Winamp eyes big comeback in 2019 with podcast, streaming support

If it’s been years since you thought of the Winamp audio player, no one would blame you. First released in 1997, Winamp hasn’t changed in years; that’s set to change in 2019, with a new update that overhauls the service to compete with modern streaming services such as Spotify. It will bring together podcasts, streaming radio stations, and music under a single, cross-platform application.

Winamp grew up during the rise of the MP3 format and in the early ’00s had tens of millions of users, but its influence has waned in the years since. After being picked up by Radionomy in 2014, Winamp was effectively abandoned, with no meaningful updates for any of its major platforms from the developers — although the Winamp community has made a serious effort to maintain its functionality. In 2019, however, Radionomy is going to overhaul every version of Winamp, including the desktop application.

“There will be a completely new version next year, with the legacy of Winamp but a more complete listening experience,” said Radionomy CEO Alexandre Saboundjian, via TechCrunch. “You can listen to the MP3s you may have at home, but also to the cloud, to podcasts, to streaming radio stations, to a playlist you perhaps have built.”

The new version doesn’t have a launch date beyond a vague “2019,” but when it does happen, we’re told that the Winamp experience will be modernized and improved dramatically. The main goal for the development team is to bring together all digital audio under one banner. That includes nonmusical content such as audiobooks and podcasts.

While Winamp fans wait for that milestone update, a meaningful, quality-of-life update is just around the corner. It was leaked earlier this year, but will be officially released on October 18 to bring Winamp to version 5.8. It makes the audio player more compatible with Windows 10 and fixes a few bugs and issues with the application. It’s more of a taste of what’s to come than anything that will make the application competitive. That’s what next year’s planned update is about.

As much as that rollout will include a desktop update though, the big push from Winamp is in the mobile space, we’re told. Seeing iOS and Android as fractured environments with many niche, small-time audio players competing with one another, Winamp sees its potential as the umbrella to bring together everyone’s audio needs in one app.

In the meantime, these are our favorite music players right now.

Editors’ Recommendations

• The best music apps for iOS and Android
• Apple Music vs. Spotify
• Spotify vs. Pandora: Which music streaming service is better for you?
• The best CarPlay apps for the iPhone
• The best free music download sites that are totally legal

Here’s how Google’s Call Screening A.I. works, and how to use it

Google’s Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are the best Android smartphones you can buy right now, but it’s not because of hardware — the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Huawei Mate 20 Pro trump them in that regard — but because they offer thoughtful software and artificial intelligence features that are “radically helpful.”

Our favorite is Call Screening, which uses the power of Google Assistant to save you from answering the phone when telemarketers come ringing.

Here’s everything you need to know about Google’s Call Screening.

How does Call Screening work?

Julian Chokkatu/Digital Trends

Call Screening is a feature built into the Google Pixel 3’s phone app. You don’t need to do anything, because it’s on by default. When you get a call, there’s a “Screen Call” option above the answer or reject button.

It uses Google Assistant to answer the call for you, and the caller will hear the following message from Assistant: “Hi, the person you’re calling is using a screening service from Google, and will get a copy of this conversation. Go ahead and say your name, and why you’re calling.”

At this point, you will see a live transcription of whatever the caller says — the quality of the transcription will rely on how clearly the caller speaks, but you’ll be able to tell if it’s a telemarketer or a robocall within seconds. If it’s proving to be tricky to identify, you can tap on a few responses for Assistant to say on your behalf. These include, “Tell me more,” “Is it urgent,” “Call me back,” and more.

Choosing a few phrases like, “Call me back,” or “I’ll call you back,” will have Assistant say the phrase and then end the call. There’s also an option to report the call as spam if you have identified it as a robocall or a telemarketer.

You can change the voice of the Assistant to a male instead of the default female voice: Just tap on the three vertical dots on the top right of the phone app, and hit Settings. Then go to Call Screen > Voice to choose between Voice 1 and Voice 2.

Privacy

Call Screening is handled entirely on your phone, and there’s no information sent to Google’s servers or any third party. This data is not saved anywhere, as Google said, “The Google Assistant helps with screening calls, but doesn’t save call audio or transcripts to your Google Account, your Google Assistant Activity page, or Web & App Activity.”

The real-time transcription and screening ends as soon as the call ends, or as soon as you join the call.

When should you use Call Screening?

Just because you can use Call Screening for all phone calls on your Pixel phone doesn’t mean you should. It may appear rude or jarring to use the service on family and friends, so we recommend using it only when you get a call from an unknown number.

What phones work with Call Screening?

Google’s Call Screening feature only works on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL smartphones, but it will be available for the Pixel and Pixel XL, as well as the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL in November. It’s unclear if Google plans to keep this as an exclusive Pixel phone feature, or if it will be baked into Android at a later date.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Here’s how to buy the new Google Pixel 3 and Google Pixel 3 XL
• Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL: 5 features we love, 5 features we don’t
• An app can solve all your problems with the Pixel 3 XL’s notch
• Here’s how App Actions in Android 9.0 Pie work, and how to control them
• How to use Android 9.0 Pie’s gesture navigation, and how to turn it off

Key settings you need to change on your Sony Xperia XZ3

We’re big fans of the Sony Xperia XZ3, but it’s not perfect out of the box. You’ll want to spend some time customizing the look of your new phone, setting up shortcuts, and scheduling routines that suit you. We’ve got a few suggestions to help you get started right here. These are the key settings we think you should tweak.

Customize your home screen

Tap and hold on an empty space on your home screen and you can tweak how it looks. You can pick a wallpaper that suits you, choose widgets, and set shortcuts, but there’s more. Try out some different Transitions as they determine how the move between home screens is animated when you swipe left or right. You can also resize the grid to determine how many icons are displayed or dive into Home settings and dig deeper into specifics on how icons are displayed, and what you’d like to appear by default.

Set a Night Light schedule

Too much blue light before bed can make it harder to get to sleep, so most phones now come with an option to filter the blue light out of the display temporarily. The XZ3 is no exception as it offers a Night Light feature.

We recommend scheduling Night Light to turn on and off automatically, so you can forget about it. Go to Settings > Display > Advanced and scroll down to Night Light, then tap Schedule and choose specific hours or Turns on from sunset to sunrise. It’s available in your notification drawer as a quick settings tile so you can quickly turn it off if needed.

Customize your quick toggles

Pull down the notification shade and tap the little pencil icon at the bottom right to edit the quick toggles that appear. You can tap and drag any icon to add or remove it from the quick settings panel or to change the order they appear in.

Set up Stamina mode

You can extend your Xperia XZ3’s battery life by using Sony’s Stamina mode. Go to Settings > Battery > Stamina mode, toggle it on and choose when you want it to kick in automatically. We generally set it to switch on when our battery hits 15 percent.

Customize your Lock screen

Go to Settings > Lock screen & security > Lock screen preferences and you’ll find a treasure trove of handy options. You can decide what should wake the screen, how you want the Ambient display to work, set your own photos to pop up on the Ambient display, choose your preferred clock style, decide if music should display album art, and lots more.

Disable or uninstall unwanted apps

You don’t want apps you didn’t pick using up system resources or taking up space, so get rid of them immediately. Go to Settings > Apps & notifications and tap See all apps. If you see anything you don’t plan to use, then tap on it and select Uninstall or Disable.

Customize Side Sense or turn it off

Side Sense allows you to tap the side of your XZ3 and trigger a shortcut panel with frequently used apps, some quick toggles, and shortcuts for things like One-handed mode. If you look in Settings > Display > Advanced > Side Sense you’ll find the option to toggle it on and off.

If you want to keep it on, then we suggest tweaking the sensitivity to suit you and choosing which apps and games you do and don’t want to appear, all of which is an option in this Side Sense menu.

Set up data limits

You can set up alerts and hard data limits, so you know when your data allowance is close to running out and you can avoid exceeding it. Go to Settings > Network & internet > Data usage > Data warning & limit. You can choose your data cycle set the stages at which you want to receive a warning or even set up a hard limit to ensure you never go over your allowance.

Try Dynamic Vibration then turn it off

If you look in Settings > Sound, you’ll find the Dynamic Vibration option. Toggle it on and it will vibrate when you play some music, video, or games. It’s supposed to increase immersion, which we think works for games, but not so much for movies and music. If you tap the Volume up or Volume down button, then you’ll see a separate slider next to the volume slider for Dynamic Vibration, and you can tweak the level of intensity or switch it off completely.

Set up a Do Not Disturb schedule

You shouldn’t be responding to messages in the dead of night or wondering why your phone screen lit up as you’re drifting off to sleep, so set up some automatic downtime when your Xperia XZ3 won’t disturb you. Go to Settings > Sound > Do Not Disturb and look for Turn on automatically under Schedule. Pick the hours that suit you and enjoy the peace and quiet.

Editors’ Recommendations

• How to record the screen on your iPhone
• Key settings you need to change on your brand-new Galaxy Note 9
• Sony Xperia XZ3 tips and tricks
• How to use Do Not Disturb mode in Android
• How to calibrate your TV

Amazon Smart Plug review: Everything should be so easy

Amazon’s smart plug brings a new meaning to the term “plug and play.”

I’ve been using the Amazon Smart Plug for a few days, and I’m convinced it’s the best hardware product Amazon has ever made.

I’m no stranger to smart plugs. I have an assortment of them in my house, ranging from hard-wired old-school Wemo and Insteon plugs to inexpensive iHome socket adapters to “green” models like Edimax’s offerings. They’re a great way to transform any dumb device into one smart enough to turn on or off on command. They work because they’re simple and it’s hard to build something that only does one thing which doesn’t work.

What’s usually not simple is setting things up. Some plugs are harder than others to get working well, especially with something like a voice assistant, but every one I’ve tried has needed some tech literacy to install and get working properly. Until now.

Smart and simple

Amazon Smart Plug

$25 at Amazon

A fantastic Alexa accessory.

If you’re invested in the Alexa ecosystem, the Amazon Smart Plug works beautifully, is super reliable, and dead simple to set up. Google Assistant users, on the other hand, should look elsewhere.

The Good

• 15 Amp input and output
• Proper 3-prong design
• Foolproof setup
• Bypass switch

The Bad

• No Google Assistant integration
• Price

Does what smart plugs do On/Off

A smart plug really isn’t all that smart. They probably will be one day, but for now, all they need to do is turn on and off via a command from other software over your Wi-Fi network. There are about 25 well-known and safe brands of smart plug to choose from, and they all will do what smart plugs do.

On the hardware side, Amazon’s Smart Plug isn’t much different than most of the others. It’s the “adapter” type that you plug into an existing socket and no tools or persons who know how to wire things are needed. It doesn’t cover both outlets in a standard wall socket, it’s indoor-use only, and it’s not designed for any sort of medical device or a thing you shouldn’t leave unattended like a space heater. As mentioned, plenty of companies make the same thing, and some are a few dollars cheaper, even.

What makes the Amazon Smart plug a standout is the Alexa software. Namely, Amazon’s Frustration-Free Setup program. We’ll go through the setup routine and why it’s special, but first some technical specs.

Input	100 – 120 VAC60 Hz15 Amp
Output (resistive)	120 VAC60 Hz15 Amp
Output (inductive)	120 VAC60 Hz10 Amp
Output (motor)	120 VAC60 Hz1/2 HP
Output (incandescent)	100 – 120 AC60 HzTV-5
Operating Temp	0 – 35 Celcius
IP rating	IP30

If these don’t mean much to you, it’s OK. Keep your Amazon Smart plug indoors, don’t use anything that would normally trip a breaker or blow a fuse, and don’t even think about using it to run something like a loved one’s oxygen compressor or other medical devices. It will work with everyday things you keep plugged in all the time and can leave unattended.

Amazon Smart Plug Frustration-Free Setup

As mentioned, what sets the Amazon Smart Plug apart from the crowd is Amazon’s Frustration-Free Setup program. You can click that link for all the dirty details, but here’s a quick rundown. As long as you have one of Amazon’s second-generation Echo products up and running on your home Wi-Fi, any other new Amazon product needs only to be plugged in for automatic setup to happen.

I ordered a pair of second-generation Echo Pluses and an Echo Sub, and the Echo Pluses were already up and running when my Smart Plug arrived. I opened the box the Smart Plug came in, plugged it into the wall and opened the Alexa app on my phone. No more than 5 seconds later, I was greeted with a notification that my new Smart Plug was named “First plug,” and I could turn it on by saying “Alexa, turn on First plug” and set up was done.

I wondered what would happen if I didn’t have a second-generation Echo, so I unplugged them but left my original Echo running and did the same thing with another Smart Plug (seriously, buy a handful of these things). I opened the Alexa app as instructed, tapped the add new hardware button and only had to tell the app to use my existing saved Wi-Fi network to get the very same result.

This is important. If you’ve ever had to “use an object with a small point to press and hold the connect button, then tap the Add Hardware button in the app” or manually enter a router’s IP address or any of the other voodoo some smart plugs require for set up, then you know that not everyone is going to be able to figure that out. And nobody really wants to have to figure it out.

This is how it should be done. I’ll expect every smart thing to connect this easily in the future, and if it doesn’t, any reviews will be adjusted accordingly.

Amazon Smart Plug My wishlist

While not exactly things that belong in the “cons” column, there are some things I hope to see in a “plus” version of the next generation of the device. These all would significantly add to the price, which is already a bit high, but there’s room for them to happen.

• A weatherproof option. I like being outside. I want to have things outside with me to be smart.
• A GFCI option. I have several aquariums and would love to ditch my mess of timers in favor of smart plugs. Ditto for the makeshift bar I have on the deck.
• Decor colors. Visit the electrical aisle in any hardware store and you’ll see that not everyone wants white outlets. Not everyone wants white smart plugs either, and brown, ivory, black, and taupe are all standard colors in this space.
• Surge protection. Lightning happens.
• USB ports. Power all the things by placing a small transformer and USB port on the side.

Nothing here is essential, and the lack of these options shouldn’t affect your buying decision unless you only want to have a smart plug for a specific application. This is more of a “thinking aloud” list to promote discussion and encourage options in a device that is this darn good.

Amazon Smart Plug One major flaw

The Amazon Smart Plug does not work with Google Assistant. While companies like IFTTT and smart people will try to make it happen, it might not ever work with Google Assistant. This is a pretty major issue, one that may negate all the glowing praise I’ve heaped upon this thing. And I can’t blame anyone for passing on one because of it.

Amazon and Google (and FireTV and Ring and Nest by association) are in the midst of a lover’s spat that probably won’t ever be properly resolved. It started the same way a perceived feud between Google and Microsoft did — over ads and YouTube.

Google offers an API for any company to build a great YouTube app. The company doing the building of said app must allow all of Google’s ads to show in the app and pre-roll before any video playback. When the builders hate the ads and won’t use the API 100% the way Google wants, things get ugly and lawyers write letters.

Meanwhile, you and I don’t have a proper YouTube app unless it’s on Android or iOS, we can’t buy all of Nest’s products on Amazon, Alexa support for Nest products gets worse instead of better, and Google will never add native support for Amazon hardware in Google Assistant.

This is a big deal if you use Google Assistant instead of, or in tandem with, Amazon Alexa. Big enough to not buy an otherwise amazing little gadget.

Amazon Smart Plug Should you buy it?

If you primarily use Google Assistant to control the smart products in your house, no. Don’t buy this in the hopes that someone gets it working. Buy one of the other smart plugs out there that already work.

If you don’t need a smart plug to work with Google Assistant, this is a great product and we all should support products that promote easy setup.

4.5
out of 5

I have to judge a product on its intended purpose and unashamedly give the Amazon Smart Plug 4.5 stars, with the half-star loss because it could be $5 cheaper. It’s by far the easiest smart product to setup I’ve ever come across and it could be the poster child for any “it just works” campaign. Amazon’s Alexa platform is excellent and the company is on the verge of beating Google at its own game — innovation. The Smart Plug can be worked into custom skills and might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.

I heartily recommend this to anyone who is happy to stay inside the Alexa ecosystem and think it’s one of the best products Amazon has ever built even though it’s also one of the most simple.

See at Amazon

Google Pixel 3 vs. Google Pixel: Should you upgrade?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. With years of experience testing hundreds of Android phones, we’re here to help you make an informed decision when considering an upgrade.

Google Pixel 3

The perfect upgrade

$799 at Google Store

Pros

• Compact form factor
• Fantastic cameras
• Excellent OLED display
• Stereo speakers
• Wireless charging

Cons

• No headphone jack

If you’re still using the first-gen Pixel, the Pixel 3 is the ideal upgrade. The phone has a much more modern 18:9 display and the cameras are the best you’ll find on an Android phone today. Factor in the stereo speakers, wireless charging, and the all-new OLED panel, and you have a phone that edges out the Pixel in almost every category.

Google Pixel

Comes up short

$355 at Amazon

Pros

• Great camera
• 3.5mm jack

Cons

• Huge bezels
• No waterproofing
• No wireless charging
• Inferior front camera

The first-gen Pixel still has a lot going for it, but the design just doesn’t hold up in 2018. While the phone is slated to pick up a few camera features from the latest Pixels, it isn’t likely to receive new platform updates. With the Pixel 3 sporting a larger screen and a retooled camera, it’s time to consider an upgrade.

The Pixel became a fan-favorite for its compact size and unchanged hardware from its larger sibling. The Pixel 3 retains all of that while managing to offer a significantly larger screen and vastly upgraded cameras.

Reasons to upgrade to the Pixel 3

The smartphone industry has moved to taller 18:9 displays over the course of the last 18 months, and with phones in general getting bigger, there’s a noticeable shortage of compact devices. That’s where the Pixel 3 comes in. Although the phone comes with a larger 5.5-inch display, the overall dimensions aren’t all that different from the first-gen Pixel.

That makes the Pixel 3 ideal for one-handed use, and the switch to the 18:9 form factor has allowed Google to trim the bezels while offering stereo speakers and dual front cameras. The Pixel 3 has all the trimmings of its larger sibling but in a much more compact form factor, making it the perfect upgrade from your Pixel or even the Pixel 2.

Operating system	Android 9 Pie	Android 9 Pie
Display	5.5-inch OLED2160x1080 (18:9)Gorilla Glass 5	5.0-inch AMOLED1920x1080 (16:9)Gorilla Glass 4
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Pixel Visual Core	Qualcomm Snapdragon 821
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	64/128GB	32/128GB
Expandable	No	No
Rear camera	12.2MP, 1.4-micron, PDAFf/1.8, OIS	12.3MP, 1.55-micron, PDAFf/2.0, EIS
Front camera 1	8MP, auto focusf/1.8, 75-degree lens	8MP, f/2.4, 1.4-micron
Front camera 2	8MP, fixed focusf/2.2, 97-degree lens	NA
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11ac, Bluetooth 4.2, NFC, GPS
Audio	Stereo speakersUSB-C	Mono speaker3.5mm jack
Battery	2915mAhNon-removable	2770mAhNon-removable
Charging	18W USB-C PDQi wireless	18W USB-C
Water resistance	IP68	No
Security	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor
Dimensions	145.6 x 68.2 x 7.9mm148g	143.8 x 69.5 x 8.5mm143 g
Colors	Just Black, Very White, Not Pink	Quite Black, Very Silver, Really Blue

The design at the back has also been updated, and while it feels like metal to the touch, it is in fact Gorilla Glass 5 with a finish that’s designed to mimic a metallic back. The glass back facilitates wireless charging, and Google’s $79 Pixel Stand accessory unlocks new functionality. Elsewhere, the Pixel 3 comes with IP68 dust and water resistance. And while there isn’t a headphone jack, Google is including a pair of USB-C earbuds in the box with every Pixel 3.

The Pixel 3 is a considerable upgrade from the Pixel in almost every category.

The camera always dominates the conversation when talking about new Pixels, and it’s astounding what Google has managed to achieve with computational photography. The Pixel 3 has a single rear camera with an imaging sensor that’s unchanged from last year, but Google’s advances in image processing mean the phone is able to take better photos.

It’s up front where we see most of the changes in this area. The Pixel 3 has dual 8MP + 8MP cameras at the front, with the secondary sensor enabling wide-angle selfies. The front shooter on the Pixel 2 was already the best in the business, and with the addition of the wide-angle lens the Pixel 3 solidifies its position at the summit.

Google Pixel 3

The perfect upgrade

$799 at Google Store

The Pixel 3 delivers upgrades in all the right areas.

Google hasn’t altered the formula too much with the Pixel 3. You’re still getting a phone with a compact size, but the switch to an 18:9 form factor facilitates a larger display, and unlike the Pixel 3 XL, there’s no annoying notch to deal with. Couple that with the fantastic cameras on offer, and the Pixel 3 is an easy sell.

Google Pixel

Comes up short

$355 at Amazon

It’s time to make the switch to the Pixel 3.

The Pixel has plenty going for it, but it just doesn’t hold up next to the Pixel 3. If you’re rocking the Pixel, the Pixel 3 is the upgrade you’ve been waiting for.

Has your Pixel 3 pre-order shipped yet?

Some pre-orders are already on the way.

Google opened pre-orders for the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL on October 9 following its big reveal event for the two new phones, and now that a little over a week has passed, people are getting shipping updates on their purchases.

Some early adopters already have their phone on the way, whereas others have a bit longer to wait.

Here’s the shipping status of the Pixel 3 and 3 XL according to some of our AC forum members.

burrs87
10-16-2018 10:53 PM

“

ordered on October 11th after I got the $50 store credit email. standard shipping. white 64gb 3xl. shipped today. delivered by tomorrow night.

Reply

spiff_p239
10-16-2018 09:59 PM

“

I ordered my Just Black 64GB Pixel 3 from the Google Store (cancelled my original Verizon order) on 10/11. Still no update and still maintains a delivery date of 10/23-10/24.

Reply

Martin_F
10-16-2018 09:35 AM

“

Just got the email that it shipped!
Black Pixel 3 64GB ordered on 10/9 right after the show from google store.
Delivery is now Oct 18-19. Changed from Oct. 22-23.
The FedEx page actually shows a delivery date of Thursday 10/18 by the end of day.

I’m all excited over here 😉

Reply

njgill05
10-16-2018 10:02 AM

“

woot! My phone shipped this morning, though stupidly I didn’t choose expedited so I’ll get it Friday instead of Thursday. Whomp whomp. Guess I’ll be working from home on Friday.

Reply

What about you? Has your Pixel 3 shipped?

Join the conversation in the forums!

Google Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL

• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL review
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL: Everything you need to know!
• Google Pixel 3 vs. Pixel 3 XL: Which should you buy?
• Google Pixel 3 and 3 XL specifications
• Join our Pixel 3 forums

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OnePlus 6T confirmed to ship with Android 9 Pie

OnePlus is going to end 2018 with a bang.

Ever since it was released this past May, the OnePlus 6 has been one of the absolute best values in smartphones we’ve seen in 2018. The phone’s only gotten better thanks to striking new colors and fast software updates, and right around the corner is its incremental successor — the OnePlus 6T.

The 6T likely won’t shake up the OnePlus 6’s formula too much, but even so, it’s already shaping up to be one of the year’s most interesting smartphones.

Without further ado, here’s everything we know about the OnePlus 6T!

The latest OnePlus 6T news

October 17, 2018 — OnePlus 6T confirmed to ship with Android 9 Pie

We’re about two weeks away from the OnePlus 6T reveal, and if you’ve been following details on the phone, you’ll know that a lot of its info and features have already been revealed. Now, GizmoChina has confirmed that the OnePlus 6T will ship with Android 9 Pie out of the box.

OnePlus CEO Pete Lau confirmed the news on Chinese social network Weibo, and in addition to this, also noted that the Android Pie update for OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3 devices is being delayed as the company’s engineers need more time to perfect everything.

October 12, 2018 — OnePlus teases new gestures and redesigned UI for OnePlus 6T

Leading up to the OnePlus 6T’s announcement at the end of the month, some of the OnePlus team took the company’s official forums to talk about the improved software experience with OxygenOS on the phone.

Starting first with the UI, OnePlus notes that “a whole new UI” will be present on the phone and that you’ll “have to experience for yourself to really understand.” OnePlus went on to say, “Our goal was to express the OnePlus design language in our UI, making this the most distinct and intuitive version of OxygenOS yet.” Exciting stuff.

Along with that, there’s also confirmation that the 6T will ship with revamped gesture navigation.

Whenever you swipe up in an app, the application window will follow your finger, making for a more natural experience. It’s also faster in two ways: with a quick flick from the bottom of the screen towards the right of your screen, you can change between 2 recently used apps.

Add that together with promised behind-the-scenes improvements to the camera and further focus on making OxygenOS as fast and fluid as possible, and the 6T’s software experience is shaping up to be something special.

October 9, 2018 — The OnePlus 6T will launch on November 6

According to The Verge, the OnePlus 6 will launch a week after its October 30 announcement: November 6. The company will hold a launch event in New York City on October 30 starting at 11am ET.

We still don’t know pricing, which is the last remaining elusive piece of information we need. What do you think? $549? $599?

October 9, 2018 — OnePlus 6T will feature a 3700mAh battery, pre-bookings now live on Amazon India

OnePlus has confirmed that the 6T will feature a 3700mAh battery, 10% larger than the one in the OnePlus 6. The increased battery capacity was leaked a few weeks ago, and OnePlus is now confirming the same. The phone will also offer the company’s Dash Charge fast charging tech.

OnePlus has also opened up pre-bookings for the OnePlus 6T on Amazon India. Customers pre-booking the device will get a pair of OnePlus’ Type-C Bullets earphones for free, along with a ₹500 ($6.75) Amazon gift card. The phone itself will be going up for sale in India on November 2.

See at Amazon India

October 8, 2018 — The OnePlus 6T is launching on October 30

The #OnePlus6T is coming. Unlock The Speed on October 30. https://t.co/LuPoTr8ZyF pic.twitter.com/s8OfmZuXdX

— OnePlus (@oneplus) October 8, 2018

OnePlus has confirmed that it will unveil the OnePlus 6T on October 30. The phone will be making its debut at an event in New York, and OnePlus is set to kick off pre-orders on the same day.

The company will also hold a satellite event in India — its largest market — on October 30, and fans will be able to purchase tickets for the same starting 10:00am IST on October 17.

October 7, 2018 — OnePlus teases Monday announcement on Twitter

Check back in 24 hours for an exciting announcement. #OnePlus6T pic.twitter.com/mIeveZ0n6H

— OnePlus (@oneplus) October 7, 2018

The OnePlus 6T is expected to be announced to the world any time now, but we might not have to wait much longer — at least, for an event date. OnePlus tweeted out a tease for fans, telling them to come back in 24 hours for an “exciting announcement”.

While we expect said announcement to be an event date for the official unveiling of the OnePlus 6T, there is also a chance that the official announcement of the device. OnePlus has had a busy week of teases, leaks, and the official confirmation that the 6T will lack both a headphone jack and wireless charging, and OnePlus might be ready to show the world one of the most anticipated phones of the year.

Tomorrow is also the day before the Google Pixel 3 event — and the beginning of Pixel 3 pre-orders — so whatever OnePlus announces tomorrow may very well end up being an appetizer before the October 9 feast of new Google products.

October 2, 2018 — OnePlus 6T confirmed to not have wireless charging, better water-resistance

CNET recently sat down for an exclusive interview with OnePlus CEO Pete Lau, and during it, a few interesting tidbits were revealed.

Perhaps most importantly, the interview confirms that the OnePlus 6T will not support wireless charging. According to Lau:

We’re working hard on this. When we get to the day that the wireless charging can get up to speed of [Dash Charge] without the implication of heat that we expect, then I believe we can integrate the technology.

Lau also commented on the 6T’s water resistance, saying that it’s the most water-resistant phone the company’s made yet. However, in an attempt to save money, you won’t find an official IP rating.

Last but not least, Lau confirmed that one of the main reasons the 3.5mm headphone jack was removed was to make room for the in-display fingerprint sensor. He also said that it was “one of the most difficult decisions for us [OnePlus] to make.”

Read the full interview here

October 1, 2018 — Here are renders of the OnePlus 6T in Midnight Black and Mirror Black

Midnight Black

Need more OnePlus 6T renders in your life? Lucky for you, WinFuture recently got their hands on just that.

A few new images of the phone show its front and back in both Midnight Black and Mirror Black finishes — two colors that are also available for the OnePlus 6.

Mirror Black

Although the 6T’s design has already been confirmed in other leaks, these renderes once again show off the waterdrop style notch, the absence of the rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, and dual rear cameras.

September 28, 2018 — OnePlus begins teasing the 6T

We already know that the OnePlus 6T is coming, but now thanks to a teaser clip on its official Twitter page, OnePlus is ready to start hyping up the phone ahead of its announcement.

OnePlus 6T. It’s coming. pic.twitter.com/Wrdt9sCdIs

— OnePlus (@oneplus) September 28, 2018

The short clip is just 5 seconds long and features the tagline “Unlock the Future” along with the OnePlus 6T logo.

There’s not much else to see, but with the hype train starting, an official reveal should be coming soon.

September 26, 2018 — OnePlus 6T appears in a bunch of new renders

Earlier this month, we got our first render of the OnePlus 6T showing off the top rear portion of the phone. Now, thanks to @OnLeaks and MySmartPrice, we have full device renders of the 6T that shows what it’ll look like from every angle imaginable.

As expected, the 6T’s body shares a lot of similarities with the Oppo R17. There’s a large 6.4-inch display around front with a tiny waterdrop style notch at the very top. Around back is a dual camera system, glass construction, and no fingerprint sensor. This time around, OnePlus is hiding it underneath the display.

The 6T is said to be a bit thicker and wider than the 6, coming in at 157.5 x 75.7 x 8.2mm compared to 155.7 x 75.4 x 7.8mm.

Are you liking what you’re seeing?

September 19, 2018 — OnePlus 6T teaser video airs in India, shows off dual rear cameras

OnePlus has started airing a OnePlus 6T teaser video in India that shows off the back of the upcoming phone. A render from earlier today revealed that the device will have dual rear cameras — and not three like previously rumored — and the video further reinforces that. The commercial features OnePlus’ India ambassador Amitabh Bachchan, and also references the in-display fingerprint sensor.

Amazon India is also building up interest for the device by opening up a “Notify Me” page for the OnePlus 6T ahead of the rumored October 17 launch.

September 19, 2018 — OnePlus 6T render confirms dual rear cameras, logo also teased

Thanks to the folks over at WinFuture, we now have our very first render of the upcoming OnePlus 6T. The render admittedly doesn’t reveal a lot of the phone, but even so, it does manage to confirm a couple of key details.

First of all, it would appear that OnePlus will be sticking with two rear cameras on the back. On that same note, the cameras are also in the exact same position as they are on the OnePlus 6.

Along with this, we can also see that there’s no longer a fingerprint sensor below the camera lens. OnePlus already confirmed that the 6T will be its first phone to use an in-display sensor, so we’re now seeing how all of that will come together.

Last but not least, WinFuture also shared the 6T’s official logo. There’s nothing particularly exciting about it, but here it is for your vieiwng pleasure.

September 13, 2018 — The OnePlus 6T will not have a headphone jack

Yep, you read that correctly. As confirmed by OnePlus co-founder Carl Pei in an interview with TechRadar, the 6T will not have a 3.5mm headphone jack.

Having a headphone jack on its phones is something OnePlus has adamantly bragged about for the last few years, so why is the company now deciding to remove it? First of all, Pei notes that by removing the headphone jack, more features can be crammed into the 6T.

Some of that space is likely going to the in-display fingerprint sensor that was already confirmed by the company, and along with that, Pei says battery life is being improved, too. We don’t have raw numbers, but it’s said that the improvement will be “substantial enough for users to realize.”

Another reason for the jack’s removal is timing. Per a survey that OnePlus conducted earlier this year, 59% of its users already have some sort of wireless earbuds. Furthermore, Pei expects that number to now be higher following the release of the Bullets Wireless.

OnePlus expects some backlash from its community, and like we’ve seen from Apple, Google, and others, a 3.5mm-to-USB-C dongle will be included in the box so you can continue to use your old wired headphones.

What do you think about the 6T not having a headphone jack?

September 10, 2018 — OnePlus confirms in-display fingerprint sensor for OnePlus 6T

Less than a week since the OnePlus 6T retail box leaked, OnePlus has confirmed to CNET that one of the main features shown there — specifically the in-display fingerprint sensor — will be present on the phone at launch.

In an email sent to the publication, OnePlus said:

We unlock our phones multiple times a day, and Screen Unlock reduces the number of steps to complete the action. By adding this feature as an addition to other display unlocking options such as Face Unlock, users will have options to unlock the display in a way that is most efficient for them.

OnePlus also shared a screenshot of the 6T’s lock screen, and as you can see, an icon near the bottom of the display will show users where to put their finger to unlock the phone. Similar to devices like the Vivo X20 Plus UD and Vivo Nex, the 6T uses an optical scanner under its screen that views your print, matches it with one that’s been set up, and unlocks your phone.

In-display sensors have typically been slower than traditional ones on the front or back of a device, and if that’s the case with the 6T, at least we’ll also have Face Unlock as an unlocking option, too.

September 4, 2018 — Retail box reveals an in-display fingerprint sensor and “waterdrop” notch

Our first big OnePlus 6T leak has finally arrived!

A retail box for the phone recently appeared in a few photos online, and while the phone itself isn’t anywhere to be seen, the packaging actually confirms a couple key details about it.

Thanks to an outline of the 6T inside the box, we can see that it adopts a very similar design compared to the Oppo R17 that was announced in mid-August. As such, we’ve got a phone with very slim bezels, a tiny chin at the bottom, and a waterdrop style notch at the top.

This outline also shows a fingerprint near the bottom center of the display — suggesting that the 6T will be the first OnePlus phone to adopt an in-display fingerprint sensor.

August 17, 2018 — OnePlus 6T to launch on T-Mobile in the U.S. in October

A new report from CNET surfaced today, and if you’ve been waiting for more juicy details on the OnePlus 6T, there’s plenty for you here.

OnePlus phones in the U.S. have always been sold exclusively as unlocked handsets through OnePlus’s website, but with the 6T, OnePlus will be launching the phone on its first carrier partner in the States — T-Mobile. The T-Mobile version of the OnePlus 6T is said to be “optimized for T-Mobile’s network” and will work beautifully with the Un-Carrier’s 600Mhz band.

Pricing for the OnePlus 6T is said to be about $550 (a slight increase from the $529 OnePlus 6) and it’ll launch at some point in October.

August 14, 2018 — The new Oppo R17 is likely the phone the OnePlus 6T will be modeled after

If you’ve been following OnePlus for a while, chances are you know that its parent company is Oppo. OnePlus typically uses Oppo phones as references for its own hardware, and this year, the reference device for the OnePlus 6T will likely be the all-new Oppo R17.

While the 6T won’t be identical to the R17, the phone’s biggest features will likely carry over — including the waterdrop notch at the top of the display and all-glass back.

The R17’s notch is one of the smallest we’ve ever seen, and should this make its way to the 6T, it’ll be a big win for the phone’s design. The display below that measures in at 6.4-inches, and to not much surprise, retains a resolution of 1080 x 2280 Full HD.

Where will I be able to buy the OnePlus 6T?

Like previous OnePlus phones, we’re certain that the OnePlus 6T will be sold unlocked on OnePlus’s website.

However, new this year in the U.S., OnePlus has apparently secured its first carrier partner.

In addition to selling the phone unlocked, OnePlus will also sell the 6T via T-Mobile. The unlocked variant will work just fine on TMO, but by having the phone sold directly through the carrier and available to purchase via monthly financing, this should hopefully get the 6T in more people’s hands than previous OnePlus devices.

When will the phone be released?

According to a report from CNET, the OnePlus 6T will launch this fall — sometime in October, to be exact.

Seeing as how the OnePlus 5T went on sale November 21 and sales for the 3T opened up November 28, we have no reason not to believe OnePlus will shoot for an October launch. It’s not uncommon for OEMs to move up launch dates by a month or so compared to previous releases, and seeing as how the next-gen iPhones will be announced on September 12 and the Pixel 3 will be unveiled on October 9, OnePlus appears to be slotting itself in nicely with those big-name launches.

How much will the 6T cost?

Per that same report, the OnePlus 6T will cost $550.

In typical OnePlus fashion, that’s a minor price hike compared to its past releases. Here’s how the $550 OnePlus 6T will compare to previous OnePlus phones:

• OnePlus 6 — $529
• OnePlus 5T — $499
• OnePlus 5 — $479
• OnePlus 3T — $439
• OnePlus 3 — $399

OnePlus 6 review: The matter is settled

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

Stardew Valley for Android is a game worth getting hyped about!

One of the most celebrated indie gaming releases in recent years, Stardew Valley will arrive on mobile later this month — available for iOS on Oct. 24th and coming to the Google Play Store sometime later.

What is Stardew Valley?

If you’ve never heard of or played Stardew Valley before, it’s basically a farming simulator built atop a robust 16-bit open-ended RPG that lets you play and develop your character and farm as you choose. The story begins with your character’s arrival in Pelican Town, where you have decided to take over your grandfather’s simple family farm.

What makes Stardew Valley such a joy to play is the freedom granted to the player to make the game your own. If you focus on building up your farm, the game is mostly about crop and resource management, which will certainly scratch a certain itch for mobile gamers given how popular that genre of RPG is on mobile — but with Stardew Valley, there’s so much more for the player to explore.

Between planting and harvesting your fields, you can work to level up your character’s skills with different tools by going fishing or foraging in the woods, head to town to socialize and build relationships with the townsfolk (and even get married, if you chose), or go off on a more traditional combat-based RPG adventure complete with quests to complete and monster-infested mines to explore.

Is this the full game or a version that’s “enhanced for mobile”?

According to the developer’s blog post, mobile gamers can expect the full version of Stardew Valley on their phones, albeit without the co-op multiplayer available on PC and console editions. The only differences are the expected changes to the UI, which have been rebuilt for touchscreens to include tweaked menus and newly designed touch controls.

Will I be able to transfer over my farm from the PC version?

Yes, you will reportedly be able to transfer your Stardew Valley progress from the Windows, MacOS, or Linux versions of the game, although if you’ve played the game with mods applied you might find some compatibility issues when transferring your data over.

When is it coming to Android?

No date has been set for an Android release, but the iOS version is coming on October 24, so we’ll get a good sense of how well the game plays on mobile before it hits the Google Play Store.

The iOS version of Stardew Valley is available to preorder for $7.99 with no in-app purchases, and we’ll expect similar pricing once the game comes to Android.

Android Gaming

• Best Android games
• Best free Android games
• Best games with no in-app purchases
• Best action games for Android
• Best RPGs for Android
• All the Android gaming news!

The YouTube Android app now has a public beta

YouTube started as a simple video site, but today it’s much, much more.

YouTube is so much more than cute cats and mindless pranks; it’s where millions come for education, information, and live, late-breaking news. YouTube streams more than just Google keynotes; it streams important political debates and allows users to stream from almost anywhere in the world with an internet connection. It’s important to understand YouTube and how to use it, and whether you’re just looking to watch your videos without Autoplay plaguing you or you’re looking to turn your feed into a legitimate cord-cutter cornucopia of enticing entertainment, we’re here to help you get it done.

The latest YouTube for Android news

October 17, 2018 — The YouTube Android app now has a public beta

Google’s been known to test out experimental features quite often with the YouTube app, and for people that don’t care about those and just want their app to work, that can get a bit irritating at times. In an attempt to hopefully have a new testing ground for upcoming features, there’s now an official beta program for YouTube’s Android app.

Similar to other apps on the Play Store that have public betas, you can head to the link below, click “Become a Tester”, and you’ll be all set and ready to go.

It’s unclear if Google will completely stop testing new features in the main version of the app, but if you want to stay on the pulse of what’s going on with YouTube, be sure to get yourself enrolled with this.

Sign up for the YouTube beta

September 5, 2018 — YouTube for Android finally rolls out its dark theme to all users

YouTube’s website and iOS app have had dark themes for months, but YouTube’s Android app is finally catching up! After months of testing and teasing, the dark theme has rolled out to all users starting today. The change does not accompany an app update; it is a server side change that has appeared for most users when they close and re-open the app or reboot their phone. Here’s how to turn on YouTube’s dark theme on your phone.

All the big details

Finding your way around

First things first: let’s find where we find videos on YouTube and how we start curating our content so that YouTube’s algorithms can start working to bring us more of what we want. Want to get started with YouTube? Start here.

How to use YouTube for Android

Managing YouTube

YouTube can run away with you (and your mobile data) if you don’t keep it in check. From managing what kinds of content can pop up in your results to what networks you use to stream in HD, these are settings you can use to keep YouTube manageable.

How to manage the YouTube app for Android

Saving YouTube videos

See a fun video that you want to watch later? We’ve all been there. Here’s how to save videos for later — and to save them for watching offline, depending on where you live.

How to save videos in YouTube for Android

Managing your YouTube history

We all search for things we’d rather not fess up to. We stumble upon videos we wish we hadn’t seen. It’s okay, you don’t have to burn your digital identity — we just need to clean up our YouTube histories.

How to pause and clear your YouTube history

Uploading videos

Making the jump from consumer to creator on YouTube is a breeze. Here’s how to get videos from your Android phone onto YouTube. Getting them on the front page, however, is another matter entirely.

How to upload videos to YouTube

Taming YouTube’s annoyances

Like any site or product, there are ways that YouTube can annoy and irritate. Luckily, here’s the way to stop some of the more visible annoyances on the app.

Best tricks to fix YouTube’s most annoying features

Signature Devices offer the best YouTube experience on Android

Piggybacking on the Note 9’s announcement, Google ushered in a new program called “Signature Devices.” Signature Devices are Android phones that YouTube deems as offering the best possible YouTube experience around thanks to their screen size, resolution, HDR support, and more.

This is a list that’s constantly growing, and for the time being, these are the phones that are currently part of it:

• Samsung Galaxy Note 9
• Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium
• HTC U12+
• OnePlus 6
• LG G7 ThinQ
• Xiaomi Mi 8
• Sony Xperia XZ2
• Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
• Nokia 8 Sirocco
• Xiaomi Mi Mix 2S
• Samsung Galaxy S9 / S9+
• Google Pixel 2 / 2 XL
• Huawei Mate 10 Pro
• Samsung Galaxy Note 8
• LG V30
• Samsung Galaxy S8 / S8+

How to sign up for YouTube Premium

As great as YouTube is on its own, the app’s made even better when you sign up for YouTube Premium.

YouTube Premium gives you access to a heap of extra features, including the ability to download videos for offline viewing, not having to ever watch ads, access to all YouTube Originals content, and more. If you want to give the service a shot, it costs $11.99/month and signing up takes just a couple minutes.

How to sign up for YouTube Premium

How to get the most out of Premium

Once you’re signed up for YouTube Premium, you’ll want to make sure you tap into everything it has to offer!

It can be easy to overlook all of the benefits that come with your Premium subscription, so let us help you get the absolute most out of your money.

How to get the most from YouTube Premium: Top tips and tricks

Updated August 21, 2018: Added a new section for YouTube’s Signature Devices list.

Store 128GB of data with SanDisk’s $22 Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive

So much space in a tiny device.

SanDisk’s 128GB Ultra Fit USB 3.1 Flash Drive is down to $22.49 on Amazon. That puts it $8 below the price of its little USB 3.0 brother and marks one of the best prices we’ve ever seen. This flash drive normally sells for around $30 on average.

This high-speed USB 3.1 flash drive features read speeds up to 130MB/s. You could transfer a full-length movie to it in less than 30 seconds. It’s compatible with laptops, car stereos, game consoles, and more. More than 640 users over at Amazon reviewed this flash drive with 4.1 out of 5 stars collectively.

See on Amazon