Is the Pixel 3 XL’s notch really going to be a big deal?

It’s almost here!

After months of relentless leaks, tomorrow is finally the day when Google will officially unveil the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. We already know just about everything going on with these two handsets, and one aspect that’s created for a lot of commotion is the Pixel 3 XL’s notch.

Notches have become quite common this year, but the one on the 3 XL is definitely one of the biggest we’ve ever seen. It’s been mocked and ridiculed nonstop, but is it really going to be a big deal when it comes time to purchase the phone?

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

flyingkytez
10-06-2018 06:07 PM

“

Extremely ugly! That notch and no headphone jack, no micro SD? Come on! Google is saying about the notch, “hey look, we got one too! Ours is bigger than yours!”

Reply

I Can Be Your Hero
10-07-2018 12:01 AM

“

No headphone jack and no SD card don’t bother me, but that notch does. Impressive that Google managed to put in the largest, most intrusive notch and thought that was a better design than not having a notch and just having the top bezel go all the way across.

I’d rather lose that screen real estate and have a full top bezel than have a notch that size.

Reply

DMP89145
10-07-2018 09:37 AM

“

I think it’s interesting that there haven’t been any sightings of the standard Pixel 3 … AT ALL! How can a store in china be selling the XL, but not the standard ahead of release? They only have that model and only the black one? Did they contact the “Russian black market” and put in an order for 50 or something?

On the notch, listen I’m in the “no notch” camp for sure. IMO, it’s a lazy…

Reply

Mr Segundus
10-07-2018 06:47 PM

“

Big notch, big chin. Gross. I have an iPhone XS Max with a Note 9 and both don’t have that lack of symmetry. Yes, the iPhone has a notch, but it doesn’t have that big, ugly chin. Google should’ve made that bottom speaker a bottom-firing speaker so the display could go all the way to the edge.

Reply

What do you think? Is the Pixel 3 XL’s notch really that big of a deal?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 2, one year later review: Ancient-looking powerhouse

The Pixel 2’s design hasn’t aged gracefully, but everything else has.

Google’s Pixel 3 series is nearly upon us, and when the new phones are announced on Tuesday, they’ll be replacing the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL from last year. Before that happens, I want to take a look back at the former of those two devices and see how the regular Pixel 2 is holding up a year after it was first released.

Without further ado, here’s our Pixel 2 one year review.

The things that are still great

To be perfectly honest, almost everything about the Pixel 2 works just as well as it did from day one (and in some cases, even better).

The phone feels just as fast and snappy as it did out of the box, and following the update to Android 9 Pie, the new animations and gestures give the Pixel 2 a fluidity I didn’t even know it was missing. Those gestures do take some getting used to, but once you get a feel for them, it’s a vastly superior experience compared to the three static buttons of yesteryear.

I’ve been messing around with Android Pie on my OnePlus 6, and even though it has a newer processor (Snapdragon 845 vs. 835) and more RAM (8GB vs. 4GB), Pie on the Pixel 2 continues to feel so much more polished and fluid. The excellent hardware and software optimizations that you get with the Pixel line is undoubtedly one of the best reasons to buy into it, and the Pixel 2 continues to be a prime example of that.

Something else that I’ve really enjoyed is the Pixel 2’s camera. It’s no secret at this point that the Pixel 2 has one of the best cameras on the market, but even so, the thing continues to put a smile on my face each time I press the shutter button. There may not be any manual controls to tweak your shot like you can find on Samsung or LG devices, but the consistency of good-looking pictures I’ve taken is better than any other phone I’ve ever used.

How else has the Pixel 2 held up well? The battery still sees me through a full day of use, the fingerprint sensor hasn’t shown any signs of slowing down, and the Active Edge and Now Playing features are easily some of my favorites I’ve used out of any phone over the last few years.

What hasn’t held up so well

Without a doubt, the Pixel 2’s weakest aspect is its design. This was never a strong suit for the phone, and as time’s gone on, things have only gotten worse.

The Pixel 2 isn’t necessarily an ugly phone, but when stacked up against everything else that’s come out this year, it simply looks like an ancient relic. This, of course, is thanks to the gigantic bezels.

Not only do flagship handsets like the Galaxy S9 and LG G7 have much better screen-to-body ratios, but even smartphones such as the Honor 7X and Nokia 7.1 that range from $199 to $350 look like gadgets from the distant future compared to the Pixel 2. Bezel size certainly isn’t the end-all-be-all when it comes to phones, but the ones on the Pixel 2 don’t do it any favors.

Also, while this may be more of a personal preference than anything else, the 16:9 aspect ratio of the Pixel 2’s screen just looks weird after using so many phones with 18:9 setups. It’s not technically bad or wrong, but after going back to using it for a while, I’m certainly glad the industry has moved on to taller and narrow panels.

Should you still consider buying it?

Based on what we’ve seen so far (which is almost everything), the Pixel 3 will be an all-around better phone in nearly every way. It’ll have a faster processor, improved cameras, wireless charging, and a much more modern design with a larger display.

If you’re okay with the outdated design, the Pixel 2 is still a good purchase.

If you’ve got the cash to spend and want what’ll likely be one of 2018’s best Android phones, I recommend waiting for the Pixel 3. However, if you want to save a couple hundred bucks and don’t need to have the very latest and greatest, the Pixel 2 is still a damn good phone one year later.

Google’s promised three years of software updates and security patches for the phone, meaning it’s guaranteed to get the Android R update when it lands in 2020. That’s a big deal in the Android space, and it makes the Pixel 2 a lot more appealing if you’re considering picking it up a year into its life cycle.

Let’s hear from you

If you’ve been using a Pixel 2, how has it been holding up for you? Are you going to keep it for a while longer or move on to the Pixel 3? Let us know in the comments below!

The Google Pixel XL, two years later: Going down with a fight

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL

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Facebook introduces Portal and Portal+ with prices starting at $199

Wait, what? Why?!

Facebook has just introduced a pair of new communication devices that are aimed at bringing you closer to your friends and family. These new widescreen displays are designed to help you feel as though the two of you are in the same room. The smaller of the two options, the Portal, offers a 10-inch display, while the Portal+ jumps up to a 15-inch display that can pivot between portrait and landscape modes. Unlike when making a video call on your mobile device, these allow you to be hands-free, so you can use your hands to show off items, wave, and more while chatting with your friends and family.

On the surface, these may look like some of the other smart displays on the market, like Lenovo’s Smart Display or Amazon’s Echo Show, it’s what’s inside that makes it different. Its Smart Camera feature will automatically pan and zoom the camera to keep everyone in view as you move around during the chat, and Smart Sound ensures that the background noise is reduced and enhances the volume of the other party on the call.

You can use Portal to call your Facebook Messenger friends, even if they don’t have a portal, and each call supports up to seven people at once. You can use the Portal hands-free by using the command “Hey Portal”, and it also has Amazon’s Alexa built-in so you can access all of its great features as well.

Understanding that it doesn’t have the best reputation in the industry when it comes to privacy, Facebook has baked in a bunch of features to help keep this device more secure. You can completely disable the camera and microphone with just a single tap, and both the Portal and Portal+ come with a camera cover to easily block the lens at any time. To prevent unwanted visitors from using your Portal, you can set a passcode from four to 12 digits in length. Facebook says it doesn’t listen to or store the contents of any Portal call, and all of the A.I. features for Smart Camera and Speaker run locally in the device, not on Facebook’s servers. The only time Facebook will send anything through its servers is after you initiate a “Hey Portal” command. You can delete the voice history from your Facebook Activity Log at any time.

Pre-orders are available from Facebook right now, with the smaller Portal being priced at $199 and the Portal+ coming in at $349. You can save $100 when buying two of them at the same time, and these will also be available at other retailers like Amazon and Best Buy.

Binge watch all day with the $40 Roku Streaming Stick

Switch from one program to the next cause that’s how it should be.

The Roku Streaming Stick media streaming device is down to $39.99 on Amazon, and it normally sells for around $49. We used to see these devices drop in price more often, but it has been almost two months since the last deal.

If you want 4K content, Roku’s 4K Streaming Stick Plus is also on sale today for $59. That’s $10 off its street price and a match for the best deal we’ve seen in the last few months as well.

These are Roku’s newest streaming devices, a refresh of previous models. Roku claims the processor in the new stick is 50% faster. The remote is also updated with voice control and a few extra buttons, including power and volume control. Roku supports hundreds of streaming apps, including all your favorites like Netflix and HBO.

It comes with two AAA batteries, but you might consider adding some rechargeable batteries so you can just power them back up and keep on streaming when they get low.

See on Amazon

HP Chromebook x360 14 announced, costs $599 and pre-orders open today

Another high-end Chromebook enters the ring.

Thanks to products like the Pixelbook and HP’s Chromebook x2, this past year has been an awesome one for high-end Chrome OS machines. Just ahead of Google’s event where we’ll likely learn all about the Pixelbook 2, HP’s announced its Chromebook x360 14.

Unlike the education-focused Chromebook x360 11, the x360 14 is being marketed as a premium device with fast internals, a pretty design, and slim bezels. As the name suggests, you’ll find a 14-inch IPS WLED display with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. HP says its “Advanced Electrodeposition application” gives the Chromebook “a ceramic-like white finish.”

The keyboard is backlit and the touchpad has a diamond-cut trim. In regards to ports, you’ll find two USB-C ports, two USB-A ones, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Other specs include 64GB of eMMC storage, up to 14 hours of battery life, and your choice between an 8th-generation Intel Core i3 or i5 processor.

Pre-orders for the HP Chromebook x360 14 will open today with a starting price of $599. Come October 21, it’ll be available at physical Best Buy stores.

Chromebooks

• The best Chromebooks
• Chromebooks in education: Everything you need to know
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• Google Pixelbook review
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Rowkin Bit Charge Touch + Micro Touch review: Bullet-sized wireless buds

Both models offer features and performance rivaling more expensive options, but battery life isn’t great.

For under $100, Rowkin offers two different options in the smallest true wireless earbuds you can find, but you should account for the fact slimmer frames forced some things to be cut down for size.

A bullet to the ear usually isn’t the way to go, but it’s fine when good audio passes through your ears instead. True wireless earbuds are no longer just a novelty, they are widely available, and in different form factors and price points. With headphone jacks fading away, Bluetooth is emerging as the de facto standard of choice. But if you’re going to cut out one cable, why not cut them all off?

Going truly wireless with earbuds isn’t all that new, but Apple helped popularize the concept with the AirPods. Small, easy to pair and convenient to carry, they look like someone chopped the cables off the wired version. For Android users, the options are plentiful, now running the gamut from less than $100 to upwards of $300-$400. Rowkin’s Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch are very close, with almost identical designs, yet slightly different feature sets.

A couple of buds

Rowkin Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch

$130 at Amazon

These two truly wireless headphones make the right compromises for size.

There’s plenty to like about these two diminutive headphones, and they’re perfect for traveling. Comfortable and pocketable, both the Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch offer great value for money.

Pros:

• Better sound quality than previous versions
• Smallest form factor available
• Lightweight and comfortable
• Charging cases use magnets for storage
• Good prices

Cons:

• Touch controls are finicky
• Battery life isn’t long per charge
• Sweatproof, but not water-resistant
• No fast charging

Rowkin Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch What I Like

Both models are currently under $100 — $89.99 for the Micro Touch, $99.99 for the Bit Charge Touch. That makes them pretty affordable next to more expensive options, including for iOS users who might think the AirPods are their only choices.

Rowkin has been here before. Last year, it launched the Micro, a now-discontinued version that has been replaced by the Micro Touch. What’s the difference? Not only a smaller charging case, but also touch-sensitive controls. The same bullet-like design remains, and with it, Rowkin has managed to cram in a fairly rugged driver and diaphragm inside.

Rowkin considers these to be the “world’s smallest true wireless Bluetooth headphones” and it’s hard to argue with such a proclamation. The company has managed to make them really diminutive, and the minimalism extends to everything else, too. There are three sets of eartips in the box, along with a short microUSB cable to plug into the charging case. The only difference between these two models is the size of the case.

Finding the right fit is crucial to getting the best noise isolation possible. Both models are identical, and felt like wearing earplugs. With nothing touching anything other than the inner ear, the lightweight design and form factor made it easy to forget my ears were plugged to begin with. The smaller diameter also didn’t apply pressure on any part of the ear, so while they felt snug, they didn’t feel like being crammed or forced in.

Being the same, there is no difference in audio quality with either model. Rowkin packed in better drivers than in last year’s models, but hasn’t said much about it, otherwise. Either way, they sound better than their respective predecessors, pumping out punchier bass and better balance on the mids and highs. The difference isn’t a huge leap forward, but good enough to render the previous versions obsolete.

Supporting both AAC and aptX codecs covers iOS and Android users, ensuring the higher quality Bluetooth codec flows through from any Android handset. That also includes support for Siri and Google Assistant by triple-tapping the right earbud until the familiar voice pipes up.

With earbuds this small, fear of loss is a cause for concern. Rowkin smartly uses magnets to lock the buds in when placed into the charger. The buds are designated by left and right to avoid any confusion — which is important since Rowkin neglected to do that last time.

Battery life is where things start to deviate. The Bit Charge Touch’s case has a 2100mAh battery inside capable of recharging the earbuds up to 15 times. The built-in USB-A port also means you can use the case as a portable charger for phones and other mobile gadgets. It’s a neat feature to have in a pinch, though you won’t get a lot of life in a phone without expending most of the case’s own charge.

In contrast, the Micro Touch’s case is only 400mAh, capable of recharging the earbuds an extra three times. There’s also no charging output like the Bit Charge Touch’s case has.

With those numbers, Rowkin rates the earbuds to last up to 3.5 hours per charge. That’s not going to happen in most circumstances. I know everyone has a different threshold for volume, but you’re probably going to edge higher each time out. I certainly did, and found I was getting just over two hours consistently.

Unfortunately, there’s no fast charging included here, and it took 90 minutes to recharge both buds from empty to full.

Rowkin Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch What’s Not Good

It’s great that for something so small, Rowkin managed to make the earbuds sweatproof. I used them in the gym and haven’t experienced any degradation or issues since. However, there were some caveats that I couldn’t help but notice.

The glossy piano black finish is a slippery nightmare when fingers and hands are sweaty. Pulling one out of my ear once took two attempts, and even then, I had to be careful not to let it slip through my fingers. But even more frustrating than that was the Micro Touch case. The case’s piano black finish wasn’t the issue, it was getting the buds out of the case after they were locked in.

The charging basins are too far recessed, leaving a smaller sliver to grab hold of when taking them out. That’s where the glossy finish worked against me. It was a slippery combination that forced me to try shaking them out of their magnetized holsters.

None of this was a problem with the Bit Charge Micro. While noticeably bigger, the case uses a neat slide-out mechanism that offers easy access, along with some degree of protection. There’s no cap on this case, like the Micro Touch has, so dust and water could still get in.

The pairing process is also one of those nuances that can feel like a rocky start. Rowkin sets it up so that you pair your device with the right earbud, which then subsequently connects to the left earbud, syncing it all together. What is less conspicuous is the distance between the earbuds necessary to facilitate the connection. The two buds have to be placed right next to each other, face down. The small LEDs light up red and white until they’re supposed to be solid white.

It was all good with the Bit Charge Touch, but the Micro Touch forced me to retry it after the left earbud wouldn’t sync. Thankfully, I didn’t run into the same problem when pairing them with other phones.

Lastly, the touch controls Rowkin touts are a mixed bag. Simply pausing and playing music is easy. It’s just a double tap. Triple-tapping triggers the phone’s voice assistant. Double-tapping the left earbud skips a track, triple-tapping repeats it. Triple-tapping either earbud rejects an incoming call. Tapping and holding accepts and ends a call.

The margin for error is thin on all of these. Where I tried to repeat a track, I ended up skipping one instead. When I tried to bring up Google Assistant, I got music instead. The only controls I consistently took advantage of were those related to phone calls and playing and pausing music.

Speaking of which, the microphones are decent, but not exemplary. People I spoke to knew right away I was using some sort of headset, noting a “distant” sound to my voice. Voice assistants generally did well understanding what I was saying — until ambient sound added to the confusion.

Rowkin Bit Charge Touch and Micro Touch Review

Both of these models deal with a few of the key issues their predecessors had: knowing which one is left and right, and better audio quality to make them sound bigger than they are. The limited playback time per charge is somewhat offset by the case’s own capacity — especially with the Bit Charge Touch — but it’s a factor, no matter what. When other models can manage to inch closer to four hours, paying a little more money might be worth it.

3.5
out of 5

Rowkin’s main advantage comes down to sizing and comfort. These earbuds make the AirPods look big, never mind others from the likes of Jabra and Bragi. Being one-dimensional in fit and form means they’re likely to feel more comfortable than larger models tend to be, so if you want to feel like nothing is there, either of these will deliver. But if you want a pair of true wireless earbuds that cover all the primary and secondary functions with sublime performance, you will need to spend more elsewhere.

See at Amazon

UK Daily Deals: Anker charging accessories, Nest Outdoor cams, 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 on Anker charging accessories, Nest Outdoor security cameras, Casper mattresses, Philips 4K UHD TVs, and much more!

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.

Google just dodged a £4.4 billion lawsuit in the United Kingdom

The lawsuit has been going on for more than 6 years.

Google’s been no stranger to lawsuits over the years, and on October 8, a court in the United Kingdom decided to drop a £4.4 billion one that was originally filed over 6 years ago.

Between August 2011 and February 2012, it was discovered that Google was bypassing privacy settings on iPhones to collect gender, race, shopping habits, and other data on users through Apple’s Safari browser.

The lawsuit was part of the “Google You Owe Us” campaign led by Richard Lloyd. Following today’s announcement, Lloyd said:

Today’s judgment is extremely disappointing and effectively leaves millions of people without any practical way to seek redress and compensation when their personal data has been misused.

Google’s already paid $22.5 million to the FTC in the United States regarding this “Safari Workaround”, and Justice Warby who threw out the lawsuit said his decision came from a lack of evidence from Lloyd and his group.

Google Pixel 2, one year later review: Ancient-looking powerhouse

These are the best USB-C headphones

The inevitable death of the headphone jack means that USB-C audio and USB-C headphones are now a thing. It’s not necessarily a bad thing or a good thing, but it is a (mostly) new thing. If you would rather not try and keep a set of wireless headphones charged, it’s also a thing that means you’ll need to buy new headphones. We’ve rounded up a list of the best available right now so you can get your tunes on!

Made for Google

Libratone Q Adapt

Libratone’s Q Adapt USB-C headphones are part of the “Made for Google” program that launched with the Pixel 2. They offer a unique type of ANC and a Hush mode that squares things up when you receive an incoming call.

$149 at Google

An Essential choice

Essential Earphones HD

These unassuming headphones from Essential are pure function over form. Built for excellent sound and with a tangle-free silicone coated cable you’ll love the tone and the price.

$49 at Essential

Go Bold

RAZER Hammerhead USB-C

Big booming sound and bright neon green make these headphones scream RAZER. They also come with plenty of tips to fit any ear and are surprisingly cheap; both are things we love.

$78 at Amazon

Hi-Res Certified

Xiamoi Mi ANC Earphones

The Mi ANC Earphones offer great sound and are very well built. They’re certified for Hi-Res audio and use MEMS (micro-electromechanical microphones) in the earpieces to make sure ANC is precise.

$70 at Amazon

USB-C audio is still in its infancy, which is unfortunate since phone manufacturers seem to not realize it. While there isn’t the same huge selection you see with a standard 3.5mm headphone plug, you can find a great set of headphones that use the new connector. I’m partial to the Essential Earphones because of their $50 price, but all the picks on our list will sound great.

Facebook Debuts Video Conferencing Device ‘Portal’ Starting at $200

Facebook today announced “Portal,” a new communications device for the home aimed at connecting friends and family members through video chat.

There are two models of Portal: the 10-inch base model and a 15-inch “Portal+” model with a display that pivots between portrait and landscape modes. Each device includes AI technology, a Smart Camera, and Smart Sound. The Smart Camera follows where you move around a room and automatically pans and zooms to keep everyone in view, while Smart Sound minimizes background noise and enhances the voice of who is talking.

Portal connects to your friends list on Facebook Messenger, and you can call them even if they don’t have a Portal. Calls made via Portal will also be sent to Messenger apps on iOS and Android smartphones, and Portal supports group calls of up to seven people at the same time.

The video calling device supports hands-free voice control, so you can start a video call by saying “Hey Portal” and following up with who you want to call. Alexa is built into the device, so you can also ask about the weather, news, traffic, control smart home products, and more on Portal.

With Portal, you can listen to music together with a friend or even watch a television show with another Portal user, through connected partnerships with Spotify Premium, Pandora, iHeartRadio, Facebook Watch, Food Network, and Newsy. Portal video calls also support AR effects, filters, and stickers.

In terms of audio, Facebook says Portal has two full-range drivers, while Portal+ has two tweeters with high-range frequency and a single 4″ bass speaker.

Facebook is launching Portal in the middle of a turbulent year, following months of news coverage over its ties to data mining firm Cambridge Analytica. A Facebook-branded smart speaker with video capabilities was previously rumored, and then delayed following the scandal.

For the new device, Facebook says Portal is designed with privacy and security in mind:

– You can completely disable the camera and microphone with a single tap.
– Portal and Portal+ also come with a camera cover, so you can easily block your camera’s lens at any time and still receive incoming calls and notifications, plus use voice commands.
– To manage Portal access within your home, you can set a four- to 12-digit passcode to keep the screen locked. Changing the passcode requires your Facebook password.
– Facebook doesn’t listen to, view, or keep the contents of your Portal video calls. Your Portal conversations stay between you and the people you’re calling. In addition, video calls on Portal are encrypted, so your calls are always secure.
– For added security, Smart Camera and Smart Sound use AI technology that runs locally on Portal, not on Facebook servers. Portal’s camera doesn’t use facial recognition and doesn’t identify who you are.
– Like other voice-enabled devices, Portal only sends voice commands to Facebook servers after you say, “Hey Portal.” You can delete your Portal’s voice history in your Facebook Activity Log at any time.

Portal and Portal+ are available to pre-order in the United States on Facebook.com, Amazon, and Best Buy. Portal is $199 and Portal+ is $349, while a bundle of two regular Portal devices is $298.

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