Keep your devices charged with Samsung-certified Micro-USB cables for $20

Micro-USB cables are a dime a dozen, but when you need one most, it’s nowhere to be found. If you’re rocking a Samsung phone or tablet, you’re likely in need of a Micro-USB cable quite regularly (unless you have the Galaxy S8).

Keep your devices synced and charged for $20 Learn more

If your phone’s on low battery, it can be incredibly annoying to have to sit right next to a wall outlet to charge up your device. It can also be a pain if you’re charging off your laptop, but the cable’s only long enough to reach your thigh. You need a reliable Micro-USB cable that’s long enough to keep everything comfortable.

At Android Central Digital Offers you can get a 3-pack of Samsung-certified Micro-USB cables and a fast charging adapter for only $19.99 . This bundle regularly retails for $39.99, so you save 50%.

These cables are 10 feet in length, so you can easily have your phone on your bedside table without having to reach and strain out of bed to get to a wall outlet. With the Samsung certification, you know these cables are guaranteed to work with your Samsung device, and the fast charging wall charger ensures you’re getting the quickest charge possible.

You could buy these cables separately and pay through the nose for each of them plus the adapter, but you can get 3 Micro-USB cables and a fast charging wall adapter for only $19.99 and Android Central Digital offers.

Keep your devices synced and charged for $20 Learn more

Essential Phone is coming ‘in a few weeks’ after certification delay

A deadline apparently isn’t essential to the Essential Phone.

Andy Rubin’s bizarre, bezel-less Essential Phone went up for order at the end of May. It was promised to ship in June. It is now the middle of July, and still the Essential Phone is not in buyers’ hands. And it’s not going to be in buyers’ hands for another couple of weeks, but today Essential is acknowledging their delays in an email sent to early registrants (and later in a public tweet) from Andy Rubin.

We’ve been working around the clock to get our first device in your hands. See this update from Andy. pic.twitter.com/bm5xm5XRKS

— Essential (@essential) July 21, 2017

In a recent email to customers, Andy Rubin says that they’re as anxious to get phones to users as buyers are to get their new phones. Rubin claims the phone is currently being tested and certified by carriers in the U.S.
and around the globe, and that units will ship out in the few weeks once all that’s over. Testing and certifications for carriers can take a long time, as anyone who’s ever waited for an Android system update can attest to, but hopefully the end is in sight. Honestly, when it comes to new phones from untested brands, a two-month delay would actually be on the low end of things.

The Essential Phone is still an interesting device, and we’re very much looking forward to seeing how things look on that screen, especially with its unique camera placement, but we’ll have to wait a little longer.

Patience is essential, after all.

U.S. Department of Labor investigation into Google gender pay gap could change Silicon Valley

Android’s maker has been ordered to hand over 8,000 employees’ contact info for failing to adhere to equal pay laws.

It’s been a few days since a judge ruled that Google had to hand over 8,000 of its employees’ contact information to the U.S. Department of Labor, but the reason for it remains a prescient matter — and one worth studying up on before heading into the weekend.

Android’s maker is currently under investigation for allegedly failing to comply with equal pay laws, those of which were initially set to abolish any pay disparity based on gender. (Fifty years on and we’re still having issues with this, though the gap is getting narrower.) The Washington Post reports that evidence of this was uncovered during a routine audit.

The Department of Labor will have to sift through all 8,000 of the contacts — which Google bartered down from 21,000 — and interview each person about how much they make, and then cross reference it with the rest of their co-workers in the same division. “It is incredibly important not just to the department but to taxpayers and to the women at Google that the investigation proceed immediately,” said Janet Herold, a regional solicitor at the Department of Labor, in an interview with The Guardian. “We are looking forward to this next phase of the investigation…to speaking with and listening to the men and women at Google to learn about their experiences and their perspectives on why there are such disparities in pay.”

“It is incredibly important not just to the department but to taxpayers and to the women at Google that the investigation proceed immediately.”—Janet Herold

For its part, Google has denied that there’s any pay gap. In its analysis — in the form of a well-edited and gussied up blog post — the company points to its efforts on ensuring that “men and women who join Google in the same role are compensated on a level playing field.” The company even filed a response to the department’s requests, citing the fact that it’s “complied with various past audits in connection with federal contracts, and those audits have not resulted in challenges to our practices.” It continues:

Over the last year, in connection with this audit alone, we’ve provided more than 329,000 documents and more than 1.7 million data points, including detailed compensation information, in response to OFCCP’s 18 different data requests.

Google said it was concerned that the requests went “beyond the scope of what was relevant” for this particular case, which is why it put up such a fight to reduce the initial inquiry in the first place. But why doth protest if there’s nothing wrong? If there are in fact problems arising in an audit, wouldn’t it make sense to tear apart the room to find the culprit?

It’s also troubling considering the different reports of Google’s insistence at blocking investigations from taking place at all. A few months back, Google had unsuccessfully attempted to block access to information needed for a high-profile gender discrimination case.

The audit continues, and we’ll be following the case until its final chapter. It’ll be interesting to see the impact of the verdict on Silicon Valley, regardless of whether it’s in Google’s favor, especially considering how much the company has done to market its efforts at fostering a diverse workplace. For its part, the valley typically preaches the idea of a utopian society, where technology runs rampant, and equality is palpable. The reality is that there’s still a major disparity between men and women who work in technology, not to mention an incredible lack of racial diversity.

Verizon Wireless may be throttling Netflix and YouTube streams

Throttling seems to be an unavoidable practice these days.

Use too much data and you get throttled. Use data on a busy network cell and you get throttled. But the throttling numerous reddit users have been seeing doesn’t seem to match any conventional rules. Users on both new and old “Unlimited” plans are seeing speeds drop on two of the nation’s most popular video platforms regardless of how much data they’ve used.

Once upon a time, Netflix essentially throttled itself for mobile users to save their users from high data bills, but Netflix gave that up in lieu of a handy in-app mobile data control. Even with Netflix set to Unlimited, several Verizon users are seeing consistently capped speeds at 10 Mbps on fast.com, Netflix’s speed test, as well on YouTube with the “stats for nerds” enabled.

10 Mbps is loads better than the 1.5 Mbps throttling we’ve seen on T-Mobile once they start throttling accounts. It’s just good enough for 1080p video, but not for any HDR video, and being throttled on an Unlimited plan for two video sites regardless of how much or little data you’ve used is disconcerting. We’ve yet to see an official statement on what’s happening here, but Verizon customers, are you seeing lower speeds on YouTube and Netflix? Tell us what you’re seeing.

What makes you choose Android over iOS? [Roundtable]

Android can regrow hair, get you in shape and save you 15% on your car insurance. Not really.

Here at Android Central everyone has something to say. We have different opinions about politics, business and anything else with a side to pick. But one thing we all have in common is that we use Android instead of iOS. We might have an iPhone for one reason or another, but when you call us an Android phone will ring.

The important thing here isn’t Andrew and Jerry having late night conversations about a flat tax. It’s that a group of people who don’t have a lot in common use Android, and why they use it.

Let’s find out by going around the table.

Alex Dobie

The first smartphone I owned was an iPhone 3G — I made that jump after having used an iPod Touch for a little while before, and back then it felt like taking a huge leap into the future. The only real Android competition at the time was the T-Mobile G1, which nearly tempted me away. But looking at it as a regular consumer, the clunky hardware had nothing on the iPhone.

When upgrade time rolled around, my 3G was dog slow. The iOS 4 update had made it practically useless, even after factory resetting, uninstalling apps and so on. Plus, I was just becoming bored with iOS, even the shiny new version which (!) actually let you set your own wallpaper!

The iPhone 4 was, and still is, a beautiful phone. But that year I made the switch to an HTC Desire instead — I rationalized it through the fact that I’d save some money compared to the exorbitant amount I was paying O2 every month. (The carrier still had iPhone exclusivity back then.) But really it was more about the Desire looking good, and being different and highly customizable — especially compared to the relatively bland state of i(Phone)OS back then.

Android has become my job since then, but even if it wasn’t, many of those same reasons for switching apply today. I’m typing this on an iPad, which I use regularly. But I still find iOS on a phone to be bland and limiting compared to modern Android.

Andrew Martonik

I can understand why people choose to stick with their iPhone, particularly if they’ve used one for years, but having spent so much time on Android and fully understanding its benefits it makes it so much harder to switch. Simply put, it’s all about the freedom with Android.

I can tweak and change things all I want, and I don’t have to stick to tight restrictions. Now, this started out in the early days as being able to root and ROM my phone or mess around with weird hacks, but the customization of the OS is still useful today. Being able to move icons to whatever grid I want, choose widgets of all kinds, set default apps and share from one app to another with very little constraint. I use my phone how I need to use it.

The second big part of this is having a choice of hardware. Apple makes beautiful stuff, but it isn’t always for me (or plenty of other people). I can pick between several great high-end phones, or if I’m on a budget — or recommending for someone on one — there are dozens of different choices. Different screen sizes, form factors, specs, features and yes software customizations. People mostly gravitate to just a handful of really popular Android phones each year, but having a choice is always preferred for me.

Jen Karner

I’m a pretty simple person. Once I find something that I like, I tend to stick with it. My first smartphone was an Android, and I understand how everything works, and where everything I need to access is trying to find. While I’m sure that iOS works fine for plenty of people, I just don’t like it.

I don’t have some crazy reason, but I enjoy being able to customize my phone from time to time, and iOS doesn’t really give me that option. I don’t like the way that things are set up in iOS, and for me, it really is that simple 99% of the time. I don’t want to have to relearn how to use my phone and after many years of Android, I’m just not really interested in relearning how everything works.

Ara Wagoner

Uhm… have you seen my home screen? Do you think iOS can do that when they have no icon packs, no real choice in home screen arrangements, and no widgets (on the home screen)? I’d be positively bored! Actually, that’s not why I went Android over iOS.

Home screen theming wasn’t really on my radar for the first year or two of my Android life. After years of exasperated experience with iTunes, I was loathe to pick up an iPhone, but what really drove my purchase of a Samsung Captivate Glide back on January 30th, 2012 were two things. The first was its physical keyboard, as I’ve always been fond of writing out random musings on my phones (I was on a Samsung Jack before I jumped to Android), and wasn’t keen on touchscreen keyboards at the time.

The second was the ease and cross-platform availability of Google’s content services. Whereas my iTunes library was trapped in my iPod and up to 5 computers with that cumbersome app installed, my Google Play Music library was available on any computer in the world with a current browser and my Google login. Whereas my writings on my Samsung Jack were forever trapped in that phone, Google Drive made all my phone music instantly and easily accessible on all my other devices.

I came for the convenience, stayed for all the customization craziness and cool cutting-edge features I can play with.

Marc Lagace

Truth be told I used to be quite the Apple fanboy when I was in university. I had my MacBook Pro with an iPhone 4S to match and felt quite trendy with the whole combo. I had a number of friends who owned phones running on Android and continually sung its praises for being open and customizable compared to iOS. I should have listened, but I was admittedly blinded by Apple’s outstanding marketing.

Things changed when I bought my first Android tablet while on vacation. While I initially bought it just to watch Netflix in my hotel room, I was surprised to find how much more I could do on Android. So that was my Android “eureka” moment, that finally opened my eyes to the wide range of Android products and devices, and I’ve never looked back.

Now working for Android Central, I get to look at all sorts of amazing Android phones and accessories and it’s as if I’ve fully converted from the Cult of Apple (though my MacBook Pro still reigns supreme).

Daniel Bader

Android kind of chose me. I worked for a site that covered all the ecosystems, including Windows Phone, and the sheer volume of Android releases every year had me spending 90% of the year with my main SIM card in an Android phone.

Now that I run an Android site, I’ve come to understand the platform’s nuances, for better or worse. There’s no escaping the fact that Android does a lot of things very well — like notifications and customization — and a few things (updates) quite poorly. And while many apps still find their way to the platform late, or don’t at all, in recent years the app quality delta between it and iOS has largely faded away.

But I still have a choice in what phone gets my SIM card, and when it’s in an Android phone — right now, that’s the HTC U11 — I love the little things, like the superior typing experience using Gboard, or the direct integration with password managers like 1Password or LastPass, or the way you can, on most phones, double-press the power button to enter the camera. I love the intuitive way Moto Display shows notifications — hell, I love the way Android does notifications in general — or the absolute mastery of hardware from Samsung. I love the way LG has taken a chance on the wide-angle camera, and how Xiaomi, OPPO, and Vivo are desperately trying to make great Android devices accessible to everyone in China. I love that, despite having a presence on iOS, Google’s services feel so native on Android.

I don’t get hung up too much on Android vs. iOS, because they’re increasingly convergent, but Android’s sheer scale, and its expansive choice among handsets, keeps me curious, keeps me busy, and keeps me guessing.

Jerry Hildenbrand

Like a lot (yes, a lot!) of people, I wanted a phone that ran Linux. Technically that’s what I got with Android but not even close to the way I wanted it and it’s a step backwards in some areas from other mobile software like MeeGo. I miss the N9 now.

I stayed around for a different, and just as important reason: transparency. I had an iPhone. I bought it the night it came out and gave AT&T everything in my pocket plus a kidney and went for it. I liked the idea of a more media-centric device that made calls instead of a phone. To me, the G1 had an extra edge though because I could build the system from source code, or modify a thing, or most importantly, see how a thing is done and how it’s been changed. I was hooked and have been here since.

Knowing that Android works or a bug was fixed is great. For me, knowing just what the bug was and how it was fixed is even better. Some people enjoy the theater or boating for recreation. I like to read code comments.

Your turn

Something made you choose Android time and time again. What was it?

Take a minute and let everyone know your Android story in the comments.

Marvel legend Stan Lee is creating an original story for Audible

Comic book fans (and comic book movie fans) are very familiar with Stan Lee, who has a cameo in pretty much every Marvel movie. Now, the legendary Marvel writer is creating yet another shared universe. Variety exclusively reports that Stan Lee will produce a brand new book for Audible described as “Mr. Robot set in John Hughes world.”

Given that the agreement is with an audiobook company, the project will be (you guessed it) an audiobook. Stan Lee is signed on to narrate the introduction to the project. Lee, along with producers Ryan Silbert and Luke Liebermen, promise that this will be the beginning of an entirely new shared universe. Presumably, if this project does well, we’ll see more of it in the future.

It’s unclear whether the long-form work will later release in print form. However, seeing as Audible is owned by Amazon, which has its own publishing arm, it’s certainly a possibility.

Source: Variety