Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

Research Center:
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Polished. Refined. These are the words that come to mind when holding the Galaxy S9 Plus, the larger version of Samsung’s latest Galaxy S9 flagship smartphone. Samsung introduced a fresh design language with the Galaxy S8 in 2017 — a design it’s been heading towards for the past few years — and it’s not yet ready to present something new. That’s perfectly fine, because the Galaxy S9 Plus remains undeniably sexy. Are the minor design and hardware improvements worth the high price tag? We think so, because it’s all about the camera with the Galaxy S9 series, and it certainly does impress.

Refined design

If you have used or seen a Galaxy S8 Plus, you’ll have a hard time identifying the differences of the Galaxy S9 Plus at a quick glance. From the front, both phones look the same. The Galaxy S9 Plus is marginally shorter, while retaining the same 6.2-inch screen. That’s only possible because Samsung shaved down the bezels surrounding the display ever-so-slightly, improving the screen-to-body ratio. The array of sensors and iris scanner on the top of the S9 Plus are now hardly visible. That panel stuck out like a sore thumb on the S8, but we didn’t find it jarring. Still, it does help make the S9 Plus look a little sleeker.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The power button is in a perfect position on the right edge of the phone, but the volume rocker is on the left edge above the Bixby button. We’ll get to Bixby later, but we’ve already turned off the button’s functionality. Since Samsung doesn’t let you remap it to anything else, the button sits unused, which is frustrating. We’d prefer the volume rocker on the right edge with the power button, because it is a little hard to press without shifting the whole phone lower, reducing your grip.

Flip the phone to its back, and you’ll start to see more distinguishing features. There’s the “Galaxy S9+” label on the bottom, of course, but there’s also a dual-camera system — a first for the Galaxy S series. The flash sits on the right side of the camera.

Like the Galaxy S8, the S9 Plus feels like a smooth pebble capable of skipping across water.

The fingerprint sensor, which drew a lot of criticism on the Galaxy Note 8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, is below the camera, in a far more accessible position. While we appreciate the new location, we still think Samsung could refine it more, as it’s easy to smudge the camera lens. The sensor feels a little too small for our fingers, but it’s quick to react, and does the job well. You can even use fingerprint gestures to pull down the notification drawer with a swipe on the sensor, which is handy for such a large phone.

The 6.2-inch screen is great for videos. To enhance the experience, Samsung for the first time has added stereo speakers tuned by AKG — the top earpiece works in tandem with a bottom-firing speaker — and support for Dolby Atmos technology. Music can fill a large room at maximum volume. There’s not much bass, but the audio is clear and rich. Sadly, we occasionally covered the bottom-firing speaker when holding the phone in landscape mode (dual front-facing speakers, anyone?).

Like the Galaxy S8, the S9 Plus feels like a smooth pebble capable of skipping across water. The phone fit comfortably in our palms, but it may be unwieldy if your mitts aren’t as massive as ours. We do love the phone’s curved edges, as they make it feel smaller and ergonomic. The rear glass easily attracts fingerprints, which we’re not fans of, so make sure you have a microfiber cloth at all times, or nab a case. We’ve found the midnight black color option reveals more fingerprints, which is why we recommend purchasing the lilac or coral blue.

Beautiful Infinity Display, great performance

The Infinity Display hasn’t changed much from last year’s Galaxy S8 Plus, but it’s still a standout feature. The Galaxy S9 Plus’ AMOLED screen boosts Quad HD+ (2,960 x 1,440) resolution, cramming 529 pixels into every inch. The result is an incredibly sharp, bright screen.

Colors are gorgeous, and they don’t feel oversaturated, as we’ve noticed with previous Samsung panels. Watching HDR10 content in apps like Netflix is a binge-watchers dream, as the improved contrast really makes dark shows pop. This is undoubtedly the best screen on a smartphone right now.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Do note, though, that Samsung sets the default resolution to 2,220 x 1,080 pixels when you first start up the phone, likely to help conserve battery life. You can increase it in display settings, which is also where you can tweak the screen’s color to your liking.

The Galaxy S9 Plus is the first smartphone we’ve fully tested with Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 845 processor, and its improved graphics performance shows. Games like Tekken, The Sims: Mobile, and Sonic Forces run without flaw, offering a fluid experience.

Day-to-day performance is great, with apps opening quickly, and smooth split-screen operation. We did notice a rare stutter, which reminded us of Samsung’s TouchWiz user interface days, but we’re happy with what the Snapdragon 845 offers. The S9 Plus comes with 6GB of RAM, which is more than enough for almost everyone, but you should know the regular S9 only has 4GB.

Here are the results from a few benchmark apps:

• AnTuTu 3D Bench: 263,591
• Geekbench 4 CPU: 2,415 single-core; 8,191 multi-core
• 3D Mark Slingshot Extreme: 4,552 OpenGL; 3,685 Vulkan

The S9’s scores are impressive. For example, the Galaxy S8’s AnTuTu score is 155,253, and the iPhone X’s 206,010 — the S9 Plus is far ahead.

That doesn’t necessarily mean vastly improved real-world performance, though. We found the software experience a little more fluid on the Google Pixel 2 and the iPhone X. However, all these phones are tremendously fast and have no problem dealing with even the most demanding apps. The Samsung S9 Plus stuttered a tad more often, but not nearly enough to be a demerit.

Reimagined camera; eliminating noise

The highlight feature of the Galaxy S9 is the “reimagined” camera. Both the S9 and the S9 Plus have a 12-megapixel lens with a variable aperture. We’ve explained what that means in our in-depth guide, but here’s the basics.

The camera has two circular plates on the lens which constrict the amount of light the camera can absorb. One is a f/1.5 aperture, which means the hole is wider, allowing more light in for better low-light shots. However, the camera can switch to f/2.4 aperture, constricting the hole so less light comes in, which is great for most lighting conditions during the day. The narrower the hole (or aperture), the sharper the photograph. That’s why photographs taken with a f/1.5 aperture are not as detailed or sharp as photographs taken with the f/2.4 aperture. That’s why the camera predominantly uses the f/2.4 aperture, and only automatically swaps to the f/1.5 aperture in poor lighting.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Thankfully, you don’t need to know any of that to snap good photos. It all happens automatically, and the user experience remains incredibly simple. If you really want to control the aperture yourself, however, there’s a Pro mode that lets you swap it manually. The camera app has been redesigned for ease of us, slightly mimicking the app on an iPhone. It’s fast to react, and we’ve seen virtually no shutter lag.

What about the results? Photos captured during the day are detailed, with good color accuracy. But low-light photographs captured with the f/1.5 aperture are where the Galaxy S9 Plus shines. Yes, there’s a good amount of detail lost and some photos can appear to be too fuzzy, but we’ve taken photos of dark objects at night, and the S9 Plus still manages to produce a photo worth sharing. We took some photos with the Pixel 2 XL for comparison, and the S9 Plus outshines the Google phone in color accuracy (though not necessarily in detail).

Pixel 2 XL

Galaxy S9 Plus

Pixel 2 XL

Galaxy S9 Plus

Wait, there’s more! Samsung has also added a featured called ‘multi-frame noise reduction.’ It’s an image processing technique that takes 12 photos at the same time when you tap the shutter button, then compiles them all to eliminate as much noise as possible. If you look at all the Galaxy S9’s photos and compare it to the competition, the difference in graininess and noise is stunning. The photo of Barcelona Cathedral above, for example, shows a clear, even sky. Most smartphone cameras, like the Pixel 2, would add substantial noise to that shot, adding grain to the sky’s smooth gradient.

For more photos taken with the Galaxy S9 Plus, check out our test at Mobile World Congress, and a low-light follow up in Barcelona.

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The S9 Plus also has a second, 12-megapixel camera that offers 2x optical zoom and a Live Focus mode, which is much like Apple’s Portrait Mode on the iPhone. This dual-camera system is almost the same as the Galaxy Note 8. The optical zoom photos are well-detailed, and it’s a handy feature to have for objects that are far away. Check out the photos above.

We’ve had some issues with Live Focus, however. Even in good lighting, photos with blurred backgrounds are often fuzzy and lacking detail. We’re not sure what the problem is, and Samsung told Digital Trends we should not be experiencing this problem. Some of the software is still being finalized, so we’ll update this section when we see any improvement. At the current moment, the Pixel 2 and the iPhone X take superior Portrait Mode photos.

Galaxy S9 Plus

Pixel 2 XL

The same rings true for selfies taken with the Galaxy S9 Plus. The 8-megapixel front-facing camera is nothing to write home about, even with the new “Selfie Focus” feature, which tries to add a blur around your face for the bokeh effect. It’s trounced by the Pixel 2 and the iPhone X.

There’s also a Super Slow Motion camera mode, which can capture 960 frames per second (32 times slower than real life), like recent Sony Xperia phones. It takes a little getting used to because you need to time the slow motion accurately on manual mode, or need to learn how auto mode works. Once you have it down, though, it’s a fun feature to have, and we’ve found ourselves trying it on a variety of fast-moving scenes. The resolution is only 720p, however. Sony’s upcoming Xperia XZ2 can handle the same slow-mo shots at 1080p.

AR Emojis are a new addition to the S9, and unlike Super Slow Motion, it’s likely a feature we’ll avoid using.

AR Emojis are another new addition to the S9, and unlike Super Slow Motion, it’s likely a feature we’ll avoid using. You can create your own emoji to animate using motion tracking technology — like Apple’s Animoji — but the tracking isn’t great, and we’re not fans of the emoji design. If they’re not cute, who would want to share them? Still, at least one of our staffers was happy with how the AR Emojis look. If Animojis are any indication, people will stop talking about AR Emojis after a month.

The Galaxy S9 Plus snaps great photos, and its low-light capabilities is best-in-class. The Super Slow Motion video feature is a fun addition, and we constantly use the 2x optical zoom for distant objects. The jury is still out on Live Focus. If you don’t care much for 2x optical zoom or Live Focus, you’re better off buying the smaller Galaxy S9 as it doesn’t come with that second camera. You still get access to Super Slow Motion, as well as the variable aperture, and multi-frame noise reduction image processing.

We still think the Pixel 2 XL keeps its title as the best camera phone, but Samsung easily beats Google’s phone in challenging lighting conditions, and often wins out in color accuracy — it’s a close race.

Plenty of software customization

The Galaxy S9 Plus runs Android 8.0 Oreo, with the Samsung Experience 9.0 user interface layered over. It looks sleek, minimal, and much-improved over the infamous TouchWiz UI on older Samsung phones. Android 8.0 Oreo introduces a host of features such as picture-in-picture mode, unread badges on app icons for new notifications, a simplified settings app, and more. The software experience on the Galaxy S9 Plus is better than ever.

There’s plenty of customization options to make your phone feel unique. For example, you can choose from a variety of clock designs for the always-on display, and you can even pick any color from a color wheel for further personalization. Most people won’t dive into these options, but we’re happy to see it available.

Samsung has come a long way, and we’re loving how the software looks.

Another way to see the sheer amount of options is with the biometric unlocking technologies available on the phone. You can use the iris scanner, fingerprint reader, or facial recognition to unlock the S9, or use them all at the same time. Our favorite is Intelligent Scan, which primarily uses the iris scanner as the main way to unlock the phone, but it falls back to facial recognition if iris doesn’t work. The experience feels a lot like unlocking the iPhone X with FaceID. It’s not as fast as the fingerprint sensor and it doesn’t work all the time, but it’s reliable enough to feel convenient.

In our testing, the Google Pixel 2 still offers the most fluid Android experience on a smartphone, likely because Google can optimize the hardware and software. Still, Samsung has come a long way, and we’re loving how the software looks. Our biggest complaint is with updates. The Galaxy S8 and S8 Plus are in the beta process for Android 8.0 Oreo, more than 7 months since Google released the new Android version. The first developer preview of Android P is now available and should officially launch in August, but it’s sad that we likely won’t see it on the S9 and S9 Plus until early next year. If you want the fastest security or version updates, buy a Pixel 2 or an iPhone.

Bixby remains a nuisance

When we talked about performance, we mentioned the occasional stutter. The easiest way to see this is to slide right from the home screen to open Bixby. Opening Bixby Home is slow, and there’s a lot of lag. The artificially-intelligent was first introduced on the Galaxy S8 as a way to perform phone-specific functions via voice. After a year since launch, we still feel no desire to ask Bixby to do anything, not because it can’t, but because it’s cumbersome, and doing things manually is often faster.

Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus Compared To

Nokia 7 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S9

Cat S61

Asus ZenFone 4

Razer Phone

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

Honor 7X

Alcatel Idol 5

OnePlus 5T

Moto X4 Android One

ZTE Axon M

HTC U11 Life

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 XL

LG V30

The new additions in Bixby Vision are features we’d likely never use, even if they are neat. Our favorites are instant language translation, which can be a little wonky, as well as the Makeup tool, which layers makeup from Sephora and Cover Girl over your face so you can try products out. The Food tool lets you estimate calories when you point the camera at food, but it isn’t accurate, which kept us from using it consistently.

Overall, we like the new additions to Vision, but we also wouldn’t mind at all if Samsung just deleted Bixby and all its features in its next phone. There’s just not much to like, and Google Assistant is more reliable and faster.

Day-long battery life

If you’re a power user, you’ll likely need to juice up the phone a little towards the end of the day.

The Galaxy S9 Plus’ battery life is about average, if not a little on the low side, when compared to most smartphones in its class. After taking the phone off the charger at 7:30 a.m., we ended up with 39 percent at 3:45 p.m., and 25 percent by 6 p.m. That’s with the phone on max resolution and 50 percent brightness, with heavy usage including YouTube, video calls, photography, and web browsing.

If you’re a power user, you’ll likely need to juice up the phone a little towards the end of the day. If not, you should see it last you for a full day. There’s also a way to optimize the battery for your needs in the device management settings, so you can get the most amount of time with your phone.

The Galaxy S9 Plus supports fast wireless charging and fast wired charging, so it doesn’t take long to recharge.

Price, availability, and warranty information

The Galaxy S9 Plus costs $840 unlocked from Samsung, and there are plenty of ways to purchase the phone via a monthly payment plan, or through all U.S. carriers. Check out our buying guide for more details. It’s available for pre-order now, and will officially go on sale on March 16.

Our Take

The Galaxy S9 Plus brings a refined design, but it’s the ‘reimagined’ camera that makes this phone stand out, and worth the high price tag.

Is there a better alternative?

Maybe. If you’re looking for stock Android phone, the Google Pixel 2 XL is still our top recommendation. Updates are important to us, and if you think so too, getting the Pixel means you’ll get fast security and version updates. We think the software experience is cleaner on the Pixel 2 XL, as well, and it’s more fluid. The Pixel 2 XL has a stellar camera, and while the Galaxy S9 may beat it in low-light photography, there are plenty of other areas where the Pixel 2 comes out on top. Daylight photos, and even some nighttime shots, are more detailed, and Portrait Mode produces stunning images.

Obviously, iOS fans will need to take a look at the iPhone X. From its gorgeous design, strong camera, and fluid software, there’s plenty to like with Apple’s latest flagship. If these phones are out of your budget, check out our best cheap phones guide for plenty of other great options.

How long will it last?

The Galaxy S9 Plus will last you about three years, perhaps more. It’s IP68 water- and dust-resistant, which means it can survive dips in water, but it is sandwiched in glass, so you’ll want to make sure you have a case or a screen protector. Samsung will likely offer software updates up to two years.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Samsung S9 Plus is a statement of best-in-class hardware.

Leica pursuing a 3D-sensing camera for smartphones via new partnership

Future smartphone cameras could have both a tiny Leica lens and depth-sensing capabilities. On Wednesday, March 7, Leica Camera announced an alliance with Pmdtechnologies Ag, a time-of-flight (ToF) sensor company, to develop a depth-sensing camera for smartphones. With the agreement, the two companies will work together to create a 3D-sensing camera for smartphones while reducing the size of the lens.

The two companies together have already created a 3D-sensing imaging system that will be available for smartphone manufacturers to integrate into their devices later this year. The 3D camera module has smaller pixels and a smaller module size overall, yet the lens design will help the camera perform well in low light, Leica says. Leica says that the lens is optimized for ambient light wavelengths and also has an f-number or aperture 25 percent lower than earlier options.

With the formal agreement in place, the two companies will now work together to develop 3D-sensing camera modules. Leica will focus on creating a lens that’s efficient with light but fits in small sizes to reduce the size of the camera module. With both companies located in Germany, Leica says the alliance will also allow for faster development.

The companies did not share specifics on what, exactly, the 3D capabilities will enable. ToF cameras create depth maps by measuring the amount of time it takes for light to bounce off objects in order to estimate the distance of the objects in the photos. That 3D data could potentially be used in a number of different ways. 3D data could create options like a portrait mode without a second lens. ToF cameras are also said to have enhanced capabilities in facial ID, augmented reality, and even scanning 3D objects.

“The partnership between Pmd and Leica is an excellent example of how two globally-leading companies can combine their core competencies to drive market-oriented innovation efficiently,” Markus Limberger, Leica Camera’s COO, said in a press release. “The foremost position of Pmdtechnologies in Time-of-Flight sensor technology and Leica’s expertise in cutting-edge optical design were used to develop a very compact and powerful lens, which fits perfectly with the specific requirements and the uncompromising quality of the new 3D-sensor generation of Pmd.”

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• New, versatile 3D camera could bring Face ID to smaller devices
• The Laibox Cam brings swappable lenses to action cameras
• Nikon, Sony, and others form alliance to make smart cameras play NICE
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Here’s absolutely everything we know about the Huawei Y9

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

The onus for creating budget phones within the Huawei family has generally fallen to Honor, Huawei’s sister company that shares resources with its larger sibling. But with rumblings of a Huawei Y9 now on the horizon, it seems that Huawei is moving away from some of the fun midrange and flagship phones it’s known for, and dipping its toes back into the budget waters. Here’s everything we know about the Huawei Y9.

Design

Huawei has shown off bezel-less full screen displays for a few phones now, so it’s not remarkable that it would be looking to continue this trend with the Huawei Y9. Our first look at a potential design for the Y9 comes from tech leaker Bang Gogo, and shows a sizeble handset with dimensions that are somewhat similar to the older Huawei Y7 in size. The matching size, along with the shrunken bezels and larger screen indicates that the Y9 will have a screen size larger than the 5.5 inches seen on the Y7, and will likely be around the 5.8-inch size.

#Huawei #HuaweiY9 2018 #FCC pic.twitter.com/oHeX9mvfAI

— ???? ????️ ???? ???? (@bang_gogo_) March 7, 2018

Angles of the bottom of the phone reveal a headphone jack, next to a Micro USB port — which would be a disappointment if true. The Honor 7X used a Micro USB port instead of the latest USB-C being adopted by many phones, and it was one of the few downsides to that phone.

On the plus sides, shots of the back of the phone appear to show a metal body, with plastic antennas at the top and bottom of the phone in a style reminiscent of the iPhone 7’s bands. There are two camera lenses — true to form for Huawei, which may be expanding to three camera lenses in the Huawei P20 — and a fingerprint sensor positioned in the middle of the phone, partway up the rear.

These images should of course be subject to speculation and a small amount of doubt — but they now have some backing, thanks to a teaser from ever-reliable Evan Blass of Venturebeat.

Teaser for upcoming Huawei Y9 pic.twitter.com/4aHksGdoQS

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) March 8, 2018

The poster shows little save an outline, and is likely not for the world’s first transparent smartphone, as jokingly suggested by many Twitter users. The outline does match the outline shown in the Bang Gogo images, up and including the antenna bands at the top and bottom of the phone, as well as the positioning of the two camera lenses at the top left of the phone. Amusingly, a light in the background of the image matches perfectly with the flash on the original images, which could just be a coincidence.

Features

The image tweeted by Blass, showing an outline of the new phone, reveals little but does say “Ready to meet the new you?” This could be a nod to a potential AR emoji feature in the Huawei Y9 — since we’ve seen Apple and now Samsung create their own versions of this software it may be time for Huawei to reveal its take. On the other hand, it could simply refer to the rumored inclusion of a second front-facing camera.

Cameras

Images show the Huawei Y9 clearly with two rear-facing camera lenses, as has become something of a standard in smartphones. What’s more interesting is a mention in another tweet that the Huawei Y9 will incorporate two front-facing cameras for the first time.

#Huawei #HuaweiY9 2018 #render pic.twitter.com/ZCJcfonlKt

— ???? ????️ ???? ???? (@bang_gogo_) March 7, 2018

Release date

According to leaks from Bang Gogo, the Huawei Y9 is due to release in Thailand on March 16. There is no word on a potential release in the United States or anywhere else in the world right now, but we can hope.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s everything you need to know about the Huawei P20
• Honor View 10 review
• Honor View 10 versus Huawei Mate 10 Pro: A battle of David and Goliath
• Honor 9 Lite vs. Honor 9: Can little brother take down its impressive sibling?
• Honor View 10: Everything you need to know

More MOBI, fewer problems: Here’s how to get EPUB books on your Kindle

Ebook readers are a nice tool for people who like to do a lot of reading on the go (here’s our list of the best e-readers), and Amazon’s various Kindles are among the best. Although the devices provide good performance in an attractive frame, Kindles do have one notable drawback — they do not support the EPUB format. For those unaware, EPUB is one of the most common ebook formats. It’s open-source and free to use, and as such, is supported by most ebook readers aside from the Kindle. EPUB is also a popular format for free ebooks, such as the public domain texts on sites like Project Gutenberg. As such, Kindle users may be miffed to learn they can’t read them.

Those who have a Kindle and a library of unreadable EPUB files need not worry, however. With a little work, it is possible to convert an EPUB file into a format the Kindle can read. Even better, the process is surprisingly quick. Here’s how to do it.

Convert EPUB files to MOBI using Calibre

Kindle supports Amazon’s proprietary format, AZW, as well as the similar MOBI format. If you have an EPUB file that you want to read on a Kindle, the simplest way is to convert it to MOBI, and there are several programs that will allow you to do this. One of the most popular is Calibre, a program that allows users to organize ebooks and convert them to different formats. You can download Calibre for free online; it’s available on Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux.

Once you have installed Calibre, the first step is to add an EPUB book to the library. Download the EPUB file to your computer — from Project Gutenberg, or a Humble Bundle — and then click on the button labeled Add books in Calibre.

If you want to select one specific file, click Add books from a single directory, then find the file and select it.

Once you have added the ebook to your Calibre library, select it, then click Convert books.

This will open a new window, giving you numerous options for adjusting the metadata and formatting of the new file you will create. For our purposes, the only thing that matters is the output format, which you can select from a drop-down menu in the upper right. Make sure this field is set to MOBI.

The conversion process may take a minute. Once it is finished, right-click on the ebook in your library and select Open containing folder.

The MOBI file should be there. Now, simply plug in your Kindle to your computer, then copy and paste the MOBI file to your Kindle.

Convert EPUB files to MOBI using Kindle Previewer 3

Another reliable program for converting EPUB files to MOBI is Amazon’s own Kindle Previewer, available as a free download for Windows and Mac OS X. This is an application that allows users to preview the look of ebooks on various Kindle models. In order to accurately preview an EPUB file, the Previewer will automatically convert it into MOBI.

To use Kindle Previewer, download and install it, then select Open book from the main page.

After a short time, the conversion process will finish, and a dialog box will open to alert you and provide you with a link to the folder where the new file has been saved. Click that link to view the file location.

Now that you have a MOBI file, all that remains is to move it to your Kindle. Plug your Kindle into your computer, then copy and paste the MOBI file to your Kindle.

Editors’ Recommendations

• A library at your fingertips: The best free Kindle books
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Sony Ear Duo hands-on review

Research Center:
Sony Ear Duo

Sony showed off a concept pair of smart, Bluetooth connected earbuds at last year’s Mobile World Congress, and has returned this year with the production-ready version, called the Xperia Ear Duo. Designed for anyone who wants to listen to music without entirely blocking out the world around them, they’re also smart enough to keep you updated with the latest events, and details about your location. We tried them out.

Fit and form

The design is really unusual. The Xperia Ear Duo’s look like no other earbud out there. Rather than follow the true-wireless trend of stuffing all the tech inside a single, bulbous earbud, Sony has put the components inside an oblong section that’s slung under your ear, with the tiny earbud itself connected to the end of a fixed, curved pipe. Think of them like upside down hearing aids. This does make fitting an art. You have to slide the earbud into place, while maneuvering the main component to nestle under your earlobe.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Once you’ve got them on (after a little practice it does get easier), the Xperia Ear Duo are comfortable and very secure. They’re unlikely to fall out even during the most vigorous exercise. There is another benefit to the unusual design, too. They don’t get in the way of glasses, and they don’t interfere with earrings either. It’s a clever, if challenging design. Opinion was split on the style. I liked them, but fellow DT mobile writer Brenda Stolyar wasn’t so keen.

Listening, gestures, and smart assistants

The earpiece is circular and made from rubber. There’s a hole in the center, and the pipe directs audio into your ear. You can hear the world around you perfectly while music plays at a reasonable volume, including perfect conversation comprehension. Turn up the volume and voices get drowned out, but not at the expense of sound leakage. You had to get very close in order to hear if something was being played, making them great for privacy and for sociability.

The Xperia Ear Duo’s look like no other earbud out there.

They’re controlled using gestures and touch. A basic finger-swipe up and down to adjust the volume, and a tap to pause, is to be expected; but the headphones also react to head movements. For instance, a nod accepts an incoming call, and a shake to the right skips to the next track. It worked really well when we tried, although finding the correct position for the touch controls took more work. It’s not clear whether this was a software issue, or if we were struggling to find the right spot on the earbud.

Our hands-on demonstration was short and primarily concentrated on the smart features, and the ambient conversations around us while music played. At regular volumes the Ear Duo’s sounded good, if a little lacking in bass response, and continued to be clear and without distortion as the volume increased. We only heard Sony’s test track, rather than our own music, so it’s difficult to compare with other true wireless earbuds. We don’t think these are earbuds for the audiophile, though. Unlike open-back headphones, designed for a more open soundstage, the ambient sound in the Ear Duo was more of a fidelity hindrance than a boost.

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Music isn’t the only thing you hear through the Xperia Ear Duo. They’re controlled through a smartphone app where location-based alerts and information can be configured. For example, an early morning briefing on calendar events and weather can be read when you’re about to leave the house, as can your emails when you get to work. Additionally, they’re compatible with both Google Assistant and Siri for smart assistance on the move, and will dictate messages and other phone notifications.

Fast charging

The Ear Duo’s quoted four hours of battery life per charge isn’t any better than most other true wireless earbuds, and an hour worse than our favorites, including Apple’s much cheaper AirPods and Jabra’s new 65t. The case recharges them for a total of 16 hours use, which again is about average in the market. Handily, the case has a quick charge feature where seven minutes plugged into a power socket will return an hour of earbud use — perfect for a journey home if the battery unexpectedly runs out.

Sony Ear Duo Compared To

Shure SE215 wireless

RHA MA750 Wireless

Here One

Nuheara IQbuds

Optoma NuForce BE2

I.Am+ Buttons earbuds

Sennheiser HD1 In-ear Wireless…

Advanced Sound Model 3

V-Moda Forza Metallo Wireless…

Erato Muse 5

Apple AirPods

Jaybird X3

Sol Republic Amps Air

Erato Apollo 7

Bragi Dash

The Xperia Ear Duo’s design splits opinion. But, while ambient-sound tech is nothing new, there’s no denying how helpful (and how much safer) the ability to hear the world around you can be, while still listening to music. Everyone from cyclists to frequent travelers will appreciate this feature. That said, having not tried them in noisy locations, we don’t know how they’ll perform on the subway, or on a busy street, and that’s the real test. The other features suggest Sony wants you to wear them most of the day, therefore versatility will be important.

When it comes to price, Sony’s new buds are on the high side. The company will put the Xperia Ear Duo on sale in the spring for an announced price of $280 or 280 euros.

These Products and Services Work with Google Home

Which products and services work with Google Home?

Google first introduced Google Home to the world back in May at Google I/O 2016, later revealing the final product alongside the Pixel in October. From everything we’ve seen, Google Home seems primed to eventually link up with any smart device in your home and allow you to control everything with just the sound of your voice.

Google has announced which products and services will be supported at launch, but there’s sure to be plenty more to come in the future. Continue to check back to this article in the coming months, as we’ll surely be updating this list as more products and services are added. We’ve broken things down into two categories — home automation products and supported services.

Home automation:

• Chromecast
• Nest
• SmartThings
• Phillips Hue
• LIFX Smart Lights
• TP-Link Smart Home
• Vivint Home Security
• Rachio Sprinklers
• Logitech Harmony
• Geeni Connected Tech
• August Smart Locks
• iHome Control
• Hive Home Automation
• Honeywell
• NuBryte Smart Home Automation
• Smartika
• AWAIR Air Filtration
• Deako Smart Switches
• Nanoleaf Aurora Light Panels
• LG SmartThinQ
• Smarter iKettle and Smarter Coffee

Supported services

• Spotify
• Pandora
• Google Play Music
• TuneIn Radio
• YouTube
• Netflix
• HBO NOW
• CBS All Access
• IFTTT

Home automation

Chromecast

It should come as little surprise that Google Home works with Chromecast. Google hit it out of the park with their compact, Wi-Fi enabled dongles for video or audio that you simply hook up to your TV or stereo and allow you to stream media straight from your phone, tablet, or laptop.

Google Home takes things to the next level by allowing you cast video and audio from its supported services using only your voice. As if Chromecast wasn’t convenient enough already. I can think of many scenarios where I might want to pull up something from YouTube or change a playlist while I’m busy in the kitchen or otherwise preoccupied. Currently only YouTube is supported for video, but expect more services to be added — Netflix, Hulu and the like — as time goes on. We’ve linked to the 2015 model below, which remains a fantastic value at only $35… but it only displays at 1080p. If you’re interested in some higher definition, Google is set to start shipping a new Chromecast for 2016 — the Chromecast Ultra — which costs twice as much but supports 4K video.

See at Google

Chromecast-enabled TVs and Speakers

If you’re looking to upgrade your home theatre setup and would like streamline things with less dongles, there’s a growling selection of Smart TVs with Chromecast built right, with 4K sets available from the following brands:

• Vizio
• Sharp
• Toshiba
• Sony
• Philips

For streaming audio, the biggest gap currently is a lack of support for Sonos. There doesn’t appear to be any timetable for adding Sonos into the Google Home ecosystem which is frustrating for anyone who’s invested in — or looking to start building out — a Sonos system throughout their home.

But you still have options. Nine brands currently offer Chromecast-enabled speakers, soundbars and subwoofers:

• Vizio
• Sony
• LG
• Philips
• B&O Play
• Grundig
• Polk
• Bang & Olufsen
• Raumfeld

Nest

Nest is one of the best known manufacturers of smart home automation products, which include self-learning, Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, smoke detectors and security cameras.

With Google Home and a Nest thermostat, you’ll be able to effortlessly control the temperature of your home using only your voice. Nest also works well with other smart products, such as lights, doorbells, and smart locks.

See at Amazon

SmartThings

Samsung’s SmartThings is a very capable and customizable home automation system that features five different smart sensors for home monitoring, all linked together wirelessly via the Hub. The SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit comes with a Hub, two Multipurpose Sensors, a Motion Sensor and an Outlet. You can configure them however you like in your home, then get instant notifications if anything is out of the normal. You can also buy additional sensors, including an Arrival Sensor and a Water Leak Sensor.

SmartThings is incredibly versatile as it is, but we’re super excited to see what integration with Google Home will look like.

See at Amazon

Phillips Hue

Phillips is one of the leading manufacturers of wireless LED smart bulbs. The Phillips Hue lineup features a multitude of different lighting options for around your home, which must be configured through the Phillips Hue Bridge via. You’re able to connect up to 50 lights to one Bridge and then configure and control them in so many different ways.

We should expect Google Home to work just as well with Phillips Hue lights as it does with Apple Home Kit, meaning you’ll be able to set and adjust your Phillips Hue lights throughout your house without leaving the couch, or easily turn off all the lights when you’re leaving the house or it’s time for bed.

See at Amazon

LIFX Smart Lights

LIFX offers their third generation of smart bulbs for both indoors and outdoors. Both offer 1100 lumens of brightness, with options to customize the look with 16 million colors and 1000 shades of warm to cool whites.

A single bulb starts at $59.99, but if you’re planning to do up your home with LIFX bulbs, you’re definitely better off buying in bulk. You save $66 by getting the Master Pack, which comes with six bulbs.

See at LIFX

TP-Link Smart Home

TP-Link offers a line of smart plugs and switches that allow you to convert the lamps and appliances you already own into smart devices you can automate to power on or control with your voice.

Their newest smart plug, the Smart Wi-Fi Plug Mini, is their most compact option yet, leaving the second outlet free.

See at Amazon

Wink hub automation

Wink’s latest smart home hub, the Wink Hub 2, works with products from Z-Wave and Zigbee, offering a wide range of home automation options.

If you’ve built your home automation around a Wink Hub, you can control all your Wink-compatible lighting products (lightbulbs, switches, dimmers, and outlets) and thermostats using Google Assistant on Google home. It’s all integrated right into the Google Home app, letting you group lights in specific rooms and control everything using only your voice and Google Assistant.

See at Wink

Vivint Home Security / Google Home security cameras

Vivint offers complete home automation and security packages for those who don’t want to piece their home automation together one component at a time. The system features a main control panel that moderates communication between you and all your home automation devices, including lights, security cameras, thermostats, and smart locks. The main console features a touch-screen dashboard and two-way talk to Vivint Smart Home security monitoring teams.

Beginning in April, Vivint will integrate with Google Home allowing you full control over your smart home security and devices around your home using only your voice. If you’re interested, you’ll need to call Vivint to inquire about pricing and set up an installation appointment.

Learn More

Rachio Sprinklers

If your home has an automated sprinkler system, Rachio wants to save you money on your water bill by optimizing your sprinkler system to only turn on when it needs to. They offer a Wi-Fi-connected controller for your sprinkler system which checks the local forecast and will adjust schedules based on past, present, and future weather, and will also make intelligent seasonal adjustments as needed.

With the new Google Assistant integration, you will be able to control your sprinkler system using only your voice to turn the water on or off, and also update your schedule as needed.

Learn More

Logitech Harmony

Logitech continues to dominate the smart remote sector, with its Harmony Elite remote and hub package allowing you to connect and control more devices than ever from the couch.

With the latest integration with Google Assistant, you can do even more without even picking up the remote at all!

Learn More

Geeni Connected Tech

Geeni Offers intuitive solutions for your smart home automation goals. Their products range from security cameras, lighting, as well as smart plugs and power strips. Everything is controlled in the Geeni app, but now with integration with Google Assistant, you also have the option to control things with your voice, too.

See at MyGeeni

August Smart Locks

August offers elegant smart locks to help keep your home secure. You’re able to remotely control your front door from anywhere using the August Connect app.

With the new integration with Google Assistant, you’ll be able to ask Google to confirm whether your front door is unlocked when you’re expecting company, and lock the doors when you’re headed to bed. Both the first and second generations of August Smart Locks are compatible with Google Assistant, though you’ll also need a August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge to get everything connected.

See at Amazon

iHome Control

iHome has been a popular name in home speakers and alarm clocks that connect to your smartphone, so it should come as little surprise that the company has also gotten into the smart home sector.

They feature a line of smart home accessories that work with Google Assistant, including the SmartMonitor, which offers 24/7 home monitoring using built-in sensors for motion, temperature, light, sound, and humidity.

They also offer three different smart plug models, with the iSP8 model including a handy RF remote control with programmable buttons that allow you to control individual or grouped plugs without opening your phone. It’s a great option for guests or younger kids in the home.

Learn more

Hive Home Automation

Hive offers a full suite of home automation products which allow you to set up smart automation for comfort and security. The products they offer include a home hub, smart thermostat, motion sensors, smart plugs, and smart bulbs. You’re able to control everything using Google Assistant by creating some commands using IFTTT.

Hive offers their products via a monthly subscription service — the standard package is available for $29.99 a month and includes a Hive Hub, two Hive Active Plugs, four Hive Active Lights, two Window or Door Sensors, one Motion Sensor, and the Hive Active Thermostat. It’s a bit of a different model for smart home automation, but might be appealing to renters or folks not ready to fully invest in owning home automation products just yet

Learn more

Honeywell

Honeywell offers a wide range of home automation solutions for around your home that are built into its Tuxedo Touch Home Security and Automation Controller. Honeywell’s products use Z-Wave and are fully compatible with Google Home.

If you’re looking to connect your Z-Wave-enabled thermostat, smart bulbs, smart locks, and other smart home products together via a single home hub, with mobile integration that allows you to control everything remotely from your smartphone, Honeywell offers a compelling

Read more about the Honeywell Home Automation system here, then visit the Honeywell website to find a dealer location near you.

Learn More

NuBryte Smart Home Automation

NuBryte offers a smart home automation solution that’s pretty comprehensive and customizable. The system is built around the NuBryte Touchpoint Smart Console, which NuBryte recommends putting one in each of the main rooms of your home.

Each console replaces the light switch in the room (available in single and double switch models) and includes built-in camera for motion detection, touch-free controls for your lighting, a built-in intercom for room-to-room communication and whole home broadcasting when it’s time for dinner, along with a home hub for integrating other smart home sensors and integrations. Full integration with Google Home means you’ll be able to control things in a room without a console by using your voice.

NuBryte is coming out with their own line of complementary smart switches as well, which are expected to launch this summer.

Learn More

Smartika

Smartika is a Canadian company that offers rather stylish home automation products for lighting your home which are fully compatible with Google Home as well as Amazon Alexa and IFTTT.

Everything is controlled via the Smartika Hub, which lets you create groups and scenes by programming automated functions. The Hub also lets you connect to the Smartika mobile app, which lets you easily interconnect and control all your Smartika products.

Beyond the Hub, Smartika offers five different lighting fixtures, which range from $135 for a recessed ceiling lights to $500 for a full tracklight setup with four adjustable lights — perfect for a kitchen renovation.

Installation is available for those living in Quebec and Ontario, otherwise you’re left to install things on your own via the included installation and user manual.

Learn More

AWAIR Air Filtration

According to AWAIR, the air inside your home can be up to five times more polluted than outside, and that can end up aggravating allergies or asthma, affecting your concentration or sleep quality, and much more.

To combat this, AWAIR has developed a line of smart products that monitor the air quality in your home. Each device monitors five aspects that determine air quality — temperature, humidity, CO2, airborne chemicals, and dust. AWAIR monitors all these factors and churns out a quick guide that gives you a good idea of how clean the air is in your home at a glance and will also send tips to your smartphone offering tips and suggestions. The AWAIR Glow is arguably the coolest device AWAIR sells — it plugs right into an outlet and can be set up to turn on an appliance such as a dehumidifier or air filtration system at a specific time or when levels get a bit high. Once connected to Google Home, you’re also able to use the AWAIR Glow to control whichever device you have plugged in using just your voice.

The Glow starts at around $109, but AWAIR also sells standalone sensor units available with a clever LED display built into the front that start at around $179.

Learn More

Deako Smart Switches

Deako offers a selection of smart switches and dimmers for upgrading your home’s lighting to something that can be controlled via a smartphone app or using Google Assistant.

The hardware itself is well designed and sold in a starter pack that includes five smart switches along with a Bluetooth to Wi-Fi Bridge which is required for connecting the system to Google Assistant. The starter kit sells for $300, while individual switches are sold for $55 and dimmers are sold for $80. Each switch or dimmer is touch activated with three scenes that you can customize in the Deako app. The Deako switches are extremely customizable and should work with nearly any home setup.

Learn more

Nanoleaf Aurora

Most of the smart home products we’ve featured are practical solutions, but the Nanoleaf Aurora? This is just downright cool.

Aurora consists of modular panels that you can connect together into whatever shape your heart desires. Russell Holly dove in with a full review but in short these are futuristic triangle panels of light which you can arrange into fantastic shapes and then control via your smartphone. Nanoleaf Aurora is now compatible with Google Assistant meaning you’ll be able to control these rad lights with your voice.

The Rhythm Starter Kit sells for $229 and comes with nine light panels along with the Rhythm module that allows the light panels to respond to your music, putting on a pretty epic personal light show. 15- and 30-panel kits are also available.

Learn more

LG SmartThinQ

If it’s time to replace some of your appliances around your home, and you’re looking to invest in creating a smart home with appliances that you can control with your voice — we’re talking fridges, dishwashers, air conditioners, and your washer and dryer combo — you should consider getting some LG appliances with SmartThinQ technology. SmartThinQ is LG’s smart home app for controlling its latest connected appliances, and it also integrates well with Google Home.

Simply link your LG SmartThinQ account to your Google Home account and you’ll be able to check on the time remaining on your laundry load, make sure you remembered to turn off the stove, or control your LG air conditioner using just your voice.

Learn More

Smarter iKettle and Smarter Coffee

If you’re a Star Trek fan that wants to live in a world where you simply tell your “computer” to brew you a cup of “tea, Earl Grey, hot”, the folks at Smarter have made that nerd dream just a bit closer to reality with the latest generation of smart kettles and coffee makers.

The iKettle is a connected kettle you can control with your phone, set it to start boiling water when you wake up, or have the kettle ready for you when you arrive home after work. The Smarter Coffee Maker is the coffee lovers best friend. You’ll be able to load it up with your favorite coffee beans and then have coffee brewed on demand with just a few taps of your phone.

With added support for Google Assistant, you’ll be able to control these devices using just your voice — and the functionality extends further than just turning on the kettle or brewing a cup of coffee. You’ll be able to set a specific temperature for the kettle or change the strength of your coffee brew using just your voice and Google Assistant.

Learn More

Supported services

Spotify

Over 100 million people use Spotify for all their music streaming needs. Of those, 40 million are paid subscribers. The point here is that Spotify is massively popular and if you aren’t already using it, you probably know a bunch of people who do.

With Google Home, simply say “OK Google”, followed by your favourite artist, album, song, or playlist, and your music will almost instantly start playing through the Google Home speaker. This is absolutely perfect for playing music in the kitchen when your hands are too messy to be handling a phone, or for setting the right mood for a party or intimate evening. We’re also eager to see how smooth it is to use Google Home to cast your Spotify music to your Chromecast Audio-enabled speakers for an even better audio experience.

Pandora

Pandora is a fantastic music recommendation platform which is used by over 200 million people in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. It’s a customizable internet radio streaming service that allows you to curate your own streams using algorithms that recommends new music it knows you’ll love based on your musical tastes and how you’ve rated other music.

With Google Home, you’ll be able to throw on your favorite Pandora station using just your voice. In its current iteration, Google Assistant is unable to identify songs like Shazam or other apps of that sort, but we’d hope to see your Google Assistant give you the information about a song you’ve just discovered on Pandora, just by asking “what song is playing?” as well as an option to rate songs and skip if necessary.

Google Play Music

Kind of a no brainer, but Google Home will obviously play well with Google Play Music. And that’s great news, since Google has slowly build its core music app to encompass a full-fledged streaming service featuring 35 million songs available on-demand (with a subscription) along with mood- and activity-based stations (you may have known it as Songza), along with being a great option for podcasts. A natural fit with Google Home, you’ll definitely want to get a Google Play Music subscription if you don’t already have one.

TuneIn

Believe it or not, but some people actually prefer to listen to the radio. TuneIn is absolutely the go-to app for accessing online radio, music, and talk stations. Even with the free version, you get access to over 100,000 radio stations from around the world, along with over five million podcasts as well. If you decide to upgrade to the premium subscription, you’ll also get access to live NFL and MLB play-by-play, along with a large library of audiobooks.

It will be really interesting to see how third-party streaming services such as TuneIn are integrated into the Google Home experience via the Google Assistant, whether you’ll be able to make a broad request (“Play a top-40 radio station from the UK in TuneIn”) or stick to more specific requests based on your app usage (“Play my favorite local radio station in TuneIn”).

YouTube

YouTube is another obvious starting point for Google to incorporating video search and playback controls with Google Home. Some might be disappointed with a lack of support at launch for Netflix, Hulu and other video services, but with so much content available on YouTube and natural alignment within Google’s existing ecosystem (hello, Chromecast), it’s a great place for Google to fine tune their voice searching capabilities before opening things up for other video services.

Google Assistant on the Pixel currently only works well with YouTube for video — you can ask to open up Netflix or other apps, but have to navigate the rest of the way from there. But we’re likely not too far off from being able to come home, say “OK Google, cast The Office on Netflix to the living room” and binge watch the night away, for better or for worse.

YouTube is also the world’s largest music streaming service, becoming such a primary destination for lovers of music that they came out with the YouTube Music app. A subscription to YouTube Red is required.

The YouTube Music app isn’t available for everyone just yet, but it too is listed as being compatible with Google Home. The Pixel’s Google Assistant frequently completes music requests using YouTube, so we’d imagine it to be just as smooth an experience with Google Home. There’s also the YouTube TV service, which is not widely available in the U.S. let alone elsewhere in the world, that is also compatible with Google Assistant.

Netflix

Some days you just want to lounge on the couch and watch Netflix for hours. Other days you can’t even be bothered to find the remote. Fortunately, you can use Google Home to cast your favorite Netflix show or movie to your Chromecast-enabled TV. All you need to do is say something like “Play Arrested Development on Netflix”. If you have multiple Google Homes in your house, you may need to specify by adding “Play Arrested Development on Netflix on Living Room TV.”

You will need a Netflix subscription to access the content, and you will also need to link your Netflix account in the Google Home app.

Learn more

HBO NOW

Game of Thrones fans, did you know that you can settle in to watch your favorite show using just your voice? The HBO NOW app was already Chromecast-compatible, and the app recently joined the growing list of video apps compatible with Google Assistant.

All you need to do is ask Google Assistant to play your favorite HBO show, and it will intelligently find the show using the app. You will need an HBO NOW subscription of course, but with so much great content on HBO, why wouldn’t you have one, right?

Learn More

CBS All Access

CBS All Access is another recent service that added Google Assistant support. CBS All Access features all the content from CBS’s stable of popular shows including The Big Bang Theory, Survivor, and Star Trek: Discovery.

All you have to do is say “OK Google, play Star Trek: Discovery in the Living Room” and away you go. I mean, let’s be real here — it’s only fitting that you’re able to use a voice-activated computer to stream the latest Star Trek series to your Chromecast-enabled TV. Welcome to the future!

Learn more

IFTTT

IFTTT is a free web service that lets you create chains of conditional commands, called “recipes,” to automate processes between apps and smart home devices. IFTTT is an abbreviation of “If This Then That”, and that’s exactly how the recipes function. For example, say you’re concerned about your teenager getting into the liquor cabinet when you’re away. If you have a SmartThings Multipurpose Sensor on the liquor cabinet door, you can create an IFTTT recipe that goes “if the liquor cabinet door is opened, call my phone,” so you’ll know instantly if something’s up.

IFTTT is compatible with a ridiculous number of IoT devices, applications, and online services — including Google’s OnHub router — and is something you should definitely check out with or without Google Home.

Check out IFTTT recipes created for Google Assistant

What do you think?

Are there any services or products you’re hoping to connect and control via Google Home? Let us know in the comments!

Update March 2018: Added sections on LG connected appliances and Smarter iKettle and Coffee.

Google Hardware

• Google Wifi review
• Google Home review
• Chromecast Ultra: all you need to know
• Which Chromecast should you buy?

Google Wifi: Google
Amazon
Google Home: Google
Best Buy
Chromecast Ultra: Google
Best Buy

Android P’s new UI looks eerily similar to the Flux White Substratum theme

Hmmmm 🤔

Android P’s first developer preview was released on March 7, and so far it’s been met with a mixed bag of reactions. While there’s a lot of helpful new features, not everyone is onboard with the design changes found with the quick settings panel and main settings page.

Android P

These two areas have seen a visual update with brighter colors and circular icons, and shortly after the developer preview had been out in the wild for a few hours, some Redditors were quick to point out that this updated design looks an awful lot like a Substratum theme in the Play Store.

The theme in question is Flux White from developer giannisgx89, and the similarities between it and Android P are hard to ignore. There are many elements of Flux White not found in Android P, such as its nav-bar style, multiple color accents, and custom boot screen, but the quick settings and settings page, in particular, look a lot alike.

Flux White

I’m not insinuating that Google flat-out copied giannisgx89, but it really is remarkable just how much alike Android P and Flux White are.

I personally like the aesthetic Google’s shooting for, and seeing as how Substratum themes won’t work with Android P, at least one of its best ones is now included out of the box ¯_(ツ)_/¯.

Android P: Top 6 things you need to know!

Today’s best deals you won’t want to miss

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

From great discounts on Anker’s Roav dash cam to Yi’s action cameras, Cool Master’s mechanical keyboard, and more, there are a lot of great deals you won’t want to pass up.

View the rest of the deals

If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you’ll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!

What can you do in ARCore right now?

It’s time to experience your world in augmented reality, with your phone

ARCore is a new set of API’s, Frameworks and tools to allow real-time Augmented Reality(AR) apps to work on a standard Android device. What is AR as opposed to Virtual Reality (VR)? Great question! It’s a program that will put digital objects and visuals in your view of the actual world through your VR Headset or, in this case, your phone screen. Based on the work they’ve done with Project Tango, ARCore removes the need for specialized hardware making room scale VR in reach of the common Cell Phone.

How do You Install The ARCore App?

Before you had to jump through way too many hoops just to get ARCore working on your phone. Now that ARCore version 1.0 has been released, getting it onto your phone is that much easier and you can download it right from the Google Play Store! Now, remember, ARCore is just an app you download that will allow the other supporting ARCore apps to work. So when you click on the app and it opens like a library, don’t be discouraged. To use the full benefit of this app, check out the list of other apps below.

After you download other apps that use ARCore you just launch those apps from your phone!

See on Google Play Store

What Apps are Available?

While there used to be only a precious few ARCore apps, the list has expanded and will only continue to do so! If ARCore is already installed on your device, check out these games and apps to see what you can do! If not, continue to learn how to get ARCore on your phone!

All of the ARCore apps currently on the PlayStore are free, so I’ve made this even easier by putting them in general sections!

• Games
• Space
• Stickers
• AR Friends
• Shopping/Planning
• Experience
• Edcating
• Measuring
• Misc

Games

• 99 Snowballs for ARCore
• AR Invasion – Augmented Reality ARcore Alien Game
• Stack Tower AR
• Agelore’s Fantasy FPS – AR
• Paint AR
• Star Wars™: Jedi Challenges
• Capsule Commander AR
• AR Beer Pong
• Stack it AR
• Froggie Jump
• Gun Camera 3D Simulator
• AR BounceBall
• Doll House Decoration
• Model Makeup Salon
• AR Remote Car
• AR Defence
• AR Sea Wars
• Mazelith
• Geekplay™ AR Gun
• Flat Pack
• AR Switch
• Super AR
• The Chintz Bar
• Arcraft – AR Sandbox
• Candy AR
• AR Drone Commander Lite
• AERO One
• AR Soccer Strike
• Geekplay
• The Condor
• Skyview
• FINNEGANS TV TakeoverAKEOVER
• Ardemo

Space

If there’s one thing that’s wildly popular in ARCore, is people making apps about viewing space. Any of these apps will plug our solar system right into your living room to have an up close and personal experience with!

• Solar System ARCore
• ARCore Solar System
• Solar System AR
• Giant Moon AR
• Solar System AR

Stickers

AR Stickers are fun for the whole family. Take the sticker options from your selected app, plug them into your reality to come up with some super cool videos and images!

• AR Stickers
• AR Stickers Blocks
• AR Stickers Winter Sports
• Car AR Stickers
• Snow and Winter AR Stickers
• Qlone – 3D Scanning & AR Solution

AR Friends

These apps here will show you all of the little friends you can plug into your world, much like an AR Sticker, and interact with!

• Gnome Cam
• AR Horse
• Santa Anywhere
• BodyguARd
• ARCore Floating Pumpkins Demo
• AR Girl
• Bydo’s return: A halloween augmented reality game
• ARCore – Tiger
• Realworld-AR
• GARnie
• Assemblr
• Sketchfab
• Holo
• AR Mole

Shopping/Planning

Want to know what that couch you’re interested in buying will look like in the corner of your room before you buy it? These apps are here to help you figure that out! Big names like Amazon have already made their shopping apps AR compatible!

• Amazon
• Houzz Interior Design Ideas
• Alice
• Planner 5D – Home & Interior Design Creator
• nofruit Designs Viewer
• Hi5 Arlington AR
• Augment
• Mind Map AR

Experiences

Experiences in AR are pretty cool, even if they’re not interactive games. Download any of these apps to put yourself in a different reality that takes over the world around you!

• Star Wars
• Star Wars AR Experience
• LandscapAR augmented reality
• AR+
• Ink Hunter
• AR OXJNO Demo
• QamAR
• ARCore GR
• Alice ARCore
• Horizon Explorer

Educating

These fun apps will give you some sort of an educating experience! From learning anatomy to seeing how things could possibly be repaired, these apps are here to show you a thing or two!

• Atom Visualizer for ARCore
• ARCore Wikipedia 3D
• Anatomy 3D
• Augmented Repair

Measuring apps

Please, trust these measuring apps as far as you can throw a boulder. While they are cool and I have hopes for the future of accuracy in measuring by pointing a camera at something, none of these have been proved to be accurate even 40% of the time.

• ARCore Measure
• Measure AR
• AirMeasure – Tape Measure & Ruler
• ARCore Augmented Reality Ruler / Measure
• Prime Ruler
• ARuler – AR Ruler app

Misc

These are a group of miscellaneous apps that don’t really have a place in another category. While they utilize the ARCore function on your phone, they don’t actually appear to have much of a purpose outside of the apps displaying machines.

• ARwrld Explorer
• Bobbo-Net ARCore Experiments
• explorer G3 workstations
• explorer G3 workstations
• QSight® 210 MD Screening system
• chemagic Prime

Thoughts

Have you tried ARCore on your phone yet? What do you think of the apps so far? What are you hopeful for in the future? What are your complaints and praises? Let us know in the comment section below!

Updated March 2018: We’ve updated this article with new information on ARCore; stay posted for more updates!

Gmail Android app updated with support for inbox types

Rolling out to all Gmail users now.

Gmail continues to be one of the most popular email clients on Android, and today Google’s adding support for various “Inbox Types.” This is something that’s been available on desktop for some time, and it enables you to customize the various priorities of the emails you receive.

First and foremost, if you have a specific inbox type that you use while accessing Gmail on your computer, you’ll now see that same setup in the Android app. For example, if you want your unread messages at the top of your inbox and everything else to populate below them, you’ll now see those changes reflected in the Android app.

In addition to this, you can hop into Gmail’s settings on your phone to change the inbox type you’re currently using.

To do this, go to Settings -> Inbox type, and then choose the one you want – including Default Inbox, Important first, Unread first, Starred first, and Priority Inbox.

This is rolling out to all Gmail users starting today, and it should be widely available over the coming days.

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