This year, I’m thankful there are no more bad phones

Every year it’s getting harder and harder to buy a terrible phone.

When I got back from the OnePlus 5T launch event last week, I sat down with the phone and played with it, and it was clearly very good. I was justifiably impressed with the quality of the hardware and the smoothness of the software — more so when I considered its relatively affordable $499 price tag. OnePlus is a company that understands its market, and though it’s buttressing up against that all-important $500 benchmark, it’s probably more comfortable being there — being compared to the Galaxys and iPhones of the world — than stuck in the $299 bracket fighting over entry-level scraps.

But it occurred to me that there are no more bad phones at any price. Leaving aside the truly dreadful, no-name stuff, you can find happy customers of the $50 BLU Advance A5 all the way up to the $950 Galaxy Note 8. Never before have we been so awash in mobile bounty.

This trend is reinforced by the increasingly minute differences we’re seeing in devices. While rising component costs are pushing flagship handset prices into the $1000 range, we’re seeing less diversity in design and component choices at each price tier. We can pretty much take for granted how a phone at $200, $500, and $1000 will both look and perform; we can reasonably expect certain benchmarks to be hit (not, like, speed benchmarks but actual qualities). I’m not saying every phone looks the same, performs identically, and aspires to do the same thing, but we’re at a point where, if a phone runs Android, it generally runs it pretty well, and looks pretty OK.

The next few years will be interesting from an Android perspective. We’re seeing phone design being distilled to a reproducible formula: big, bezel-less screen; powerful chip; high-speed cellular modem; great camera; big batteries. Increasingly, all of those tenets can be achieved in the entry and mid pricing tiers — just look at the new Honor 7X and aforementioned OnePlus 5T, respectively — with camera quality being the only remaining outlier.

We’re now at a point where, if a phone runs Android, it generally performs well and looks pretty good.

With phone screens going edge to edge, most companies’ distinctive design elements are moving to sides and back, but even then it’s more a matter of preference than optimization. Do you prefer the cameras centered or to the side; do you prefer the fingerprint sensor in the middle, or wherever the hell Samsung thinks makes sense? And as with all technologies — see laptops, televisions, even cars — the components and capabilities once reserved for the wealthy are increasingly available to everybody.

Qualcomm’s collection of Snapdragon platform chips perhaps showcases this the best; there used to be a substantive difference in experience between the dregs of the 200- and 400- series, the constrained-but-capable 600-series, and the thermal- and performance-pushing 800-series. Now, in many cases, it’s difficult to tell the difference.

It also used to be that cheap phones felt, well, cheap. With companies like Motorola, Honor, HTC and others replacing low-quality plastic with the same metal and glass as their flagship peers, that’s no longer the case, either. To my eyes and hands, there’s little difference between the $399 Moto X4 and the $649 HTC U11 — both are beautiful and impeccably built.

So the next time someone suggests that smartphones are getting boring because they are all starting look and feel the same, turn the argument around: it’s tremendously exciting that it’s pretty hard to buy a bad phone these days, and that the differences between a $50 and $950 device, while still enormous, are narrowing every year.

Happy Thanksgiving 🦃

Save big on the ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 at Amazon UK for Black Friday

If you’re hunting for a new Chromebook, Black Friday might be your best bet to land a great deal.

In the case of deal-hunting Brits, Amazon UK is coming out with a big hitter for Black Friday now the occasion is finally upon us. The ASUS Chromebook Flip C302 is a premium Chromebook with a lot of great things going for it, and for Black Friday you can grab one and save a packet.

Inside it packs a Core m3 processor, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, while having a 12.5-inch Full HD touch display that, you guessed it, flips right around to give you a Chrome OS tablet. You’ve got USB-C, too, and a solid metal construction that makes it both stylish and durable. And with up to 10-hours battery life it’s the laptop that can go out with your for the day without worrying about bringing a charger.

For Black Friday you’ll only be paying £429.99, and it won’t be around for long. Grab it while it’s hot!

See at Amazon

Ditch your busted phone for an unlocked Moto Z Play for $250

Get ready to have battery life for days!

If you’re holding onto a broken phone because you refuse to pay a ton for a new phone, you’re going to want to check this deal out. B&H has the original unlocked Moto Z Play down to just $249.99, which is about $200 less than it normally sells for. Being an unlocked phone, you’ll be able to simply swap your SIM card from another U.S. GSM carrier into the phone and you are good to go.

As an added bonus, B&H is tossing in a free basic smartphone photo/video starter kit, which is valued at $34.95.

• GSM/ 4G LTE Capable
• North American Variant
• Rear 16MP Camera + 5MP Front
• 2.0 GHz Snapdragon 625 Octa-Core CPU
• 32GB Storage Capacity + 3GB RAM
• 5.5″ 1920 x 1080 AMOLED Display
• Compatible with MotoMods
• Water-Resistant
• microSD Memory Card Slot
• Android Marshmallow 6.0.1

See at B&H

EA is addressing the loot boxes in ‘Need for Speed: Payback,’ too

Most of the headlines surrounding Electronic Arts this fall have been about the loot box situation in Star Wars: Battlefront II. But Need for Speed: Payback has been dealing with the same pay-to-win progression issues since it launched a few weeks ago too. More than that, the game is an unstable mess and barely functions on Xbox hardware. Developer Ghost Games is addressing both of those with Payback’s first big updates.

Specifically, Ghost is paring the time it takes for upgrade parts to appear in tune-up shops by 66 percent. What used to take 30 minutes will only take 10 from here on out. Money and reputation from winning events is getting bumped too, and that goes for non-first-place finishes too. All that to say, it shouldn’t feel like your hand is forced to buy loot boxes with real-world money just to advance in the game.

What’s going to take some time though, are fixes for game stability and performance. Ghost says that patch will arrive “soon,” but that once it does, there will be tweaks to the types of parts tune-up shops offer and better parts from winning events, too.

Ghost says to keep an eye on its social channels for news on when that will drop. Until then, just play something else. The racing in Payback is fine, but with how much of a mess it is from a tech standpoint (not to mention how awful the dialog and writing is) you’re better off spending your time with a better game.

Source: EA

Tesla’s semi-truck is priced surprisingly competitive

When Tesla unveiled its Semi electric truck last week, everyone agreed that it looked cool, but some actual truckers weren’t necessarily sold on its functionality. Most observers will be impressed with the pricing if it holds, though. Tesla has listed estimated price on its Semi website for the 300- and 500-mile versions of $150,000 and $180,000 respectively, less than some pundits predicted. The fancier Founders Series, with the top specs, will cost $200,000.

Looking at the $180,000 model, it’s still around $60,000 more than a diesel-powered semi truck. However, the Semi could cost around 20 percent less to run, Tesla estimates, putting savings over a million miles at around $250,000.

The Tesla Semi will improve the trucker experience with an Enhanced Autopilot (automatic emergency braking, automatic lane keeping and lane departure warning) that will improve safety for drivers and other vehicles. It also features jackknife protection, sensors and cameras meant to reduce blind spots. For a truck it’ll also have crazy acceleration, which could be useful for hill-climbing and other chores.

That said, trucker Jonathon Ramsey wondered if the Semi would provide enough visibility, given the lack of mirrors and unusual center pilot position. He also said Tesla should have focused more on the brakes than the acceleration, and called some of Tesla’s claims about current trucking tech questionable.

Many critics are also wondering how Tesla could sell the Semi so cheaply. Some estimates have put the cost of the 1 MWh battery alone at up to $400,000, so as Electrek speculates, Tesla must have some new technology or other tricks up its sleeve to be able to make the economics work. Potential buyers aren’t spooked by the unknowns, though — Canadian grocery chain Loblaws was the first to jump onboard with a big order, and retail giant Walmart also plans to test the truck.

Via: Electrek

Source: Tesla

Facebook’s latest feature test looks like Snapchat’s streaks

Facebook has been emulating (read: copying) Snapchat for a while now, whether through Instagram or on its own. So, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it’s at it again. This time the company is playing around with a feature for Messenger akin to Snapchat’s streaks (direct snaps sent back and forth between friends, which come with emoji rewards). Twitter user @CaseSandberg spotted the experiment, with Facebook confirming to Mashable that it is in fact testing it, complete with emoji-like icons. The social network claims it’s a way to glean fun facts about your pals, but it’s clearly just a ripoff aimed at drumming up more engagement.

Also they are using 2 icons instead of just one. One is just too confusing, what is this Snapchat? pic.twitter.com/B2TSlXyDQv

— case (@CaseSandberg) November 22, 2017

Streaks have been a hit on Snapchat from the get-go, with fans (particularly teens) fervently maintaining them to amass emojis. Their addictive nature may explain how Snapchat managed to snag 178 million daily users. But, whereas Instagram has successfully integrated its plunders, when’s the last time you watched a Facebook Story? We could be wrong, though, and streaks could work a charm on Messenger — not that it needs help attracting users.

Via: Mashable

Source: @CaseSandberg (Twitter)

Here are the best OnePlus 5T cases to keep the flagship-killer beautiful

The OnePlus 5T proves that you don’t need to spend a fortune to get a smartphone with flagship specifications, top-of-the-line performance, and a minimal bezel display. But just because it’s a bit cheaper than an iPhone X doesn’t mean you have money to throw around on repairs, and it certainly doesn’t mean you want to see your phone get all bashed up. A protective case can solve a lot of these issues by putting a layer of soft TPU or hard polycarbonate between your phone and the stresses of everyday life. Here are some of the best OnePlus 5T cases currently available so you can keep your phone safe.

TopAce Ultra Thin Gel Case ($9)

If you’re a no-nonsense sort of person who doesn’t like the idea of a bulky case getting between you and your phone, then a clear gel case might be your kind of protection. This ultra-thin case from TopAce is made of flexible TPU and provides some protection against minor bumps and scrapes. The soft material also adds grip, so your phone will hopefully spend less time in mid-air. While it won’t provide as much protection as a larger, bulkier case, it does allow you to still show off the beautiful design of your phone, giving you the luxury of being able to put it on and forget about it.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Official OnePlus Flip Cover ($18)

OnePlus offers some great cases for its phones and this flip cover is no exception. Crafted from durable and easy-to-maintain PU leather, this case is hard-wearing and animal-friendly. An inner core of TPU holds your phone snugly, and protects it against damage, while the outer layer of PU leather wraps around the phone to complete the protection. That’s not all; flipping the cover over the front screen automatically puts the screen to sleep, ensuring your OnePlus 5T won’t accidentally wake while in transit, saving power for when you actually need it. The inside of the case also features a card slot, perfect for a payment card, or travel tickets. Sleek and executive-looking, this flip cover won’t look out of place anywhere.

Buy one now from:

OnePlus

Avidet Shock Absorbing Hard Cover ($8)

If you want something a little more hard-wearing, then this case from Avidet might be what you’re looking for. It’s made of tough polycarbonate (PC), making it rigid, and easily able to take the stresses of scratches and dings that would otherwise impact your phone. PC is also a light material, so you won’t be adding much bulk to your slim OnePlus 5T by putting this case on it. The pattern on the back of the case helps to aid grip, so you shouldn’t have any issue keeping a hold of your phone at all times.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

TopAce Flexible Shock Case ($9)

One of the softer options in protective cases, this case from TopAce is made of our old friend, TPU. Thanks to the flexible material and the inner spiderweb pattern that transfers energy away from the device, this case should be great at absorbing impact. The leather-like pattern on the back also helps you to maintain your grip on the phone, while also adding a unique style to your device. It’s thin and light, and the raised edges around the camera and screen help to keep those vulnerable areas away from surfaces, and away from dirt and grit that might damage them. A great protective option.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Official OnePlus Sandstone Case ($18)

What sort of OnePlus case roundup would this be without mention of the most iconic cases you can buy? We mentioned OnePlus’s excellent flip wallet case above, but these slim protective cases have always been the jewel in OnePlus’s accessory crown. Made from polycarbonate, the Sandstone case has a sandy finish, adding grip and giving your OnePlus 5T a unique texture. Raised edges protect the camera and screen from damage, and the hard PC surface keeps scratches and dings away from the body of your device. OnePlus also offers a Kevlar variant that includes real DuPont Kevlar fiber — though that will set you back an additional $5. Either case is a unique addition to your device and some of the most stylish protection available.

Buy one now from:

OnePlus

Looking for apps to fill your new OnePlus 5T? Well, we did the hard work and listed the best Android apps this month. If you’re wondering what makes the OnePlus 5T different from the OnePlus 5, then we also narrowed that down in our OnePlus 5T vs. OnePlus 5 article!

iPhone X reportedly assembled with illegal student labor at Foxconn plant

Apple’s main supplier — Foxconn — is under fire after it reportedly violated China’s overtime law by hiring 3,000 high-school student interns to assemble the iPhone X, Financial Times reports. Students in the city of Zhengzhou claim to have been working for up to 11 hours a day to put together the devices.

The publication interviewed six students who claim their school forced them to work at the factory, as a “work experience” requirement. Even though it had nothing to do with what they were actually studying, they reportedly had to complete the three-month period of work in order to graduate.

In the months leading up to the iPhone X release, there were various reports of production delays — mainly with its Face ID feature. Rumors surfaced of shipping delays due to the Face ID sensor taking more time to assemble than expected. Other reports claimed suppliers were reducing Face ID accuracy in order to speed up production.

Other reports included delayed arrival, with customers not receiving their devices until as late as December. But after pre-orders launched, there were multiple reports of people receiving their iPhone X as early as November 6.

One student told the Financial Times that she was assembling up to 1,200 iPhone X cameras per day. While the school declined to comment, both Apple and Foxconn acknowledged there were cases of student interns working overtime, and that they were taking action to solve the situation.

Apple then confirmed that there were students working overtime, but voluntarily. The company also stated the students were compensated and provided benefits, but should not have been allowed to work for more than 40 hours a week.

The Financial Times also spoke to a Foxconn employee who has worked with the supplier for a long time. According to the employee, the Zhengzhou factory hires students every year between August and December during its busiest season.

The Foxconn employee also said the numbers at the plant apparently exceed 300,000 workers, producing up to 20,000 iPhones per day. But this year, the number was greater when it came to the need for seasonal workers.

Foxconn’s response on the matter was similar to Apple’s. The supplier stated that all the work was voluntary and the interns were compensated appropriately but they did work more than 40 hours per week.

Robotics startup could fight Zika by dumping mosquitoes from a drone

When it comes to solving the problem of Zika virus, we previously covered possible solutions ranging from experimental vaccines to more unorthodox approaches based on turning 100 percent of the mosquito population male. A new solution to the problem has appeared on the horizon, however — and this one uses drones.

The idea is to breed sterile mosquitoes in captivity, transport them in large numbers via a drone developed by the company WeRobotics and then dump them on an area where they will outnumber the wild males. Since all the males will compete for the same females, but the sterile mosquitoes will far outnumber the fertile males, the results could reduce local populations by up to 90 percent. This could be used to help fight mosquito-borne viruses including Zika and others.

“The main goal is vector control to eliminate infectious disease,” Adam Klaptocz, co-founder of WeRobotics, said. “Suppressing mosquito population can be done with fumigation or insecticide, but both these techniques are damaging to the environment, and insects are developing immunity to this. Releasing sterilized mosquitoes does not damage the environment. Using a drone to release the mosquitos can scale the impact of the technique by allowing release over larger areas in a more efficient manner compared to ground-based release.”

While the idea might sound relatively simple (well, as simple as breeding sterile bloodsucking insects in a lab and then transporting them via flying machine can be!), the mechanics of the project required a lot of research. For instance, research had to be carried out to find a temperature that would cause the mosquitoes to fall asleep so they could be packed more densely into the drone. It was also necessary to work out a distribution method to disperse the insects upon arrival at their new home. Tests involved vibrating containers and even a miniature treadmill.

At present, the team is preparing for its first real-world tests. “We have done a lot of lab testing at the IAEA labs in Vienna using live mosquitos to demonstrate the viability of the mosquitos after they’ve run through our device,” Klaptocz said. “The next phase of the project includes field tests in South America, where we can measure the dispersion rate of the mosquitos when released from the drone. We hope to be doing these tests early next year.”

Prevent the turkey tummy with the Aaptiv personal trainer subscription app

This time of year, when the holidays roll around and the temperature drops, it can be hard to stay active. It’s a time for eating with friends and family, while the rain or snow traps us indoors. In order to prevent winter weight gain, Aaptiv is a personal trainer app that helps people work out on their own terms.

With a monthly subscription charge, users gain unlimited access to hundreds of fitness audio classes with more than 150 classes added each month. Workouts vary in focus such as running, high-intensity interval training, strength training, indoor cycling, elliptical, pilates, and yoga.

Unlike other fitness apps, Aaptiv is audio-only. While this seems like a drawback, people following videoes can strain their neck to see the screen rather than focusing on their form. With Aaptiv, a personal trainer guides users through workouts that follow the rhythm of popular music tracks. Users can find or create their own playlists and filter classes by distance, duration, intensity, or trainer.

When selecting a class in Aaptiv, users can see a short description of what to expect, as well as extra details like duration, calories burned, distance, max speed, and more. After the workout is finished, classes can be rated, shared, added to favorites, and commented on. This ensures that members can focus on only the best workouts.

As people use the app, progress is monitored both in the app and in Google Fit. Users can see exactly how many miles they’ve run, minutes they’ve been active, and calories they’ve burned. A workout schedule can also be set with easy reminders to keep people on track.

Even if a user plans to go on vacation, classes are downloadable to keep them on their schedule. The only limit to how many classes are downloaded is the storage space on the device.

Aaptiv is available for iOS and Android devices and comes with a free trial period. Paying month-to-month will cost users $10 per month after a one-week trial. To save money in the long run, users can also pay $100 annually and gain a one-month free trial.