LG’s V30+ is coming to T-Mobile on November 17th

While most carriers got LG’s vlog-ready V30 smartphone (pictured above) back in August, Sprint got an exclusive version, the V30+, that doubled its storage to 128GB. Or so the company claimed. T-Mobile just announced that it’s getting the device too, and will make it available to customers on November 17th.

Aside from the extra space, the phone also packs in nicer earbuds and HiFi Quad DAC — but otherwise, it’s the same ol’ V30 that came out months ago. The real coup lies in bragging rights more than securing a signature phone, but spoiling exclusives wouldn’t be an issue if the Sprint–T-Mobile merger hadn’t gotten called off days ago.

Source: T-Mobile

Apple Says iOS 11 is Installed on 52% of Devices

iOS 11 is now installed on 52 percent of iOS devices, according to new statistics that Apple shared today on its App Store support page for developers.

This is the first time that Apple has updated its App Store support page since the release of iOS 11, and the first look we’ve had at official installation numbers.

We’ve previously only seen installation estimates from analytics company Mixpanel, which appear to be quite a bit different. Mixpanel currently lists iOS 11 installation at just about 66 percent.

With iOS 11 installed on 52 percent of devices, 38 percent continue to run iOS 11. 10 percent are still on an earlier version of iOS.

iOS 11 adoption has been slower than iOS 10 adoption was last year, but the number of devices with the update installed has grown steadily since the new update was released.

Apple has thus far released several updates for iOS 11, including iOS 11.1, the first major iOS 11 update. iOS 11.1 introduced new emoji, brought back the 3D Touch App Switcher, and included some critical security fixes.

iOS 11.2, an update currently in testing, will be the first major update to bring a new feature — Apple Pay Cash — which could encourage additional users to upgrade to the new operating system.

Related Roundup: iOS 11
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New augmented reality ‘coach’ aims to help autistic people build life skills

For people on the autistic spectrum, the kind of everyday social interactions that most of us take for granted can be enormously difficult. After manifesting in early childhood, these challenges can create difficulties for sufferers from school age right through their years in the workplace. A startup based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, thinks it has one possible way to help them — and it involves augmented reality, smart glasses, and some cool emotion-tracking technology.

Launched in early November, Brain Power’s Empower Me system is hailed as the world’s first wearable smart glasses platform that’s designed explicitly to help people with autism. A bit like the kind of “brain training” apps that have been popular for years, the technology functions as a “digital coach. It runs on Google Glass and provides various games — with a focus on aiding those on the spectrum in building important life skills.

“Some of the challenges we address include decoding the emotions of others, face-directed gaze, language, context-appropriate conversation skills, controlling behaviors, and general cognitive enhancement, among others,” Dr. Ned Sahin, founder and CEO of Brain Power, told Digital Trends. “Our applications are gamified and engaging, and run on smart glasses. Unlike with a tablet or phone, the person is looking up, and our software encourages social interaction with other people.”

Empower Me features a suite of apps. For example, in the kid-oriented Emotion Charades, players must identify different emotions in siblings, parents, or therapists and then match them with emojis. The emotions are recognized by the smart glasses using cutting-edge facial recognition technology, so the player gets to learn based on real live people, rather than avatars.

“People on the spectrum enjoy the engaging format of the applications we have designed, and parents truly appreciate the ‘connectedness’ they feel with their child,” Sahin continued. “We’ve studied this formally and scientifically during those clinical trials in children and adults across the spectrum. Results from stage one of our clinical trials are being published now, with many more papers to come.”

The technology has been in development for several years. It’s got some impressive names behind it. It’ powered by neuroscience developed at MIT and Harvard University, and was created in close partnership with Affectiva, the world’s leading emotion AI company, and X, formerly known as Google X.

Those interested in the Empower Me system can pledge support on Indiegogo. Prices start at $945 for the suite of apps, minus the Google Glass headset. Shipping is set to take place in August 2018.

Editors’ Recommendations

• That’s ‘Professor Bot’ to you! How AI is changing education
• The 100 best iPad apps for your Apple tablet (October)
• Amazon Alexa and the Mayo Clinic team up to provide public health information
• Google and Snapchat team up to host the #MyFutureMe contest
• Prepare your kids — SpongeBob SquarePants is now an Alexa skill

Everything you need to know about Neuralink: Elon Musk’s brainy new venture

Elon Musk has no shortage of ambitious, inspiring, and downright crazy ideas. You’ve probably heard about his efforts to build reusable rockets, blanket the globe in Wi-Fi, and build a network of tunnels under LA — but one of his newest ventures, called Neuralink, is arguably one his most intriguing yet.  It’s a crazy mix of futuristic science and brain surgery, with a healthy dose of, “what does it even mean to be human?” thrown in for good measure. Here’s everything you need to know!

Neuralink sounds like something from a movie. What is Musk up to?

Neuralink is based on a very sci-fi concept: the startup wants to link your brain directly to computers and other electronic devices, preferably via cybernetic implants that allow your mind to interface with gadgets and programs.

Musk believes that brain-to-machine interfaces are an important part of humanity’s future – preferably without the dystopian tagalongs. Neuralink wants to find the best possible ways to make that mind connection possible. There’s also a more paranoid factor at work: Musk and others are worried about the impact of A.I. on the world, especially if that A.I. turns against humans. Musk would prefer that we have a more direct way to control A.I. if necessary, and would like to find a way to increase our intelligence to compete with the super smart A.I. programs of the future. If that sounds exciting to you, you can read more about it in this whitepaper.

It’s a little more than a year old. Reports started surfacing about Neuralink in 2016, and Musk’s involvement in 2017. Since then, the project has received a collection of Elon Musk tweets, it’s own Twitter feed, and a bare bones website.

What are the ultimate goals of Neuralink?

There are a number of interesting long-term goals for Neuralink – and similar projects. More specifically:

Create new implants that can be surgically inserted into the human brain: Interestingly, this technology already sort of exists. A number of different brain implants are being used to help treat blind patients, those suffering from neurological diseases, and other conditions – sometimes with surprising success. But these implants are largely autonomous. People don’t really interact with them, and they don’t give anyone extra capabilities. Obviously Neuralink is more ambitious, and the company is busy looking for better neural laces, or webs that can integrate into the brain.

Allow humans to mentally interact with the devices around them: In the lingo, these are called “BCIs” or brain-computer interfaces. The closest we’ve gotten here are advanced bionics that can interpret brains signals and allow people to control limited movements for prosthetic arms and legs. The next step is linking that technology with implants that, instead of actuating movement, can interface with other types of external software. Neuralink would love to see wearable devices that do the same thing, but the startup admits that surgery and brain implants are probably going to be a big first step.

Let humans amass data via the chip: In other words, Neuralink wants to create chips that can increase human storage and processing power. That probably requires interface technology that we aren’t even close to yet – but that’s the point of Neuralink.

Help out the medical field treat more injuries: We just talked about how most current brain implant projects are trying to help disabled people recover. This provides an ideal entry point for Neuralink to develop new technology and come up with new solutions before jumping straight into the A.I. War of 2075.

Where is Neuralink now, in the real world?

UPMC

This venture is still somewhat secretive. However, the startup did make big news when it raised $26.96 million in a funding round in late 2017. Based on the documents filed, it looks like Musk may want to raise much more money in the future, but for now he has stated that there is no active fundraising or investment action going on. However, Musk hopes to begin developing the first mind-link devices within the next several years.

Is any of this even possible?

That’s a matter of debate. Brain-computer interface technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past few years — but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about just how far these efforts can go. The human brain is fantastically complex, and when it comes to allowing thoughts to pass back and forth from software …well, no one is even sure where to begin. Some consider the whole idea to be far out of our reach.

I’m an engineer and this is my dream come true. Is Neuralink hiring?

Yes, the startup is looking for a limited number of engineers in all kinds of fields, particularly software and mechanical. Of course, Musk is looking for the best of the best, so you better brush up your resume.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Everything you need to know about the Boring Company, Elon Musk’s latest venture
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• Here’s everything you need to know about SpaceX Starlink
• Man somehow plays sax solo following brain surgery, for science

Everything you need to know about Neuralink: Elon Musk’s brainy new venture

Elon Musk has no shortage of ambitious, inspiring, and downright crazy ideas. You’ve probably heard about his efforts to build reusable rockets, blanket the globe in Wi-Fi, and build a network of tunnels under LA — but one of his newest ventures, called Neuralink, is arguably one his most intriguing yet.  It’s a crazy mix of futuristic science and brain surgery, with a healthy dose of, “what does it even mean to be human?” thrown in for good measure. Here’s everything you need to know!

Neuralink sounds like something from a movie. What is Musk up to?

Neuralink is based on a very sci-fi concept: the startup wants to link your brain directly to computers and other electronic devices, preferably via cybernetic implants that allow your mind to interface with gadgets and programs.

Musk believes that brain-to-machine interfaces are an important part of humanity’s future – preferably without the dystopian tagalongs. Neuralink wants to find the best possible ways to make that mind connection possible. There’s also a more paranoid factor at work: Musk and others are worried about the impact of A.I. on the world, especially if that A.I. turns against humans. Musk would prefer that we have a more direct way to control A.I. if necessary, and would like to find a way to increase our intelligence to compete with the super smart A.I. programs of the future. If that sounds exciting to you, you can read more about it in this whitepaper.

It’s a little more than a year old. Reports started surfacing about Neuralink in 2016, and Musk’s involvement in 2017. Since then, the project has received a collection of Elon Musk tweets, it’s own Twitter feed, and a bare bones website.

What are the ultimate goals of Neuralink?

There are a number of interesting long-term goals for Neuralink – and similar projects. More specifically:

Create new implants that can be surgically inserted into the human brain: Interestingly, this technology already sort of exists. A number of different brain implants are being used to help treat blind patients, those suffering from neurological diseases, and other conditions – sometimes with surprising success. But these implants are largely autonomous. People don’t really interact with them, and they don’t give anyone extra capabilities. Obviously Neuralink is more ambitious, and the company is busy looking for better neural laces, or webs that can integrate into the brain.

Allow humans to mentally interact with the devices around them: In the lingo, these are called “BCIs” or brain-computer interfaces. The closest we’ve gotten here are advanced bionics that can interpret brains signals and allow people to control limited movements for prosthetic arms and legs. The next step is linking that technology with implants that, instead of actuating movement, can interface with other types of external software. Neuralink would love to see wearable devices that do the same thing, but the startup admits that surgery and brain implants are probably going to be a big first step.

Let humans amass data via the chip: In other words, Neuralink wants to create chips that can increase human storage and processing power. That probably requires interface technology that we aren’t even close to yet – but that’s the point of Neuralink.

Help out the medical field treat more injuries: We just talked about how most current brain implant projects are trying to help disabled people recover. This provides an ideal entry point for Neuralink to develop new technology and come up with new solutions before jumping straight into the A.I. War of 2075.

Where is Neuralink now, in the real world?

UPMC

This venture is still somewhat secretive. However, the startup did make big news when it raised $26.96 million in a funding round in late 2017. Based on the documents filed, it looks like Musk may want to raise much more money in the future, but for now he has stated that there is no active fundraising or investment action going on. However, Musk hopes to begin developing the first mind-link devices within the next several years.

Is any of this even possible?

That’s a matter of debate. Brain-computer interface technology has progressed in leaps and bounds over the past few years — but there’s still a lot of uncertainty about just how far these efforts can go. The human brain is fantastically complex, and when it comes to allowing thoughts to pass back and forth from software …well, no one is even sure where to begin. Some consider the whole idea to be far out of our reach.

I’m an engineer and this is my dream come true. Is Neuralink hiring?

Yes, the startup is looking for a limited number of engineers in all kinds of fields, particularly software and mechanical. Of course, Musk is looking for the best of the best, so you better brush up your resume.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Everything you need to know about the Boring Company, Elon Musk’s latest venture
• Virgin’s Sir Richard Branson climbs aboard the Hyperloop
• A beginner’s guide to A.I. superintelligence and ‘the singularity’
• Here’s everything you need to know about SpaceX Starlink
• Man somehow plays sax solo following brain surgery, for science

Google’s ‘Files Go’ gives Android users an easy way to share their files

Apple’s AirDrop has long been an extremely easy and convenient way to share files among Apple devices, but it looks like Google is finally working on a competitor — Files Go.

The new app was first spotted on Google Play in closed beta by 9to5Google and while the app has since been pulled, the outlet was able to get its hands on some screenshots and find out some of the features through the Google Play listing.

According to the report, the new app will partly act as a file manager and partly as a way to transfer files between devices. You also get a rundown of how much space is being used and some tools you can use to clean up your phone’s files — freeing up valuable space you could use for other things. You can also filter files based where they came from to more easily comb through them on your phone — for example, you could see files from WhatsApp, which would show photos that your friends have sent you.

There is certainly some app crossover here, but the app could still prove to be very useful. For starters, those that avidly use Google Drive probably already have most of their files in the cloud. Not only that, but Google Photos already has a way to clean up unnecessary files — though the new utility won’t be limited to photos and images.

Of course, the real draw for the app will be quick and easy file transfer and it seems as though the service will work over Bluetooth — meaning you can transfer files to other devices even if those devices are online, and without having to eat up some of your data. In other words, it’s an Android version of AirDrop, which also uses Bluetooth.

It’s currently unknown who exactly will be able to take advantage of the new app. Some theories suggest that considering the name of the app, “Files Go,” it will only be available on the Android Go operating system, a stripped-down version of Android built for emerging markets where phones may not be as powerful. A report from TechCrunch, however, instead says that the app will be available globally at the beginning of December. On top of that, someone managed to get the app’s APK — and if you’re so inclined you can download it for yourself here, as long as you have Android 5.0 or later.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to transfer files from Android to your PC — the easy way
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• Need to know how to open RAR files? Here’s how to do it
• How to make a ZIP file on a Mac

Light up your life (and someone else’s) with LuminAID’s smart solar lanterns

LuminAID is a company that was founded on one simple idea: Provide cheap, durable, and bright lights for use in the outdoors. That philosophy led to the company’s line of inflatable lanterns, which are popular for use in remote campsites, developing countries, and disaster zones. Most recently, that has included folks affected by recent Hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria. The company has already sent more than 100,000 solar lights to folks in need, and now to continue its Good Samaritan habits, LuminAID is donating a solar lantern to folks in need across Puerto Rico and the Caribbean for every Kickstarter pledge to its latest campaign.

The concept behind those lights came about after company founders Andrea Sreshta and Anna Stork came up with a plan that offered earthquake victims of a source of light. That simple, yet ingenious, idea has turned into a successful business, and LuminAID lanterns are now in operation in 70 countries. Those lights even earned the two a spot on ABC’s Shark Tank.

Now, LuminAID is preparing to launch its next product, and has turned once again to Kickstarter to help. The Smart Solar Garden “unites green technology and intelligent design to empower sustainable living beyond the grid.” These Bluetooth-enabled solar lanterns can be controlled by your smartphone, and can be programmed to turn on and off at certain times. Their brightness and color can all be manipulated remotely, and of course, charge using the power of the sun. With these waterproof Smart Solar Garden lamps, you ought to be able to bring some light to just about any environment, even if there’s no outlet in sight.

Modular in design, these lights are customizable, and can provide a glow to your pool (yes, they’ll float) or to your party. Each of these new lights can be preordered from Kickstarter for $49, with an estimated delivery date of June 2018.

Given LuminAID’s previous success on Kickstarter,  it’s no wonder the company is relying on crowdfunding to bring its newest product to market. It previously launched the PackLite Max Phone Charger, an inflatable lantern capable of putting out up to 150 lumens of light, on the site. That lantern — which can also be charged via USB — folds down to a one-inch thickness when not in use and weighs 8.5 ounces. It is also waterproof to the point that it can be fully submerged in water.

Unlike the previous generations of LuminAID lanterns, the PackLite Max also has an embedded 2,000mAh lithium-ion battery, which not only can power the light for up to 150 hours but also provides a charge for a smartphone, tablet, or other devices. That is because the lantern is also equipped with a standard 5V, 2.4 amp USB port — a first for any LuminAID product. This combination of features makes the PackLite Max a potentially game-changing product not only for outdoor enthusiasts but people living in developing parts of the world as well, which is all part of the company’s mission to provide economical sources of light in poor parts of the world.

Update: LuminAID launches the Smart Solar Garden. 

Editors’ Recommendations

• This Solar-powered lantern can produce up to 700 hours of light from a single charge
• Australia will build a solar power plant to meet the government’s energy needs
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• Homegrown Trailers’ new camper is equipped with solar panels for off-grid power

HTC U11 Life vs. Moto X4: Who rules the midrange smartphone market?

The release of the HTC U11 Life has reignited the battle for the affordable smartphone market. With a powerful Snapdragon 630 processor, Android Nougat, and up to 64GB of internal storage, HTC’s latest handset is a force to be reckoned with. But how does it stack up against the Moto X4, one of the midrange market’s best phones? We took a look to find out.

Specs

HTC U11 Life

Moto X4
Size
149.1 x 72.9 x 8.1 mm (5.87 x 2.87 x 0.32 inches)
148.4 x 73.4 x 8 mm (5.84 x 2.89 x 0.31 inches)
Weight
142 grams (5.01 ounces)
163 grams (5.75 ounces)
Screen
5.2-inch Super LCD
5.2-inch IPS LCD
Resolution
1920 x 1080 pixels (424 ppi)
1920 x 1080 pixels (424 ppi)
OS
Android 7.1.1 Nougat/Android One (international)
Android 7.1.1 Nougat/Android One
Storage
32GB (3GB of RAM), 64GB (4GB of RAM)
32GB
MicroSD card slot
Yes
Yes
NFC support
Yes
Yes
Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
Qualcomm Snapdragon 630
RAM
3GB (32GB model), 4GB (64GB model)
3GB (4GB in some markets)
Connectivity
LTE, GSM, HSDPA, HSPA, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
GSM / HSPA / LTE, 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
Camera
16MP rear, 16MP front
Dual 12MP and 8MP rear, 16MP front
Video
2160p up to 30 fps
2160p up to 30 fps, 1080p up to 60 fps
Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0
Audio
Bottom-firing speaker
Front speaker, 3.5mm headphone jack
Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes
Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyro, proximity, compass
Gyroscope, accelerometer, ambient light, proximity sensor
Water resistant
Yes, IP67 rated
Yes, IP68 rated
Battery
2,600mAh
3,000mAh
Charging port
USB-C
USB-C
Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store
Colors
Brilliant Black, Sapphire Blue, Ice White
Black, blue
Availability

T-Mobile, HTC

 Newegg, Amazon, Motorola

Price
$349
$399
DT review
4 out of 5 stars
3.5 out of 5 stars

Being budget-friendly phones, both the Moto X4 and the HTC U11 Life have forgone the big and expensive Snapdragon 835 processor in favor of its little brother, the Snapdragon 630. This is a fine little processor that’s becoming the standard for midrange phones, and it’s a good performer in this price bracket.

With both phones rocking the same hardware, you’d expect them to handle somewhat similarly. While this is largely true, there are some differences. In our HTC U11 Life review benchmarks, we found the Moto X4 ahead on single-core tests, and the U11 Life ahead on the multi-core tests. That said, we felt that the U11 Life was the snappier and smoother of the two, though the difference is admittedly minimal.

It’s a similar story when we turn to RAM and storage options. Both phones offer starting models with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage. While both offer an extra GB of RAM in certain markets, only the U11 Life offers a model with increased storage space. Both offer MicroSD storage, though, so you shouldn’t run out of storage with either of these devices.

There’s really not much to call in this contest. These phones are loaded with very similar hardware, and both are powerful enough for their price bracket. The HTC U11 Life does get some extra points for its additional storage options, as well as for feeling slightly more responsive and smooth.

Winner: HTC U11 Life

Design and display

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

While the two phones may be very similar in terms of specifications, they couldn’t look more different. The HTC U11 Life takes its design cues from its bigger brother, the HTC U11, with a shiny body and gentle curves. But you won’t be fooled when it’s in your hand — plastic acrylic replaces the smooth glass on the U11, mimicking the look, but cutting down on expense. It’s not a bad choice, and it does a good job of looking the part, but don’t expect any more than plastic fantastic. Despite that, the U11 Life is a pretty good looking phone.

The Moto X4, on the other hand, is a more usual glass-and-metal affair, with a metal frame sandwiched between two glass plates. It’s an attractive piece of design, but it’s not the most comfortable phone to handle. Although the two phones are very similar in size, the weight difference is clear with the X4 weighing rather more than the U11 Life. The camera module also sticks out rather a large amount, and that makes the phone rock when placed down on a surface — though that can be solved with a good case. What can’t be solved by a case is the lack of a headphone jack on the U11 Life. This is hardly surprising — HTC has been moving forward with this recent trend, and the U11 lacked this basic feature too, but it’s likely to be a deal-breaker for many, especially since the Moto X4 includes a standard 3.5mm audio port.

In terms of display, both phones have 5.2-inch screens with full HD, 1920 x 1080-pixel resolutions, which translates to identical pixel-per-inch scores of 424. Despite the similar specs, the Moto X4 has a slight edge over the U11 Life, thanks to the slightly brighter display. The U11 Life is a little dim for our liking, though it’s still a decent display.

Durability sees more back-and-forth between the two devices. The U11 Life’s acrylic outer shell, though not as pretty as the X4’s glass-and-metal, is likely to be much more durable over the long run, being more resistant to shock. There’s no escaping the anxiety of shattering with Motorola’s phone. The Moto X4 has an impressive IP68 rating compared, but the HTC U11 Life is IP67-rated. A water resistance rating is rare in this price bracket, and both phones should be capable of surviving an accidental dip in the pool or down the toilet, but the Moto can handle slightly greater depths than the HTC.

This category is tough to call — though the U11 Life pulls ahead slightly on physical durability, thanks to the plastic body over the glass, that worry can be waylaid significantly with a good case. The Moto X4 is a touch better equipped to deal with water resistance, though there’s very little in it. If the presence of a headphone jack is important to you, then the Moto X4 wins, but we prefer the design of the U11 Life.

Winner: HTC U11 Life

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

As you might expect with midrange phones, neither of these devices is going to end up on our best smartphone camera list. However, both the U11 Life and the X4 come with decent snappers for the price. In pure numbers, you’re looking at a 16 megapixel, f/2.0 aperture lens on the HTC U11 Life, while the Moto X4 follows the recent dual-camera trend with a 12 megapixel, f/2.0 lens paired with an 8 megapixel,  f/2.2 wide-angle lens. The extra lens on the X4 gives it an edge in certain situations, though we found that the wide-angle mode suffered from a drop in image quality. Also, while the X4 took excellent photos with good light, it isn’t a great low-light camera — but to be fair, the U11 Life fared little better in the same situations.

Both cameras are hampered by a lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) — and most frustratingly, both suffer from far too much shutter lag. But these are typical complaints for cameras on midrange and budget phones, and as long as you stay in well-lit areas and stay as still as possible, both cameras are capable of delivering decent snaps. The similarities in design return on the front of the phone, where both are using 16-megapixel front-facing cameras. There’s not much to say here — they’re both decent selfie snappers.

Again, this is a tough call. Despite the different set up on the rear cameras, both cameras suffer from similar problems. We found that the shutter lag on the Moto X4 was slightly worse than that on the U11 Life, and we just prefer the performance of the U11 Life’s camera over the X4’s. However, the X4 has more features, including a DSLR-like bokeh mode, but they’re not enough to push it over the HTC’s slightly better performance. This one’s a tie.

Winner: Tie

Battery life and charging

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The HTC U11 Life comes with a 2,600mAh battery that went from 100 percent at 8 a.m. to 17 percent at 5.30 p.m. after a day of fairly heavy usage. That’s not terrible battery life, and light users will probably find that this phone lasts the day pretty easily. But it pales next to the Moto X4’s 3,000mAh battery. With similar heavy usage, the X4 went from 100 percent at 8 a.m. to 23 percent at 11 p.m. That’s a pretty big difference in battery performance, and if you’re a heavy user, the extra stamina of the Moto X4 might be valuable for you.

It’s a similar story with charging — the HTC U11 Life has a fairly standard charging speed, going from 15 percent to 50 percent within 35 minutes. The charger included with the Moto X4 (loaded with Motorola’s TurboPower) charged the Moto X4 from zero to 85 percent within 40 minutes. Again, that’s a pretty big difference, and heavy users who don’t want to be sat on their charger could see a potential draw there.

There’s no contest here. The extra 400mAh makes a huge difference in battery life between the two phones, and Motorola’s TurboPower charger seals the deal. The Moto X4, every day.

Winner: Moto X4

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

This is a tricky one to judge, as both the HTC U11 Life and the Moto X4 have models offering the Android One operating system. For the unfamiliar, Android One is a pared down version of stock Android, specially altered to work on budget hardware. Since it’s close to stock Android, it doesn’t come with any additional bloatware and benefits from updates directly from Google — so you’ll always get the most updated device as soon as possible. You’ll be able to buy a Android One-loaded Moto X4 from Google’s Project Fi, and you’ll find this version of Android loaded onto the international versions of the HTC U11 Life sold outside of the United States.

If you’re in the U.S., then you’ll find the U11 Life running HTC Sense over Android 7.1.1. It has a few bloatware apps — but most of these can be turned off. Interestingly, the HTC U11 Life features three different assistants. The first is Google Assistant, accessed in the usual ways, and via Edge Sense. Second comes Amazon’s Alexa assistant, familiar to those who’ve used an Amazon Echo. Finally is HTC’s Sense Companion — not a voice assistant, but it does appear on the home screen to offer suggestions based on potential nearby interests.

The non-Android One Moto X4 also comes with an experience that’s pretty close to stock Android, though there are a few additions that add value to the phone. Moto Voice is also included alongside Alexa and Google Assistant, as well as Motorola’s “Moto Key” which allows users to log into sites on their laptop or PC with the X4’s fingerprint sensor. Tempow Bluetooth Audio Profile is also included in the non-Android One model of the X4, allowing you to connect to up to four Bluetooth speakers at once, and boosting audio quality on Bluetooth connections.

Both phones currently run Android 7.1.1 Nougat, and both manufacturers have stated that they’re looking to get Android 8 Oreo on each of the devices by the end of November, so both are neck-and-neck in this category. We can’t rule on this one, especially since both phones have Android One alternatives if you don’t like what the manufacturer has to offer.

Winner: Tie

Price and availability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

You can buy the HTC U11 Life from HTC for $349, or from T-Mobile, though HTC has stated that the U11 Life will work on AT&T if purchased unlocked. The X4, however, is a no-go for Verizon and Sprint customers, since it lacks the bands to function on those networks.

The Android One version of the Moto X4 is available from Google Fi, and the regular version will be available from a large number of retailers, and is supported by the major carriers. The Moto X4 is more expensive at $400, but, if you’re a Prime member, it can be bought with ads from Amazon for just $330, less than the price of the HTC U11 Life.

For most people the U11 Life is going be cheaper and so it takes the win here.

Winner: HTC U11 Life

Overall winner: HTC U11 Life

Honestly, this is one of the toughest calls that we’ve had to make. Both phones are among the best in this price range, and you need to stretch your budget and start looking at phones like the OnePlus 5 to find handsets that top these. We prefer the slightly better processing speed, stylish design, and camera on the HTC U11 Life, but the Moto X4 definitely wins on battery life and we love the support for multiple Bluetooth speakers in the Moto version. They’re both solid handsets with a lot to love. We’re confident that if you pick up either of these you’re unlikely to regret your choice. If you’re an Amazon Prime member and you want a headphone port, the X4 should be your pick, but everyone else can save themselves $50 and pick up the capable HTC U11 Life.

Editors’ Recommendations

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The Taro camera stabilizer tracks your movement to keep you in the frame

Amateur videographers are living in something of a golden age here in 2017. Not only do our cell phones double as 4K digital cameras, while drones let us shoot sweeping Hollywood-style vistas on a shoestring budget, but a new self-stabilizing camera tripod now promises to eliminate all signs of unintended shakiness from our footage — while permanently keeping its intended target in frame.

Called Taro, the so-called “automated camera mate” is a hands-free tracking stabilizer for smartphones and DSLR cameras, which uses infrared (IR) and artificial intelligence technology to follow moving targets and make sure that they never stray out of view. Just slap on an IR bracelet and Taro will keep its eye on you wherever you move — a bit like your own personal cameraperson or the world’s most intelligent selfie stick.

While it’s not the first hands-free stabilizer in the marketplace, Taro creator Hao Qian said he found others lacking in important ways, which he wanted to rectify. “After testing other stabilizers, we noticed they easily lose the target when shaded or moving fast,” Qian told Digital Trends. “This is due to the algorithms they use: Optical flow or tracking learning-detection. Both of these algorithms consume a lot of calculation capacity, so when working on smartphones, they usually calculate less than two times per second — which is why when there’s a fast-moving target, the algorithms simply can’t catch up. Taro can lock in on a target using its fast infrared tracking algorithm that performs 30 calculations per second, making it possible to track objects moving as fast as 50 miles per hour.”

Although we haven’t yet had the opportunity to put it through its paces, the results look promising. The software isn’t the only thing that is impressive, either; the hardware design of the device is pretty nifty, too — with three ultra-high torque, brushless motors that react rapidly to what is happening around them to provide a silky-smooth shooting experience.

If you want to get hold of a unit, you can pre-order Taro on Kickstarter, where a super early bird edition will set you back $229 — including a stabilizer, tracking module with infrared sensor, wristband, and USB charging cable. Shipping is set to take place in April.

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The Taro camera stabilizer tracks your movement to keep you in the frame

Amateur videographers are living in something of a golden age here in 2017. Not only do our cell phones double as 4K digital cameras, while drones let us shoot sweeping Hollywood-style vistas on a shoestring budget, but a new self-stabilizing camera tripod now promises to eliminate all signs of unintended shakiness from our footage — while permanently keeping its intended target in frame.

Called Taro, the so-called “automated camera mate” is a hands-free tracking stabilizer for smartphones and DSLR cameras, which uses infrared (IR) and artificial intelligence technology to follow moving targets and make sure that they never stray out of view. Just slap on an IR bracelet and Taro will keep its eye on you wherever you move — a bit like your own personal cameraperson or the world’s most intelligent selfie stick.

While it’s not the first hands-free stabilizer in the marketplace, Taro creator Hao Qian said he found others lacking in important ways, which he wanted to rectify. “After testing other stabilizers, we noticed they easily lose the target when shaded or moving fast,” Qian told Digital Trends. “This is due to the algorithms they use: Optical flow or tracking learning-detection. Both of these algorithms consume a lot of calculation capacity, so when working on smartphones, they usually calculate less than two times per second — which is why when there’s a fast-moving target, the algorithms simply can’t catch up. Taro can lock in on a target using its fast infrared tracking algorithm that performs 30 calculations per second, making it possible to track objects moving as fast as 50 miles per hour.”

Although we haven’t yet had the opportunity to put it through its paces, the results look promising. The software isn’t the only thing that is impressive, either; the hardware design of the device is pretty nifty, too — with three ultra-high torque, brushless motors that react rapidly to what is happening around them to provide a silky-smooth shooting experience.

If you want to get hold of a unit, you can pre-order Taro on Kickstarter, where a super early bird edition will set you back $229 — including a stabilizer, tracking module with infrared sensor, wristband, and USB charging cable. Shipping is set to take place in April.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Optical vs. Laser: What kind of mouse will work for you?
• Wish you could fly? Here are the best drones on the market right now
• Nikon D850 Review
• Logitech G fools your boss by packing PC gaming hardware in office peripherals
• GoPro launches Hero6 Black and Fusion cameras, reveals new details