Essential Phone update adds Bluetooth 5.0, extra notch settings, and more

The update is rolling out to users now.

There’s a new update making its way to the Essential Phone, and like we’ve come to expect from Andy Rubin’s startup, there’s a lot that’s included.

This is a new version of Android 8.1 that Essential pushed to all users last month, and with it comes official support for Bluetooth 5.0 and the April 2018 security patch that Google just released for Pixel and Nexus devices about a week ago.

Also mentioned in the release notes for the update are modem stability fixes, better handling of external game controllers, improved performance, and bug fixes.

Shortly after the update was released, our friends at Android Police discovered something else that Essential forgot to mention — more controls over how apps interact with the phone’s notch.

Assuming you have developer options enabled, head to Settings -> System -> Developer options -> Essential notch settings. Once you’re here, you can set a default for how all apps should use the notch area or specify the behavior of the notch on a per-app basis. There are three options to choose from, including “Essential recommended”, “don’t use notch area in landscape”, and “always use notch area.” That last option could result in some apps looking a bit wonky if they haven’t been updated to officially support notches, but it will help to make the Essential Phone feel as immersive as possible no matter what you’re doing.

If you’ve got an Essential Phone, will you use these new settings to embrace the notch in all of your applications?

Essential Phone 2 — How Essential can have a much more successful Year 2

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Best Android Phone Over $700 in 2018

When the price doesn’t matter, you get some great phones to choose from.

• Best overall
• Best for features
• Best for battery life

Best overall

Google Pixel 2 XL

See at Best Buy

Google’s Pixel 2 XL gives you sleek and solid hardware, all of the requisite specs inside, and simple and intuitive software that runs at a breakneck pace. Once again it isn’t flashy, but it’s beautifully efficient — and IP67 water-resistant.

The software features and Google’s apps aren’t numerous, but they’re delightfully useful without being bothersome. And with three years of guaranteed updates, you don’t have to worry about the future — Google’s phones are well-known for holding onto their performance longer than most.

Google has once again set the standard for Android cameras, with great hardware buoyed by the “HDR+” processing that can create amazing images. Photos are accurate with an extra punch of color, and can manage tough scenes with little issue. And with Android 8.1, the Pixel Visual Core enables dramatically better photos in third-party apps.

Bottom line: The best Android experience over $700 comes straight from Google with the Pixel 2 XL. Great hardware and amazing software support a top-notch camera anyone can enjoy.

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

Why the Google Pixel 2 XL is the best Android phone over $700

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

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

And it’s not just software customization that makes it happen — Google has included a Snapdragon 835, 4GB of RAM and 64GB (optionally, 128GB) of storage to make sure your phone has plenty of room to run. With a 3520mAh battery, you get all-day longevity too.

The Pixel 2 XL’s 6-inch OLED display has seen its fair share of criticism, and is the one true weak point of the phone, but on the larger phone that’s just something you give up to get this hardware and software experience — even though that’s a tougher pill to swallow at $849.

It doesn’t focus on the number of features, but on the impact of each one.

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

But for most people, those are relatively small prices to pay to get a daily experience of using a phone that’s fast, intuitive, smart and filled with a core set of features that can actually wow you. And with years of guaranteed software updates, you won’t be left out in the cold. That’s what you get from the Pixel 2 XL.

Best for features

Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+

See at Amazon

The Galaxy S9 and S9+ aren’t much different from their predecessors, but seeing as those were Samsung’s best-ever-selling phones that’s not a bad thing. These phones are all about giving you the most features in the most beautiful package. You get top-end specs across the board, plus all of the hardware features you expect: waterproofing, wireless charging, an SD card slot, a headphone jack and more.

The camera is all-new this year, with a sensor that does fantastic processing to remove noise and sharpen fine detail. It’s aided by a dual-aperture lens to get the best combination of light and detail in different shots, and in the case of the Galaxy S9+ is paired with a secondary telephoto lens for zoom and portrait mode shooting.

You don’t get the clean and simple software experience of the Pixel 2, which may take some extra customization and tweaking on your part, but the Galaxy S9 is far less polarizing overall — just about anyone looking for a high-end phone will love using the Galaxy S9 or S9+.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S9 and S9+ don’t require much thought — they can do everything, and look great doing it, with few real downsides.

One more thing: Consider paying the extra $120 for the Galaxy S9+, where you get more RAM, a bigger screen and longer battery life. It’s worth it for most people.

Best for battery life

Huawei Mate 10 Pro

See at Amazon

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

Alongside all of that, the Mate 10 Pro hits it out of the park with battery life. The combination of a 4000mAh battery, efficient processor, somewhat-restrictive software and a 1080p display make this a true two-day flagship for many people, and that’s rare today.

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

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

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

Conclusion

The Pixel 2 XL doesn’t have as many features as some other phones, but the experience of using the phone, as a complete package, is ahead of the competition — and the camera is still a standout feature, even though the Galaxy S9 gets close with its new camera. Just about anyone can appreciate what Google offers in its phones, and if they don’t care for the simplicity and would prefer more features, the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are here for you.

Best overall

Google Pixel 2 XL

See at Best Buy

Google’s Pixel 2 XL gives you sleek and solid hardware, all of the requisite specs inside, and simple and intuitive software that runs at a breakneck pace. Once again it isn’t flashy, but it’s beautifully efficient — and IP67 water-resistant.

The software features and Google’s apps aren’t numerous, but they’re delightfully useful without being bothersome. And with three years of guaranteed updates, you don’t have to worry about the future — Google’s phones are well-known for holding onto their performance longer than most.

Google has once again set the standard for Android cameras, with great hardware buoyed by the “HDR+” processing that can create amazing images. Photos are accurate with an extra punch of color, and can manage tough scenes with little issue. And with Android 8.1, the Pixel Visual Core enables dramatically better photos in third-party apps.

Bottom line: The best Android experience over $700 comes straight from Google with the Pixel 2 XL. Great hardware and amazing software support a top-notch camera anyone can enjoy.

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

Update April 2018: The Google Pixel 2 XL is our top pick in this top price bracket, reflecting its position as just a fantastic overall phone. The Galaxy Note 8 has been replaced by the Galaxy S9+ (and S9 for those who need a smaller display), and the Huawei Mate 10 Pro is here as an option for a good all-around phone with exceptional battery life.

The RAVPower Qi fast wireless charging pad is down to $11

Just drop it and charge it. Easy.

The RAVPower Qi fast wireless charging pad is down to $10.99 with code BKG4XX7P on Amazon. This charging pad is $15 without the code and normally sells for around $16. The drop to $11 is a match for its lowest price ever.

The Qi fast wireless charging pad works with any Qi-certified wireless charging mobile device, including the iPhone and the Galaxy S9. Devices with Quick Charge like the S9 can charge twice as fast with up to 10W where the non-QC devices are at 5W. Be sure to use a Quick Charge adapter to get the most out of those devices. The device is designed with safeguards to keep your devices from getting too much current or voltage. It comes with an LED indicator to indicate whether it’s charging or in standby, and RAVPower backs it up with an 18-month warranty. Users give it 4.1 stars based on 1,030 reviews.

See on Amazon

The $40 Roav Viva brings Alexa and a 2-port car charger on the road with you

Bring Amazon’s Alexa along for the ride with the Roav Viva.

Anker’s new Roav Viva, an Alexa-enabled 2-port USB car charger, is down to $39.99 on Amazon. If it says $50 on the product page, you will see that convert to $40 in your cart. This is the first direct discount we’ve seen for it and matches a coupon code deal we shared back in February.

The Viva connects to your phone via Bluetooth, and then you connect your phone to your car’s stereo either via Bluetooth or an auxiliary jack. It will use your phone’s Internet to access Alexa’s services and relay them through your car’s speakers. You can access the full-range of Alexa’s skills, including playing your favorite music, getting directions, or hearing the news. You can make and receive phone calls without taking your hand off the wheel. It also has voice isolation via two integrated mics that can accurately identify your voice over other car noises.

The dual charging ports have PowerIQ technology to detect what’s plugged in and deliver the fastest charge. The top of the device has a mute button that makes it easy to turn off the mics if you don’t want Alexa listening to everything you say. Users give it 4 stars based on 245 reviews.

See at Amazon

PayPal support finally makes its way to Samsung Pay

That only took nine months.

In July of 2017, Samsung announced that it was partnering with PayPal so that Samsung Pay users could pay for things using their PayPal balance. This was exciting news for a lot of people, but it unfortunately never came to light. Nine months later, this functionality appears to finally be rolling out.

As Joe Kester noted on Twitter, an update that’s making its way to the Samsung Pay app in the Play Store adds the ability to link your PayPal account to Samsung’s mobile payment service. Once you’ve downloaded the update, choose to add a new payment method for Samsung Pay and then tap the “Add PayPal” button under the “Add payment card” section.

Tapping this will prompt you to enter your PayPal account info, and following this, you should be good to go. Just like with Google Pay, you’ll be able to use your PayPal balance/card at any stores that accept Mastercard.

Samsung does note that it may take 1-2 days for the “Add PayPal” option to show up once you’ve downloaded the new update, so don’t fret if you don’t see it right away.

Download: Samsung Pay (free)

7 Portable High-capacity Power Banks, Including 50,000mAh+ Chargers

These aren’t your pocket-friendly power banks, but they can be your lifeline when battery life runs short across multiple devices.

Given today’s power-hungry phones and tablets, any power pack under 20,000mAh shouldn’t be considered high-capacity. While the majority of these beefier backup batteries aren’t suited for storing in your pocket, they’re still compact enough to toss in a backpack, suitcase, or laptop bag for a quick charge when you need it. Check out these five power banks that provide enough battery to keep up with the most demanding tech-lover.

• Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Quick Charge PowerCore+ 26800 PD
• EasyAcc Monster 26,000mAh Power Bank
• USB-C RAVPower 26,800mAh
• ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0 30,000mAh
• EcoFlow Tech River 412Wh
• Kenruipu 24,000mAh
• Maxoak 50,000mAh

Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Quick Charge / PowerCore+ 26800 PD

Anker brings two versions of the PowerCore+ 26800 to the market, one with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 and one with USB PD (Power Delivery). Both offer a whopping 26,800mAh capacity and are only 7.1 x 3.1 x .9 inches in size. This is a power bank that you probably can fit into your pocket!

The Quick Charge model also features PowerIQ so that non-Quick Charge devices can still charge at up to 3 amps and can be fully recharged in about 6.5 hours. It’s priced around $70.

The USB PD model features a 30-watt USB-C port capable of charging laptops like a MacBook or Chromebook as well as your phone. It can be fully charged in about four hours and costs right around $100.

See at Amazon (USB PD)

EasyAcc Monster 26,000mAh Power Bank

If you’re after more than just a pair outputs to keep your phones and tablets charged up, the EasyAcc Monster packs a 26,000mAh capacity and provides four USB ports as well as two Micro-USB inputs on the side that can work in tandem decrease recharge time up to 50%. With a total output of 4.8 amps, the more devices connected means a slower charge, but the overall convenience, functionality, and capacity outweigh reduced charging times.

Next to the USB outputs is a built-in LED flashlight that’s handy for seeing in the dark, and on top are four tiny lights that indicate how much battery life remains in the power bank. EasyAcc has added plenty of safety features to prevent any damage to your connected devices, too. You’ll pay about $47 for the EasyACC Monster.

See at Amazon

RAVPower USB-C 26,800mAh

The new USB-C RAVPower 26800 can output 30 watts through its USB-C port and has two “regular” USB ports that feature its iSmart technology to charge at up to 2.4 amps each. RAVPower says that its iSmart 2.0 system will automatically sense the correct charging current so that your devices that don’t use a fast-charging standard will still charge as fast as they are able. The USB-C port charges a MacBook at the same rate as the included charger, and can charge a Nintendo Switch while you’re playing.

Using both charging inputs, you can fully charge the RAVPower 26800 in 4.5 hours. The USB-C RAVPower 26800 costs about $80.

See at Amazon

ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0 30,000mAh

This beastly backup battery rocks an impressive 30,000mAh capacity that’s able to provide power to phones, tablets, and even laptops. It has a total of five USB ports three standard 1-amp outputs, one Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 output and one USB-C output so it’s compatible with almost everything.

It also features a rubber outer shell that makes the ZeroLemon ToughJuice V3.0 the most rugged power bank you’re likely to see. You’ll pay about $60 for it.

Remember, this power bank is too big to carry on a plane in the U.S. without talking to your airline first.

See at Amazon

EcoFlow Tech River 412Wh

This behemoth packs a wallop and comes at a steep price (about $600), but it’s your source for power when you wanna go totally off the grid for a while. This is the charging station you need for everything you take with you anywhere. It houses a 412Wh (that’s watt-hour) battery and features 11 independent outputs: 2 AC plugs, 4 USB ports, 2 USB-C ports, 2 DC ports, and a car charger.

It also has a solar panel, so you can take it anywhere and it’ll juice itself up (albeit incredibly slowly). Just note that, despite its AC outlets, the River won’t power a hair dryer or coffee maker (heating elements are no joke!).

That being said, our own Marc Lagace went into the forest and played electric guitar and did a whole bunch of other wild things; read his full review:

• The EcoFlow Tech River: Portable power wherever you need it: Full review

See at EcoFlow Tech

Kenruipu 24,000mAh

The name may sound a little funny, but the Amazon reviews don’t lie: this 24,000mAh power bank is great. It features four USB ports, and it has two ports to charge the bank itself: one Micro-USB and one USB-C, so you only need one charger to charge this and your Android phone.

The Kenruipu charger comes with its own AC adapter, comes in black or white, and costs around $31. If you’re looking for a quality budget option, then this is your best bet.

See at Amazon

Maxoak 50,000mAh

Maxoak’s high-capacity powerbank is portable, but it’s also about the size of a paperback novel. That’s what you get when you cram 50,000mAh into a portable battery bank, and this one should last you days if you’re out and about. Headed out of town on a camping trip for the weekend? You’ll likely be able to keep your phone charged the whole time with this and then some. It should also be able to charge most laptops (not MacBooks) a couple times over, and Maxoak even supplies 14 different power connectors. At about $136, it’s not cheap, but it is a lot of juice.

See at Amazon

A note on air travel: What you need to know

While traveling in the U.S., the Federal Aviation Administration allows you to carry a device (like a power bank) with up to a 100 Wh capacity. You are also able to carry a limit of two spare batteries between 101 Wh and 160 Wh with prior approval from your airline. All lithium batteries must be in your carry-on bag and can’t be stowed with checked luggage.

Most power banks list their capacity in mAh (milliamp-hours) and not Wh (watt-hours). Let’s do some conversion using a 3.7-volt average. You can calculate from Wh to mAh using this formula:

(mAh)/1000 x (V) = (Wh)

After some rounding off, that means you can bring a 26,800 mAh power bank on your flight. With approval, you can bring up to two 43,240 mAh (again, some rounding is used) along as well. Just be sure not to put them in your checked luggage!

Other countries may have different regulations, so you should check before you travel outside the U.S.

Updated April 2018: Updated pricing for each item and added the Maxoak 50,000mAh power bank.

What to expect from Mark Zuckerberg’s Congressional hearings

The next stop on Mark Zuckerberg’s apology tour is the United States Congress. On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Facebook co-founder and CEO will testify before the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and, later, the House Energy and Commerce Committee. This comes after weeks of uncertainty over whether Zuckerberg would agree to meet with lawmakers, following the Cambridge Analytica (CA) scandal that may have exposed the private information of up to 87 million users.

In preparation for his visit to Congress, Zuckerberg has been speaking to the media about how Facebook should’ve done a better job of protecting user data from being harvested by Cambridge Analytica. As we now know, CA is a UK-based political research firm with links to Donald Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign, which took advantage of Facebook’s APIs and secretly extracted people’s data from the site. “That was a huge mistake, and it was my mistake,” Zuckerberg told reporters last week in a call.

Zuckerberg has also taken responsibility for waiting more than two years to disclose that “breach of trust” from CA, which may have violated Facebook’s settlement agreement with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) from 2011. Back then, the agency accused Facebook of deceiving consumers by “telling them they could keep their information private and then repeatedly allowing it to be shared and made public.”

Facebook has spent the better part of the past couple of weeks announcing changes to its platform, such as an updated privacy policy that’s easier for users to understand and a new way for people to delete their data. The company also altered its developer framework to reduce the amount of personal data third-party apps can access, limiting that to a user’s name, profile photo and email address. In addition to that, Facebook has has been banning data firms that are extracting your data and using it for research or marketing purposes, like Cambridge Analytica did. Facebook says this only the start and we should expect more changes over the coming months.

But, despite these efforts and Zuckerberg’s mea culpa, he will still have plenty of questions to to answer from lawmakers in Washington, DC. One of the biggest will be why it took Facebook so long to reveal the Cambridge Analytica situation, not just to its users but to the US government. Zuckerberg also needs to address what Facebook is doing to ensure that something like this doesn’t happen again and earn users’ trust back. The company’s handling of the CA situation exposed Facebook’s lack of care in protecting user data from third-party applications and advertisers alike, the latter of which is its main source of revenue.

“[Zuckerberg] will need to account for Facebook’s failure to protect user data and its subsequent failure to take meaningful action in the years following the data breach.”

According to aides inside the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Commerce and the House Energy and Commerce Committee, who spoke to Engadget, Zuckerberg “will need to account for Facebook’s failure to protect user data and its subsequent failure to take meaningful action in the years following the data breach.” One of the main concerns lawmakers have, according to sources familiar with the preparations, is whether Facebook would have disclosed what happened with Cambridge Analytica had it not been for the reports from The New York Times and The Guardian. After all, the company was aware of the issue two and a half years ago.

Senate Democrats’ are particularly interested to hear what Zuckerberg and Facebook plan to do to protect consumer data going forward. And expect them to float the potential of tougher federal regulations. There’s going to be a conversation with Zuckerberg about what those could look like, not only for Facebook but other tech companies, as well. Lawmakers from both the Republican and Democratic parties feel strongly about instituting new regulations, and sources say they’ll likely want to talk to Zuckerberg about putting proposals on the table. Senators from both parties agree that the current system isn’t working and it doesn’t encourage companies to do the right thing until there’s a public outrage. In Facebook’s Cambridge Analytica case, that was years after the fact, which makes matter much worse.

Facebook co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg arrives on Capitol Hill on April 9th.

The main issue right now, according to multiple sources, is that the FTC is the primary body of oversight for Facebook, but the agency doesn’t have a strong enforcement power. For instance, if it turns out Facebook did violate its 2011 settlement, the company could only face fines for its second violation and not the original one. Lawmakers don’t believe that this was enough to coerce Facebook into being a better steward of consumer data and privacy, and those on the Democratic side think it’s time to empower the FTC to be a stronger regulator and protector of people’s digital information.

While much of the hearings will be focused around data and privacy, the sessions will also feature questions for Zuckerberg about Russia’s meddling in the 2016 US presidential election. Facebook’s role in that is no secret. The company revealed last year that more than 126 million of its users were exposed to Russian-backed accounts, and sources say Zuckerberg will need to address the efforts being made to ensure that Facebook isn’t being used as a malicious tool to influence upcoming elections in the US elections. He’s also expected to answer accusations of political bias within the company and detail efforts to thwart propaganda campaigns by extremists and terrorists.

Sources say that the hearings before the Senate Judiciary Committee, the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the House Energy and Commerce Committee aren’t just about grilling Zuckerberg about everything Facebook has done wrong up to this point. They will also be an opportunity for him to rebuild some trust, give reassurances and voice his vision for how Facebook is going to proactively protect user data.

A privacy-focused protest outside Facebook headquarters in 2010.

Getty Images

Earlier today, Congress released Zuckerberg’s prepared testimony for Wednesday’s hearing. In it, he echoed statements made to the media from last week week, saying that he takes full responsibility for everything that’s happened in the last couple of years. “It’s clear now that we didn’t do enough to prevent these tools from being used for harm as well. That goes for fake news, foreign interference in elections and hate speech, as well as developers and data privacy,” he said. “We didn’t take a broad enough view of our responsibility, and that was a big mistake. It was my mistake, and I’m sorry. I started Facebook, I run it, and I’m responsible for what happens here.”

Zuckerberg added that Facebook is working on new technologies, powered by artificial intelligence, designed to prevent abuse and remove fake accounts — one of the main ways used to exploit the platform leading up to the 2016 US presidential election. He also said he fully supports the Honest Ads Act, a legislative bill that proposes online advertising be regulated the same way print, radio and TV ads are. “This will help raise the bar for all political advertising online,” he said.

The joint hearing between the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will take place on April 10th at 2:15PM ET, while the one before the House Energy and Commerce Committee is April 11th at 10AM ET.

Images: Getty Images (All)

Apple ‘Likely’ to Face Sanctions in South Korea Over Unfair Carrier Contracts

Apple will likely face sanctions from the Korean Fair Trade Commission for unfair iPhone contracts that require local carriers to pay advertising and repair costs, reports The Korea Herald, citing industry sources.

Apple’s Korean division has been criticized for asking carriers to foot the bill for advertising costs, launch events, and iPhone repairs, leading to an investigation from the Fair Trade Commission. The Korean FTC recently agreed to impose penalties on Apple Korea and has contacted the company for an explanation before making a final decision on whether or not to impose sanctions.

According to The Korea Herald, three Korean carriers, SKT, KT, and LG Uplus, were directed by Apple to air TV commercials promoting the iPhone 8 and the iPhone X, but were reportedly required to pay for the commercials.

“When you see iPhone’s TV commercials here, everything is the same except for a telecom operator’s logo at the end of the commercials. Still, telecom firms should bear all the costs standing at billions of won,” said an executive of one of the three firms on the condition of anonymity.

Apple Korea has been under investigation in Korea since 2016, with the Korean Federal Trade Commission conducting raids in June 2016 and November 2017. It’s not clear what kind of fines the company could be facing in the country should the FTC move forward with sanctions.
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