How does the Galaxy Watch compare to Wear OS watches?

Checking in with the AC forums.

If you own an Android phone and want a new smartwatch, one of your best options is easily the Samsung Galaxy Watch.

The Galaxy Watch brings a lot to the table, with some of the highlights being a great design, rotating bezel for UI navigation, Samsung Pay, multi-day battery life, and more. All of that’s fine and dandy, but if you’re coming from a Wear OS / Android Wear device, how does it compare?

Here’s what some of our AC forum members have to say.

worldsoutro
09-07-2018 05:40 PM

“

I have been strictly a wearos user ever since it came out but decided to give the galaxy watch a try because wearos has been stagnant with updates, performance issues with 2.0 and battery life hasn’t been good.

I had the watch for about 2 weeks and my feeling are mixed. I miss assistant and being able to send text or play an album while I am driving. I also miss being able to just swipe…

Reply

Nacho1545
09-07-2018 08:38 PM

“

I tried Wear OS for two days after returning my Galaxy Watch (which I promptly returned and bought another galaxy watch). Bixby sucks. That goes without saying. You can clear notifications as they come, just swipe up in the main notification area (one click counterclockwise from the main watch face). The health aspect is leaps and bounds over WearOS and as you said, battery is crazy. I get 2.5 to…

Reply

spud211
09-08-2018 05:24 AM

“

I am in a similar position, coming from owning android wear devices since day one, and have switch to give Tizen a try purely based on the hardware.

My initial reactions is that Tizen is a better OS for more involved/productivity type things (e.g. the fitness tracking), and the hardware is leaps and bounds over any AW device…but for me personally a smartwatch is primarily about quick access…

Reply

What say you? How do you think the Galaxy Watch stacks up against Wear OS watches?

Join the conversation in the forums!

TaoTronics Neckband with ANC review: Good and inexpensive

The company known for making inexpensive but quality products does it again.

I — Tom Westrick — have been using these headphones as my daily use headphones for the past week, including in the gym and for hours in a crowded coffee shop. TaoTronics provided these headphones for review.

Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) is one area where headphones continue to get better year after year. While traditionally found on big, over-ear headphones, ANC is starting to make its way into smaller headphones.

TaoTronics is well known for making inexpensive but great products, and these headphones are no different. If you’re a fan of earbuds, definitely consider these.

Good ANC, better audio

TaoTronics Neckband Headphones with ANC

Price: $46

Bottom Line: These are one of the cheapest ways to get noise cancellation, so if you like earbuds, check these out.

See at Amazon

The Good

• Lightweight
• 16-hour battery life with ANC disabled
• Magnets keep the earbuds together
• ANC works stupendously

The Bad

• Micro-USB charging
• Only eight hours of battery life with ANC enabled

TaoTronics Neckband Headphones with ANC What I like

I gravitate towards good earbuds for their compact size, so believe me when I say these are good earbuds. They come with three pairs of earbud tips and three pairs of ear hooks to help you find the perfect fit for your ear canals, but I found the default options were perfect for me. The earbuds stay in place well, even when I’m running. They’re comfortable too — I’m happy to wear these for hours on end.

The controls are located along the right cord, in the form of volume up, play-pause, and volume down buttons. Holding the volume buttons is how you cycle through tracks, and holding the power button is how you turn the headphones on and off. Unlike the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, the magnet isn’t used to turn the headphones on and off. And truth be told, I actually prefer it this way. I don’t want the headphones turning on in my pocket or bag just because the magnets came apart.

These last for 16 hours with ANC disabled, more than long enough for a day’s use.

Battery life with ANC off is also great. TaoTronics quotes 16 hours of use without ANC, which matches up to my experience. Unless you’re using these headphones on a super long international flight, you should have no problem getting a day’s use out of them. The wireless signal was strong too; I had no problems with cutouts as I walked across the gym with my phone laying in a safe spot.

TaoTronics Neckband Headphones with ANC What’s just okay

Audio quality is okay for the price. There’s no aptX or even AAC support, just the basic Bluetooth audio codec. It sounds fine, but not outstanding. The sound quality doesn’t degrade any — at least, not to my ears — with ANC enabled, which is nice.

Tastes will vary on this, but I personally hate how far down my chest these headphones dangle when they aren’t in my ears. I understand these need to be designed for users of all heights, but as an average-sized dude, I’m left with a lot of extra cable just hanging there and getting in the way.

TaoTronics Neckband Headphones with ANC What I don’t like

It’s 2018, and it’s time for products to stop charging with Micro-USB. The only two products I regularly use that don’t charge with USB-C at this point are my Xbox controller and whatever headphones I’ve used. Everything else — including my mechanical keyboard — uses USB-C, and it’d be really great to only need to bring one kind of cable with me when I go out.

Battery life with noise cancellation enabled is officially rated for eight hours, though I was getting closer to seven in my use. That’s not bad given the size constraints, but it means if you use these at the office, you’ll need a charge partway through the day. Not the end of the world, but there’s room for improvement.

TaoTronics Neckband Headphones with ANC Should you buy them?

Maybe. If you really want active noise cancellation, these are one of the cheapest ways to get that. But if you just want earbuds period, there are less expensive options with comparable sound quality, or similarly priced earbuds with aptX support for better sound. It’s not that these headphones are outright bad, it’s just that headphones are a competitive field.

4
out of 5

If you prioritize active noise cancellation in your headphones, these earbuds are for you.

See at Amazon

Pixel 3 mint color teased in new promos from Google

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

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

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

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

The latest Pixel 3 news

September 14, 2018 — Pixel 3 mint color teased in new promos from Google

With a little over three weeks to go before the big October 9 event, Google’s shared two new teasers to get people excited for the Pixel 3 and 3 XL.

The first of these appears to be live on all versions of the Google Store and is pretty basic. There’s a large 3 and some text next to it that reads “Stay tuned! Looks like you’ve already enrolled for updates from the Google Store. Be on the lookout for some news from us on Oct. 9.”

In addition to that, a Google page in Japan has a much fancier promo page that also potentially reveals a new color that we’ve yet to see in any of the leaks.

If you visit the page on your smartphone or tablet, you’ll see large text at the top that says “Coming Soon.” Below that is an outline of a phone with Google’s “G” logo at the bottom.

You can rotate your device side-to-side to move the outline of the phone on the page, and tapping on your screen cycles between a white, black, and mint background. These background colors also fill in the phone outlines, suggesting that these are all colors that’ll be available for the Pixel 3/3 XL. We’re already expecting white and black, but this is the first time we’ve ever seen a reference of a mint option.

September 6, 2018 — Google officially announces October 9 event for Pixel 3

Google has just sent out invites to the press for a hardware event in New York City, and just as rumored it will take place on October 9. The invite came in with a delightfully designed (and very swiftly swoopy) animated gif that honestly doesn’t give us any hints as to what we’ll be seeing. But there’s no reason why this wouldn’t be the launch event for the Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL.

The only question is whether we see more than the two phones. Last time around, Google had a blockbuster event that was ostensibly for the Pixel 2 and 2 XL, but also included the launch of the Google Home Max, Google Home Mini, Pixel Buds and Pixelbook. If Google pulls out all the stops once again, we could be in for a huge hardware launch event.

Last year’s event was in San Francisco (and on October 4), but it’s hard to read too much into a venue switch to NYC — it’s an easy place for press from all around the world to get to, and Google maintains a large presence in the city. Google will be streaming the event live, as well.

August 31, 2018 — Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL swing by the FCC

Before we head out for the week, let’s end our Friday on another Pixel 3 tidbit.

Today, FCC listings A4RG013A and A4RG013C from Google appeared — likely relating to the Pixel 3 and 3 XL, respectively. These numbers line up to last year’s phones where the Pixel 2 was G011A and the 2 XL was G011C.

Although no new information is revealed in these listings, it’s once again confirmed that Foxconn is the manufacturer rather than HTC or LG like we saw with the Pixel 2 series.

August 30, 2018 — Regular Pixel 3 appears in first hands-on photos, might not be a Verizon exclusive

Although the Pixel 3 XL has been leaked to death at this point, we still haven’t seen much on the regular Pixel 3 outside of device renders. However, thanks to a user over on Reddit, that’s now changing.

The photos confirm that the Pixel 3 will not have a notch and instead have slightly thicker bezels on the top and bottom compared to its XL sibling. The screen measures in at 5.5-inches, the resolution is 2160 x 1080, and there’s an aspect ratio of 18:9. The smaller battery also appears to be a 2,915 mAh unit.

Other specs from the 3 XL are carried over to the Pixel 3, including the Snapdragon 845 processor, 4GB RAM, dual 8MP front cameras, etc.

Also, in an update to the Reddit post, it’s said that the Pixel 3 in the above photos is part of a carrier testing program that isn’t Verizon. Contrary to reports we heard earlier this year, this suggests that Verizon’s exclusivity of the Pixel line may finally be over.

August 27, 2018 — Unboxing video shows off the Pixel 3 XL and its packaging, October 9 announcement date revealed

It’s pretty difficult to be surprised by a Pixel 3 leak anymore, but that certainly hasn’t stopped them from flowing in.

Most recently, a YouTube channel by the name of In DIGI uploaded a high-res 1080p Full HD unboxing video that shows the Pixel 3 XL being taken out of its packaging in one of the crispiest clips we’ve seen yet.

In addition to the Pixel 3 XL itself, the box is also home to the Pixel Bud-like wired earbuds that definitely appear to be included with the phone, #teampixel stickers, USB-C charging cable, USB-C to USB-A adapter, a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter, and AC wall adapter. The video gives us an up-close look at the front and back of the phone, as well as a few camera samples.

Lastly, we also got another hint as to when the Pixel 3 will officially be unveiled. In a Bloomberg article published by Mark Gurman this morning, it’s noted that:

Alphabet Inc.’s Google also plans to debut new Pixel phones on Oct. 9 at a media event in New York City, other people familiar with the plans said.

Google declined to comment on this news, but that lines up with earlier rumors and the press events for the company’s previous Pixel announcements for the past two years.

August 23, 2018 — Pixel 3 XL reported to have new Pixel Visual Core and a wide-angle selfie camera

We’ve known for quite some time that the Pixel 3 and 3 XL will have dual front-facing cameras, but up until now, it’s been a mystery as to what the second sensor will actually do. Thanks to a report from 9to5Google, we now have some more info as to what these sensors will be used for.

According to one source the site spoke with, the two cameras will allow for a new “Super Selfie” mode with another mention of there being an “improved Portrait Mode.” A leak from earlier today revealed new Portrait settings in the camera app, so that all lines up quite nicely.

As for the second sensor specifically, another source claims that this will act as a wide-angle lens so that users can fit more people in the frame in a single shot.

Details on the single rear camera are still pretty scarce, but 9to5 also mentions that one of their sources mentioned a “new Visual Core chip” and that Google is “doubling down on making a single camera powerful enough to not need a second camera.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

pic.twitter.com/XtAtAeWreH

— Максим Хорошев (@khoroshev) August 22, 2018

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

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

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

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

Surprise, surprise — another Pixel 3 XL leak!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What do you think of this latest leak?

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

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

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

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

When will the Pixel 3 be released?

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

A Bloomberg article reports that the event will be held on October 9, and while that’s a few days later than the past two announcements, is still within the general ballpark we were expecting.

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

How much will the Pixel 3 cost?

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

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

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

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

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

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UK Daily Deals: TCL 4K TVs, eBay’s site-wide sale, and more

Whether you’re looking for new tech gear or household items, we’ve got you covered.

We found plenty of great deals today that include big discounts on TCL 4K UHD TV sets, Linksys home Wi-Fi systems, Tile Bluetooth trackers and pretty much everything in eBay’s site-wide sale!

View the rest of the deals

Each day, the Thrifter UK team scouts out and shares amazing deals on products you know and love, helping you find the best prices on the ‘net.

For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK and follow the team on Twitter for the most up-to-the-minute coverage.

Tips to make your Lenovo Smart Display experience easier

Here are five ways to make your Smart Display even better!

So, you’ve picked up a Lenovo Smart Display. Awesome! It’s one of the best ways to get the Google Assistant in any house and is one of our favorite smart home gadgets of the year. It’s pretty easy to get a hang of out of the box, but there are a few handy tricks we’ve discovered that make using it even better.

Without further ado, here are some tips/tricks to make your life easier with the Lenovo Smart Display.

Use the camera cover when you aren’t using it

The Lenovo Smart Display has a camera on the front that can be used for video calls with Google Duo, but when you’re not actively talking to someone, having a camera looking at you and your home isn’t the most ideal thing in the world.

Thankfully, Lenovo’s included a physical switch that completely covers the camera lens when you aren’t using it.

Just move the slider on the right side of the Smart Display up, and once the cover goes over the camera, an on-screen message will confirm that the camera’s been disabled. When you want to use it, just move the slider back down.

Don’t turn the volume up too loud

The speaker on the Lenovo Smart Display sounds quite good, and while you might want to crank the volume up to 10 before a song starts playing, we’d recommend not doing that unless you want to have a roaring headache for the rest of the day.

Why? The speaker on the Smart Display gets really loud really quickly. In fact, even with a bit of ambient noise happening around you, you shouldn’t ever need to turn it any higher than a six or seven.

Enable Night Mode

While having a powerful speaker is awesome for watching YouTube videos or jamming out to Spotify, it can be a pain if you’re trying to turn off the lights at night and you don’t want to disturb anyone else in your home.

To help combat this, you can easily enable Night Mode so that responses from the Smart Display are much quieter once it gets to be bedtime.

Simply open the Google Home app, go to the Device Settings of your Smart Display, tap Night Mode, and tap the toggle next to it. Once Night Mode is enabled, you can choose when it should automatically turn on/off, what days you want it to be active, and adjust the max volume of the Smart Display when it’s in this mode.

Set a default music service

The Lenovo Smart Display is an awesome device for listening to music while you cook, do laundry, or just about anything else. To make sure you don’t have to specify which streaming service you want to hear songs from every single time, make sure you’ve got a default music service set.

Once again from the Device Settings of the Smart Display in the Google Home app, tap the Music tab and choose what service you want to use. You can currently select Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify, Pandora, Deezer, or another service as long as you’ve got the app on your phone.

Check out the accessibility features

If you have a visual and/or hearing impairment, the Lenovo Smart Display may be a little tricky to use from the get-go. However, there are a number of accessibility settings you can enable to make using it as easy as can be.

From the same Device Settings menu in the Home app, there are a host of visual and audio features that can be enabled, including:

• Play start sound
• Play end sound
• Audio descriptions
• TalkBack
• Color correction
• Color inversion
• Magnify screen
• Closed captioning
• High contrast text

What tips do you have to share?

If you’ve got a Lenovo Smart Display, what tips do you recommend that make using it even better? Let us know in the comments below!

See at Best Buy

Find a new Milanese band for your Fitbit Charge 2 for as low as $4

It’s about time to find a new look.

Hooroor via Amazon is offering its Milanese Fitbit Charge 2 bands at a discount when you enter promo code 7WRSZW4V during checkout. The code will save you 50% on any size band in any color, creating a ton of options for you to choose from. As they regularly sell between $8 and $10, you’ll be able to grab one from $4 to $5 depending on which band you prefer.

These stainless steel Milanese mesh loop bands utilize a unique magnetic clasp design instead of a buckle. There are color options like Rose Gold, Champagne, and Black so you can find the right look for your personal style. Considering how inexpensive they are, you may even want to pick up a few to keep things fresh.

You’ll receive a one-year warranty on each band you purchase. At Amazon, close to 700 reviews have been left for these bands resulting in a rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars.

See at Amazon

Apple Donating $1 Million to American Red Cross as Hurricane Florence Makes Landfall in North Carolina

Apple is donating $1 million to the American Red Cross to support Hurricane Florence relief efforts, as it routinely does for natural disasters, according to a tweet shared by Apple CEO Tim Cook today.

Apple often accepts Red Cross donations from customers through the App Store and iTunes Store, but it has yet to add banners to either storefront, or Apple.com. We’ll update this article if that changes.

The Carolinas are in our hearts. To our employees there, first responders and everyone in Hurricane Florence’s path, please stay safe. To help those affected, Apple is donating $1M to the Red Cross.

— Tim Cook (@tim_cook) September 14, 2018

Hurricane Florence made landfall in North Carolina earlier today as a Category 1 storm, resulting in destructive winds, rain, and storm surges across the Carolinas and southeastern United States.

Apple most recently accepted Red Cross donations to support wildfire relief efforts in Northern California in August. Last year, Apple donated $5 million to Hand in Hand, in support of Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma relief efforts.

Tag: American Red Cross
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AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint Launch New Carrier Deals for iPhone XS and XS Max

The iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max are now up for pre-order on Apple.com, and with the debut of new smartphones from Apple, all of the major carriers have also kicked off their own special offers for the devices. Below we’ve taken a look at the major iPhone XS-related deals from AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, and Sprint, so read on to see how you can save some money if you haven’t yet purchased one of the latest iPhones.

AT&T

If you buy the iPhone XS with AT&T, you’ll get another XS for $700 off if both are purchased on AT&T Next. The limited time offer requires a new line to be added onto a Next plan, and the $700 promotion will be applied over 30 months.

Note: MacRumors is an affiliate partner with some of these vendors. When you click a link and make a purchase, we may receive a small payment, which helps us keep the site running.

If you would prefer the second device in the BOGO deal to be an iPhone 8, you can also get the 64GB iPhone 8 ($599.99) or the 64GB iPhone 8 Plus ($699.99) for free.

AT&T notes that you can also receive the $700 as a credit towards a more expensive iPhone, including a 256GB iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, iPhone X, iPhone XS, or iPhone XS Max (priced up to $1,450). In these cases the second iPhone will be discounted but not completely free.

Head to AT&T for more details.

Verizon

Verizon essentially has the same offer as AT&T, allowing you to mix-and-match a BOGO deal where you can buy the iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, add a new line to one of the phones, and save $700 on the second. In Verizon’s offer, the credit of $29.16 will be added to your monthly bill for the next 24 months.

This means that you’ll pay full price for the two iPhones over 24 months, but then in one to two billing cycles you’ll begin to see a credit of $29.16 added to your account. The iPhone 8 and 8 Plus in the deal are for the 256GB model, but if you opt for the 64GB option the credit placed on your account will be $24.99 per month.

Alternatively, Verizon’s second offer lets you save $100 with select trade-ins. When purchasing an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus with a select trade-in (that’s in good working and cosmetic condition), you’ll receive $100 over 24 months as a monthly credit. Verizon will send a prepaid package to mail the trade-in within 30 days at no cost.

The carrier notes that if your trade-in is valued at higher than $100 then you’ll get the full value as an account credit, or new customers can get the full value as a virtual gift card sent two weeks after it receives your device.

Devices eligible for trade-in include: iPhone X, 8 Plus, 8, 7 Plus, 7, 6s Plus, 6s, 6 plus, 6, 5s and SE. Non-Apple devices include: Google Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel and Pixel XL; LG V30, V20, V10, G6, G5 and G4; Motorola Z2 Force, Z Force, Z2 Play, Z Play, Z Droid, Z Play and Turbo 2; Samsung GS9, GS9+, GS8, GS8+, GS7, 7 Edge, 7 Active, GS6, 6 Edge, 6 Edge+, 6 Active, GS5, GS4, Note 8, Note 5, Note 4 and Note Edge; HTC 10 and M9/M9+.

Head to Verizon for more details.

T-Mobile

At T-Mobile, if you buy an iPhone XS, XS Max, X, 8, or 8 Plus, you can save up to $300 through bill credits that expand over 24 months with an eligible iPhone trade-in. The new device must be purchased on one of T-Mobile’s monthly payment plans, and the trade-ins are required to be in good condition, with values designated below:

– Devices in good condition for $300 value: iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus

– Devices in good condition for $200 value: iPhone 6s, iPhone 6s Plus

– Devices in good condition for $100 value: iPhone 6, iPhone 6 Plus, iPhone 5, iPhone 5s, iPhone SE, iPhone 5C

If you meet all of these criteria, T-Mobile will add a credit of up to $12.50 on your monthly bill for 24 months, after one to two bill cycles following the trade-in shipping.

Head to T-Mobile for more details.

Sprint

Sprint has a few offers as well, with the 64GB iPhone XS available for $0/month or the 64GB XS Max for $4.17/month following an eligible trade-in. These include iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9+, LG G7 ThinQ, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, Samsung Galaxy Note8, Google Pixel 2, and Google Pixel 2XL.

With the value of the trade-in, you’ll get $41.67 per month credit for both 64GB models of the iPhone XS and XS Max, applied within two billing cycles. The new devices must be purchased on an 18-month lease, with a new line and approved credit.

As a more basic offer, if you switch to Sprint you’ll get $100 for each new line of service that you add when you lease a new smartphone. The credit will come in the form of a $100 Prepaid Mastercard for each new line that you add. Besides the lease, this deal requires online registration and 60 days of service before you see the card shipped.

Head to Sprint for more details.

Pre-orders for the iPhone XS and XS Max went up at 12:01 a.m. PDT earlier this morning, and shipping estimates for the bigger XS Max began slipping under an hour after orders went live. The new Apple Watch Series 4 also went up for pre-order at the same time today, and now almost all stainless steel Apple Watch Series 4 models are listing shipping dates of October 5 to October 12, with the exception of some 40mm models.

For more information on the iPhone XS, be sure to visit our full roundup.

Related Roundup: iPhone XS
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LG Named Second Supplier of OLED Displays in iPhones

LG has been selected as a secondary supplier of flexible OLED display panels for iPhones, according to Korean publication ETNews.

The report, citing unnamed sources, claims that LG’s sixth-generation flexible OLED display panels recently passed a series of Apple’s quality tests. LG is now preparing for mass production at one of its plants, the sources said.

In April, The Wall Street Journal reported that Samsung would likely remain Apple’s exclusive supplier of OLED display panels for the latest iPhones, unveiled Wednesday, after LG fell behind schedule due to mass production challenges.

If today’s report is accurate, however, LG may still be coming on board as a secondary supplier of at least some OLED panels soon. Korean newspaper Newspin reported about a potential deal signed between Apple and LG back in July.

Samsung has been Apple’s exclusive supplier of OLED display panels since the iPhone X launched last year. Numerous reports have identified LG as a potential second supplier, as Apple routinely aims to diversify its component makers.

While this news does not have significant implications for customers, Apple can potentially negotiate lower prices for OLED panels as Samsung and LG compete for its business, thereby lowering its production costs of OLED-equipped iPhones.

Earlier this week, Apple introduced the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max with 5.8-inch and 6.5-inch sized OLED displays respectively. The new, lower-priced iPhone XR is equipped with a 6.1-inch LCD as a cost-cutting measure.

The original iPhone X also has a 5.8-inch OLED display, but Apple discontinued that model upon announcing the XS and XS Max.

Tags: etnews.co.kr, LG, OLED, LG Display
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Here’s why OnePlus is getting rid of the headphone jack on the OnePlus 6T

OPPO ditched the headphone jack on the R17 Pro, and OnePlus had no option but to follow suit.

OnePlus announced a USB-C variant of the popular Bullets V2 yesterday, and shortly thereafter, the company confirmed that it was getting rid of the headphone jack in its upcoming phone, the OnePlus 6T.

It’s a particularly puzzling decision because just four months ago — during the OnePlus 6 unveil — OnePlus took several jabs at Google and Apple for getting rid of the headphone jack on their phones. In an interview with TechRadar confirming the move, OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei said that it was the “right time” to do so:

We found 59% of our community already owned wireless headphones earlier this year – and that was before we launched our Bullets Wireless headphones.

We’re not doing it for the sake of doing it and because everyone else is. We believe now is the right time, as it’ll benefit the majority of our users while keeping the downside low.

That logic is inherently flawed because even if a user invested in a pair of wireless headphones, that doesn’t mean they’ve completed switched away from wired audio. Furthermore, if the responses to Pei’s Twitter poll are any indication, a lot of OnePlus customers care about the headphone jack.

Do you like headphone jacks? 🤔 (2018 edition)

— Carl Pei (@getpeid) March 14, 2018

While the move doesn’t make much sense considering OnePlus’ “Never Settle” motto and its stance on the headphone jack even until four months ago, manufacturing factors outside of the company’s control could have had a major role in the decision.

OnePlus doesn’t have anywhere nearly the same amount of resources as Samsung, LG, or even Xiaomi, and as such it turns to OPPO for manufacturing and distribution of its phones. The company’s main assembly line in Dongguan, China is part of a larger OPPO facility that manufactures the R15 and the F9.

OnePlus sources components from OPPO, and the R17 Pro doesn’t have a 3.5mm jack.

OnePlus sources the internal components — including the display and camera modules — from OPPO, and although the OnePlus 6’s external design is different to that of the R15 Pro, the internal layout is near-identical. With the OPPO R17 Pro eschewing the 3.5mm jack, it is possible OnePlus had to take a similar stance.

As we’ve seen from Nextbit, it’s incredibly difficult for a new brand to make its foray into the smartphone segment and create a sustainable business. OnePlus simply wouldn’t exist today if not for OPPO’s supply chain, but the downside is that it is not fully in control of product-related decisions as it relies on OPPO for the components.

And while Pei cited battery life considerations, the removal of the 3.5mm jack is not enough to free up space for a significantly larger battery. The OnePlus 6T is likely to retain a similar design as the OnePlus 6, and the curved back doesn’t allow for a larger battery unless OnePlus increases the overall thickness of the device — which it will not do. OnePlus is increasingly looking to differentiate its phones on the design front, and releasing a heavier device with a thicker chassis isn’t in the best interests of the brand.

Don’t hold out for a 4000mAh battery in the OnePlus 6T.

As such, we’re not going to see a 4000mAh battery like the one on the POCO F1, and the only tangible gain from getting rid of the headphone jack would likely be a larger haptic motor. It is possible the OnePlus 6T will offer a marginally larger battery, but most of the improvements around battery life will stem from the software. The 6T will come with Android 9.0 Pie out of the box, and the Adaptive Battery mode should go some way in boosting battery efficiency.

Monetary considerations could also have been a factor in the decision to get rid of the 3.5mm jack. OnePlus built its community around enthusiast users, but as the brand garners more mainstream attention, it is increasingly looking for ways to maximize profits. One way to do that is with accessories, and with the launch of the OnePlus Bullets Wireless and the USB-C Bullets v2, it’s clear that the brand is turning to accessories to drive growth.

It’s unlikely the removal of the 3.5mm jack will affect sales of the OnePlus 6T.

While OnePlus is still a niche manufacturer in the U.S. — where the unlocked market itself is minuscule — the company has made significant inroads into India and various markets in Europe in recent years.

OnePlus has an aggressive marketing campaign in India and is expanding its retail presence, both of which ultimately add to its overhead when selling phones in the country. And while a vocal minority of users will undoubtedly vent at the brand for getting rid of the 3.5mm jack, the decision is unlikely to hurt sales of the OnePlus 6T. After all, the introduction of a notch was derided four months ago, and OnePlus racked up over a million sales in just under a month of the device’s debut.

Although OnePlus’ phones aren’t as affordable as they used to be, they still represent great value. For instance, the OnePlus 6’s retail price of $529 is nearly half that of what the Galaxy Note 9 retails for in the U.S., and the OnePlus 6T will have significant upgrades in several areas.

The 6T will offer an in-display fingerprint sensor, and it is likely we may see three rear cameras, much like the R17 Pro. We could also see new color options and a smaller waterdrop notch that doesn’t take up as much space at the top of the display. OnePlus will be hoping that the improvements will be more than enough to assuage potential buyers looking to pick up the OnePlus 6T, but with the brand attracting more and more mainstream buyers, that shouldn’t be a problem.

For the rest of us, there’s always POCO.

OnePlus 6

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