HTC U12 Plus vs. OnePlus 6: The new kids battle for supremacy

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

If you’re looking for premium smartphone options outside of Samsung and Apple (and you really should be), then the latest flagships from HTC and OnePlus should be on your radar. As luck would have it, these two have been revealed close to each other, and they each provide incredible good looks, powerful hardware, and some amazingly fun new features.

But, chances are, you only have the budget for one, so which is better for you? We took a look to find out.

Specs

HTC U12 Plus
OnePlus 6

Size
156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7 mm (6.16 x 2.9 x 0.34 inches)
155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8 mm (6.13 x 2.97 x 0.31 inches)

Weight
188 grams (6.63 ounces)
177 grams (6.24 ounces)

Screen size
6-inch Super LCD
6.28-inch AMOLED display

Screen resolution
2,880 x 1,440 pixels (537 pixels per inch)
2,280 x 1,080 pixels (402 pixels per inch)

Operating system
Android 8.0 Oreo
Android 8.1 Oreo

Storage space
64GB, 128GB

64GB (with 6GB of RAM), 128GB, 256GB (both with 8GB of RAM)

MicroSD card slot
Yes
No

Tap-to-pay services
Google Pay
Google Pay

Processor
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845

RAM
6GB
6GB, 8GB

Camera
Dual 12MP and 16MP telephoto rear (both with OIS), dual 8MP lenses front
Dual 16MP and 20MP rear (both OIS), 16MP front

Video
Up to 4K at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps
2,160p at 60 frames per second, 1080p at 240 fps, 720p at 480 fps super slow motion, HDR

Bluetooth version
Bluetooth 5.0
Bluetooth 5.0

Ports
USB-C
3.5mm headphone jack, USB-C

Fingerprint sensor
Yes (back)
Yes (back)

Water resistance
IP68
No

Battery
3,500mAh

QuickCharge 3.0 (4.0 with adapter, not included)

3,300mAh

DashCharge

App marketplace
Google Play Store
Google Play Store

Network support
T-Mobile, AT&T, Verizon
AT&T and T-Mobile

Colors
Translucent Blue, Ceramic Black, Flame Red
Midnight Black, Mirror Black, Silk White

Price
Starting at $800
Starting at $530

Buy from

HTC, Amazon

OnePlus

Review score
Hands-on review
4.5 out of 5 stars

Performance, battery life, and charging

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

You’re going to get great performance regardless of your choice because both of these phones are powered by Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 845 processor, and it’s a beast that outpaces almost everything else on the market. While OnePlus put a lot into the OnePlus 6’s lightning fast speed, the performance on the U12 Plus isn’t to be sniffed at, either, and we’re reserving judgement until we’ve had a chance to properly test both.

In terms of battery life, you’re likely to see similar results from both of these hefty batteries — though the U12 Plus has the edge with 200mAh more capacity. We got at least a day out of the OnePlus 6, and we expect similar out of the U12 Plus. You won’t be able to wirelessly charge with either phone, despite the glass backs, but the snappy fast charging on both makes up for that. OnePlus’ Dash Charge offers some seriously fast charging, but the QuickCharge 3.0 (and optional QuickCharge 4.0 support) on the U12 Plus is also very speedy. There’s nothing to separate them here, so this category has to be a tie.

Winner: Tie

Design and durability

HTC U12 Plus Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

We’ve seen some jaw-droppingly beautiful phones in 2018, and these two are no exception. The OnePlus 6 has a bezel-less design, coupled with vertically stacked cameras on the rear and a cool, stadium-shaped fingerprint scanner. But it’s the glass back that’s the real draw here and the mirror-like reflective surface is incredible. OnePlus used multiple layers of glass to create the effect, and it’s clear the extra effort has been worth it. The HTC U12 Plus has a similar bezel-less design on the front, but flip it over and it’s definitely different. The arrangement of the cameras and fingerprint scanner reminds us of the LG V30, but like the OnePlus 6, it’s the glass back that’s the wow factor here. Specifically, the transparent effect on the Translucent Blue option. It’s very different, and not something we’ve seen from a recent flagship phone.

Moving on to durability — you don’t need us to tell you that glass is fragile. A protective case is a good idea with both the OnePlus 6 and the HTC U12 Plus. In terms of water resistance, only the HTC U12 Plus has any significant resistance, offering an IP68-rating that should make sure the phone survives a trip into the toilet, or into a puddle. The OnePlus 6 has a water-resistant coating on the phone itself, but nothing to stop ingress.

Design is a tough area to call, and we’re glad we have the difference in durability to break the stalemate here. The enhanced water resistance on the HTC U12 Plus wins this round.

Winner: HTC U12 Plus

Display

OnePlus 6 Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Like big screens? Good, because you’ll find large screens on both. You’ll find a 6-inch Super LCD display on the U12 Plus, running a 2,880 x 1,440-pixel resolution. It’s a bright, sharp screen with a pixels-per-inch (ppi) measurement of 537, making it pretty crisp. The 6.28-inch screen on the OnePlus 6 is huge, bright, and colorful — though you won’t get the same sharpness as you would on the HTC U12 Plus, with the OnePlus phone’s resolution maxing out at 2,280 x 1,080 pixels (402 ppi). However, the LCD in the U12 Plus can’t match the inky blacks you’ll get with the OnePlus 6’s AMOLED screen.

The HTC U12 Plus’s screen is big and beautiful, but we’re suckers for the inky blacks and vibrant colors on an AMOLED display. Despite the sharper HTC display, the OnePlus 6 takes this.

Winner: OnePlus 6

Camera

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

Hubble bubble, double trouble — both of these phones are rocking dual-lens cameras. You’ll find a 16-megapixel and 20-megapixel lens on the back of the OnePlus 6, while the HTC U12 Plus comes with a 12-megapixel and 16-megapixel duo for snapping goodness. We’ve not finished our tests on either of these phones yet, but the initial impressions of both are pretty good — though the HTC U12 Plus has passed DxOMark’s camera tests with flying colors, coming second only to the stupendous Huawei P20 Pro, so we’re expecting great things.

If you’re more of a fan of video, then you’ve come to the right place regardless, since both phones can shoot in 4K resolution at 60 frames per second. You’ll get more out of the OnePlus 6 though, as it offers slow-motion videos at 480 fps — the HTC U12 Plus can only manage 240 fps slo-mo. That said, the U12 Plus also comes with the Sonic Zoom video feature, which easily matches OnePlus’s slow motion, allowing you to focus on and boost the sound of your subject.

Which one you prefer is likely going to come down to personal preference. We suspect that the HTC U12 Plus will outperform the OnePlus 6 in our longer tests, but we wouldn’t bet the farm on that yet. This has to be a tie.

Winner: Tie

Software and updates

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Open up either of these phones and you’ll recognize the latest version of Android on both. The OnePlus 6 comes with a slightly altered version of Android — OnePlus’ own OxygenOS — but it’s easily used by anyone with previous Android experience. The same is true of the HTC U12 Plus, which is running mostly standard Android 8.0 Oreo, with a couple of HTC additions thrown in.

If you’re looking for devices that are likely to be updated to the latest versions of Android quickly then you’re also in luck — both OnePlus and HTC have excellent records with Android updates, being among the first brands to update their back catalog of phones when the newest version of Android surfaces. Expect to see Android P on both of these phones not too long after it arrives.

Winner: Tie

Special features

Julian Chokkattu/Digital Trends

The OnePlus 6 brings you flagship specs at a midrange price — as such, corners do have to be cut elsewhere to make sure the quality is kept high in the areas that count. That’s probably why you won’t see much in the way of special features on the OnePlus 6. You’ll find face unlock on the OnePlus 6, as well as an optional gesture-based navigation system that replaces the navigation keys — both similar to the iPhone X. There’s also the “Shelf,” which shows your most recent apps, contacts, and other information, for quick access.

In contrast, the U12 Plus comes with more special features than you can shake a stick at. The Edge Sense squeezable sides are back from the HTC U11, with the addition of a new, single-side squeeze command. The sensors will also sense which way you’re holding your phone, and not rotate the view if you’re lying on your side. HTC has also included “BoomSound,” making for better speaker quality.

Winner: HTC U12 Plus

Price

The HTC U12 Plus is currently up for pre-order from HTC’s website and Amazon, with prices starting at $800 for the 64GB model. You’ll need to be with specific carriers though, as it’s only certified to work on AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. The OnePlus 6 is a lot cheaper, with prices starting at just $530 — though it’ll only work on AT&T and T-Mobile.

Overall winner: HTC U12 Plus

The OnePlus 6 is one hell of a machine, with some incredible hardware and zippy software. However, money talks, and the HTC U12 Plus is just slightly stronger in a few categories, making it the phone to buy. However, if your budget isn’t up to tackling an $800 phone, then the OnePlus 6 is a strong choice. But otherwise, it’s the HTC phone all the way.

Editors’ Recommendations

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T vs. OnePlus 5: Is it worth it to upgrade?
• HTC U12 Plus vs. HTC U11: Is it time to upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: What difference does $300 make?
• OnePlus 6 vs. LG G7 ThinQ: Can the flagship killer sink LG’s latest?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus: Which big phone is better?

iOS photo app Camera+ is reimagined for the future of mobile photography

LateNiteSoft

A lot has happened since 2010 — Canon stopped making film cameras, smartphones still had single lenses and RAW photography was only available on advanced cameras. To keep up with all those changes and prep for the next decade or so of changes to mobile photography, the developer of the popular iOS photo app Camera+ has rebuilt the app from the ground up. Announced on May 29, Camera+ 2 is a redesigned photography app that keeps the original character but rebuilds the app for more speed and features.

Building on the 14 million downloads from the original Camera+, developer LateNiteSoft rebuilt the app to better support future features, along with using an identical interface when switching between iPhone and the iPad. Like the earlier version, the app includes both options for shooting and editing photos.

Camera+ 2 includes manual controls, along with a simpler interface for beginners that find the shutter speed, ISO and white balance options confusing. RAW shooting is built in, along with depth options for dual-lens cameras. The app’s depth-capture mode will save the depth map with the image, which allows the app’s editing interface to edit only the subject or only the background.

The iOS photo app is also equipped with shooting modes that determine the best time to take a shot. The smile detector will wait for a smile in a selfie or group shot before snapping the photo, while a stabilizer mode won’t shoot until you’re holding the phone still enough. The developer also says the app’s macro mode is exclusive to the app, but doesn’t detail how the tech helps the built-in camera shoot closer photos.

The app’s editing tools work with both images shot with Camera+ and for images inside the camera roll. The app’s Lightbox, a new feature stores the photos snapped in app while accessing the camera roll doesn’t require importing shots. Along with one-touch filters, the edits include advanced tools like layered filters and a tone curve.

The developer says that rewriting the program from the ground up helps the app capitalize on image processing technology in iOS 11, which speeds up edits and exports.

“A lot of things have happened in the 8 years since we first released the original Camera+. iPhone cameras have improved dramatically — not only in terms of sheer optical quality, but also in the array of technical and creative tools they provide,” the developers wrote in a blog post.

“Manual controls, RAW capture, depth editing are a few of the capabilities whose presence in a mobile phone was unthinkable just a couple of years ago. We decided it was time to rebuild Camera+ to prepare for the next 10 years of mobile photography.”

The rebuilt version sells for $3 — a slight increase from the original — but the update skips out on the previous in-app purchases.

Editors’ Recommendations

• These are the seven best RAW camera apps for Android and iOS
• 28 iOS 11 tips and tricks to help you navigate Apple’s latest update with ease
• Common iOS 11 problems and advice on how to handle them
• Escape reality with the best augmented reality apps for Android and iOS
• Best iOS app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps are free for a limited time

How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2018 keynote

With less than a week until Apple’s annual Worldwide Developer Conference (WWDC), predictions of what exactly will be unveiled are cropping up everywhere. The conference runs over the course of a week with a variety of sessions for developers, but the biggest announcements are presented at its traditional keynote at the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California.

For those who won’t be attending, Apple is still letting you in on all the action. Whether you’re watching on your iPad, Mac, or PC, we’ve got you covered on how to watch the WWDC 2018 keynote.

When does it start?

Apple will be livestreaming the WWDC keynote, so you can watch along as it happens. Taking place at the McEnery Convention Center on June 4, it starts at 10 a.m. PT.

For additional information, you’ll also want to download Apple’s official WWDC app which provides you with the event schedule, latest news, access to the livestreamed sessions, and more.

How to stream on a Mac

While some use browsers other than Safari on a Mac as their default, it’s the only one you’ll be able to stream the keynote from. You’ll also have to make sure your Mac’s operating system is up to date beforehand — running macOS Sierra 10.12 or later. Once the keynote starts, all you’ll need to do is open up Safari and click on Apple’s livestream link.

How to stream on Apple TV, iPad, or iPhone

For those using Apple TV — second-generation model or later — you can stream the keynote via AirPlay with the latest Apple TV software or tvOS. You’ll then be able to stream it via the Apple Events app which has already been updated ahead of the event.

If you have an older Apple TV model (second and third generation), the Events app shows up automatically on your screen. As for the fourth- and fifth-generation models, you’ll need to either download the app or make sure it’s updated to the latest version.

To stream on an iPad or iPhone, make sure your device is running iOS 10 or higher. You’ll also have to make sure to download the WWDC app via the app store. If you don’t want to download the app, you can also access the livestream through Safari the same way you would on a Mac.

How to stream on a Windows PC

For those who don’t own Apple products to watch the keynote on, there’s still an option for you. As long as you’re on a PC running Windows 10, you can stream the keynote using Microsoft Edge. Simply open the browser on your desktop and follow Apple’s WWDC2018 livestream link.

Apple also says other platforms may be able to access the stream using recent versions of Chrome or Firefox (MSE, H.264, and AAC required).

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s what to expect at Apple’s WWDC 2018: iOS 12, iPhone SE 2, and more
• At WWDC 2018, Apple to show off its latest software innovations
• These apps will help you make the most out of your Apple TV
• The best Apple Watch apps
• Apple Music vs. Spotify: Which service is the streaming king?

Google Pixel Buds: Everything you need to know!

Can these Bluetooth earbuds really be worth $159?

Google’s Pixel Buds were one of the under-the-radar announcements back at Google’s late-2017 launch event. With the Pixel 2, Pixelbook, Home Mini, Home Max and new services, a pair of Bluetooth earbuds kind of got lost in the shuffle. But with so many Android phones dropping the headphone jack, people are looking for a good pair of high-end Bluetooth headphones more often than ever — and now Google’s in on the game.

$159 is a lot to ask for a pair of seemingly simple wireless earbuds, so we’re here to give you all of the information you need before you decide to pick them up for yourself.

See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Read our complete review

For the full breakdown of the Pixel Buds experience, you’ll want to read my long-term review. I’ve spent months with the Pixel Buds, often using them as my only set of headphones for both phones and computers, and have seen the ups and downs of Google’s “smart” headphone play.

For a shorter version, catch a breakdown of the high points below.

Google Pixel Buds review: Wireless, and still encumbered

The fit is comfortable, but has a small trade-off

The Pixel Buds look different from any other earbuds out there. They have a shallow hard plastic earbud and a bit of a cord that’s used to form a loop to keep the bud in your ear. The earbud itself doesn’t have the typical soft rubber tip that goes deep in your ear, and that’s actually a good thing.

Easily the most comfortable wireless earbuds I’ve used.

The core feature of this design is comfort — these are easily the most comfortable earbuds I’ve ever placed in my ear. If it weren’t for the cord dangling on the back of my neck, I would forget they’re there — yes, they’re that comfortable. Part of that is the super light weight of the buds, but also how they rest in your ear rather than jamming down inside. The cord loop is difficult to adjust at first, but you get used to it.

On the other side of that coin, the Pixel Buds have almost no sound isolation. Because there’s nothing that goes into your ear to seal out the outside world, you still hear ambient sound. For someone riding a bike down a busy street that’s probably a good thing, and it makes talking on the phone via the Pixel Buds easier, but if you’re sitting in a cafe and want to concentrate it’ll be an annoyance.

Sound quality is surprisingly good

These are headphones, after all, so the sound quality is important — and it’s surprisingly good! Even with a general lack of sound isolation letting in lots of noise from your environment, you can get a good range of sound and even a little bit of bass out of these tiny buds. They get louder than I’d ever want for my hearing’s sake, but that lack of noise isolation also means that there’s a higher chance you’ll be turning the volume up a bit higher.

Are they as good as wired earbuds of the same size and cost? Nope. But they’re definitely better than what I experienced with the Gear IconX 2018 earbuds and are on par with larger “neckbud” type headphones I’ve used in the past. That’s pretty good for a relatively tiny pair of headphones, and will be good enough for most people — even if they don’t necessarily give you amazing quality for the money.

Bluetooth ‘Fast Pair’ is amazing

This isn’t something that’s specific to the Pixel Buds — you’ll find it on an increasing number of headphones — but the new Bluetooth Fast Pair feature is fantastic. Open the Pixel Buds case, unlock your phone, and with a tap you’re paired. It’s absolutely wonderful, and it removes one of the biggest pain points of Bluetooth headphones.

They work perfectly with non-Pixel phones (except one feature)

With “Pixel” in the name, it’s easy to think that the Pixel Buds are made to only work with Pixel phones — thankfully, that isn’t true. These are still Bluetooth headphones that can be paired with just about anything — Android phones, iPhones and even computers. Google’s new Fast Pair Bluetooth pairing works with other modern Android phones, and for everything else they can pair up just like normal Bluetooth headphones.

Google Assistant even works, again if you’re paired up to a modern Android phone. The only feature that doesn’t work is the real-time Google Translate function, which is limited to Pixel and Pixel 2 phones.

Google’s updates fixed two of the biggest complaints

It took months, but Google finally released a software update for the Pixel Buds to fix two of the biggest complaints with the headphones: accidental touches when taking them in and out, and not being able to easily switch between connected devices.

It took months, but Google finally fixed two of the biggest complaints in software.

The Pixel Buds still can’t detect when they’ve been removed from your ear, but you now have the next best thing — a triple tap on the right earbud immediately disconnects the Pixel Buds from your phone, so you can safely remove them without re-activating the touch controls. This also means you can let the Pixel Buds dangle on your neck for a bit while not in use without fear that they’ll activate things. When you want to re-connect, just triple tap again and it’ll jump back to your last-used device.

Speaking of devices, the same update also dramatically improved the experience of using the Pixel Buds with more than a single phone. You can now pair the Pixel Buds to multiple devices, and once pairing has happened once you can simply initiate a Bluetooth connection from any one of those devices and the Pixel Buds will connect. Whether that’s another phone, a tablet or a computer, it doesn’t matter — the Pixel Buds will always jump to the most recent connection request.

Google Assistant is FAST … and needs some polish

Though these aren’t the only proper “Google Assistant headphones,” this was my first experience with the feature — and consider me impressed. Rather than using “OK, Google” detection, the Pixel Buds trigger Assistant by pressing and holding on the right earbud to speak commands. Lift off of the earbud, and it finishes taking your input and does what you asked it to do.

It’s absolutely ridiculous how fast this is working when connected to my Pixel 2 XL. Most of the speed really comes from the fact that the Pixel Buds don’t have to guess when you’re done talking — as soon as you lift off of the earbuds, it knows you’re done and is ready to give you information back through the earbuds. But the responses come quickly as well.

The only issue, as ever with Assistant, is what it can actually do and how it fails. As we’ve experienced with Google Home, it’s tough to deal with a voice-only interface when things go wrong. Multiple times the Pixel Buds gave me a confirmation-type sound after speaking, only to do absolutely nothing. Rephrasing my question or retrying, it’d hear me and perform the action. Other actions, like “skip forward 30 seconds” while listening to a podcast work, but often didn’t resume playback after doing so. Saying “walking directions to X” pulls up the directions on my phone, but doesn’t give me step-by-step guidance in the earbuds.

Google’s list of suggested Assistant actions for the Pixel Buds is basically the same set of things you’d normally do with your phone, and that’s totally fine. But it’s how those things are manifested in an audio-only interface rather than on a screen that looks like it needs a little work.

Notifications can get annoying

As part of this Assistant-type functionality, the Pixel Buds also feed notifications from your phone into your ears. Rather than just send you the sound, it also gives you extra information, including the app that sent the notification and, if applicable, who sent it. It’s useful the first couple of times, and being able to double tap the right earbud to read the notification aloud and then also reply via voice is very cool in certain circumstances.

It just takes too damn long to manage notifications through voice and taps.

But considering the number of notifications most of us get, you’re likely going to be turning off this feature until you’re in a situation where you can’t actively look at your phone. Having a podcast or music paused for 5-10 seconds so you can try to tap and speak to manage a message in my earbuds just isn’t worth it. With dozens of notifications coming in every hour, you’re going to be spending a large amount of time managing things rather than concentrating on what you’re actually listening to — the whole reason you have headphones on in the first place.

A charging case? That seems fragile and annoying

Just like the Apple AirPods and Samsung Gear IconX 2018 earbuds, the charging case is a big part of the experience of the Pixel Buds — with 5 hours of charge, you need to let the them sleep in this case and charge back up periodically. Google loves fabric right now. Look at the Daydream View, Google Homes or new line of Pixel 2 cases — they’re all fabric. The same type of stuff makes up the Pixel Buds case.

The case is annoying to keep around, but you can’t argue with the battery life.

The case looks nice. The fabric on the outside and soft rubber on the inside are very friendly and easy to get acquainted with. Despite my early fears, the charging case has held up extremely well after months of use. The fabric isn’t faded or stained, and the hinge has even kept its shape.

There are magnets that suck the earbuds into place for charging, and another strong magnet to keep the lid closed. Three LEDs show the charging state of the case itself, and pressing a button shows the charge state of the buds that are inserted. Critically, the case charges the Pixel Buds another 4-5 times, meaning you can get 25+ hours of listening between the earbuds and case before you need to plug in — compare that to less than 10 hours for most other independent earbuds.

Live voice translation

The huge demo feature of the Pixel Buds was their ability to enable real-time voice translation. While it’s certainly unique and an amazing feature demo, it doesn’t really work like you think it would.

The first hurdle is that the Pixel Buds of course aren’t doing any of the translation themselves — they’re simply a Bluetooth audio conduit to your connected Pixel phone running the Google Translate app. The way this works, you hold out your phone to where the other person can speak to it, and then the audio is routed into your Pixel Buds. In the reverse, your voice is picked up by the Pixel Buds microphone and relayed out of the phone’s speaker.

Realtime translation is extremely difficult, and the Pixel Buds are awkward beyond that.

Technology-wise this is very impressive how the audio is being routed. But the whole experience is more awkward than using Google Translate on a phone with another person already is, as it seems a bit non-personal to be wearing headphones while trying to navigate another language.

Then you run into the other, smaller issue of Google Translate in general having trouble picking up nuance, slang and sentence structure and trying to bring it over to another language. Real-time language translation is really hard, and Google’s one of the best at it, but it still isn’t great. For the most part, Google Translate still breaks languages down to their most common sentences, leaving you and other person both sounding like they’re speaking like a 10-year-old kid. That isn’t inherently an issue with the Pixel Buds, but it does create one more barrier to this promised experience of smooth, natural translation on the fly.

See at Best Buy
See at Google Store

Update May 2018: Now that they’ve been out for several months, here’s all of the latest information you need to know about Google’s headphones.

Portable hard drives, Bluetooth headphones, graphics cards, and more are on sale today

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

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on internal PC components, Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones, portable 4TB hard drives, and more! Time’s running out to take advantage of these prices, so hurry!

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!

Random Android bug shows your recent texts if you search ‘the1975..com’

Oh my hair smells like chocolate.

As awesome as technology is, it’s not uncommon for bugs/glitches to pop up every now and then. If just the slightest thing goes awry, a multitude of unexpected things can happen. Most recently, Android users have been discovering a particularly odd one that causes your recent texts to show up when searching for very specific words on Google Search.

First spotted by a few Redditors over Memorial Day weekend in the U.S., typing the1975..com into Google Search on an Android phone causes your most recent text messages to pop up.

The Redditor that initially caught this was apparently trying to go to the website for The 1975 rock band (who are really great if you’ve never listened to them), but after accidentally entering two periods instead of one, stumbled across this little gem.

Shortly after this, another user discovered that searching Vizela viagens, Izela viagens, and Zela viagens does the same thing.

As worrisome as this may seem, it’s not something you should be too concerned about. Turning off SMS permissions for the Google app prevents this bug from popping up, meaning that it’s a local issue and not something that someone can remotely trigger.

Even so, it’s still weird as hell. Some of the AC crew tried it out, and we’ve been able to confirm this happens on the Pixel 2, OnePlus 6, and Galaxy S8. If you’re worried, just make sure you’ve got a secure lock screen setup so any of your pesky/nosy friends can’t go snooping about your messages.

Best Android Phones in 2018

Belkin’s New Wireless Charging Stand and Wireless Charging Pad Are Now Available

Belkin at CES debuted new wireless charging accessories, including the Belkin Boost Up Bold Wireless Charging Pad and the Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Stand, both of which are now available for purchase.

The Belkin Boost Up Bold Wireless Charging Pad is similar to the existing Belkin Boost Up Charging Pad, but it comes in a variety of colors that include pink, navy, black, and white.

It offers up to 10W output for fast charging on all Qi-enabled devices, and it supports the 7.5W charging necessary for fast wireless charging on the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

The Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Stand features the same circular design and the same colors as the Bold, but it features a frame that holds the iPhone in an upright position allowing the iPhone to be charged in landscape or portrait mode without the need for it to be flat on a table.

Like the Charging Pad, the Charging Stand supports the faster 7.5W wireless charging specification for the iPhone.

Belkin’s Bold Wireless Charging Pad is priced at $60, while the Wireless Charging Stand is priced at $70. Both can be purchased today from the Belkin website or from Amazon.com (Pad) (Stand).

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with Belkin and may receive a small commission when you purchase a Belkin product.

Tag: Belkin
Discuss this article in our forums

Drone to the rescue: Hawaii resident saved from Kilauea’s lava flows

Drones are fast becoming an invaluable tool for emergency response teams engaged in search and rescue operations. On the island of Hawaii, for example, the technology is being used right now to move people out of harm’s way as lava continues to pour from Kilauea volcano.

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) this week described how live-streamed video from one of its unmanned aerial vehicles helped guide emergency responders to a resident whose home looked to be on the verge of getting swallowed up by the lava flow. Live footage from the flying machine was then assessed by a remote team so that it could direct the rescue group along the safest escape route.

“[The drone] helps prompt and guide evacuations and led to the successful rescue of a resident after a lava pond outbreak sent a very fast pahoehoe flow” down one of the Big Island’s streets, the USGS said in a Twitter post on Wednesday, May 30.

Footage posted with the tweet (below) shows the actual video captured by the drone, which the rescue team was able to use in real time as they tackled the hazardous conditions.

“Follow the drone to safety.” USGS UAS mission in Kīlauea volcano’s lower East Rift Zone on 5/27/18 helps guide evacuations and leads to the successful rescue of a resident after a lava pond outbreak sends a fast pāhoehoe flow down Luana Street. https://t.co/S3nUtwYMdM pic.twitter.com/kpfjQI9pOX

— USGS Volcanoes (@USGSVolcanoes) May 30, 2018

The situation on the ground looks precarious to say the least, and it’s safe to say the resident must have been feeling pretty terrified as the lava flow closed in. The live data from the drone allowed the rescue team to follow a safe path, and if you look carefully you can see their flashlights scanning the scene when they make it to the property. Once they reached the resident, the team was then guided to an available evacuation route, safely removing them from the danger area.

As Discover magazine points out, the recent rescue effort was prompted when a USGS drone flight spotted new, rapid lava flows from one of the volcano’s fissures. The situation became all the more urgent when it was apparent that vital escape routes looked as if they were about to be blocked.

Drone technology is clearly proving a real boon for volcanologists, as well as the emergency management teams that work with them. The remotely controlled flying machines offer a safe way to get up close to active volcanoes, providing geologists with up-to-the-minute data on the direction and extent of lava flows, and valuable information regarding developments on and around the volcano over a longer period of time.

When every second counts, real-time data is everything, and drones are proving to be an indispensable tool in the battle to protect lives on the Big Island as the lava continues to flow.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Our ‘Fortnite: Battle Royale’ building tips and tricks will help you survive
• Drone to the Rescue: Hawaii Resident Saved From Kilauea’s Lava Flows
• Drones are no longer crash-test dummies thanks to MIT’s new VR training platform
• Yuneec Breeze review
• Clorox won’t cut it. Volcanologists explain what it takes to clean up after Kilauea

Scotland has a rehab clinic for people who are addicted to trading bitcoin

If you find yourself taking the “hold on for dear life,” or HODL, stance toward cryptocurrency to the extreme, and can’t help yourself when it comes to buying cryptocurrency, you may be addicted. That’s the view of experts at the Scotland-based Castle Craig Hospital, which expanded its rehab services to cover cryptocurrency addiction earlier this month.

Experts have long compared the thrill of cryptocurrency to day trading, both of which entail high degrees of risk. You’re essentially gambling with your money with crypto and with day trading, and the thrill of massive returns — and the potential addictive effects — create an emotional dependence that is not much different from gambling addiction.

“The high risk, fluctuating cryptocurrency market appeals to the problem gambler,” Castle Craig gambling therapist Chris Burn says. “It provides excitement and an escape from reality. Bitcoin, for example, has been heavily traded and huge gains & losses were made. It’s a classic bubble situation.”

Similar to those that might be addicted to casino table games or slots, the addicted trader spends most if not all of their money on cryptocurrency, and will “chase” their losses in attempts to win back lost money. They may borrow excessively or even steal, or experience mood swings and obsessive thoughts and actions, the hospital says.

Castle Craig plans to treat addicts using the same methods used for excessive gambling. Cognitive behavioral therapy is the primary tool, and teaches the person how to accept responsibility for their addiction and coping strategies, finding positive activities to replace the need for cryptocurrency trading, and most importantly how to manage their debts and finances appropriately.

The help is not cheap: according to WikiTribune, Treatments start at 2,975 British pounds (about $4,000) per week for a multi-occupancy room all the way up to 4,970 pounds (about $6,600) weekly for a private room. Considering most addiction programs are multi-step processes — Castle Craig’s is 12 — treatment could easily run into the tens if not hundreds of thousands of dollars.

While most won’t be able to afford the treatment out-of-pocket, the company says it offers payment plans, and in some cases a portion of the cost might be covered under public or private insurance. The company also operates clinics in at least six other European countries, however it’s not immediately clear if the program will be offered at those locations.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The tech behind cryptocurrency could save lives by fixing medical records
• Become a cryptocurrency master with these online Bitcoin courses
• Addicted to your smartphone? Ironically, there is an app for that
• Bitcoin put him on the street. Then it made him a fortune
• Shocking the brain with electricity can prompt people to remember old dreams

Smarten up your old-fashioned watch with the Montblanc Twin Smart Strap

If you haven’t joined the smartwatch revolution yet, you’ve likely got a good reason for doing so. Maybe you’re really attached to your watch, and replacing it with a new device seems wrong when your current timepiece functions just as well for telling the time or finding north without a compass. German luxury watch manufacturer Montblanc has heard your keening cries and introduced the Twin Smart Strap, which can turn most classic watches into a smart device, capable of step tracking, digital payments, and more.

The Montblanc Twin Smart Strap is formed of two different parts — the comfortable watch strap, and a smart module with a curved screen. The strap is made from a high-quality rubber composite and topped with a variety of materials to match the user’s style, with black calf leather, vintage brown calf leather, black nylon, and black and grey striped nylon options available at launch. It also comes in 20mm and 22mm versions, meaning it should be able to connect to most male watch horns.

The smart module itself sits within the strap’s mechanical clasp, is made from high-quality stainless steel, and comes with an IP68-rating to help it resist rainwater and other accidental dips. The smart module’s screen is a curved monochrome AMOLED display, sitting underneath what Montblanc refers to as “elegant protective glass.” Users will be able to read notifications from the Twin’s display, will give LED and vibration alerts, and will be able to use NFC payment services with Montblanc Pay — a new payment service that Montblanc tells us was developed with Mastercard and Visa.

Users will use the iOS companion app to connect up to five cards for Montblanc Pay, as well as accessing the strap’s more in-depth features. A feature called “Memories” will sync up with the user’s iPhone, copying calendar events into the app, and connecting associated images. Montblanc says it hopes flicking back through Memories will create a deep emotional bond between users and the device. There has been no mention of an Android app at this time, and we have reached out to Montblanc for comment on this.

The Montblanc Twin Smart Strap will be available from Montblanc in August, with prices starting at 390 euros (around $455).

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to watch March Madness online
• Want a smart home? Start with these best smart home devices
• Casio GPW-B1000 Rangeman hands-on review
• Secure your home from your wrist with an August lock and Apple Watch app
• August Smart Locks now work alongside Apple HomePod for easier door locking