Google Pixelbook, 3 months later: Still the best, still frustrating

The Honeymoon period is over, but the relationship is still going strong!

It’s been three months since we saw Google’s latest in the line of Chromebook Pixels, which brought a pretty major shake-up to Google’s high-end and expensive as ever line of Chromebooks. The Pixelbook is less of a laptop and more of an all-in-one mobile device that is ready to take on the wild world of Android tablets.

Fancy looks and new features aside, it’s still the halo product for Chromebook developers and needs to be a bulletproof way to showcase everything Chrome has to offer. In that regard, it has some very big shoes to fill as its predecessors may not have had the same svelte and futuristic look but were easily some of the best laptops you could buy from a hardware and design angle.

Let’s see how that’s working out after using it for three months.

See at Best Buy
See at Google

Lovely to see, beautiful to use

The Google Pixelbook What’s still great

It’s only been three months, but the hardware is living up to its full potential in every way. I’m still using the same base model Pixelbook I used when I wrote the review, so that means packed inside you’ll find a 7th generation Kaby Lake Intel Core i5 processor, 8GB of DDR4 RAM, and a 128GB SSD. All this sits under a 12.3-inch 2400×1600 LCD that’s bright and beautiful. That’s the same type of hardware you would find in a high-end laptop from any company, though getting it all inside a razor-thin body (0.4 inches closed) isn’t nearly as common.

You can’t help but love the way this hardware runs, or the way it looks.

This level of hardware is absolute and without a doubt overkill for Chrome OS, whether you’re using Android apps or not, but it’s fun to know you have it ready and wanting to do something.

Having zero performance hit or software slowdowns after just three months is pretty standard for a Chromebook, though. Things are almost always responsive like they were when new until you fill the storage past 80% or so but it’s always remarkable how snappy everything is when I’m on my Pixelbook.

I’m also still very happy with the way Android apps perform when compared to any other Chromebook. When Google first put Android inside Chrome, Intel processors could get weird. Really weird. There were no repeatable symptoms from a user standpoint, but they were a lot jankier than ARM Chromebooks. Google seems to have that sorted, and while the Pixelbook is the only Intel Chromebook I’m using with Android apps, I think this is an OS thing and not specific to the Pixelbook. Either way, I’m happy with how things have aged here so far.

The software runs well on the hardware, but just as importantly, the hardware has held up in the looks department. I was worried when I saw a white silicone wrist rest on the Pixelbook because I like to use it in the same room that an ancient Franklin-style wood stove lives in and nothing white can escape what I like to call “the sootening.” As predicted, I’ve touched the wrong thing and put a soot-covered hand on the Pixelbook once or twice, but a damp cloth has always done the job and the white silicone wrist rest is still white.

My fears of how well the white silicone would age have disappeared.

Some things are better than they were when the review was written, most notably the support for multiple Chrome browser windows in tablet mode that came from an OS update. Chrome has never really offered much in the way of window management, but when a device designed to be used as a tablet as much as it is used as a laptop comes into the picture, something needed to be done. Changes to the Chromium source code suggest the same treatment is on the way for Android apps. Let’s hope it arrives soon because it’s sorely needed.

How soon is now?

The Google Pixelbook What’s not as great

Nothing is perfect, but for the most part, the Pixelbook has lived up to my lofty expectations. There are a few things that haven’t fulfilled their promise though.

I’ll start with Google Assistant. It works just as well as it did when I first tried it, but so far nothing that makes it a must-have has been added to the software. Maybe we are missing the Google of old that would throw features out left and right, only to get rid of all the bad ones, but I had hoped there would be some fancy updating in the months since release. It’s obvious that something’s changed in the way the Pixelbook Pen can trigger assistant because several developer builds have broken it, which is the norm for early testing.

Android apps just work on the Pixelbook; I want them to just work well.

Now let’s move on to the biggest single disappointment, which would be Android app support. It may seem strange to see Android app support listed and both good and bad, but there’s a difference between supporting a thing and supporting it well.

Android apps, for the most part, just work. That’s true of almost every Chromebook with Google Play support. But here we are, two years later, and that’s as far as things have moved. Getting the ability to run over one million apps on any platform with one small user-facing change is great, and I can see why Google says Android apps and Google Play for Chromebooks is a big deal. In fact, I agree. But three things are lacking: developers supporting a bigger screen layout efficiently and beautifully, tools for Android developers to do that easily, and tools for end-users to run the apps they need all at once effectively.

I’m able to find apps that work for anything I need to do, but I’d much rather be able to find apps that work a little bit better. This isn’t a Pixelbook problem as much as a Chrome problem, but I’m here using the device I expected to change things for the better and so far it hasn’t. Google I/O 2018 is coming up soon and, hopefully, I won’t leave as disappointed in this space as I was when it started.

I’m still looking for a reason to use a Pen when I’m not doodling.

I want to say that the Pixelbook Pen hasn’t wowed me, but I think that comes down to two things that aren’t really a problem — I’m not sure how a Pen can change the way I use a Chromebook for the better, and Google hasn’t given me any ideas. It works just as well as it did when I first started using it, and things like doodling (which is basically all I use it for) are fun and easy. It just seems a shame that a piece of hardware that works so well rarely comes out of the sleeve I’m using to carry the Pixelbook around.

See Pixelbook Pen at Best Buy

These issues may seem small, and they aren’t really problems that have appeared since I reviewed the Pixelbook. But they are just as important for the user experience, and they need to be addressed by Google.

That’s a lot of money

Three months later Has anything changed?

Writing an entire section about things I don’t like very much sounds as if I’m not happy with the Pixelbook. Nothing could be further from the truth and after using it every day for three months I have the same impression of it as I did in the beginning: The Pixelbook is fan-f***ing-tastic if you are a Chromebook user.

Nothing has changed as far as my recommendation here and I still think that most people would be happier if they bought a Samsung Chromebook Plus because it’s almost $700 cheaper and delivers 90% of the same experience.

There’s a very distinct market for the Pixelbook — someone who uses a Chromebook to do everything and is willing to spend too much money to get Google’s best product. There is value in being the thinnest or having the best tablet experience or getting a better keyboard and trackpad. This is what sells MacBook Pros and SurfaceBooks, and why the Pixelbook exists.

If you can walk away feeling that it’s worth spending the extra money for this, then I can still recommend the Pixelbook as one of the best purchases you could make, even if you’re ready for more from the software like I am.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Should you buy a Chromebook?
• Google Play is coming to Chromebooks
• Acer Chromebook 14 review
• Join our Chromebook forums

These are the first things to do with your new Pixel 2

Make your setup process count.

It’s no secret that a lot of us here at Android Central are fans of the Pixel 2, and while Google may not be selling as many phones compared to the likes of Samsung or Apple, the most recent earnings report show that a lot of people are still buying Google’s second real attempt at making its own smartphone.

Setting up a new Android phone can sometimes be a tedious process, and while most people would prefer to get through it as fast as possible so they can start downloading their favorite apps and using the phone as they wish, there are a few extra steps you should keep in mind.

One of our forum users recently reached out to the community to see if there were any tips they should be aware of to get the most out of their Pixel 2 from day one, and these are a few of the top answers.

B. Diddy
02-05-2018 11:32 PM

“

Remember that you can go to Settings>Display>Colors to choose between 3 color saturation settings.

If you’re a big music fan and like to know what’s playing around you, go to Settings>Sound>Now Playing and turn on the Show On Lock Screen toggle.

I think this is still the case: Google apps preinstalled on the phone won’t automatically show that they have updates available in the Play Store….

Reply

hallux
02-06-2018 07:28 AM

“

I have a suggestion for initial OS updates. Boot the device, just do a “dummy” setup without your account linked and do any available OS updates (likely 8.1 and update to the Feb. patch). Once that’s done, do a factory reset and do your full setup. This avoids the potential “lag” that some people see with doing an OS update on a configured device, when there is often a factory reset suggested…

Reply

TraderGary
02-06-2018 12:48 AM

“

Since you now have a Google phone, consider Google’s ISP.
https://fi.google.com/

Reply

Morty2264
02-06-2018 05:56 PM

“

Well, first off, pat yourself on the back for getting one of the best Android phones ever!

Also, be sure to adjust the sensitivity of the Google Assistant squeeze feature to your liking. Some will like a lighter activation, whereas others will prefer some pressure on the sides to activate it.

Reply

With that said, we’d now like to hear from you – What tips do you have for someone new to the Pixel 2?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

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

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Verizon
Google Store
Project Fi

Everything you need to know about Moss, the most anticipated PlayStation VR game of 2018

Helping a little, armored mouse solve puzzles? squee!

A new game by Polyarc games studio, Moss is the fictional world told of in a book that you, the player, are reading. Through the book, you create a connection with Quill, the eponymous hero of the tale, a small mouse with armor and sword who, with your help, solves puzzles and fights other woodland creatures to achieve some unknown end.

The premise of the game is shrouded in mystery. All we really know is that you play some sort of spirit that has a connection with Quill, a denizen of the world of Moss, who is out to make her mark in the world. Using your connection to Quill and some helpful sign language on her part, you must quest to save the world! Or destroy the world! or.. actually we really don’t know what the quest is for, but we excited to find out!

Polyarc has released some super cute cards explaining the backstory of some of the people you are likely to meet in your journey through the game. I’ve not seen any of these characters in the demo so it’s exciting to know there are other cute, small creatures in this game for me to squee over.

Pre-Order Moss at Amazon

What is the Gameplay like?

In gameplay terms, Moss is a puzzle-solving game with some quirky fighting thrown in. The viewpoint is somewhat unique as you are playing a First Person game while controlling another character in 3rd person. This really gives the effect of you and Quill working together to achieve the goals instead of you actually being Quill.

Yes, you move her around and press buttons to make her fight but you are also you, moving things with the Sixaxis controller to help her solve puzzles. It makes the game feel very collaborative.

Will it only be in VR?

I spoke to the team at Polyarc on Twitter today and asked them that exact question. Their response was was short and sweet though not reassuring.

Me: Have you thought about making a non-VR version? Similar to what Star Trek: Bridge Crew has done?

Polyarc: We have, but it will not work. There’s no way you could have the emotional experience playing Moss without VR.

So as much as I would love to see Quill in the hands of more people it’s clear that Polyarc has a vision for their little mouse adventurer and keeping it in VR is an integral part of that. But that also gives me hope that this foray into VR and Moss won’t be Polyarc’s last.

Can I use Motion Controllers?

The controls for Moss are like any other 3rd person platform game, using thumbsticks and button combos to move, jump and fight, but with the added bonus of using the motion controls on the Sixaxis to grab pieces of the world and move them so Quill can reach her goal.

You won’t be able to use the motion controllers on PlayStation VR for Moss as they have no thumbsticks or even a d-pad to control Quill as you journey through the game. Until Sony update their Controller system the best, and easiest way to control the game is through the Sixaxis. At least the Sixasis allows you to move the controller in free space making use of the room VR gives you to work with.

How long is Moss?

Polyarc has said that an experienced, hardcore gamer could get through the main story in 2-3 hours but for those of us who want to savor the world, look at the beautiful scenery, and get to know our hero, we should be looking at least 7 hours of main story line.

For a game that’s only $29.99 and looks to be just the start of a whole new world, I think we will have a lot time to explore the world of Moss.

What systems will Moss be on?

Recently in an AMA, the Polyarc team said that they were concentrating on making Moss the best game they could PlayStation VR but would love to bring it to other platforms including Daydream and GearVR. The issue right now for them is that they require both head and hand tracking which the phone based headsets don’t allow. With the imminent arrival of the Oculus Go and Daydream Standalone things may change, however. You can find the full AMA here for more details.

I think we are likely to see a Rift/Vive port of the game fairly quickly after initial launch as both those headsets have thumbsticks on their controllers as well as buttons so it should be possible. We will update you when we can.

When Can I play Moss and How much will it cost?

Polyarc is set to release Moss in February, at the moment that’s the closest they can tell us. Of course, we will update this as we get the firm date but there is a way you can play some moss right now! If you head over to the PlayStation Store you can download the PlayStation Vr Demo Disc 2 which has a short level of Moss to play.

In the Demo, you get to meet Quill for the first time, work on some puzzles, fight some cute monsters, and even see Quill use ASL for the first time! I have to say seeing Quill use an actual sign language in the game was a real treat for me, as I’m sure it will be to people who use it on a daily basis. Polyarc said it seemed the ideal way for Quill, who doesn’t speak your language to communicate in-game. It is well worth playing the demo before buying the game as the demo disc is free to download and lets you get a taste of things to come.

Moss is available to preorder now for $29.99.

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

Amazon

Best Android Phones of 2018

• Best overall
• Best with huge screen
• Best mainstream alternative
• Best for battery life
• Best for features

Note: We’re just a few weeks away from the Galaxy S9 and S9+ being announced, which will certainly have an effect on this list. But until they’re available, here are the best Android phones you can buy today.

Best overall

Google Pixel 2

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Google’s new Pixel 2 gives you sleek and solid hardware, all of the requisite specs inside and runs simple and intuitive software at a breakneck pace. The hardware surely isn’t flashy, but it’s beautiful and efficient — and it’s now IP67 water-resistant like we expect.

The software features and Google’s apps aren’t numerous, but they’re delightfully useful without being bothersome. And with three years of guaranteed updates, you don’t have to worry about the future.

The Pixel 2 has once again set the standard for Android cameras as well, with Google’s “HDR+” processing buoyed by new camera hardware and even better processing. Photos are accurate with just a little extra punch of color, and can manage tough scenes with little issue. And with Android 8.1, the Pixel Visual Core chipset enables dramatically better photos in third-party apps.

Bottom line: The best Android experience comes straight from Google with the Pixel 2. Great hardware and amazing software support an amazing camera that’s only getting better.

One more thing: Though Verizon will tout the Pixel 2 is “exclusive” to the carrier, know that you can buy the phone unlocked from a variety of sources and use it on your carrier of choice.

Why the Google Pixel 2 is the best

If you want the best possible Android experience, you go straight to the source: Google. The company has gotten serious about user experience and interface design, and it really shows with Android 8.1 Oreo on the Pixel 2. Everything is blazing fast, smooth, consistent and intuitive throughout the interface. It’s a core competency that separates the Pixel 2 from the competition, and it’s something that any smartphone user can appreciate.

Google has gotten really good at user experience and interface design.

And it’s not just software customization that makes it happen — Google has included a Snapdragon 835, 4GB of RAM and 64GB (optionally, 128GB) of storage to make sure your phone has plenty of room to run. A 2700mAh battery seems small (well, normally, it is), but it manages to get you a full day of use without worry. The little body also packs front-facing stereo speakers, which are a rarity in 2017.

Further to that point, Google has sourced a quality 5-inch 1080p panel that looks good at the $649 price point. Oh, yes, it’s just 5 inches. Despite its big top and bottom bezels (remember the speakers?), the Pixel 2 is quite comfortable to hold and reach to all four corners of the screen without the help of a second hand.

The Pixel 2 doesn’t focus on the number of features, it focuses on the impact of each one.

If there’s one knock on the Pixel 2, it’s that it doesn’t have the sheer volume of features in its hardware or software that some of the competition does. It doesn’t have a headphone jack, wireless charging or an SD card slot; and if you’re used to having a bunch of specialized software features on your Samsung, LG or Huawei phone you won’t find them here.

But for most people, those are relatively small prices to pay to get a daily experience of using a phone that’s fast, intuitive, smart and filled with a core set of features that can actually wow you. That’s what you get from the Pixel 2.

Best with a huge screen

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

See at Verizon
See at AT&T
See at T-Mobile
See at Sprint
See at Best Buy
See at Amazon

Take everything that makes the Galaxy S8 great, and scale it up — that’s what also makes the Galaxy Note 8 compelling. A very familiar glass-and-metal body is wrapped around a larger 6.3-inch display, but a panel that’s even better in terms of brightness and colors.

For this top-dollar phone you’ll find top-end specs, great performance and super-capable software. Plus a new dual camera setup that offers you 2X zooming without losing resolution and a new “Live Focus” mode that mimics the background blur of a professional camera. None of the camera changes come at a cost of reduced primary camera quality, either.

Then you get the S Pen, of course, offering fine input, drawing abilities and new productivity tricks you simply can’t get from any other phone out there. The stylus isn’t for everyone, but you’ll find plenty of people who swear by its capabilities.

Bottom line: For the biggest, most powerful and most capable phone Samsung makes, look no further.

One more thing: Be ready to spend the big bucks — the Note 8 is far and away Samsung’s most expensive phone ever at nearly $1000.

Best mainstream alternative

LG V30

See at AT&T
See at Verizon
See at Sprint
See at T-Mobile

LG’s V series has traditionally been a big and brawny phone, but in 2017 the V30 is just a great overall device that has handily taken over from the G6 launched earlier this year. It stuck with a metal-and-glass build, but slimmed down the sides and integrated subtle curves to make it rather easy to hold despite a 6-inch 18:9 display on the front.

Internally you get top-notch specs you’d expect from any flagship, and around back LG continues to impress with a fantastic pair of cameras. The standard shooter does really well despite its small pixels, and the secondary wide-angle camera is the best implementation LG has ever made. It offers an extremely unique perspective you just don’t see anywhere else.

LG’s software is capable and smooth, if still a bit clunky and uncoordinated in a few areas — but that can still be said about most phones nowadays.

Bottom line: LG does all of the basics amazingly well, and accents it with a nice body and super-capable pair of cameras.

One more thing: Some markets and carriers have a “V30+” model available with more storage available, offering even better value.

Best for battery life

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

See at Best Buy
See at B&H

Unlike its predecessor the Mate 9, Huawei’s Mate 10 Pro is an absolute looker — and it clearly positions itself right next to the flagship competition. Metal and glass are finely crafted and filled with top-notch specs, and its Leica-tuned dual cameras are capable of some wonderful shots with the help of the Kirin processor inside.

Alongside all of that, the Mate 10 Pro hits it out of the park with battery life. The combination of a 4000mAh battery, efficient processor, somewhat restrictive software and a 1080p display make this a true two-day flagship for many people, and that’s just not something you see all that often.

The only downside, as ever, is Huawei’s EMUI software. Though it has gotten better with Oreo, it still has many areas that are rough on the eyes, not very functional or inexplicably broken when it comes to integrating with third-party apps.

Bottom line: It’s a true flagship with all of the best specs, and incredible battery life. You just have to give a little in terms of software experience.

One more thing: When searching for a Mate 10 Pro, make sure you’re getting the U.S. unlocked model so that you have proper network bands and warranty support.

Best for features

Samsung Galaxy S8

See at Verizon
See at AT&T
See at T-Mobile
See at Sprint
See at Best Buy

The Galaxy S8 has slick hardware with tiny bezels that let it have a big screen in a small body, but inside it still offers everything you want: a high-end processor, lots of storage, an SD card slot, full waterproofing and a top-end camera.

Though its software can be a little overwhelming, you can’t argue that Samsung continues to pack in hundreds of features to a single phone, making sure there’s something in here for everyone’s needs. Samsung continues to take this approach of offering more more more with just a few compromises — and it continues to work.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S8 gives you piles of features in a beautiful body, and is a great choice for a wide range of potential buyers.

One more thing: With the Galaxy S9 being announced on February 25, it’s probably worth waiting to see what the new phone offers — or at the very least, how Galaxy S8 prices drop.

Conclusion

The Pixel 2 doesn’t have as many features as some other phones, but the entire experience of using the phone, from top to bottom, is ahead of the competition. Just about anyone can appreciate what Google offers in this phone.

Best overall

Google Pixel 2

See at Verizon
See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Google’s new Pixel 2 gives you sleek and solid hardware, all of the requisite specs inside and runs simple and intuitive software at a breakneck pace. The hardware surely isn’t flashy, but it’s beautiful and efficient — and it’s now IP67 water-resistant like we expect.

The software features and Google’s apps aren’t numerous, but they’re delightfully useful without being bothersome. And with three years of guaranteed updates, you don’t have to worry about the future.

The Pixel 2 has once again set the standard for Android cameras as well, with Google’s “HDR+” processing buoyed by new camera hardware and even better processing. Photos are accurate with just a little extra punch of color, and can manage tough scenes with little issue. And with Android 8.1, the Pixel Visual Core chipset enables dramatically better photos in third-party apps.

Bottom line: The best Android experience comes straight from Google with the Pixel 2. Great hardware and amazing software support an amazing camera that’s only getting better.

One more thing: Though Verizon will tout the Pixel 2 is “exclusive” to the carrier, know that you can buy the phone unlocked from a variety of sources and use it on your carrier of choice.

Update February 2018: The aging KEYone drops off the list, but we’ve added the now-widely-available Mate 10 Pro as our pick for battery life. The Galaxy S8 remains, but with a caveat on account of its impeding replacement, the Galaxy S9, launching at the end of February.

UK phone manufacturer Wileyfox undergoes administration to pay off debts

This could either be a brief setback or beginning of the end for the company.

In 2015, a company by the name of Wileyfox in the United Kingdom seemingly came out of nowhere with two Android phones powered by Cyanogen OS. Wileyfox followed these up with its Spark lineup and the Swift 2 in 2016, and early 2017 saw the debut of the Swift 2 X.

The company’s been mostly quiet since then, but according to a former employee that recently took to Reddit, Wileyfox is currently undergoing an administration.

Existing phones won’t see any software updates during the administration.

Administration is a process that businesses sometimes undergo in the United Kingdom, and when this takes place, the company in question hands itself over to either one person or a group that’s in charge of finding ways to pay off existing debts to impatient creditors.

The former employee that shared this news was a community manager that’s been laid off as a result of the administration, and at this time, it’s unclear what’ll happen to Wileyfox. It’s possible this is just a bump in the road and things will be able to go back to normal, but it could also be the beginning of the end for the OEM.

If you’re the current owner of a Wileyfox phone, the administration process is also going to have an impact on you. According to the former employee, software updates are no longer happening and any claims for repairs and warranties are up to the decision of the administrator(s).

It’s never fun reporting on stories like this, so here’s to hoping that Wileyfox can come out of this administration stronger than ever and get back to making awesome products.

Smartphones are great — don’t ruin them with foldable gimmicks

Grab a new laptop backpack on sale for as low as $16 right now

Comfortable and designed for laptops, these backpacks are an easy purchase if you’re looking for a new bag.

Omoton’s 17-inch black business laptop backpack is down to $16.65 with code A2LK3SUB on Amazon. This is one part of a much larger sale with every backpack using the same coupon code. The 17-inch bag is a business backpack that can fit your laptop. It’s the largest one on sale and incorporates anti-theft design with two hidden packs. It uses S-shaped shoulder straps and a padded back for comfort and support. It’s also designed to be water-resistant with anti-tear fabric.

Here are the other options which also incorporate many of these design decisions:

• 15.6-inch Business Laptop Backpack – $15.75 (from $34.99)
• 15.6-inch silver anti-theft laptop backpack – $15.75 (from $34.99)
• 15.6-inch black laptop backpack with extra compartments – $15.75 (from $34.99)

Each of these packs has at least 4 stars based on several user reviews.

See on Amazon

Best Android apps for Valentine’s Day

Spread a little love to your Android phones and tablets with these sweet Valentine’s apps!

Valentine’s Day may just be a greeting card holiday at this point, but it’s a great reminder to stop and think about the ones you love. If you’re looking for extra little reminders throughout the day or are even looking for awesome places to go on your Valentine’s date, check out these apps and take Android to heart.

• OpenTable
• Yelp
• 1-800-Flowers.com
• HotelTonight
• justWink Greeting Cards
• Uber Eats
• POF (PlentyOfFish)

OpenTable

Need to make a last-minute reservation or simply looking for anywhere with room? OpenTable can help you make reservations at tons of restaurants where you live. You can book, cancel, and manage multiple reservations on the go, and the best part is that it’s all free, so even though you know your Valentine’s date is going to order lobster, you at least didn’t have to pay to get the table.

Users have made more than a billion reservations through OpenTable at more than 40 thousand restaurants around the world. I’ve used it many times, and it’s always been completely reliable and simple. Whether you’re reserving well in advance or need something now, look to OpenTable to secure your spot.

Download: OpenTable (free)

Yelp

Before you secure your reservation with OpenTable, perhaps you’d like to check up on restaurant reviews first. Yelp is an aggregate review service that compiles real reviews of restaurants, bars, clubs, and really just about any local business. You can create an account and write reviews of your own or you can simply read what other people have to say about your restaurant of choice.

You’ll also be able to check out first-hand photos, menus, and lots more, so you can make an informed decision before you take your date somewhere that makes sure it’s the first and only date.

Download: Yelp (free)

1-800-Flowers

The quintessential Valentine’s Day gift has been made far easier than you could have imagined, thanks to 1-800-Flowers.com. The name might imply having to actually pick up a phone and call someone, but fear not — with 1-800-Flower.com, you don’t even have to talk to your Valentine!

You can order and send fresh flowers anywhere, anytime, and you can even send cookies, chocolates, and a bunch of other gifts that drip with sappiness and l’amour. Tick all of the Valentine’s Day boxes with 1-800-Flowers.com and absolutely nail the classic token of your love. The app is simple, straightforward, and you can send personalized messages and whatnot with just a few taps. It’s totally rad if you’re looking to say, “I put tons of effort and thought into this” without actually doing more than 2 minutes of actual work.

Download: 1-800-Flowers.com (free, in-app purchases)

HotelTonight

Spur-of-the-moment romantic rendezvous? Kids at grandma’s? Need a room, need it fast, and need it cheap? HotelTonight can help you find a spot for all of the above. All you have to do is input your city, your dates, and you’ll find tons of deals on local hotels, from quick deals for tonight to solid pricing for next week or further down the road.

You can search for hotels near certain attractions, or you can search the in-app map for the perfect spot. You can check out ratings, reviews, and even join the HT Perks program, which lets you level up the more you book, netting you bigger discounts. Search basic categories: Basic, Hip, Luxe, and find the perfect spot for your steamy Valentine’s Day night.

Download: HotelTonight (free, in-app purchases)

justWink Greeting Cards

What better way to spread love than with delightful digital greeting cards? justWink lets you send personalized greeting cards that range from funny to cute to romantic to quite serious and more. Send them via Twitter, Facebook, email, and even that archaic standby that we often forget still exists — real mail!

These cards come animated, so you can flip them open on your phone and take in all the Valentine’s love. You can even add your own signature to truly personalize your heartfelt message. There’s a justWink greeting card for absolutely everyone, so go bananas and send a little Valentine’s Day greeting to everyone that holds a special place in your heart (and I’m sure you can find something sarcastic for the folks who don’t).

Download: justWink Greeting Cards (free)

Uber Eats

Since my wife and I don’t really partake in the whole Valentine’s Day thing (yet feel the need to mark the occasion because of societal pressure), our idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day date is hanging out on the couch in our jammies, watching a movie or garbage television, and ordering in something scrumptious. And the food gods have blessed with an app that has taken food delivery options from pizza or… pizza, and opened up a whole world of restaurants that don’t have their own delivery staff.

You can browse all the local restaurant options, check delivery time estimates, pay right in the app with your Uber account (or add a credit card), and simply grab the food from the driver when they get there. It’s simple, quick, and you can get the food you want, no matter what you’re hungry for. Can’t a agree on a restaurant? Then order from a couple. You can even make a race out of tracking your orders right in the app. Or not. If you want to enjoy Valentine’s Day from the comfort of your couch without skimping on the awesome food, then check out Uber Eats.

Download: Uber Eats (free, in-app purchases)

POF (PlentyOfFish)

Are you without a Valentine this year? Then you’re one of the lucky people who isn’t waiting an hour for a table at a restaurant; you don’t have to buy a card or chocolates for anyone, and you certainly don’t have to exchange sickening, lovey-dovey nicknames in public (no, you’re shmoopy!).

That being said, if you’d like to rectify that for next year, then why not sign up for POF? You can view other people’s profiles, chat for free, and match with tons of singles in your area (or outside of it if you’re looking for a change of pace). You can check out your matches for free and even sort them by proximity to you, last online, and more. The best feature of POF is that it’s free to chat and match and basically everything you need (shy of a miracle) to form a loving relationship. Whether you’re looking for a long-term commitment or just a little fun on Valentine’s Day, you’ll be able to find it on POF.

Download: POF (free)

What’s your go-to Valentine’s app?

Do you have an app in your back pocket that you pull out to make your Valentine’s Day awesome and easy? Share it in the comments below!

Updated February 2018: Completely overhauled our selection with new apps for Valentine’s Day 2018!

Russian trolls used Tumblr to influence American voters

If you thought that Tumblr was just fan fiction and monochrome erotica GIFs, then you probably haven’t been paying attention. The blogging platform has also, in recent years, become a hotbed of Russian activists seeking to disrupt American politics. That’s the charge leveled at the platform by Buzzfeed and Professor Jonathan Albright, an authority on so-called fake news.

The outlets teamed up to examine if Tumblr, like Facebook and Twitter, had been compromised by the notorious Internet Research Agency. The agency has been described as a professional trolling agency, using social media to wage an information war on foreign powers. Unlike on those other networks, however, it appears that the efforts were designed to drive a wedge in the African American community.

According to research from Buzzfeed and Albright, Russia launched accounts that initially propagated false accounts concerning Hillary Clinton’s attitude towards African Americans. Older footage, including video of a South African police officer attacking a 15-year-old girl, which was edited into GIFs and attributed to the NYPD. Counter to this were memes praising Democratic candidate Bernie Sanders, before switching to a pro-Trump tone during the election.

Albright and Buzzfeed believe that Tumblr has escaped scrutiny so far, and may not be aware of the state of the issue. It’s claimed that reports have contacted Tumblr’s representatives several times without reply, and also unsuccessfully reached out to Senator Mark Warner for comment. At this point, it’s not clear what Tumblr’s awareness is, or how it is planning to address the accusations that Russian interference was on the site.

Engadget, which is owned by Oath, which also owns Tumblr via its purchase of Yahoo, has reached out for comment. No response had been received by time of publication, but we will update this story when we are able.

Source: Buzzfeed

Samsung created a 3D version of its 34-foot cinema LED screen

Last year, Samsung unveiled its Cinema LED Screen, a giant, 34-foot screen that can be used in theaters in place of traditional projector systems. Now, Samsung has announced that it has created a 3D version of that screen and it brings all of the image quality benefits of the Cinema LED Screen as well as some added bonuses like less dizziness and fewer headaches compared to typical 3D cinema viewing experiences.

Samsung says that a major problem with the way we currently view 3D films in theaters is the massive reductions in brightness and resolution. “The screen is dark as if the viewers are wearing sunglasses in the theater. The brightness is already halved, and with the 3D glasses that audience must wear, it becomes a one-third level compared to other 2D films,” Samsung’s Dongsoo Koo said in a statement. “The resolution is halved too.” However, the 3D Cinema LED Screen has the same level of brightness as the original version of the screen — which Samsung has boasted is 10 times brighter than regular projector screens — even when viewers are wearing 3D glasses.

Additionally, Samsung says it has developed an algorithm that negates one of the factors that cause people to get dizzy while watching 3D films. Koo says the algorithm gets rid of crosstalk between what your right and left eyes see, preventing dizziness and headaches. And like the Cinema LED Screen, Samsung’s 3D screen offers minimal distortion no matter where a viewer is sitting. “When watching in the conventional 3D theater, the image becomes darker or distorted as people go to the edge of the theater, but 3D Cinema LED has significantly improved the problem,” said Koo.

The new screen debuted at the Integrated Systems Europe show taking place this week in the Netherlands. You can see a clip of the screen in action below.

Source: Samsung

NASA will test a key deep space navigation tool this year

The Deep Space Atomic Clock (DSAC) is finally ready for testing, and NASA’s JPL has begun preparing it for launch this year after working on it for two decades. Current space vehicles and observatories already use atomic clocks for navigation — they are, after all, some of the most accurate timekeeping devices ever. However, the way they work isn’t ideal for use in vessels going beyond Low-Earth Orbit.

See, the atomic clocks space agencies and companies use today need to be paired with ground-based antennas. The antenna sends signals to a spacecraft, and the vessel sends them back to Earth. Current clocks use the difference in time between sending and receiving a signal to calculate a space vehicle’s location, path and velocity. It then relays commands to the spacecraft based on those calculations. While signals travel at the speed of light, that process can still take hours — the farther the spacecraft is, the longer it has to wait for a signal. Deep Space Atomic Clock solves that issue by being onboard the spacecraft itself, which means it doesn’t need to rely on two-way tracking.

It can use the signal sent from Earth to calculate for its host’s position and velocity without having to toss that signal back. That means vehicles can move and change course more quickly than current ones can, and they can focus on completing mission objectives rather than spend time readjusting antennas. In addition, DSAC will allow ground-based antennas to keep track of multiple satellites in one area — say the Martian orbit — since they don’t need to wait for vehicles to respond.

DSAC will launch this year attached to General Atomic’s Orbital Test Bed spacecraft, which will blast off aboard the US Air Force Space Technology Program mission. It can head to space as a hosted payload, because it’s about the size of a four-slice toaster, much smaller than current fridge-sized atomic clocks — the agency could shrink it down even further for future missions. JPL’s ultimate goal is achieving a .03 nanosecond accuracy, but it’ll call the upcoming test a success if the prototype can maintain time accurately to within two nanoseconds.

Source: NASA