Olloclip’s latest smartphone lenses appease the budget-minded and pixel peepers

Lenses, like cameras, tend to come in varying levels of quality with a matching price point — and now smartphone lenses are following suit. On Monday, November 5, Olloclip launched the new Pro Series and Intro Series lenses, bringing the highest quality lenses yet from the company alongside a budget line.

The new Pro series launches with a new Super Wide lens and a Telephoto Lens. The company says the Pro Super Wide offers the least amount of distortion yet from Olloclip lenses, with wider lenses being more susceptible to distortion. Compared to Olloclip’s existing Super-Wide, the lens can gather more light with less distortion, the company says. The lens doubles the field of view to fit more in the image.

The Telephoto Pro captures images that are 2x closer than the unmodified smartphone camera. However, Olloclip says the Pro version is capable of gathering more light. Besides getting closer to the subject, the lens can help exaggerate background blur, Olloclip says.

The new Intro lens is designed for smartphone photography newbies on a budget. The Intro launches with a wide angle and macro lens combo, unscrewing the top part of the lens to reveal the macro lens.

Both the new Pro series and the Intro are compatible with the ConnectX and Multi-Device Clip, but not the earlier iPhone 8/7 and 8/7 Plus clips. The new lines join Olloclip’s original lineup.

Previous

Next

1 of 4

Olloclip

Olloclip

Olloclip

Olloclip

“Historically, Olloclip has offered lenses that enhance smartphone cameras at only one price point,” Todd Williams, Olloclip global sales director, said. “Now, we’re excited to offer three series of lenses designed to provide a high-quality photograph at various price points that are accessible to everyone. Long requested by our fans, the Pro Series lenses take mobile photography to the highest level ever offered by Olloclip. Also, by expanding our line with a lens and attachment clip starting at less than the original Olloclip lens system, more people can explore the world of smartphone photography with the same quality customers have come to expect from Olloclip.”

The Pro series lenses sell for $120 with clips or $100 individually. The Intro lens lists at just $20, or $40 for users that don’t yet have the lens clip.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Panasonic 10-25mm f/1.7, the brightest zoom lens yet, is like five primes in one
• Bitplay’s unique mount brings new lenses, filters to Android and iPhone
• Nikon Z 35mm f/1.8 S lens review
• Samsung looks to Huawei for inspiration, and the new Galaxy A7 is born
• Canon seriously slims the 400mm and 600mm, but hasn’t forgotten the M line

Yongnuo’s smart mirrorless camera will use Android 7.1, Canon lenses

Yongnuo

Yongnuo’s camera may not yet have a name but it does have some interesting specifications. Shortly after announcing a naming contest for a new smart mirrorless camera, budget-brand Yongnuo shared more insight into the upcoming camera, temporarily dubbed the YN450, including a 16-megapixel Micro Four Thirds sensor. Yongnuo is a China-based company that’s most known in the photography community for budget flashes and lenses.

The back of the teased photo looks more like a smartphone than a camera, thanks to the Android 7.1 operating system built inside. The camera uses a five-inch 1080p touchscreen to navigate through that operating system.

The sensor-packed inside won’t be designed by Yongnuo, it will house a 16-megapixel sensor created by Panasonic. A Qualcomm eight-core processor will help process those images, with 4K support at up to 30 fps. The camera is slated to have a Canon EF lens mount, supports RAW shooting, and there’s a second 8-megapixel camera for selfies.

The camera will use 3GB of RAM with 32GB of storage. Yongnuo says the camera will also have GPS along with a headphone port and dual-MIC support.

Yongnuo isn’t the first to try to mix smartphone operability and connectivity with an interchangeable lens camera. Samsung’s NX1 was ahead of its time but the NX1 is only available used on Amazon after the company pulled out of the U.K. and hasn’t been updated in years.  More recently, Zeiss announced the development of a full frame mirrorless camera that has a large touchscreen and Lightroom built in.

The image quality of a mirrorless camera with the connectivity and on-device editing of a smartphone isn’t a bad idea if Yongnuo can find the traction previous attempts couldn’t. But, there are a few oddities on the YN450. For example, the sensor is Micro-Four Thirds, but the lenses are Canon’s full-frame options. Full-frame lenses can work on a smaller sensor with a crop factor, but the lenses are larger and often more expensive than a 4/3 or APS-C lens. The camera is also missing a viewfinder and a hot shoe slot.

Yongnuo hasn’t yet said when the camera will be available, but the YN450 naming contest results will be announced in 2019.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best mirrorless cameras
• The race is on: Full-frame dominates Photokina (and could drive prices down)
• Nikon’s full-frame mirrorless is coming August 23 — here’s what we know so far
• Drooling over the newest full-frame cameras? You might not need one after all
• Canon EOS R review

New CERN experiments probe puzzling questions about antimatter

ALPHA CERN

What happens when you take a bit of antimatter and drop it? That’s the question being probed in a new series of antimatter gravity experiments being conducted by the European Organization for Nuclear Research, more commonly know as CERN, where outstanding antimatter experiments are just another day in the office. The goal to unravel one of the many unknowns of antimatter — whether it falls in response to gravity at the same rate as ordinary matter, or if it instead behaves peculiarly.

You may remember this puzzling fact from high school physics class: When you drop two objects with different masses in a vacuum (that is, in the absence of friction) they’ll each descend at exactly the same rate. When dropped in a vacuum, a feather and a bowling ball both accelerate at a rate of 9.81 meters per second squared. But how does antimatter react?

“[It’s a] very simple, very basic question,” Jeffrey Hangst, spokesperson for one of the experiments, ALPHA, said in a video accompanying the news release. “But we don’t know the answer.”

In order to answer this question, the CERN researchers have developed two experiments called ALPHA-g and GBAR.

ALPHA-g has a lot in common with CERN’s ALPHA experiment, which binds antiprotons with positrons to create neutral antihydrogen atoms. A magnetic trap is then used to capture the neutral antihydrogen atom and shine microwaves or a laser light onto them to determine their internal structure.

The new ALPHA-g experiment uses a similar instrument, but one that’s positioned vertically, rather than horizontally, so that they can measure where the atoms are vertically once the magnetic trap is deactivated and Earth’s gravity takes hold. By recording the position, the researchers will be able to determine the effect that gravity has on the antihydrogen atoms.

ALPHA-g is the product of years of research to produce sufficient amounts of neutral antimatter, or antimatter that doesn’t have a charge. The CERN team can now produce and capture up to 1,000 antihydrogen atoms at once in its ALPHA-2 machine.

Where the ALPHA-g experiment takes on a familiar form, the GBAR experiment will pose a unique experience for the CERN researchers. GBAR will generate antihydrogen ions with one antiproton and two positrons, by using antiprotons from the ELENA deceleration ring and positrons sourced from a small linear accelerator. Once the antihydrogen ions are produced, they will be trapped and chilled to extremely low temperatures, before a laser light is used to strip them of one positron and turn them into neutral antiatoms. By then releasing the antiatoms from a height of 20 centimeters, the researchers will measure how they react.

“We are hoping that we’ll get the chance to make the first gravity measurements with antimatter, but it’s a race against time.” Patrice Pérez, spokesperson for GBAR, said. “The GBAR experiment is using an entirely new apparatus and an antiproton beam still in its commissioning phase. We hope to produce antihydrogen this year and are working toward being ready to measure the gravitational effects on antimatter when the antiprotons are back in 2021.”

After some initial tests, the researchers are now racing to get their experiments commissioned before CERN’s accelerators are deactivated for a two-year maintenance period in the next few weeks.

By revealing the effects of gravity on antimatter, researchers may be able to shed light on a quantum theory of gravity or even begin to explain why the universe seems primarily made up of matter and not its opposite.

Editors’ Recommendations

• 2019 McLaren 600LT First Drive
• What is the Hyperloop? Here’s everything you need to know
• Awesome Tech You Can’t Buy Yet: Take a shower with Alexa and skating on snow
• Essential PH-1 Phone: Everything you need to know
• Are e-cigarettes safe? Here’s what the most recent science says

Add 256GB of storage to your Galaxy S8, Moto X and more for $55

Store all the data on this card.

Amazon has the SanDisk Ultra 256GB microSD card marked down to just $54.99 right now. This card has been selling for around $65 since September and was going for as much as $90 in July. This price is one of the best we’ve ever seen and only the third time it has gone this low. MicroSD cards are great to have around to add storage to your Samsung Galaxy S9, Moto G6, LG G6, tablet, action camera, dash camera, Nintendo Switch and more, and at this price, there’s very little reason not to scoop up this large capacity option.

You can easily store 256GB of your personal files, favorite movies, music, videos, and more on it. It comes with a full-sized SD card adapter, so you can use it in a laptop or digital camera with ease, and the card can easily record all of your adventures in stunning 4K without a problem.

See on Amazon

TaoTronics’ first wireless earbuds are now available for just $40!

These earbuds aren’t perfect, but for $60, they’re definitely worth a look.

TaoTronics makes some of the most popular budget headphones on Amazon, and if you caught my review of the company’s noise-canceling headphones, you’ll know that I’ve previously been impressed with what TaoTronics can pull off with such competitively-priced products.

The latest TaoTronics headphones to hit the scene is a pair of truly wireless earbuds. This is the very first time TaoTronics has tried making a pair of earbuds in this form factor, and while they’re far from perfect, this is a really valiant first result that’s still worth your consideration.

On the right track

TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds

$60 at Amazon

A good entry into truly wireless earbuds.

Truly wireless earbuds require a lot of work to be any good, and while TaoTronic’s first shot at them isn’t perfect, reliable Bluetooth performance and a great price makes them worth a look.

The Good

• Easy pairing process
• Bluetooth connection is (mostly) reliable
• Multiple listening modes
• IPX7 water resistant

The Bad

• Sound quality is just OK
• Charging case feels cheap
• Finicky touch controls

If you plan on buying the TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds, be sure to use the promo code N8IO63G9 at checkout for $20 off your order for a final price of just $40. The code is valid now through December 5 at 11:59 PM EDT.

TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds What’s good

With truly wireless earbuds, one of the easiest things to get wrong is the pairing and connectivity. So many models utterly fail in these regards, but somehow TaoTronics has managed to avoid most of these pitfalls.

Upon pairing them to your phone for the first time, just put both earbuds in your ears, tap on them from the list of Bluetooth devices on your phone, and they’ll connect. From that point forward, they’ll automatically connect when you put them in your ears and disconnect when they’re placed back in the case.

While not quite as magical as what you’ll find with AirPods with an iPhone, everything here works much better than I was expecting. Bluetooth 5.0 is used to deliver strong connectivity for up to 10 meters (33 feet), and while I noticed a couple of tiny dropouts during my testing, it was for less than a second and nothing that really detracts too much from the overall experience.

You can listen in full stereo sound with both earbuds in each ear, or listen to mono audio with just one. Along with that, TaoTronics also offers a Twin Mode that allows two people to each use one earbud.

Add that together with IPX7 water resistance, customizable ear tips, and solid battery life (3 hours of playback with 40 chargers with the charging case), and it’s easy to see that TaoTronics did a lot of things right.

TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds What needs some work

On that same note, there are a few areas where I’d like to see some improvements made if we get a version 2 of these earbuds at some point down the road.

For starters, sound quality can’t help but feel a bit lifeless. It’s perfectly fine for casual listening at the gym or around the house, but don’t expect anything more. Songs and podcasts aren’t unenjoyable to listen to, but bass is virtually nonexistent.

Sound quality for these earbuds is just OK.

You can control your tunes using a variety of taps on the side of either earbud, ranging from skipping tracks, playing/pausing a song, and even adjusting your volume. Having access to all of these controls is nice and something you won’t even find on the $160 AirPods, but if you’re not precise with each tap, it’s easy to not have anything be registered or to accidentally skip a song when you just meant to pause it.

As for the charging case, I’m a bit hesitant about how well it’ll hold up after a few months of solid use. It’s relatively portable and simple to use, but the button to open it is extremely mushy and the top plastic feels like it could pop off at any second.

Should you buy them? If you’re on a budget, maybe

Time to get down to business — should you buy the TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds?

For its first shot at earbuds of this form factor, I think TaoTronics did an admirable job. The earbuds are enjoyable to use and give you the same conveniences of other products that cost $100 more.

If you absolutely need the truly wireless style, TaoTronics’ earbuds are some of the best you’ll find within this price range. Then again, if you’re okay with the traditional wireless style that has a wire connecting both earbuds, you can get similarly priced products with much better sound.

3.5
out of 5

I wouldn’t recommend everyone rush out and buy these ASAP, but for the right buyer, they could be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

See at Amazon

If you plan on buying the TaoTronics True Wireless Earbuds, be sure to use the promo code N8IO63G9 at checkout for $20 off your order for a final price of just $40. The code is valid now through December 5 at 11:59 PM EDT.

Apple Updates iTunes Remote App With Support for New iPad Pro Models

Apple today updated its Apple Remote app to version 4.4.1, introducing support for Apple’s 2018 11 and 12.9-inch iPad Pro models.

The iTunes Remote app is designed to allow you to control iTunes from anywhere in your home with the iPhone or the iPad.

Apple says today’s update also introduces improved network connectivity, shortcuts to play and shuffle playlists and albums, and improved access to Now Playing and AirPlay.

What’s New
iTunes Remote has been updated to add support for the new iPad Pro 12.9-inch (3rd generation) and iPad Pro 11-inch.

This update also includes:
– Improved network connectivity
– New shortcuts to play and shuffle playlists and albums
– Improved access to Now Playing and AirPlay

The iTunes Remote app for iOS can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tags: iTunes, iTunes Remote
Discuss this article in our forums

Nike+ Run Club App Gains Support for Siri Suggestions and New Complications

Nike today updated its popular Nike+ Run Club app to add several new features to support recent Apple hardware and software updates.

The Nike+ Run Club app now support Siri Suggestions, allowing Siri to suggest ideal times for a run based on run history. Siri Suggestions can be enabled by going to Settings > Siri & Search > Nike Run Club.

On the Apple Watch, the Nike+ Run Club app now offers complications that are designed to be used with the Infograph watch faces on the Apple Watch Series 4 models.

Nike recommends using the Apple Watch app on the iPhone to add and customize the new Nike Run Club complications.

Nike+ Run Club can be downloaded from the App Store for free. [Direct Link]

Tag: Nike+
Discuss this article in our forums

Apple Highlights iPad Pro Reviews

Reviews for the 2018 iPad Pro went live this morning ahead of Wednesday’s launch, and in a press release, Apple this afternoon highlighted reviews from several media sites that were able to spend some time with the new tablets.

Apple shared key passages from sites that include WIRED, Laptop Mag, Mashable, Daring Fireball, Resource, The Independent, Pocket-Lint, CityNews, and HardwareZone, along with reviews from digital artists on Instagram.

WIRED, for example, said that the new iPad Pro models are the “best, most powerful, most capable” iPads that “put other tablets to shame.”

The Independent said that the new iPad Pro is a “huge upgrade” from previous models and that it will become the “tablet of choice” for creatives, while Daring Fireball’s John Gruber said that the Apple Pencil 2 “nears perfection” and is one of the “best 2.0” products he’s seen.

Laptop Mag called the iPad Pro the “most powerful mobile device ever made,” Pocket-Lint said it will pique the interest of those who have started to question whether they still need a laptop,” and CityNews said it’s “hard not to be wowed when you first pick it up.”

View this post on Instagram

╳ NEW iPad Pro. ⠀ Excited and proud to say that I’m one of the first artists in the World to create with @apple ‘s new #ipadpro & #applepencil ! ⠀ This is a crazy tool for experimental projects to merge digital drawings, traditional art and mobile photography together. ⠀ I’ve used some of my calligraphy paper sketches, @procreate app as the main tool, #shotoniphone photos and @adobe @lightroom apps for color editing. ⠀ This is the next level of my creativity. Some of these artworks will be used for my upcoming new clothing collection! Stay tuned.🤘🏻🔥 ⠀ _______________________ ⠀ Друзья, я стал одним из первых художников в мире, которые работают с новым айпадом от Apple! ⠀ Делюсь с вами актуальным сетапом — Скан моих каллиграфических работ, перевод в диджитал, мобильная съемка и коррекция в Lightroom, финальная работа в Procreate. ⠀ Получается очень удобное комбо для путешествий и работы там, где вдохновение приходит внезапно — на улице, в отеле, в метро. Везде! ⠀ И очень приятно быть в авангарде этого движения. Всем привет и ванлав из Нью-Йорка! Ждите принты из этой серии в рамках моей новой коллекции одежды. 🖤

A post shared by Pokras Lampas | Покрас (@pokraslampas) on Nov 1, 2018 at 6:52am PDT

View this post on Instagram

Drawn with the new iPad Pro #ipadpro #apple #applepencil @apple #todayatapple #aircraft #sketch #drawing #architecture #design @procreate @procreateartist #procreate #narinderpencil #narinderpenciltool

A post shared by Narinder Sagoo (@narinder_sagoo) on Nov 2, 2018 at 11:29am PDT

Apple only highlighted the positive parts of each of these reviews, many of which had some negative elements to them. On the whole, reviewers praised the iPad Pro’s hardware, which is unparalleled, but most felt that it is no computer replacement due to the limitations of iOS. Some reviewers also ran into quirks with Face ID not working properly, and there were criticisms of USB-C and the way the iPad Pro handles files as external storage devices are not supported.

Apple’s full list of iPad Pro review selections can be seen in the article shared via the Apple Newsroom, while additional reviews can be found in our own review roundup.

The 2018 iPad Pro models can be ordered from Apple’s online store and will be available in retail locations starting Wednesday.

Pricing on the 11-inch iPad Pro starts at $799 for 64GB of storage, with 256GB of storage priced at $949, 512GB priced at $1,149, and 1TB of priced at $1,549. Models with cellular connectivity in addition to Wi-Fi are available for an additional $150 over the base price for each storage tier.

Related Roundup: iPad ProBuyer’s Guide: 11″ iPad Pro (Buy Now), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Buy Now)
Discuss this article in our forums

Audeara A-01 headphones review, how a headphones with a hearing test affects your music

The Audeara A-01 headphones are an ambitious project from two Australian doctors with a goal to provide better-personalized audio for every ear. They tackled this problem by using their medical background to create a pair of headphones and an app that tests your hearing.

After testing, it then uses this information to customize the sound specifically to your ears. In theory, this sounds amazing and after raising $100,000 within the first hour of launching on Kickstarter there are big expectations.

Design and Comfort

The Audeara A-01 headphones are solid as a tank. They are built using aluminum, hard plastic, and faux leather ear cups. The headband also features a touch of the faux leather with Audeara embossed on the top and a soft cushion underneath.

You’ll find the music controls, power switch, and headphone jack on the right ear cup. I’m a big fan of headphones that offer a wired back up and I’m glad to see they included this option. While the left ear cup includes the micro USB charging port and the switch that controls noise cancellation.

Unfortunately, like many headphones, the Audeara A-01 use micro USB to charge instead of USB-C. It’s difficult to hold this against them as the vast majority still use micro USB, but I still dream of a world that leaves micro USB in the past and embraces USB-C for everything.

While there is nothing particularly special about the design of the Audeara A-01 headphones they are durable, comfortable, and feel well made. Between the oversized rotating ear cups and the padded headband, you should have no problem wearing the A-01 headphones for hours. However, your ears can become warm after a while, but this is typical of closed back headphones.

When not in use the Audeara A-01 can be kept safe in the include hard case which also includes accessories such as a 3.5mm cable, airline adapter, 6.5mm headphone adapter, accessories bag, and micro USB cable.

The App

The Audeara experience would not be complete without the app, it is an integral part to the experience. The Audeara app is required to test your hearing and apply the Audeara effect. The app itself is designed beautifully and works great.

You’ll be required to set up an account before using it though, which also requires you to verify with your email address. This was a minor annoyance but Audeara says they have plans to enable sharing of profiles and settings in the future.

The hearing test itself is straightforward with easy to follow directions. After you set up your profile you are able to choose from three different accuracy levels. It is important to do the test in a quiet area and not to cheat because you’ll only be cheating yourself. The Audeara app also tests both ears separately because each ear hears differently.

1 of 6

Once you finish the test you are presented with your very own audiogram displaying a line graph for each ear. I found this fascinating looking at how my ears differed in frequency response. No matter what age you are bound to have some hearing loss to some degree. Which is exactly why these headphones were created with this app.

After inspecting the graph you can jump to enabling the effect and once enabled it will stay enabled on the headphones. Whether you choose to use them wired or wireless as long as they are turned on the effect will be applied.

The Audeara app allows you to create multiple profiles and do multiple tests all saved under your profile. So, fear not if you make a mistake or want to test again later on or in another location.

Sound Quality

Now, here’s what you’ve all been waiting for. After all of that testing, what do they sound like? Audeara provides you with the ability to apply the effect at 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 percent. It suggests starting with 50 percent and working your way up from there because 100 percent can be overwhelming at first.

Audeara wasn’t joking, there is a huge difference in sound quality after applying the effect. Like suggested, I started out at 50% and could hear an instant change in the music. Out of curiosity I jumped to 100% and found music unsettling to listen to. I soon switched back to 50% and then began to sample each level with different songs.

While I wish I could say it made the music sound amazing or better than any other headphones I’ve ever heard. That simply was not true, I had high hopes to see what could be done with a medically based test to personalize headphones to my ears. Yet, it did not enhance the music listening experience the way I wish it had.

What I found as I increased the effect was it made the highs stronger on each level while decreasing the bass. Apparently, according to the hearing test, I’m good at hearing the low end and not as good at hearing the high end of the spectrum. It seemed as if it was trying to compensate by turning up the treble and turning down the bass in order to level out the music.

This was an effect I did not care for. I found it most pleasing to listen to at 25 percent and thankfully they provide that option. At 25 percent the highs were boosted slightly while still leaving some bass in the music. However, it still lacked the deep bass, clean highs, and open soundstage that I’ve come to enjoy from other headphones. I ran the test at all three levels and each time I was presented with similar results.

According to Audeara it can take some time for your ears to adjust and for your brain to relearn how to hear. After using them for several weeks exclusively and going back to my favorite headphones that wasn’t true for me. I’ve been listening to music my entire life and I don’t think my brain needs to learn how to hear differently when something sounds good, it just knows.

Noise Canceling

The addition of noise canceling technology is welcomed in any pair of headphones. It is a stand out feature and a great perk for frequent travelers. Unfortunately, this was another area the Audeara A-01 didn’t quite live up to.

Without a doubt, the A-01 headphones minimized noise but not as much as several other pairs of noise canceling headphones I’ve tried in the past. If this is an important feature in your headphones then there are more affordable headphones on the market that do it better.

Battery Life

Battery life has been stellar on the Audeara A-01 headphones. I have been using them both wired and wireless with the Audeara effect turned on and ANC turned off. They are rated for 45 hours with Bluetooth with the Audeara effect and I’ve yet to kill them. Thankfully, even if you were to run the battery down the wired option guarantees that you’ll never have to be without your music.

Final Thoughts

The Audeara A-01 headphones sounded so promising. They were taking a medically based approach to improve the way we enjoy our music. I was so excited of the prospect of hearing my favorite songs with a fresh pair of ears. Hoping to hear new them in a whole new light picking up on instruments or vocals in ways I had never heard before. Unfortunately, in practice, they fell far short of that.

It’s not that the Audeara A-01 headphones sounded bad by any means but they lacked the deep rich bass, clean highs, and open soundstage of other more affordable headphones. When you’re asking $499 for a pair of headphones you are hitting at the premium sound end of the market and you better deliver. You can find better-sounding headphones at half of the price.

Regardless, I love the concept of a medical hearing test to personalize the sound for your ears. I only wish the execution would have been better. If you’d like to give it a try yourself then you can pick up a pair at Audeara’s site by using the link below.

Purchase from Audeara

OnePlus 6T tips and tricks to get the most out of your new phone

Andy Boxall/Digital Trends

While OnePlus has developed quite a cult following in the U.S. over the past few years, its newest phone, the OnePlus 6T, is about to introduce the smartphone manufacturer to a whole new audience. In addition to sporting some awesome hardware, the OnePlus 6T is now available in T-Mobile stores and finally works on Verizon’s network.

Whether you’re new to OnePlus or you have been a fan for years, the OnePlus 6T has some features you may not be familiar with. We compiled a list of some of our favorite tips and tricks to get you started with your new phone. We also have a separate guide on key settings you will want to tweak as you set up the phone.

How to set up a Do Not Disturb schedule

Need to take a break from your smartphone? It may be a good idea to schedule some downtime with the Do Not Disturb feature on the OnePlus 6T.

If you want to set up a Do Not Disturb schedule, go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb > Turn On Automatically. Tap Sleeping to set up a nightly Do Not Disturb schedule. If you would rather have Do Not Disturb kick in during meetings or certain events, tap the Event option.  To set up a custom rule select Add Rule. When you’ve finished configuring your selected option, make sure you toggle the slider next to Use Rule. 

How to hide the Notch

Like it or not, the smartphone notch is here to stay. In comparison to some phones like the Google Pixel 3, the notch on the OnePlus 6T is downright dainty. If a display notch is an absolute nonstarter for you, however, there’s an easy way to hide it on the OnePlus 6T.

To hide the notch, just head over to Settings > Display > Notch Display. Tap the button next to Hide the Notch Area. 

How to configure Reading Mode

Reading Mode is one of our favorite features in OxygenOS. With Reading Mode, you can easily emulate an ebook reader screen on your OnePlus 6T. OxygenOS allows you to select apps to automatically open in Reading Mode.

Ready to set up Reading Mode? Go to Settings > Display > Reading Mode. Select Add Apps For Reading Mode and select the apps you’d like to use. You can also toggle the slider next to Block Peek Notifications if you don’t want to be disturbed while using Reading Mode.

How to use Gaming Mode

The high-end specs on the OnePlus 6T make it an excellent smartphone option for mobile gamers. In addition to strong specifications, there is a Gaming Mode that helps minimize notifications and prioritize mobile data when playing your favorite games.

To set up Gaming Mode, go to Settings > Utilities > Gaming Mode. At the bottom of the screen press Add Apps For Gaming Mode and select the apps you would like to include. Press the back arrow and toggle the sliders next to the settings you would like to change when gaming.

How to switch to new Navigation Gestures in OxygenOS

Though it has been out for months, very few phones have Android 9.0 Pie. The OnePlus 6T is a member of that exclusive club. While that means the entire OS is up to date, it also means you’ll see Android’s clunky new navigation system in action. That is unless you switch to the far superior OnePlus navigation gestures that are baked in the latest version of OxygenOS.

If you want to make the switch to the new gesture system, go to Settings > Buttons & Gestures > Navigation Bar & Gestures. Tap the button next to Navigation Gestures. Swipe up from the bottom of the display to return to the home screen.

How to customize the Alert Slider

Similar to the iPhone’s mute switch, there is an Alert Slider on the OnePlus 6T. This slider allows you to quickly turn off notifications on the phone. But did you know you can change the Alert Slider settings to better fit your needs?

You can customize the Alert Slider by going to Settings > Buttons & Gestures > Alert Slider. Tap Silent and toggle the Media slider if you would like to limit the mode to ringtones and notifications only. Tap Ring and toggle the Also Vibrate For Calls slider if you’d like to stop the phone from vibrating when it rings.

How to improve the fingerprint sensor’s accuracy

Sure the in-display fingerprint sensor is awesome, but it’s a little finicky. If you’re having problems authenticating with the sensor, you may be able to do something about it. Right now the best workaround seems to be creating a second instance of your fingerprint to improve overall accuracy.

When you’re ready to add a second copy of your fingerprint on the OnePlus 6T, go to Settings > Security & Lock Screen Fingerprint. Enter your PIN or pattern to authenticate. Tap the Add Fingerprint option and re-register the finger you already use to unlock your phone.

How to use App Locker

While it’s easy to secure documents and other information on your computer, things are a little more tricky on a smartphone. Luckily, the OnePlus 6T has a feature called App Locker that allows you to hide your sensitive information from prying eyes. With App Locker, users are required to authenticate with a PIN, Pattern, or fingerprint before opening selected apps.

If you’re ready to set up App Locker, go to Settings > Utilities > App Locker. Enter your PIN or Pattern. Press Add Apps to select the apps you’d like to protect with App Locker.

How to set up Parallel Apps

Have multiple accounts with a certain app or service? Like to use them easily without having to log in and out of accounts? If so, you’ll love Parallel Apps. This feature allows you to create multiple instances that run independently on the OnePlus 6T.

To set up Parallel Apps, make sure you have the apps you’d like to duplicate installed and go to Settings > Utilities > Parallel Apps. A list of compatible apps will appear. Toggle on each app you would like to duplicate on the home screen or in the app drawer.

Editors’ Recommendations

• OnePlus 6T: Absolutely everything you need to know
• Key settings you need to change on your brand-new OnePlus 6T
• OnePlus 6T review
• Apple iPhone XR vs. OnePlus 6T: Spec comparison
• OnePlus’ ‘Crackables’ includes puzzles in both the digital and physical worlds