What are the differences between Android One and Android Go?

Both are designed for budget phones, but they each use a very different strategy. Here’s what you need to know.

Android is a complicated beast. It’s one of those things that’s essentially the same across tens of thousands of different device configurations, but completely different on the surface. It needs to be this way because that’s how Google and its partners are able to offer a choice of many different phones at every price point yet have them all still be able to run the same apps downloaded from the same place. The fact that it gets shipped out the door is a complete marvel and mystery.

It can get even more confusing when you add “special” versions of Android designed for a specific class of hardware into the mix, like Android One and Android Go. It can be difficult to understand the differences between all the versions, let alone trying to compare Android Go to Android One, which are both advertised as a version of Android designed for budget hardware. Android on ultra-slim hardware is both a business strategy — Google wants the Next Billion — as well as a way to help developing countries build out infrastructure and offer services to places that don’t yet have them available.

Software engineers and application developers know the differences and nuances of the Android platform, but it’s really not too tough for us regular folks to understand once it’s broken down.

What is Android One?

You could think of Android One as a way to build cheap Pixel phones and you wouldn’t be too far off the mark.

When a “regular” Android phone is in production, the company making it decides what hardware to use, then uses the Android source code to create its own operating system. There is a lot of leeway given to a company like Samsung that lets it create great Android phones and then build out the software and operating system to support the extras included in them. If the company building these phones would like to include Google’s services and branding — that would be Google Play, Gmail, Google Photos, Chrome, and the other Google apps we find preloaded on most phones we buy — the device has to pass a set of tests.

Android One is Android for “cheap” phones that comes from Google.

These tests really only do one thing: make sure the device will be able to run every standard app that’s in Google Play. Google has to do this to offer its own app marketplace; imagine how bad things would be if you had no idea which apps from the Play Store would work on your phone. By making every phone pass these tests, Google can then standardize how apps are written for the Play Store and everything works everywhere.

With an Android One device, the company building it loses some of that independence when it comes to the hardware and software. When an Android One phone is in production, Google makes the final decision about the hardware used, so it can be sure that the end product is a “high-quality but low-cost” Android smartphone. It then oversees the software production and maintains the responsibility to keep the device updated and running well throughout its lifetime. Android One was primarily designed for the Indian market but has expanded to include phones for everyone no matter where they live.

More: These are all the Android One phones available today

What is Android Go?

Android Go isn’t a special version of Android like Android One or “regular” Android that is on a Google Pixel phone. It’s the very same Android (Android Oreo or higher) designed and optimized for low-end hardware with 1GB of RAM or less.

When a company that makes phones takes the Android source code and builds out their version of the operating system, it sets up a device configuration. This configuration is designed to best support the hardware inside the phone and it’s a shortcut that can be used whenever Android needs rebuilt (like when a security path needs to be added) for that particular device. Going through source files is tedious and many of the edits will never change, and this is how all those edits are kept track of.

Android Go is Android for “cheap” phones designed by Google but build by the companies who make the phones.

Android Go is a configuration that’s been designed by Google with platform-level tweaks for optimization of lower-end hardware, more tools for data management, and a special “light” version of Google’s mobile services. Companies that make phones are able to use this configuration as the base for building Android, and once specifics for hardware support are added no further optimization should be necessary.

While Android Go includes special versions of Google’s apps that have been designed for devices with 1GB of RAM or less, Android Go phones are able to download and install any app from Google Play just like Android One and “regular” Android phones are. the difference is that there is a specific area in the Play Store for apps optimized for Android Go phones.

Android Go debuted in early 2018 with phones from Nokia, ZTE, Alcatel, ASUS, Lava, Micromax, and General Mobile. In July 2018 Motorola used Android Go to power their incredibly successful E series with the E5 Play for the European Market.

More: These are all the Android Go phones available today

A name is a name

In the end, this really doesn’t have to matter unless you’re a developer — and that’s by design.

Android, Android One, and Android Go are all ways to offer Android-powered phones that runs well on the hardware inside of them and can use any of the one million plus apps found in Google’s Play Store. It may provide more work for developers and be a bit confusing for enthusiasts that want to know about the various versions and differences, but in the end it’s all “just Android.”

How’s Android Pie running on your Pixel 2?

Looks like everything’s been smooth sailing.

Earlier this month, Android 9 Pie started making its way to the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. This latest version of Android brings new gestures, a refreshed UI, battery-saving tools, and plenty more.

All of these new goodies are certainly exciting, but in day-to-day use, how well does the upgraded OS actually perform?

Here’s what some of our AC forum users have to say!

MarkMN
08-22-2018 02:14 PM

“

I haven’t had any issues with mine after Pie. Mainly just getting used to things being slightly different. My battery life is good, maybe better.

Reply

DMP89145
08-22-2018 02:18 PM

“

Tough to answer, since use cases are so wildly different … Personally, I’m 98% free of any issues. My only enigma has been trying to understand the battery regulation … It’s amazing for me during daytime with actual use, but my overnight idle has been more draining then on Oreo. Puzzling …

Reply

weepatc
08-22-2018 02:23 PM

“

No problems here so far. Did a factory reset before applying the update. Had a few hiccups with Android auto initially but all good now.

Reply

cbreze
08-22-2018 03:57 PM

“

No issues. Had beta previously. Battery is excellent. Over all is very smooth and flat out awesome. Use various launchers and great battery either one. A couple launchers aren’t quite ready for pie yet so waiting on those to be updated but most are very slickly fine. Oem pixel launcher unsurprisingly is very good with pie. 4 to 5 sot which is more than enough for me.

Reply

What about you? How’s your Pixel 2 running with the Android Pie update?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Android 9 Pie

• Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices
• Everything you need to know about Android 9 Pie!
• Will my phone get Android Pie?
• How to get Android 9 Pie on your Pixel right now
• Join the Discussion

Pixel 3 XL leak shows new camera app, details included earbuds

Everything we know about what’ll likely be one of the year’s best phones.

Google first introduced its Pixel series in 2016, and since then, has been hard at work to establish itself as a serious player in the smartphone market. Google may be one of the most powerful and iconic companies in the world, but when it comes to hardware, is still very much a newcomer.

We saw vast improvements with the Pixel 2 compared to the original Pixel line, and we’re expecting to get that again with the Pixel 3. Google’s quickly learning what it takes to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple, and seeing as how the Pixel 2 was one of 2017’s best phones, there’s a lot riding on this year’s entry.

Ladies and gentlemen, here’s everything we know so far about the Google Pixel 3.

The latest Pixel 3 news

August 23, 2018 — Another Pixel 3 XL leak highlights an updated camera app, included earbuds, and more

Kicking things off with a bang this morning, Russian website Mobile-Review recently published a “first look” at the Pixel 3 XL using a prototype model that was sent to it by “an anonymous well-wisher.” This hands-on is very similar to other ones we’ve seen already, but there are a couple new tidbits worth mentioning — specifically with the Pixel 3 XL’s camera app.

The UI shown here is a bit different from what we currently have on the Pixel 2. Rather than swiping open a hamburger menu to change shooting modes, the app now has them listed above the shutter button. Users can cycle through Panorama, Portrait, Camera, and Video. Tapping the More icon gives options for Google Lens, Slow Motion video, and Photo Sphere.

Portrait mode now allows you to choose between Natural and Soft face-retouching in addition to toggling it off altogether, a new “Google Lens suggestions” mode is featured, and the rear camera is confirmed to be 12.2MP while the front-facing camera is 8MP. For whatever reason, only one front-facing camera is mentioned in the app despite the Pixel 3 XL clearly having two.

As for the included earbuds, the instruction manual that comes with them indicates you’ll be able to use the in-line controls for controlling music, answering calls, and prompting the Google Assistant.

August 22, 2018 — Stolen Pixel 3 XL handsets are apparently being sold on the Ukranian black market

It’s not an uncommon practice for smartphones to be leaked ahead of their official release, but with the Pixel 3 XL, the quantity and quality of leaks we’ve been getting lately has been somewhat staggering. The first hands-on photos of the Pixel 3 XL were shared all the way back in June, and since then, it’s been a nonstop flood of leak after leak.

According to a new report from 9to5Google, a large portion of the leaks have been appearing thanks to a black market dealer over in Ukraine.

Essentially, this dealer somehow acquired multiple models of the phone and is shipping them from London at a price of $2,000 USD per phone. They’re said to be pre-release versions of the Pixel 3 XL, with it noted that “everything looks and works exactly the same” compared to the final versions that’ll be released in October.

We aren’t sure how many units this seller has or how they obtained them in the first place, but it’s further reported that people are still buying the phones and that more leaks are coming soon.

August 22, 2018 — Pixel 3 XL poses for more hands-on photos, Active Edge appears to be making a return

The Pixel 3 XL has reared its head in a number of hands-on photos at this point, but for the most part, they’ve been pretty low-quality and not the prettiest to look at. Thanks to user @wylsacom on Twitter and Rozetked, that’s no longer the case.

These photos don’t reveal a whole lot that we haven’t seen before, but they show off the Pixel 3 XL in a much more professional manner and, more importantly, a higher resolution.

The notch is as big as ever, the back is definitely all glass, and thanks to a shot of the settings page, it appears that Active Edge is returning so you can squeeze the sides to prompt Google Assistant.

August 22, 2018 — Leaked video confirms wireless charging on Pixel 3 XL; Camera samples shared on Instagram

Thanks to various hands-on photos, we’ve known for a while that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will come with all-glass backs. However, up until now, it’s been a mystery as to whether or not wireless charging will make its way to the phones.

At least for the larger Pixel 3 XL, a video that was shared by user @khoroshev on Twitter confirms that this feature is, in fact, present.

pic.twitter.com/XtAtAeWreH

— Максим Хорошев (@khoroshev) August 22, 2018

The video above shows the Pixel 3 XL being placed onto a wireless charging pad, and when it makes a contact, a small animation appears on the screen to show the current battery percentage and to indicate that charging has begun. Google’s obviously yet to confirm the legitimacy of this video, but it sure does seem like wireless charging is a go for the Pixel 3 lineup.

Along with the video, that same person also took to Instagram to share a heap of photos that he supposedly captured with the Pixel 3 XL. Just like the Pixel 2 before it, the pictures showcase great dynamic range, excellent colors, and more. We don’t have access to the full-resolution files seeing as how these were uploaded to Instagram, but even so, it’s a great early look at what’s to come.

You can check out all of the photos here and here.

August 17, 2018 — Pixel 3 XL and its unforgiving notch pop up in Toronto

Surprise, surprise — another Pixel 3 XL leak!

A reader of the Canadian tech site MobileSyrup recently snapped the above photo while riding a streetcar in Toronto. As you can see, the phone shown in the picture appears to be none other than the Google Pixel 3 XL.

While Google’s yet to formally unveil the phone, the device lines up with everything else we’ve seen so far. It’s running Android P, has a chin below the display, and its large notch is impossible to miss.

This photo doesn’t reveal anything we didn’t already know about the phone, but the fact that Google’s got people using these out in the wild confirms that we’re not too far off from an official launch.

August 10, 2018 — Another hands-on video shows the Pixel 3 XL in use while also confirming some specs

The same person that shared those Pixel 3 XL photos and unboxing video from a couple days ago has returned with yet another video that reveals even more about the phone.

In this video, we can see the Pixel 3 XL actually being used. It’s running Android 9 Pie (no surprise there) and appears to have the same UI of the Pixel and Pixel 2 running the new software.

A couple benchmarks results are also shown during the video, and as such, a handful of specs have been confirmed. They include:

• 1440 x 2960 screen resolution
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 processor w/ Adreno 630 GPU
• 3,430 mAh battery
• 12.2MP rear camera
• 8.1MP front-facing camera (x3)

The most interesting of those specs are the front-facing cameras. Antutu lists three 8.1MP sensors up front, although in the video we can only see two. This could be nothing more than a glitch in the app, or Google could have implemented some sort of mystery camera up there. We really aren’t sure about that one.

August 8, 2018 — Pixel 3 XL appears in more hands-on photos and unboxing video

Previous renders and real-world pictures have already given us a clear look at the Pixel 3 XL’s design, and to help make that image as clear as humanly possible, SlashLeaks recently shared three additional hands-on photos and an unboxing video of the phone.

One of the photos shows the back of the white Pixel 3 XL while the other two showcase the front. We once again see that Google will be sticking with just one rear camera and a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and unfortunately, that notch hasn’t shrunk at all since the last time we saw it.

Moving over to the unboxing video, it’s apparent that Google’s using very similar packaging compared to the Pixel 2 and 2 XL. The box does contain a pair of wired USB-C earbuds in addition to the Pixel 3 XL, but seeing as how Google experimented with this idea for last year’s release, we aren’t entirely sure if the free buds will stick around for the final retail packaging.

August 6, 2018 — October 4 launch date leaked for the Pixel 3

While we’ve seen plenty of leaked renders and specs for the Pixel 3, talk about its release date has been fairly quiet. That is, up until now. As spotted by Brandon Lee from the YouTube channel This is Tech Today, the Pixel 3 is shown to be released on October 4 according to the website Famebit.

Famebit is a website that allows companies to connect with content creators and work out deals to create sponsored content for YouTube videos, Instagram posts, etc. An ad on the site was recently created by Google and asks for Canadian creators to switch to the Pixel 3 and then making a video talking about their experience.

In this listing, it’s stated that “The Pixel 3 phone is launching October 4, 2018.”

While there’s no way to confirm if this ad really was created by Google, that October 4 date is what we were previously expecting anyways. That’s the same day Google used to announce the Pixel and Pixel 2 before, so it makes sense that it’d keep the trend going this year.

July 30, 2018 — Clearly White Google Pixel 3 XL shows up in new leak

We just got our best look at the Google Pixel 3 XL courtesy of XDA. The images in question show off the Clearly White color option, and the live photos confirm a cutout at the front and a single rear camera. We can also make out a single speaker located below the display.

The XDA leak once again reaffirms the presence of a glass back on the Pixel 3 XL, with the finish alternating between glossy and matte. A glass back opens up the possibility for wireless charging, but for now there’s no further information as to whether the feature will make its way to the device.

July 28, 2018 — ‘Pixel Stand’ could be a wireless charger for the upcoming Pixels

A teardown of the Google app by the folks at XDA has served up interesting information. The code references something called a Pixel Stand, leading to suggestions that it will be a wireless charging dock for the upcoming Pixels.

According to XDA, the Pixel Stand will feature Assistant integration, and will be able to offer personalized suggestions and answer queries when the phone is docked.

June 27, 2018 — Pixel 3 and 3 XL renders show the phones from every possible angle

As if previous leaks of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL haven’t been revealing enough, MySmartPrice teamed up with OnLeaks to share a boatload of both photo and video renders of the two phones.

These renders confirm a lot of what we’ve previously seen, including things like an all-glass back for both phones, single rear cameras, and a notch on the larger Pixel 3 XL.

However, while earlier rumors suggested that only the 3 XL would have two front-facing cameras, these renders show that the regular Pixel 3 will have them, too.

The Pixel 3’s display is said to measure in at 5.4-inches with an 18:9 aspect ratio, whereas the Pixel 3 XL will have a 6.2-inch screen and 19:9 setup. As for the dimensions, we’re looking at 145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9mm for the Pixel 3 and 158 x 76.6 x 7.9mm for the 3 XL.

June 18, 2018 — Case render confirms Pixel 3 XL design

Ice Universe on Twitter has built up a reputation for being pretty accurate about leaks/rumors in the mobile space, and on June 18, they shared a case render that further confirms the Pixel 3 XL’s design.

Like we saw with the hands-on photos on June 7 and 8, the Pixel 3 XL will have a notch in its screen, dual front-facing cameras, stereo speakers, rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and a single rear camera.

It’s peculiar that Google’s choosing to use two cameras on the front while keeping just one on the back, but based on how excellent the Pixel 2’s single rear camera is, I don’t expect this will be a downside at all.

June 8, 2018 — Pixel 3 XL shown off in six more hands-on pictures

Less than a day after those first two hands-on photos of the Pixel 3 XL surfaced, six more have appeared.

These additional photos showcase the Pixel 3 XL from every possible angle, and when XDA Developers reached out to their forum member that shared them, they were able to confirm that the phone has a full glass back. In other words, it’s possible this year’s Pixel line may finally adopt wireless charging.

The front and back photos are pretty similar compared to what we saw yesterday, but the other images showcase a reflective glass frame around the phone, volume rocker and power/lock button on the right side, and a USB-C port and SIM slot on the bottom.

Also, as 9to5Google pointed out, that mysterious logo on the back of the Pixel 3 XL was used previously with old Pixel 2 prototypes.

June 7, 2018 — Hands-on photos apparently showcase a Pixel 3 XL prototype

Out of the blue, XDA Senior Member meraz9000 shared two photos on the XDA Forums showing what’s supposed to be a prototype of the Pixel 3 XL. There’s obviously no way we can confirm whether or not this is the real deal, but it sure does line up with the display panels that were leaked last month.

The photos show the Pixel 3 XL from both the front and back, with the front reiterating the point that the 3 XL will more than likely have a notch in its screen. For what it’s worth, it does look like we’ll be getting two front-facing cameras and a chin at the bottom to retain stereo front-facing speakers.

Around back, this Pixel 3 XL prototype looks nearly identical to that of the Pixel 2 XL. The glass panel seems to be ever-so-slightly smaller, but that could just be the way the photo was taken.

In any case, what do you think about how the Pixel 3 XL is shaping up?

June 4, 2018 — Google’s apparently working on a mid-range Pixel phone

According to one tipster, Google’s in the process of developing a mid-range Pixel phone that’s codenamed “Bonito” and is powered by the Snapdragon 710 processor.

Rumors of a mid-range Pixel first popped up in April, but the old claim of it launching this July has since been replaced with a release scheduled for the first half of 2019.

That would suggest that Google may launch this new Pixel phone during I/O next year, but with so much discrepancy surrounding the release date, it’s entirely possible it’ll be announced alongside the Pixel 3 in October.

May 30, 2018 (part 2) — Verizon is said to be the exclusive carrier for the Pixel 3, again 😕

A report from Bloomberg recently surfaced confirming a few details about Google’s upcoming phones per a source that’s familiar with their production. According to the report:

• The Pixel 3 series will once again be exclusive to Verizon Wireless in the U.S.
• A notch will be present on the larger Pixel 3 XL
• Google will announce/launch the phones in October
• Foxconn will manufacture the Pixel 3/3 XL
• Stereo speakers will be present on both phones
• The Pixel 3 XL will have dual front-facing cameras
• “Both models will include upgraded, single-lens cameras on the back”

May 30, 2018 — LG will reportedly manufacture the Pixel 3 XL’s OLED display

Just a couple days after the Pixel 3 XL’s notched panel leaked, a report’s come out of Korea claiming that Google will once again use LG to manufacture and supply an OLED screen for the phone.

Furthermore, an official from LG Display that remains anonymous said, “We have maintained close ties with Google and the volume will not be much different from the previous one (the Pixel 2 XL).”

If this turns out to be true, one can only hope that LG’s improved the quality of its mobile panels since last year. The LG-made Pixel 2 XL display was the center of a lot of controversy for the phone’s first few weeks out in the wild, and Google really can’t afford to go through that again with gen-three.

What do you think about LG making the Pixel 3 XL’s display?

May 28, 2018 — The Pixel 3 goes 2:1 and the Pixel 3 XL gets a notch

Here’s an interesting leak that, while not necessarily all-telling, gives us an indication of where Google is taking the series in 2018. Specifically, the larger Pixel 3 XL looks to have a notch while the smaller Pixel 3, though moving to a 2:1 aspect ratio, will lack one. At the same time, we see some sensors that may indicate Google is adding either a second front camera to the phones or, more likely, some sort of dedicated biometric sensor for faster/more reliable face unlock.

The leak comes from Weibo (by way of Slashleaks) and reportedly shows two front glass panels for the new phones. Given that we’re almost in June, this would be the time for accessory makers to begin testing products for the final phone design. It’s also good to see Google maintaining dual front-facing speakers for the lineup.

What do you think of this latest leak?

May 10, 2018 — The Pixel 3 could be joined by second-gen Pixel Buds and a Pixel Watch

Google’s hardware events surround the Pixel phones with a heap of other product announcements, and this year, it’s reported that we’ll see a second-gen version of Pixel Buds and Google’s first Pixel-branded smartwatch.

Specifics on these gadgets are still up in the air, and as excited as I am to see how Google improves its wireless earbud game, I’m beyond ecstatic to see how the company’s first smartwatch turns out.

Wear OS is in an awkward stage right now, but a proper Pixel Watch and new silicon from Qualcomm could bring it back into the limelight. Assuming Google handles this right, the Apple Watch may soon be faced with some of its stiffest competition yet.

When will the Pixel 3 be released?

In 2016 and 2017, Google held its hardware event on October 4. We don’t have a concrete date for this year’s event quite yet, but there’s no reason to believe Google will deter from this pattern.

Another October 4 event isn’t out of the question seeing as how that falls on a Thursday this year, but at the very least, we should be looking at some point in early October.

Pre-orders for the Pixel 3 will likely open shortly after it’s announced that same day with shipments going out at least a couple of weeks later.

How much will the Pixel 3 cost?

Over the past couple years, pricing for Google’s Pixel phones has remained mostly the same. The MSRP for the Pixel and Pixel 2 series is as follows:

• Pixel w/ 32GB — $649
• Pixel w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel 2 w/ 64GB — $649
• Pixel 2 w/ 128GB — $749
• Pixel XL w/ 32GB — $769
• Pixel XL w/ 128GB — $869
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 64GB —$849
• Pixel 2 XL w/ 128GB — $949

I imagine we’ll see similar numbers with the Pixel 3, but don’t be too surprised if we get a Pixel 3 XL variant that crosses the $1000 threshold.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

• Pixel 2 FAQ: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 2 and 2 XL review: The new standard
• Google Pixel 2 specs
• Google Pixel 2 vs. Pixel 2 XL: What’s the difference?
• Join our Pixel 2 forums

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Project Fi

How does Google Play Music still have a device limit?

No, YouTube Music isn’t an excuse for it.

There are plenty of ways to stream music these days — I’ve been an avid Spotify user since the service first rolled out in the U.S., and new services are cropping up all the time, including the new YouTube Music. But Google Play Music has always been different — it isn’t just for streaming music from Google’s selection, it lets you stream from your own, with the ability to upload your personal catalog to its servers.

That’s a great feature for listeners with a wide collection of music that isn’t available on streaming services. Maybe you listen to a lot of local bands who haven’t distributed their music yet, or maybe your taste in music is just that underground. Whatever the case, it’s a great feature that separates Google Play Music from the likes of even the best alternatives.

I have quite a bit of music uploaded to my personal GPM library — mostly demo tracks, local artists, and my own recordings — but while it’s nice to have the files stored in the cloud for safety’s sake, it doesn’t do me much good when it comes to streaming because I’m far beyond my device limit.

In case you didn’t know, Google Play Music has long imposed a 10-device limit for playback. Once you try to sign in on an eleventh device, you have to deauthorize one of the others before you’re allowed to stream anything. That’s fine, just deauthorize an older device and move on, right? Sure, except Google only lets you deauthorize up to four devices a year. There’s really no winning here.

There’s virtually no alternatives to Google Play Music when it comes to streaming your personal library.

Of course, most people aren’t going through ten phones a year (unless you’re a tech blogger), but it’s easier to reach that 10-device limit than you might think. Every device you connect with, be it your laptop, desktop, a work computer, or a tablet, counts against the limit. Add to that the inevitable phone upgrade and any replacements from incidences like insurance or warranty claims, and that limit can quickly rear its ugly head and leave you without your music.

It’s easy to dismiss this problem and say that the newer YouTube Music service (which is more or less replacing Google Play Music) doesn’t have such strict device limits, but there are two major problems with that: the free version of YouTube Music is dramatically worse than the free version of GPM (ads between songs, no offline downloads, etc.), and YouTube Music doesn’t allow you to upload your own tracks.

So Google, why not just drop this ridiculous device limit already? Google Play Music clearly isn’t a priority these days, especially as the company continues to push users toward YouTube Music instead, but that’s simply not a viable alternative for the people that have their own libraries to keep track of.

See Google Play Music

Lenovo announces a slew of budget Android tablets starting at just $69

Get acquainted with Lenovo’s new tablet family.

Android tablets are on a lifeline that refuses to go out, and most recently, Lenovo is the latest company keeping this form factor alive with five new tablets that are coming out just in time for the holiday shopping season — including the Lenovo Tab E7, Tab E8, Tab E10, Tab M10, and Tap P10.

Tab E7

With the Tab E7, E8, and E10, Lenovo’s specifically targeting families that want affordable tablets to keep their kids entertained without breaking the bank. The E7 is running Android Oreo (Go Edition) and has a 7.3-inch display with a battery that’s rated for 5 hours of video watching. If you upgrade to the E8, you get an 8-inch HD display, 10 hours of local video playback, and a front-facing speaker with Dolby Atmos support.

Tab E8 (left) and Tab E10 (right)

Lastly, the Tab E10 gives you a 10.1-inch HD display, Dolby Atmos, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor.

In regards to pricing, the E series goes as follows:

• The Tab E7 should be available this October for $69.99 exclusively through walmart.com
• The Tab E8 is available in Walmart stores now for $99.99
• The Tab E10 starts at $129.99 and will be available from Walmart and other “select retailers” this October

Tab M10

Next up, we’ve got Lenovo’s more premium tablet offerings — the Tab M10 and P10.

While the M10 has a 10.1-inch screen just like the E10, the resolution is bumped up from HD to Full HD. A Snapdragon 1.8GHz octa-core CPU is found under the hood, and an optional “Kids Pack” gives you a special bumper case and kid-focused software features.

Tab P10

Moving over to the P10, this ditches the plastic design of all the other tablets in favor of a glass and metal one. There are four speakers paired with Dolby Atmos, an 8MP autofocus rear camera, and a 5MP fixed-focus front-facing camera.

On the pricing and availability side of things, both the M10 and P10 will be available for pre-order from Amazon this winter.

What do you think about these tablets? Do you plan on picking any of them up? Let us know in the comments below!

I, for one, am totally OK with Chromebooks replacing Android tablets

How to get Xbox Game Pass app on Android

With a new Xbox Game Pass app headed to Android and iOS, here’s how to download right now.

Microsoft’s all-new app for mobile devices builds on its Netflix-style subscription service, Xbox Game Pass. Headed to Android and iOS, the app allows subscribers to remotely browse the service’s current library while pushing games to the Xbox One’s download queue.

Although the new Xbox Game Pass app hasn’t formally released on mobile storefronts, Microsoft is currently distributing in-progress beta versions to select Xbox users. The Xbox Game Pass app beta for Android is now on Google’s Play Store, while iOS users require a direct invite from Microsoft.

Here’s what you need to know about the Xbox Game Pass app on Android, and how to download it today.

Get Xbox Game Pass app beta on Android

For those on Android, downloading the Xbox Game Pass app is relatively easy. Only a few steps lead to installing the app for free, with an immediate download across any device.

Open the Play Store on your Android device.
Search Xbox Game Pass on the Play Store.
Select Xbox Game Pass from app listings.
Select Install to begin downloading the Xbox Game Pass app beta.

Once downloaded, the Xbox Game Pass beta app and its features will be available for use.

Your thoughts on the Xbox Game Pass app

For a full breakdown of the Xbox Game Pass app and its features, be sure to check out our full hands-on with a pre-release version. In the meantime, be sure to drop into the comments section with your thoughts on Microsoft’s latest mobile venture.

See Xbox Game Pass at Microsoft

Check out these fixes if your Oculus Go games won’t download or install

Not much fun without content.

The Oculus Go is a portable VR headset that avoids cables and external hardware, yet provides a truly immersive experience. It is a relatively new product, so there are some bugs to be found, but you can usually fix them without much trouble. One common problem involves not being able to download or install games and experiences from the Oculus Store. Let’s take a look at a few potential fixes that can get you back to VR gaming on your Go.

See at Amazon

Restart your Oculus Go

If you’ve successfully downloaded and installed a game or experience from the Oculus Store and it doesn’t want to launch on your Go, start off by restarting the headset.

Hold down the Oculus Go power button on the headset until a shut down menu appears on the display.
Select Restart with your Oculus Go motion controller.

Your Oculus Go will power cycle and you can then attempt again to launch a game or experience that’s already been downloaded and installed.

Install games from your phone’s Oculus app

Attempting to install a game from inside the headset might not work, but you can always try installing by using the Oculus app on your phone. The app and the headset remain synced, so anything you do on either device will show up on the other.

Launch the Oculus app on your phone.
Tap Library.
Tap a game or experience that won’t install on your headset.

Tap Install.

If the phone app isn’t working properly either, you can always try reinstalling it for better results.

Download the Oculus app at Google Play

Try downloading one Oculus Go app at a time

Some users have found that downloading multiple games and experiences at once can cause a bit of confusion for the system. If you are indeed queueing up a bunch of downloads, try going one by one to see if there is any difference.

Keep your Oculus Go from sleeping

Power management kind of sucks right now on the Go, and you’ve probably noticed that it will turn off almost immediately if you remove it from your head. This remains true when games and experiences are downloading, and many people have had problems attempting to restart a download when the headset wakes back up.

While downloading, you’ll want to either keep the headset on your head or place a piece of tape over the built-in sensor to keep the headset from sleeping.

If you are downloading and the headset powers down, you might have to perform a complete factory reset to get the specific app onto your Oculus Go.

How to factory reset your Oculus Go

Unfortunately, it seems that a factory reset is often necessary if a game or experience gets stuck. This will erase everything on your Oculus Go, but you will retain any games and experiences in your library. That means you have to go through the process of reinstallation, but at least you won’t have to re-buy your content.

We’ve already written a great guide on factory resetting your Oculus Go with step-by-step instructions to get you through the process.

How to reset your Oculus Go

Open a support ticket with Oculus

There’s no shame in reaching out to Oculus when you can’t find on your own a solution to your problem. Opening a support ticket usually means you’ll hear back within a few days, hopefully with a fix that will get you back into VR.

Open an Oculus support ticket

Related resources

• Which Oculus Go should you buy? 32GB or 64GB?
• How to fix an Oculus Go controller that doesn’t connect

1Password 7 comes to Android with a new UI, account breach alerts, and more

The new update is rolling out via the Play Store now.

1Password is one of our favorite password managers around, and after rolling out its big 1Password 7 update to Windows and Mac, it’s now time for the Android app to share in on the fun.

As soon as you update to 1Password 7, the first thing you’ll notice right off the bat is the new UI. A bottom navigation bar now provides quick access to your Favorites, Categories, Tags, and Settings — things you previously had to open the hamburger menu to use. Speaking of the hamburger menu, opening this now shows a new vault launcher where you can switch back and forth between your vaults in you have more than one.

If you go to the Categories tab, you can now press and hold on multiple entries to favorite, copy, or delete multiple items at once. When you tap on a single entry, the view for it has been updated so that the most important info is now more readable and easier to understand.

When it comes to creating passwords, 1Password 7 includes a new Strong Password Generator that allows you to create memorable/easier-to-remember passwords that are still plenty secure. Similarly, Watchtower is also integrated into the 1Password Android app to alert you if you have a weak password, one of your online accounts has been compromised, or if a password is expiring soon and needs to be changed.

Other goodies with 1Password 7 include the ability to upload documents from your Android device, Autofill support for DuckDuckGo and Brave web browsers, your most-used logins now being shown at the top of the Categories page, and more.

1Password 7 is rolling out as a free update to the Google Play Store now. If you don’t see it quite yet, 1Password says it should be available for everyone in the coming days.

Download: 1Password (free w/ paid subscription)

Google Assistant Routines make Google Home the best alarm clock you can buy

Google Assistant’s Routines turn the most hated activity of the day into something gentle, useful, and guaranteed to make you not hit the snooze button.

As a child, I hated alarm clocks with a passion. They’re harsh, ugly, and the snooze button meant that I’d hear my siblings’ or dormmates’ alarm clocks over and over again as they looked in vain for five more minutes of sleep. CD alarm clocks and their sweet music helped me make peace with the morning alarm, with my iPod and eventually Google Play Music (via custom Tasker profiles) replacing the harsh beeps, buzzers, and klaxons that have made users young and old curse their clocks for centuries.

Well, Google Home has finally freed us from the shackles of traditional buzzer, ringer, or ringtone alarm clocks, and it’s all thanks to Google Assistant’s custom Routines .

If I wanted to set a morning alarm with Google Assistant, why wouldn’t I want to have all of that in my alarm?

Google Home has had alarms since its inception back in 2016, and even allowed users to start setting music alarms earlier this year, but these alarms left a lot to be desired. Google Assistant’s “Good Morning” routine can turn on the lights, read you today’s schedule, tell you how much traffic is on your way to work, then play your favorite music or the latest news.

Now, Google Home users in the United States can get Google Assistant to wake them up with all of that thanks to time-activated custom routines.

When you create a new custom routine, you’re given two activation methods: a voice command that will manually trigger the routine on whichever device you say it to, and a time/date trigger that can be used to trigger the profile up to once a day on any and every day of the week you want on a single Google Home device. Other Google Assistant smart speakers like the TicHome Mini and the Insignia Voice Smart Speaker and Alarm Clock, but you cannot designate your phone or Chromecast as the designated Speaker for the routine to play out on.

If you already had a custom routine set up the way you’d like it for your routine — or a ready-made routine like Good Morning — you can’t add a time/date trigger to it; you’ll still have to set it up as a brand-new custom routine. It’s also not possible to add different times for different days of the week, so if you want the same routine to fire at 8AM on days you have class and noon on days you don’t, you’ll have to make two routines for the two different time triggers.

Once you have your trigger phrase and trigger times set up, you can add actions in your desired order. First things first, I’d recommend adjusting the media volume of your Google Home so that Google Assistant speaks loudly enough to wake you up. You can use any Google Assistant command in these routines that you can use with your Google Home such as:

• Turning on one of your Philips Hue scenes
• Reading the daily forecast
• Hearing what traffic on the way to work is like
• Saying a quote or motto from one of your favorite authors to motivate you
• Turning up the thermostat so the A/C doesn’t run all day

• Hear a fun fact or word of the day

  

Below the ordered actions section is “And then play”, which will start up your favorite podcast, playlist, or morning news. I wish you could have multiple categories here play in a designated order — such as having the news play and then music play afterwards — but this setup is easy enough to customize the way I want.

Make sure to always save and back out when you change your alarm routine.

Using Google Assistant’s custom routines for an alarm clock has been a breeze once it’s set up, so long as you remember to finish saving your changes to a routine if you tend to change your wake-up time from day to day. The alarm triggers daily, and it sends a notification to my phone once it activates, giving it a notification chirp just in case something goes wrong with the profile.

Since these profiles are not traditional alarms, you can’t tell Google Assistant to hit the snooze button, but the snooze button is bad for you and needs to die a painful death for its oversleeping-enabling sins.

Now, I know that I said that Google Home is the best alarm clock you can buy, but I’ve actually been using the TicHome Mini as my alarm because of its portability: the small circular speaker hangs from my bedpost during the night, and after it wakes me up with YouTube Music in the morning, I unplug it and bring it into the bathroom so I can keep the music flowing while I shower and get dressed, then into the kitchen for breakfast and some frantic morning writing. It’s also an easy size for packing on trips, assuming the Wi-Fi at my destination works with Google Home.

At $100, that’s a bit steep for a portable Google Home, but the Insignia Voice Google Assistant Portable Speaker is on sale for $45 right now, features bigger, richer sound, and a LED clock display on the front. I’ve been enjoying it the last few days, and stay tuned for a full review

Things are still early days with time-activated routines — and it needs to roll out to users outside the United States pronto — but I’m embracing these custom alarm routines and all that they can do for me. We’re another step closer to that pipe dream from Iron Man.

Now to find those holographic windows and get some more dry sarcasm into Google Assistant.

Google Home

• Google Home review
• Google Home Mini: Everything you need to know!
• Google Home Max review
• These services work with Google Home
• Google Home vs. Amazon Echo
• Join our Google Home forums!

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Metro Exodus is the one game you NEED to watch in 2019

Metro Exodus is the third installment in 4A Games’ leading apocalyptic shooter franchise, and it looks set to take the series to all-new heights.

At Gamescom 2018, we went hands-on with Metro Exodus on an Xbox One X and came away feeling elated. The game should also be released on PlayStation 4 early next year.

Metro could be called a “cult” shooter franchise from 4A Games. The series, based on apocalyptic novels of the same name, takes place in a post-societal Russia following a devastating global catastrophe.

The first two games, Metro 2099 and Metro: Last Light, we’re well received in general, but the franchise never seems to have gotten the widespread attention it truly deserves. Metro Exodus could change that.

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Blue skies above, apocalypse below

Metro Exodus takes place some years after the events of the first two games. Traversing Moscow’s winding metro systems was an incredibly dangerous, claustrophobic affair, forcing the player to use a gas mask that severely limited field of view, while your oxygen filters slowly degraded, creating an anxiety-inducing sense of urgency.

Atmospherically, these oppressive systems are incredible to experience and form part of Metro’s signature gameplay, but they also created some limitations on the types of environments 4A could create for the non-radioactive areas. In Exodus, much of the most aggressive pollution seems to have cleared up. Wildlife is returning, and flora is growing again, albeit often twisted by radioactive and supernatural mutations. Exodus has blue skies, and it’s a breath of fresh air.

Ranger purists will be happy to know Metro Exodus still has its more dangerous survival elements. Protagonist Ranger Artyom still has his gas mask, which takes damage and has limited filtration. He also has his hand-crank dynamo, used to charge your torch and, eventually, night vision goggles. You will have to use all of the tools at your disposal to survive in Metro Exodus’s vast play spaces, that take inspiration from Metro Last Light’s more open areas and expands upon them exponentially, cramming them with detail and reasons to explore.

Fight or flight

During my play session, Artyom had been pulled from a lake and resuscitated by a Mad Maxian “child of the forest,” clad in animal leathers and bones. Humanity might have survived Metro’s apocalypse, but it has regressed to scrapping tribes and warring factions, rife with death and tribal law. Stalking through the painstakingly-crafted undergrowth, I happened upon the corpse of a marauder bandit, crucified, with a bullet wound to the groin, “rapist” written in blood on a scrap of paper impaled to his chest.

If you let it, Metro Exodus’s sobering journey may immerse you like few games can.

Every building was bristling with small details, which are often overlooked as unimportant in some titles. Discarded toys languished on decrepit floors, next to a note penned by a small child addressed to Santa, requesting the opportunity to see her parents again for Christmas. If you let it, Metro Exodus’s sobering journey may immerse you like few games can.

Metro Exodus’s visual quality on the Xbox One X is truly striking. Light plays a huge part in Metro’s stealth gameplay, and it returns with gusto for Exodus. Sunlight realistically dances on the water, which is painted with floating debris and stagnant overgrowth. Grass brushes aside as you stalk through it, and ominous ambience accompanies every step.

Gameplay-wise, Exodus feels familiar but refined. There are a few new systems to help players indulge their inner apocalyptic drifter, including in-the-field weapon modification and crafting, and upgrades to the game’s enemy A.I. and combat tactics. It feels as though “immersion” was a guiding mission statement for this game, with 4A adding some really smart touches that helped bridge that uncanny valley.

Like previous Metro titles, Exodus supports both stealth and gung-ho guns blazin’ gameplay styles, providing silenced weapons for sneaky kills, as well as a powerful double barrel shotgun pistol for going loud. Weighing up my options, I noticed a fallen road sign pointing left, giving me a hint that there might be a hidden entrance into the camp. Sure enough, I found an entrance off to the side through the undergrowth, shooing away some large radioactive hares as I went.

I could catch the “pirates” unawares. Two of them were discussing the gallery of crucified bandits I’d seen on the way to their camp, with one raising concerns that their last kill probably wasn’t a bandit, but just a traveller. It gives you some narrative context for your combat options. Maybe they were only killing bandits before, but now, it looks like they have killed an innocent drifter. You could stealth past this group completely and proceed on your mission, or take them all out – there might be a hoard of crucial supplies inside their base. I chose the latter option.

After killing a couple of enemies with the silenced crossbow, I missed the third, unaccustomed to the crossbow’s arrow-drop physics. They raised the alarm and began to attack. Bullet holes in Exodus ooze cascades of gore realistically, leaving bullet deformations in the targets you shoot. It’s not as gory as say, DOOM, but feels more realistic in the context of the game’s world.

In-keeping with Metro’s immersive priorities, I was surprised to hear enemies calling out my location, contextually. Few games do this, and it might seem like a little thing, but hearing an enemy yell to his friends “he’s by the window!” added to the sense of realism in a big way.

Biology and biomes

The radiation and supernatural phenomena unleashed by Metro’s apocalypse has warped the games flora and fauna in the process of wiping out civilization. In Metro Exodus, you’ll live among these rabid creatures, as you stalk towards your objectives.

Exodus features dynamic day and night cycles that will dramatically alter the way you’ll approach the game.

It isn’t an “open world” game, but it is extremely wide in its approach to level design. If you played Metro Last Light, you may remember the swamp levels which were far more open, built for exploration. Exodus applies this “wide linear” approach to its entire game, giving you optional paths to traverse and uncover.

While Exodus features some scripted encounters, it also features biome-based, dynamic A.I. ecosystems that interact organically with each other. A stampede of mangy deer rushed past me, flanked by a pack of mutated wolves hungry for meat. A gigantic bear-like creature was also stalking the wilds, grunting ominously in the distance.

The remaining humans had set up a series of pulleys, zip lines and tree houses in the gloom, allowing you to escape the danger of running into one of the game’s nuclear predators. It was around then my demo ended, soaked in the incredible lighting effects of Exodus’s moon, cascading through the trees and mist.

It was awe inspiring.

Keep an eye on Metro Exodus

There are a lot of apocalyptic titles on the market. I’ve always felt like Metro didn’t get the attention it deserved, but with Exodus, that could surely change. Even with these brief demonstrations, Exodus felt like the definitive, polished, post-apocalypse experience I’ve been yearning for since the days of STALKER and Metro 2033. If you put ANY shooter on your watch list, make it this one.

Metro Exodus looks utterly stunning in 4K on the Xbox One X, and you’ll be able to crank the experience even higher on PC, as Exodus plans to support ray tracing dynamic lighting on NVIDIA’s new RTX graphics card line.

Metro Exodus should launch on February 22, 2019, for Xbox One, Windows PCs, and PlayStation 4, and it’s available for preorder now starting at about $60.

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