M. Night Shyamalan is the latest to join Apple’s original TV ranks

Apple’s $1 billion budget for original programming is definitely getting put to good use. Variety has just reported that M. Night Shyamalan, the auteur behind plot-twist classics like The Sixth Sense and Unbreakable, will be producing an original series just for Apple’s TV platform. In line with his previous films, the series is set to be a psychological thriller. It’ll be written by Tony Basgallop, whose credits include Berlin Station, 24: Legacy and 24: Live Another Day.

It’s unclear yet what the TV series will be called and what the plot will be about. According to Variety, it already has a 10 episode order and will be produced by Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge Pictures. Executive producers include Ashwin Rajan, Jason Blumenthal, Todd Black and Steve Tisch, and Taylor Latham will be co-executive producer. This marks Shyamalan’s second foray into the small screen — he was also the executive producer of Wayward Pines, which just ended its two-season run.

Shyamalan’s yet-to-be-named TV series is just the latest addition to Apple’s slate of originals. The Cupertino-based company has also signed The Big Sick’s Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon for a series about immigrants in America, Steven Spielberg for a new Amazing Stories anthology, three shows from Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine, a space drama from Battlestar Galactica’s Ron Moore and more. Who knows, Apple’s TV lineup just might prove to be a worthy rival to Netflix and Hulu. Now that would be a twist no one saw coming.

Source: Variety

Walmart offers same-day delivery from Sam’s Club through Instacart

To combat Amazon’s two-hour PrimeNow Whole Foods deliveries, Walmart is adding a similar feature for its members-only warehouse chain, Sam’s Club. Through a partnership with Instacart, customers can order food and other goods from the bulk outlet and get them delivered on the same day.

Folks can do this today in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth and St. Louis — and not just Sam’s Club members, but Instacart customers, too. Walmart plans to expand this delivery service to ‘millions of additional households across the US throughout 2018, and beyond’ — assumedly, outside the United States. Instacart had previously partnered with Target in 2015 to give the superstore’s customers same-day item delivery, so Walmart isn’t the first to pull in the San Francisco-based startup to provide a service rivaling Amazon’s speedy shipping.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: BusinessWire

Wait Times for iPhone Battery Replacements Increasing

Customers aiming to get a battery replacement for an older iPhone with a degraded battery are facing longer wait times than ever, according to new data shared by Barclays.

Average wait times for a new battery have jumped up to 2.7 to 4.5 weeks based on a series of Apple Store checks conducted by Barclays analyst Mark Moskowitz (via Business Insider). That’s up from around 2.3 to 4.5 weeks earlier in the year.

MacRumors has received complaints from customers who are facing long wait times for replacements and who have, in some cases, been waiting for weeks to hear back from Apple about previously requested battery replacements.

When you initiate a battery replacement from Apple, stores typically need to order the part from Apple and then let you know when the new battery arrives, so getting a fresh battery isn’t as simple as scheduling a Genius Bar appointment.

Wait times vary based on location and by the device that needs the battery replacement. Batteries for devices like the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6s are harder to come by than batteries for the iPhone 7, and for some devices, like the iPhone 6 Plus, battery wait times have ranged into months.

Back in January, Apple said that for the iPhone 6 Plus, which is no longer being sold, replacement batteries are in such short supply that customers will need to wait until March or April for a new battery.

Customers who are seeking Genius Bar appointments for battery replacements are also crowding out appointment slots for customers with other issues, which is a problem in areas with few Apple Stores.

According to Barclays, the increased battery wait time suggests demand for replacement batteries remains strong, and it indicates an increasing number of iPhone users are opting to take advantage of Apple’s $29 battery replacements instead of purchasing a new iPhone.

Barclays previously said that Apple’s program could result in millions of fewer iPhone purchases during 2018, something Apple CEO Tim Cook recently said Apple did not take into account when choosing to implement the program in the first place. From Cook:

We did it because we thought it was the right thing to do for our customers. I don’t know what effect it will have for our investors. It was not in our thought process of deciding to do what we’ve done.

Apple has been offering $29 battery replacements for the iPhone 6 and newer since the beginning of the year. Apple implemented the program after facing backlash from power management features that were introduced in iOS 10.2.1.

The power management features have the potential to slow down older iPhones with degraded batteries in order to prevent unexpected shutdowns, and after the issue faced widespread media attention in late 2017, Apple apologized for its lack of transparency and implemented new policies.

In addition to offering reduced cost battery replacements through the end of 2018, Apple is also introducing a new Battery Health feature in iOS 11.3 that lets customers see more detailed information about the status of their iPhone’s battery.

For batteries that are degraded enough to be impacted by throttling, Apple also offers an option to turn off the performance management all together.

Power management features impact the iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus, iPhone SE, iPhone 7, and iPhone 7 Plus, and for any affected iPhone, a new battery effectively fixes the issue.

Tag: iPhone Slowdown
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Quick cash! Here’s five apps for selling your stuff to make a few bucks

via PxHere

Ever dreamed of selling all your possessions for cash and running away to a tropical island? Whether it’s laziness or sentimentality keeping you from fulfilling your dreams, it’s time to get moving. Here are a few convenient — and free– apps for selling your stuff.

Go ahead, take that unused Tae Bo punching bag down from its hook. Dig into the closet  and pull out all the clothes that don’t fit. Take those old textbooks off the shelf. Let your old junk become someone else’s new treasure.

Letgo

Sell your sweet nostalgia

Letgo‘s marketing hinges on the idea that it can be hard to let go of the things we love. So they’ve made the process of selling those things as easy as possible.

Good: With a simple layout on a well known selling platform, so you’re more likely to reach the right audience. Posting is so easy that it will leave very little room for avoiding the task of decluttering.

Great: Letgo recommends sharing your listing on social media, since most items are sold to friends or friends of friends. Share on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram Direct Messaging right from the app.

Meh: Sellers may pay $1.99 for your item to be featured on the front page for 24 hours. That somewhat defeats the purpose of a free app to sell your stuff, but hey. Do you.

5miles

Find cash within five miles

5miles works like many other apps like Varagesale or Letgo, except all searches and sales take place within a 5 mile radius of your set location. It virtually turns your neighborhood into an extended digital yard sale.

Good: 5miles is extra convenient for larger items like appliances, especially if your item requires the buyer to pick it up themselves.

Great: If you want to sell from work on your lunch break, or prefer to meet potential buyers in a public place, you can easily reset your location (this app requires “location” permissions) to reach a new 5 mile search radius.

Meh: If you live in a small town, you may not get a ton of hits. This app is suited moderate-to-heavily populated cities, or areas conveniently within five miles of a city.

BBCampus

Sell used textbooks for cold hard cash

BB Campus allows students to buy and sell used textbooks, and filter search results by college campus. The goal is to cut out the middle man, save time on shipping and handling, and eliminate transaction fees.

Good: Face-to-face transactions save time wasted on shipping and waiting for payment. Plus, socializing with peers is a good skill to leave college with.

Great: Barcode scanning lets you see suggested pricing compared to other textbook markets.

Meh: It’s new-ish, therefore untested in the real world (much like a college student). Seriously, at the time of publication there are only five reviews and one nice comment. But they’re all five stars. So really, we’re going to give this one the benefit of the doubt. It’s up to you to keep it 100.

ThredUp

Cash in on current or retro fashion trends

ThredUp is a fashion forward used clothing store. It’s part consignment shop, part thrift store, part donation drop-off, all in one website. ThredUp will send a kit for you to pack and return with your used clothing items. Then, depending on the type of transaction you choose (consignment, sale or donation) they will list or donate your items and send you cash when they sell.

Good: Clean Out Kits are perfect for a major closet purges. Like, the kind you don’t even want to think about listing every single item of clothing you own. Pack it all up, send it back. ThredUp lists and sells it for you while you earn some passive cash.Great: A price estimator is available if you want to make sure it will be worth it to pack and ship your items. If you don’t care about the cash, or don’t think your clothes will fit the latest fashion trends, request a Donation Bag instead and your used clothes will be donated to a nonprofit of your choice, at no cost to you. All clothing items that are not accepted for sale will also be donated.

Meh: There is a 14 day waiting period for cash outs. The reasoning makes sense, but patience can be hard sometimes. However, credit is available to use right away in the ThredUp store.

CPlus for Craigslist

Revisit a classic

Among the first peer-to-peer commerce sites on the web, Craigslist is widely recognized as a place to get rid of your stuff quick. The CPlus for Craigslist app is a streamlined version of the full website that allows you to post on-the-go. Those old enough to remember Craig’s original list may note this improvement in efficiency.

Good: Craigslist reaches a wider audience across multiple cities, which is convenient if you travel or move a lot, and includes many filters and detail listing options.

Great: It includes options for renting your items. Perfect for renting out large appliances, landscaping equipment or other general garage items – those things many people in the neighborhood may need a couple times a year, but not often enough to justify purchasing for themselves.

Meh: This officially licensed app is rated Mature. It’s Craigslist. You know what that means. Be ready when browsing, think wisely when listing and stay safe when selling.

There you have it, cash and carry!

Whether you’re saving for vacation, or just need some quick cash for some unexpected expenses, there are plenty of helpful apps for selling your stuff. Pad your wallet and your peace of mind.

Have you used any apps for selling your stuff? Which one is your favorite? Is it something from this list or do you go with the old tried and true eBay? Tell us in the comments below which title you like for getting rid of junk.

Image source

PayPal settles with FTC over Venmo disclosure and transfer policies

The FTC filed a complaint against PayPal over its Venmo peer-to-peer payment service back in 2016. The trade commission alleged that Venmo did not adequately disclose that customer transfers to external bank accounts were subject to review and could be frozen or removed. The FTC’s filing also said that Venmo misled consumers around privacy as well as how protected their accounts were and violated the Privacy and Safeguard Rules of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act. PayPal has just settled with the FTC around these allegations. No monetary penalties have been levied for the infractions.

The original complaint stated that many customers were unable to pay real bills like rent when they were unable to transfer their Venmo funds. Other customers complained that they had delivered items (like tickets or other items) to others, taken payment via Venmo, then had the funds removed, resulting in a loss.

The FTC settlement agreement requires that Venmo not misrepresent any material restrictions or levels of security involved with using its service. In addition, Venmo must make disclosures about how it handles transactions and privacy, and it can no longer violate the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act, which requires financial institutions to provide customers with a privacy notice up front an annually thereafter (Financial Privacy Rule) and must have a written security plan to describe how it protects personal information of its clients (Safeguards Rule). As with other cases in which violations of the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act have occured, Venmo must also have a third party assess its compliance every other year for the next 10 years. The FTC will take public comment on the agreement for the next 30 days, after which it will decide whether to make the proposed consent order final.

Source: FTC

Nokia 7 Plus hands-on review

Research Center:
Nokia 7 Plus

After receiving the rights to license Nokia’s brand name last year, Finland-based HMD Global launched a total of five Nokia phones at Mobile World Congress 2018, including the Nokia 8110 4G feature phone.

The Nokia 8 Sirocco may be the most luxurious of the bunch, but our eyes and hands immediately gravitated to the Nokia 7 Plus. It’s a mid-range phone that HMD Global is billing as the “flagship for everyone,” and based on our brief hands-on time with the phone, there’s a strong chance it’s right.

Ceramic-feel coating

It’s the coating on the back of the Nokia 7 Plus that drew us in the most. There are no antenna lines to be seen on the phone, and that’s largely thanks to the six-layer ceramic paint coating that helps boost the connectivity. We can’t comment on how good the phone’s signal is, but the coating makes the back of the phone matte, and absolutely wonderful to touch.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The overall design reminds us a lot of the Google Pixel 2 XL, with rounded corners on the screen, and minimized bezels on the top and bottom. Flip the 7 Plus around, though, and it looks more like a traditional HMD-made Nokia phone. The dual-camera system, fingerprint sensor, and Nokia logo are all accented with a nice copper tone.

The volume rocker and power button on the right side are easy to find and press, and on the bottom is a USB Type-C charging port. Unlike the Sirocco, you also get a headphone jack at the top of the device.

Nokia 7 Plus Compared To

Cat S61

Asus ZenFone 4

Alcatel Idol 5

OnePlus 5T

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 XL

LG V30

ZTE Blade Z Max

ZTE Max XL

Meizu M3 Max

ZTE ZMax Pro

Blu Pure XL

Huawei Mate 8

ZTE Grand X Max+

LG G Flex

The Nokia 7 Plus is a beautiful phone, and a joy to touch. A 6-inch screen makes it feel big, but the grippy ceramic coating prevents it from feeling like it will slip out of our hands. With 2,160 x 1,080-pixel resolution and an 18:9 aspect ratio, the IPS display looks colorful, relatively bright, and sharp. We’ll have to do a little more testing to make sure, but we were satisfied in the brief time we used the phone.

Android One, smooth performance

Most of HMD’s new Nokia phones run Android One now. It means the phone will have no bloatware — just Google apps — the software experience will be stock Android 8.0 Oreo, and you will get access to fast version and security updates. The phone flew through the menus, and apps opened quickly. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 660 processor and 4GB of RAM should offer sufficient power for ordinary users.

The Nokia 7 Plus is a beautiful phone, and a joy to touch.

There’s 64GB of internal storage available, as well as a MicroSD card slot in case you need more. But the biggest promise HMD is making with the Nokia 7 Plus is two-day battery life. The company was confident in its estimates, and while we can’t confirm it, it’s not an unreasonable claim. With a 3,800mAh battery, the Nokia 7 Plus’ other mid-range specs shouldn’t demand too much power.

The camera has Zeiss optics, and it performs well. We didn’t see much shutter lag when tapping the shutter icon, and the results looked good. The rear dual-camera system has a 12-megapixel and a 13-megapixel lens, and they both allow for 2x optical zoom, as well as “bothies,” which is when you take a photo or video with the front and rear camera at the same time.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

With 16 megapixels, the front camera actually has more resolution than either of the rear cams, and HMD said it’s great for taking selfies in low-light situations. We didn’t get a chance to take a look, but we will in our full review.

Price and availability

The Nokia 7 Plus will set you back 400 euros ($492), and it will be available this April. It’s unclear if it will come to the U.S., but regardless, it’s great value. The OnePlus 5T, our current budget smartphone pick, costs 560 euros.

Sony Xperia XZ2 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Newest Sony flagship tackles Android king

Although the Samsung Galaxy S9 may be the headliner at this year’s Mobile World Congress, it’s not the only flagship that’s catching our eye. Sony announced the Xperia XZ2, its latest smartphone boasting an all new design along with a beefy Snapdragon 845 processor. While Sony’s newest flagship may offer some of the best hardware available, we wondered how it would do against one of our favorite smartphones from 2017, the Pixel 2 XL.

Even though both phones are perfectly capable, there are a lot of differences between the Pixel 2 XL and Xperia XZ2. Sony’s newest smartphone offers almost all the specs we’d expect from a 2018 flagship while Google built the Pixel 2 XL from the ground up to provide an absolutely seamless Android experience.

If you’re shopping for a new smartphone right now, you may be asking yourself whether you should opt for a tried and true device like the Pixel 2 XL or something entirely new like the Xperia XZ2. We need more hands-on time with Sony’s newest flagship before we can make a definitive call but for now, let’s compare the specs of the Xperia XZ2 with the Pixel 2 XL to see which smartphone comes out on top.

Specs

Xperia XZ2

Pixel 2 XL

Size
 153 x 72 x 11.1 mm (6.02 x 2.83 x 0.44 inches)
157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm (6.22 x 3.02 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
 198 grams (6.98 ounces)
175 grams (6.17 ounces)

Screen
 5.7-inch Triluminous LCD display
6-inch P-OLED display

 Resolution

2,160 x 1,080 pixels (424 ppi)
2,880 x 1,440 pixels (538 ppi)

OS
 Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 8.0 Oreo

Storage
 64GB
64GB, 128GB

MicroSD card slot
 Yes
No

NFC support
 Yes
Yes

Processor
 Snapdragon 845, with Adreno 630
Snapdragon 835, with Adreno 540

RAM
 4GB
4GB

Connectivity
GSM/HSPA/LTE, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
GSM, CDMA, HSPA, EVDO, LTE, 802.11a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi

Camera
19 MP rear, 5 MP front
12.2 MP rear, 8 MP HD front

Video
 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 960 fps, 720p at 960 fps
Up to 4K at 30 fps, 1080p at 120 fps, 720p at 240 fps

Bluetooth
Yes, version 5.0
Yes, version 5.0

Fingerprint sensor
Yes
Yes

Other sensors
Accelerometer, gyroscope, proximity sensor
Gyroscope, accelerometer, compass, proximity sensor, barometer

Water resistant
 Yes, IP68 rated
Yes, IP67 rated

Battery
3,180mAh

Wireless Charging – Qi

Fast-charging

3,520mAh

Fast-charging

Charging port
USB-C
USB-C

Marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Colors
Liquid Black, Liquid Silver, Deep Green, Ash Pink
Black, Black and White

Availability
Late spring 2018
Best Buy

Price
To be announced
$849

DT review
Hands-on
4.5 out of 5 stars

Although both the Xperia XZ2 and Pixel 2 XL are more than capable of handling the most strenuous smartphone tasks, Sony’s newest flagship definitely has the advantage. The Xperia XZ2 packs in this year’s latest and greatest Snapdragon 845 processor, theoretically giving it a 25 percent performance boost over the Pixel 2 XL’s Snapdragon 835 chip. We qualify the performance boost between the Xperia XZ2 and Pixel 2 XL, however, because Google’s flagship runs a stock version of Android 8.1 Oreo that isn’t lagged down by the theme and bloatware you’ll find on the newest Sony smartphone.

In terms of RAM, the Pixel 2 XL and Xperia XZ2 are tied. Both have the same 4GB of RAM on board, which should be plenty for most people. Both phones offer 64GB of internal storage in the base model, while the Pixel 2 XL also comes in an upgraded 128GB model. Although the Xperia XZ2 only comes with a 64GB option, it does also have a MicroSD card slot, allowing you to add up to 400GB of extra storage.

We don’t think you’ll really feel the difference in everyday use now, but the Xperia XZ2 offers a more powerful processor and superior storage capacity, making it the winner.

Winner: Xperia XZ2

Display, design, and durability

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

In terms of design, the Xperia XZ2 is worlds apart from its predecessors. Gone is the boxy design Xperia had been known for; it has been replaced with Ambient Flow — Sony’s new design standard that favors rounded edges and a more-refined feel overall. Without a doubt, the Xperia XZ2 is the most attractive Sony handset to date, featuring a nearly bezel-less 5.7-inch display and glass back. You’ll also find stereo speakers discretely nestled in the front that are 20 percent louder than those on the Xperia XZ1.

Flip the Xperia XZ2 over and you’ll find a single lens camera and flash. Below the camera, there’s a working fingerprint sensor. There was a fingerprint sensor on the side of the Xperia XZ1, but it was deactivated in the U.S.

The 6-inch display dominates the front of the Pixel 2 XL and it is one of the sharpest displays we have ever seen with a resolution of 2880 x 1440 pixels, giving it a pixel-per-inch score of 538. Thin bezels top and bottom house the front-facing stereo speakers, microphone, front-facing camera, and a few other sensors. The Pixel 2 XL is a touch taller and wider than the Xperia XZ2, but the Sony phone is heavier.

In terms of durability, the Xperia XZ2 boasts an IP68 rating while the Pixel 2 XL has an IP67 rating. While they’re both water and dust resistant, the Xperia XZ2 has the edge here. If we’re looking at body components for the two phones, however, the aluminum body on the Pixel 2 XL is sure to weather drops and dings better than the Xperia XZ2, which is glass front and back.

Neither of these phones has a 3.5mm audio jack, but Sony provides USB-C headphones as well as an adapter for the Xperia XZ2. If you have a Pixel 2 XL, you’ll need to pony up for a set of USB-C or Bluetooth headphones.

The Pixel 2 XL has a slightly bigger and sharper display, but the Xperia XZ2 boasts a higher IP rating. They’re both attractive phones, so this one’s close, but we’re going to give it to the Pixel 2 XL.

Winner: Pixel 2 XL

Battery life and charging

At 3,520mAh, the battery on the Pixel 2 XL is more than capable of getting you through the day. While the Xperia XZ2 has a slightly smaller battery at 3,180mAh, it also has a smaller screen and more efficient processor than the Pixel 2 XL. While we still need to test the Xperia XZ 2 out in the wild, we assume that the two phones will offer comparable battery life.

As for charging, the Xperia XZ2 supports Qualcomm Quick Charge, meaning you can potentially gain five hours of battery life with just five minutes on the charger (provided you’re using the right quick charging cable). The Pixel 2 XL supports fast charging, too, but at a slower rate, with a 15-minute charge providing up to seven hours of battery life.

In addition to quick charging, the Xperia XZ2 also supports wireless charging via the Qi standard, which is very handy if you have wireless phone chargers. Sadly, the Pixel 2 XL doesn’t support wireless charging. While the Pixel 2 XL boasts a slightly bigger battery, the Xperia XZ2 offers faster charging and wireless charging, making it the winner of this round.

Winner: Xperia XZ2

Cameras

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Following in the footsteps of the Google Pixel 2 XL, the Xperia XZ2 comes with a single-lens rear camera. While Google has proven you can do some pretty amazing things with a single lens, a dual-lens setup for flagships looks like the norm in 2018.

On the Xperia XZ2 you’ll find a 19-megapixel rear-facing camera along with a 5-megapixel selfie cam. Although the camera hardware on the XZ2 sounds good on paper, we’ll have to wait and see if the image processing software has improved from last year’s Xperia XZ1, which offered underwhelming results.

With a DxOMark score of 98, the highest ever for a smartphone, the Pixel 2 XL is pretty hard to beat. It features a 12.2-megapixel rear-facing camera with an f/1.8 aperture, and an 8-megapixel front-facing camera.

During our hands-on time with the Xperia XZ2 we didn’t have an opportunity to do a full camera comparison with the Pixel 2 XL, but we did manage to grab a few test shots. While the Xperia XZ2 took perfectly adequate photos, the Pixel 2 XL was the clear winner.

On the video front, the Xperia XZ2 can shoot at 30 fps in 4K and a very impressive 960 fps in 1080p. Sony also claims the Xperia XZ2 is the first smartphone camera that offers 4K HDR recording. By contrast, the Pixel 2 XL tops out at 30 fps for 4K and 120 fps for 1080p footage.

Although we had limited hands-on time with the Xperia XZ2, we’re pretty confident the Pixel 2XL is the clear camera winner. We want to test the camera on the XZ2 further, and will definitely update our coverage if it outperforms the Pixel 2 XL.

Winner: Pixel 2 XL 

Software

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The Xperia XZ2 ships with Android 8.0 Oreo, as opposed to the more recent Android 8.1 update you’ll find on the Pixel 2 XL. On the Xperia XZ2 you’ll also find Sony’s custom user interface which is decent, but definitely inferior to the stock Android you’ll find on the Pixel 2 XL. On the plus side, Sony’s 3D Creator app is available for both the front and rear cameras on the Xperia XZ2.

The Pixel 2 XL, on the other hand, offers stock Android 8.1 Oreo. There’s no clunky theme to deal with and you don’t have to worry about bloatware taking up precious storage space. You’ll also find Google Lens, an AI companion that uses image recognition to provide information about objects and landmarks, exclusively on the Pixel 2 XL.

With stock Android and Google Lens, the Pixel 2 XL is the clear winner in the software category.

Winner: Pixel 2 XL

Pricing and availability

We don’t know exactly how much the Xperia XZ2 will cost, nor exactly when it’ll be available. According to Sony, the phone will be released in “late spring 2018,” but that’s about all we know.

The Pixel 2 XL starts at $850. Unfortunately, it’s a Verizon exclusive, but you can buy it unlocked and use it with your preferred carrier. Check out our Pixel 2 XL buying guide for all the details.

Simply comparing the two phones side by side, it would appear that the Xperia XZ2 offers more value at a lower price. We need to spend a little more time with Sony’s newest smartphone before we can officially make the call.

Winner: Tie

Overall winner: Pixel 2 XL

Both the Xperia XZ2 and Pixel 2XL are very capable phones. By specs alone, Sony’s newest flagship would appear to win, but specs alone fail to tell the entire story. While other phones have come along boasting better hardware than the Pixel 2 XL, they’ve failed to live up to the hype. Google, like Apple, managed to create a fiercely efficient smartphone that can do a lot with fewer resources than its competitors.

The Pixel 2 XL is one of our favorite phones of all time, and remains our top Android pick, for now, but we’re looking forward to spending more time with the Xperia XZ2.

Turn your iPhone into a modern-day camcorder with the new Air app

We may not be walking around with camcorders any longer to capture our favorite family memories in the form of grainy video footage, but that doesn’t mean we’re no longer interested in recording content. Now, you can replace your old video camera with a new app that promises to bring home movies to the latest, most digitally savvy generation of parents. Meet Air, a new family camcorder app that will help you capture unlimited HD video straight from your phone.

Rather than buying a separate video camera to help moments last for a lifetime, you can instead download this new app. It features all the same functionality as the camcorders you are accustomed to, but with the convenience that you have come to depend upon. Simply hit the record button to start recording, and you should find yourself with HD content in no time.

But wait, you say. Can’t I already record videos using my built-in camera app on my smartphone? The short answer, of course, is “yes,” but Air claims to give you a leg up by automatically storing all recorded clips in a custom cloud library (you can remove local copies from your phone, too). That should mean that you can avoid getting “storage full” notifications. Plus, Air purports to use “advanced video technology” to instantly play back your clips, and allow you to view content on any connected device. All you need to do is log into your account, either via a mobile device or computer and swipe through your video gallery.

Air also boasts a Collaborative Reel feature that lets you combine clips together to form a modern home movie reel. If you upload old clips from your camera roll or bring in videos from hard drives, VHS tapes, or DVDs, those can be stored in Air, too.

“We’ve spent over a year thoughtfully designing Air and we’re so excited to finally share our work,” the Air team noted in a statement. “Our technology addresses the many roadblocks involved with creating home movies on your phone and we hope our product can help bring this cherished content format to a whole new generation.”

Air is available for download in the App store. While the first 30 minutes are free, you have to pay a flat fee of $5 a month to continue recording.

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Huawei CEO teases upcoming P20, targets 2019 for 5G-connected phone

Josep Lago/Getty Images

Huawei didn’t launch smartphones at Mobile World Congress 2018, and has instead chosen Paris as the city where it will announce the follow up to the Huawei P10.  In an interview with Digital Trends, we asked Huawei Technologies CEO Richard Yu what we should expect from the devices.

“The Huawei P20 and P20 Pro, which we will launch in Paris, will have innovative camera technology,” Yu told Digital Trends. “The camera experience will be much better than it is at the moment. Battery life will also improve, and there will be further innovation around artificial intelligence and the NPU [Huawei’s Neural Processing Unit (NPU)]. The NPU will have new software for the NPU, and more AI features.”

New developments for the artificial intelligence and NPU is exciting, as features were limited on the Mate 10 Pro, but showed promise for the future. Our recent experience with the LG V30S ThinQ has also emphasized the importance of effective on-device and cloud-based AI processing for usable AI features. Yu also confirmed the names that will be used for the forthcoming devices.

He didn’t stop there, and also teased another exciting future device from the company. Yu’s current target is for us to hold a Huawei 5G phone connected to a 5G network in our hands by the end of 2019.

“We will have our commercialized 5G product later on in the fourth quarter of 2019,” he said.

5G modem

Huawei has spent more than $600 million on 5G research and development, Yu revealed during the company’s press conference at Mobile World Congress, and has conducted 5G connectivity trials around the world already. Yu’s confirmation of a 5G phone launch also comes quickly after the announcement of its Balong 5G01 modem, the world’s first commercialized 5G chipset. The tiny chip will be ready in the third quarter of 2019, and now we understand it will be inside Huawei’s first 5G phone by the end of next year.

What makes the Balong 5G01 special is it’s the first example prepared for commercialization, which means it’s ready for everyday use. It’s tiny — smaller than a fingernail — and doesn’t put undue strain on the device’s battery. Naturally, making a chip small enough and power efficient enough for use in a mobile phone is essential to Huawei’s 5G vision.

Kirin for computers

There are interesting plans for the Kirin processor too, which tie into Huawei’s entry into the world of computers. The Kirin chip is currently used in Huawei’s smartphones, and the company has partnered with Intel for chips inside the new MateBook X Pro and its previous notebook computers. Huawei definitely sees computers as part of its overall mobile strategy, with smartphones and computers sitting at two ends of the mobility spectrum.

However, Yu mentioned a middle-mobility ground, currently occupied by notebooks that use ARM-based Qualcomm processors. In the future, Huawei may look at integrating the Kirin 970 and its NPU in a notebook device that would benefit from a power-efficient mobile processor. At the moment, however, it’ll continue working closely with Intel and Microsoft as partners on its computing plans, saying that should consumers show interest in such a product, it would investigate further.

Huawei will launch the Huawei P20 and P20 Plus at an event in Paris on March 27, and the potential 5G phone’s release window fits neatly with when we’d expect to see a new entry into the Mate series of devices.

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You need to know how Android Oreo Go Edition is different from Android One

Google’s Android is no longer just the one version you see installed on the Google Pixel, the LG V30, the Galaxy S9, and hundreds of other phones. There are now three different primary versions, the latest being Android Oreo Go Edition. It’s a spin-off version of the operating system this time designed for basic, cheap phones. You may be thinking, “Isn’t that the same as Android One?”

Despite initial outward appearances, it’s not. We’ve talked to Google to get the complete story on what Android Go is, how it has changed Android One, and the main differences between the two. It’s important if you’re weighing up which version to have on your next phone.

The basics

Google describes Android Oreo Go Edition as, “A new experience for smartphones with 1GB of RAM or less,” and is fine tuned for devices with specific hardware configurations. Google envisages most of these devices costing less than $100. It still comes with the Google Play Store installed, but it pushes apps designed for Go, or those that operate best on it, to the forefront. You can still install all regular Android apps though, so there are no restrictions in place.

There’s a suite of Go Edition apps installed, including special versions of Google Maps, Google Assistant, Google Search, Gmail, and YouTube. The Files Go app helps organize internal storage, which is a key to optimizing Android Go’s performance and usability. The Go Edition apps, along with Android Go itself, take up less space on the phone. Most Android Go Edition phones will have 8GB of internal space, yet even with the entire operating system and pre-installed apps onboard, the models we saw still had more than 5GB of space available. Android Go also has a data manager to control network usage, comes with Google Play Protect to stay secure, and the promise of software updates in the future.

Isn’t that Android One?

No, Android One is different. We spoke to Google’s Global Marketing Lead for Android Go, Merrill Anovick, to find out how.

“Android One is our partner program,” he said, which means Google chooses who it collaborates with, and has more influence over what goes on the device.

Plus, there are specific requirements partners must meet to release an Android One phone. Remember, these phones have the Android One logo on them, tying them more closely to the company and brand, making Google very protective. These requirements include committing to regular security and version updates, and adhering to pre-loaded app rules, thus limiting the amount of apps that can be installed by carriers or manufacturers.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Android Go allows for more flexibility from partners to customize Go Edition devices, unlike Android One. Android Go phones do not have any Google-related branding on the body. While there is still a limit to the amount of apps that can be pre-loaded on Go phones, it’s mostly restricted by the device’s storage requirements. Google wants phones to have available space out of the box, and has spent time creating Go to take up less space. However, you can expect more pre-installed apps on a Go Edition phone than you’ll find on Android One.

Additionally, any company or carrier can use Android Go, and decide where phones go on sale. Google’s letting the manufacturers decide where Go phones are needed, rather than suggest markets where they should launch, as it did initially with Android One. This means they will be available in many markets, including the U.S. Because Android One phones now come in at a higher price point, we’ll see these more in traditional markets, where Google expects it to gain momentum in the future. We’re seeing this already, with HMD Global adopting Android One for its latest Nokia phones.

How about software updates? Android Go will receive “letter” updates for two years, so Android 8.0 Oreo Go Edition will receive Android P, and Android Q. Android One also receives these updates, but the way they’re delivered is different. Google will have updates for Android Go made available to networks and manufacturers, but because it’s a broader program it’ll let them decide schedule and rollout. Android One receives monthly security updates from Google, along with version updates, and fast delivery schedules are part of the Android One agreement.

Android One is more representative of how Google wants Android treated, but it is not so restrictive with Android Go.

What’s the advantage of Go?

While Android One looks to have most of the advantages, Android Go Edition phones do have a distinct benefit. It gives manufactures the chance to release a cheap phone with the latest version of the software, rather than making do with an aging version, as a large percentage do now. That means the most up-to-date security and software out of the box, and provided updates do arrive in a relatively swift fashion, less fragmentation in a section of the market that’s affected worst.

Google has six Android Go Edition phones on display at Mobile World Congress, made by Nokia, Alcatel, General Mobile, ZTE, Lava, and Micromax. More devices from other manufactures are spread around the show’s halls, and even now Google is unsure of the total amount of devices launching — showing the level of adoption so early on in the program.

The good news is Android Go Edition won’t be limited to certain markets, and the ZTE Tempo Go will be sold in the U.S. We expect more to follow in the future.

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