Top 6 things to know about the LG Stylo 4

Check these out before buying the LG Stylo 4.

The LG Stylo series has been the company’s low-mid-range for the last few years, and the Stylo 4 is better than ever. Out of the box, you’re getting a good experience: a decently fast chipset, a good camera in most situations, and overall good software. But if that phone is on your shortlist of devices, there are some things to know before spending your money.

Here are six things to know about the LG Stylo 4!

• There’s no NFC
• There’s a USB-C port and a headphone jack
• There’s an Amazon Prime Exclusive version
• Still consider the T-Mobile version
• Don’t hold your breath on software updates
• The stylus is pretty capable

There’s no NFC

NFC payments are becoming more and more commonplace at retailers, but you’re not going to use them with the Stylo 4. NFC is one of the most common components that gets cut when a company is targeting a lower price range since each component inside translates to what the customer ends up paying. Google Pay can still be used to send money to friends or keep track of loyalty programs, just not for mobile payments.

More: Google Pay: Everything you need to know

There’s a USB-C port and a headphone jack

Another cost-cutting measure at this price range is to use the older Micro-USB port instead of USB-C, but fortunately, LG opted for the newer port. That means if you’ve bought a new laptop or Chromebook in the last couple of years, you should be able to use the same charger for both your phone and laptop.

Another potential cost-cutting idea that LG thankfully didn’t use is getting rid of the headphone jack. The 3.5mm port is here in all its glory, ready to be used with headphones new and old.

More: Best USB-C Portable Battery Power Packs in 2018

There’s an Amazon Prime Exclusive

LG and Amazon have teamed up for a few Prime Exclusive phones, and the Stylo 4 is another great option. The Prime version comes carrier unlocked, with compatibility with Verizon, AT&T, Sprint and T-Mobile in the United States. There are seven Amazon apps installed out of the box, but these can be uninstalled, disabled or otherwise ignored. You’ll also be prompted to sign into your Amazon account when you set the phone up, but you can skip this.

Besides Amazon’s apps, this Prime Exclusive version also includes 3GB of RAM, instead of the 2GB that comes on the T-Mobile version of the phone. That means opening apps, switching between apps and just navigating around the interface is going to be faster on the Amazon version. But…

See at Amazon

Still consider the T-Mobile version

While the Amazon version will work with T-Mobile, Metro, Mint Mobile and others that use T-Mobile’s network, it’s missing a few antenna bands. That may be a big deal, or may not. But if you use one of those networks, consider getting the Stylo 4 straight from T-Mobile or Metro. The lower RAM will mean it’ll be a bit slower, but being able to use your phone, well, as a phone is likely more important.

See at T-Mobile

Don’t hold your breath on software updates

The Stylo 4 is currently running Android 8.1 Oreo, which is good, because the Stylo line hasn’t gotten regular software updates. The Stylo 3 is still running Android 7.0 Nougat, so there’s a good chance the Stylo 4 won’t ever be updated to get a slice of the Android 9 Pie.

More: Will my phone get Android Pie?

The stylus is pretty capable

A Galaxy Note this is not, but the stylus that comes in the Stylo 4 is useful on its own. When you pop the stylus out of the phone, you’ll see quick toggles for a quick memo, screen capture, GIF capture, and Pop Lens, a tool that lets you magnify portions of the screen. The pen isn’t going to allow for super fine detail like the Note’s S-Pen, but it’ll still be fun for coloring books apps. Finally, you can just use the stylus to navigate around the interface, and for ultra-fast glide typing on the keyboard.

What do you want to know?

What other questions do you have about the LG Stylo 4? Let us know down below!

More: Amazon Prime Exclusive Phones: Everything you need to know

Amazon announces the Fire TV Stick 4K and new Alexa Voice Remote

The product announcements weren’t done.

After refreshing nearly the whole Echo lineup, Amazon has now announced an all-new Fire TV Stick that now includes 4K streaming capabilities. In addition, the Fire TV Stick comes with a new version of the Alexa Voice Remote which allows you to power on your TV, control compatible AV equipment, switch inputs, tune to specific channels on a cable box, and more. While this is bundled with the new Fire TV Stick 4K, you’ll also be able to purchase it on its own for use with your existing Fire TV Stick, Fire TV Cube, and Fire TV 4K. Amazon will also begin offering the Fire TV Cube bundled with the new remote for $120 on October 31.

As for the new streaming stick, Amazon has completely refreshed the internals in an effort to boost performance. It now has a quad core 1.7GHz processor which decreases load times and offers a faster interface and streaming experience. It’s also the first streaming stick with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos. You still have access to all the channels and apps you love, like Prime Video, Hulu, Netflix, and more, but now you’ll see more support for in-app voice control making its way to the platform. Amazon also has the Fire TV 4K pendant, which offers a different design that may work better for some TVs, depending on the location of the HDMI port.

Pre-orders are open now for the new Fire TV Stick 4K, and shipments will begin on October 31 in the U.S. and Canada, and November 14 in the UK It’s priced at $49.99, which is just $10 more than the current generation sells for. Amazon is also bundling the Fire TV Stick 4K and the new Echo Dot for just $79.99, which is $20 off, and the new Fire TV Stick 4K with Fire TV Recast (DVR) for $249.97, a $50 discount.

See at Amazon

Is the Galaxy Note 9 a future-proof smartphone?

In some ways, yes. In others, no.

If you’re looking to buy a new Android phone right now, the Galaxy Note 9 is one of your best bets. It’s got a large, beautiful display, insanely fast internals, a powerful camera package, and so much more.

Samsung packed just about everything they could into the Note 9, and with all of those specs and such a large price tag, we’ve noticed that a lot of our forum members are wondering whether or not this is a phone that can be considered future-proof and be able to last a few years down the road without losing complete relevancy.

That’s a topic that’s recently garnered a lot of conversation, and this is what some of our users are saying:

Gayle Lynn
10-01-2018 02:30 PM

“

Its… a Note! Not just a. S9+ even.

I paid ~$1000 minus what I got on trade in.
I am happy not having splurged on top end. Which I wouldn’t really use or need. Not now. Not in 3 years.

So out of pocket was more like $US600. Not $1400+.

Reply

Dooki
10-01-2018 02:36 PM

“

hardware wise, very. durability, ehh. the glass back and curved display are prone to breakage and the new gorilla glass is easily scratched.

there real issue being Samsung’s update policy. they release a new flagship with a year old operating system but brag about giving three major updates. basically, a phone that should have been released with P was released with O, and should get S will…

Reply

EuroDriver
10-01-2018 04:05 PM

“

I bought the Note 9 on a similar rationale that you did. However as far as future proofing, devices with 5G will be released next year. Even though they will be available, I’m hoping to get a solid 2-3 years out of my Note while they work out the kinks in 5G.
The other question will be whether the snapdragon 845 processor and 8gb ram will be sufficient for future Android version releases….

Reply

Knightmayre90
10-01-2018 04:41 PM

“

I’m one of those that has to upgrade every two years, have been that way for about the last 4 phones. I think this may be the one that will see me through 2 years. unless something happens that radically shakes up the market, this phone has all i need. but knowing me….

Reply

What do you think? Is the Galaxy Note 9 future-proof?

Join the conversation in the forums!

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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Firefox Focus web browser gets search suggestions and updated design

There are also under-the-hood changes to increase performance.

The Google Play Store is home to a lot of excellent web browsers, but if privacy is your main concern, Firefox Focus is one of the best options there is. To make the app even better, developer Mozilla is rolling out a heap of goodies in the latest update.

First thing’s first, you’ll find a revamped user interface that’s been optimized for Android 9 Pie. The highlights here include new icons within the browser, a customizable URL bar, and a vastly simplified layout for the settings.

On the functional side of things, this latest update also includes:

• Search suggestions to help you find your favorite websites more easily.
• Tips on the home page on how to get the most out of Focus.
• A brand-new GeckoView engine that promises “a faster and more secure browsing experience.”

Mozilla says the update is available in the Play Store now, so be sure to grab it if you don’t already have it.

Download: Firefox Focus (free)

Best Horror games for PlayStation 4

If you are anything like me, then sometimes you absolutely love to get the pants scared off of you. Unfortunately, not all horror games are created equal. There are loads of games which intend to give you the creeps but fall way short of the target. If you want some of the best scares available on the PlayStation 4, then read on.

Horrific choices

Until Dawn

Generally speaking, Until Dawn is not a perfect game. However, it is one of the best horror games I’ve ever had the pleasure to play. Supermassive Games does a great job of developing a creepy mood which just drips off the screen. Also, it’s always nice when a developer creates a decision-making mechanic that actually seems to have an impact on how the game plays out. It is this decision making which also adds to the replayability of the game. With a $20 price point, you get a ton of scares and gameplay for your dollar.

$20 at Playstation

No one can hear you scream

Alien: Isolation

Holy macaroni, I loved this game. If you are a fan of Ridley Scott’s original Alien film, then you are going to love this. Developer, Creative Assembly managed to capture the mood and visual style of the first Alien film almost impeccably. From the moment the game started, I was giddy to be interacting with that world. On top of that, it is chock full of truly tense and frightening moments. The original Alien film was essentially a slasher film in space and that is exactly what Alien: Isolation feels like as you try to creep, hide, and run away from the alien which is after you

$25 at Amazon

Survival horror

The Evil Within 2

I wasn’t a huge fan of the first game in the series but I sure am glad that Tango Games took another swing at it with The Evil Within 2. If you’re on the hunt for a solid survival horror experience then this game is certainly worth your time. Despite the fact that there are moments where The Evil Within 2 seems to rehash to pretty well-trod tropes, they do a great job of building and cranking up tension when it’s needed.

$25 at Amazon

Classic horror reborn

Resident Evil 7: Biohazard

The king is back! There were some moments in the previous decade where I was pretty certain that the Resident Evil franchise had lost every ounce of its creepy mojo and we would never see a great entry again. However, in 2017, Capcom dropped Resident Evil 7 in our collective laps. Not only is it a fantastic Resident Evil game, it may just be one of the best horror games of all time. With solid scares, a great mood, and pacing so tight you can bounce a quarter off of it, it is totally worth your time.

$35 at Amazon

Just like horror films, there are a lot of video games released in the genre but precious few shining gems. I often find myself disappointed when a horror game falls short, but when it’s done right it’s one of the best gaming experiences in the world.

Plex Web Shows offers unlimited online videos to everyone for free

Do you want to start hosting a home media server? Plex is your best option!

While streaming services like Netflix and Hulu have a healthy catalog of content, they don’t have everything. It’s also a bummer when the show you’ve been binging gets removed while you’re still watching it. If you want to make sure you’ll always have access to your favorite shows and movies, a home media server may be the best option. There are a few different programs that let you run a home media server, but none are as pervasive as Plex.

Here’s everything you need to know about Plex!

What’s new with Plex?

October 3, 2018 — Plex Web Shows offers unlimited online videos to everyone for free

On top of everything else Plex already offers, the company’s now breaking into the world of online streaming video with Plex Web Shows.

Web Shows is a curated selection of high-quality videos from all sorts of brands —including GQ, Engadget, TWiT, Field and Stream, and others with “many more to come.”

You can access Web Shows on just about anything (Android, iOS, Android TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, etc.) and it’s free to use for everyone — no Plex Pass required.

Plex Web Shows is currently in beta and you can start using it right now.

See at Plex

All the big details

What is it?

At its most basic level, Plex is a program that lets you access your movies, shows and other content from any device, so long as you have access to the Internet. It works in two pieces: at home, your desktop, network attached storage or even your NVIDIA Shield TV stores the files. The Plex Media Server program gets installed, and does the hard work of actually transcoding and pushing your files over the Internet.

The other piece is your smartphone, Chromebook, tablet, game console or streaming stick. Install the Plex application on your device, sign in, and you’ll have access to all of your content. Since all the processing is done on your server device, your smartphone or other client just needs a strong Internet connection for your media to play.

What content is supported?

Plex can host movies, TV shows, music, photos and personal videos. Plex also lets you automatically sync photos and videos taken on your phone with your home server, just like you would with Google Photos. Finally, Plex has started offering a curated news service.

How much does it cost?

Plex has two tiers: the free tier and the Plex pass. While other free services may be useless trails, Plex’s free tier actually has a robust set of features. The free tier offers:

• Support for nearly any music, photo and video format.
• Access to your content on any supported platform, anywhere you have an Internet connection.
• Customs collections — you could create a collection of superhero movies, for instance.
• Automatic organization of your library, including importing album artwork and DVD covers.
• The aforementioned Plex News service.
• Support for VR headsets.
• Sharing your libraries with friends and family.
• Recommendations based on the shows and movies you’ve watched.
• Support for as much storage as you’re willing to buy.
• Online channels such as NPR, TED Talks and more.
• Chromecast support.

While you can easily get by with the free tier, the Plex Pass offers enticing options such as the ability to download your media for offline viewing, DVR support, Live TV support — though this also requires a compatible antenna — the aforementioned photo syncing and early access to new features.

A Plex Pass costs $5 per month, $40 per year, or $120 for life.

What platforms are supported?

The Plex Media Server can be installed on any Windows, macOS, or Linux desktop; on compatible network attached storage units; on the NETGEAR Nighthawk X10 router; or on the NVIDIA Shield TV.

The Plex client is available for iOS, Apple TV, Android, Android TV, Windows (including Windows 10 Mobile), Xbox One, Xbox 360, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Amazon Fire tablets, Fire TV, Roku, any web browser, and most other smart TV platforms.

What else do you need?

You obviously need some files to stream, and you’ll want to make sure they are named correctly. Your server should be something that stays powered on, like a desktop or your home router.

You’ll also want to make sure your router has the Universal Plug-and-Play (UPNP) protocol enabled. This protocol is what Plex uses to make your files available outside your home network. The instructions for turning this on vary from router to router, and some routers don’t even offer this feature for security reasons.

Finally, be cognizant of how many people are going to access your server at once. A NVIDIA Shield TV or a NAS unit aren’t going to have the power to serve as many video streams as a more powerful desktop would. You’ll also need some extra power for the Live TV and DVR features.

More: Your whole family will appreciate a home media server

What say you?

Do you use Plex for your media server needs? Let us know down below!

Amazon is already bundling the new Fire TV Stick 4K to help you save

It’s already time to save!

Amazon has just announced an all-new Fire TV Stick 4K, and if you’re in the market to buy one, you can already score a bit of a discount. The company is no stranger to offering pre-order bundles, and there’s no exception with this new hardware. It’s set to begin shipping on October 31, but if you get your orders in early, you can group it with some of Amazon’s other new hardware and save a couple bucks in the process.

First up, Amazon is offering $10 off when you buy two of them at the same time and use coupon code TWOPACK during checkout. This brings the cost of both down to $89.98, or about $45 each. Only need one of them? Amazon has the new Fire TV Stick 4K bundled with its third-gen Echo Dot for just $79.98, which is $20 less than buying the two pieces on their own, and also a bundle with the Recast DVR for those really serious about cutting the cord. It comes with the new Fire TV Stick 4K, Fire TV Recast (DVR), and an HD Antenna all for just $249.97, which is $50 less than it normally sells for.

The other part of the announcement was Amazon’s all-new Alexa Voice Remote, which the company is selling on its own for $29.99. There are no current bundles on this, but if you’re content with your current Fire TV hardware, you can just grab this remote to gain the new functionality. Amazon is still selling the non-4K Fire TV Stick for $39.99 and the Fire TV with 4K (pendant design) for $69.99.

Amazon is also still offering a bunch of killer discounts on its new lineup of Echo hardware, so be sure to check all of those out as well.

See at Amazon

UK Daily Deals: Google Pixel 2, Casper mattresses, 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 Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, Casper mattresses, portable hard drives, multi-device keyboards 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.

Apex Construct PS4 Pro review: The battle to take back humanity

Up there as one of my favorite PSVR games ever

AC
Score
4.5

There’s a battle over a world humanity once inhabited before… well, something happened. This game takes place during the battle between Mother and Father, both sentient robots created by different companies. At the start of the game, you’re lead to believe the one known as Father is on your side to take back the planet. But, as you progress in the story, you’re left wondering just how true that is. Are any of them actually on your side? What started this whole fiasco in the first place?

Well, if we’ve sparked your interest then continue on to read our review on Apex Construct. This title finally released as a physical game disc for the PlayStation VR (PSVR) on August 31, 2018, and I was more than excited to get my grubby hands all over it. If you can’t either, you can find it on Amazon for $30!

See at Amazon

Everything is so highly immersive

When it comes to immersion within a VR game, every little detail can make a world of a difference. Anything that makes us feel less like a person with a headset on, and more like the character we’re trying to portray, the better. This is why I am so head over heels for the instructions of Apex Construct being sprawled out across the maps like little treasure hunts for you to find. You find them in forms of clipboards from old employees, messages on the computers, hidden ciphers in the world, and so on. Not only was this incredibly immersive, but it made every new thing I learned to feel like a small victory.

The only downside to using the computers was realizing how much it sucks to type in VR. I found myself slapping the virtual keyboard on more than one occasion when I realized I would have to erase almost everything I typed so far and start over. This always happened to due image shaking, or the keys of the board feeling just a little too small to navigate with ease.

Then there were the weapons. Archery as a form of combat is something you don’t see in too many titles, and it’s popping up more and more in VR. In this game not only is your bow a killing device, but it also serves as your shield too. That means you only need one hand to set your weapon or block an attack, forcing you to really strategize how you plan to jump into battle. Since the bow is attached to your brand new robot hand, you can upgrade the entire kit, including the arrows, at your home base.

The only downside to both of these amazing features of the game is the shaking that is all too known on the PSVR. I can’t blame the developers for this, as it falls to the issues with the PSVR tracking. As someone who has been playing more and more Oculus Rift titles, I could clearly see the difference in smoother gaming and better hand controls. Despite all this, the combat system in Apex Construct was pretty great. It was fun holding up my shield and having a little panic while I tried to get a correctly aimed arrow out there before my enemies’ next strike.

Control options are a little bittersweet

I will always be a huge fan of any VR game that allows the player to decide if they’re going to be standing up or sitting down. Not only does it make the games easier to play when you just want to relax, but it also makes them that much more inclusive for people who need that accessibility. That being said, I was kind of disappointed that it served as no real difference from standing up except for how tall your character appeared to be.

For instance, when you play standing up you’re just above the computer screens. When you play sitting down you’re just below them. Despite being closer to the ground I was still unable to open doors and drawers that were at my feet.

Sure, when you want to pick up an item that is just out of your reach, you just have to point, push the button, and it will fly to your grasp. But, when it comes to opening drawers or doors, you actually have to grab the handle. When I play the sitting down option I glue myself to the chair to see how the game plays for someone who can’t just get out, bend down and attempt to interact with an item on the ground. So, when I did this there were a number of handles I simply couldn’t reach. While I’m sure there was nothing noteworthy within them, the whole experience left me feeling a little deflated and sad I couldn’t at least inspect.

I can’t get enough of this inventory system

You can reach the inventory right from your robot hand, and the way that it’s set up is pretty dope. There are 6 slots to hold items you find in the world on the left screen, all of your weapons on the middle screen, and your personal stats on the final screen. What made the inventory so amazing to me was the fact there were 3D images available of what you had stored away.

What made the inventory a little frustrating was that it doesn’t tell you what the item in your inventory actually is. I would find myself testing the importance of items by seeing if I could put them in my inventory, and was sad to find that when the items could go in that I still had no idea what they were. “Oh hello, Mr. Weird Battery. I’m not sure what you’re supposed to do, but we’re friends now. Welcome to my wild ride.”

The final breakdown

This game was entirely captivating to play. There was so much detail put into every aspect that you interacted with, and it really shows. Most of the time the enemies will spawn with noises to let you know they’re coming, but still, catch you off guard for a few scares. This is the perfect combination to keep your adrenaline rushing and your interest peaked. When I first booted up, I told myself that I was only going to play for an hour or two over the span of a few days. That absolutely never happened. Before I knew it about 6 hours had passed, I beat the game, and then missed dinner.

Pros:

• Highly immersive story and gameplay
• Compelling writing
• Amazing combat system (archers, yes!)
• Phenomenal graphics
• Takes about 5 hours to complete the story

Cons:

• Typing in this game is terrible
• Needing to type to move onto the next level makes me sad (see reason above)
• PSVR tracking issues

4.5
out of 5

Overall, I give this title a 4.5 out of 5 stars. It only lost a few points for the PlayStation VR version because I do so realize how much more I would enjoy this game on an Oculus Rift with better controls of my hands. That, and the tracking issues that come with PSVR that can’t be blamed on Apex Construct (but still affect gameplay) also influenced this rating.

See at Amazon

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

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Sony Xperia XA3 + XA3 Ultra renders showcase slim bezels and dual cameras

These will be the first mid-range Sony phones with 18:9 displays.

Following up on the Xperia XA2 mid-range series from earlier this year, new renders have surfaced to give us an early look at its successors — the Xperia XA3 and XA3 Ultra. These renders come by way of MySmartPrice, and should they turn out to be legit, we could be looking at an exciting affordable smartphone lineup from Sony this year.

One of the biggest things to take note of is that the XA3 and XA3 Ultra will be the first mid-range Sony Xperia phones to have an 18:9 display. This makes them a lot narrower compared to the XA2 and XA2 Ultra and the bezels surrounding the screens have been shrunk down substantially.

Xperia XA3 (left) and XA3 Ultra (right)

Also present on the phones are dual rear cameras. While the specs of the sensors are still unknown, expect them to be fairly high as the single rear shooter on the XA2 and XA2 Ultra came in at 23MP. Other goodies include a 3.5mm headphone jack, side-mounted fingerprint sensor, Snapdragon 660 processor, and as much as 6GB RAM with 64GB of internal storage.

The Sony Xperia XA3 series will likely be announced either later this year or at CES next January, so be sure to stay tuned for more info in the coming months.

Sony Xperia XZ3 hands-on: Damn fine hardware, with potential pain points lurking

Updated October 3, 2018: Added renders and new info about the larger Xperia XA3 Ultra.