OPPO F5 with FHD+ display is heading to India and other SE Asian markets

OPPO’s upcoming phone will leverage AI to help you take great selfies.

The OPPO F5 will be making its debut later this month, and now we know the launch markets for the device. The phone will be making its way to India, along with other markets in Southeast Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

There’s precious little to go by regarding the OPPO F5, but what we do know is that the phone will be the first from the company to offer an FHD+ display with a resolution of 2160 x 1080. The teaser above also suggests it’ll have AI-assisted tech for taking selfies.

The launch event is scheduled for October 26, so we’ll know more about the device later this month.

How the Active Edge squeeze function works on Google’s Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

All you need to do is squeeze and Google Assistant will launch.

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL both deliver excellent experiences on a gorgeous phone and come packed with new features. Amongst them is the Active Edge squeeze function, which lets you launch Google Assistant or ignore phone calls, all with a quick squeeze of your phone.

We’ve got the details on how this feature works and what it can do right here!

How does the Active Edge squeeze function work?

To launch Google Assistant or silence an incoming phone call you previously needed to use a voice command or press a capacitative button on your phone. Now you’re able to get the same results by simply squeezing your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL and activating the Edge squeeze function.

This is a feature that doesn’t require any setup to utilize. Just grip your phone firmly in hand, and in a single motion, squeeze in on the left and right sides of the phone.

What can you do with the Active Edge squeeze function

Unlike Samsung’s Bixby button on the Galaxy S8 series, the Active Edge squeeze function is capable of doing more than just one thing. You can silence incoming phone calls that you don’t want to deal with or use it to launch Google Assistant. You’re even able to launch Google Assistant with a squeeze when your screen is off.

You’ll also be able to adjust how sensitive the Active Edge squeeze function so that it requires more or less pressure in order to launch. This is particularly handy to fine tune how and when it launches so that you have full control over the feature. Of course, if you aren’t a fan, you can also turn it off from within your settings.

Questions?

Do you still have questions about how the Active Edge squeeze function works? Are you excited to use this feature when you pick up your Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL? Let us know about it in the comments below!

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Galaxy Note 8 and LG V30 are the best big phones of 2017

The Note 8 and V30 are both fantastic phones, and these are a few reasons why some of our readers chose the one they did.

Ever since Samsung released the first Galaxy Note in 2011, big phones have been rising in popularity year after year – so much so that they’re now the industry norm. The LG V30 and Samsung Galaxy Note 8 are two of the hottest phablets for 2017, and naturally, a lot of debate between the two has been ignited.

Samsung Galaxy Note 8 (left), LG V30 (right)

On one hand, Samsung’s Galaxy Note line is a staple of the company’s for kicking out large phones with a ton of features that offer the kitchen sink and then some. On the other hand, LG’s V series has quickly been establishing itself as the go-to phone line for people that are serious about content creation, big screens, and powerful DACs.

Both the Note 8 and V30 are incredibly powerful and impressive phones, and based on the constant back and forth from our forum users, there are legitimate reasons for considering either handset as your next daily driver.

In regards to the Note 8:

nizmoz
10-08-2017 11:04 AM

“

The V30 has slower performance over the Note 8 already tested. Also, it doesn’t have near the features Samsung does. Like Bixby, Spen, Samsung Pay, Live Photo, not as good of a screen, and so on. It doesn’t even come with headphones in the US wireless provider versions. LOL.

Reply

Yankee512
10-09-2017 11:53 AM

“

Note 8 of course. The V30 can’t touch the features it has.

Reply

Retinella
10-09-2017 10:32 PM

“

Why would you even consider returning a Note 8 for the V30? The Note 8 has more RAM, bigger pixels in the camera, better front facing camera, Samsung Pay, S Pen, better UI, better screen…that’s like asking if you should trade in your Lamborghini for a Ford Pinto.

Reply

Praise for Samsung’s latest and greatest is apparent, but LG’s V30 also brings a lot to the table.

Will In SF
10-08-2017 10:27 PM

“

I have been pleased with LG phones. I had the G3, V10 and now on the V20. I am switching carriers and have to get a new phone. I was thinking about trying the Note 8, but I can not get over the size (I thought the V20 was big). I like the wide angle camera of the V series and also a fan of the quad DAC as well, so as soon as I can get one in store at T-Mobile I am going for the V30.

Reply

Kendahl Titcomb
10-10-2017 09:35 AM

“

This is the very reason for this question. I struggled with the size and shape of this phone. I finally today just took the plunge and got my V30. It will be here in a few days and I’m excited to have it. I know people couldn’t understand the need for the question, but I really struggled with the size of this phone over it’s functionality. I love the Note 8 performance and love many of the…

Reply

I think we can all agree that both the Note 8 and V30 have their own respective place in the market, but if you had to choose between one of two, which would it be – Samsung Galaxy Note 8 or LG V30?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Should you buy an original Pixel or Pixel XL in 2017?

Is a lower-priced Pixel or Pixel XL a good deal right now?

The unceasing march of innovation, coupled with the desire for a predictable revenue stream for manufacturers and carriers alike, all but ensures an annual update cycle for most major smartphone brands.

So is true of the new Pixel 2 series, which takes what made last year’s models so good and improves on them in nearly every conceivable way.

But Google and its U.S. carrier partner Verizon are not putting the originals out to pasture just yet. Instead, they’re each getting $100 price cuts and entering their second life as, if not budget phones, viable options for fast, capable, approachable Android flagships for people who don’t want or need the very best.

And if you want a Pixel with a headphone jack, last year’s models are your only option.

Should you buy a Pixel?

At $549, the original Pixel is still a good phone, but it’s not a great deal.

With the original Pixel down to $549, it’s easier than ever to get into a Chevy Google. With its 5-inch OLED display, still-powerful Snapdragon 821 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage, the Pixel has specs that don’t seem too out of place in late 2017, and it’s still got a year left of Google’s guaranteed platform updates, which means it will be among the first devices to get Android P when it debuts in 2018. It’s also got a 2770mAh battery, which is ever-so-slightly larger than the one in the Pixel 2.

But the original Pixel lacks a couple of key features that many people take for granted in phones today; its single, downport speaker doesn’t compare well to the front-facing stereo speakers on the Pixel 2, and it lacks its successor’s IP67 water resistance. It also has a rather pedestrian design that failed to win over the mass market.

At $549, the original Pixel is still a good phone, but it’s not a great deal. If you’re already spending that much on a phone, you should probably try to save up the extra hundred for the Pixel 2, which adds a faster Snapdragon 835 processor, double the storage, an improved camera with optical image stabilization, and the promise of an additional two years of platform updates.

Of course, as already mentioned, the Pixel has the headphone jack that the Pixel 2 lacks, which, if wired headphones are important, may singlehandedly be enough to push you over the edge.

If you do want an original Pixel, it may be worth investigating lightly used models on sites like Swappa or eBay, which could bring the cost down significantly.

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Should you buy a Pixel XL?

The question of whether you should buy a Pixel XL right now is a bit more nuanced. The same arguments against it still apply — no waterproofing, aging processor, shorter update lifespan — but the Pixel XL, at its lower price of $669, has a considerable price delta advantage to the Pixel 2 XL, which starts at $849.

The Pixel 2 XL is a better phone, but it’s also nearly $200 more expensive.

Sure, the Pixel 2 XL is sleeker and taller, with an updated design that takes advantage of LG’s near-bezelless design and pOLED technology, but the Pixel XL is still a whopper of a phone. Its 3450mAh battery has proven capable of offering all-day battery life, something its smaller Pixel counterpart never quite realized, and its higher-resolution QHD panel makes everything from watching video to playing games in Daydream VR a more pleasant experience.

Thanks to its hardware advantages, I spent a lot more time with the Pixel XL than the Pixel throughout 2016 and 2017, and I’d venture to say it’s one of the best phones ever made. At $669, it’s a much more interesting proposition than the Pixel at $549, and if you’re looking for a larger flagship that will stand the test of time, I’d encourage you to look into it.

See at Google Store

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• Google Pixel and Pixel XL review
• Google Pixel XL review: A U.S. perspective
• Google Pixel FAQ: Should you upgrade?
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• Understanding Android 7.1 Nougat
• Join the discussion in the forums!

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You can now buy the Pure White Essential Phone

The Pure White Essential Phone can now be purchased from Essential, Amazon, Best Buy, and Sprint for $699.

When the Essential Phone was first announced in May, it was shown off in four colors – Black Moon, Pure White, Stellar Grey, and Ocean Depths. Once the device was finally made available for purchase in August, only the Black Moon color was available. Thankfully, Essential is now opening up orders for the Pure White model.

Essential made the announcement via Twitter, and along with being able to buy the Pure White model on the company’s website, it’ll also be available through Amazon, Best Buy, and Sprint (sorry Canadian readers, no Telus availability yet).

Although the Essential Phone launched with a myriad of performance and camera issues, the company has been making considerable progress in getting the software up to speed. It was recently announced that a public beta for Android Oreo would be available in the coming weeks, and along with this, further camera updates are in the works as well.

Welcome the newest Essential Phone: Pure White. Now available on https://t.co/5XqZeQu9cW and through partners @Amazon @BestBuy @Sprint. pic.twitter.com/lVZD29hLjz

— Essential (@essential) October 11, 2017

There’s no doubt that the Pure White model of the Essential Phone is a looker, but with devices like the Note 8, V30, and Pixel 2 XL also available, it might be worth holding off and getting something else until Essential finally finishes this beta.

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How to use the Coloring feature on the Galaxy Note 8

Coloring is one of the most enjoyable features on the Note 8. Here’s how to use it!

It’s always been fun to use the Galaxy Note’s S Pen stylus to doodle in S Note and other compatible apps, but with the Note 8, Samsung has gone one step further — it’s added a dedicated coloring feature.

Part of the little-known but, in some circles, wildly popular PenUP app, the coloring feature gives the S Pen a creative rejuvination by transposing all of S Note’s brushes, styles and colors into a collection of thick line drawings.

The feature isn’t surprising, though: coloring books, both real and digital, have seen a resurgence in recent years as smartphone and tablet addicts look for something that clears the mind and encourages focusing on one task. While it’s not quite meditative, to many people the act of filling in a pictogram with color is relaxing, rewarding, and fun.

If you’re looking to do the same thing on the new Galaxy Note 8, here’s how.

First, enable Coloring in Air Command

You can easily access the Coloring feature directly in the PenUP app, but it’s much easier to get to it using the shortcut in Air Command, which pops up when you remove the S Pen from its holster.

But it’s off by default, so you need to enable it.

Remove the S Pen from the holster. Wait for Air Command to appear.
Tap Add shortcut.
Tap on Coloring under S Pen features.

Now, access Coloring from the Air Command menu.

That’s it! Now the Coloring icon will show up whenever you open Air Command.

Then, play with the features

You can also find the Coloring feature inside the PenUP app.

Swipe up from the Samsung Launcher to access the app drawer.
Open the Samsung folder.

Tap on PenUP.

Navigate to the Coloring section on the right.
Find a drawing.

Play with brushes, opacity, colors and other features.

Now you’re set up to use, in my opinion, one of the best features on the Galaxy Note 8.

The great thing about the Coloring feature is that more pictograms are being added every week, and you can compare your work to others who have submitted their work through the community.

Even better, it’s possible to download many of those finished works of art and apply them as wallpapers, or to use as stepping stones for your own projects.

Have you used the Coloring feature on the Galaxy Note 8? Let us know in the comments below!

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Google Wallpapers gets three new categories and Pixel 2 backdrop

Three new categories and a new Cityscapes wallpaper are now available on Google Wallpapers, but most are limited to the Pixel and Pixel XL.

Initially launched last year with the first Pixel, Google’s Wallpapers app has quickly grown to be my favorite tool for customizing the look of my home and lock screen. Google recently added a few new selections to the app, and although many of them appear to be limited to the Pixel and Pixel XL, there’s still a lot to like here.

The biggest additions are three new categories, including Keep Looking, Underwater, and Geometric Shapes. Underwater and Geometric Shapes are pretty self-explanatory, but the Keep Looking category is a bit odd. Each wallpaper has a description of “Keep looking, Love Pixel”, and swiping through the wallpaper will show hidden elements that aren’t readily apparent upon first viewing.

For example, the wallpaper “Boinggg” initially shows two Slinkys falling down a set of stairs, but swiping over to the left reveals a third one. The “Coffee overboard” wallpaper shows two coffee cups by default, but swiping shows another that’s not visible at first. All of them feature very bright colors and nice textures, and although some are a bit busy for my taste, I dig the overall aesthetic.

Additionally, the Cityscapes category now has the iconic “Rainy Day” wallpaper that’s seen on most press photos and renders for the Pixel 2.

Unfortunately, most of these new wallpapers are limited to Google’s Pixel lineup. The Geometric Shapes category appears to be working on non-Pixel handsets, but the Underwater and Keep Looking category and “Rainy Day” wallpaper are only showing up on the Pixel.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL hands-on preview
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Get 5 free movies, including Big Hero 6, The Lego Movie, and others from Movies Anywhere

Movies Anywhere is running a promotion right now called “5 Movies on Us” that gives you access to five movies for free. All you have to do is sign up for their free service and link your new account to two digital retailers (Google Play, Amazon, iTunes, etc). After you link to the first digital retailer, Movies Anywhere will add 2016’s Ghostbusters and Ice Age to your account. The second retailer will net you Big Hero 6, The Lego Movie, and Jason Bourne.

Movies Anywhere is sort of a digital middleman for all the services you might use to watch movies. We’ve written about it before in regards to Disney Movies Anywhere. This platform lets you connect all your accounts from around the net from popular services like iTunes, Google Play, Amazon, Vudu, Disney, and others. It then consolidates all the media you’ve bought from those retailers in one place, the Movies Anywhere app, or lets you access the movies on one retailer from another (watch your iTunes movies using Google Play). You can also use this service to create a digital collection of physical DVDs or Blu-rays.

TL;DR

• What makes this deal worth considering? – Get Big Hero 6 for free. What more motivation do you need? For the minor inconvenience of the Internet version of filling out some paperwork, you get access to five free movies.
• Things to know before you buy! – Once you have the movies from the 5 Movies on Us promotion, they will stay accessible from the Movies Anywhere app and less accessible if you delete the app.

See at Movies Anywhere

More from Thrifter:

• 8 weird things you probably have in your house that sell on eBay
• How to save money when driving

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!

Verizon retail stores now have Pixel 2 units that you can play around with

Verizon retail stores are now outfitted with Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL demo units, giving customers a little something to hold themselves over while waiting for preorders to ship.

With shipping dates going as far back as mid-November for some Pixel 2 preorders, a lot of early buyers will be waiting around for quite a few weeks before their shiny new handset finally arrives on their doorstep. If you simply can’t wait that long and need to get your hands on a Pixel 2 before its estimated arrival, Verizon has your back.

A PR rep for the United States carrier announced on Twitter that Verizon stores will have Pixel 2 units available for customers to get a “hands-on preview” starting on Thursday, October 12. We don’t know if all stores will be stocked with Pixel 2/Pixel 2 XL demo units or if only select ones will, but it’s worth heading to your nearest Verizon outlet if it means a chance to get up close and personal with Google’s latest.

Google also announced earlier this week that it’ll be opening up pop-up stores in New York City and Los Angeles on October 19 where people will get a chance to not only test out the Pixel 2, but also the Pixelbook, Home Mini, Pixelbuds, and plenty more.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
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• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Facebook plans to fix ad system before 2018 US midterm elections

We’ve heard quite a bit about Russian meddling in the US election through Facebook ads. Last month we reported that Facebook handed over the suspected Russian ads to Congressional investigators. We also learned that the social media giant is hiring 1,000 additional people to approve ads on the platform and will hand-review ads that target politics or race. Now, it turns out Facebook has set a deadline for itself to overhaul its advertising system: the 2018 US election.

On Tuesday, November 6th of next year, the US electorate will head to polling stations to vote in the 2018 general election. Facebook wants to ensure that Russian ads don’t play the same role they might have had in 2016. The ads purchased by this Russian group sought to exploit existing social divisions on America on issues of race, religion, gun control, immigration and more. They apparently specifically targeted swing states in the election.

Facebook’s Chief Technology Officer Mike Schroepfer told Reuters that the company is making improvements to its ad platform constantly, and that users would start to see regular updates. The challenge, he says, is the amount of content on Facebook’s platform; it’s difficult to police over 2 billion users and 5 million advertisers. “We’re investing very heavily in technical solutions, because we’re operating at an unprecedented scale,” he said.

It’s understandable that Facebook doesn’t want to play the same role in future elections that it did in 2016. And on a larger scale, the company is constantly in the headlines for its lackluster response to hate speech and other misuses of its platform. Perhaps these changes will be applied on a broader scale if they work and improve the experience for Facebook’s users at large.

Source: Reuters