First Impressions: A weekend with the Huawei P20

Huawei isn’t having the best time with US press and governments right now, but that doesn’t affect the quality of their phones. Earlier this year Huawei announced its new flagships, the P20 and P20 Pro, for mass markets. Unfortunately, the phones aren’t sold in the US, so it’s been a little hard to get our hands on one, but we finally did! I’ve been using the P20 (not Pro) for this past weekend, here are my initial thoughts and annoyances.

Hardware

The P20 packs great specs in its beautiful glass and metal package. It houses a 5.8” LCD FHD display with 4GB of RAM, 128GB of Storage, and a 3,400mAh battery. There are a small notch and chin with a fingerprint reader on the front. On the back, we have a dual camera setup consisting of a 12MP RGB sensor and a 20MP Monochrome sensor.

One definite thing I can state about the P20 is that I love the design. The notch is minimal but actually looks like a notch instead of Essential’s nipple-notch. The chin is also actually doable since it houses a fingerprint reader — unlike what’s expected from the Pixel 3 XL The phone overall is slim and sleek, and very manageable to maneuver in one hand.

I haven’t been using the phone with a case and have managed to save it from dropping twice, but I’d love to rock a Peel case on this device. Not all the time though because again I love the feel. Also, the speakers are surprisingly loud.

Software

The biggest drawback to Huawei devices is their software. Huawei devices run a software skin named EMUI and I’ve never been a fan of it or any skin similar to it. Luckily with Android, you can swap out launchers, change icons, and more very quickly. I have yet to change the launcher even though the wallpaper is skewed off axis. It’s based on the Google Launcher, and you can even have the Google feed on the left.

There’s a lot of AI features built in the P20’s software. There’s a Google lens-esque information accessor in the camera – which I’ve never used or even wanted too. A weekend (with a full-time job) doesn’t allow the most time to dive into all the Huawei AI software features, but know that there is a lot packed into the phone and its skin. There’s also a bunch of pre-installed apps, stop that Huawei. Lastly, there’s a blue line/bubbles that appears when I swipe down from the top right corner, but I can’t figure out what it does or how I activate it.

Camera

The camera gives the opposite experience of the general software. The UI looks a little sad, especially the shutter button, but the features are godly. Huawei includes a variety of modes, including my favorite ‘Pro’ mode where you have near-total control of the sensor settings. You also have recent favorites such as Night mode and Portrait mode — with different lighting effects, similar to that one company’s camera app. You can trigger the camera from a locked screen via double pressing the volume down, but that doesn’t work if the screen is on at all. Picture quality though is rather amazing.

The pictures I’ve taken recently with the P20 are very detailed and colorful. Even without the extra sensor from the P20 Pro, the little brother is keeping up and giving other devices from this year a run for their money. The only other annoying part of using the camera is the insistent AI popping up at inconvenient times. Otherwise, I love the camera app and possibilities.

There are a few other small things about the phone I must mention that I’ve noticed. The power button has a red line on it, which is a small neat touch. There is no headphone jack, which is to be expected from everyone but Samsung. Also, even with its glass back, the P20 can’t wirelessly charge. The biggest faux pas though is there is no waterproofing on the P20. Huawei, what the ..!

Conclusion

After these first few days, using the Huawei P20 has shown me that it is an excellent phone. Naturally, Huawei focused more on the Pro version, but this standard version can beneficially support many consumers. I can already tell I will be enjoying this phone, especially after I can spend a whole day personalizing it without having work interrupt me. Our full review will be available in a couple of weeks, and other articles may arrive soon as well. See you soon.

I really wish the Pixel 3 XL shared a similar design of the P20….

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Microsoft patent filing hints at wireless charging for future Surface PCs

Mark Coppock/Digital Trends

Microsoft may be exploring fast wireless charging with a smart battery as a possible solution to address battery life on its Surface products — which include laptops, tablets, convertibles, and a desktop currently. Microsoft had filed for a patent for its battery charging solution with the United States Patent and Trademark Office early last year, and the filing was published on August 23, 2018.

“Users have access to an ever-increasing variety of portable computing devices with which the users interact on any given day,” Microsoft said, highlighting that there is a need for an easy solution to recharge all those devices. “A common goal for many of these computing devices is to wirelessly charge the battery [at a] faster rate.”

In its patent filing, first noticed by the Windows Latest blog, Microsoft described a device that has a smart battery with multiple battery modules, with each module connected to a power controller. The battery management controller will be able to determine the charging configuration signal to send to one or more of the battery modules inside the smart battery, and each module can rely on wireless charging.

Microsoft details that each battery module inside the smart battery will have its own set of charging coils, with each coil partially overlapping with nearby charging coils. All of these coils can receive power via wireless charging simultaneously, and the battery management controller can dynamically adjust the charging parameters to each battery module based on various conditions of the specific module, including wear level, capacity, and charging threshold.

By using multiple coils, Microsoft will be able to take advantage of more rapid wireless charging times for its devices, if the patent is implemented on a future Surface Go, Surface Laptop, Surface Pro, or Surface Book. “Conventional solutions for wireless charging smart batteries do not utilize more than one charging coil per battery and did not take into consideration the physical configuration of the charging coils of the smart battery,” Microsoft said. “Moreover, conventional solutions did not manage each battery module differently and independently from other battery modules of the smart battery system, thereby decreasing the functionality and flexibility of the smart battery.”

By using multiple charging coils and a battery management controller, Microsoft is able to optimize charging for each battery module inside its batteries, which will lead to improved charging times. Microsoft’s charging technique could be used on a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or in devices such as health devices, wearables, fitness accessories, and other Internet-of-Things applications, the patent filing said.

It’s unclear if and when Microsoft intends on commercializing its invention. Hopefully though, Surface owners will one day be able to wirelessly recharge their PCs without having to plug in a physical cable.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Microsoft Surface Book 2 13-inch review
• Updated Apple patent suggests MacBook Pro will eventually sport touchscreens
• Nomad creates a wireless charging pad just for the Tesla Model 3
• Apple AirPods 2: Everything we know
• The best wireless phone chargers for your iPhone or Android

Fossil adds Noonlight’s emergency feature to its latest lineup of smartwatches

There are plenty of wearables out there meant specifically to help those in an emergency, whether it’s a phone case or a piece of jewelry that have built-in panic buttons. But rather than having to carry around an extra accessory, safety platform Noonlight is making it even easier — by building the feature into your smartwatch.

In partnership with Fossil, those wearing a smartwatch from the company’s new fourth-generation collection will have access to the feature via Wear OS. Whenever there is an emergency, you can activate it by tapping on the watch face which will then send help to your current location.

Powering Fossil’s panic mode is Noonlight’s already existent technology. Formerly known as SafeTrek, Noonlight originally started out as a mobile app that alerts its own certified dispatchers whenever you’re in danger. The technology has since then been integrated into Amazon Alexa, Google Home, Canary, and more.

When setting up the feature on your smartwatch, you have to provide your name, a four-digit PIN, and any information you want responders to know in an emergency. This can be anything from medications you take to allergies you have, and other personal information that is important to know.

You can alert emergency services by manually going into the app on your smartwatch and tapping on “Send help!” But, in those types of situations, you have to act quickly. That’s why you’re also able to create a complication (similar to a shortcut) to signal for help right from the watch face — without having to launch the app.

Users will also have the option to set a timer. If you’re going on a run or on a date, the smartwatch will prompt you to enter your PIN when time is up. If it’s not entered within that time span, Noonlight’s dispatchers are alerted and help will be on the way. Your smartwatch will also vibrate to let you know.

But of course, there’s always a chance that it’s a false alarm. If you accidentally press the alert button, the “Help on the way!” notification will appear and at the bottom, you can tap on “Enter PIN to cancel.” Noonlight’s patented technology scrambles your PIN on the watch face and you will have 10 seconds to enter it in the right order to cancel the alert. If you don’t enter it in time, you can also call or text Noonlight’s dispatchers to let them know.

“Fossil smartwatches with Noonlight is a chance to live beyond the limitations of day-to-day anxieties like home deliveries, evening runs, or meeting strangers,” Brittany LeComte, co-founder of Noonlight, said in a statement. “Working with Fossil means our connected safety platform can comfort and protect even more independent, adventurous men and women at home and on the go.”

For those who have Fossil’s fourth-generation smartwatches still on the way, Noonlight’s alert feature is available out of the box. But if you already own a smartwatch from that particular collection, an update will be rolling out soon.

Editors’ Recommendations

• False civil emergency alert text panics Oregon’s Marion County
• iBeat Heart Watch detects when you go into cardiac arrest, is now available
• The survival kit packing guide
• Uber adds panic button for U.S. customers, with driver button to come later
• The best camping hacks

The best iPhone 7 Plus cases

Whether it’s the fruit or the phone, no one likes a bruised apple. But if you drop your new iPhone 7 Plus, you’ll feel a lot worse if it ends up scraped, scarred, or damaged in some other way. The smart play is to invest in some protection — we actually made note of the smartphone’s fragility in our iPhone 7 Plus review. Luckily, there are lots of different cases out there; some safeguard your phone against drops, some are all about the style, and some add extra functionality. We’ve been checking around and these are some of the best iPhone 7 Plus cases you can buy right now. Now, just pair your case with one of our picks for the best iPhone 7 screen protectors and your iPhone should last for quite some time.

Snakehive Vintage Leather Wallet ($30)

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Made from European cowhide nubuck leather, the Snakehive Leather Wallet is one you’ll just want to hold in your hand all the time because it feels so good. It’s all thanks to a wonderfully soft texture on the outside, which has been smoothed out for extra protection on the inside. The iPhone is held in a slim, clear plastic case, with wide cutouts for the volume and power buttons, along with the speakers and charging port. Opposite are three card slots and a pocket for cash, plus a magnetic clasp that keeps the case closed. The folio case can fold out into a stand for your iPhone 7 Plus so you can watch video. This super-stylish, real leather folio case is available in the burgundy seen here, or in chestnut brown and navy colors, all at an excellent price.

Buy one now from:

Snakehive Amazon

iFace First Class ($25-plus)

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The iFace First Class case has an unusual shape to it, adding a subtle curved contour to the sides. The curves make the iPhone 7 Plus more comfortable to hold. The soft rubber edges vastly improve grip, while a special honeycomb-shaped interior increases drop protection. The case also meets military drop-test standards. The rear is smooth, has an opening for a lanyard strap, and comes in various colors. We love the pearl gray version and the emerald green model. It’s lightweight, really comfortable to hold, and well-priced. There’s even a metal plate inside the case’s body for use with iFace’s $20 magnetic in-car holder.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Native Union Clic Marble ($72)

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Do you want a stunning case that effectively mirrors the investment you made in the device itself? The Native Union Clic Marble is what you want. The case has a shatter-resistant sliver of real marble — each piece is unique, too — reinforced with fiberglass, and with a contrasting metal panel fitted into a rubber body for complete protection. Available in white with gold or black with brushed aluminum, it’s an absolutely stunning case that attracts as many admiring glances as the phone itself.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Totallee Scarf Slim Cover ($15)

If you’re not generally a big fan of cases and you want to retain the iPhone’s slim profile, then this super-slim cover might suit you. At just 0.02 inches thick, you’ll barely notice it as it improves grip and wards off scratches thanks to its durable polypropylene.  It has a matte, frosted, translucent finish that comes in a variety of colors. We’re pleased to see that there’s no case maker logo on this minimalist offering. The fit is good and it has all the openings you need. Just be aware that it won’t provide drop protection and because it’s thin. it may wear quite quickly, though Totallee does offer a 2-year warranty on the case.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Speck CandyShell Grip Case ($26)

You get reliable drop protection from this case, which sports a stylish ribbed finish that also enhances your grip on your iPhone 7 Plus. It’s a dual-layer case, mixing a hard shell with flexible rubber sections. The fit is perfect, the cut-outs are large enough for easy access, and the button covers work well. It does add some bulk, but if you want to be sure your phone will survive a fall, then you won’t mind the trade-off. The CandyShell has been replaced by the Presidio now, which is a slightly different design, so grab this while you still can.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Nomad Rugged Case ($15 plus)

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A rugged case that doesn’t look or feel like a rugged case? It’s the dream — and Nomad’s Rugged Case comes very close to realizing it. We love the honeycomb design on the back, which is raised to create a shock-absorbing layer of air. The case has been drop-tested to 2 meters, and has a more flexible edge for all-round protection. Best of all, it’s really light, and doesn’t add much bulk to your phone.

Buy one now from 

Amazon Nomad

Sena Lugano Wallet ($20)

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Sena’s Lugano Wallet case covers all the key bases for your iPhone. It protects the body with hard-wearing leather and reinforced plastic, along with softer silicone surrounds for the buttons and speakers. There’s also a herringbone design lining to keep the phone free from scratches when it’s inside the case. The edge is raised to keep the screen away from the surface if the phone is placed facedown, and the case provides rugged shock absorption. There are also three credit card slots built into the case. It’s available in cognac, black, and denim for the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus for $20.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Pad & Quill Bella Fino Case ($70)

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Made from a single piece of leather and embossed with the Pad & Quill name and logo, this folio case for the iPhone 7 Plus has a sticky pad to keep it in place rather than a clip. The pad is made by 3M, and leaves no residue if you decide to remove it in the future. The folio case has four credit card holders, an ID window, and space for some cash. The leather feels superb, and the stitching adds character, while the whole case stays relatively slim and lightweight. It’s quite stiff to start with, and needs a few days in a pocket before it softens up and closes properly.

Buy one now from:

Pad & Quill Amazon

Let Google’s A.I. make a mini version of you with Minis for Gboard

Emojis are so yesterday, and even stickers are slowly going out of fashion. We need a new, more personal ways to express ourselves. Thankfully, Google has responded to our needs, and Gboard is getting the ability to turn your face into a sticker with Minis on Gboard for iOS and Android.

From today, August 27, Gboard users on iOS and Android will be able to turn their selfies into Minis stickers, with assistance from Google’s A.I. and deep learning. Using a combination of machine learning, neural networks, and artist illustrations, users will have access to over a quadrillion different combinations of hairstyle, face shape, eye color, and more — an almost limitless number of ways to create your perfect digital selfie.

Minis for Gboard is an evolution of the selfie stickers feature originally launched for Google’s Allo chat app in May 2017. The process of creating a Mini will be as easy as it was on Allo — simply snap a selfie, and the process will go to work assigning skin tone, face shape, facial hair and more to suit your unique look. Once the process is complete, users can take a moment to customize the app’s creation, or simply accept the A.I.’s work and get sending.

Minis adds a few more options to the flair of the original Allo selfie stickers. Google believes everyone has more than one side to them, so users will be able to choose between two styles of Mini — Bold and Sweet — to use interchangeably, depending on mood or recipient. Google is also adding around a hundred new stickers on top of Allo’s already impressive collection of expressive stickers. So you don’t just have to send the pizza-face sticker — you’ll likely have even more food-based options to express your hunger.

Users can get snapping and sending their Minis by downloading the latest version of Gboard for iOS or Android, or by downloading Google’s Allo chat app for iOS or Android. If you want to learn more about how Minis were originally put together through a combination of machine learning and artistic illustrations, then check out Google’s original blog post about Allo’s selfie stickers.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Google Home Mini review
• Best Buy slashes the price of the iPad Mini 4 for its anniversary sale
• Monoprice Maker Select Mini V2 review
• The Ursa Mini Pro is a cinema camera beast, but an approachable one
• eBay will give you a free Google Home Mini with any $119 purchase

Apple’s original computer expected to fetch more than $300K at auction

If buying a modern Mac doesn’t quite appeal to you, you could also try bidding on a piece of Apple history with the Apple-1. A fully functional Apple-1 will be up for auction in September by Boston-based RR Auction.

Expected to fetch more than $300,000, the RR Auction Apple-1 is described to be a later production model in 8.5/10 condition, and the PC will be sold as a set that includes the original Apple-1 board, the original Apple Cassette Interface (ACI), the original operational manual, two original Apple Cassette Interface manuals, a period surplus ASCII keyboard, a period “open frame” Sanyo 4205 video monitor, a new period-style power supply with original Apple-1 power cable connector, and period cassette interface cables. RR Auction’s model was expertly restored by Corey Cohen and the system was comprehensively tested for eight hours without any issues.

Also known as the Apple Computer 1, the Apple-1 is a desktop that was designed by Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak. It was originally launched in 1976 as a bare-board designed for users to build their own PCs. To finance the production of the Apple-1, late Apple CEO Steve Jobs sold his VW Microbus and Wozniak sold his HP-65 calculator. The very first Apple-1 unit sold for $666.66, and Apple sold just 175 units.

Today, Apple has a market cap of more than $1 trillion, showing how far the company has grown. In addition to computers, Apple counts the iPhone, Apple Watch, iPad, and the now-retired iPod, among its successes in the hardware space.

As a collector’s piece for PC enthusiasts, pricing varied widely for the Apple-1 at auction. At the low end, in 1999, the PC fetched just $50,000 at auction, according to Wikipedia, while a rare prototype sold for $815,0000 in a 2016 auction at the high end. Apple stopped production of the Apple-1 in 1977 when it launched the Apple II. To convince early adopters to upgrade, Apple offered trade-in discounts. When customers brought their Apple-1 units to trade in, Apple destroyed the boards, making the existence of functioning Apple-1 units very rare today, which explains why the expected auction price is so high. It’s estimated that only 60 units are left today.

Because the Apple-1 was created for enthusiasts, the RR Auction unit is notable in that it was not altered or modified in any way.

If the Apple-1’s price is too rich for your blood, you can also check out our Mac guide for a more modern PC experience.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Apple takes the title as first $1 trillion U.S. company
• Apple vs. Qualcomm: Everything you need to know
• Fitbit has already shipped a million Versa smartwatches
• Section of the Death Star from ‘A New Hope’ takes a proton torpedo at auction
• Ford will auction off this Mustang inspired by RAF fighters from WWII

PlayStation 4 Slim vs. PlayStation 4 Pro: Which should you buy?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe, but we’re also avid gamers who love getting the best experience at the best price. After hundreds of hours with these consoles, we’ve found the best picks for you.

PlayStation 4 Slim

Budget-friendly

$300 at Amazon

Pros

• Fits just about anywhere
• Whisper quiet
• Inexpensive

Cons

• No 4K support

The slimmer PlayStation 4 plays every game with ease, but the lack of 4K output is noticeable if your TV supports it.

PlayStation 4 Pro

4K Ready

$400 at Best Buy

Pros

• 4K HDR gaming looks incredible on everything
• PlayStation VR performance is best on this PS4

Cons

• Noticeably larger
• Can get loud during intense gameplay

If you want the best possible PlayStation experience, this is the one to buy.

Sony offers two versions of the PlayStation 4 without sacrificing a ton of features with either. You’re really just choosing between a great gaming experience and a greater gaming experience here.

What’s the difference?

Sony has a history of releasing a “slim” version of the PlayStation a couple of years after its initial release. In the past, those consoles have been labeled a little differently at launch to make it easier to tell the new version apart from the old one. These slimmer versions typically offer more a physical difference than a functionality difference, and this year is no different. The significant feature and performance difference comes with the PlayStation 4 Pro, and even then the difference isn’t huge unless you own a 4K television with HDR support.

Price	$269	$399
Dimensions	10.43in x 11.34in x 1.54in	11.61in x 12.87in x 2.17in
CPU	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)	AMD Jaguar 8-core (x86-64)
GPU	AMD Radeon (1.84 TFLOP)	AMD Radeon (4.2 TFLOP)
Storage	500GB / 1TB	1TB / 2TB
Optical out	No	Yes
WiFi	802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz + 5GHz)	802.11b/g/n (2.4GHz + 5GHz)
AV out	HDMI 1.4	HDMI 2.0
Power consumption	165w max	310w max
4K Streaming	No	Yes
USB	USB 3.0 (x2 )	USB 3.0 (x3)
PSVR support	Yes	Yes (Enhanced)

The biggest functional difference between the original PS4 and the new slimmer PS4 is power consumption. Sony claims the new PS4 has a max power draw of 165 watts, which sounds impressive next to the original 250w max of the first PS4 until you see most benchmarks. The original PlayStation 4 had an average power draw of 150w during its heaviest gameplay sessions, and never pushed anywhere near that 250w max. It is slightly smaller though, so there’s that.

PlayStation VR performance is something altogether different.

As you can see, Sony is using the same CPU and a GPU that’s a little more than twice the performance in the new PlayStation 4 Pro. There’s also an updated version of the HDMI standard in the PS4 Pro, but there’s no immediate difference in performance out of the box for video output. Games that struggled in the past to maintain 30fps or 60fps on a standard PlayStation 4 will be able to offer a more consistent experience with the PlayStation 4 Pro through its “boost mode” feature. This basically means games that appear a to stutter a little on a normal PS4 will look and play smoother on a PS4 Pro.

Understanding 4K and HDR on PlayStation

PlayStation 4 Pro also offers 4K video streaming and enhanced graphics on supported titles. Game developers will have the option to offer higher quality graphics to PlayStation 4 Pro gamers, which will be clearly labeled with PS4 Pro Enhanced on the box. Not only are most new PlayStation games being made to support this Enhanced ability, many of the more popular games from the past year are releasing updates to look better through the more capable console.

Take a look at every PS4 Pro Enhanced game you can buy today!

As for HDR support, while all of these consoles are technically capable of outputting HDR visuals thanks to a software update from Sony, the HDR content offered by almost every app and game doesn’t apply to anything but the Pro. HDR is typically tied to either 4K content or PS4 Enhanced content, neither of which will play on these older consoles.

HDR Output	🤔	✔️
4K Streaming	❌	✔️
Remote Play	720p	1080p
Share Play	720p	1080p

What about PlayStation VR?

PlayStation VR performance is something altogether different. PlayStation 4 Pro was built to better support PlayStation VR (You know, Project Morpheus and PlayStation Neo kinda go together and all that) but even here the differences are subtle on many titles.

Most titles that were available before the Pro was released look slightly better on the Pro, and those titles updated to support the enhanced graphics in the Pro are noticeably better looking than on the standard PS4. Because of the high focus on framerate in PlayStation VR, what you’ll see in Pro Enhanced titles is more detail, not smoother transitions like you’d see on the television.

PlayStation 4 Slim

Budget-friendly

$300 at Amazon

The slimmer PlayStation 4 plays every game with ease, but the lack of 4K output is noticeable if your TV supports it.

PlayStation 4 Pro

Powerhouse

$400 at Best Buy

If you want the best possible PlayStation experience, this is the one to buy.

Update August 2018: This article has been updated with new information on PlayStation 4 updates and new bundles available for the current models.

Android Pie brings full Xbox One controller support with button mapping fix

From new gestures to extending battery life, here’s everything you need to know about Android Pie!

Following last year’s Oreo release, 2018 is the year of Android 9 Pie.

Google’s latest flavor of Android is jam-packed with all sorts of new features, including a brand-new gesture navigation system, new UI elements, and a heap of under-the-hood tweaks that aim to make this the best version of Android to date.

Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about Pie!

The latest Android Pie news

August 27, 2018 — Android Pie brings full Xbox One controller support with button mapping fix

If you’re fortunate enough to already have a phone running Android Pie, you may notice it works much better when paired with an Xbox One controller for gaming. As of Android’s latest update, Google has added full support for Microsoft’s controller, correcting some button mapping issues that players were experiencing prior to Pie’s release.

Though Xbox controllers have been shipping with Bluetooth on board for some time, the experience of pairing them up with an Android device hasn’t exactly been smooth. A number of users have reported issues with button mapping that hinder their usefulness. But, as spotted by XDA Developers (via The Verge), a Google engineer recently closed a bug report related to the problem on its issue tracker. “This bug should be fixed in P,” the engineer said, noting that the bug report is now marked as fixed.

This is big news for a large swathe of games, where ditching your digits for the elegance of a controller may be preferable. CNET reports, for example, that Fortnite will soon add Bluetooth controller support, making it much easier for those looking to jump between Xbox and mobile to do so without losing the finesse of a controller. This could potentially be big news for a future where Xbox games are streamed to mobile devices for triple-A gaming on the go.

August 23, 2018 — App Actions pops up in the Play Store

App Actions — the Android Pie feature that uses machine learning to predict what you want to do with various apps — now has its own listing on the Google Play Store.

Listed as “Action Services”, the new item is listed under the Tools category and is described as “Predicting next actions using on-device machine learning.”

Even if you see this in the Play Store, there’s no actual app shortcut or anything for it. Instead, it’s simply there for easier updates going forward as Google evolves the service.

Are you seeing Action Services in the Play Store on your Pie device?

August 15, 2018 — Android 9 Pie (Go Editon) is coming this fall

With Android Oreo, Google launched a special “Go Edition” of it that was designed specifically with lower-end hardware in mind. With Pie, that same idea is continuing (and getting better) with Android 9 Pie (Go Edition).

Android 9 Pie (Go Edition) is keeping everything that made its Oreo sibling great while also adding faster device boot times, a dashboard for tracking your data usage, verified boot + other security features, and comes with an extra 500MB of internal storage compared to Oreo’s version of Go (5.5GB vs. 5.0GB).

In other Go news, Google says that more than 100 OEMs will have Go phones on the market before the end of the year and that there are already 200+ devices available in over 120 countries.

August 15, 2018 — A fix is coming for slow-charging speeds on Pixel and Pixel XL running Pie

Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are among the first smartphones to be treated by the Android 9 Pie update, but after getting the new software, users have been complaining about slow charging speeds with both the official charger that’s included with the phones and third-party ones. This bug’s been reported by both Pixel and Pixel XL owners, so we’re glad to hear that a fix is on the way.

According to The Verge, Google’s currently testing a software update that resolves the issue. In a statement that was sent to the publication, Google said:

We’re aware of an issue where non-Power Delivery (PD) USB-C chargers no longer rapidly charge the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL after the upgrade to Android 9 Pie. The 18W rapid charger included in-box is a PD charger and does not exhibit this behavior. We are verifying a fix for non-PD USB-C chargers and will roll it out in the coming weeks.

A clearer timeframe than “the coming weeks” would be nice, but nonetheless, it’s great to hear that these troubles with be over with soon.

August 6, 2018 — Google releases Pie’s OTA images for Pixel and Nexus devices

If you’re eager to start using Pie ASAP, Google’s got you covered.

The full OTA images have already been released, meaning you can grab them and flash Pie onto your Pixel or Nexus phone this very second.

Go, go, go!

Grab the OTA files here

August 6, 2018 — Google unveils Android Pie statue at the Googleplex

Every new version of Android is represented by a statue at Google’s Mountain View campus, and with Pie going live, Google has unveiled the Android Pie statue.

The unveiling didn’t have the same fanfare as last year, where Google held events in New York and Mountain View to launch Oreo. With Pie out of the way, it’s time to start guessing what Android Q will be called next year.

August 6, 2018 — The Essential Phone is already being updated to Pie

Oh man — that was fast!

Just a few minutes after Google announced that Android Pie will begin rolling out to its Pixel phones, Essential announced on Twitter that the Essential Phone is also getting its Pie update today.

We’re proud to bring Android 9 Pie to Essential Phone the same day it’s released! Check your phone now for the update. 🥧 pic.twitter.com/pniUDl9yr8

— Essential (@essential) August 6, 2018

This is the first non-Pixel phone to get the Pie update so far, and as more are announced, we’ll update this article accordingly.

August 6, 2018 — Android Pie is here!

After months and months of waiting, Google’s officially announced that Android P is Android 9 Pie.

As expected, the update will roll out to Pixel and Nexus devices first with OEMs involved in the Android Beta Program to follow. Pixel phones will begin receiving the Pie update today, and while we don’t have any exact dates yet as to when Pie will be available for the other beta program phones, it should be at some point this fall.

Android 9 Pie is official and the update is starting today

August 2, 2018 — Android P tipped for August 20 launch

We’re expecting the final version of Android P to land any time now, and according to Evan Blass on Twitter, the new software is slated for a release on August 20.

pic.twitter.com/ovby4pC3ph

— Evan Blass (@evleaks) August 2, 2018

That date lines up with the release schedule Google previously published, not to mention the fact that Oreo was released on August 21 last year.

Now, what in the world will it be called? 🤔

July 25, 2018 — Google pushes Android P Beta 4

“Android P is almost here!” That’s how Google starts its blog post introducing Android P Beta 4, also known as Developer Preview 5, which is available on all supported devices starting today.

According to Google, “Today’s Beta 4 update includes a release candidate build with final system behaviors and the official Android P APIs (API level 28), available since Beta 2. It includes everything you need to wrap up your testing in time for the upcoming official Android P release.” In other words, this is basically the same version that will ship to Pixels later in August, when the public version is released.

How to install Android P on your Pixel right now (or roll back to Oreo)

July 20, 2018 — Android P engineers discuss dark mode, gestures, and more in Reddit AMA

Leading up to the official launch of Android P in about a month or so, the development team behind the new update recently got together for an AMA on Reddit to answer technical questions about P.

The dev team covered a ton of stuff, but there are a few highlights worth pointing out here. First off, when it comes to Android P’s gesture navigation, they had this to say:

We evaluated many, (MANY!) options for navigation as part of this overall change to the system spaces (worth noting that our main impetus was about making All Apps/Overview more accessible from wherever you are in the system, similar to the notification shade). HOME and BACK are so central to Android navigation (both the system and the apps) – that ensuring the dependability of them via buttons with enough space led us to the current design. All that said – we really value both the aesthetic and functional appeal of a smaller nav bar / more gross-gesture navigation and are continuing to explore opportunities to bring that in.

A system-wide dark mode has also been on the minds of many, and to not much surprise, it was said that Google doesn’t “have anything to announce about a unified dark mode.”

The team also explained how maintaining Project Treble is actually more difficult than past efforts, said a fix is coming for Android’s awful sharing menu, and more.

Read through the full AMA here

All the big details

Android P is officially Android 9 Pie

No Popsicles or Pineapples here. On August 6, 2018, Google revealed that its next version of Android is Android 9 Pie.

Along with the name change, the number this year is also slightly different. Rather than following the trend of 7.0, 8.0, etc., Pie is referred to as 9. This probably doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still an interesting move on Google’s part.

Check out our full review!

Every new Android version builds upon the previous one, meaning that each new update is better than the last.

However, in day-to-day use, how does really Pie hold up? What’s it like using the new gestures instead of the traditional navigation buttons? How do the subtle UI tweaks compare to Oreo? What’s performance like?

All those questions and much, much more are answered in our full review, so be sure to give it a read and watch!

Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices

How to upgrade to Pie

We could talk about Android Pie all day long, but if you don’t know how to actually use the new software for yourself, what’s the fun in that?

Most users will likely upgrade to Pie via a simple OTA update, but if you don’t feel like waiting on Google to serve that to you, you can manually flash it on your phone, too.

Jerry’s got all the details of how to start using Pie right now, so be sure to give his guide a look.

How to install Android Pie on your Pixel right now (or downgrade to Oreo)

See what Google has to say about Pie in our interview with Android’s UX Manager

Android Pie is a big deal for Google. Between the gestures, digital wellbeing initiative, and more, there’s a lot going on all at once.

Andrew recently had the chance to talk with Android’s UX Manager, EK Chung, about all things Pie to get a better understanding of why this is such a big release for the company.

This is a longer read, but it’s absolutely worth a look if you want a deeper understanding of what all went into crafting Pie into the final build that we have today.

Interview: Google’s EK Chung on Android 9 Pie design, simplicity and digital wellbeing

It completely changes Android’s navigation system

Back in 2011 with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Google introduced Android’s iconic three-button navigation system we’ve come to know and love – Back, Home, and Recents. Seven years later with Android Pie, these are being eliminated in favor of a gesture-based system.

Android Pie is the first time Google’s heavily relying on gestures for navigating the UI, and in their current form, they work as follows:

• Tap the Home button/pill to go home
• Swipe up to access the recent apps page
• Swipe up twice or do a long swipe for the app drawer
• The Back button only appears in certain apps/menus when it’s needed

This combination of taps and swipes can be confusing at first, but with enough practice and patience, are fairly easy to master in a short amount of time. Phones that are updated to Pie will still use the three-button nav by default, but if you want to turn them on, doing so is fairly simple.

Going forward, phones like the Pixel 3 will have gestures turned on by default with no way to revert back to them. So, while you can keep using your Back, Home, and Recents for now, you’ll need to get aclimated with the gestures sooner or later.

How to master the new Android Pie gestures

The user interface is more rounded and colorful

Android Pie isn’t as drastic of a visual change like we saw with the jump from KitKat to Lolipop, but compared to Oreo, there are some elements that are noticeably different.

At first glance, things like the colorful icons in Settings, circular Quick Settings icons, and rounded corners for just about every menu jump out like a sore thumb. These elements do take some getting used to, but I ultimately came around to liking them quite a bit.

Something else you’ll notice with Pie is just how alive it feels. Between the new gestures and updated animations, Android moves in a way that I’ve never seen before. Oreo was smooth and buttery, but Pie flies underneath your fingertips in a way that can only be experienced in-person.

There are tools for helping you use your phone less

Google talked a lot about helping people with their “digital wellbeing” at this year’s I/O conference, and a lot of those efforts are baked right into Android Pie.

Although not live quite yet, later versions of Pie will introduce a new system called Android Dashboard. Android Dashboard will offer a quick glimpse into how you’re using your phone, including stats on which apps you’re using the most, how many times you’ve turned on the screen, how many notifications you’ve received, and how much time you’ve spent on each app.

You’ll also find a feature called App Timers that’ll restrict you from using a certain app after you’ve spent x amount of time on it, as well as tools for easily turning on Do Not Disturb and switching your screen to a monochrome color palette to help you wind down for bed.

Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative: Everything you need to know

Google’s trying to squeeze as much juice as possible out of your battery

It seems like Google’s always trying to find ways to maximize your phone’s battery life as much as possible, and with Android Pie, those efforts are present in a new Adaptive Battery mode.

Similar to how Adaptive Brightness automatically adjusts your display’s brightness level based on your environment and usage, Adaptive Battery will examine how you use your phone and limit CPU usage to apps you infrequently use.

Google notes that Adaptive Battery can lower CPU usage by as much as 30%, and thanks to the use of Machine Learning, it’ll only get better the more you use your phone.

How to save battery life on Android Pie

App shortcuts are everywhere

With Android Nougat, Google introduced us to App Shortcuts for the first time. Holding down on an app icon to quickly access certain elements of it can be genuinely useful at times, and with Android Pie, Google’s taking these to the next level with App Actions and Slices.

App Actions will try to determine what you’ll do next with your phone and give you recommend shortcuts for doing so within the app drawer, Assistant, and more. For example, if you watch Good Mythical Morning each day with breakfast, you might see an App Shortcut in your app drawer for searching Rhett and Link on YouTube during the morning.

On the other hand, Slices will allow you to perform more complex actions from the Assistant or Google Search. In the example Google gave at I/O, searching “I want to book a ride” will give you a special link to call a ride home via Lyft (assuming you’ve got the app installed).

Android Pie features you’ll love: App Actions

157 new emoji

In Android 9, Google’s added a ton of new emojis to keep your conversations bright and colorful — 157 of them, to be exact.

Although we won’t run through the entire list, some of the highlights include red hair, superhero, face with three hearts, bagel with cream cheese, mooncake, lobster, and llama.

There are also improvements to existing emoji, including two new gender-neutral family and couple designs and updated looks for the bacon, salad, turtle, and cricket emojis.

Check out all of the new emoji here!

A new standard for biometric authentication

Fingerprint sensors and face unlock systems make it easier than ever to access private information on our phones, and in Android P Developer Preview 3, Google added a brand-new standard for this called “BiometricPrompt API.”

Thanks to the new API, developers no longer have to create their own dialog for using biometric systems with their apps. This isn’t something you’ll notice in day-to-day use, but it’s an important background change we’re more than happy to see.

Android Pie features you’ll love: Better, faster biometrics

All the little things

In addition to the big changes found in Android Pie, there are a ton of smaller elements also scattered throughout the update. Some of my favorites include:

• Built-in screenshot editor
• Zoom pop-up when highlighting text
• Changing the volume now defaults to your media volume
• Volume controls appear on the right of your screen instead of the top
• Do Not Disturb is more customizable and easier to understand

Updated August 6, 2018: This article was revamped/refreshed with up-to-date content now that Android Pie is official!

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

These are the best wireless chargers for the Samsung Galaxy Note 9

Keep your Note 9 charged with a stylish wireless charging pad!

When you’ve got a big, expensive phone like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 you’ll want to take full advantage of all those premium features you’ve paid for. That includes wireless charging, which has really progressed over the years into an efficient means for keeping your phone’s battery topped up.

We’ve highlighted the best wireless charging pads for the Note 9, so you can find the one that fits into your style better.

• Samsung Fast Charge Convertible Wireless Charging Pad
• Samsung Wireless Charging Duo Pad
• iON Wireless Mini Fast Charger Qi Charging Pad
• Anker Qi-Certified Wireless Charger

Samsung Fast Charge Convertible Wireless Charging Pad

Best Overall

Samsung’s convertible wireless charging stand is one of the best designed wireless pads you can buy. Priced at $60 and available in black or tan color options, you’ll see Fast Charge speeds with your Samsung phone whether you have the pad laying horizontally or propped up at an angle.

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The pad also comes with a spare Samsung Fast Charge wall charger — because you can never have too many Samsung wall chargers. Thanks to the coil placement, you’re able to orientate your phone on the pad in either portrait or landscape however you want — and with a phone as big as the Note 9 that’s a clutch feature.

Samsung Wireless Charging Duo

Best for multiple devices

The latest wireless charging pad from Samsung, launched alongside the Note 9, is this stylish wireless charger that lets you charge two phones, or your Note 9 and a Samsung smartwatch — specifically the Gear S3, Gear Sport, or Galaxy Watch. Built with 7.5W Fast Charge Technology, you’ll be able to charge your Samsung devices faster than ever. Get this wireless charging pad for $119 direct from Samsung.

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If you want the latest and greatest wireless charger from Samsung itself, this is it. It’s the most expensive wireless charger on the list but it’s also the most functional, letting you charge two devices at Fast Charge speeds while using just one wall outlet.

iON Wireless Mini Fast Charger Qi Charging Pad

Most Best Value

The latest charging pad from iOttie is this Qi-compatible product with wireless Fast Charging up to 10W for the fastest wireless charging speeds for your phone. Featuring a really nice fabric finish that’s available in Charcoal Black, Ruby Red, Ash Grey, and Ivory White, This is a wireless charger you’ll be happy to show off in your office or living room. The kit comes with a wall charger brick and charging cable and can be yours for as low as $27.

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This wireless charger from iOttie is the latest refinement from a company that has been making quality charging pad for years. Check out our full review if you’re still unsure.

Anker Qi-Certified Wireless Charger

Budget Pick

Our most budget-conscious pick on the list spares no quality or features. Anker, a well-known brand, offers a 7.5W Qi wireless charger that is extremely thin and low-profile but will charge your Galaxy Note 9 right quick for just $20.

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At $20, the Anker Qi-Certified wireless charger has overheating protection with its larger coil that spreads the heat over a wide surface area, and a low-profile 5mm thickness that will practically disappear on any desk or bedside table.

For even faster charging, Anker offers a 10W wireless charger for $22, too.

Which is your preferred style?

These are our top picks for Note 9 wireless chargers, but we want to know which is your favorite. Let us know in the comments!

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review
• Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
• Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
• Galaxy Note 9 specifications
• Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
• Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums

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Dying Light 2 preview: A dark post-apocalyptic parkour playground

Dying Light 2 is a truly-ambitious sequel from Techland, which looks set to take the zombie-infested post-apocalypse parkour playground to new heights.

Dying Light 2 is the long-anticipated sequel to Techland’s Dying Light, which was a parkour-focused open world zombie survival game where a viral apocalypse has begun to destroy civilization.

Set in the fictional city of Harran, Dying Light’s melee-oriented combat was fun and infectious, tied together with a relatively light but engaging narrative. Dying Light didn’t do anything particularly revolutionary, but it was one of the best-looking open world titles out there, complete with four-player co-op and an almost Diablo-like focus on looting and upgrades.

Dying Light 2 will see the return of many of the things fans have come to expect from the franchise, with a massively expanded scope, and a consequence-driven branching narrative. Welcome to medieval, post-societal future of Dying Light 2, where humanity has regressed back into the dark times.

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The modern dark age

Dying Light 2 is a little more down to earth in some ways than its predecessor, as Techland seems to be striking a more serious tone. Legendary games writer Chris Avellone is leading the writing for Dying Light 2, as well as contributing various other facets of the game’s structure. The narrative of Dying Light 2 is taking a far bigger role than it did in its predecessor, with a big emphasis on choice and consequence.

Your job is to find a place for yourself in this chaotic world, and the choices you make will shape the world.

Set in an apocalyptic future, a zombie apocalypse and the subsequent chaos has wiped out almost all of technology and infrastructure. The survivors carve out a grim existence. Water and other basic necessities are scarce, and organized gangs and militia prey on the weak and innocent. Your job is to find a place for yourself in this chaotic world, and the choices you make will shape the world, quite literally.

Major and minor story decisions in Dying Light 2 don’t just change the flow of the game’s story, but can dramatically impact entire areas following.

Warring factions

Dying Light 2’s press demonstration offered a little more insight into the gameplay Techland previously revealed at Gamescom. The player is offered the opportunity to secure a water tower from a group of bandits, following the disappearance of a rival gang’s “emissary,” neutral individuals whose job it is to negotiate between groups. Killing an emissary seems to be a little taboo even among the ruthless gangs of this new world.

Ascending to the top of the tower, the player has the opportunity to learn more and negotiate with the small bandit duo who have ensconced themselves at the top of this water tower. Discovering that the emissary was quite literally booted out of the tower, the player is offered the choice between negotiating a deal with the bandits or fighting them to the death.

Not all choices in Dying Light 2 will be so binary, but this quest offered a glimpse into the way your decisions will have physical consequences upon the world.

If you kill the bandits, the militant Peacekeeper (PK) faction moves in, setting up banners in the area. Peacekeepers appear to be what remains of the military, complete with advanced weaponry. With the water tower secured, you can access water supplies for free in the entire area, as the advanced faction repairs the local plumbing infrastructure. The downside: They rule with an iron fist, abusing and suppressing the local survivors. And you’re their mate.

Your decisions will have physical consequences on the world.

If you help the bandits, they won’t be able to repair the local plumbing, but they will set up a new trading post in the area, which you can become a business partner for. You’ll get a cut of the profits, and the local population won’t see you as a PK stooge.

Techland noted that depending on the flow of the story from previous quests, the two bandits might not have been in the tower at all, it might have been someone else entirely.

The dangers of Dying Light 2

Dying Light 2 puts an emphasis on the human factions, but that doesn’t mean the virus from the first game has been completely wiped out.

You might remember the more powerful infected monsters from the first game, which only emerged at night. Only these more powerful photosensitive zombies remain, and during the day, they stay hidden inside various buildings and underground locations, hiding from the sunlight. Dying Light 2 calls these areas “nests,” and due to being filled with sleeping zombies, they often contain the best loot, since local bandits and survivors are too afraid to risk entering. If you brave the nests, you’ll have to creep silently, aiming your flash light away from the horde, or risk being torn apart very rapidly.

During our demo, the player encountered a group of bandits setting up a UV light perimeter around a nest of zeds, in hopes of clearing out an unlooted building. This presented the opportunity to take out the bandits and make use of their UV set up to get some easy loot. Dying Light 2’s combat system does not make you a super hero – you’re still very vulnerable, and must approach combat with thoughtfulness. To that end, you can often enlist the help of the environment itself in combat.

Stealth takes an expanded role in Dying Light 2. You can hide in bushes, and sneak upon unsuspecting enemies for sneaky kills. Eliminating as many threats as possible before going hand-to-hand is a must, since you’re probably going to get yourself killed if facing multiple hostiles at once. The rewards, however, may outweigh the risks.

Parkour upgraded

Dying Light’s hyper-agile traversal mechanics have been upgraded for the sequel, adding double the amount of parkour moves and cues that should serve to make Dying Light 2’s movement a lot more fluid. The world map has been designed with an immense amount of verticality in mind, complete with features to help you make the jump.

The world map has been designed with an immense amount of verticality.

Some seem to have been borrowed from the likes of Assassin’s Creed, with freeform jumping across small objects like street lamps, and special hook ropes that let you ascend rapidly up a large building. Others seem completely new, however, granting the player the ability to plunge their melee weapon into a cloth billboard for a rapid descent, or dive into a tree to break a big fall.

Dying Light 2 also features parkour climbing puzzles, which may make you groan, but they’re a little more interactive and challenging than some of the other games out there utilizing the “Ubisoft tower” map reveal gameplay mechanic. Dying Light 2 retains the stamina meter, which constantly depletes when you’re hanging from, or balancing on objects. You’ll need to plan your movements up larger towers more carefully than you might in other games.

Objects also obey physics more intelligently. You can swing from ropes, jump onto moving objects like trucks and other vehicles, and hang from hanging objects like crates. Dying Light 2 should feel a lot less clunky than its predecessor, with a liberated traversal system parkour fans will enjoy.

Positive outlook

Dying Light 2 looks like an incredible upgrade from its predecessor, striking a more serious tone. Chris Avellone’s influence looks like it’ll touch upon the entire game, creating a meaningful branching narrative with plenty of opportunity for replayability.

The open world is four times bigger than the original game and all of its DLC combined.

I’m excited to learn more about the world Techland is building for Dying Light 2, which has some post-apocalypse aesthetic cross-over with franchises like Waterworld and Mad Max. Society is moving on, but it’s doing so without technology, in poverty and strife. The open world is, according to Techland, four times bigger than the original game and all of its DLC combined, with plans for plenty of post-launch support. To support Avellone, Techland has also tripled the size of its internal writing team, to help flesh out Dying Light 2’s world.

Dying Light 2 will continue to rock four-player co-op, and any loot or experience you acquire in your friends’ worlds will come back with you to your own. Your narrative won’t progress while inside a friend’s game, but you’ll get to experience all the same choices and happenings they do, should you choose to help out.

Dying Light 2 doesn’t have a launch date yet, but we’ll keep you posted when we know more. It should hit PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC.

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