Best AT&T Phones in 2018

• Best overall
• Best phablet
• Best for video
• Most durable

Best overall

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

See Galaxy S9 at AT&T
See Galaxy S9+ at AT&T

We’ve officially arrived at our beautiful, bezel-less future, and the Galaxy S9 is a near-perfect example of what constitutes as innovative smartphone design. The curved glass looks and feels unlike anything else, and Samsung managed to pull off a nearly edge-to-edge display without resorting to a notch. The good news, too, is that despite the Galaxy S9’s slimmer design, there’s still a headphone jack.

Inside, the Galaxy S9 sports the latest processor and enough RAM to fuel you through marathon multitasking sessions. You can choose between the 5.8-inch Galaxy S8 with a 3000mAh battery or 6.2-inch Galaxy S8+ with a 3500mAh battery.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S9 is the best Android phone for most people, with some of the best specs and cameras on the market.

One more thing: Though beautiful, the curved glass design is very fragile — you’re going to want to use a case with either of these phones.

Why the Galaxy S9 is the best

With the Galaxy S9, Samsung packs everything and the kitchen sink.

No matter which size you pick, it’s hard to go wrong with the Galaxy S9. It packs the latest and greatest specifications, including the powerful Snapdragon 845 processor, and covers every base from wireless charging to Bluetooth 5.0 and yes — even a headphone jack. The Galaxy S9 also has one of the best displays around, with a tall 18.5:9 aspect ratio and incredible color reproduction.

The Galaxy S9’s 12MP camera also takes incredible photos with dual apertures, along with stunning 960fps slow-mo video. The phone also has access to Samsung Pay, which works at more terminals than any other mobile payment service.

Best phablet

Samsung Galaxy Note 8

See at AT&T

Though the Galaxy S9 and S9+ are a bit newer, the Galaxy Note 8 is still the phablet you should reach for if you value productivity over all else. You get a little bit of extra screen and a bump to 6GB of RAM inside to augment all of the same great specs and features of the smaller phones. Plus, you get a dual camera system similar to the S9+ with a secondary telephoto lens for close-up shots.

Then of course you also have the S Pen stylus, which unlocks productivity and artistic angles you simply can’t get in any other phone. At over $900 you pay for the privilege, but you also know you’re getting Samsung’s biggest phablet yet.

Bottom line: With its larger screen and S Pen, the Galaxy Note 8 is one of Samsung’s most powerful phones.

One more thing: Like last year’s Galaxy S8 and S8+, the Note 8 has an awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor that may frustrate some users.

Best for video

LG V30

See at AT&T

It took a while, but LG’s new flagship is out and it’s great. The LG V30 takes many design cues from the Galaxy S8+, but that’s not a bad thing — you get a thin and classy metal-and-glass build that has a nice balance to it. Inside you get top-end specs, and around back is LG’s great dual camera setup with a wide-angle shooter continues to stand out.

Within the camera software, the V30 features some of the most robust controls ever featured on a phone. On-the-go videographers will appreciate useful tools such as manual focus, focus peaking, directional audio, LUTs, and LOG video.

Bottom line: There’s simply no better phone for mobile filmmaking than the LG V30.

One more thing: LG’s software can be an acquired taste, but it doesn’t offer any steeper of a learning curve than the Samsung phones listed here.

Most durable phone

Samsung Galaxy S8 Active

See at AT&T

The Galaxy S8 Active offers the same experience as last year’s Galaxy S8 in terms of specs, power, software and camera, but it does so with a heftier outer shell and a shatter-resistant flat display. That means it can take a beating, and hold up to more than a standard S8 in a bulky case. It also gets a huge bump in battery capacity to go with it.

The GS8 Active is still pricey for being almost a year old, but if you’re someone who needs to have the extra robustness without losing out on features or power, it may be worth the extra money.

Bottom line: The Galaxy S8 Active is a more durable, longer-lasting version of the S8 proper.

One more thing: The coating used on the shatter-resistant display is more susceptible to scratching than standard Gorilla Glass panels.

Updated April 2018: The Galaxy S9 and S9+ have replaced last year’s S8/S8+ as our top recommendations, and the LG V30 claims the title of best for video.

This popular TP-Link smart plug is back down to its lowest price ever

Lowest barrier of entry for you to start your smart home is right here.

The TP-Link smart plug is down to $19.99 on Amazon, which is a match for its lowest price. It normally sells for closer to $30. The mini version, which takes up less space, is available for just a few dollars more if you’d prefer it.

This is one of the easiest ways to start adding smart home elements to your appliances. It needs no hub and comes with a free app. So all you have to do is plug it in, connect it to your Wi-Fi, download the free app, and you can turn whatever you’ve plugged into it on and off with your phone.

If you do already have an Echo Dot or something similar, you can connect it to that easily to enable voice control. The smart plug has 4.3 stars based on more than 18,000 user reviews.

See on Amazon

Six months later, Google Lens still isn’t great

I know it’s a preview, but I want to use this every day.

For a company aimed at being the knowledge graph of the entire planet, image-based AI services are an obvious thing for Google to want to get right. And for anyone using Google Photos over the last couple of years, you know there have been huge strides made in enhancing these capabilities. Facial and object recognition in Google Photos, can be incredible, and there’s a lot of good that can come from using these features in the real world. Being able to offer a camera with the ability to rapidly identify storefronts and street signs to visually impaired people alone is incredible.

Google Lens is headed in the right direction, but it’s clearly not ready for daily use just yet.

As a Google Pixel owner, I’ve had access to Lens for six months now. This beta period for Lens has been a little clumsy, which is to be expected. I point Lens at an unusual book a friend of mine had, and instead of telling me where I can buy that book for myself I get a text snippet from the cover identified. I ask Lens to scan a photo of a movie theater marquis, it has no idea what is in the photo and does not offer me the ability to but tickets for the show like it was supposed to. I take a photo of my Shetland Sheepdog, Lens identifies her as a Rough Collie. Alright, so that last one is nearly impossible to get right in a photo, but the point is Google Lens doesn’t reliably do most of the things it claims to be able to do yet.

To Google’s credit, the things Lens gets right it gets right fast. I love being able to use Lens for real-time language translation. Point Lens at a menu written in another language, you will get immediate translations right on the page as though you were looking at the menu in English the whole time. Snap a photo of a business card, Lens is ready to add that information to my contacts book. I’ve used individual apps for these features that have worked reasonably well in the past, but unifying these features in the same place I access all of my photos is excellent.

I’m also aware that this is still very early days for Lens. It says ‘Preview’ right in the app, after all. While Pixel owners have had access to the feature for half a year, most of the Android world has only had access to it for a little over a month at this point. And when you understand how this software works, that’s an important detail. Google’s machine learning information relies heavily on massive contributions of knowledge, so it can quickly sift through it all and use thing that have been properly identified to better identify the next thing. It could be argued Google Lens has only just begun its beta test, now that everyone has access to it.

At the same time, Lens was announced a full year ago at this point, and I still can’t reliably point it at a flower and have it tell me which kind it is. It’s a cool thing to have access to, but I sincerely hope Google is able to make this feature something special in the not-too-distant future.

Instagram’s ‘Data Download’ lets you save all your content offline

Available now on desktop, coming soon to Android and iOS apps.

Earlier this month, Instagram announced that it was working on a tool to allow users to download and save offline copies of their data. Today, that tool is being launched as Data Download.

Data Download is rolling out to Instagram now, with access currently available on the web and coming soon to the Android and iOS apps. You’ll find Data Download within your privacy settings, and after requesting your info, it’ll be compiled and delivered within a matter of hours/days.

Once your data is ready to go, you’ll have offline copies of your photos, videos, any stories you’ve archived, comments, direct messages, and your profile info.

Why is Instagram just now releasing something like this? While Data Download should have been in place a while ago, it also ensures that Instagram is in compliance with the European Union’s new GDPR privacy law that’ll officially go live on May 25, 2018.

If you want to check out Data Download for yourself right now, here’s what you need to do:

Go to Instagram from your computer
Click on your profile and then the gear icon
Choose Privacy and Security
Scroll down and click Request Download under the Data Download section
Enter your email and click Next

Download: Instagram (free)

Test your hostage negotiation skills in ‘Detroit: Become Human’ demo

Detroit: Become Human is out at the end of next month, but you can get a taste of it today. The PlayStation 4 exclusive has a demo out today on the PlayStation Network Store (where else would it be?). It might look a little familiar if you’ve been paying attention to the game, too, centering on the hostage negotiation scene from the game’s E3 debut two years ago. Last year, press at the show got to go hands on with this section, searching a glitzy Motor City high-rise apartment for clues and evidence before dealing with a rogue robot nanny holding a gun to his charge’s head.

The file is just under 3GB according to the PSN Store listing, and exploring every nook and cranny can take over an hour. If you just finished God of War and are looking for something a little less intense as a palette cleanser, this could be right up your alley.

Via: Eurogamer

Source: PlayStation, PlayStation Blog

Instagram Stories now allows multiple photo and video uploads at once

Instagram will now let users upload multiple pictures and videos to their Stories at once. When uploading media, you’ll now see an icon at the top right corner of your screen and tapping it will allow you to select up to ten photos or videos at a time. They’ll upload in the order in which you select them and you can edit each one individually. Additionally, when sharing a photo, even if you’re not in the area where you took it, Instagram’s location sticker will suggest places near the spot where you snapped the photo.

Recently, Instagram also introduced the capability to take a portrait-like photo with a new Focus mode and began testing its version of Snapchat’s Snapcodes that let users follow someone else by scanning a custom tag rather than inputting their info.

The new bulk upload feature is rolling out now to Android users now. It will launch on iOS in the coming weeks.

Source: Instagram

Discord comes to Xbox for integrated chats

Discord added an SDK to make it easier for friends to jump into each other’s games and even added Spotify integration, but the service has stood on its own as a scrappy alternative to much bigger fish like Xbox Live. Which is what makes the company’s new collaboration with Microsoft so interesting: Now you can link your Discord profile to your Xbox account, allowing players on Xbox One and PC to share their activity with friends and join games.

For console owners, Xbox Insiders will be able to link their Discord account to their Xbox Live account first before it rolls out to the greater community soon. Navigate to ‘Account Settings’ in the service’s menu and pick ‘Linked social accounts,’ where you’ll find the option to link to Discord.

PC owners will get to join the fun ‘in the coming weeks,’ but they’ll link up through the Discord app. An Xbox Live option will appear in the Connections tab under User Settings for users to link to their Xbox account. After either method, friends in the same Discord servers will be able to see what you’re playing on Xbox Live.

Via: Polygon

Source: Xbox Wire

The 65th anniversary Corvette is a performance beast for data nerds

The Corvette is 65 years old. Take a moment to let that sink in. Typically, in your sixties, you slow down. You relax and if you’re lucky, settle into a nice long retirement. The 2018 Z06 Carbon 65 convertible is doing none of those things.

If anything, Chevrolet has produced one of the best Corvettes ever. It’s fast (duh), but thanks to lightweight materials and an onboard data tracking system, the Vette is ready for the new generation of drivers to take the wheel. Just be ready to drop a lot of cash. Like, all your cash.

At $111,000 the Carbon 65 special edition Corvette will drain your savings. But, if you do cash out your 401k for the special edition convertible, you’ll join a special group of owners. Chevrolet is only building 650 of these, and I got a chance to spend time in number 140.

When you sit in the Z06 it’s immediately apparent that it’s made for weekends at the track. With 650 horsepower and 650 pounds of torque and a zero to 60 time of 2.9 seconds, it’s unlikely you’re going to get the full experience of the car (unless your cool with collecting tickets like they’re Pokemon). You need a road without other drivers and the cops. And Chevy is practically encouraging that with new features.

For drivers that want to go faster than the law allows while simultaneously learning how to be better behind the wheel, the automaker has introduced the Performance Data Recorder (PDR). The onboard computer tracks 34 channels of performance while recording video. It replaces the aftermarket GoPro mounted to the windshield and performance tracking systems drivers place in their track cars with an easy to understand and use the system.

The recorder fires up directly from the infotainment system with only two taps. It’s so simple, on the first try I thought I missed a few steps. Sure, it said it was recording, but was it really? To my delight after pushing the stop button and parking the car, I was able to watch back my drive right there with data overlays of my speed, tachometer, which gear I was in, and what g-force I was pulling around corners. It’s super nerdy, yet simultaneously helpful.

For example, you might be that person that veers out of their lane while cornering but don’t really notice. With evidence right there in front of you, you’ll start to make a conscious effort of staying in your lane on switchbacks. The rest of us on the road will also appreciate it.

The teaching tool only gets better when you transfer the video (stored on an SD card in the glove compartment) to the Cosworth application (Windows only). The app displays your drive on a map along with an incredible amount of detail, such as steering angle or pressure applied to the brakes and accelerator. It’s an extravaganza of data that should appease both data nerds and car nuts.

My biggest fault with the system is that the videos are only 720p. They’re good enough for Twitter and Facebook sharing, but if you watch them on your TV, the quality is disappointing.

Sure, with all that power, you might be tempted drift your way around every corner, and thankfully the steering feels precise. The result is that I always felt completely in control of the situation. Plus, the car feels lighter than previous generation Corvettes thanks to an aluminum frame and carbon fiber everywhere.

The interior is pure sports car. The racing seats keep you from sliding around the cabin during your recreations of the Fast and Furious. But after three or four hours they do start to wear on your body especially if you happen to skip cardio days at the gym. The steering wheel is wrapped in carbon fiber and suede. The latter for better grip. Everything in the car is driver-centric — the center dash is pointed so far away from the passenger their climate controls are mounted on to the very right below the vent.

The infotainment system suffered just a hint of latency. I hoped Chevrolet would update it for the 65th anniversary Vette. Alas, it’s adequate and with Android Auto and CarPlay support, you’ll likely only use it for the PDR. The dash cluster, on the other hand, is a wealth of knowledge from the typical speed limits and tire pressure to a timer that tracks your zero to 60 runs (and tells you how warm your tires are).

Then there’s the secret compartment. Well, it’s not really a secret, there’s a big button that says “screen” next to it. When you push that, the 8-inch display lowers to reveal an additional storage area revealing enough room for my phone, wallet and sunglasses. When friends would get in the car expecting me to do donuts at every intersection (I didn’t), instead I’d show them the compartment. In a car which has a trunk that’s capable of transporting two pieces of carry-on luggage and not much else, any additional storage is welcome.

That little storage area is like the rest of the Corvette. Fun but completely impractical — which is what a sports car should be. It’s something you drive to go fast even though 80 percent of the time, you’re not going to use more than 10 percent of it’s potential.

But the potential to do easily do donuts in abandoned parking lots is there and when you do find a stretch of empty road in the desert or make it to the track, the car delivers. That said, you really don’t have to drop over $100,000 to put a Corvette in your garage.

Let’s take a quick look at that $111,000 price point of the Carbon 65 version. Again Chevy will only make 650 of these so you’re probably not going to get one anyway. Plus, there’s a Z06 Corvette with a manual transmission (you should only buy this car with manual transmission) starting at about $80,000. That’s still a lot of money but for the power and features you’re getting, it’s a steal compared to offerings from Porsche, Ferrari, Audi and other automakers.

Plus it’s just a fun car to be in. Of course, once you’re over the age of 40 everyone thinks you’re having a mid-life crisis (and maybe you are) when you’re seen in the vehicle. And again it’s one of the least practical cars you can purchase. But who cares, it’s a Corvette and after 65 years it still quickens the pulse and with the PDR system, you can note the exact moment that happened.

What’s left of Yahoo slapped with $35 million fine over 2014 data breach

In 2014, Yahoo suffered a breach that exposed personal data for 500 million users — but they refused to tell anyone and the news didn’t break until late 2016. For failing to disclose the incident and inform anyone affected, the company formerly known as Yahoo! (now Altaba, consisting of the parts that didn’t merge with Verizon to become Oath) has agreed to pay the SEC a $35 million fine.

Yahoo’s information security team found out that Russian hackers had made off with personal data days after the December 2014 breach. The thieves made off with usernames, email addresses, phone numbers, birthdates, encrypted passwords and security questions, according to the SEC’s order. Despite having that information, Yahoo’s senior management didn’t properly investigate the incident or disclose it to investors and affected users. In fact, the breach was only made public two years later when the corporation was in the process of closing an acquisition deal with Verizon.

But Yahoo wasn’t primarily fined for misleading affected users, however — it’s for the two years of quarterly and annual reports the company filed that didn’t confess the breach or its business and legal implications. Yahoo even hid the incident from auditors and outside counsel that would have told the company whether it was obligated to include the intrusion in its filings to begin with. Whatever the case, this settlement closes the door on one of the largest consumer data breaches in history.

Source: SEC

Facebook continues to limit access to user data for third-party apps

In the wake of all the trouble from Cambridge Analytica’s access and misuse of data, Facebook continues to update its policies around third-party access to user data. At the beginning of April, Instagram announced that it would be limiting third-party apps’ ability to pull data from the photo-sharing company’s API. Now, parent company Facebook has released more product and policy changes of its own to protect the privacy of its users (and totally save face). The changes include provisions around the transfer of data outside the Facebook app, the use of service providers, data processing by technology partners and how Facebook monitors compliance with its own terms.

Many APIs will be deprecated, making it so they no longer work for developers of third-party apps. The Events API will no longer allow apps to RSVP to events for you, and two analytics tools will no longer offer app event metrics or exports from the analytics app. Third-party apps will also no longer be able to publish posts to Facebook for you via the Facebook Login API. Apps that currently have those permissions will only be able to do so until August 1st. Additionally, developers won’t be able to use the Graph API to pull the name and bio of users that comment on posts on Instagram anymore; usernames and comments will remain, however.

Apps that publish to Pages via the Live API will be restricted to approved partners only. Developers have until the 1st of August to apply to the approved partner system. This will be required to keep publishing live and video on demand to Pages. Apps in development mode will have their call limits set to 200/page/app/hour, as well. Development apps will also only have access to info on admin, developer or tester users. Organic targeting, based on gender and language will also be deprecated for posts made with a third-party app. Some age-gating will still be allowed in a limited way. Apps won’t be able to attach their name or logo to images in Messenger. Developers will also no longer be able to call for information on where photos were tagged, effective immediately.

Via: TechCrunch

Source: Facebook