Apple Shipped 3.5M Watches in Q2 2018, 30% More Than Last Year

During the second quarter of 2018, Apple shipped an estimated 3.5 million Apple Watches worldwide, according to new data shared today by analytics firm Canalys.

At 3.5 million units shipped, Apple sold 30 percent more watches than it did a year ago during the second quarter of 2017, with the difference being the availability of the Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE connection, a feature that likely spurred many customers to upgrade or purchase one of the watches for the first time.

Apple’s LTE Apple Watch was especially popular in Asia, accounting for 60 percent of the 250,000 units that were shipped to the region. The Apple Watch Series 3 with LTE was the best-shipping smartwatch in Asia in Q2 2018, according to Canalys.

While Apple’s shipments were up, the company’s share of the smartwatch market dropped to 34 percent from 43 percent in the first quarter of 2018. Canalys attributes this to competition in the smartwatch market, including strong performances from Fitbit and Garmin.

Total global smartwatch shipments reached 10 million units during the second quarter.

Apple faces a growing threat from competitors, which have started to pass the million quarterly shipments mark,” said Canalys Research Analyst Vincent Thielke. “Vendors are trying to differentiate their products with advanced heart-rate metrics, smart coaching and mapping, and consumers now have a much wider range of smartwatches to choose from than they did a year ago. Amid further competition from Samsung and Google, rumored to be launching Galaxy and Pixel watches respectively, Apple needs to work out how to drive refreshes in markets such as the US, where its penetration into the existing iPhone installed base has started to level off.”

Canalys’ Apple Watch shipment numbers are estimates, as Apple does not report the number of Apple Watches that it has sold and specific numbers are not available. Apple Watch sales are lumped into the company’s “Other” category, which also includes AirPods, Apple TV, HomePod, Beats products, iPod touch, and other Apple-branded and third-party accessories.

Last quarter, Apple CEO Tim Cook said that the Apple Watch saw strong revenue growth “in the double digits,” setting a March quarter revenue record. Apple plans to report its fiscal third quarter earnings results next week, which should give us a bit more insight into the performance of the Apple Watch from April to June.

As Canalys points out, with Apple facing competition from other vendors, updates to the Apple Watch are needed. Apple has not changed the design of the device since it was introduced in 2015, but this year, rumors suggest it will feature a larger display (1.57 inches and 1.78 inches) perhaps implemented through a reduction in bezel size, a higher-capacity battery, and enhanced heart rate detection features.

Related Roundups: Apple Watch, watchOS 4, watchOS 5Buyer’s Guide: Apple Watch (Caution)
Discuss this article in our forums

How to make your TV squeaky clean for not much green

Daniel Jędzura/123RF

If you own a TV of any kind, whether it’s a sparkling new 4K Ultra HD masterpiece or an aging SD TV, rest assured it will become dirty at some point. Before you go after it with the cleaning supplies, you should know how to clean your television without rendering it useless. Some manufacturers suggest using custom-made cleaners to touch up your display, but these are often just as expensive as they are unnecessary.

So instead of forking over your hard-earned cash, we suggest making your own solution using a mixture of water and isopropyl alcohol. This is the cheapest solution you can come by. Using mild and easily obtained products that aren’t harmful to your TV, the method detailed below is the cheapest solution you can employ, and just as importantly, it does a great job. Here’s what to do.

What you’ll need

• Two pieces of soft, lint-free cloth (preferably microfiber)
• Distilled water
• Isopropyl alcohol
• Measuring cup
• Q-tips (optional)

Cleaning the display

The first thing you’ll want to do is turn off your TV and make sure it has a chance to cool down. Wait until it’s no longer warm to the touch before you proceed.

Next, dust the screen to remove any dirt particles and then wipe the screen with your soft, lint-free cloth to remove any residual dust. If you can’t see any visible smudges after you’re done dusting, stop here.

Viacheslev Iakochuk/123RF
Viacheslev Iakochuk/123RF

If your screen is still dirty, it’s time to make up your batch of cleaning solution. First, mix the isopropyl alcohol with water using a measuring cup, ensuring the solution is equal parts water and alcohol. If you don’t have a measuring cup, try using a juice glass or shot glass to measure quantities before mixing. In any case, just make sure you’re not overdoing it with the alcohol — the resulting solution shouldn’t be more than half alcohol or it can damage the display.

Dip your cloth into your newly minted solution and ring it out to remove excess moisture. You want the cleaning cloth to be damp, but not wet. Afterward, gently wipe the damp cloth across your display.

Next, use the second lint-free cloth to dry your display. Don’t leave any moisture on it — you’ll want it to be completely dry before turning the TV back on.

Additional tips

• If your TV’s bezel makes it difficult to clean the corners and near the edges of the display, use a Q-tip dampened with your solution to get to the hard-to-reach areas.
• Make sure you’re using the right chemical. Don’t use ethyl alcohol, acetone, toluene, ethyl acid, ammonia, or methyl chloride — only isopropyl alcohol.
• Always use a clean cloth, as hard particles can get trapped in cloth fibers and leave unwanted scratches.
• Ensure your cleaning cloth is damp, not wet. You don’t want drops running down your display with each wipe.
• Do not use Windex or other glass cleaners! Said solutions generally contain ammonia and will hurt your TV screen.
• Do not use paper towels; they leave behind tiny bits of paper that can mess up your display.

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How to win Fortnite Battle Royale

Fortnite is not only one of the largest games in the world, but it has achieved mainstream support and popularity. Still, many players have yet to see that oh-so-satisfying Victory Royale, so we are here to show you how to win Fortnite Battle Royale.

This guide isn’t for beginners. These advanced tips are for those who know how to build a simple fort to defend yourself, how to quickly find chests, what weapons do what, and so on. New players should first read our Fortnite beginner’s guide.

Picking a landing spot

We are going to break down tips for all of the main game modes in Battle Royale. Before we do that, though, let’s talk about how you start your game. The landing zone that you select right at the start of the match will determine the flow of everything else. If you pick wrong, it can mean a swift death. Only the most confident and skilled shooters can make their way to the hottest named zones like Tilted Towers. Those places are just a murder fest waiting to happen.

Instead, you will want to choose those unnamed houses and areas on the map that are typically found near the named locations. Examples of these include the two towns northeast and north of Flush Factory, and the warehouses southeast of Tomato Town. These areas see fewer players, but still have guaranteed loot.

You can also select the main locations on the map that aren’t as popular. This changes each season, but typically the ones on the edges like Snobby Shores and Junk Junction are solid options.

It’s worth keeping up on what’s new in Fortnite Battle Royale. Is there a new location? Did a previously existing location receive a major change? Stay away from spots like those. For instance, season five completely transformed the southeast quadrant into a desert. That’s sure to attract well-armed tourists.

Alto’s Odyssey review: More of the same great, great game

Six months after its iOS release date, Alto’s Odyssey is finally available on Android. It’s been a long wait, but not nearly as long as the first title. Android users were waiting a full year for that one.

Developer Team Alto has stuck to its guns and released a title that’s not much of a departure from the previous game — not that that’s a bad thing, since Alto’s Adventure has become a classic title since its release in 2015. Read on for the full Alto’s Odyssey review.

Sandboarding down the slopes

As opposed to the first release, which saw Alto snowboarding down the side of a mountain to gather up his escaped llamas, Alto’s Odyssey takes place in three separate biomes, each with their own unique scenery.

You start the game sandboarding down a desert level, and later on you encounter hot air balloons, waterfalls, temples, and more. Even better, many of these new elements can be interacted with.

Also read

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For example, you can bounce off of hot air balloons to gain a bit more air time, or slide along a temple wall to gain a quick speed boost. Ropes connecting hot air balloons also move, adding another element of difficulty.

The coolest addition by far is wallriding. Once you finish the first few levels, you gain access to a sandboard that lets you ride up the side of some vertical walls. Like all things in Alto’s Odyssey, the mechanic is smooth and satisfying to use.

Alto’s Odyssey features an amazing soundtrack. You’ll definitely want to put on your headphones before you strap in to another zen session of endless gameplay.

Gorgeous graphics

Although it’s plain to see, any review of Alto’s Odyssey would be remiss not to mention the game’s breathtaking graphics. Despite it’s simplicity, the game really manages to draw you in to the never ending descent.

Alto’s Odyssey is so gorgeous that Google Assistant decided to auto-awesome several screenshots.

Like the first game, the colors in the background shift as you play the game, giving the impression that time is truly passing. Beautiful sunsets, starry skies, and relaxing rainstorms all fill your screen at various points.

The game is so gorgeous, in fact, that Google Assistant decided to auto-awesome several of the screenshots I took while playing the game. Even without using the built-in camera feature to remove the UI, Google thought the sunset scenery would be something I’d like to see again. Google was right.

Even more new features

While basic gameplay hasn’t changed much from Adventure to Odyssey, there are a few small changes and improvements that make the game feel fresh after all these years.

First up is the removal of the hover feather, which lifted you just slightly off the ground. It gave you immunity to rocks blocking your path, but also slowed you down. It’s been replaced by a lotus flower power-up that simply makes you immune without slowing you down.

Another is the change to the angry elder that chases you in Alto’s Adventure beyond a certain point. Now your pursuer is an angry lemur. I’m not sure which one is more terrifying.

All of the changes, from wall riding to lotus flowers, feel more like polish than anything truly new. Team Alto essentially took an amazing game and made it slightly better for the sequel. It might not be terribly ambitious, but if it works, don’t fix it.

A return to free-to-play on Android

Like the first title in the series, Team Alto worked with Noodlecake to bring their iOS title to Android. As before, the price tag has been dropped to make it a more Android-friendly free-to-play title.

The game is primarily monetized through ads, which can be disabled with a one-time purchase.

This means that the title is primarily monetized through ads. When you crash, you can watch a 30-second ad to continue your run, and occasionally an ad will automatically play between runs. These can be eliminated with a single in-game purchase.

There are a few other options for purchases, like unlocking all new characters or doubling your coin income, but there isn’t any content that’s exclusively for paid players. Paying only slightly enhances an already excellent experience.

Alto’s Odyssey review: Conclusion

If you enjoyed Alto’s Adventure, Alto’s Odyssey is the same, but better. You could criticize Team Alto for not taking any chances with the new release, but when you have such a winning formula, why rock the boat?

Alto’s Odyssey is available now and can be downloaded for free by clicking below. What do you think of Alto’s latest descent? Does it live up to the original? Let us know in the comments!

Google Play Store: Download Alto’s Odyssey

Galaxy Note 9 will relieve your battery woes, per Samsung’s latest teaser

Can you feel the excitement in the air? We are mere weeks away from one of Samsung’s Unpacked event, taking place on August 9 in Brooklyn, New York. The company is expected to show off its latest flagship, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, along with a few other surprises.

To prepare for the event, Samsung is releasing a series of three teaser videos. Each day the Korean tech giant will release a new video each morning at 8 a.m. ET on its YouTube channel. The videos provide hints as to how the upcoming Galaxy Note 9 will solve common problems smartphone users experience every day.

Day 1

The first video appears to focus on battery life. The video shows a man whose phone with a nearly depleted battery desperately attempting to close apps and dim the screen to eek out a few more minutes. He digs through his backpack to find a battery pack, only to release he forgot to charge it. As he finally manages to find his charging adapter, we see his phone has died. The ad ends with at the text “Battery can’t keep up? A lot can change in a day. August 9th 2018.”

Samsung’s first teaser video appears to confirm rumors that the upcoming Note 9 will feature a massive 4,000mAh battery. That’s a pretty big jump from the 3,300mAh battery that shipped on its predecessor. If the phone does indeed have a 4,000mAh battery, it should easily be able to power the phone for a day with even the heaviest users; moderate users may be able to eek out a day and a half.

While a supersized battery is a nice addition for the upcoming Note 9, we’re more excited about rumored S Pen changes for 2018. According to several tipsters, the new S Pen will have Bluetooth functionality and will work as a long-range camera timer/clicker and feature music controls as well.

Of course, the Note 9 is not the only hardware we expect to be announced at Unpacked. There are rumors the Galaxy Tab S4 and Galaxy Watch will have their debuts as well. Make sure to check out Unpacked channel to learn all about Samsung’s upcoming hardware. And make sure you check our channel August 9 at 11 a.m. ET as we update live from the Unpacked event.

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Intel’s soldered ninth-gen CPUs could give them even greater overclocking room

As we inch ever closer to the release of Intel’s next-generation CPUs, more and more details are emerging. Hot on the heels of a leak that suggests the Core i7 chips in the range won’t enjoy the benefits of hyperthreading, a new rumor claims that they and the top Core i9 CPUs, may have better cooling out of the box thanks to a soldered integrated heat spreader (IHS).

While many CPUs feature heatpaste between the actual core and the chunky metallic heatspreader exterior, many overclockers and enthusiasts will tell you that that’s far from the most efficient way to distribute excess heat. Some opt for a process called “delidding,” whereby they remove the heatspreader and replace the heatpaste with something better, but when the chip is soldered together instead, that’s no longer needed.

The two processors in particular which are said to enjoy this thermal benefit are the Core i7-9700K and the Core i9-9900K. German site Golem.de, via Hexus, claims that both have their IHS connected to the processor with solder, but that this benefit will be limited to the eight core CPUs in the ninth-generation range. That might be why the new CPUs are able to approach five gigahertz frequencies on a limited number of cores and could, in theory, unlock even greater overclocking potential for them for enthusiasts.

Six core CPUs will still use traditional heat paste, which may mean that a thermal improvement can be found by delidding them and replacing that material with one that is more conductive. That’s not always the case, as some chips just don’t benefit from it enough to risk potentially damaging your CPU.

All of this should be taken with a grain of salt, however, as almost all information about Intel’s next-generation CPUs is very firmly in the rumor camp for the time being. With an expected September release date, we won’t have long to wait to find out more and hear official details from Intel. Considering its recent track record of teasing higher performance than is realistically possible though, we’ll want to wait for independent reviews to make any concrete judgments on real-world performance.

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These are the best golf apps for Android and iOS

Golf is a game of skill and it can prove frustratingly tough to drive, pitch, and putt your way round 18 holes in as few strokes as possible. Every golfer could use a little help now and then, so why not see what your smartphone can do? We picked out the best golf apps for Android and iOS that could make the difference between a bogey and birdie.

The R&A Rules of Golf (free)

Whether you’re new to golf, you want to settle an argument, or you’re teaching someone else, it’s useful to have a decent rulebook on your phone. The R&A was only formed in 2004 but takes its name from The Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St Andrews and is committed to supporting and promoting golf worldwide. This straightforward app is packed with rules, definitions, tips on etiquette, and even has a quiz to test your knowledge.

Download now for:

Android  iOS

18Birdies: Golf GPS App (free)

You can use this app as a GPS rangefinder, digital scorecard, and stat tracker. It also offers side games, rewards, and a lot of news about the golfing world. You can even share rounds and compete for a spot on the leaderboard or find out about local events to compete in. It also supports both Apple Watch and Android Wear. You will struggle to find more features in a free app. Spring for the premium membership at $5 per month and you’ll get access to discounts, advanced course data and stats, live weather information, and video lessons.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Zepp Golf Swing Analyzer (free)

This app is designed to help you to record your strokes and improve your golf swing. You can record swings, create highlight videos with tracer overlays and voiceovers, and share them. There is also coaching to help you improve and a library of pro swings to show you how it’s done. With the iOS version, you can get extra information from your Apple Watch on tempo, hand path, and hand speed, but for the full range of metrics you need to spring for the Zepp sensor at $150. The free app is worth using, though, and it also has score tracking with GPS.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Golf GPS by SwingxSwing (free)

This popular free app is a solid GPS rangefinder with thousands of golf courses in its database. It will help you with distances to the green on every hole and highlight obstacles to avoid with satellite imagery. It also works as a digital scorecard and keeps track of your handicap. If you want extras like wind speed and club recommendations you can subscribe for $4 per month. There is also support for the Apple Watch, allowing you to check distances, pars, and scores on your wrist.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Hole19 (free)

The 19th hole is usually a bar you retire to after a round of golf, but in this case, it’s a handy free app packed with useful features. There is a solid GPS rangefinder, digital scorecard, performance statistics tracking, and the option to check out tee times, find discounts, and book a round on many courses. With a nice, clean interface, the ability to chart your progress, and a lively community this is a golf app that’s worth checking out. It also supports the Apple Watch and you can subscribe to unlock more features.

Download now for:

Android iOS

mScorecard (free)

If you just want a relatively no-frills digital scorecard that calculates scores, handicaps, and stats for up to five players, then this app will suit you down to the ground. It offers satellite images and GPS to help you calculate distances and there is support for side games, but mainly it’s about tracking your strokes. You can also use it to analyze stats or rounds and share them with friends.

Download now for:

Android iOS

GolfNow: Tee Time Deals (free)

For tee times and discounted prices on rounds at more than 6,000 golf courses worldwide this app is a winner. You can book directly in the app, check course information and reviews, and get directions to courses near you. This app also includes a GPS rangefinder, digital scorecard for up to four players, and statistics tracking. It also supports Apple Watch and Android Wear. There is also a VIP membership option that offers a few perks and rewards, but it costs $200 for the year.

Download now for:

Android iOS

Golf Live 24 (free)

For fans of golf seeking the latest scores from the biggest tournaments around the globe, this free app has you covered. Scores come through in real time, complete with round results and player scorecards. This app covers more than 100 golf tournaments, making it easy to stay in touch with what’s happening in the world of pro golf. It’s free but you will have to put up with some ads.

Download now for:

Android iOS

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How important is stock Android to you these days?

Is it better to have too many features or not enough?

Is there any debate in the tech space more tiresome than Android versus iOS? Maybe Mac versus PC? If you’re deeply entrenched in the Android world, there’s one other argument you’ve probably heard and maybe even participated in dozens of times over the last decade — stock Android versus … pretty much everything else.

For years, stock Android essentially just meant whatever the operating system looked like on Google’s own Nexus and Pixel phones — though these days even that’s a bit of a loose definition, with the Pixel getting its own unique features like Now Playing and Active Edge. Still, what we see on the Pixel 2 and Android One phones can be roughly equated to stock Android; it’s Google’s pure vision of Android, devoid of any unnecessary software additions from your phone’s carrier or manufacturer.

Depending on your stance, that barebones approach can either be stock Android’s strongest or weakest point; with such a short list of pre-installed apps, you get a great-looking clean interface that would please any minimalist, but you also start to miss out on features and innovations that other manufacturers have built into their “forked” versions of Android.

Samsung has built a reputation over the years with its heavy-handed approach to software, and while it always runs the risk of overloading users with too many features (or doubling Google’s services with redundant features in its own apps), it’s also led to a number of great new features, some of which eventually made their way to stock Android — namely split-screen multitasking. Similarly, HTC’s Edge Sense technology, first introduced on the U11, was integrated into the Pixel 2 and 2 XL.

Stock Android tends to be great if you live that Google-powered life.

A lot of the best features in various phones don’t make it to stock Android at all, though. The LG V30 still has the uncontested best camera app for recording video, with a wide range of manual video controls and even the ability to shoot in Cine-Log. The BlackBerry KEY2 lets you selectively store photos in an encrypted locker that won’t upload to cloud storage or appear in your gallery. The Galaxy S9 allows you to create a separate instance of certain apps like Snapchat for quickly and easily managing multiple accounts.

Stock Android is great; it remains my personal preference in most cases since I live a mostly Google-powered life. However, depending on your needs it isn’t necessarily the complete package. As a video producer and enthusiast, I would love to be able to take advantage of the V30’s video capabilities, but alas — stock Android’s options are very limited when it comes to filming. Even if you operate exclusively on Google services, it’s easy enough to disable or hide the majority of unwanted apps on a non-stock phone and still benefit from the additional features included.

That, of course, begs the question — is stock Android still important to you (assuming it ever was in the first place)? Has the smooth, clean experience of the Pixel won you over, or are you more interested in having as many useful features as possible, regardless of the resulting clutter? Let us know in the comments below!

Samsung’s first official Galaxy Note 9 teaser video hypes long battery life

A perfect way to kick off the two-week countdown to launch.

We’re now just two weeks away from the launch of the Galaxy Note 9, and that means Samsung is getting its hype machine into full force. Today the company released its first official teaser video for the phone, and it’s all about the battery life prospects of the upcoming flagship. Warning: this 30-second clip may be traumatic for some of you.

We’ve all been there. We’ve had our phones dying at the worst possible time, with an important meeting, call, appointment or transport on the line. Samsung has always poked fun at other phones’ batteries — primarily Apple over the years — as a way to promotes its wireless charging feature and Adaptive Fast Charge system, but in reality it has mostly offered just average battery life on its phones.

The Note 9 really should have the best battery life of any Samsung phone.

All of the leaks up to this point point to the Galaxy Note 9 having a much larger battery than its predecessors, perhaps in the 4000mAh range, which has been an area where the last couple generations of Note left a lot to be desired. Not only was battery life simply average rather than exceptional, but the batteries have been marginally smaller than their Galaxy S+ counterparts — which just didn’t make much sense for a phone that’s supposed to be the biggest and best in every respect.

Samsung putting emphasis on battery life with its first teaser video bodes well for the Note 9, because you’d expect that Samsung would want to make its first marketing message one that it knows it can deliver on. We’ll see for certain when Samsung unveils the Galaxy Note 9 on August 9 — and you know Android Central will be there to offer all of the coverage you desire.

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How do you save/remember all of your passwords?

Please use one uppercase letter, a number, symbol, and emoji.

Whether it’s for your bank account, Twitter profile, or Pokemon Go, passwords are required for just about all of the apps and websites we use. That shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone, but even so, having to remember all of these can be a royal pain.

So, what’s a person to do to keep from going insane while not forgetting hundreds of different login credentials?

Some of our AC forum members recently started talking about this very topic, and these are a few tips they recommend for safe-keeping of all your passwords.

Rukbat
07-23-2018 02:05 PM

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The only thing I don’t like is subscriptions. KeePassDroid is safe, uses fingerprint (or password) unlock, creates long random passwords, and lets you keep the data file in the cloud so other devices can use the same password file – with no payment. (True, no 2FA, but important apps, like bank apps, should be doing that on their own.)

Reply

B. Diddy
07-23-2018 10:20 PM

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I also routinely recommend the Stone Age method of just writing down important passwords and keeping them in a safe at home!

Reply

Mooncatt
07-24-2018 08:12 PM

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I’ll use browser auto-fill for non-secure data like my name and address, but not for passwords. They are generally seen as vulnerable and often store the passwords in plain text. A good password manager will not store any info in plain text and perform all encryption/decryption locally so your info isn’t vulnerable on their servers. Ideally the only time your password is available in plain text…

Reply

Itsa_Me_Mario
07-25-2018 02:33 PM

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I use a letters and numbers long phrase type password as my master-password on LastPass myself, they make it too easy to be better than I would be at trying to manage hundreds of passwords myself.

Reply

What about you? How do you save/remember all of your passwords?

Join the conversation in the forums!