Top 5 things HTC U11 does better than the Galaxy S8

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is our pick for best Android phone overall right now, but that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. And it certainly doesn’t mean you should dismiss the other flagships out there. HTC’s latest phone, the U11, actually gives Samsung a real run for its money — and there are a lot of reasons why you might want to pick up a U11 instead of an S8.

Check out the video above for the top five reasons why you might want to consider HTC’s shiny, squeezy flagship over the current king of the Android hill, the Galaxy S8.

Still on the fence? Let us know which handset you’d go for down in the comments!

• Android Central on YouTube
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How to stop Facebook and Instagram notifications from driving you crazy

Before you delete Facebook for being annoying, take a dive into the notification settings.

Quick story time: A few weeks back I went camping out in the remote wilderness for the weekend. We were well out of my carrier’s range and so I was unable to check on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter for three whole days. When I got back into range of a cell tower, my phone exploded with notifications as expected.

I don’t care that “so and so posted something for the first time in a while”!

But among the texts and emails, my Facebook and Instagram notifications stuck out to me. In my absence, no one had actually commented or liked anything on my profile — and yet I still received several notifications about “so and so posted something for the first time in a while” or “that old friend from high school who you barely ever talk to added new photos recently”.

Social media notifications are supposed to be about letting you know when someone has commented on or reacted to something you’ve posted, but then there are all these other types of notifications that seem to serve another purpose — get you looking at your phone, opening up that timeline, and getting distracted in the never-ending stream of content.

The biggest culprits seem to be Facebook and Instagram (which Facebook owns). Naturally, I took to Facebook to vent about this issue, then dove into the app settings to see what could be tweaked. If you’re getting fed up with these attention-stealing notifications but don’t want to go the nuclear route and delete the apps from your phone, here’s how to reel in social media notifications on the biggest culprits — Facebook and Instagram.

How to tweak your Facebook notifications

You’re only able to tweak how mobile notifications are delivered via the Facebook app on Android, so tweak the notifications themselves, you need to log into Facebook on a web browser.

Tap the down arrow in the top-right corner.
Tap Settings
Tap Notifications.
Tap On Facebook.

This is where you can tweak the majority of things Facebook will send notifications for. By default, Facebook will notify you of all activity that involves you, whether that’s someone tagging you in a photo or commenting on of your posts. If that’s all you’re after in terms of notifications, you can turn pretty much everything else off.

It seemed like the “Close Friends” notification was the biggest culprit for those random notifications about my friend’s Facebook activity. Once you’ve gone through the Facebook notification settings on your computer, you can fine tune your mobile notifications in the Facebook app.

How to tweak your Instagram notifications

With Instagram, I only want to be sent a push notification if I’m tagged in the post of someone I follow, someone likes or comments on my stuff, someone follows me, or someone is trying to direct message me. That’s it.

By default, Instagram will also send notifications if a Facebook friend has recently joined Instagram, the first time an account posts or adds to their Instagram story, any new feature integrations, and even reminders simply to check in on the app. Here’s how to turn those ones off.

From your Instagram profile, tap the menu button in the top-right corner.
Swipe up to scroll down until you see Push Notifications

Tap Push Notifications.

Swipe up to scroll through the available notifications.
Tap Off to turn off any notification you don’t want to see

Instagram also gives you the option of only allowing push notifications from people you follow, which is good if you find yourself being harassed by spam bots. I’m still finding that Instagram is holding back notifying me on some likes for the sole purpose of getting me to check into the app. I’ll check the app and see that three friends have liked a photo, then a half hour later I’ll get a notification for one of those three friends. Hard to say if it’s a bug or a sneaky way for Instagram to look at your phone but it’s the one annoying notification quirk I haven’t solved yet.

What notifications drive you crazy?

Is there an app that you use all the time that just spams you with notifications? Let us know and we’ll look into helping you calm it down!

Shortage of data causing Samsung troubles in launching Bixby Voice for the U.S.

Big data is a big deal.

The full launch of the English version of Samsung’s Bixby voice control interface for the Galaxy S8 is still in a holding pattern, after originally expecting to launch in June. The delay comes from a handful of issues with the service but is driven by a lack of usage data that’s ultimately required for the machine learning systems to work at their full potential. Although the service is already available in Samsung’s home country of South Korea, evolving Bixby for use with U.S. English is proving tougher.

Because of the vast number of potential commands and numerous pathways to accomplish those commands within the interface and apps on a phone, the only realistic way to make it all work is for machine learning algorithms to process large amounts of data and determine those links automatically. Samsung’s engineers can of course set them on the right path, but in the end, you need real-world usage data to show the algorithms how people are using the service and how to best accomplish the commands.

Working with big data is tough enough — and that’s after you gather it all.

With Bixby Voice actually coming to the U.S. late last month in an opt-in beta, presumably Samsung will be able to accumulate the data it needs to get to the point of launching fully on every Galaxy S8 and S8+. From there, the extra data gained from millions of users will help improve the service over time. But because Samsung doesn’t initially have the wealth of voice data that a company like Google does, it’s slow going at the start.

The question is, how long will people wait? Samsung isn’t yet offering a new timeline for a public launch of the service. With Bixby Voice being one of the headline features talked about with the launch of the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in April, it’s already a tad disappointing for people to not have access to it. Presumably Bixby Voice will be fully up and running by the launch of the Galaxy Note 8 later this year.

Then the discussion begins as to where Samsung will launch Bixby Voice next — with other massive markets like Europe and India needing attention, the U.S. is simply a stop on the road, not the finish line.

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Pixel and Nexus factory images with July security patches now available, OTAs arriving soon

Another month, another set of security fixes for Android.

Right on schedule, Google has released the latest factory images and OTA files for recent Pixels and Nexuses, including the July 5 security patches. This update will hit the Pixel XL, Pixel, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus 6, Pixel C, Nexus 9 and Nexus Player. The new software is still based on Android 7.1.2 for the modern devices, but of course 7.1.1 for the Nexus 6 and Nexus 9, which continue to simply get security patches without new versions of Android.

Aside from the security patches — which are of course very important in their own right — Google isn’t highlighting any big bug fixes or feature changes for any specific devices.

If you want to flash the full factory image or OTA file to your phone or tablet, be sure to refer to our full guide on manually updating your Pixel or Nexus. Take care to notice that for some phones, there are different images available depending on what carrier you’re using — such as Verizon or Project Fi — that you should specifically pick.

For the rest of us who are a little more patient, OTA updates should be rolling out to Pixels and Nexuses soon, hitting everyone’s device in the next few days.

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• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
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Best Charging Stands for Google Pixel

Elevate your Pixel off the table while it charges with these charging stands.

Finding a charging stand for your Google Pixel is, as we learned, a matter of making compromises. One of the best features of the Google Pixel is its fast charging ability, but you’ll get the best results using the charging cable and wall outlet that came with your phone.

There are a number of charging stands that support a USB-C connection, but the power being supplied to the stand typically use older USB cables which are usually not enough to support USB-PD. Alternatively, there are universal stands that will accommodate the proper cords and wall chargers for rapid charging.

Ultimately, which style you go with will depend on how you plan on using the charging stand — if you intend to plug your phone in bedside while you sleep, or on your desk while you work (or vice versa), slower charging speeds might be a non-factor. But if you must have quick charging, you’re best off using your own trusted cables with a universal stand.

• Encased Google Pixel Charging Stand
• FanTEK Desktop Charger Dock Station
• Accesorz USB-C Charging Stand
• SUPVIN USB-C Charging Dock
• Esonstyle Desktop Cell Phone Stand
• Lamicall Desktop Cell Phone Stand

Encased Google Pixel Charging Stand

This charging stand from Encased was specifically designed for the Pixel — but does not support rapid charging. Despite that, it’s got a great look to it and will accommodate a slim case on your Pixel. The fit is snug, so much so that you’ll probably need two hands to remove your phone from the dock — better than having a flimsy connection, right? Even better, each charging stand comes with a lifetime guarantee from Encased, and is available for Amazon Prime shipping.

See at Amazon

FanTEK Desktop Charger Dock Station

Looking for an all-in-one desktop charging dock on the cheap? This FanTEK dock features a built-in USB-C connector but doesn’t come with the wall adapter so you’ll want to use the one that came with your Pixel for optimal performance. You may also have to take your phone out of a case to get a right fit, but it should work with slimmer cases. Best of all it is the price — at under $10 it’s the cheapest option on the list. Considering this is a mostly stationary accessory that’ll stay sitting on your desk, it’s worth checking out!

See at Amazon

Accesorz USB-C Charging Stand

Coming in at $12, this USB-C charging stand works well for the price, and states that it supports fast charging for the Pixel, but you’ll have to ensure that you’ve plugged the included micro USB cable in with a wall adapter that supports USB-PD. The USB-C connector is adjustable up to 15-degrees, and is deep enough to accommodate a case on your Pixel. There’s reusable sticky pads on the bottom, which help to secure it on your nightstand or desk.

If you don’t use a case on your phone and you find the connection is not as flush as you would like, you’ll want to reach out to the seller customer service. They should be able to help you out.

See at Amazon

SUPVIN USB-C Charging Dock

This dock has a classic look and will work great with your Pixel or Pixel XL. The USB-C connector is adjustable so you’ll be able to rest the body of your phone on the backrest, which also helps with the viewing angle of your device when you’re working at your desk. Again, this charger says it supports fast charging but it uses USB 2.0 cable to plug into a computer or wall charger, so don’t go in with high expectations. Other than that, this is a great option that won’t take up much real estate on your desk or nightstand.

See at Amazon

Esonstyle Desktop Cell Phone Stand

If rapid charging is a must-have for your Pixel charging stand, you’ll need to look at a universal stand, like this one from Esonstyle, that lets you use the USB-C charging cable and wall adapter that came with your Pixel. This stand is made from aluminum offers a nice viewing angle for using your device when you’re sitting at your desk. And, given that it’s universal, you have the versatility to use this stand with all your devices. With the price under $10, you really can’t go wrong here, can you?

See at Amazon

Lamicall Desktop Cell Phone Stand

This universal charging stand is another great option for using with your Pixel, or really any phone or tablet at your disposal. There’s ample space for the USB-C cable to plug into your pixel, and you’ll enjoy the design with the stylish and minimalist design. The rubber feet on the bottom help to keep it secure on your desk, while the rubber on the cradle helping to keep your Pixel secure while also keeping the edges of your device secure and protected from scuffs. It’s also available in silver, red or black.

See at Amazon

Update July 5, 2017: Added the FanTEK charging dock to our listl.

What are your thoughts?

Did we miss your preferred Pixel charging stand? Let us know in the comments!

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• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
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Play the lost ‘Rayman’ prototype if you have a SNES emulator

While the dream of playing a lost version of Rayman for Super NES on Nintendo’s Switch console hasn’t come true (yet), we have a bit of an update about the game itself. Archivist and game developer Omar Cornut recently borrowed the ROM original developer Michel Ancel (above) teased last fall, dumped it to his computer and then uploaded the files to Dropbox for everyone to play. Everyone who has a Super NES emulator that’ll read a .SFC extension, of course.

< dir=”ltr” lang=”en”>I’ve dumped a prototype demo of unreleased Rayman for SNES, here it is! (NB: very early dev build, not a full game) https://t.co/F3XB9XRhTA pic.twitter.com/oLhOdNDyHF

— Omar (@ocornut) July 3, 2017

The 1MB build is fairly limited, but Cornut teased that there might be a few hidden bits buried in the code. “The stuff like two-player moded that have been show in screenshots are not really in this build,” he told Kotaku. “Perhaps the ROM contains secrets, in which case homebrew hackers will hopefully unearth them soon.”

That sounds like a challenge if I ever heard one. If you don’t feel like fiddling with an emulator, then peep the gameplay recording embedded below.

Via: Eurogamer

Source: Omar Cornut (Twitter), Kotaku (Aus)

NVIDIA will power self-driving cars in China

NVIDIA has already forged self-driving alliances with big car manufacturers like Audi, Toyota and Volvo, but its latest is a particularly big deal — at least if you live in China. The chip designer has unveiled a partnership with Chinese internet giant Baidu that will see the two work together to boost the use of AI. Most notably, NVIDIA’s Drive PX tech will find its way into Baidu’s Apollo self-driving car platform and autonomous vehicles from “major” Chinese firms. The automotive pact is important enough that Baidu chief Robin Li traveled to the event in one of his company’s driverless rides — even though it was against the law.

The pact will also make NVIDIA’s deep learning Volta GPUs available to Baidu Cloud customers, optimize Baidu’s deep learning platform (PaddlePaddle) for those Volta processors and use Baidu’s conversational AI, DuerOS, for voice commands on NVIDIA’s Shield TV.

It’s a business win for NVIDIA, of course, but it’ll be particularly important for Baidu and anyone in China eager to take their hands off the wheel. Baidu is determined to catch up to Waymo, GM and other companies that have spent years developing self-driving cars, and creating an open platform with NVIDIA’s help (not to mention other partners like Ford, Intel and Microsoft) could help it make up for lost time. This leg up, in turn, could make autonomous driving relatively commonplace in China without needing as much help from foreign brands.

Source: NVIDIA

Apple Stores at CambridgeSide and Danbury Fair Reopen July 8

Apple this week announced that two of its retail stores, located at CambridgeSide Galleria in Cambridge, Massachusetts and Danbury Fair Mall in Danbury, Connecticut, will reopen Saturday, July 8 at 10:00 a.m. local time. Both locations have been closed for renovations for the past several months.

Apple Store with next-generation design in Brussels, Belgium
Each store has received a makeover based on Apple’s next-generation retail design, which typically includes wide, open spaces with some combination of large glass doors, sequoia wood tables and shelves, large video screens for Today at Apple sessions, and light boxes spanning the length of the ceiling.

In February, we reported that the Apple Store at Danbury Fair Mall would also expand into a few neighboring units to accommodate more customers.

All new Apple Stores opened since mid 2015 have been based on the new design language, including flagship-tier locations such as Apple Union Square in San Francisco and Apple World Trade Center in New York City. Apple has also renovated over 30 other stores to reflect the newer aesthetic.

Where possible, the new layout includes some combination of The Avenue, Genius Grove, The Forum, The Plaza, and The Boardroom.

(Thanks, Steven!)

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Daimler is investing $735 million in China’s EV infrastructure

German car manufacturer Daimler has announced a partnership with China’s BAIC Motor Corporation, pledging to provide $735 million investment into electric vehicle infrastructure in the region. Daimler (the company behind brands like Mercedes-Benz) has revealed a large chunk of that hefty sum will be spent on building a new Chinese battery factory under the joint venture Beijing Benz Automotive Co., Ltd.

While investing in China’s electric vehicle infrastructure sounds like a noble move, it’s not quite as altruistic as it may seem. In order to get around the aggressive import levies that stop manywestern brands from selling products in China, this joint venture was a necessity. A recent statement by Daimler management board member Hubertus Troska predicts that “By 2025, the Chinese market will have a substantial share in global sales of Mercedes-Benz electric vehicles.” If so, the costly venture will most certainly have paid off.

The two companies have announced that the full $735 million will be invested in electric vehicles in China by 2020.

Source: Reuters

Einride’s self-driving truck looks like a giant freezer on wheels

Einride has just revealed the prototype of the T-pod, its autonomous electric truck. The Swedish company’s self-driving vehicle can transport 15 standard pallets and can travel 124 miles on one charge. And because there’s no need for a person to sit inside of it, the T-pod also has no cab space and no windows — giving it a very futuristically odd look.

The truck uses a hybrid driverless system. While on highways, the T-pod drives itself, but on main roads, a human will remotely manage the driving system. People will also monitor T-pods as they drive on highways in case a situation arises that necessitates human control. Einride is currently working on charging stations for the trucks.

Einride isn’t the only company working on driverless shipping trucks. Waymo, Uber and Daimler are among the companies also developing similar vehicles. For shipping at larger scales, self-navigating and remote-controlled ships as well as massive drones are also in the works.

The T-pod prototype isn’t fully developed quite yet, but Einride expects to have its first completed truck available to customers in the fall. By 2020, the company plans to have a fleet of 200 goofy-looking trucks that will travel between Swedish cities Gothenburg and Helsingborg, carrying an expected two million pallets per year.

Source: VentureBeat