Apple Releases iOS 11.0.3 Update With Haptic Feedback and Unresponsive Display Fixes
Apple today released iOS 11.0.3, the third official update to the new iOS 11 operating system. iOS 11.0.3 comes a little over one week after Apple released iOS 11.0.2, an update that fixed an issue causing crackling sounds to come from the iPhone 8 earpiece, and almost one month after the official release of iOS 11.
The iOS 11.0.3 update can be downloaded for free on all eligible devices over-the-air in the Settings app. To access the update, go to Settings –> General –> Software Update.
Today’s update addresses bugs and issues that have been discovered since the release of iOS 11.0.3. According to Apple’s release notes, the update fixes issues related to haptic feedback and the touchscreen.
– Fixes an issue where audio and haptic feedback would not work on some iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus devices
– Addresses an issue where touch input was unresponsive on some iPhone 6s displays because they were not serviced with genuine Apple parts
The iOS 11 update introduces a redesigned Lock screen experience, a customizable Control Center, a more natural Siri voice, a redesigned App Store, new HEVC and HEIF codecs for better photo and video efficiency, and an entirely overhauled interface for the iPad. For more info on all the new features in iOS 11, check out our iOS 11 roundup.
Related Roundup: iOS 11
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Moto G5S Plus review: this is a budget phone?
What exactly quantifies a budget smartphone? Is it a price point resting below a certain level? A lack of any flagship-level features? Or an outdated design compared to today’s standards?
The answer is different for almost everyone, but one thing is for certain: Lenovorola knows how to refine a design, generation after generation. This is the Moto G5S Plus review.
Design
The Moto G5S Plus is definitely a step up from the Moto G5 Plus, which had a similar layout but felt like it was much more pieced-together than a solid chunk of metal whittled down into the shape of a handset.
The Moto G5S Plus really fits the profile for a solid modern-day smartphone
With a rounded all-metal design reminiscent of something like the OnePlus 5, the Moto G5S Plus really fits the profile for a solid modern-day smartphone. While the screen might be a bit large for some users at 5.5 inches, it feels like it adds to the media experience more than it detracts from usability.
The Moto badge on the back of the phone becomes an indent yet again, which makes me nostalgic for the first generation Moto X. This aids in the overall feel of the device in your hand, since your index finger naturally lands in the general area of the dimple.
Above the dimple you’ll find the Moto camera bump that’s been present for the last couple of generations. This time, the company has actually managed to pack in two sensors, which brings the device up to date with many of today’s flagships.
I found the power and volume rockers to be exceptionally clicky and pronounced, sticking out a fair bit more than other options on the market. They jut out about twice as far as the Moto G5 Plus’ buttons, so it’s clear that the company took in user feedback and acted on it in the next revision. These buttons are also made of the same metallic alloy as the phone itself, so they feel very premium.
On the bottom edge you’ll find some a mono downward-firing speaker and a micro-USB port,. The headphone jack – yes, it has one – sits on the top edge of the device. I personally like this placement, since I listen to a lot of podcasts while my phone is in my pocket.
The Moto G5S Plus is extremely fast to wake when you tap your finger to the reader
There is a fingerprint reader on the front of the phone and it is extremely fast. I don’t know if my Pixel XL has just become slower over the last year, but the Moto G5S Plus feels even faster to wake when you tap your finger to the reader. It’s also really sensitive. This became problematic a few times though, as the phone would sometimes wake while it was sitting in my pocket.
The only caveat I’ve had with the design of this device is that the metal rim seems to scratch and chip fairly easily. Over the week or so that I’ve had it I’ve noticed a number of scars appear on the trim, especially where the screen meets the exterior. While this isn’t a huge deal, it makes an otherwise premium-feeling device seem just a little less exceptional.
While the overall design of this device isn’t incredibly original, it’s still very good. I hope Moto continues to refine upon it for Moto G generations to come.
Display
Despite its design, this is still a budget device. Because of that, Motorola included a Full HD 1080p display in this phone. Is that bad?
Not in the slightest.
I’ve said this before, but using 1080p displays in smartphones barely makes any difference at all in overall usability, and this is no exception. The 5.5-inch LCD panel does just fine in almost every circumstance, and 401 ppi is perfectly fine for most people.
The Moto G5S Plus’ display felt quite bright even at all-but minimal brightness, so I was still able to keep the device on the ultra-low end of the brightness scale while using it outdoors. Colors pop very nicely, and I never felt that I wanted something more punchy.
Editor’s Pick
Best budget phones with (near) bezel-less displays
The smartphone industry is a notoriously fickle beast where bold innovations are just a few fatal steps away from becoming the latest flash-in-the-pan gimmick. Every now and again though, there’s a design quirk that sticks …
Sure, this phone doesn’t have the new bezel-less style like many flagships on the market today, but it feels like it uses up the space of the bezels quite well. There is a “moto” logo at the top that could probably be removed to make room for a bigger screen, but this has become an essential part of Lenovo’s branding, so I can understand why they kept it.
Performance & hardware
Surprisingly, Moto doesn’t really skimp that much when it comes to hardware and raw specifications, despite the Moto G5S Plus’ low starting price. The phone’s Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 does a more than a decent job for a majority of the things you’ll be using your phone for.
There are two versions sporting different amounts of RAM and internal storage. One packs 3 GB of RAM and 32 GB of internal storage for $229, while the heftier 4 GB / 64 GB model will cost an additional $70. I had the latter for this review. I’ve been very happy with the performance this option has been giving me, but I’m sure the baseline model would do just fine as well. Both models also have a micro-SD slot, so you can easily take all your music and other media with you when you upgrade.
The G5S Plus is packing a 3,000 mAh battery, which is about average for a device of this size, but pairs very, very well with the FHD display.
The handset lasted two entire days on one charge, which left me with a smile on my face at the end of it all
The handset lasted two entire days on one charge, which left me smiling. I unplugged it Sunday morning before heading out of the house, and the device died just as I arrived home Monday evening. I was able to snap a screenshot immediately before this though, and I came away with four hours and forty-three minutes of screen-on time. Pretty admirable.
The G5s charges using the Micro-USB port at the bottom of the phone. It supports Moto’s TurboPower charging capabilities, so assuming you have the correct brick, you should be able to juice the phone up quite rapidly. While I would have loved to see a USB Type-C port here, this is just one of the compromises Moto had to make to keep the device at this price point.
The bottom-firing speakers get quite loud, though they lack bass. Moto’s default ringtones and alert sounds are also quite shrill and annoying, so you’ll want to keep this thing on vibrate or change the system sounds to something easier on the ears.
I was very disappointed to find that Motorola has not included an NFC chip in this phone. I use Android Pay every single day, and I was really confused when I went to pay for my groceries and nothing happened when I tapped the reader. This is a huge detriment for me, and we’ve seen how people react when small features like this are overlooked.
Overall the device has solid components. For $229-$300 it’s going to be tough to find such compelling features in 2017.
Camera(s)
The Moto G5S Plus features a pair of dual-cameras, both with 13 MP sensors, and an 8 MP front-facing selfie camera. But as we’ve seen previously, sheer numbers don’t tell more than half the story of a camera’s actual quality and functionality.
The secondary camera on the G5S Plus only handles depth effects and it does it pretty badly. Images look very soft and lack detail when using this mode; so much so it’s not really worth using at all. There’s a slider to control the intensity of the depth effect, but honestly they’re all pretty bad. It worked best when used on a human subject, which I admit it was probably tuned for, but not all shots are portraits.
There’s a slider to control the intensity of the depth effect, but honestly they’re all pretty bad.
The live view shown when using the depth mode also makes the phone lag quite a lot. This is frustrating, because the dual cameras were obviously a standout marketing point. Even pressing the shutter button makes the phone freeze for a couple of seconds. Viewing the images later will initially show what the regular shot would have looked like for a few seconds before loading the depth of field effect.
The front-facing selfie camera does an alright job, though it definitely crushes blacks more than I would like. Just wearing a maroon colored shirt in normal indoor lighting had the camera showing it as barely colored at all, which is a big letdown for me. Highlights also get blown out very easily, and it makes it very hard to get an evenly lit shot.
The camera works, but you’re going to have to expand your budget quite a bit if you want a phone that you can also use as your primary shooter.
Software
Navigating Motorola’s lightly skinned version of Android is a breeze on this device. It’s running Android 7.1 Nougat, and the company has even promised that owners will see Android Oreo in the coming months.
Motorola didn’t load this device with any bloatware (unless you consider Google apps bloatware 🤷♂️) except for an app simply called Moto. While I find most manufacturer gimmicks annoying and cumbersome, Motorola is the one company whose added functionality I always appreciate.
Editor’s Pick
Android 8.0 update: when will you get it?
The Android 8.0 Oreo update brings the next major version of Android to our devices, starting with Google’s own Pixel and Nexus devices. As always we can expect it to take anywhere from a couple of …
There are two subsections of the Moto app: Moto Actions and Moto Display. These offer a wide variety of gestures and actions that will make your Android experience a lot simpler to use. You’re also able to toggle features on and off as you please.
Moto Actions
One button nav: Uses the fingerprint sensor as a home, sleep, back, and multitasking button, depending on the gesture.
Chop twice for flashlight: Allows you to toggle the flashlight on and off by making a “double chop” motion with the device.
Twist for quick capture: Allows you to quickly launch the camera by twisting your wrist in a rapid motion.
Swipe to shrink screen: Makes the screen smaller for easier one-handed use.
Pick up to stop ringing: Switches to vibrate when you lift the phone while it’s ringing.
Flip for Do Not Disturb: Allows you to silence all notifications and calls by placing the phone on its face.
Moto Display
Night Display: Reduces blue light during a set period to help you sleep better after using your device just before bed.
Moto Display: Displays actionable notifications for you to quickly launch and interact with while the phone is locked.
Nearly all of these features were immensely helpful, and some (like Moto Display) have even become baked into Android over the years.
There aren’t any other bloatware apps present on this device. FM Radio makes an appearance, but that is more of a bonus than a detriment, especially when most flagship devices on the market today have removed this functionality.
Specs
| Display | 5.5-inch IPS LCD 1920 x 1080 resolution 401ppi Gorilla Glass 3 |
| Processor | 2.0 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 |
| GPU | Adreno 506 |
| RAM | 3/4 GB |
| Storage | 32/64 GB microSD expansion up to 256 GB |
| Cameras | Rear: Dual 13 MP sensors with an f/2 aperture
Front: 8 MP sensor with an f/2 aperture |
| Battery | 3,000 mAh Non-removable |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11n dual-band Bluetooth 4.2 MicroUSB 3.5mm headphone jack GPS+GLONASS NFC (not in the US) |
| Software | Android 7.1 Nougat (Planned 8.0 update) |
| Dimensions and weight | 153.5 x 76.2 x 8.0 mm 168 grams |
Gallery
Pricing & final thoughts
The Moto G5S Plus is an incredibly compelling piece of hardware. We crowned its younger sibling the Moto G5 Plus the king of budget back in April of this year, and this newer ‘S’ variant improves upon this model in every way.
For $229 you’re getting a modern day exterior, a lightning fast fingerprint reader, simplistic and compelling software with a guaranteed update to Google’s latest version, and even dual cameras (though we’ve seen much better). Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 625 performs admirably accompanied by the 3/4 GB RAM options, and storage shouldn’t be an issue due to the option for micro-SD expansion.
Coming in at just $10 more expensive than the G5 Plus, there really isn’t any reason not to pick up the G5S Plus. It looks and feels better in every way, and though the specs are very similar, you’re still getting more RAM and dual cameras with an improved body in the latter. What’s not to love?
The Moto G5S Plus might not be the most premium device in the world, but it is a pretty damn good phone. For the price, it’s hard to ask for much more.
Buy now at Best Buy
Next: Best cheap phones (September 2017)
Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time
Everyone likes Apple apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers put paid apps on sale for free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest iOS app deals available from the iOS App Store.
These apps normally cost money and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged.
GRE Vocab Genius
Applying the latest in cognitive science techniques, this app helps you efficiently learn over 2,000 “dynamic flashcards” covering both vocabulary words and their roots.
Available on:
iOS
Smart Merge Pro
Your contacts are the most important data in your phone. Smart Merge Pro easily helps you detect and merge duplicate contacts.
Available on:
iOS
MoodKit
Improve your mood and become your own expert with the wisdom and guidance of MoodKit at your fingertips. This app gives you professional psychology tips and tools for everyday life.
Available on:
iOS
iDigital Desk Clock
Set your phone up by your desk with this app and have access to everything from the time to the month to the current temperature. It’s a nostalgic use for your iPhone.
Available on:
iOS
KeyWi Keyboard
KeyWi is a custom keyboard for your iOS device that allows you to type using your computer’s physical keyboard.
Available on:
iOS
Honest Weather
Are you sick of this hot or cold weather? Did it ruin all your plans? Let honest weather tell you exactly how you felt about the temperature in funny ways.
Available on:
iOS
Battle for the Android throne: Can the Google Pixel 2 best Samsung’s Galaxy S8?
Google has unveiled the Google Pixel 2, the latest in its Pixel smartphone series. To say we were impressed with the company’s first model would be an understatement, and with this latest iteration, Google masterfully built on solid foundation.
Loaded with a Snapdragon 835 processor and an even more advanced camera, the Pixel 2 — all gruff about the bulky bezels aside — is certainly no sophomore slouch. That said, how does this latest iteration measure up against Samsung‘s flagship Galaxy S8? Let’s take a look, with this side-by-side smartphone showdown.
Specs
Galaxy S8
Pixel 2
Size
148.9 x 68.1 x 8 mm (5.86 x 2.68 x 0.31 inches)
145.7 x 69.7 x 7.8 mm (5.7 x 2.7 x 0.31 inches)
Weight
155 grams (5.47 ounces)
143 grams (5.04 ounces)
Screen
5.8-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED
5-inch AMOLED display
Resolution
2,960 x 1,440 pixels
1,920 x 1,080 pixels
OS
Android 7.0 Nougat
Android 8.0 Oreo
Storage
64GB (U.S.) 128GB (International)
64GB, 128GB
MicroSD card slot
Yes
No
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
RAM
4GB
4GB
Connectivity
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
GSM / CDMA / HSPA / LTE
Camera
Rear 12MP with OIS, front 8MP
12.2 MP rear with OIS, 8 MP HD front
Video
4K at 30fps, 1,080p at 60fps
4K at 30fps, 1080p at 120fps, 720p at 240fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, heart rate, proximity sensor, iris scanner
Barometer, gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor, Active Edge
Water resistant
Yes, IP68
Yes, IP67
Battery
3,000mAh
2,700mAh
Charging port
USB-C
USB-C
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Colors
Black, silver, gray, blue, gold
Black, Blue, and White
Availability
AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, Sprint, Unlocked from Samsung
Unlocked from Google, Verizon
Price
$725
$650
DT review
4 out of 5 stars
Hands-on Review
Both the Google Pixel 2 and Samsung’s Galaxy S8 pack the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor with 4GB of RAM. It means you should expect almost the same performance, though the Pixel 2 may edge out a little as the software is simple, pure Android. Samsung has its TouchWiz user interface layered over Android, and while it’s much improved, it still can slow down the operating system over time. Google also makes Android, and by designing its own phone, it’s able to optimize the hardware and software far more than Samsung can.
In terms of storage, you get more options to choose from with the Pixel 2 as there’s a 64GB and 128GB variant. With Samsung, you’re stuck with the 64GB model in the U.S., though there’s a MicroSD card slot which lets you add more space if you want.
It’s a close round, but we’re giving the edge to the Pixel 2.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Design, display, and durability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
Aesthetically speaking, one of the biggest mobile trends in 2017 has been the move away from thick bezels — the edges flanking the front of the screen. These two phones look vastly different, because one embraces this trend, while the other is far from it. The Galaxy S8 features minimal bezels, and looks even more stunning thanks to the curved screen. The all-glass build gives the phone a seamless, smooth feel in your hand and the skimpy, bezels offer a more immersive experience by bringing the screen virtually to the edge of the device.
With the second iteration Pixel, Google has retained large bezels. The Pixel 2 maintains the unique aluminum and glass build mixture on the rear which we like, but one can’t help but notice the thick, almost clunky, edges around the screen. The Pixel 2 looks straight from 2015.
Thin bezels aren’t just an aesthetic advantage — it allows the smartphone to offer more screen in a smaller frame. If you look at the dimensions of both devices, you’ll find the S8 almost has the same dimensions as the Pixel 2, but it offers a much larger 5.8-inch display, over the Pixel 2’s 5-inch screen.
The S8’s Super AMOLED display takes up 83-percent of the front panel, and the 2,960 × 1,440 pixels pixel resolution offers pristine image quality. The Pixel 2’s AMOLED screen has a standard Full HD 1,920 x 1,080 pixel resolution, and while it still looks great, the Galaxy S8’s screen is simply sharper at 570 pixels-per-inch. It’s overkill, compared to the Pixel 2’s 441 ppi.
The Pixel 2’s Full HD screen makes it more efficient from a processing and battery-consuming perspective, but the HDR Premium-certified Galaxy S8 allows you to watch sharp High-Dynamic Range (HDR) content — the latest craze in mobile.
Unlike the Galaxy S8, Google decided to do away with the 3.5mm headphone jack on the Pixel 2 for no specific reason. A headphone jack adapter is included in the box, but if you lose the dongle, you’ll have to rely on USB Type-C or wireless earbuds. This is a deal breaker for a lot of people, and it easily helps Samsung win this category. There is one positive for the audio department on the Pixel 2 — you now get front-facing stereo speakers. It certainly beats having a down-firing speaker like on the original Pixel or the S8.
The Galaxy S8 and the Pixel 2 are both water- and dust-resistant, but Samsung goes a step further with an IP68 rating, meaning the device should be able to withstand a plunge in up to 1.5 meters of water for up to 30 minutes. The Pixel 2 has an IP67 rating, which similarly lets you take the phone underwater up to 1 meter for 30 minutes.
It’s not a contest. The Galaxy S8 boasts a gorgeous, immersive design; packs a higher-resolution, bigger screen; and has a slightly better water-resistance rating. The Pixel 2 may win in a drop test, though, as the Galaxy S8 is covered in glass.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S8
Camera
The original Google Pixel was heralded as the best camera phone available and with the follow up Pixel 2, Google built on this solid foundation. In fact, camera review site DxOMark recently gave the Pixel 2 a score of 98 out of 100 — the highest rating ever awarded for a smartphone.
In our brief hands-on time with the Pixel 2, we saw virtually no shutter lag while snapping shots with the optical image stabilization-equipped 12-megapixel camera. The Motion Photos feature, which is almost the same as Apple’s Live Photos, allows you to capture three seconds of video by simply tapping the shutter icon. Best of all, the Pixel 2 has a Portrait Mode feature without the need for a dual camera set up. Machine learning and software algorithms help identify the primary subject in a photo, and the background is then blurred for images that pop. As it’s all done via software, it works with the front-facing 8-megapixel camera as well for spectacular selfies.
The Galaxy S8 12-megapixel rear camera is pretty much the same camera that was in the previous Galaxy S7. When we tested the S8, our broad daylight images had great picture quality with accurate colors, and low-light images were solid. There’s a Portrait Mode-like feature called Selective Focus, but it doesn’t work as well as Apple’s. More skilled photographers will appreciate the Pro mode feature, which allows you to manage shutter speed, focus, and ISO. There’s also a “Wide Selfie” mode that allows selfie aficionados to pivot the camera slightly to the left and right respectively for a broader field of view, making those larger group selfies less cramped.
We’ll have to do more testing, but from what we’ve seen the Pixel 2 seems to have the better camera at the moment.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Software
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
As Google designed the hardware and Android software for the original Pixel, the smartphone felt more fluid compared to other Android devices. This looks to be the case with the Pixel 2, but the key advantage with the Pixel-series is the phones get the latest security and version updates first. Case in point: Android 8.0 Oreo released in August, and the Pixel 2 devices will launch with it installed. The S8 still runs last year’s Android 7.0 Nougat.
The Google Pixel 2’s software is the pure Android experience. It may not be chock full of features like the Galaxy S8, but it’s simple, fast, and gorgeous. Samsung has improved TouchWiz’s design over the years and it looks great on the S8, but we prefer the more minimal, uncluttered experience on the Pixel. You get Google Assistant on both smartphones, but Samsung’s device comes with Bixby, an assistant you can use to control phone functions via your voice.
Regardless, the ability to get fast version and security updates gives the Pixel 2 the win.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Battery life and charging
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
We found the Galaxy S8 to offer just about a full day of battery life with some change, based on medium to high usage. That’s thanks to its 3,000mAh battery capacity. Samsung goes a step further and offers wireless charging on the S8, as well as fast charging.
We weren’t fans of the battery life on the original Pixel, as we found it struggling to stay alive by 7 p.m. on a regular work day. We’re sad to see a small downgrade in battery capacity from the 2016 Pixel, from 2,770mAh to 2,700mAh in the Pixel 2. Android 8.0 Oreo and the Snapdragon 835 processor do promise battery life improvements, but we’re skeptical we’ll find better battery life on the Pixel 2. We’ll have to do more testing. It’s capable of fast charging, but you won’t find wireless charging on board. Samsung takes the cake here.
Winner: Samsung Galaxy S8
Pricing and availability
Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends
The Google Pixel 2 is available for pre-order now and will set you back a cool $650. It’s available unlocked from the Google Store, or directly from Verizon. It’s not as widely available as the Galaxy S8, but it still works with all major U.S. carriers.
The Galaxy S8 will cost you $725 unlocked from Samsung, but you get more choice when you want to purchase it as all major carriers sell it, and so do many retailers. The Pixel 2 still gets the win, though, as the price is substantially less expensive than other phones using the latest Snapdragon 835.
Winner: Google Pixel 2
Overall winner: Google Pixel 2
While the Google Pixel 2 probably won’t win any awards for design anytime soon, the phone itself is worth every penny. Google bolstered the latest Pixel 2 with a faster, more efficient processor, and even somehow managed to upgrade the already spectacular camera. The Galaxy S8 is still one of our favorite smartphones of the year and the display is more capable than the Pixel 2, however, when juxtaposed across the gauntlet, the Pixel 2 is our pick in this match up. If you want a headphone jack, go for the S8.
Amazon’s all-new Kindle Oasis comes with Audible, can survive a drop in the pool
Why it matters to you
If you’ve been holding out for a Kindle that doesn’t mind getting wet, the Amazon’s new Kindle Oasis might be just what the doctor ordered.
Tablets are great for checking email and binge-watching old seasons of Game of Thrones, but they don’t offer the best reading experience. Ebook readers — the slim, compact, and glare-free devices that don’t strain your eyes and last for days on a single charge — have them beat in that regard, but you don’t need to convince Amazon.
On Wednesday, the Seattle-based retailer took the wraps off the all-new Kindle Oasis, a 7-inch ebook reader with a sleek exterior, built-in support for Audible audiobooks, and top-to-bottom waterproofing.
The new Kindle Oasis has a larger (7 inches) and thinner (0.13 inches) high-resolution 300 ppi screen that fits 30 percent more text on a page than the 2016 Oasis and flips pages faster than any other Kindle. Its ergonomic finish is designed to rest in your palm “like the spine of a book,” and its custom-designed aluminum backplate weighs in at just 194 grams — 10 grams lighter than Amazon’s ultra-compact Kindle Paperwhite.
But that’s the tip of the iceberg. The display of the new Oasis is shielded by Amazon’s “strongest cover glass” and has built-in light sensors that adjust the screen’s brightness based on ambient lighting conditions. It’s also completely waterproof, a Kindle first. Amazon says it’s IPX8-rated to protect against immersion in up to two meters of water for 60 minutes. And it has a fast-charging battery that delivers a full charge in less than two hours.
The improvements are more than skin deep. The Oasis ships with Audible, Amazon’s library of more than 375,000 audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, and radio shows, which stream wirelessly via the ebook reader’s Bluetooth radio to headphones, speakers, and earbuds. And new accessibility options offer custom fonts, inverted black-and-white color schemes, enlargeable home screen shortcuts, and ragged right alignment.
That’s all in addition to longtime Kindle features Whispersync, which syncs pages, bookmarks, and annotations across all of your Amazon devices and apps, and Word Wise, which pulls up definitions of challenging words and phrases.
“Ten years ago, we introduced our first Kindle with the mission of delivering any book ever written in 60 seconds or less,” Dave Limp, senior vice president of Amazon Devices and Services, said. “With a larger 7-inch, 300 ppi display, waterproof design, and Audible built right in, the all-new Kindle Oasis is our most advanced Kindle ever. It’s thin, light, and waterproof design allows readers to stay engaged in the author’s world in even more places than ever before.”
The new Kindle Oasis is available for pre-order globally starting at $250 for 8GB (twice the capacity of last year’s model) ahead of an October 31 ship date. It comes in a 32GB configuration with cellular connectivity for $350, and launches alongside new fabric covers ($45) in indigo, sandstone, and charcoal colors, and premium leather covers ($60) in midnight, saddle tan, and merlot.
Amazon says support for Audible content will roll out to Kindle devices (Gen 8) and the 2016 Kindle Oasis in the next few months, and that the new accessibility options will come as a free over-the-air update to Kindle Paperwhite (Gen 6) and newer Kindle devices immediately.
Pick up rewards for all the shopping you do with the Drop app
Why it matters to you
Think you ought to be personally rewarded for all the money you’re giving to your favorite stores? Drop is here to help.
Who says shopping is only about spending money? With Drop, you can make money during the process, too. The millennial-focused rewards program launched in the U.S. on Tuesday, October 10 after meeting with success in its home country of Canada. Fresh off a $5.5 million funding round, it’s no wonder that Drop will be available to help you earn some extra cash even as you exercise your credit card.
Promoted as the most user-friendly, flexible rewards program available, Drop allows shoppers to collect all their rewards in a single app, rather than collecting countless brand-specific cards or creating various accounts. Simply link your credit or debit card to the app and start collecting points — think of it as an extension of your existing credit card rewards program (after all, it’s just as easy to use).
“Drop offers what young people want: a seamless experience,” says founder and CEO, Derrick Fung. “We are incredibly excited to begin our expansion into the U.S. to give millennials a platform to earn the easiest rewards they’ve ever earned, doing what they already do daily.”
Featuring a truly impressive list of merchants, Drop’s cross-merchant rewards experience gives shoppers an almost alarming level of flexibility when it comes to collecting points for shopping. With brands including Sephora, Bloomingdales, The Body Shop, Amazon, Under Armour, MeUndies, and Boxed, you’ll have no shortage of stores (both online and brick and mortar) to peruse with the added benefit of collecting perks. Be warned though — don’t take Drop as a sign that you can spend in a free-for-all — those points don’t rack up that quickly.
Drop also notes that it’s a boon to brands, as shoppers can link multiple cards to their Drop accounts, giving partner brands a more holistic view of customers’ shopping habits. The privacy implications are a bit alarming, sure, but are you really going to put down your plastic anytime soon?
“Drop is a unique concept that brings brand-agnostic rewards to millennials to give them a fun, intuitive experience they crave, while also giving brands an opportunity to hook new, loyal customers,” said Mark Fernandes of Sierra Ventures, one of Drops’ investors. “We’re excited to be an integral part of Drop’s international expansion and seeing them scale beyond the massive success they’ve seen in the Canadian market.”
Android Wear 2.0 watches can be updated via the Google Play Store
Why it matters to you
Delayed software updates might be a thing of the past if incremental updates for Android Wear 2.0 become standard.
Smartwatches aren’t like smartphones. They’re a bit smaller, of course, but they also don’t tend to receive as many updates. Take Google’s Android Wear for instance: Nearly a year went by before the search giant rolled out Android Wear 2.0, the newest version, to watches that shipped with Android Wear 1.0. But if Google has its way, such delays will now be a thing of the past.
On Tuesday, Hoi Lam, a wearables developer advocate at Google, highlighted a key new feature of Android Wear 2.0: Incremental updates. Smartwatches that are running now get bug fixes, feature enhancements, and other improvements delivered via the Google Play Store, Google’s one-stop software shop.
The first of such updates went out in early October, Lam said, and added third-party chat app support to Wear’s Contacts app, made the Google Play Store easier to find for new users, and reduced the touch sensitivity of the watch face selection screen. More are on the way.
“With Android Wear 2.0, new features can be delivered through the Play Store, when the Android Wear app on your watch is updated,” Lam said in a Google+ post. “The aim is to publish more timely improvements between OTAs […] Hope you like them and more to come in the coming months.”
That bodes well for future Android Wear releases, which historically haven’t been timely. The reason? Bugs. Android Wear 2.0, which was unveiled in fall 2016, was pushed back to early February 2017. But when the promised launch window rolled around, only four smartwatches — the Moto 360 Sport, LG Watch Urbane 2nd Edition LTE, Asus ZenWatch 2, and ZenWatch 3 — got the new firmware. Google chalked the delay up to unforeseen software problems.
Even when development goes smoothly, though, smartwatch manufacturers still have to implement support for individual watches’ buttons and sensors. And some insist on adding custom watch faces, apps, menus, and other complications, which takes more time.
With any luck, incremental updates will help turn things around more quickly.
Honor teases a bezel-less handset that’ll be announced in December
Honor’s take on the bezel-less smartphone will be announced in London on December 5.
Over the past couple of years, Honor has established itself as one of the better brands around for offering high-quality smartphones that won’t break the bank. This year’s Honor 6X offered dual cameras for under $200 USD, and a new teaser from the company is promoting an upcoming handset with a staple feature from 2017 – a near bezel-less display.
The teaser that Honor sent out is an invitation for an event that’ll be held in London in December, and along with the text “Max your view”, there’s also an outline of a smartphone with very small bezels on the sides, top, and bottom.
Ever since 2016’s Xiaomi Mi Mix, phones with minimal bezels have been the rage. Samsung really popularized this feature with the Galaxy S8/S8+, and along with the company’s own Note 8, we’ve also seen this bezel-less trend creep over to the LG G6 and V30, Google Pixel 2 XL, and even Apple’s iPhone X.
The majority of phones with these tiny bezels tend to air on the expensive side of things, but considering the fact that Honor phones are typically more affordable than the rest of the competition, this mystery phone could be a great buy for those that want to have a modern-looking handset without spending $700+.
Honor’s press event to announce this phone will be taking place in London, UK on Tuesday, December 5.
Honor 9 review: The best phone for less than £400
Honor 7X unveiled with 5.93-inch edge-to-edge display and dual rear cameras
Honor 7X retains the affordability factor while offering new upgrades.
Huawei sub-brand Honor is the latest company to make the switch to an 18:9 display with the Honor 7X. Unveiled at an event in China, the Honor 7X sports a 5.93-inch edge-to-edge display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080. The display is just as wide as the 5.5-inch panel on the Honor 6X, but it is noticeably taller.
Like the Honor 6X, the Honor 7X features a unibody aluminum chassis and dual rear cameras at the back. This time, however, Honor switched out the camera configuration to a 16MP primary camera augmented by a 2MP secondary shooter, and the sensors are oriented horizontally. The phone is powered by the octa-core HiSilicon Kirin 659 SoC, which has four Cortex A53 cores clocked at 2.36GHz and four A53 cores at 1.7GHz.
There’s also 4GB of RAM, microSD slot, 8MP front camera, WiFi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.1 LE, 3340mAh battery, and a dual SIM card slot. The fingerprint sensor is located at the back, and while we’ve seen manufacturers move away from micro-USB in favor of USB-C, it looks like Honor didn’t get the memo as the 7X still retains the older microUSB charging port. On the software front, you get EMUI 5.1 atop Android 7.0 Nougat.
The Honor 7X is available in three variants in China: a base model with 32GB storage that retails for ¥1,299 ($200), a variant with 64GB storage for ¥1,699 ($250), and a version with 128GB storage for ¥1,999 ($305). Sales kick off in China from October 17, a day after the global launch of the Mate 10. The phone is debuting in three color options: Aurora Blue, Gold, and Black.
No word as yet regarding international availability, but we’ll let you know once we know more. The company is also launching a bezel-less phone in the UK in December, so there’s plenty to look forward to.
Are you feeling any buyer’s remorse for your Pixel 2 preorder?
Waiting six to seven weeks for an $850 phone to ship can be a dangerous thing.
Google announced the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL with a lot of hype and fanfare at its October 4 event, and soon after the official unveiling, a lot of people were quick to sprint to the Google Store to get their preorders placed ASAP.
We came away quite impressed with our initial hands-on time of Google’s latest and greatest, but neither the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL are cheap phones – starting at $649 and $849 respectively. That’s a lot of cash to hand over for a new phone, and with some preorders not expected to ship until November, the possibility for buyer’s remorse can be quick to set in.
For a handful of users on our forums, that feeling has already started to creep up on them.
worldsoutro
10-09-2017 04:37 PM“
I ended up cancelling. For the money I would want this for 3 years minimum. Next year they will probably add support for TMobiles 600mhz band and bump up to 6gb of ram. I would have been like f*** I should have waited.
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jhnnyblze2000
10-06-2017 07:19 PM“
I go back and forth every other hour. I have the note 8. Got it launch day and absolutely love it. However like a few others I got caught up in all the hype and ordered it. Got delivery day of the 18-19th of October. So I’m gonna wait it out till I get it play with it for a few days and decide which one I like. If I like the note better I’ll return the pixel. If I like the pixel I’ll sell off the…
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Then again, the majority of people who got their preorders in still appear to be quite excited about their purchase.
Dismaster
10-08-2017 06:20 PM“
No regrets at all. I am excited to be getting my Pixel 2 XL and I will probably love it like I do my Nexus 6… It’s all good!
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AustinIllini
10-09-2017 05:48 PM“
I ordered black and I’m still thrilled. Counting down the days
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DroidDavi
10-10-2017 08:20 PM“
nope not even a little I’d buy it 2 times if I needed to
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One user also dished out some wisdom from an old friend.
gmermel
10-06-2017 01:48 PM“
A very wise friend once told me if you pay too much it’ll hurt today. Pay too little, and it’ll hurt throughout your time with what you bought.
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If you preordered either the Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, we want to know – are you feeling any buyer’s remorse from your purchase?
Join the conversation in the forums!
AIVAnet 