveils the P9!
• Huawei P9 and P9 Plus hands-on
• Huawei P9 specs
• Huawei P9 unboxing
• Join the discussion in the forums

O2
Vodafone
EE

Understanding security options on the Samsung Galaxy S7

Make sure only you and the people you trust have access your Galaxy S7 and the data stored within.

Securing your devices and data is more important than ever these days. Just think of the sheer amount of personal information we pour into our phones, not to mention the shift towards using devices to manage finances. Now, think of all of that information falling into the wrong hands. Scary, right?

Fear not. The Samsung Galaxy S7 features a slew of security options to keep your data safe — even if someone really wants to get at it. Some of it is pretty basic stuff, like setting up a lock screen (which you should already be familiar with and using…right?). But you should also know how to encrypt the data on your SD card, how to use fingerprint security, and Smart Lock, which lets you leave your phone unlocked when it’s on your body or in a location you’ve set as a secured space. Also, you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the latest security updates from Samsung.

If you’re overwhelmed at all, don’t worry! We’ve covered it all in this guide.

• How to change the screen lock style
• How to encrypt your SD card
• Fingerprint security
• How to use Smart Lock
• How to turn on automatic Samsung security policy updates

Samsung Galaxy S7 and S7 edge

• Galaxy S7 review
• Galaxy S7 edge review
• Here are all four Galaxy S7 colors
• Should you upgrade to the Galaxy S7?
• Learn about the Galaxy S7’s SD card slot
• Join our Galaxy S7 forums

AT&T
Sprint
T-Mobile
Verizon

Google Keep’s new Chrome extension makes saving from the web much easier

Google is rolling out some nice update to its Keep note taking product both on the web and Android. It’s now easier to save items from the web with Keep’s new extension for Chrome, which allows you to save a website, or part of one, with just the click of a button. Similarly, you can now use the Share option on Android to save something to Keep.

You can also now organize your notes using hashtags. From Google:

One of your top asks has been for a way to organize and categorize notes, and now it’s as easy as using a #hashtag. This should help you keep track of to-do lists for a #trip or a collect your favorite #recipes, for example.

There have been some small visual tweaks made to the Android app, with some menus moved so similar options are grouped together.

The Keep Chrome extension is available now, and the changes should be rolling out to the Android app in short order.

LG G5 versus the Nexus 6P

Two great phones with different strengths.

The LG G5 is new on the block, which means that it’s time to pit against some of the best phones currently available. This go around we’ll be taking a look at how the LG G5 compares up against the likes of the Nexus 6P. They both have their own strengths, so if you’ve been curious to see how the G5 holds up be sure to keep reading.

Design

When it comes to design, these are very different phones that both feel great in your hand. While both phones are well designed, they don’t really follow the same guidelines.

The G5 is the smaller of the two phones in both height and width, clocking in at 149.4mm tall and 73.9mm wide. The Nexus 6P is significantly larger in both dimensions, with a 159.3mm and 77.8mm wide. When it comes to how bulky the phone is in your hand, the Nexus 6P is the thinner of the two with a 7.3mm thickness. The G5 isn’t much thicker though, at 7.7mm.

The Nexus 6P fits well in your hand, but it can feel slippery. That means it might not be the best fit for you, especially if you have trouble with dropping phones. The G5 in comparison is an easier fit in your hand and has a smooth back, without being slippery. While both of these phones are made out of metal, they give you a drastically different feel in your hand.

Camera

When pitting the LG G5 and the Nexus 6P against one another, taking a few minutes to talk about the camera is definitely mandatory. That’s because both of these phones have a camera that delivers fantastic images with a minimum of fuss. Nexus phones haven’t been known for their top of the line camera’s, while LG has put emphasis on their camera design for years.

LG G5 (left) / Nexus 6P (right); click images to view larger

Note​: The LG G5 has a natural aspect ratio of 16:9, whereas the Nexus 6P shoots at 4:3. All photos are unaltered from their original states.

While both phones have an 8MP front camera, the rear camera is where they divert. The Nexus 6P has a 12.3MP rear camera that delivers fantastic photos. It doesn’t matter whether you’re outside in the sun, or in a dim room, you’ll get great results. The LG G5 takes things a step further though. You get two rear cameras, the main 16MP camera, along with an 8MP wide-angle lens. It gives you a ton of control over your photos, should you choose you delve into the options available to you.

While the Nexus 6P delivers fantastic photos, the LG G5 simply gives you more access to the features of a camera. These include being able to tweak the ISO, as well as including filters that you can use on your photos. That being said, both of these cameras perform admirably under a variety of conditions, and if you primarily use your camera in auto, neither will do you wrong.

Software

Both of these phones are running on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, but the experience you’ll get from them isn’t quite the same. Not by a long shot. The Nexus 6P has the Marshmallow you may know and love from the 5X or the 6, while the G5 suffers from an excess of bloatware when you first boot it up.

The Nexus 6P is quick and snappy, without stutter as you swipe between apps. As you might have guessed, the 6P gets the latest security patches available from Google, and will continue to do so for the lifecycle of this phone. So whether you like a wickedly fast phone, or a phone that stays secure, the 6P has you covered.

LG made some serious changes to their software this go around. That includes doing away with the app drawer is one of the big changes, and plenty of people are unhappy about it. They’ve also added a friends manager app, which it seems is being more or less ignored by most users. That’s because the LG friends manager is there to maker it easier to connect to your LG accessories like LG 360 CAM. Quick settings are still problematically large which can easily become frustrating. You’ll also find a slew of bloatware apps added by the carrier, on top of LG’s customization.

Which one should I buy?

These phones are fairly well matched in a number of ways. Making this decision honestly comes down to the decision between having a snappy phone with great software, or access to all of the features in a camera. If software and security are your concerns, then the Nexus 6P is the obvious choice. If you spend a lot of time using your phone as a camera and want access to a wider variety of settings, then the LG G5 is going to be the better choice. To be honest, the Nexus 6P is the better phone, the G5 just pulls forward as a contender because of the versatility of it’s camera.

Get the Nexus 6P on Amazon Get the LG G5 on Amazon

Counter-Strike 1.6 can be played on an Android phone with some extra effort

While Valve isn’t planning to release a native version of its classic PC multiplayer shooter Counter-Strike 1.6 in the Google Play Store, someone has figured out a way to get the game running on Android phones.

The person who made this happen is Alibek Omarov, who has created the necessary files in an APK format and posted them to GitHub (via Kotaku). You will also need to own Counter-Strike 1.6 itself on Steam for this to work. Omarov has posted the instructions on how to install and get the game running on Android phones.

We want to emphasize that this method is in no way official, nor has it been approved by Valve, so you are downloading and installing these files on your phone at your own risk. You might also want to hook up a gamepad or some other gaming controller to the phone after Counter-Strike 1.6 is ready to play, as we can imagine playing the game with just a touch screen would be very hard indeed.

Chrome OS hops on Material Design bandwagon with version 50

Chrome OS users are in for a treat with the latest Chrome 50 release. As detailed by Google designer Sebastien Gabriel on his blog, Chrome OS has received a bit of a Material Design overhaul in its latest update.

Overall, if you’re familiar with Material Design’s implementation on Android, there won’t be too many surprises here. While the general layout of things remains the same, the Chrome OS design is much flatter across the board (as seen in the image above). Additionally, the Incognito window now features a full dark theme from head to toe.

As Gabriel notes, the year-long project also brought some other improvements, like a new “hybrid” interface that should space things out a bit more on touch-enabled Chromebooks. Likewise, Gabriel notes that the interface is now rendered “fully programmatically.” Essentially, this allowed the team to remove upwards of 1,200 image files used by the system, and Chrome OS should scale much better across resolutions.

The Material Design changes should make their way to Chrome on Mac and Windows in the future, but Chromebook users should start seeing the new interface once Chrome OS updates to the latest version. For more on the overhaul, be sure to check out Sebastien Gabriel’s full post.