Microsoft’s Windows 10 S restrictions go deeper than just locking down apps
Why it matters to you
The Windows 10 S restrictions imposed by Microsoft create a secure environment for students but it could be a hassle for IT professionals.
Microsoft introduced its seemingly long-awaited Surface Laptop during a special education-themed event in May. Powering this device was a new version of Windows 10 with an ‘S’ slapped at the end of its name. Right off the bat, we knew that the platform would only enable the use of Microsoft-sanctioned apps sold through the Windows Store. But the scope of Microsoft’s Windows 10 S restrictions goes way beyond a simple app lock-down.
For clarification, the Windows 10 S restrictions require that all apps and drivers have a Windows Store signature. That means users can’t side-load apps even if they are based on Microsoft’s Universal Windows Platform design. But that also means companies and institutions cannot install their in-house solutions used on Windows 10 Pro and Windows 10 Enterprise. Moreover, driver packages cannot include “non-Microsoft UI components or applications.”
As Microsoft previously confirmed, the Windows 10 S restrictions prevent users from installing Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, and other internet browsers unless the developers create versions for distribution through the Windows Store. Thus, Microsoft Edge is the only browser that can be used and Microsoft is also preventing users from changing the default search engine from Bing.
Another problem stemming from the Windows Store lockdown is that Windows 10 S users cannot install third-party anti-virus, disk utility, and backup products that rely on file system filter drivers. That said, Windows 10 S forces users to rely on the built-in Windows Defender component, which is not a bad thing, but could pose a problem in institutions where IT pros manage the security of multiple devices with one solution.
That is not the only headache for IT. Devices with Windows 10 S cannot join a Windows domain. That means they cannot be managed by Active Directory either and must be handled through Azure Active Directory, a “multi-tenant cloud based directory and identity management service.”
Outside the Windows Store requirement, the Windows 10 S restrictions include blocking specific built-in Windows 10 components from running at all. These include:
- bash.exe
- cdb.exe
- cmd.exe
- cscript.exe
- csi.exe
- dnx.exe
- kd.exe
- lxssmanager.dll
- msbuild.exe
- ntsd.exe
- powershell.exe
- powershell_ise.exe
- rcsi.exe
- reg.exe
- regedt32.exe
- windbg.exe
- wmic.exe
- wscript.exe
As of this publication, Microsoft has yet to provide detailed information outlining the Windows 10 S restrictions and benefits. The company also has not provided evaluation copies for IT pros to test, which are usually served up on Microsoft-owned sources including MSDN. The platform, it seems, is only found on the new Surface Laptop … for now.
The point behind Windows 10 S is to combat Google’s popular Chrome OS platform powering Chromebooks in the education arena. Although the Surface Laptop does not sport the price you expect for the average student, many models packing the Windows 10 S operating system will be low enough to give low-cost Chromebooks a hard time on the market. Microsoft is mainly targeting students with its Windows 10 S initiative and users can always upgrade to Windows 10 Pro if the limiting Windows 10 S restrictions get too cumbersome.
Lenovo confirms upcoming special-edition ThinkPad won’t cost $5,000
Why it matters to you
Long-time fans of the ThinkPad brand won’t have to break the bank when the special edition ThinkPad laptop makes its debut towards the end of the year.
Earlier this week, Lenovo senior vice president of commercial business Christain Teismann briefly mentioned that the company will produce a special edition ThinkPad laptop that will be officially revealed in October. He said it would include “throwback” features combined with the new innovations of today without providing any additional detail. However, Lenovo’s David Hill followed up on Thursday with a few more nuggets of information to chew on regarding the mystery device.
Hill confirmed that Lenovo is indeed working on a “retro” special edition ThinkPad laptop to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary. It’s aimed at enthusiasts and “superfans” who provided Lenovo with ideas of what the special edition laptop should provide in terms of looks and features. The final product will contain many of those requested features and ideas in a special edition model that Hill calls “quite impressive.”
“As with any new product we develop, there are always technical and cost limitations,” he said. “It has a wonderful black rubberized coating, three TrackPoint caps, and a keyboard to die for. I will proudly carry one.”
The first batch of ThinkPad notebooks were the 700 Series consisting of the 700, 700C, and 700T models produced by IBM in 1992. The 700C actually served as the first product stemming from IBMs “differentiated product personality” strategy. Lenovo didn’t’ claim the ThinkPad brand until it acquired IBM’s personal computer business over a decade later in 2005.
Here’s what we could dig up for the ancient ThinkPad 700 and 700C models:
ThinkPad 700
ThinkPad 700C
Display size:
9.5 inches
10.4 inches
Display type:
Passive LCD
Active-matrix LCD
Display colors:
64-shade monochrome
256 colors
Processor:
IBM 486SLC @ 25MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 50MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 25MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 50MHz
Storage:
80MB hard drive (a)
120MB hard drive (b)
120MB hard drive
Input:
Keyboard
TrackPoint controller
Keyboard
TrackPoint controller
Weight:
6.5 pounds
7.6 pounds
Operating systems:
Microsoft DOS 5.0
IBM OS/2 2.0
Windows 3.1
Microsoft DOS 5.0
IBM OS/2 2.0
Windows 3.1
Price:
$2,750 (a)
$2,950 (b)
$4,350
While the old technology is laughable now, this was high-tech goodness in 1992. They had plenty of spunk to run the original Doom (IBM 386 CPU or better), which arrived a year later from GT Interactive and id Software. They could also run 1992’s original Wolfenstein 3-D shooter, which only required a 286 processor, 528K of system memory, and 8MB of storage for the full version.
What will be interesting to see is how Lenovo will blend the old with the new in its upcoming special edition ThinkPad laptop. However, Hill confirmed that the resulting product will not cost an insane $5,000 despite recent rumors. But he also admitted that he has no idea how much the laptop will cost, or when it will hit the market.
“I’ve held early development hardware in my hand, powered it on, looked at the screen, and even typed on it,” Hill added. “Those who have seen it can’t help but smile. Please be patient, there’s more to come. It’s alive.”
Until additional information about the special edition ThinkPad arrives, check out our reviews of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2017 model), and the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 (late 2016).
Lenovo confirms upcoming special-edition ThinkPad won’t cost $5,000
Why it matters to you
Long-time fans of the ThinkPad brand won’t have to break the bank when the special edition ThinkPad laptop makes its debut towards the end of the year.
Earlier this week, Lenovo senior vice president of commercial business Christain Teismann briefly mentioned that the company will produce a special edition ThinkPad laptop that will be officially revealed in October. He said it would include “throwback” features combined with the new innovations of today without providing any additional detail. However, Lenovo’s David Hill followed up on Thursday with a few more nuggets of information to chew on regarding the mystery device.
Hill confirmed that Lenovo is indeed working on a “retro” special edition ThinkPad laptop to celebrate the brand’s 25th anniversary. It’s aimed at enthusiasts and “superfans” who provided Lenovo with ideas of what the special edition laptop should provide in terms of looks and features. The final product will contain many of those requested features and ideas in a special edition model that Hill calls “quite impressive.”
“As with any new product we develop, there are always technical and cost limitations,” he said. “It has a wonderful black rubberized coating, three TrackPoint caps, and a keyboard to die for. I will proudly carry one.”
The first batch of ThinkPad notebooks were the 700 Series consisting of the 700, 700C, and 700T models produced by IBM in 1992. The 700C actually served as the first product stemming from IBMs “differentiated product personality” strategy. Lenovo didn’t’ claim the ThinkPad brand until it acquired IBM’s personal computer business over a decade later in 2005.
Here’s what we could dig up for the ancient ThinkPad 700 and 700C models:
ThinkPad 700
ThinkPad 700C
Display size:
9.5 inches
10.4 inches
Display type:
Passive LCD
Active-matrix LCD
Display colors:
64-shade monochrome
256 colors
Processor:
IBM 486SLC @ 25MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 50MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 25MHz
IBM 486SLC @ 50MHz
Storage:
80MB hard drive (a)
120MB hard drive (b)
120MB hard drive
Input:
Keyboard
TrackPoint controller
Keyboard
TrackPoint controller
Weight:
6.5 pounds
7.6 pounds
Operating systems:
Microsoft DOS 5.0
IBM OS/2 2.0
Windows 3.1
Microsoft DOS 5.0
IBM OS/2 2.0
Windows 3.1
Price:
$2,750 (a)
$2,950 (b)
$4,350
While the old technology is laughable now, this was high-tech goodness in 1992. They had plenty of spunk to run the original Doom (IBM 386 CPU or better), which arrived a year later from GT Interactive and id Software. They could also run 1992’s original Wolfenstein 3-D shooter, which only required a 286 processor, 528K of system memory, and 8MB of storage for the full version.
What will be interesting to see is how Lenovo will blend the old with the new in its upcoming special edition ThinkPad laptop. However, Hill confirmed that the resulting product will not cost an insane $5,000 despite recent rumors. But he also admitted that he has no idea how much the laptop will cost, or when it will hit the market.
“I’ve held early development hardware in my hand, powered it on, looked at the screen, and even typed on it,” Hill added. “Those who have seen it can’t help but smile. Please be patient, there’s more to come. It’s alive.”
Until additional information about the special edition ThinkPad arrives, check out our reviews of the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 Carbon (2017 model), and the Lenovo ThinkPad X260 (late 2016).
New workflow app Twist is like Slack, with an eye for organization
Why it matters to you
Twist is a fresh take on an age-old problem that could be better suited for your team than the communication apps already out there.
Slack is the go-to communication app for many teams — though as anyone who has used it will tell you, it’s hardly perfect. Doist, the company behind to-do app Todoist, has attempted to address some of those shortcomings with a new communications app called Twist.
In Slack, Conversations take place in traditional, linear chat feeds, though users have the option of creating threads in response to individual comments. But digging through chat histories to find what you’re looking for isn’t ideal — especially if you’re part of a team that moves quickly, with lots of back-and-forth between co-workers.
As a result, things can get out of hand pretty quickly. To make matters worse, some of Slack’s more useful features, like marking messages read or unread and creating snippets, are hidden away under a sea of shortcuts the average user probably isn’t aware of.
What all this means is although Slack may function well enough depending on your workflow, it’s not a perfect solution. While Twist surely isn’t the panacea to your productivity woes either, it operates in a fundamentally different way that could better serve your needs compared to what the competition is offering.
Whereas Slack recently gave users the ability to carry threaded conversations, everything in Twist is threaded right from the start. You still have your channels, but inside each channel are threaded conversations — much like a typical online forum. Composing a new thread looks and feels much like writing an email, except any user in your channel can initiate in-line conversations in response to your original post.
When you need to direct message a colleague, Twist gives you the power to do that as well. And, as in Slack, everything is searchable, with customizable filters to help you drill down and really find what you’re looking for.
Outside of conversations, there are a couple useful additions to Twist your team might appreciate. You can set a vacation status, as TechCrunch points out, which will provide a return date on your profile for your coworkers to see and mute notifications until then. Doist also promises integration with third-party services like automation tool Zapier and software development platform GitHub in the future.
Those interested can begin using Twist for free, though the free version doesn’t preserve all your conversations and files. A paid version, running $5 per user, per month, will maintain records of everything you share in the app. There are iOS and Android versions for mobile, Windows and MacOS support for PC users, and a web interface as well.
New workflow app Twist is like Slack, with an eye for organization
Why it matters to you
Twist is a fresh take on an age-old problem that could be better suited for your team than the communication apps already out there.
Slack is the go-to communication app for many teams — though as anyone who has used it will tell you, it’s hardly perfect. Doist, the company behind to-do app Todoist, has attempted to address some of those shortcomings with a new communications app called Twist.
In Slack, Conversations take place in traditional, linear chat feeds, though users have the option of creating threads in response to individual comments. But digging through chat histories to find what you’re looking for isn’t ideal — especially if you’re part of a team that moves quickly, with lots of back-and-forth between co-workers.
As a result, things can get out of hand pretty quickly. To make matters worse, some of Slack’s more useful features, like marking messages read or unread and creating snippets, are hidden away under a sea of shortcuts the average user probably isn’t aware of.
What all this means is although Slack may function well enough depending on your workflow, it’s not a perfect solution. While Twist surely isn’t the panacea to your productivity woes either, it operates in a fundamentally different way that could better serve your needs compared to what the competition is offering.
Whereas Slack recently gave users the ability to carry threaded conversations, everything in Twist is threaded right from the start. You still have your channels, but inside each channel are threaded conversations — much like a typical online forum. Composing a new thread looks and feels much like writing an email, except any user in your channel can initiate in-line conversations in response to your original post.
When you need to direct message a colleague, Twist gives you the power to do that as well. And, as in Slack, everything is searchable, with customizable filters to help you drill down and really find what you’re looking for.
Outside of conversations, there are a couple useful additions to Twist your team might appreciate. You can set a vacation status, as TechCrunch points out, which will provide a return date on your profile for your coworkers to see and mute notifications until then. Doist also promises integration with third-party services like automation tool Zapier and software development platform GitHub in the future.
Those interested can begin using Twist for free, though the free version doesn’t preserve all your conversations and files. A paid version, running $5 per user, per month, will maintain records of everything you share in the app. There are iOS and Android versions for mobile, Windows and MacOS support for PC users, and a web interface as well.
Live-stream broadcasters can earn cash through Periscope’s Super Hearts
Why it matters to you
Don’t know what to do with that dollar lying around? Periscope users can support their favorite live broadcasts with purchased likes.
Really like that live Periscope video? Now viewers can show their support in the form of Super Hearts, a new form of “liking” that live-stream that will actually help that broadcaster earn some cash. Of course, that means Super Hearts are not just a click but are actually paid for.
Periscope, the Twitter-owned platform dedicated to live video, announced the new Super Heart feature on Wednesday. The company is calling Super Hearts “virtual gifts” that viewers can send to their favorite broadcasters.
Periscope
Super Hearts come in a few different styles, but they are larger, more colorful and more animated than the original like options that float up as users like the live feed. Viewers can send as many Super Hearts as they like while the broadcast is live. A new icon offers easy access to the different options.
Unlike the typical social media support, however, Super Hearts help broadcasters earn cash — because those hearts are not free to give. Users need to tap “get coins,” then purchase coins inside either the App Store or Google Play. Coin packages range from $.99 for 1,050 coins to $99 for 132,650. Once the coins are purchased, users can choose which Super Heart to send. Super Hearts range in coin cost, from a more basic heart for 33 coins to a heart with the user’s profile picture inside for 111.
A leaderboard will show which users gave the video the most Super Hearts. For broadcasters, that means it is easier to see who the biggest supporters are.
As the live video continues, Super Hearts build up a “star balance” — and then that star balance can later be exchanged for actual cash. The cash transfer is only available for users that have applied to — and been approved for — the Super Broadcaster Program.
If broadcasters are not feeling so Super, the feature can be switched off before going live. Super Hearts are only available while a broadcast is live.
The feature is launching on both the app, Twitter, and Periscope.tv in the U.S., with international availability expected to roll out soon.
As video grows in popularity, more social networks are expanding features from more live features to original shows and broadcast deals, but the Periscope’s move is a rather odd approach to monetizing live video. Time will tell if fans are willing to pay for likes or if the program falls flat.
Yahoo retires cult favorite News Digest app in favor of Newsroom
Why it matters to you
Yahoo’s News Digest was one of the few news apps that really appreciated your time — here’s hoping another contender has learned from its example.
Since 2014, Yahoo’s News Digest app has offered a unique way to stay up to date on the world’s events without getting lost in an unending torrent of headlines and improperly formatted RSS feeds. Sadly, it seems its days are numbered, according to a note attached to what is presumably the final update.
Yahoo will be shutting down the app on June 30. The news comes just days after Verizon finalized its long-pending acquisition of Yahoo to the tune of $4.8 billion. In its place will be Yahoo Newsroom — an app that more closely imitates competitors like Google Play Newsstand, Flipboard, and News Republic.
What set News Digest apart was its highly specialized focus. The developers positioned it as an app you could dip into twice a day — once at 8 a.m., and again at 6 p.m. — to catch up on eight curated, streamlined articles covering various topics. That was it; no fluff, no hassling users to like or share content, and no interface designed around elaborate swiping gestures you need an hour-long class to understand and memorize. You learn something, and you get on with your day — the mobile ideal fully realized.
Because the concept was so simple, Yahoo was able to do some pretty remarkable things with design. This meant a roomy, attractive landing page with all your articles arranged in numbered order, given colored categories and icons to denote the kind of media contained in each post. Every story would end with a link to further explore topics in depth or some kind of pull quote or statistic in big type as a major takeaway from the narrative.
In comparison to the competition, News Digest was like a breath of fresh air. And with Verizon’s ownership seemingly having claimed another casualty, the app is currently directing users to try Newsroom instead.
There is nothing outwardly offensive about Newsroom, but it is a far cry from its predecessor. The layout is busy, and navigation is cumbersome. Ads take up as much space as news stories do in the feed, and comments are given prime real estate under every single post.
It’s the age-old struggle to push users to do more than is truly necessary or beneficial, and News Digest was the antithesis to that trend. The app was actually created as Summly by British teenager Nick D’Aloisio, before Yahoo purchased it in 2013 for a reported $30 million.
If you’ve never used News Digest before, you have one more week to give it a spin on Android and iOS — just try not to get yourself too attached. You can also check out our list of the best news apps to find a solid replacement.
LG G6 review
Research Center:
LG G6
Update: We’ve amended the review with a section on the G6 Plus. We’ve also added comparisons to Samsung’s Galaxy S8.
Is bigger better? When it comes to the screens on our smartphones, yes. But when it comes to the body of the phone, not so much. That’s the reason we don’t all carry around a tablet every day. It’s also why so-called phablets often split opinion. The LG G6 laughs in the face of such concerns. It’s the phablet’s worst nightmare, because it puts a massive screen inside a truly compact body, redefining the genre and daring big-screen haters to get over their prejudices.
It’s also the follow-up to the LG G5, a phone that similarly attempted to redefine smartphones with its modular construction (but didn’t manage to do so). The G6 isn’t as bold or as risky as the G5, so has LG played it too safe this time? We’ve been using the phone for a week or so, and have plenty to say about it.
Making the phablet manageable
Many people struggle to believe the G6 has a 5.7-inch screen, because it feels so small in your hand. It’s easy to stretch your thumb across to the other side of the phone when holding it in one hand, and it remains usable at all times. Try that with any phone with a 5.5-inch screen, and it’s a struggle.
How has LG achieved this feat? It minimized the size of the bezels and chose an 18:9 aspect ratio, making it longer and thinner than the 16:9 aspect ratio screens found on most other phones. It’s the same aspect ratio as Samsung’s Galaxy S8.
The front of the G6 looks very modern, thanks to the rounded corners of the screen. It’s the screen that’s rounded, too, rather than a bezel over the top to give it the look. Combined with the rounded corners of the phone, it helps absorb impacts and lessens the likelihood of catastrophic screen damage. The thin top and bottom bezels make the screen stand out even more, and enhance the minimalist style of the phone. This is a glass and metal phone, with Gorilla Glass 3 on the front, and Gorilla Glass 5 on the back. We are worried that it will break and be expensive to replace, so we highly recommend you buy a G6 case.
Flip it over, and the rear has LG’s trademark fingerprint sensor which doubles as a power button below the dual-lens camera and flash unit. Apart from a subtle G6 logo, that’s it. Our review model is platinum, which looks fantastic, and isn’t the fingerprint magnet you may expect. The phone also comes in black or white. The G6 is thicker than many phones, but not by much, and it gives you a lot more phone to hold on to.
Is the G6 the perfect size and shape for a smartphone? At the moment, yes it is. It combines everything we love about big-screen phones and removes everything we hate about them. There’s no longer a reason to compromise and buy a smaller phone, and no reason to get one bigger than the G6, either. You won’t be prying the G6 out of our hands for a while.
There’s a new screen shape in town
Measuring 5.7 inches and boasting an impressive 2,880 × 1,440-pixel resolution, the G6 has envious screen specs; but those cool rounded edges and the overall size of the G6’s screen isn’t what makes it so special. It’s the 18:9 aspect ratio. This also equates to a 2:1 ratio, which means two perfect squares fit next to each other on it, something that LG exploits in the user interface.
Why should you care about the aspect ratio? Isn’t that sort of thing just for cine-geeks? It’s actually the movie industry that may end up making-or-breaking the 18:9 screen. Some filmmakers consider it to be the happy medium between cinema and TV aspect ratios, meaning regardless of what screen a video is watched on, it will retain the same look — no cropping to fit — and stay the same as the director and cinematographer intended. More and more video is being watched on smartphones, so this is a major consideration.
The LG G6 is the phablet’s worst nightmare.
For now, there’s a limited amount of 18:9 content online, mostly streamed through Netflix. We watched Daredevil and Marco Polo on the G6, and both looked superb; filling the screen entirely after tapping a special button in a drop-down menu. There’s something very special about seeing a video fill the screen this way. It’s more immersive, more cinematic, and genuinely impactful.
The aspect ratio isn’t the only feature that makes the video experience on the G6 special. It’s the first phone to come with both Dolby Vision and HDR 10 support. This technology previously only seen on televisions is designed to make the image more lifelike with better colors, more accurate contrast levels, and wider viewing angles. There’s not much content out there that takes advantage of it at the moment — it doesn’t make any difference to regular YouTube videos, or the operating system — so it’s only Netflix or Amazon Prime subscribers that may see the benefit.
There’s also the problem with video content that’s not formatted for an 18:9 screen. That content has black bars running down the sides of the video in landscape orientation. If 18:9 video catches on like LG and others hope, this will eventually become less of a problem, but for now, you’ll have to put up with them in most cases. Size oddities aside, the G6’s display is stunning. It’s full of color, detail, and warmth, and a true pleasure to watch.
Andy Boxall/Digital Trends
Although the screen is technically 5.7 inches in size, it doesn’t really look like any other 5.7-inch screen, and some may see the G6’s screen size as a con, due to the taller, thinner aspect ratio. For example, put the G6 alongside the 5.5-inch iPhone 7 Plus and open an app such as Twitter, and the iPhone will display more text and information on one screen than the G6. It’s still a big-screen experience, just unlike those we’re used to.
Slick software and fun apps
Android 7.0 Nougat is installed on the LG G6, and our pre-production review model had the March 2017 security patch installed, making it right up to date. LG’s user interface is placed over Android and has a few additions to make better use of the 18:9 aspect ratio screen. Android purists will note changes to the notification shade, the Settings menu, and the option to enable the app tray, or spread apps across multiple home screens. LG also provides various themes to match the color scheme of your G6, which change backgrounds, wallpapers, and icons.
The G6 is ideally suited to multi-window app use, providing a perfect square for two apps to live in, and it’s easy to activate using a long press of the Android menu key. LG only installs a few of its own apps, such as QuickMemo+, which handily syncs with Google Drive, LG Health, a Tasks app, and its own messaging, music, file manager, and calendar apps. Additionally, there’s an FM radio app, and an audio recorder. Many of LG’s own apps make use of the 18:9 aspect ratio. The Gallery app takes up the whole screen, for example.
It’s LG’s Square Camera that’s the most interesting. It splits the screen into two, with the top half for square format pictures and the lower half for previews, or custom shots. It’s a shame Square Camera’s functionality wasn’t built into the main camera app, because many people will miss it.
Grid Shot works especially well. The square is broken down into quarters, each filled with a still image or a three-second video clip, which when put together tells a neat little story. There’s plenty of room for creativity here, and best of all, the result can easily be shared on Facebook or Twitter, with videos intact. This is essential, and a problem Apple hasn’t overcome with its similarly fun Live Photos feature. If you can’t share them with your friends, we question whether it’s worth it at all.
Other features in Square Camera include Match Shot, which is like Grid Shot but with two pictures instead of four, and Guide Shot for matching photos using a handy transparent overlay, so people can capture the same pose or composition on multiple occasions.
A long press on the home button brings up Google Assistant. The G6 is the first to use the Assistant outside of the Pixel phones, ahead of its wider release on other Android 7.0 Nougat phones. We’ve reviewed a version of the G6 that has software which is 95 percent ready for release, meaning there may be some alterations when the phone goes on sale. However, we experienced no stability or compatibility problems.
While LG’s user interface does deviate from standard Android, it’s not unpleasant or slow. Thought and effort has been put into the icon design when you change themes, the color choices that match the body, and the icon curves that match the shape of the screen. LG’s UX 6.0 looks fantastic, and we never felt a desire to change the launcher on the G6. The G6 has up-to-date software now, and we hope that will continue in the future, but that will be down to LG’s update schedule, which unfortunately may lag behind Google’s.
A wonderful wide-angle camera
There are two camera lenses on the back of the G6, both with 13 megapixels. One boasts a wider-angle lens than the other. The 125-degree wide-angle lens doesn’t have optical image stabilization and it has an f/2.4 aperture, while the 71-degree standard lens has OIS and a far better f/1.8 aperture.
You get two different experiences when taking pictures, especially in low light, when the standard angle lens produces pictures with more detail and less noise. However, the G6 can take some fantastic nighttime or evening shots, adding drama and atmosphere in the right environment. Used creatively, and with the right lighting, the wide-angle lens is also more than capable.
LG’s UX 6.0 looks fantastic, and we never felt a desire to change the launcher.
In daylight, the G6’s camera didn’t enjoy overcast days at the end of British winter time, and struggled to manage contrast — eventually settling on washing out the sky and darkening the landscape. It’s not ideal, and something we’re hoping will be cured when the final software build is released. We also found the screen itself didn’t do the photo justice, and it often ended up looking better than expected when we checked the gallery. Again, something that’s likely to change with a software update. We’re noting it here in case nothing changes.
Show the camera a blue sky, colorful plants, or any close-up material, and it shines. Using the phone in Spain after the launch, we compared the G6 to several other phones including the Pixel XL and the iPhone 7 Plus, and found it produced the best image in several different tests. Most of the time, it came very close to matching the Pixel XL, a highly rated camera phone.
Taking photos with the G6 is enjoyable and addictive, and the wide-angle mode presents new creative opportunities. There’s a manual mode for both stills and video, if you’re confident enough to change settings in search of the perfect picture. LG hasn’t included an editor, though, and you’re given the choice of using Google Photos or a third-party app, such as Snapseed instead.
The G6’s selfie camera has 5 megapixels and a single 100-degree, wide-angle lens, and like the main camera the two modes are alternated using a button on the screen. There are also several filters to apply, and a chance to manipulate skin tone and artificial lighting sources. While capable enough, selfies taken with the G6 can’t match those of the Huawei P10. The wide-angle lens makes it easy to take great group shots, though, and goes along way to redeeming the front cam’s ability.
LG has also made good use of the extra screen in the camera app, using the top edge (or side edge in landscape) as a preview gallery, showing the last four pictures taken so you don’t have to jump into the gallery app to see them.
Plenty of power and battery life
The LG G6 has a Qualcomm Snapdragon 821 processor inside, plus 4GB of RAM. There will be those who mumble complaints about the Snapdragon 821, whining it’s not a super-new Snapdragon 835. Don’t be one of these people. Ever used the OnePlus 3T or a Google Pixel? There’s more than enough power inside both those phones to keep them fresh for ages, and they both have the 821 inside. LG made the decision to use the 821 in order to get the phone on sale quickly, rather than over the summer, and it shouldn’t put you off at all.
An AnTuTu benchmark result returned a score of 135,032, and 3DMark’s Slingshot Extreme test saw it score 2,102. These are around the same as the scores attained by the Pixel XL, but fall short of the OnePlus 3T. It’s also very close to the LG G5 and the Samsung Galaxy S7.
LG G6 Compared To
Motorola Moto E4
Huawei Honor 8 Pro
HTC U Ultra
Meizu Pro 6 Plus
Xiaomi Mi5S Plus
Xiaomi Mi Mix
Huawei Mate 9
ASUS Zenfone 3 Deluxe Special…
LG V20
Samsung Galaxy Note 5
Huawei Nexus 6P
LG V10
Motorola Moto X Style Pure Edition
Samsung Galaxy Note 4
Samsung Galaxy Note 3
Other complaints will be made about the lack of removable battery on the G6. However, even though the G6 is now a sealed phone, that has given it an IP68 water and dust resistance rating. While having a replaceable battery is great, having to replace the entire phone after you spill a drink all over it isn’t so great. Yes, you’re trading one feature for another, but additional durability protects your purchase instantly, and there are plenty of battery packs out there to buy.
When we first started using the G6, the battery life was poor, barely lasting a mid-to-heavy use day. A software update has improved the situation, where we’re seeing 25 percent of the battery remaining after the same level of use in a single day. That includes photo work, social networking, games, and navigation. Buying the G6 in the U.S. will see your phone come with wireless charging, a feature not included on international versions of the phone. Using the supplied charger and USB Type-C cable charged the 3,200mAh cell reach capacity after about an hour and 30 minutes.
No Hi-Fi audio for most buyers and not enough storage
Watching stunning video is what the G6 is made for, so how about the audio experience? Sadly, it falls short of the video performance. It doesn’t have stereo speakers, just a single one at the base of the phone, and there’s no Dolby Atmos, or even standard Dolby Audio tweaks. The single speaker does a decent job, but it’s overshadowed by the iPhone 7 Plus, Boomsound speakers on any HTC phone, and cheaper hardware like the ZTE Axon 7 and 7 Mini. It’s a shame, when what’s on screen looks so fantastic.
The wide-angle mode presents new creative opportunities.
Additionally, LG has restricted the Quad DAC to devices for sale in South Korea only. LG G6 phones sold in the United states get 32GB of internal storage and a MicroSD card slot as part of the SIM tray, but internationally, larger capacity versions will be sold. LG G6 phones in Europe have neither the Quad DAC or wireless charging.
We’d much rather a single model with all these features inside. LG says the localization is based on buyer preferences, and ensures the price of the phone is kept competitive in different regions.
A new model: The LG G6 Plus
In an effort to maintain competitiveness with Samsung’s Galaxy S8 and HTC’s U11, LG has released an upgraded version of the LG G6 with beefier hardware, new software features, and a premium pair of bundled earbuds: The LG G6 Plus.
The LG G6 Plus looks identical to the original G6 from the outside, but that’s where the similarities end. Aside from increased RAM (from 4GB to 6GB) and internal storage (from 32GB to 128GB), the G6 Plus supports Low Power Consumption mode, which leverages Google’s Contextual Hub Runtime Environment (CHR) and LG’s All-Ways Aware hub to collect data from the device’s sensors continuously without impacting performance or battery life.
On the software side of things, the G6 Plus boasts Face Print, which lets you unlock the phone with your face in less than a second, and LG Pay, LG’s mobile payments platform. Another feature, Covered Lens, alerts you if you accidentally block the camera with your finger.
The G6 Plus comes in a new color — blue — with a lenticular coating that produces a shimmering effect when you view the phone from different angles. Every model ships with Bang and Olufsen earphones that take advantage of the phone’s 32-bit Quad DAC.
The LG G6 Plus will only be available in South Korea at the moment, and we’ll update this review when we get pricing and availability details.
Price, availability, and warranty
Verizon started selling the G6 for $672 on March 17, and shipped it out the door on March 30. The phone is available now at AT&T ($719) and Sprint ($708), and through T-Mobile for just $650. Heck, U.S. Cellular offers it for just $550. LG traditionally gives you a one-year warranty on smartphones, which covers either repair or replacement, plus any labor charges. You’ll have to send it back to LG if it goes wrong, though. The G6 is also now available unlocked straight from LG, and if you want it unlocked you’ll need to pay $600. You can get the unlocked version from LG or from Amazon.
The LG G6 went on sale in 24 European countries on April 24, including the U.K., France, and Germany. LG has secured 33 partnerships with networks, so the phone should be easy to find. In the U.K., it’s sold through EE and Three, and Carphone Warehouse. Plans cost from around 30 British pounds each month for 24-months, or a SIM-free unconnected G6 is around 650 British pounds.
Our Take
Thanks to the LG G6, having a big, beautiful screen doesn’t mean enduring an oversize phone anymore, and it’s wonderful.
Is there a better alternative?
Possibly. As of this writing, the LG G6 is one of the best Android phone you can currently buy, but far from the only one.
The Galaxy S8, Samsung’s $750 flagship, is packed to the brim with cutting-edge tech. It boasts Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, a stunning curved screen, an iris scanner, and Samsung’s Bixby digital assistant. Its camera falls short of the G6’s dual-lens shooter, to be fair, and it doesn’t have have Dolby Vision and HDR 10 support. But if the Galaxy S8’s larger footprint doesn’t bother you, it’s one heck of a compelling alternative.
The Google Pixel XL is the obvious alternative for stock Android fans who dislike any customization. It costs $750, has a Snapdragon 821 processor, Android Nougat, and Google Assistant, plus a highly capable camera. What it doesn’t have is the G6’s sleek body and gorgeous new screen, or a wide-angle camera lens.
The DT Accessory Pack
Olloclip Pivot
$50
LG wireless headset
$70
Motorola Moto 360 Sport
$130
The HTC U11 is a strong alternative to the G6 if you want to save a lot of money. It also has a Snapdragon 835 processor, plus 4GB of RAM, an AI assistant, noise-canceling audio tech, and a $650 price tag. There aren’t any camera bells and whistles, but it still takes solid shots.
Finally, LG’s own V20 may be considered. It has the same size screen, similar wide-angle camera setup, a degree of durability, and the removable battery. It’s wildly expensive, though.
How long will it last?
LG’s G6 should have a long shelf life of at least two-to-three years. The software is right up to date, and it has Google Assistant already installed, meaning there’s no need to wait for an update. Updates in the future may take longer to arrive than on a Pixel phone, though. That’s our only concern and reservation in recommending the G6 over the Pixel XL.
The processor is the only sticking point. We always like to have the latest hardware and software, because it ensures the phone will last many years if we want it to, but the Snapdragon 821 won’t remain Qualcomm’s top chip for much longer. Does it matter? Not really. It won’t suddenly stop working, and your phone won’t suddenly react like it’s pedal-powered. However, if bragging rights are your thing, it’ll soon lose out to the Snapdragon 835. That said, the 821 is tried and tested, unlike the 835.
Should you buy it?
Yes. The G6 is not only the first major flagship smartphone out in 2017 that we really adore, but it’s also a return to what makes us love LG phones — subtle yet beautiful design, a brilliant standout feature, and a cracking camera. The software is good, too, with Google Assistant installed rather than a third-party or untested alternative, ensuring it works cohesively throughout the phone. Best of all, it’s compact and easy to use with one hand, but offers a screen larger than its direct competitors. We love it, and think you will to.
Ando is a delivery-only restaurant from the man behind Momofuku
Why it matters to you
Ando may begin a trend of restaurants that you can only order from online.
What if ordering out was the only way you could eat at your favorite restaurant? That could soon be a reality now with Ando, a delivery-only New York City restaurant that serves classic foods with a new-age spin.
Ando was started by famous restaurateur and chef David Chang, who founded popular restaurant chain Momofuku. Ando is not your traditional restaurant. There is no physical space to sit down to dine in or drop by to pick up food. All the food is made for delivery and is sent by a third-party courier service.
The only ways to order food is by either downloading the app or visiting the company’s website. There is currently only an iOS app and you can only order from the website after making an account and setting your location. If you are outside of the delivery zone, you are out of luck.
The menu is full of what the company calls “second-generation American food.” Instead of simply making a classic cheesesteak sandwich, the restaurant will make you a hozon cheesesteak made with chickpeas, shaved beef, and cheese sauce. Instead of garlic and anchovies in your chicken caesar salad, Ando’s version includes miso, peanut butter, and soy. There are 20 different food and drink choices on the Ando menu, so far.
In an interview with Fast Company, Chang says he plans to constantly add to the menu until he gets a feel for what the favorites are. For now, do not expect to tamper with his curated selection of delicacies. Ando does not take any special requests or substitutions for any of the dishes and is pretty unwavering about that policy. “We stand by what we serve and encourage you to try it as it was intended to be tried,” writes Joe Pratolongo, a customer experience manager at Ando, on the company’s website.
Ando currently only delivers in the Manhattan area. Initially, only those in Midtown East were feasting on Ando. But, the company has since expanded to the Flatiron District of Manhattan. Ando is delivery only, but the website says the company is exploring the possibility of including a pick-up option.
More restaurants are developing apps to handle deliveries, but it has not been smooth sailing for everyone. If the restaurant widens its delivery zone and enters more territories around the country, Chang’s online-based restaurant could become one of the best food delivery apps on the market.
Best smart locks
Looking to make your house smarter and safer? Here are the best smart locks full of brains and brawn to protect your home.
Whether you’re just tired of losing your keys, or you’re already in the process of automating your home, a key part of this process is choosing a smart lock that fits your needs. Take a look at our list of the best smart locks to help you decide.
- August 2nd Generation
- Schlage Connect Camelot
- Kevo 2nd Generation
- Kwikswet 914
August 2nd Generation
The August smart lock’s appearance is immediately striking and will give any door a futuristic look with your choice of dark gray or silver finish. You can use your smartphone to remotely unlock or lock your door, or you can set up a proximity lock: your door will unlock when you approach with your phone and lock when you move away.
Perhaps most importantly, the second generation of this lock resolves many of the early connection and stability issues found in the original. The August platform now supports doorbell cameras as well, making it possible to route all of your door security through a single app.
Consider the August if you’re cool with the $200 price tag and you’d like a smart lock that is compatible with both Google Home and Amazon Alexa.
See at Amazon
Schlage Connect Camelot
What could be more secure than Camelot? Alright, so that’s not actually what that name stands for, but the Schlage Connect Camelot has been updated to stand alone as a deadbolt with all of the unlock methods. You can use a standard key, you can enter a code on the touchscreen number panel, or you can use a Z-Wave hub to lock and unlock the door through automation and proximity.
Z-Wave support means you can use Wink or SmartThings hubs to program IFTTT commands for the lock, like automatically locking every night at 10pm, but it also means this lock will work with Amazon Alexa when set up. It’s not the more futuristic-looking lock in the world with the standard satin nickel finish, but you couldn’t ask for more options than are available with this lock.
This lock will set you back $190, but it promises to meet ANSI Grade 1 security standards and a backlit panel for when you want to use the keypad unlock in the dark.
See at Amazon
Kevo 2nd Generation
It almost looks like a normal deadbolt from the outside, but there’s a lot happening inside the Kevo lock. The exterior surface of the lock is touch-sensitive, and when you tap that metal exterior, the lock will check for a digital key on your phone. If your phone is nearby, on the right side of the door, the lock will disengage and you’ll be allowed into the house. It’s a clever setup, especially when you see you can share digital keys with friends and choose to revoke them whenever you want.
Kevo requires the $100 add-on to the already $230 lock to add things like Wi-Fi connectivity and Amazon Alexa support, but the core lock offers some unique features in the app that are finally executed really well in this second generation version of the lock. If you want to maintain the same level of deadbolt security you have now with some added features, this lock is going to get you pretty far.
You can find Kevo in the standard satin nickel finish, as well as polished brass and Venetian bronze.
See at Amazon
Kwikset 914
This lock from Kwikset looks fairly standard when it comes to deadbolts, and that’s because it is. With one important exception, this is a standard Kwikset deadbolt with a battery-powered keypad for normal pin entry. It’s a nice-looking lock for fairly standard use cases, unless you decide you want to experiment.
If you have a Wink or Smartthings hub in the home, you can use the Z-Wave feature in the Kwikset 914 to connect the lock to your home network. This means you can unlock the door via IFTTT and lock the door with Amazon Echo, and at $150, you’ll be able to do so without spending a ton of cash.
Smart clearly isn’t the first focus here, but it works well and looks nice in the standard satin nickel finish, as well as polished brass and Venetian bronze.
See at Amazon
Your favorite smart lock?
Let us know is the comments section below what you use to keep your home safe!
Updated June 2017: Updated all four locks in the list with more modern and Android Central-focused recommendations. Alexa and Google Home support prioritized.
AIVAnet 