How to Organize Your Mac’s Desktop With Stacks in macOS Mojave

If you’re someone that has a lot of files on your desktop, you’re going to love the new Stacks feature in macOS Mojave, which is designed to organize all of your files into neat little piles on your desktop, getting rid of clutter.

Unfortunately, Stacks is an option that’s limited to the desktop and not available within individual file folders.

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Enabling and Disabling Stacks

Toggling Stacks on and off is done with just a couple of clicks on the desktop. When at the desktop, right click to bring up the desktop options menu, and then choose the “Stacks” option.

You can also use the Finder to enable Stacks.

Open a Finder window.
In the menu bar at the top of the Mac, go to View.
Check the “Use Stacks” option.
Turning on Stacks will automatically organize your files by file type. Some of the available Stacks include documents, images, PDF documents, spreadsheets, other, and screenshots.

Files on the desktop before enabling Stacks.
If you want to turn Stacks off and go back to a full view of all the files on the desktop, right click again and uncheck the Stacks option. Alternatively, reverse the Finder steps.

Files on the desktop after enabling Stacks.

Viewing Files in a Stack

If you want to view all of the files that are contained within a Stack, just click, and it will expand the Stack and put a little arrow on the Stack’s name so that you know which Stack you’re viewing.

With the Stack expanded, if you click on a file, it will open up in whatever app is set to be the default app for that file type.

Click on a stack to expand it to see the files inside.
When done, click the Stack again to collapse it back down into an organized pile.

To open up all of your Stacks at once, option click on the any Stack, which will expand all of the desktop Stacks at once. Option click again on any of the open Stacks to close them all.

Option click on any Stack to expand all Stacks.
Tip: If for some reason you want to open up or close all of your Stacks with a slower expanding/collapsing animation, shift click instead of just clicking regularly.

Customizing Stacks

Stacks are organized by file type by default, but you can change the Stack organizational system, grouping your files by Date Last Opened, Date Added, Date Modified, Date Created, and Tags.

Open Finder.
In the menu bar, click on the View option.
Select the “Group Stacks By” option.
Choose one of the available options to change the way your Stacks are sorted.
The most powerful sorting option in Stacks is of course Tags, which are user set and can be used to identify certain types of files, such as all documents relating to a specific topic.

When grouped by one of the date options, Stacks will be listed in increments of Today, Yesterday, Previous 7 Days, Previous 30 Days, and then after that, by year.

Stacks when sorted by creation date.

Further Stacks Options

If you want to stick one of your Stacks into a folder, you can do so by right clicking on one of the Stacks and selecting the “New Folder With Selection” option.

Using the same right click options that are available when a Stack is selected, you can open the files, open them in a specified app, rename files, share files, compress files, send files to trash, and more. You basically have all of the same organizational options that you would have selecting any group of files on your desktop, but without the need to select them manually.

Related Roundup: macOS Mojave
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Huawei might be making a powerful phone for mobile gamers

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

Razer wasn’t being crazy when it made the gaming-focused Razer Phone — turns out it was ahead of the curve, and making a smartphone that’s optimized for games is apparently the new hotness, with both the Asus ROG Phone and the Red Magic Phone on the horizon. Huawei is apparently looking to be the latest addition to that list, and rumors say that the Chinese company will be looking to release a gaming-themed smartphone. While details are scarce, here’s everything we know about Huawei’s gaming phone.

Software

It’s safe to expect that Huawei’s proprietary software will feature heavily in this phone, and we expect the recently released GPU Turbo addition will play a central role in keeping this gaming phone ticking. According to Huawei, GPU Turbo will boost the gaming efficiency of Huawei’s Kirin chips by 60 percent, while also cutting battery consumption by a third. That makes for impressive reading, and according to some sources, Huawei will be further optimizing and advancing that same tech for its gaming phone.

What could that mean for Huawei’s gaming phone? We haven’t had chance to get our hands on the GPU Turbo update yet, but if it’s anywhere near as a revolutionary as Huawei claims it to be, and can make a mid-range phone pulls the sorts of framerates you’re more used to seeing on a flagship device, then seeing it used on a device made just for gaming could be incredible.

Specs

As you might expect from a gaming-focused device, Huawei’s gaming phone is likely to have some pretty impressive specs. It’s safe to expect that it will either equal or exceed the specs of the Asus ROG Phone, and since that includes the extremely powerful Snapdragon 845 and 8GB of RAM, that’s already plenty powerful.

Since the Huawei gaming phone is expected in the later months of 2018 at the very earliest, it’s possible that the phone will come packed with a newly upgraded version of Huawei’s proprietary Kirin processor. The Kirin 970 chip, used on the Huawei P20 Pro, is already pretty darn powerful, sitting between the Snapdragon 835 and 845 in terms of benchmarking results, and delivering strong performance. An upgraded version of the Kirin chip could be enough to top the Snapdragon 845 in terms of raw power, and deliver a show-stopping performance.

Release date and price

Like most of this phone, we don’t know a huge amount about the planned release date yet. According to an interview with Huawei Consumer Business President Jim Xu, Huawei is aiming to have this phone released by the second half of 2018. That’s a pretty big ballpark, and considering we’re already more than halfway through the year already, it might be safe to assume that it’ll be further towards the tail end of the year.

We know even less about the planned price. Since it’s likely to be a device with high-end specifications, it’s not unfair to expect this device to push into the upper echelons of flagship pricing — $800-$900 might not be far off.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Huawei’s got a free way of turning your phone into a monster gaming machine
• Here’s everything you need to know about the Huawei P20
• Huawei MateBook X Pro review
• Asus ROG Phone shrinks your gaming PC and puts it in your pocket
• Huawei has a clever way to put Windows on phones

Microsoft’s Surface Tablet clears final hurdle before launch

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has cleared the way for Microsoft to launch its rumored low-cost Surface Tablet in the United States. The publication of the Surface Tablet’s regulatory filing documents by the agency suggests that not only is a launch imminent, but also reveals some details about the slate that we did not know before. Microsoft requested that the FCC keep details about its Surface Tablet under “short-term confidentiality” until December 28, 2018, so we can expect the slate to launch before the year is over.

Microsoft’s documents with the FCC simply refers to the device as Model 1824 and describes it as a portable computing device, a term that Microsoft had used in the past to describe its mobile Surface products. And although it was previously speculated that Microsoft would switch to Qualcomm’s ARM-powered Snapdragon processor for the low-cost Surface Tablet, this might not be the case. FCC documents show that Model 1824 comes with a separate Wi-Fi/Bluetooth communications module by Qualcomm, suggesting that this new device will use a separate processor, likely an Intel-based one. If a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor had been used, these radios would have been integrated into the system-on-a-chip (SoC) design, negating the need for separate radio modules, WinFuture commented.

Microsoft had used both ARM-based and Intel’s low-powered x86 architecture on its low-cost Surface in the past. The Surface RT debuted with an ARM-based Nvidia Tegra processor, but it failed to take off since it was not capable of running the full version of Windows 8 at the time. For the Surface 3, Microsoft switched to a low-powered Intel processor, which brought full Windows 8.1 support to the hardware, but users complained about the sluggish performance of the processor compared to faster mainstream Intel Core i-series chipsets.

Prior to the release of Microsoft’s FCC filing, the Surface Tablet was believed to have switched back to an ARM-based design as part of Microsoft’s Always-Connected PC push with optional LTE connectivity. Even if the Surface Tablet ships with an Intel processor, battery life shouldn’t be a concern. It’s revealed that the battery that ships in the slate will be the same model from last generation’s Surface Pro 4, but with a slight difference in voltage.

Microsoft is expected to launch its low-cost Surface Tablet later this year, and the device could help Microsoft compete against Apple’s recently launched iPad and Google’s Chromebook devices in the education market. In addition to the Surface Tablet, Microsoft was also widely expected to launch a dual-screen portable computing device with a codename of Andromeda, but that device was recently reported to have been canceled at the last minute to follow the same fate as Microsoft’s Courier project from nearly ten years ago. Microsoft is also expected to refresh its more powerful Surface Pro detachable hybrid, which could arrive either later this year or early next year. Some reports suggest that Microsoft may update the Surface Pro this year, giving it a more modern processor from Intel, and refresh the design next year with a major overhaul.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Microsoft leak hints dual-screen Andromeda device targets launch later this year
• 5 things the rumored Surface tablet will need to beat the iPad
• Is Microsoft planning a $400 Surface tablet?
• Everything we know about Microsoft’s Surface Pro 6
• Acer Switch 7 Black Edition vs. Microsoft Surface Pro

Philips claims ‘world’s first’ with a new 4K HDR desktop display

The Philips 43-inch Momentum 4K HDR Quantum Dot monitor introduced in April is now up for grabs on Amazon and other online retailers for $999. At the time of its announcement, parent company Envision Peripherals deemed it as the world’s first DisplayHDR 1000 panel, residing at the top of the Video Electronics Standards Association’s (VESA) new certification system for HDR-capable displays. Since that time, Asus revealed an HDR1000 display that is twice the price: The ROG Swift PG27UQ for gamers.

Launched at the end of 2017, VESA’s DisplayHDR certification sets out to simplify display purchases by throwing HDR-capable desktop displays into three categories based on their specifications: 400 (baseline), 600 (mid-range), and 1000 (high-end). Based on the requirements, those numbers seemingly reflect the display’s peak brightness, but other factors come into play such as contrast ratio and color depth.

“As with any new technology, there can be confusion out there regarding HDR specs and benefits. VESA’s new DisplayHDR standard will make monitor shopping easier by offering consumers a comparable standard to judge HDR picture performance between monitors,” Chris Brown, Philips Monitors Global Marketing Manager, said in April.

The new Philips Momentum 436M6 panel is based on quantum dot technology promising rich, deep colors and extreme darks. Quantum dots are nano-sized crystals that absorb and then emit light. The size of a crystal’s core determines the color it emits, which is pure and precise. They’re also more power efficient, enabling higher brightness levels.

The panel itself is based on multidomain vertical alignment (MVA) technology. This tech is known for its high contrast ratio and high refresh rates, but it falls behind the now-standard in-plane switching (IPS) panels regarding color depth, response time, and viewing angles. Backing this panel is Ambiglow technology that essentially “bleeds” the current on-screen colors outside the screen and into your surroundings for a cool halo effect.

Here are the specifications:

• Model: 436M6VBPAB
• Panel type: MVA
• Screen size: 43 inches
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 @ 60Hz
• Viewing angles: 178(H) / 178(V) degrees
• Pixel density: 103.64 PPI
• Brightness (typical): 720 nits
• Brightness (peak): 1,000 nits
• Color gamut: 145-percent sRGB, 119-percent NTSC
• Display colors: 1.07 billion
• Response time: 4ms
• Contrast ratio (typical): 4,000:1
• Contrast ratio (dynamic): 50,000,000:1
• Aspect ratio: 16:9
• Audio: 2x 7-watt speakers with DTS Sound

Now here are the ports:

• 1x HDMI 2.0
• 1x DisplayPort 1.2
• 1x Mini DisplayPort 1.2
• 1x USB Type-C
• 2x USB Type-A (both fast-charging)
• 1x PC audio input
• 1x Headphones out

According to Envision Peripherals, the Philips Momentum 436M6 panel includes Multiview technology so you can connect two devices and view their output simultaneously on the same screen. That means you can still watch your game while working on documents without having to strain your neck to view two different displays.

“We are very excited to launch the world’s first DisplayHDR 1000 monitor,” Brown added. DisplayHDR 1000 level of picture performance will offer a more intense gaming and entertainment experience. The contrast and color really bring action scenes alive, like we’ve never seen before.”

You can get the new Philips Momentum 436M6 panel from Amazon here.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Philips claims a ‘world’s first’ with a 4K HDR display for PC arriving this summer
• The latest Asus gaming monitor will be insanely expensive
• The best HDR monitors
• Acer’s new 4K, HDR, 144Hz G-Sync gaming monitor will cost $2,000
• Vizio’s 2018 TV lineup includes models as low as $350, and a quantum surprise

Goodbye to Hello, Moves, and tbh: Facebook is closing three mobile apps

Facebook announced it is shutting down Moves, Hello, and tbh, a trio of apps the company created and acquired the past four years. The tech giant states it made the decision to shutter the apps “due to low usage”.

Moves, originally acquired by Facebook in 2014, is the oldest of the three to get the chopping block. The app was created to allow users to easily track exercise and movement automatically by using their smartphones. While it started off strong, with nearly 4 million users when it was purchased by Facebook, things appear to have stalled since. It’s been more than a year since the Moves app has been updated, and Tech Crunch reports it only has 13 million installs. Facebook is offering an option for Moves users to download their data before the app closes permanently on July 31.

In 2015, Facebook announced Hello, a caller identification app that used Facebook’s data to share pertinent information about callers. The app was only available for Android smartphones and worked only in the United States, Brazil, and Nigeria. Like Moves, Hello already appeared to be abandoned by Facebook before the announcement: The company had not updated the Hello app in over a year.

Of the three apps to hit the chopping block, tbh is the most surprising. A social media app for high school students, tbh lets you post compliments about friends and classmates. The app is heavily moderated and removes any negative or hurtful comments immediately. After a widely successful launch (the app hit No. 1 on the Apple App Store), Facebook purchased the app in October 2017.

It’s not unusual for Facebook to discontinue apps or features. The social media company states it regularly reviews and assesses app performance has decided to close the three apps after a long period of trial and error. The decision will allow the company to “prioritize our work so we don’t spread ourselves too thin.”

Facebook plans to close Moves and Hello by the end of July.  It has not yet announced a date for tbh, however, it should be in the near future as well. Facebook intends to have all apps shuttered and user data removed from them within 90 days.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Facebook bans 200 apps following audit as Cambridge Analytica scandal grows
• Apple is removing apps that overshare your location data with third parties
• App downloads and revenues continue to grow on Android and iOS
• All the new features coming to the Facebook app and Messenger
• 9 things to know about Facebook privacy and Cambridge Analytica

Samsung’s Android Go phone revealed in numerous hands-on photos

Spoiler alert — there’s no stock Android.

We’re expecting Samsung to launch its first Android Go phone at some point this year, and leading up to its official unveiling, SamMobile’s provided us with numerous hands-on photos that showcase the device from a few different angles.

It was previously rumored that Samsung’s Android Go phone (currently rumored to be the Galaxy J2 Core) would ship with a stock build of Android, but as we can see from the above photos, that’s not the case. Instead, the J2 Core will come equipped with a slimmed-down version of the Samsung Experience and Google’s official Go apps.

The back of the phone is home to a single rear-facing camera and LED flash, and even though you won’t find any fancy Infinity Display here, Samsung’s using on-screen navigation buttons, anyways.

We still don’t know when the Galaxy J2 Core will be released or how much it’ll cost, but even so, this is shaping up to be a solid handset if you want a Samsung handset while staying on a strict budget.

These are all the Android Go apps you can download right now

Best cases for the BlackBerry KEY2

Keep your KEY2 in pristine condition with a case.

The BlackBerry KEY2 is a surprisingly refined follow up to the KEYone, which brought back the physical keyboard in a big way.

Because the KEY2 is an unconventional design, there’s a limited number of cases available — even the BlackBerry accessories highlighted on its website are currently unavailable — but we’ve rounded up some of the best options available if you need to protect your phone right out of the box.

• TopACE Clear Case
• fitBAG Suede Leather Pouch Case
• Osophter Leather Wallet Flip Case
• PUSHIMEI Protective Cover Case

TopACE Clear Case

The KEY2 has doubled down on the unique design of the KEYone, so you’re probably going to want a case that lets you show off every detail of your phone while keeping it safe.

This clear case from TopACE will do the trick, offering a minimalist case to keep your phone protected from drops and scratches, with the TPU offering a soft-touch finish that’s easy to hold and lightweight.

Get yours for just $8.

See at Amazon

fitBAG Suede Leather Pouch Case

The pocket case or sleeve pouch was always a big hit with the old school BlackBerry crowd back in the day, so that’s why we’re seeing similar style cases for the BlackBerry Android phones.

This hand-sewn cover is designed to precisely fit the KEY2 with a fashionable suede finish on the back and a microfiber lining on the inside that automatically cleans the display a bit every time you slip your phone in and out.

Available in 17 different colors, you can get yours for just $25 knowing it’s backed by a 2-year warranty.

See at Amazon

Osophter Leather Wallet Flip Case

Don’t you agree that the KEY2 and a leather wallet case make a good pair? The KEY2 with its super-functional keyboard and the folio wallet case with its stylish protection around your whole device and the ability to store some cards and cash and eliminate the need for your wallet.

This case also folds up into a kickstand for hands-free viewing, which is always a handy feature even with the shorter screen on the KEY2.

Get this case in either black or brown for just $10.

See at Amazon

PUSHIMEI Protective Cover Case

There’s currently a lack of heavy-duty cases for the KEY 2, but this one-piece TPU case with re-enforced corners is probably your best bet.

Rather than adding a ton of bulk to your phone, this is a pretty slim case that’s got extra protection where you’re going to need it most — in the corners.

Along the back is a brushed metal look and carbon fiber accents which look nice, and there’s a bit of a lip around the display to keep the screen and keyboard safe.

Get this case for your KEY2 for just $8.

See at Amazon

What’s your ideal case for the KEY2?

Let us know which style of case you’d love to see for the KEY2 in the comments below.

BlackBerry KEY2

• BlackBerry KEY2 review
• BlackBerry KEY2: Everything you need to know!
• BlackBerry KEY2 specs
• BlackBerry KEYone review: Coming home
• Join our BlackBerry KEY2 forums!

Buy the BlackBerry KEY2

Prime members can get this AmazonBasics sound bar for just $63 today

A better upgrade over built-in speakers.

This AmazonBasics sound bar with a built-in subwoofer is down to $63.31 for Amazon Prime members. If you don’t have Prime, the price will show as $79.99. Although we did see it drop to about $62 at the end of June, this is the second best price we’ve seen.

You know what else Prime members can take advantage of? Prime Day! Amazon has officially announced the starting day as July 16, so get ready for the onslaught of deals!

Sound bars are a great way to step up the audio of any monitor that uses built-in speakers. Obviously, this isn’t going to be the same as a huge home audio system like Sonos, but if you’re trying to watch a movie with tiny speakers and no boom, you’re selling yourself short. Upgrade with a sound bar like this at the very least.

It’s a 31.5-inch sound bar with a built-in subwoofer for better bass, Bluetooth 2.1 tech for music streaming, and full-range stereo speakers with up to 92 dB output. It has three sound modes including Standard, News, and Movie, a remote control, and wall-mounting hardware. It has 3.5 stars based on 1,542 reviews. All AmazonBasics products are covered by a one-year warranty.

If you’re a cord-cutter, you can really give your TV an upgrade with this OTA antenna, too. It has a 35-mile range for just $20, and paired with this sound bar maybe you’ll actually start using your TV for more than just a living room decoration piece.

See on Amazon

OnePlus 6: Everything you need to know!

Unlock the secrets.

The OnePlus 6 is now available, and it’s a compelling option for someone looking for an unlocked phone at a reasonable price — starting at $529 to be specific. But price aside, it’s a great choice for anyone, even those considering more expensive options, thanks to a combination of hardware and software, and a community that continues to support the company and one another.

Here’s everything you need to know about the OnePlus 6!

The latest OnePlus 6 news

July 3, 2018 — OnePlus shows off different colors/patterns it was testing for the OnePlus 6

OnePlus recently launched the lustrous OnePlus 6 Red, and while there’s no doubt it’s one of the most gorgeous phones on the market right now, it was just one of many designs that the company was toying with before ultimately selecting the red we now have.

PCMag was recently invited to tour OnePlus’s headquarters in Shenzen, China, and during the visit, got a chance to look at some other colors OnePlus was testing for the 6. As you can see in the video above, OnePlus was messing with glass backs that had subtle patterns, gradiant designs, and much more.

The video also showcases early prototypes of not only the OnePlus 6, but other OnePlus phones, too. I’m a big fan of the OnePlus 6 we ended up getting, but it is cool to see what could have been.

July 1, 2018 — OnePlus is adding a limited-edition red OnePlus 6 to the mix

Late on Sunday night in the U.S., OnePlus is announcing a limited-edition red OnePlus 6, which is coming to North American and European markets on July 10 for $579. The model will just be available in the now-common 8GB/128GB RAM and storage combination, and only from OnePlus.com.

Following the launch of the critically acclaimed OnePlus 6, which sold over 1 million units in just 22 days, OnePlus is bringing a new limited-edition color to Europe and North America, the OnePlus 6 Red.

The OnePlus 6 Red is designed to match power with style, with attention to detail paramount. The metallic red shimmer coupled with the red, mirror-like fingerprint sensor elegantly contrast the silver accent around the camera.

Six panels of glass make up the back of the OnePlus 6 Red. With this variant, OnePlus has added an additional anti-reflective layer to create a sense of depth by allowing more light to reach the bottom layers before being reflected off the device. A translucent orange layer has been intermixed with the red base layer to achieve a radiant and glossy red, unique to OnePlus design.

OnePlus also says that the Bullets Wireless headphones will also be restocked on July 10.

More: The OnePlus 6 in red

Read our review and watch the video

First thing’s first, watch the video and read the review. There’s plenty about the phone to learn, even though much of it is familiar. But the essential question a review tries to answer is, Should you buy this thing? And the response is an unrestrained, Yes.

The OnePlus 6 is the company’s finest phone ever, with excellent design, build quality, battery life and, for the first time, cameras.

Read the review

Review the specs

Once you’re done reading the review, you should, ahem, review the specifications. The phone is powerful — like one of the most powerful on the market today — with plenty of headroom and legroom (it’s proverbially spacious is what I’m trying to say) for whatever you want to throw at it. Apps-wise, not like object-wise.

OnePlus 6 specifications

How does it compare to other phones?

Of course, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t exist in a bubble — you have to compare it to other devices if you’re going to decide whether you should buy it. Thankfully, we’ve done most of the work for you, comparing it to the best flagships on the market right now.

• OnePlus 6 vs. Google Pixel 2 XL: Which should you buy?
• OnePlus 6 vs. Samsung Galaxy S9+: Which should you buy?

What about to other OnePlus phones?

Yeah, OnePlus owners like to keep it in the family, so to speak, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see many upgrading, or thinking of upgrading, from an existing OnePlus device, like a 3, 3T, 5, or 5T. Of course, with the company releasing two phones a year these days, it won’t be long until the next upgrade cycle hits, but that also means that the existing phones age quite well, thanks to frequent software updates (the joys of not going through carriers).

If you have a OnePlus 5 or 5T, you can probably hold onto those phones for a bit longer — unless you need the camera improvements. OnePlus’s 2016 phones, on the other hand, may be getting a bit long in the tooth and could use a replacement.

• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 3T & 3: Should you upgrade?

Is the OnePlus 6 camera that much better than before?

This photo was taken in nearly pitch-dark conditions. OnePlus ramps up the light sensitivity to ISO6400, which would normally produce a lot of grain, but this photo is totally usable thanks to better software processing.

Yes! The OnePlus 6 has a larger 16MP sensor than previous OnePlus devices, with pixels that are 19% bigger, so low-light photography is immensely improved. It’s not going to overtake the Huawei P20 Pro or Pixel 2 for Low Light Champion Of The World, but it’s reliable in all conditions, and that’s more important than anything else.

The camera is probably the biggest improvement over previous OnePlus models.

The phone’s main sensor is aided by a fast ƒ/1.7 aperture, so true depth of field is a thing, along with drastically improved image signal processing from Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845. Together, the phone is able to detect the correct settings more quickly, take multiple shots if necessary, enable HDR mode automatically, and reduce or eliminate grain in dark conditions.

There’s also Optical Image Stabilization (OIS), which was in the OnePlus 3 line but removed in last year’s series for unknown reasons. It’s back now, and paired with a larger sensor and faster main lens, the results speak for themselves.

On the other hand, the OnePlus 6’s secondary camera has less to do — it’s a 20MP sensor with an ƒ/1.7 lens, but its main purpose is to facilitate portrait mode which, while good, isn’t enough reason to have a second sensor in the first place.

Is the notch distracting?

The notch is what it is. You may hate it out of an aversion to all things Apple, or you may learn to live with it and forget it’s there. Most people will fall somewhere in the middle — it’s a character trait, like a freckle or a certain hairstyle.

What it does, though, is open up spme additional real estate on the 6.28-inch screen, which is great. But it also limits the number of icons that can be seen in the notification area, which is a bummer. Plus, the clock on the left side of the notification bar will never make sense. If you watch the video below, though, you can see ways to tweak the notification area to your liking. And you can also disable the notch altogether if you want to.

How’s the software?

It’s good! Running Android 8.1 Oreo, OxygenOS has turned into one of the most enjoyable, reliable versions of Android to date. OnePlus has also added a number of additions to make the whole thing run more smoothly, especially if you’re looking to maximize your screen real estate.

One of the more interesting changes to the software is a set of gestures that eliminates the bottom navigation keys, relying on swipes up from different areas of the bottom edge to go back, home, and enter multitasking. It’s different, but not bad. You’ll have to try it yourself.

As for tips and tricks, we’ve already got that list going, so if you’re looking to make the most of your OxygenOS experience, we have you covered.

• How to enable navigation gestures on the OnePlus 6
• How to disable the notch on the OnePlus 6

What’s it cost?

The OnePlus 6 starts at $529 USD for the base model and goes up to $629 for additional RAM and storage. There are three configurations and three colors, and here’s a breakdown of which one to buy.

Here’s how the pricing breaks down in various regions.

6/64	$529	€519	£469	$699
8/128	$579	€569	£519	$769
8/256	$629	€619	£569	$839

See at OnePlus

Tell me more about the colors

There are four colors: Mirror Black, Midnight Black, Silk White, and Red.

• Mirror Black is going to be the most common, since it’s the only color offered in the cheapest tier. It’s shiny, reflective glass, so it gets fingerprint-y, but that’s OK because you’ll likely put the phone in a case (see below). It’s also a little slippery, which is to be expected. Mirror Black is offered in 6GB / 64GB configurations for $529.

• Midnight Black is the color we’ve come to expect from OnePlus over the years, though the matte-looking finish belies a glass back, too, like the Mirror Black. Midnight Black is only available in 8GB / 128GB and 8GB / 256GB configurations for $579 and $629, respectively.

• Silk White is one of the more limited of the four colors. It’s also covered in glass, but like the Midnight Black model it has a matte finish and is easier to grip. Its white back has rose gold accents, and it’s definitely the nicest and most unique of the three colors. It’s only available in the 8GB / 128GB configuration for $579, and once the run is sold out, OnePlus is not making any more.

• Red is also a limited edition color and is easily the most vibrant of the four that are available. It has a similar shiny finish like Mirror Black but uses a translucent orange layer and red base layer to create one of the most powerful reds we’ve ever seen on a smartphone. Sales open on July 10 and it’ll be available with 8GB RAM + 128GB storage for $579.

What color OnePlus 6 should you buy?

I heard there’s an Avengers version — TELL ME EVERYTHING

Yes, you heard right: OnePlus has once again worked with Disney on licensing a special version of the OnePlus 6 for the Chinese and Indian markets. Last year, OnePlus offered an understated Start Wars variant of the OnePlus 5T, and now the Avengers version takes advantage of the hype behind the recent film release.

The Avengers version comes in a unique box and includes an Iron Man case and a OnePlus/Avengers co-branded medallion, which is neat. And while there’s a familiar glass back on the Avengers Edition, it has a Kevlar-style design underneath. Because Kevlar=superheroes, or something.

While the special edition isn’t coming to the U.S. officially, I’m sure that some entrepreneurial Indian and Chinese resellers will do the dirty business of importing some of them at a huge premium to this side of the world.

This is the OnePlus 6 Marvel Avengers Edition

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

The OnePlus 6 technically supports the CDMA bands for Verizon and Sprint in the U.S., but the phone lacks certification for their networks, so those users — just under half the smartphone-wielding U.S. population, is out of luck.

We’ve got your full technical explainer below.

The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Sprint or Verizon

Do you like cases?

As it does with all of its phones, OnePlus has unveiled a series of first-party cases for the OnePlus 6, and they’re all pretty great.

This year, there’s a fancy new protective bumper made of woven nylon, and while it adds a bit more bulk than the typical snap-on, I think it looks and feels awesome.

These are the official OnePlus 6 cases you can buy at launch

What are your thoughts on the OnePlus 6?

Let us know in the comments!

OnePlus 6

• OnePlus 6 review
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5T: How much changes in six months?
• OnePlus 6 vs. OnePlus 5: Should you upgrade?
• These are the official OnePlus 6 cases
• The OnePlus 6 doesn’t work on Verizon or Sprint
• Join the discussion in the forums

Updated July 3, 2018: Added the OnePlus Red to the list of colors!

AmazonBasics gadgets are affordable, but now you can save an extra 20%

Llllettt’s get ready for saaaavingssss!

Today’s a big day for Amazon, and this deal is just one more awesome way to celebrate the fact that Prime Day 2018 is coming (and we finally have a start date.)

AmazonBasics items are usually pretty affordable, but right now, a huge selection of AmazonBasics products are discounted by up to 20%. The categories range from household goods and everyday essentials all the way to tech and electronics. Aside from being inexpensive, AmazonBasics products are fantastic because they always get super solid reviews, typically from hundreds of customers. If you need anything, anything at all, this is a sale worth checking out.

The one caveat? Similar to Prime Day, you must have an Amazon Prime membership to get in on these discounts. Sign up for a free 30-day trial here and you’ll be covered for this sale as well as Prime Day 2018.

Here are some of our favorite standouts:

• 6-Sheet Cross-Cut Paper and Credit Card Shredder – $23.74 (was $30)
• 4-Shelf Shelving Unit – $39.99 (was $50)
• Portable Wireless Bluetooth Speaker – $14.58 (was $20)
• Hardside 20-inch Spinner Luggage – $39.99 (was $50)
• Classic Backpack – $13.83 (was $20)
• 100-Watt Equivalent Daylight LED Dimmable Light Bulb 6-pack – $40.63 (was $55)
• Mid-Back Office Chair – $51.31 (was $65)
• Premium Anti-Fatigue Standing Mat – $93.64 (was $120)

There are tons of products to choose from, so check out the full sale here.

See at Amazon