Xiaomi Mi A2 review: A great sequel with a fantastic camera, but it isn’t for everyone

Xiaomi once again shows that it understands the value market better than anyone else.

The Mi A1 was one of the best phones of 2017. It combined Xiaomi’s hardware chops with the simplicity of Android One, resulting in a device that was a delight to use. While the premise of the Mi A1 was great, Xiaomi failed to follow through on a few initial promises — the Oreo update didn’t arrive until the start of the year, and when it was rolled out, it was plagued with so many issues that Xiaomi had to pull it.

With the Mi A2, Xiaomi is hoping to learn from last year’s mistakes. The phone has vastly superior hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 660, along with an upgraded dual camera at the back and an 18:9 display up front. That said, the Mi A2 loses out on the 3.5mm jack even though it has the same 7.3mm thickness as the Mi A1, and there’s no MicroSD slot as well, putting the device at a disadvantage in countries like India.

To offset the lack of expandable storage, Xiaomi is making the 64GB variant the base model for the Indian market. However, that isn’t likely to assuage buyers as the Mi A1 also had 64GB of storage and came with a MicroSD slot. So is the Mi A2 worthy of your consideration? Let’s find out.

Xiaomi Mi A2

Price: ₹16,999 ($250)

Bottom line: The Mi A2 continues Xiaomi’s now-familiar tradition of offering excellent value. The upgrades from last year make it an enticing option in this category, and the camera in particular is stunning.

Pros:

• Fantastic value
• Impressive hardware
• Android One
• Great cameras

Cons:

• Display isn’t polarized
• No MicroSD slot
• No 3.5mm jack
• NFC is missing as well

See at Amazon India

About this review

I (Harish Jonnalagadda) am writing this review after using the Indian retail unit of the Mi A2 for over two weeks in Hyderabad and Delhi. The device picked up a single update over the course of the review, introducing the August 2018 security patch as well as several bug fixes. The unit was provided to Android Central for review by Xiaomi India.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Hardware

The major change on the design front from last year is the introduction of an 18:9 panel. The 5.99-inch IPS LCD display on the Mi A2 offers more screen real estate in a chassis that’s marginally taller than the Mi A1. I’m fine with the fact that there are sizeable bezels at the top and bottom; if that’s what it takes to avoid the notch, so be it.

The bezels are in part due to the sheer number of sensors located at the front. There are the usual proximity and ambient light sensors next to the front camera, and there’s also a LED flash module that sits to the right.

Round the back, you get a dual camera assembly arrayed vertically, and the module juts out considerably from the body, creating a lot of wobble when using the Mi A2 on a flat surface. The fingerprint sensor is located just where your index finger rests, and the sensor itself worked reliably and didn’t pose any issues.

Xiaomi hasn’t made any significant changes to its design in the last two years, and that is immediately evident from the moment you start using the Mi A2. The device feels like a smaller variant of the Mi Max 2 as it has the same antenna lines at the top and bottom, and a similar matte finish. Moreover, that dual camera arrangement — which is a splitting image of the iPhone X — needs to go away.

While the Mi A2 may not look very different from its predecessor, it has rounded corners and subtle curves at the back that make it easier to hold. Xiaomi has also retained the IR blaster, but the 3.5mm jack is no longer present.

Screen	5.99-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD
Chipset	Snapdragon 660
RAM	4GB
Storage	64GB
Software	Android 8.1 Oreo
Rear Camera 1	12MP, ƒ/1.75
Rear Camera 2	20MP, ƒ/1.75
Front Camera	20MP, ƒ/2.2
Security	Rear fingerprint
Battery	3000mAh
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, BT5.0
Colors	Black, Red, Gold, Blue
Dimensions	158.7×75.4×7.3mm
Weight	166g
Price	₹16,999 ($250)

It’s clear that Xiaomi’s design language is in need of an overhaul. The Mi A2 just isn’t exciting when there are glass-backed phones like the Honor 9N that offer a much better design aesthetic.

Coming to the display, the 5.99-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) panel on the Mi A2 is similar to what we’ve seen on the Redmi Note 5 Pro, but it’s missing the display tweaks on offer with MIUI. Colors out of the box are decent, as is the case with sunlight legibility. But my main issue with the device is that the display isn’t polarized, so if you’re wearing sunglasses, you won’t be able to see the screen at all.

There’s also an ambient display mode that wakes the screen whenever you receive a notification. It works as advertised, and is one of my favorite features on Android One. The Mi A2 is the first phone in India with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

The Mi A2 has a single speaker located at the bottom, and it is loud. It isn’t as detailed as stereo configurations, but as far as single speakers go, it is one of the loudest I’ve encountered to date. Calls went through without any hassle, and cellular connectivity was on par with other devices in this category.

Performance

Xiaomi has always been great at delivering excellent value, and the Mi A2 is no different. The Snapdragon 660 makes it one of the fastest phones in this category, and you get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage as standard in India (the 6GB version is coming soon). That said, the Mi A2 isn’t without its gremlins as I noticed lag and the occasional app crash during the first week of testing. But more on that later.

Barring the few instances of lag, the Mi A2 proved to be a reliable workhorse. Gaming was enjoyable on the phone, and I played Alto’s Odyssey as well as PUBG for several hours without any issues. PUBG defaults to medium settings as the Adreno 512 GPU isn’t quite on the same level as flagship chipsets, but the overall experience was on par with the likes of the Nokia 7 Plus.

While it isn’t as big an issue in India, the lack of NFC will undoubtedly hurt Mi A2 sales in Western markets as it makes the device incompatible with Google Pay. On the subject of features, the omission of the MicroSD slot and the 3.5mm jack will also be detrimental to sales in India.

The Mi A2 is a reliable workhorse, but you’ll encounter a few gremlins out of the box.

The Mi A2 will come with 64GB of storage as standard in India, but its predecessor also offered 64GB of internal storage and came with a MicroSD slot. While 64GB of storage is more than enough for most, there will always be a subset of users that will refuse to buy a device that doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. And that’s fine. Xiaomi has more than enough devices in the budget segment, and the Redmi Note 5 Pro is a better bet for those that want the added features.

The Redmi Note 5 Pro isn’t as fast as the Mi A2, the cameras aren’t as good, and it won’t receive platform updates anywhere as fast, but yes, it has a MicroSD card and a 3.5mm jack. In that context, the lack of expandable storage and headphone jack doesn’t seem like a big deal, and it didn’t make any difference to the way I used the Mi A2.

Even after downloading a few seasons of Line of Duty from Netflix for offline viewing and most of my Spotify playlists, I had over 10GB of free space left on the Mi A2, and unless you’re intent on carrying your entire music collection or several movies around with you, it’s hard to fill up the internal storage. And with a plethora of streaming services available combined with affordable 4G plans from Jio and Airtel, there just isn’t any incentive to download media anymore.

Of course, your use case may vary significantly from mine, but I’ve had no issues with the fact that the Mi A2 doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. Having made the switch to the MDR-100X, I don’t miss the 3.5mm jack either. This isn’t the first Xiaomi device I’ve used that didn’t have a headphone jack, and for what it’s worth, the Mi A2 paired to my MDR-1000X and other Bluetooth gear around my house without any hassles.

But if you have a lot of wired gear, Xiaomi provides a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle in the box that lets you hook up your headphone jack to the device. Also included in the box is a silicone case that offers basic protection.

Battery life

I routinely got a day’s worth of usage from the 3000mAh battery on the Mi A2. That was the case even on days where I predominantly used cellular data, and I averaged well over five hours of screen-on-time with usage spread out over the course of a day.

MIUI has a host of battery-saving optimizations that eke out the most from a battery, but Android One has the standard battery saver mode. It still comes in handy when you’re looking to extend battery life, but isn’t as effective as what MIUI offers. This will change once the Mi A2 picks up the Android Pie update and Adaptive Battery becomes available.

Unlike most Xiaomi phones, the Mi A2 comes with Quick Charge 3.0 out of the box, and the Indian unit supports Quick Charge 4.0 exclusively. However, you’ll have to pick up a third-party wall unit to access Quick Charge 4.0 speeds, as the wall charger bundled in the box is the standard 5V/2A unit that Xiaomi includes with its budget phones.

There aren’t many reliable Quick Charge 4.0 chargers available in the market today, but I was able to use my Tronsmart Titan’s Quick Charge 3.0 ports to charge the Mi A2. It takes an hour and a half to charge the device fully, and if you’re in a hurry, you can use Quick Charge 3.0 to go from zero to a 50% charge in just 20 minutes.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Software

The Mi A2 comes with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, with Xiaomi committing to an Android Pie update before the end of the year. As is the case with all Android One phones, the Mi A2 has a clean interface that’s close to Google’s implementation of Android on the Pixels.

While the interface itself is unchanged, manufacturers have the freedom to include their own apps. The Mi A2 comes with Xiaomi’s camera app, along with the MIUI file manager and an app to control the IR remote. Using Android One on a Xiaomi device is just as exciting as last year, but the experience is marred by a few shortcomings.

I encountered lag a few times during initial setup that went on well into the first few days of usage, along with app crashes. There were also times when apps like Box and Slack would just freeze and become unresponsive, and I had to force close them and start up again. It’s puzzling to see a phone with such robust hardware exhibit lag, and the Nokia 7 Plus — which is also powered by the Snapdragon 660 and runs Android One — doesn’t have any such issues.

It hasn’t gotten any less exciting to use Android One on a Xiaomi phone.

Another recurring issue was Wi-Fi connectivity. The Mi A2 would automatically disconnect from my home Wi-Fi network for no reason, and I had to manually reconnect several times over the course of the last two weeks. Then there was the issue with the ringtone — the phone defaulted to vibrate mode whenever it came out of Do Not Disturb.

I would’ve excused some of the bugs as the usual shortcomings that plague every new device, but with the Mi A1 also facing similar issues last year, Xiaomi needs to do a better job optimizing the hardware for Android One. For what it’s worth, the latest update with the August 2018 patch also included a ton of bug fixes, and the interface has become more responsive following the update.

To its credit, Xiaomi seems to be doing a much better job this time around when it comes to updates. The Mi A2 has picked up the August security update earlier this week, so customers purchasing the device can look forward to a day-one update with the latest security patch and a ton of bug fixes.

Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera

The Mi A2 comes with two new imaging sensors at the back — a 12MP f/1.75 sensor joined by a 20MP f/1.75 lens. The secondary lens is interesting as it is designed to kick in during low-light shooting scenarios. The camera interface has toggles for the flash, HDR, and live filters; and you’ll be able to switch between shooting modes with a swipe left or right gesture.

There’s the now-ubiquitous portrait mode, along with a manual mode that lets you select between the regular 12MP sensor or the 20MP low-light shooter. The Mi A2 has a 20MP front camera with Xiaomi’s AI features that automatically add beautify effects and remove blemishes. You also get a software-assisted portrait mode for the front camera, and it works pretty well most of the time.

The Mi A2 does a great job in both daylight and low-light shooting conditions, with the resultant images offering plenty of detail, accurate colors, and high dynamic range. The front camera is great for taking selfies, and portrait mode also works reliably well. There’s also an LED flash module that does a decent job in near-darkness.

Overall, there’s little wrong with the Mi A2 when it comes to the cameras. Xiaomi said earlier this year that its primary focus for 2018 would be improving the camera quality on its phones, and it has managed to deliver on that brief.

Should you buy it? Yes, with a caveat

If there’s one thing Xiaomi has shown over the last four years, it’s that it can beat expectations. I was sure that the Mi A2 would go up against the Nokia 7 Plus, but with Xiaomi launching the phone at ₹16,999 ($250) in India, it is targeting the Redmi Note 5 series instead. The Snapdragon 660 chipset makes it one of the fastest phones in this segment, and the camera holds its own against the likes of the Nokia 7 Plus.

While it excels at the hardware side of things, there are a few feature omissions that are puzzling. The lack of NFC makes it a non-starter in Western markets, and Xiaomi’s decision to get rid of the 3.5mm jack and the MicroSD slot will prove to be divisive in India.

The Mi A2 will go up for sale in over 40 global markets, but it’s in India where it will face the utmost scrutiny. Indian customers demand the absolute best hardware at the lowest possible cost, and it’s for this reason that OnePlus was able to dethrone Samsung in the premium category. It’s also the main reason why Xiaomi was able to rise up the ranks to become the second-largest handset manufacturer in the country.

The Mi A2 is missing a MicroSD slot, but the camera more than makes up for it.

The only way Xiaomi could have competed against the Nokia 7 Plus was if it introduced the Mi A2 at under the ₹20,000 figure, and that’s exactly what it did. It managed to undercut HMD significantly, but in doing so, it lost out on features that ultimately made the Nokia 7 Plus a fan favorite.

Therefore, it makes more sense to compare the Mi A2 against the Redmi Note 5 Pro. Indian customers have come to like the customizability that MIUI offers and the 4000mAh battery on the Redmi Note 5 Pro runs rings around the Mi A2. However, the Mi A2 has much better cameras, and the Snapdragon 660 is faster than the Snapdragon 636.

I haven’t been this conflicted about a phone in a long time. On the one hand, I value clean software and an easy-to-use camera above all else, and in these areas, the Mi A2 absolutely delivers. And while I don’t miss the MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack — or even NFC for that matter — my use case doesn’t align with that of Xiaomi’s target audience. By leaving these features out, Xiaomi is ultimately putting the Mi A2 at a disadvantage next to other devices in this category.

But as I outlined above, the MicroSD slot isn’t as major an omission to discount the Mi A2 entirely. It’s an easy trade-off to make when you look at just how good the cameras are on a day-to-day use. At the end of the day, that makes the Mi A2 a standout device in this category.

If you can’t get past the fact that the Mi A2 doesn’t have a MicroSD slot or 3.5mm jack, fret not, for there are plenty of alternatives available. If performance is your primary criteria, the Honor Play is a decent option. Need a Xiaomi device that is packed with features? Look no further than the Redmi Note 5 Pro.

And even though it costs $130 more than the Mi A2, the Nokia 7 Plus continues to be a fabulous choice in the mid-range segment. It has a better design, a significantly larger battery, and comes with a MicroSD slot, NFC, dual VoLTE, and a 3.5mm jack as standard. The ₹25,999 ($380) asking price is more than justified when you look at the number of features on offer.

4
out of 5

There’s plenty to like in the Mi A2. The Snapdragon 660 is a performance beast, the new cameras are astounding, and the phone is scheduled to get the Android Pie before the end of the year. If you don’t mind the lack of MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack, or NFC, it is a great option considering what it costs.

The Mi A2 will go on sale starting August 16, and the device will be exclusively sold on Amazon India.

Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones Gain Alexa Support via Software Update

Bose has released an update for its QuietComfort 35 II wireless headphones that adds Alexa support as a voice assistant feature.

Previously, the “Action” button on the popular noise-canceling cans was exclusively for invoking Google Assistant (Siri is accessed by holding down the multifunction play/pause button for two seconds).

However, after updating the software through the Bose Connect app, QC35 II owners can now opt to use Amazon’s ubiquitous virtual assistant instead via the app’s Options menu.

For those wondering, voice assistant support is the main difference between the Bose QC 35 Series II headphones and the original Quiet Comfort 35 Series I (reviewed here), although the later model does let you use the noise canceling feature in wired as well as wireless mode.

So if voice assistant support doesn’t interest you and you’re looking to go wireless, the Series I cans are definitely still worth a punt if you can find them online – and you just might save yourself a few dollars in the process.

Tag: Bose
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JBL Xtreme 2 review: Plenty of power for your summer and more

The JBL Xtreme 2 is the follow up to the initial JBL Xtreme speaker that sits in between the JBL Flip and JBL Boombox series of Bluetooth speakers.

The JBL Xtreme 2 is for consumers who want something more powerful than the JBL Flip speaker but not quite as large or expensive as the JBL Boombox. JBL was kind enough to provide us with one for review, so keep reading to see how it stands up and if it’s the right speaker to rock your summer.

Don’t Miss

• JBL Reflect Contour 2 Wireless Sport Earbuds review: Step up your wireless audio
• UE Wonderboom Bluetooth speaker review: the little speaker that could
• Tutti Studio’s cool retro Matti speaker wants to bring back the boombox era

Design

The JBL Xtreme 2 does not differ in design from most other JBL Bluetooth speakers. It uses a cylindrical body covered in a fabric with visible bass radiators on the sides. I have the Midnight Black version for review but it also available in Ocean Blue and Forest Green.

There are two rubber feet on the bottom in order to keep it upright but they are a little on the narrow side. I found they didn’t always keep the speaker from rolling over on uneven surfaces. However, if you’re only placing it on a table or flat ground then this shouldn’t be an issue.

For this being JBL’s middle of the road speaker it is still quite large and heavy weighing in at a little over 5lbs. There is no comfortable way to carry this speaker with one hand, so it’s a good thing it comes with a carrying strap. The strap is high quality and connects to the speaker via two metal loops.

While the strap makes carrying the JBL Xtreme 2 more convenient, unfortunately, it lacks sufficient padding and rubber to prevent slipping. Due to this fatigue sets in much quicker on your shoulder and you often feel like the speaker is going to slip and fall. If there were any doubt that this is a party speaker then the included bottle cap opener on the strap should put that to rest. All in all, it works but it is not exactly perfect.

Controls

Along the top are buttons for Bluetooth pairing, volume down, power, Connect+, volume up, and play/pause. All the buttons are responsive and work well with the play/pause button also allowing you to skip tracks when pressed twice. There is no way to go back to the previous track though.

All of the ports on the JBL Xtreme 2 are hidden under a compartment on the back. The compartment is a little difficult to pry open and this is most likely to aid in the IPX7 waterproofing. That’s right, the JBL Xtreme 2 is waterproof making it perfect for hanging by the pool, the lake, or even the beach. Regardless, it still would have been nice if the compartment was easier to open.

Included under the door are a 3.5mm jack, a power port, USB port, and micro USB port for service only. Having a dedicated power port was a little disappointing because it requires a special charger you must use over using a more common micro USB charger.

To be fair, the JBL Xtreme 2 houses a rather large 10,000mAh battery and the dedicated port provides a way to charge faster. Thanks to this large battery the full-sized USB port can be used to charge your phone or tablet. This is a great feature that really comes in handy when you’re on the go with your speaker. Although, I’d much rather see JBL include a USB-C port for faster charging as well as power output for charging.

Bluetooth

The JBL Xtreme 2 is using Bluetooth v4.2 and has exceptional range when outdoors without any obstacles. I was able to get nearly 50ft. away with a steady connection and able to hear music. However, I noticed some interruptions in the music after reaching 30ft with some obstacles in between. This is similar to most other Bluetooth speakers I’ve used in the past though.

App

There is a JBL Connect app for Android and iOS that is used for updating the firmware and adds some new tricks to JBL speakers such as the JBL Xtreme 2. In my case, I found the Xtreme 2 needed a firmware upgrade immediately to version 1.6.0. Anyone out there purchasing one might want to check after setting it up.

The app also allows you to control the audio feedback sounds, speakerphone functions, and includes instructions for the Connect+ feature. I was able to use Connect+ with two other JBL speakers without using the app though. The JBL Connect app itself is mainly only useful for updating the firmware and switching the purpose of the play/pause button to activate your voice assistant.

Unfortunately, a feature you would expect to be present such as an equalizer is nowhere to be found. Personally, I enjoy the way the speaker itself is tuned, but this would be a welcomed addition to JBL’s app and make it more useful and win over more users.

Sound

Sound quality is one of the most important factors when it comes to a Bluetooth speaker. What good is a speaker after all if it doesn’t provide your ears with quality sound? Thankfully, the Xtreme 2 delivers first-rate sound, utilizing two 2.75-inch woofers for the low end and two 20mm tweeters to handle the treble.

Using this combination supplies your ears with a nice range of sound incorporating pounding full bass while not overpowering the high notes and vocals in songs. The nice balance between the treble and bass helped with instrument separation and preventing instruments from getting lost or becoming muddy.

My only complaint in regards to the sound quality is when the volume is at its highest levels. When approaching 80% volume and above the high end overwhelms the bass making it almost disappear. Fortunately, with a speaker this loud I found myself rarely turning it up over 50% preventing this from being much of an issue.

Battery

Battery life on the JBL Xtreme 2 is rated for 15 hours to get you through a full day. In my experience, the speaker was even better than it claimed. After listening to the speaker for approximately 14 hours over a weeks time, it reports the battery is only half drained from a single charge. Obviously, this will all depend largely on what volume you listen to the speaker at and I’ve used it mostly between 20 and 50 percent.

Conclusion

JBL has delivered a durable waterproof speaker capable of big sound with the Xtreme 2. Between the sound quality, battery life, and extra features you can’t really go wrong with it. However, it’s also a bit on the pricey side starting at $300 and most likely out of many people’s price range. If you’re looking for something more affordable you might opt for JBL’s smaller Flip 4 currently priced at $85 on Amazon.

The Flip 4 trades in the more powerful bass and louder sound for a more budget-friendly portable speaker that still sounds good in its own right. Still, I’m certain there are others out there wanting something even larger and louder than the JBL Xtreme 2. For them, I say give the JBL Boombox a try. It is the larger, louder, longer lasting of the trio but will also cost you more at $441.

Soft robotic hand gives scientists new grip on deep sea life



It’s often said that we know less about the deep ocean than we do about the moon. The pitch-black, high-pressure underwater environment makes it tough to brave its depth — even when explorers dive vicariously through remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).

But we learn more about the deep ocean with every passing day. Marine biologists still regularly come across unidentified species and, when they reach out to collect them with UAVs robot arms, they need to be gentle to not damage the specimen.

To that end, a team of roboticists and marine biologists from Harvard University have created a sampling hand that’s soft and flexible enough to handle fragile organisms. What’s more, the hand can be 3D printed on the fly so that researchers can make modifications while out in the field. A paper detailing the research was published recently in the journal PLOS One.

“When interacting with soft, delicate underwater creatures, it makes the most sense for your sampling equipment to also be soft and gentle,” Rob Wood, a Harvard robotics professor and co-author of the recent study, said in a press release. “It’s only recently that the field of soft robotics has developed to the point where we can actually build robots that can grasp these animals reliably and harmlessly.”

Schmidt Ocean Institute

Most ROVs are designed as robust machines, built for underwater oil and mining, rather than the delicate task of picking up sea life. In contrast, the hand-like gripper developed by Wood and his team is made of polyurethane and other soft materials, allowing it to gently grab creates like sponges and sea anemones. In a recent trial aboard the R/V Falkor in the South Pacific, the soft gripper was attached as an extension to the default hard claw of the ROV.

Since deep ocean sampling often takes place on long expeditions to remote regions of the globe, it was important for the researchers to be able to customize the tool on the go, adjusting and replacing parts as needed.

“Being on a ship for a month meant that we had to be able to make anything we needed, and it turns out that the 3D printers worked really well for doing that on the boat. We had them running almost 24/7, and we were able to take feedback from the ROV operators about their experience using the soft grippers and make new versions overnight to address any problems,” said Daniel Vogt, a Harvard research engineer and the paper’s first author.

In one instant, the ROV operators requested the additional of a sort of fingernail to the front of the gripper, which enabled them to pry specimens off of hard surfaces.

Harvard isn’t alone in developing 3D-printed robotic parts. In 2016, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology demonstrated a rapid fabrication process that let 3D-printed robots hit the ground running — or, rather, walking.

Moving forward, the Harvard team hopes to equip the gripper with even more features, including sensors that could let the devices feel the firmness of a given object and adjust its strength accordingly.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Gotta catch em all: Harvard’s undersea grabber is a Poké Ball for sea life
• Cornell’s popcorn-powered robots are far more practical than they sound
• Robot submarine discovers the ‘holy grail’ — a shipwreck with billions in gold
• Explore the deep blue sea with these awesome underwater drones
• Harvard’s latest robot can walk on water. Your move, Jesus

Gmail App for iOS Now Includes Option to Disable Conversation View

The Gmail app for iOS was today updated with an option to turn off the threaded conversation view that some users have been unhappy with.

Toggling off “Conversation View” in the Settings menu in the Gmail app will now let users see each of their emails listed individually in their inbox rather than grouped up in an “easier to digest and follow” format, as Google puts it.

Gmail on the desktop has long allowed users to turn off Conversation View, and today’s update introduces feature parity on mobile devices.

Your Conversation View settings are synced across devices, so if Conversation View is disabled on desktop, it will be disabled on mobile and vice versa.

Google says the toggle for disabling Conversation View is rolling out to all iOS and Android users, but it could take up to 15 days for the feature to be visible to everyone.

Tags: Google, Gmail
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Snapchat’s Recent Redesign Resulted in Millions of Lost Users

Snapchat’s controversial redesign, introduced last November, caused it to lose millions of subscribers according to data shared today in its second quarter earnings results.

Snap said it had 188 million daily active Snapchat users during the second quarter of 2018, down from 191 million during the first quarter of the year.

In prepared remarks [PDF] on Snapchat’s performance, Snap CEO Evan Spiegel said that the two percent decline in daily active users was “primarily driven” by a lower frequency of use among the company’s user base due to “the disruption caused by our redesign.”

Spiegel said that Snapchat is working to iterate and improve the app based on community feedback, and he says that the major frustrations have been addressed.

While our Monthly Active Users continued to grow this quarter, we saw a 2 percent decline in our Daily Active Users. This was primarily driven by a slightly lower frequency of use among our user base due to the disruption caused by our redesign.

It has been approximately six months since we broadly rolled out the redesign of our application, and we have been working hard to iterate and improve Snapchat based on the feedback from our community. We feel that we have now addressed the biggest frustrations we’ve heard and are eager to make more progress on the tremendous opportunity we now have to show more of the right content to the right people.

Following the release of the redesigned app, more than 1.2 million users signed a petition asking for the change to be reversed.

In response, Snap rolled back some of the design changes, reverting Snaps and Chats back to chronological order and re-adding Stories from friends to the right side of the app. Snap also reintroduced the feature that allowed it to open up in camera mode, and users can again swipe left to view posts from friends.

The redesign of the app was initially aimed at appealing to a broader demographic and expanding Snapchat’s user base, but Snapchat users were not prepared for the drastic change and did not become accustomed to the redesign as Snap had hoped.

Despite the fact that it’s number of daily active users dropped, Snapchat brought in $262 million in revenue, an increase of 44 percent year-over-year.

Tag: Snapchat
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How to take a screenshot on a Galaxy S9 and other Android phones

Taking a snapshot of your Android phone’s screen is easy, and there are all sorts of situations where a screenshot could come in handy, whether you want to share your home screen with friends or obtain pictorial proof of your latest high score.

This guide covers the Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S3, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, and Galaxy Note as examples.

We also included a guide to taking a screenshot on any other device using Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, Jelly Bean (4.1, 4.2, 4.3), KitKat (4.4), Android 5.0 Lollipop, Android 6.0 Marshmallow, Android 7.0 Nougat, Android 8.0 Oreo, and Android 9.0 Pie (that’s most of them).

How to take a screenshot on a Galaxy device by swiping the screen

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To take a screenshot with “Palm swipe to capture,” first position your hand like this.

Next, swipe your hand from left to right, keeping your palm on the screen.

If you do it right, you should feel a vibration.

You can easily access your screenshot from the notifications menu.

Taking a screenshot on the Galaxy S8 — or almost any other Galaxy phone — with a swipe of your hand is easy.

Set your hand vertically on either side of the screen, and shape it like you are karate-chopping the phone.
Horizontally swipe across the screen like your hand is a photo scanner.
You should hear the camera shutter, see a screenshot move across the screen, and receive a notification that a picture has been saved to the gallery.
It may take a few tries.

This technique works with the following devices, as well as most Samsung phones that came out after 2013.

The Samsung Galaxy S9, Galaxy S9 Plus, Galaxy S8, Galaxy S8 Plus, Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy S6 Edge, Galaxy S6 Edge Plus, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 4, and Galaxy Note 3.

How to check if ‘Palm swipe to capture’ is enabled on your Galaxy

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In the Settings menu, find “Motion and gesture.”

Inside the “Motion and gesture” menu, you can turn Palm swiping on or off.

If you’re accidentally taking screenshots, we recommend you turn it off.

If you can’t get it to work, you may have to enable the swipe feature in Settings.

Open Settings > Advanced features. On some older phones, it will be Settings > Motions and gestures (in the Motion category).
Tick the Palm swipe to capture box.
Close the menu and find the screen you want to capture.
Enjoy!

How to take a screenshot using a button shortcut

Not everyone is a fan of gesture controls. Thankfully, most Android phones offer a more tactile method for capturing a screenshot.

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To take a screenshot using buttons, put your fingers on Power and the Home button.

Press and hold both buttons at the same time.

Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge

You can review your screenshot in the notifications menu.

Press the Power and Home buttons at the same time.
Hold both buttons for a second, until you hear a shutter sound or see a visual indicating a picture has been taken.
This can be awkward to get right. You need to hold the Power button slightly before pressing the Home button, then hold them both down.

This technique works with the following devices, along with pretty much any Samsung phone that has a Home button.

The Samsung Galaxy S7, Galaxy S7 Edge, Galaxy S6, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S5, Galaxy S4, Galaxy S4 Zoom, Galaxy S4 Active, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, Galaxy Note 2, Galaxy Mega 6.3, Galaxy Tab 3 Pro, Galaxy S4 Mini, and Galaxy S3.

If you have a Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, Note 8, Galaxy S8, or S8 Plus, which don’t have a physical Home button, then the key combination is a little different:

Press and hold the Power and Volume down buttons at the same time.
Hold both buttons for a second, until you hear a shutter sound or see a visual indicating a picture has been taken.
You need to hold the Power button slightly before pressing the Volume down button, then hold them both down.

How to take a screenshot on a Note using the S Pen

This technique is available on the Galaxy Note 8, Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy Note 4, Galaxy Note 3, and other Samsung devices with an S Pen. To take a screenshot this way you have to open the Air Command menu, which you can do by pulling out the S Pen stylus, or by hovering the pen over the screen and clicking the button on it.

Select Screen Write from the Air Command options to take a screenshot.
You can then write notes on top of the image. There are options in the top toolbar to change your pen color and size if you want to get creative. You can also erase or undo strokes and there is a Crop option at the bottom.
When you’re finished, tap Share or Save at the bottom.

How to take a screenshot on any other Android device

Taking a screenshot on any other Android phone or tablet — as in, one that is not a Samsung device — is also pretty easy. The method varies slightly from one model to the next, however, the following method should work on all non-Samsung Android phones running Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich or later.

Press the Power button and Volume down key at the same time.
Hold them down until you hear an audible click or a screenshot sound. You should also see a small capture animation.
You will get a notification that your screenshot was captured, and that you can share or delete it.
By default, your screenshots are saved in your Photos or Gallery app in a separate Screenshots folder.

In Android 9.0 Pie you can also press and hold the Power button to get a Screenshot option to pop up on screen. If you choose to edit the screenshot from the notification bar you’ll also find that you can mark it up, which is ideal if you want to highlight something specific.

For ancient Android phones, such as those running 2.3 Gingerbread, you need to head over to the Google Play Store, where there are several apps that will capture a screenshot on your behalf. Screenshot Easy and Screenshot ER are popular choices but may require you to root your phone. You can also take a look at No Root Screenshot It, if you don’t want to root your device.

We also have a dedicated guide on how to take a screenshot on a Google Pixel device.

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Qualcomm may finally reveal a new wearable chipset on September 10

It looks like Qualcomm could (finally) be prepping a new wearable processor. These days, companies developing Wear OS watches have little choice but to use the Snapdragon Wear 2100, a chipset that was first unveiled in February 2016. Soon, however, that may change — Qualcomm has sent out save the dates for an event on September 10 with the phrase “It’s Time,” and telling recipients to “set their watches.”

There is really little debate about what the announcement could be, and it’s about time we get an upgrade to the Snapdragon Wear 2100. The chipset isn’t bad, by any means, but with growing interest in wearable technology, Android manufacturers have struggled to keep up with devices like the Apple Watch. So much so that companies like Fossil have been using the Snapdragon Wear 2100 for a few years on multiple generations of devices.

In fact, Fossil just announced a revamp of its smartwatch lineup, with devices now including modern features like heart rate monitors and NFC for contactless payments. We will have to wait and see how the devices perform with the aging chipset, and while it’s likely they will do just fine initially, they may not continue to perform well in the long run.

The concept of a Snapdragon Wear 2100 successor isn’t necessarily surprising. Earlier in the year, Google and Qualcomm confirmed that they were working on a new chipset for wearables that would allow for much more flexible designs.

Unfortunately, the press invitation does not go into detail about what to expect from the new chipset, but it will likely pave the way for a slew of new wearable devices in Google’s Wear OS ecosystem. Among the first of these new devices will likely be Google’s own rumored smartwatch, which many expect to launch alongside the new Google Pixel 3 phones in October. Other manufacturers will almost certainly adopt the new chipset too — we would not be surprised to see the likes of Fossil and Huawei launch new smartwatches with the new chipset in the near future.

We will have to wait and see what makes this new chipset, if indeed Qualcomm does reveal a new chipset, better than previous iterations.

Editors’ Recommendations

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HP slices prices on laptops for its huge back to school sale

As much as we love to rely on our smartphones for day to day technological activities, the usefulness of a good laptop can’t be denied. Sure, you can take notes, edit photos, and write papers on your phone, but as a fellow human being, I wouldn’t recommend it. The pure processing power combined with a fully functional keyboard still gives laptop computers a competitive edge over mobile phones in all but price and portability. And for limited time every August, you can even find some of the best laptop deals all year — especially on HP models.

HP is slashing prices on laptops, desktops, and printers for its annual back to school sale. From now until Saturday, August 11, you can pick up a laptop for less than half the retail price. We’ve put together a list of some of the best HP laptops this sale has to offer, but feel free to dive right into the savings to see for yourself.

HP 15t Touch Laptop — $660 off

If you’re in the market for an entry level laptop for school, work, or just watching Netflix, this is the perfect option for you. With a 13-hour battery life, a 7th generation Intel i7 processor, and 8 GB of memory, the HP 15t is the perfect companion for college students. This particular model was made to be a workhorse when it comes to every day tasks, and its lightweight, portable design won’t slow you down while you’re on the go. If all you need is a great laptop with enough battery life to get you through an entire day, then this HP laptop can’t be beat. With a price tag of just $580, it doesn’t get much more affordable than this.

$580 | HP

HP Envy x360 15z Touch Laptop — $130 off

When purchasing a laptop, it’s important to consider the type of work it’s going to be used for. If you’re looking for a laptop that can keep up with your creativity, an HP Envy x360 is a good way to go. With an AMD Ryzen processor and an AMD Radeon graphics card, the 15z is built specifically with creative work in mind. It’s long-lasting battery life paired with pen and touch support makes this 2-in-1 laptop and tablet a great entry-level option for any creator.

$640 | HP

HP Laptop 17t — $240 off

Though not has powerful as the HP 15t laptop we featured first, the 17t has many similar features. The main difference between the two laptops, besides the price, is processing power and memory. With 4 GB of memory and Intel i3 processor, the HP 17t is a great starter laptop, but realistically, it isn’t likely to stand the test of time. If all you’re looking for is an affordable laptop for taking notes, writing papers, and creating slideshows, then this $460 model will get the job done.

$460 | HP

Best HP printer deals

Finding a printer you can rely on is always a struggle, but in many cases, they are an absolute necessity. Though we are living in a digital world, there are still quite a few occasions when printing your own photos, papers, and presentations is unavoidable. If you’re looking for decent printer at an affordable price, HP has some great deals on inkjet and laser printers for back to school.

Our picks

• HP Officejet 5255 All-in-One — $30 off
• HP Color Laserjet Pro — $100 off
• HP Officejet Pro 6978 All-in-One — $90 off
• HP Envy Photo 6255 All-in-One — $50 off
• HP Laserjet Pro M402N — $100 off

See All HP Deals

Looking for more cool stuff? Find laptop deals and more from our curated deals page, or follow us on Twitter for the latest savings.

We strive to help our readers find the best deals on quality products and services, and choose what we cover carefully and independently. If you find a better price for a product listed here, or want to suggest one of your own, email us at dealsteam@digitaltrends.com.Digital Trends may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers.

Editors’ Recommendations

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• Giveaway: Win an HP Omen, the gaming PC powering the Fortnite Pro-AM tournament

Limited Edition Spider-Man PlayStation 4 Pro bundle is now available to preorder on Amazon

Pick it up before it’s too late!

Insomniac’s Spider-Man is set to grace store shelves this September, but the experience just wouldn’t be complete without a limited edition console to complement it.

Sony revealed a Spider-Man PS4 Pro bundle at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con, showcasing a sleek red finish with its iconic white symbol. It was previously up for preorder through PlayStation’s own store, but now you can also pick it up through Amazon. It is available to preorder for $399.99 USD/$499.99 CAD in the United States and Canada.

Spider-Man is set to release for PlayStation 4 on September 7, 2018. The PS4 Pro bundle will release on the same day alongside it.

To get caught up with everything surrounding Insomniac’s Spider-Man, check out our article here detailing the latest information as it’s released.

See at Amazon

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