Apple Releases tvOS 11.3 for 4th and 5th Generation Apple TV Models

Apple today released tvOS 11.3, the second major update to the tvOS operating system designed for the fourth and fifth-generation Apple TV models. tvOS 11.3 comes more than three months after the release of tvOS 11.2, and a month after the release of a minor tvOS 11.2.6 update.

tvOS 11.3 can be downloaded over the air through the Settings app on the Apple TV by going to System –> Software Update. Apple TV owners who have automatic software updates turned on will be upgraded to tvOS 11.3 automatically.

tvOS 11.3 introduces performance improvements and bug fixes for issues discovered following the release of tvOS 11.2.6.

The update introduces enhancements to Match Content support, automatic frame rate switching on the fourth-generation Apple TV (a feature that was added to Apple TV 4K in a past update), and automatic mode switching for AirPlay video sessions.

The TV app, designed to let users find and watch television shows and movies aggregated from entertainment apps, is expanding to Brazil and Mexico. Brazil is also gaining Siri support on Apple TV 4K and the fourth-generation Apple TV.

Early beta versions of tvOS 11.3 included support for AirPlay 2, allowing the Apple TV to be added to the Home app as part of a HomeKit setup and enabling multi-room audio across multiple Apple TVs.

AirPlay 2 functionality was, however, removed in the third beta of tvOS 11.3, eliminating these features. AirPlay 2 was not re-added during the beta testing period, so it’s likely Apple is saving the feature for a future update.

Related Roundup: Apple TVBuyer’s Guide: Apple TV (Neutral)
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Apple Releases watchOS 4.3 With Portrait Nightstand Mode and iPhone Music Controls

Apple today released watchOS 4.3, the third major update to the watchOS 4 operating system that runs on the Apple Watch. watchOS 4.3 comes more than three months after the release of watchOS 4.2, the last major update that brought Apple Pay Cash.

watchOS 4.3 can be downloaded through the dedicated Apple Watch app on the iPhone by going to General –> Software Update. To install the new software, the Apple Watch needs to have at least 50 percent battery, it needs to be placed on a charger, and it needs to be in range of the iPhone.

watchOS 4.3 introduces support for Nightstand mode when the Apple Watch is positioned in a portrait orientation, a feature that was previously only available when the watch was placed in landscape orientation on its side.

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Today’s update also reintroduces a much-desired feature that allows music playing on the iPhone to be controlled using the Music app on the Apple Watch.

In previous versions of watchOS, starting with watchOS 4, the Music app could only be used to control music playing on the watch itself. watchOS 4.3 returns pre-watchOS 4 functionality and once again allows you to select the music playing on your iPhone from the Apple Watch. With watchOS 4.3, you’re also able to control playback and volume on the HomePod using the Apple Watch.

Other new features in watchOS 4.3 include a new charging animation when the Apple Watch is placed on the charger and a new app loading animation when opening up an app. You’ll also now see your Activity data on the Siri watch face, and the batter complication more accurately reports battery life.

For more on the watchOS 4 operating system, make sure to check out our dedicated watchOS 4 roundup.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Neutral)
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Apple Releases New 11.3 Software for the HomePod

Alongside iOS 11.3, watchOS 4.3, and tvOS 11.3, Apple today released a new 11.3 software update designed for the HomePod.

This marks the first software update that’s been released for the HomePod since it became available for purchase in February.

The new HomePod software will be installed automatically on the HomePod after you update to iOS 11.3, but you can also manually update and check your software version by following the instructions in our HomePod software how to.

It’s not clear what new features are included in the HomePod software just yet, but we are waiting on both AirPlay 2 and a feature to allow two HomePods to be paired together for stereo sound. Apple’s release notes don’t divulge any details about what might be included, suggesting these features have not been implemented.

According to the release notes, the update “includes general improvements for stability and quality.”

Related Roundup: HomePodBuyer’s Guide: HomePod (Buy Now)
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Fitbit Versa vs. Fitbit Ionic: Which should you buy?

Fitbit’s been making fitness-trackers for over a decade, but it just started diving into the world of smartwatches over the last few months with the release of the Ionic and Versa. Both of the watches run Fitbit’s custom smartwatch platform – Fitbit OS – but each is targeted at very different demographics.

The Ionic and Versa are two excellent wearables, but to ensure you buy the one that’s best for you, let’s take a look at each one’s strengths and weaknesses.

What’s different

Without a doubt, the thing that separates the Versa and Ionic the most from each other is their design.

The Versa is Fitbit’s best-looking smartwatch to-date, and it draws a lot of inspiration from both the Apple Watch and Pebble Time. Fitbit chose a squircle shape for Versa’s body, and this gives it a very clean and minimalistic design that looks right at home whether you’re at the gym or attending a formal dinner.

Along with the good looks, the Versa is also designed to fit and be comfortable on just about anyone’s wrist. Versa is incredibly comfy to wear, and it practically disappears from your mind once you put it on thanks to how lightweight it is.

The Ionic feels just as good to wear, but its design pales in comparison when placed next to the Versa. While the Versa is sleek and fashion-forward, the Ionic has a sporty aesthetic that certainly won’t appeal to everyone. It can be dressed up with a leather or metal watch band to look a touch classier, but even so, the Versa has a much more appealing and flexible design.

As different as the Versa and Ionic look, both are built incredibly well.

However, while the Ionic may not be as stylish as the Versa, it is the more powerful smartwatch. One big advantage it has is built-in GPS. When you go running with the Ionic, it can map your route without having to be connected to your phone. The Versa can record a route of where you run/walk, too, but it requires a constant connection to your phone in order to do so.

The lack of built-in GPS isn’t necessarily a deal-breaker for the Versa, but its presence on the Ionic does make it a watch that allows you to leave your phone behind while going for a run and still being able to record as much data as possible.

Something else the Ionic has over the Versa (at least the base model) is NFC. This allows you to make contactless payments using Fitbit Pay at stores that accept them, and while you can technically get a Versa that supports this, you’ll need to spend an extra $30 for the Special Edition if you live in the U.S. and want this added functionality.

Last but not least, let’s talk battery life. After wearing the Fitbit Ionic since mid-January, I’ve regularly gotten 4-5 days of use on a single charge. Fitbit claims the Versa is capable of similar endurance, but in my experience, I saw closer to 2 to 2 1/2 days before needing to top up. You could likely extend this to 3 days or more depending on how you use the watch, and while that’s not bad, the Ionic is still the smartwatch battery champ.

What’s the same

Although it may not be readily apparent at first glance, the Ionic and Versa are actually more similar than they are different. On the hardware front, both the Ionic and Versa have a heart-rate sensor that allows for 24/7 tracking and water-proofing up to 50M. You’ll find three buttons on each watch (one on the right and two on the left) and both have great-looking screens that are easy to see even in direct sunlight.

GPS aside, the Versa and Ionic offer the same fitness and smartwatch features.

Another reason these two watches are so similar has to do with the operating system that powers them — Fitbit OS. The Versa ships with Fitbit OS 2.0 out of the box, and the Ionic is currently being updated to the new software as we speak.

All of your health data can be found in the Fitbit Today app, and this shows your steps, distance, calories burned, stairs, and active minutes. This is also where you can see how many hours you’ve been active throughout the day, what your current heart-beat is, and your three most recent workouts.

The Versa and Ionic can record a variety of different exercises, including running, walking, swimming, yoga, interval training, biking, and more, and as if that wasn’t enough, you can follow on-screen workout routines using Fitbit Coach. There are three workouts loaded onto the Ionic and Versa by default, but you can access a much broader collection if you choose to pay Coach’s $39.99/year premium.

Other features found on both watches include:

• Access to Fitbit’s app store for apps and watch faces
• Both use proprietary bands, but the Ionic’s are easier to handle
• The same user interface
• Access to Fitbit’s excellent mobile app for viewing your recorded data
• Ability to store 300 songs using Pandora, Deezer, or your own music files

Which one should you buy?

You probably already have a good idea of which watch is for you at this point in the article, and that’s exactly what Fitbit is hoping for.

See Fitbit Versa at Fitbit

For most people, the Fitbit Versa will be the best choice. It offers 95% of what you’ll find on the Ionic, and it does so for just $199. I personally like having NFC on my smartwatches, and if you do too, the added $30 for the $229 Special Edition is more than fair considering that you also get an exclusive fabric band.

If you’re a fitness enthusiast and want to go on runs/walks without carrying your phone with you, the Fitbit Ionic is the watch you’ll want to pick up. The extra $100 for built-in GPS likely won’t be worth it for most people, but should you choose to pay that premium, the Ionic is still an excellent device that I can easily recommend to the right group of people.

See Fitbit Ionic at Fitbit

What do you think?

Now that I’m done rambling, I want to hear from you. Do you think the Versa or the Ionic is the better buy? Drop a comment down below and let me know!

Fitbit Versa and Android: Top 10 things you need to know

How to get all of your data back from Google

Google stores a lot of your personal data, so it’s great that you can get it back easily.

When a company is interested in getting as much of your personal information as it can the most important thing you need to look into is how you can take it all back. Google happens to be one of those companies that use data and analytics to make a profit, and since almost every Android user is a Google customer, how to take back your data is something we all should know.

I’m not suggesting that Google is out to get you somehow because that’s not a very good way to keep customers. Google spends some of the money it earns from our data to keep it under wraps and safely stored. A lot of money, I’m sure. But if you decide to move on to other services for whatever reason, this is what you need to know.

Google Takeout

Google Takeout is a service started by the Google Data Liberation Front that gives users of Google’s products a way to download all of the data Google has accumulated. You can download data from almost all of Google’s services and it’s built so that it can be imported somewhere else using common data formats. You can even import it back to Google if you choose. It’s a good way to see just what Google collects even if you have no desire to start fresh.

• Visit the Download your data page and sign into your account if you are asked.
• You’ll see a list of Google’s services that you use or have used in the past, and there is a switch beside each one. Turn the switch on for the services you want your data exported from.
• Click the Next button.
• Choose what type of file Google will use when it packages everything up.
• Decide where to store it all. you can download it directly to a computer, to your Google Drive, to Dropbox or to Microsoft OneDrive.

Google will then extract your data and package it into multiple archives. Once that’s done (and it can take quite a while if you have a lot of data stored) you’ll be emailed a link to the file if you chose to download it directly or a link to online storage if that’s how you chose to save it.

The download option is only good for seven days before the link expires and you can only download it five times. But you can create as many archives as you like so there are no actual time or download limits. Once you get your data, be sure to keep it safe. You might want to use it somewhere and you don’t want anyone else to have access to it.

The Nuclear option: Deleting your Google account

via GIPHY

Downloading your data doesn’t remove it, it only gives you a copy of everything for your own records. To wipe everything clean you’ll need to tell Google to delete it. That’s easy.

• Visit the Delete your Google Account page and sign in if you’re asked.
• Read through it so you understand what you’re deleting and what that means and proceed to click the delete link.

As Google will tell you, this means you can’t use that account ever again. That means you’ll lose any purchases you’ve made through Google Play or the Chrome Web Store, you won’t be able to sign into your Android phone or Chromebook, and if you didn’t back them up or download them your contacts and calendar will be gone.

It takes about two weeks for your request to work it’s way through the system so don’t continue to use the account once you’ve started the process. If you change your mind before the data has been wiped you can contact Google and they might be able to stop the process but they make no guarantee. I assume the process itself is automated and done as part of each service’s nightly or weekly maintenance scripts. Google isn’t telling the details and I don’t want them to tell any details for a process that involves all of our user data.

Once the account deleting is complete, You lose all access to the data that was stored so you’ll want to make sure you’ve emptied your Drive account and stored your personal data somewhere.

One more thing

Your search and web browsing activity are stored separately from your Google account data so you’ll need to delete those separately. It’s much like the account deletion process and only involves clicking a link.

• Visit your My Activity page and sign in if you’re asked.
• You can review the data that’s stored there or choose to delete a portion of it instead of all of it.
• In the top right corner of the page choose the More link.
• Then choose Delete activity by:
• Choose Delete by date.
• Click the drop-down arrow and choose All time.
• Click the Delete link.

Google still keeps a bit of data from you. It’s not associated with your account (which may not exist much longer anyway) and it doesn’t have any details saved, only when and how you did something.

As an example: You can delete the things you searched for while using Google Search, but Google will keep a record that someone used Google Search at a specific time using an Android phone (if you use your phone). You can read all the gritty details and the reasons why it’s done on Google’s Privacy Policy page. In a nutshell, they want to know how many people are using each service, how they are using it, and when it was used so they know where to focus when it comes to new features or a new design.

You can remove this data without it affecting your Google account standing. That means you can wipe your activity history even if you’re not deleting your account and the worst thing that will happen is that you’ll not get accurate interest-based ads.

Should you buy the Galaxy Note 8 or wait for the Note 9?

No matter who you talk to, I don’t think anyone can argue against the fact that the Galaxy Note 8 is one of the most powerful phones you can buy right now. Samsung’s software may not be for everyone, but the sheer amount of features and horsepower found in the Note 8 is still something to behold.

One of our Android Central forum users currently has a Galaxy Note 4, and they’re thinking about upgrading to the Note 8. However, with the Note 9 just a few months down the road, they’re debating whether or not they should just wait and see what it has to offer.

Many of our forum’s other members were quick to reach out with their thoughts, and these are just a few of the responses.

mgbosshogg
03-23-2018 03:13 PM

“

The Note 8 is, yes IMO, still the most complete Android device out there.

It’s always objective. But if that’s not for you then move along. Plenty devices out there with various other more singular strong points.

The screen curve is not as extreme as even the S8 or 9 in the hand. Yes, it’s a bit of a pain. But the screen is pretty.
The battery lasts as long as it lasts. Removable is…

Reply

evohicks
03-23-2018 03:39 PM

“

I too went from the Note 4 to Note 8 after having the Note 4 over 30 months or so. I also had 2 batteries with charger so never short of power.
I debated which phone to go for, Note 5 not released in UK, Note 7 issues we all know about, so I pinned my hopes on the Note 8, kept up with all news before launch and then after watching the launch I knew it was for me.

Note 8 for me has been a…

Reply

j_hansen
03-23-2018 04:04 PM

“

I’ll make this easy for you…. YES YOU SHOULD
I came from Note 4 and loved it and planned to keep it as a back up… after getting the Note 8 the Note 4 went up for sale in less than a week…. in comparison the Note 4 is as old as the pyramids

Reply

Blues Fan
03-23-2018 10:24 PM

“

I would say try and hold off for the Note 9. It might be out in mid august instead of early sept.

If you want the newest phone then s9 plus. Using the spen all these years I would go with a Note over the s9.

Reply

Now, we want to pass the question on to you – Do you recommend getting the Note 8 or waiting for the Note 9?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

• Galaxy Note 8 review
• Galaxy Note 8 vs. Galaxy S8+
• Which Note 8 color is best?
• Complete Galaxy Note 8 specs
• Join our Galaxy Note 8 forums

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Hey NYC and SF — come hang out with us, eat, drink and win free stuff!

Next week, members of the Mobile Nations team will be in New York City and San Francisco, and we’d love for you to come say hello. Oh, and we have some free tech to give away as an extra incentive.

If you’re based in the New York City region or the Bay Area, and you’re free next Tuesday, April 3, between 6 pm and 8 pm, you’re going to want read this.

A bunch of us from the Mobile Nations team, including YouTube phenom Michael Fisher (a.k.a., MrMobile) and Mark Guim, Windows Central’s video maestro and in-house PC reviewer, will be in New York City, at the Arlo NoMad hotel right near Midtown between 6 pm and 8 pm EST.

That same night, in San Francisco, the man Rene Ritchie, and the inimitable Phil Nickinson (a.k.a. Modern Dad), will be near Union Square, above the AT&T Flagship Store at 1 Powell St. between 6 pm and 8 pm PT (there will be signage and/or friendly people to direct you to the location).

As if the opportunity to meet these fine folks wasn’t enough, there will be free food! And free drinks! And stuff to win! For free! All courtesy of the good folks at AT&T, who will also be promoting their admirable It Can Wait campaign against distracted driving via a cool new VR experience.

Back to that free stuff. You’ll have the opportunity to win a Galaxy S9+, an AT&T Primetime tablet, a Samsung Gear VR headset, a Mophie Charging Pack, a BlackBerry KEYone phone, and one of a bunch of DIRECTV NOW 90-day trial codes.

Sounds marvelous, yes? If you want in, hit this RSVP link for New York and this one for San Francisco. You’ll want to act fast, though. These are somewhat intimate affairs, and only the first 150 or so readers will be granted access to the shindigs.

All the details are as follows:

• When: Tuesday, April 3, 2018, between 6 pm and 8 pm EST (New York) and between 6 pm and 8 pm PT (San Francisco).
• Where:
  • New York City’s Arlo NoMad hotel at 11 East 31 St., New York, NY 10016.
  • San Francisco’s AT&T Flagship Store (in the space above the store, not the store itself), 1 Powell St., San Francisco, CA 94102.
• Who should attend? Readers of Android Central, iMore, Windows Central, and CrackBerry, and fans of MrMobile and Modern Dad.
• Why attend? To network with like-minded folks and raise awareness of the dangers associated with distracted driving. You’ll also get to schmooze with well-known Mobile Nations personalities such as Michael Fisher, Phil Nickinson, Rene Ritchie and Mark Guim. And, of course, the free food, drinks, and giveaways!
• How to RSVP: Visit the New York Eventbrite page or San Francisco page to RSVP. But you’ll want to act now before the space fills up.

We hope to see you Tuesday in the Big Apple or the City by the Bay!

These Panasonic Eneloop rechargeable batteries are down to their lowest price for one day

This deal will probably sell out before the day is over.

The Panasonic eneloop Super Power Pack, filled with a variety of rechargeable batteries and a charger, is down to $34.88 on Amazon. It normally sells for around $49. This deal is a match for the lowest we’ve seen, a price it has only dropped to one other time. It actually wouldn’t be a surprise if these sold out before the deal ends.

This deal is part of Amazon’s Gold Box deals of the day and features a couple of eneloop packs on sale. One of the other deals is this pack of 16 AA rechargeable eneloop batteries for $24.99. That is its lowest price ever and down from an average around $36. If you just need a lot of batteries and either already have a charger or plan to buy one later, that’s the way to go.

The last deal in this Gold Box is the Panasonic eneloop pro High Capacity Power Pack for $34.99. That’s a match for the lowest price ever and compares to a street price around $53. The eneloop pro batteries have a higher capacity but don’t last as long. This does come with a battery charger.

The Super Power Pack comes with 12 AA batteries, 4 AAA batteries, 2 D adapters, an individual battery charger, and a storage case. They are all 2000mAh type batteries that can be recharged up to 2,100 times. The charger can charge individual AA or AAA batteries from one to four in any combination. The D battery adapters are basically just a casing the size of a D battery. You stick one of the smaller batteries inside and use it to power anything requiring the larger size. Users give this pack 4.7 stars based on 293 reviews.

See on Amazon

Free-to-play RPG Marvel Strike Force is now available

Over 70 playable characters are available at launch.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe will soon be faced with its most important entry yet with the release of Infinity War this April, and in preparation of it, fans can dive into the all-new mobile game Marvel Strike Force.

Marvel Strike Force is the first game to be developed by FoxNet Games, and it’ll allow players to engage in various battles using more than 70 of Marvel’s most iconic and inconspicuous characters. You’ll find notable heroes such as Captain America and Iron Man, but FoxNet also notes that the roster “reaches far beyond comics, movies and TV shows.”

Speaking of the game, Senior Vice President of Games & Innovation at Marvel Entertainment, Jay Ong, said –

MARVEL Strike Force perfectly demonstrates how we use games as a driver of the Marvel brand. Featuring a wholly original storyline that has gamers mixing and matching Super Heroes and Super Villains in never-before-seen alliances, this game is authentically Marvel and one of our most highly-anticipated projects this year.

Strike Force will see players going up against antagonist Ultimus, and while doing so, you’ll be able to upgrade your characters, collect more powerful gear, and build the strongest team of heroes possible.

Marvel Strike Force is available to download for free on the Play Store now.

Download: Marvel Strike Force (free)

I wish there was a Chrome phone

The next big thing needs to have learned from the mistakes of the past.

Now that Chrome is a full-on tablet operating system, there is only one more frontier — the smartphone.

It’s not that anything was changed in Chrome to run it on a tablet. Once Android apps started to run natively in Chrome I knew it was coming. It just took actual companies who make actual products a bit more time to catch up. Maybe that same dynamic is at work here and in a year or so the first Chrome phone will appear, but I’m probably just doing some of that wishful thinking.

Before you say I’m crazy, there are some really good reasons to want Chrome on a phone and in some ways, it’s actually better suited for your mobile than Android was when it launched. Maybe Google learned from the past.

Ideally, we should never have to worry about the software that’s on our phones and everything that we wanted them to do would just work and there would be no worries about exploits or bugs. That’s never going to happen on anything with a screen, but Chrome is closer to that dream than Android is right now. Part of the reason why is Google having more control.

Android was never supposed to be better for you; it was made to please smartphone makers.

When you buy a device that runs Chrome the first 6.5 years of its life it can have full support with monthly updates and patches direct from Google. It doesn’t matter who built it, Google takes care of the software and makes sure you are up to date every month. But only if you want them to.

All Chrome devices have another thing in common and that’s how you can “unlock” the bootloader by placing the device into developer mode. Once done you can choose to run alternative software that can be very close to the original but without Google’s hand inside by running Chromium, or you can go off the rails and install something else that supports the hardware configuration. There are some valid reasons why the people who made your phone and the people who made the parts inside it aren’t into this idea, but it’s really no different than the Nexus program was, even if nobody took advantage and tried to compile Sun SPARQ for their Nexus 6.

Most people aren’t going to want to yank the software off a phone and replace it with some hairy homegrown solution. I get that. But Chrome is a better way for those folks, too, because who doesn’t want their expensive new phone to work the way it was advertised to work for 6.5 years?

If Android had the same support as Chrome, the Pixel 2 would get Android 13 Teaberry.

Well, companies who make money when you buy a new phone probably aren’t thrilled with the idea. Especially since the past 10 years or so have been spent kowtowing to them with Android. That’s an experiment that has only proved that the Samsungs of the world can and will ruin everything for a handful of dollars and the AT&Ts of the world are lined up right behind them. It’s easy to blame them for all of Android’s problems, but you shouldn’t because this was all Google’s doing and what it took to get Android in 7 of every 10 smartphones ever made. I imagine to Google it was worth it.

Anyhoo, the idea that something different is coming isn’t just a pipe dream, and whatever Google’s Fuchsia is going to be will benefit from all the mistakes of the past. I’m just hoping that the end product is more like Chrome than Android and not just another round of fresh meat served up to smartphone makers.