I’m pretty sure Google is breaking up with me

Slowly but surely, the experience I signed up for is going away.

Last week one of my friends sent me a screenshot of her Facebook “On This Day” feed where I was trying to get everyone to leave Facebook for Google+. She had her laugh, and so did I, but I found myself still thinking about it a couple of days later.

Google shutting down its slowly dying social network wasn’t a surprise, and it wasn’t really something that upset me, but remembering the original promise of Google+ left me kind of angry. At its start, Google+ was the continuation of this larger vision the company had for its services, and that entire vision has now completely disappeared.

And I’m probably not going to get over it.

Long before Google+, I got my whole family hooked on Hangouts and Google Reader. Over that year I had just about everyone I knew using both of them, and it was great. When Google Voice came out, my whole family signed up for that as well. This was a Google family, and most of my friends followed suit. The ecosystem I’d created for myself was fantastic. I didn’t need to know anyone’s phone number. I didn’t need to have a bunch of different messaging apps installed. Everything just worked.

The only barrier to entry was a Google account, and everyone not only had one of those but absolutely loved using it right? RIGHT?!

For me, Google+ took this ecosystem I’d created for myself and expanded it to the rest of the world. When I wanted to talk to a friend on G+, I tapped in their name and could immediately reach them via Hangouts. I didn’t need to know anyone’s phone number or address, just their online profile. To me, this was the future. And it was only going to get better as Google started talking about unifying different chat services under the Hangouts banner.

This was supposed to be a single communication layer, completely replacing all of these aging and broken communication mechanisms we’d been using as the internet grew up around us. No hardware boundaries, no need to remember nine different apps to reach all your friends and family, just an internet connection and you’re there with the rest of the world.

Some of this excitement was borne of my own ignorance. I mean, the only barrier to entry was a Google account and everyone not only had one of those but absolutely loved using it, right? Right?! Wrong.

As Google was constructing its web-based walled garden, Microsoft and Apple were making sure there were at least some competing services for people to fall in love with. And a lot of my thought then was very U.S.-centric; the rest of the world didn’t have access to this experience for a variety of reasons. To those people, the Google account was the obnoxious other account they had to sign in to in order to reach some of their friends. And my personal bubble was not as big as I thought it was; there simply weren’t that many people who both saw and wanted Google in their entire web experience.

Unfortunately, by the time Google realized lots of folks would rather have pieces of their experience instead of an all-or-nothing approach, it was too late. Google Reader had already been shut down to encourage people to use G+ as their news feed, Hangouts had already not lived up to its unified messaging promise, and YouTube was filled with videos of people actively raging about being forced to use G+ as a comment moderation system.

For people like me, things have only gotten worse. Hangouts is now an “enterprise” app, in exchange for two different apps (Allo and Duo) which both rely heavily on phone numbers for identity. Google+ is on the way out. Inbox, another app I love, is dying. None of the things I once saw as pillars of the Google experience are going to be here in a year. The unified Web, which I now admit was never really a thing to begin with, will soon be fully eradicated.

Google’s priorities have shifted, and as difficult as it is for me to admit those new priorities are generally better. My Lenovo Smart Display tells me when I need to leave my house to get to a meeting on time; Google Photos automatically pings my parents when I’ve backed up photos of their grandkids, and my Pixel 3 will soon screen calls for me.

Google Assistant is the new unified experience. This layer across all of Google that improves my life by doing things for me. I still want those other things, and I still think Google is the best company to handle the challenges associated with unifying communication across the world, but it doesn’t seem like that’s going to happen anytime soon.

This discounted 3-pack of USB-C adapters brings new life to your old cables

Don’t ditch your old cables completely.

The transition from micro-USB to USB-C has been a pretty positive one for most, but that means that a lot of our old cables are no longer useful to charge our gadgets. Odds are you have tons of old cables laying around that you don’t want to get rid of, and luckily you don’t have to.

Right now you can pick up Aukey’s micro-USB to USB-C adapters for just $4.52 at Amazon when you check out using the coupon code AUKEY2BC. This is a 3-pack of adapters so you can keep one at home, one at your office, and one in your pocket for those times you may need it at a friends house.

Aukey backs the adapters with a two-year warranty.

See at Amazon

OnePlus teases new gestures and redesigned UI for OnePlus 6T

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 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

Show off your Pixel 3 while keeping it safe with a clear case

The Google Pixel 3 is a beautifully crafted phone with a thin profile and an iconic look. It’s only natural you’d want to show that off, but the Pixel 3 is also a phone with a glass back and a very high price tag, so you should really, really get a case on it. Thankfully, clear cases can keep your phone safe while showing it off for all the world to see.

Crystal clear choice

Spigen Liquid Crystal

$15 at Amazon

Eschewing bulkier hard-plastic backs, the Liquid Crystal’s flexible TPU is easy to apply and easier to grip. This crystal clear case gives your Google Pixel 3 light protection that is as thin as it is beautiful.

A clear deal

MoKo Clear Case

If you want to show off your new Pixel 3, MoKo’s clear case is for you. Its soft TPU material that adds grip without covering up the Pixel 3’s beauty and precise cutouts ensure it doesn’t get in the way of the charging port, camera, and speakers.

$8 at Amazon

Translucent treat

Cimo Slim Grip

$8 at Amazon

Clear cases can be boring. Cimo knows that you want to show off your Pixel 3, but show some personality, too. Its Slim Grip’s translucence lets your Pixel’s design shine through blue or purple — or clear if you want to be plain. What? No, I’m not judging you.

Crystal-clear drop-protection

Tech21 Evo Check

$40 at Google Store

Some people have a tendency to drop their phones. It’s just a fact of life, and knowing this, Google partnered with impact masters Tech21 for the Evo Check Pixel 3 case. It’s rated to keep your phone safe from repeated 12-foot drops and does so without adding any unnecessary bulk.

Smooth operator

Caseology Waterfall

$13 at Amazon

Caseology is one of the most trusted casemakers around, and the detailed quality they bring to cases like the Waterfall keep us coming back year after year. The back corners of the Waterfall have almost invisible bumpers to help keep the hard acrylic back from scratching on dirty desktops.

Unique design

Ringke Fusion-X

$10 at Amazon

Sturdy impact resistant bumpers safeguard against unwanted drops and bumps, and while the more subtle black is a solid choice, the translucent Ruby Red gives the Pixel 3 a bold and dangerous gleam. Ringke also adds anchor points to the Fusion X so you can attach it to a wrist strap or lanyard.

For my money, I’d just as soon get a clear case that has some color to it, like the Cimo Slim Grip, because colored clear cases tend to have less discoloration and yellowing over time than traditional crystal-clear cases. Add some color and some serious protection with the Tech21 Evo Check; it may be the most expensive case on this list, but if you’re hard on your phones, it’ll be more than worth it.

Save $50 when bundling Google’s new Home Hub and select Nest devices

New hardware for less!

Best Buy is offering customers who bundle the recently-announced Google Home Hub with a Nest device a $50 savings on the purchase. You can pick from between the Charcoal and Chalk Home Hubs, and then for the Nest devices Best Buy has the 3rd-gen Smart Learning Thermostat, Indoor Cam 1 or 3-pack, and the Hello Smart Video Doorbell. You can use the display of the Home Hub to see who’s at the door and more, so bundling with the video doorbell might be one of the better uses for the savings here, and it drops the price down to just under $300 for both pieces.

If you prefer to stay within Amazon’s ecosystem, you can bundle the new Echo Show with a Ring Video Doorbell Pro for $428.99, or with the Wyze Cam for $234.99, which is better suited for indoors. If you just want some security cameras, this pair of Arlo Q 1080p devices is down to just $209 for the pair.

Either way, bundling is the best way to save when looking for these new smart home devices, and because you’ll be able to use your voice to control them, you should probably pick up some Philips Hue bulbs while your out there spending money!

See at Best Buy

Should you upgrade from the Pixel 2 XL to the Pixel 3 XL?

We’re a virtual company made up of tech experts from across the globe. We live and breathe Android phones, and use nearly every one to find the best phones for everyone.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Latest and greatest

$899 at Best Buy

Pros

• Large, high-quality screen.
• Great camera.
• Dual selfie cameras.
• Wireless charging.

Cons

• No headphone jack.
• Large display notch.

Google refreshed its hardware and jumped to a 6.3-inch, 18.5:9 display — but it’s not all about size, the display is dramatically better as well. The rest of the phone builds on all of Google’s strengths: simple hardware, capable specs, smooth software, and an amazing camera experience front and back. It also added wireless charging and kept stereo speakers.

Google Pixel 2 XL

Still solid

$550 at Best Buy

Pros

• Robust metal construction.
• Great camera.
• Still has modern software.

Cons

• No headphone jack.
• Last year’s processor.
• Subpar screen.

This was Google’s top device a year ago, and that means for the most part it still feels modern today. The specs, hardware, and software are all up to speed and the camera is still fantastic. But its screen was bad then and looks even worse now.

The Pixel 3 XL isn’t a massive upgrade from the Pixel 2 XL, but there are a few changes that could make it worth it if you’re particularly upset with a few aspects of the phone.

Is the Google Pixel 3 XL a worthy upgrade from the Pixel 2 XL?

This comparison effectively hinges on two points: how much do you dislike the Pixel 2 XL’s display, and how big of a deal is it to spend $900 on a phone?

Google was at great pains to make sure the Pixel 3 XL’s screen didn’t repeat any of the problems of the Pixel 2 XL — and if you have the Pixel 2 XL, you know what I’m talking about. It’s dim, lacking that “punch” of color so many other phones have, and is proven to be more susceptible to burn-in and image retention than the competition. The Pixel 3 XL addresses all of these points. It’s brighter, more accurate, more colorful, and generally exhibits all of the qualities you expect for a phone of this price. If you’re underwhelmed by your Pixel 2 XL’s screen, the Pixel 3 XL may be appealing just from that point alone.

The screen upgrade is so important because elsewhere, the Pixel 3 XL isn’t necessarily a huge upgrade from the 2 XL. There’s a new processor inside, but the rest of the specs remain unchanged. The external hardware didn’t change in size or shape, which is a good thing in most people’s eyes, but the new glass back does offer a better feel and wireless charging capabilities.

Operating system	Android 9 Pie	Android 9 Pie
Display	6.3-inch OLED2960x1440 (18.5:9)Gorilla Glass 5	6-inch OLED2880x1440 (18:9)Gorilla Glass 5
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 845Pixel Visual Core	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835Pixel Visual Core
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	64/128GB	64/128GB
Expandable	No	No
Rear camera	12.2MP, 1.4-micronf/1.8, OIS, PDAF	12.2MP, 1.4-micronf/1.8, OIS, PDAF
Front camera 1	8MP, f/1.8, auto focus75-degree lens	8MP, f/2.4, fixed focus
Front camera 2	8MP, f/2.2, fixed focus97-degree lens	n/a
Connectivity	Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC, GPS	Wi-Fi 802.11ac 2×2 MIMO, Bluetooth 5.0 LE, NFC, GPS
Audio	Stereo speakersUSB-C	Stereo speakersUSB-C
Battery	3430mAhNon-removable	3520mAhNon-removable
Charging	18W USB-C PDQi wireless	18W USB-C PD
Water resistance	IP68	IP67
Security	Fingerprint sensor	Fingerprint sensor
Dimensions	158 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm184 g	157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9 mm175 g
Colors	Just Black, Very White, Not Pink	Just Black, Black & White

The display is unequivocally better, and there are a few hardware upgrades — is that worth $900?

If the display upgrade alone wasn’t enough to change your mind, perhaps you’ll be interested in the new camera features. The front-facing camera has been upgraded with auto focus and a new sensor, and it’s now assisted by a secondary wide-angle camera for better portrait mode and group selfie shots. The rear camera takes fundamentally better photos, and better leverages the Pixel Visual Core — but chances are that many of its new features can actually make their way back to the Pixel 2 XL (in due time). The Pixel 3 XL takes great photos, but the Pixel 2 XL is no slouch — it spent a year at the top of the charts in image quality.

So let’s bring this all back together and talk about price: the Pixel 3 XL costs $899. If that seems like a lot of money to you, and you own a Pixel 2 XL already, this upgrade probably doesn’t make a whole lot of sense. The screen is unequivocally better, the camera experience is an upgrade, and a couple of extra hardware features are nice — and in the end, you don’t lose anything. But are those relatively small changes worth scrapping your phone and paying another $899 for a Pixel 3 XL.

Google Pixel 3 XL

Latest and greatest

$899 at Google Store

Google’s best-ever phone.

Phones are large nowadays, and Google’s Pixel 3 XL is no exception. A 6.3-inch OLED screen is dramatically improved from the Pixel 2 XL, and the rest of the experience builds on Google’s strengths: awesome software, great performance, innovative camera features and guaranteed updates.

Google Pixel 2 XL

Still solid

Still a modern and capable phone.

$550 at Best Buy

The Pixel 2 XL has been updated to Android 9 Pie and is still a modern phone in so many respects. If it weren’t for the poor display quality, it’d be easier to enjoy the performance, software and quality camera — but on the whole, it’s still a good phone if you find it at a discount.

These Xbox One console bundles come with a free Echo Dot for voice control

Ask and you shall receive.

As part of a big Xbox update, Microsoft just released the Xbox Skill for Cortana and Alexa which allows you to navigate your Xbox One console using your voice and a Cortana or Amazon Alexa-enabled device, such as the Echo Dot.

To celebrate the announcement, Amazon is offering discounted bundles of the Xbox One and Echo Dot hardware so you can get started using the feature right away. With this deal, you’re basically getting one of the new Echo Dot devices for free with your purchase of either an Xbox One X or Xbox One S console, saving you from having to spend $50 on one separately. The console bundles are priced at $499.99 and $299.99 respectively, which is the same retail price you’d find for them at other stores without the Echo Dot included. You’ll also receive NBA 2K19 with the bundle.

Once your new toys arrive in the mail, you’ll be able to use your voice to do things such as turn on or off your console, open a specific game or app, take screenshots, adjust its volume, and more. The Xbox Skill is now available to download at Amazon.

If you’re looking to own extra Echo Dot devices in your home, you can save $10 when you buy two at Amazon right now.

See at Amazon

Google’s Home Hub smart display spotlights another Microsoft failure

Google’s Home Hub joins Amazon’s Echo Show in an ambient-computing, smart-display space in which Microsoft is conspicuously absent.

Amazon pioneered the progression of voice-controlled ambient computing with its Alexa-powered smart speakers. The Google Assistant-powered Google Home and Apple’s Siri-powered HomePod eventually followed. In 2017, Amazon upped the ante with its Amazon Echo Show smart display. The Echo Show brought the ability to display interactive content to the smart speaker battle.

Microsoft was notably absent from this space until the embarrassingly-neglected Cortana-powered Invoke Harman Kardon smart speaker hit store shelves. With little marketing and an assistant with limited skills, mindshare and geographic reach, Microsoft’s initially-$200-priced speakers remained unnoticed by consumers. A recent Invoke price cut and Microsoft’s repositioning of Cortana as a business-focused assistive agent may signal Microsoft has little intention of recommitting to the consumer-focused ambient computing space.

This would conflict with the company’s professed commitment to the professional and personal user across work and play. In a nutshell, Microsoft’s recently revisited commitment to users across their professional and personal lives demands Microsoft ensures Cortana-powered ambient computing is available to users at home just as it is at work. Two years ago, Microsoft revealed a Home Hub plan to turn hundreds of millions of Windows 10 PCs into Cortana-powered smart speakers with screens. Microsoft’s plan was great, but the execution poor, and competitors like Google introduced products that are everything Microsoft’s should have been.

Microsoft’s Home Hub, a dream deferred

Microsoft’s Home Hub concept versus Google’s Home Hub reality.

In 2016, we saw Microsoft’s vision for smart displays. Unlike rivals, Microsoft wouldn’t have to build dedicated smart speakers, try to create a market, and then develop distribution channels to get them to consumers. With a home and business PC install base of more than one billion and a growing Windows 10 presence, Microsoft planned to use software to turn existing Windows 10 PCs into Cortana-powered smart speakers. Microsoft’s OEM partners were also expected to create dedicated intelligent displays to complement this strategy.

Microsoft’s Home Hub was going to provide families with communal access to calendars, apps, and Sticky Notes via a Welcome Screen on a shared PC. Windows Hello would also recognize users and keep individual data private.

Home Hub was supposed to connect Windows 10 PCs to various smart home devices allowing users to control them via Cortana. Sadly, with the failure of Windows on phone, Microsoft’s consumer-facing commitment to Cortana has further waned. With a two-year virtual silence on Home Hub and an apparent lack of interest in making Cortana relevant to consumers, Microsoft’s Home Hub dreams seem destined to remain unrealized.

Google Home Hub, a dream realized

During its 2018 “Made by Google” event, Google announced its seven-inch Assistant-powered smart display. This diminutive device is three inches smaller than Amazon’s latest 10-inch Alexa-powered Echo Show and is bedroom-safe due to the intentional omission of a camera.

The $149 device is more affordable than the $230 Alexa Show. Reports also claim that Google’s superior speech recognition supports more natural language and has fewer mistakes than the Echo Show. Still, Alexa’s 50,000 skills and the Echo’s compatibility with thousands of smart home devices beat Google Home Hub.

Still, even in its shortcomings, Google Home Hub brings the reality of hands-free, voice navigated computing with a display to users in a way Microsoft has not. And though the Lenovo Smart Display and the JBL Link View brought Assistant-powered smart displays to market earlier, Google Home does so in a sleeker package.

Microsoft, the dreamer

Google Home Hub is equipped with far-field microphones, stereo speakers and a seven-inch LCD touch display. From browsing YouTube videos to following recipes and invoking music services, Google’s Home Hub will begin impacting consumer behavior in a very real way.

Home Hub features Wi-Fi and Bluetooth which allows users to cast their phone content to the device. It also acts as a digital picture frame for users’ cloud-based photos when not in use. As “everyone’s personal Google,” Assistant on Home Hub will continue answering questions effectively as Google leverages its progress in organizing the world’s information. Home Hub also connects to smart home gadgets and provides a Home View Dashboard of the entire state of a smart home. No longer will users have to access separate apps to control connected devices.

As Google brings all of this and more to users on its first-gen smart display, Microsoft’s Home Hub dreams may remain an unknown concept and yet another frustrating miss Microsoft watchers can add to Redmond’s pile of what could have been.

New iPad Pro Models Spotted in Analytics With Same Resolutions as Current 10.5-Inch and 12.9-Inch Models

Apple is widely expected to introduce new iPad Pro models with Face ID at a media event later this month, and we can now confirm that Apple has been testing those models internally over the past few months.

iPad Pro with edge-to-edge display render via iDropNews
Mobile app analytics platform Appsee has informed MacRumors that model identifiers iPad8,1; iPad 8,2; iPad8,3; iPad 8,4; iPad 8,5; and iPad 8,8 began to appear in its device logs starting August 1. Earlier this week, 9to5Mac’s Guilherme Rambo claimed those identifiers represent unreleased 2018 iPad Pro models.

“The model codes for the Wi-Fi models of the 2018 iPad Pro will be iPad8,1, iPad8,2, iPad8,5 and iPad8,6,” said Rambo. “Meanwhile, the cellular-capable models will be iPad8,3, iPad8,4 and iPad8,7 and iPad8,8.”

For what it’s worth, Appsee has yet to see any iPad8,6 or iPad8,7 sessions appear in its analytics, but those models very likely exist.

What’s more interesting is that the new iPad Pro models appear to have the same display resolutions as the latest 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch models. Appsee’s logs indicate that the iPad8,1 through iPad8,4 models have a resolution of 1,112×834 points, while the iPad8,5 and iPad8,8 measure in at 1,366×1,024 points.

Point resolution is not pixel resolution, but we can easily find out the latter.

iPad Pro displays use Apple’s high-resolution @2x modifier, meaning there are four pixels for every point. As such, simple math reveals that the new iPad Pro models in the logs have resolutions of 2,224×1,668 and 2,732×2,048 pixels, identical to that of the current 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch models respectively.

The data suggests that iPad Pro models with Face ID will have the same-size 10.5-inch and 12.9-inch displays, and retain 4:3 aspect ratios. However, the overall dimensions of the tablets are likely to shrink, as the iPad Pro is expected to receive an iPhone X-esque redesign with an edge-to-edge display.

As far as accuracy is concerned, Appsee has a proven track record at this. The analytics firm discovered the model identifier iPad6,8 with a resolution of 2,732×2,048 pixels in its logs back in August 2015, and Apple introduced the original iPad Pro with that exact resolution the following October.

Appsee describes itself as a powerful qualitative in-app analytics platform that enables app professionals to measure, understand, and optimize the end-users’ experience in their mobile apps, driving increased engagement, conversions, and in-app monetization. More information can be found on their website.

However, there are a few rumors that conflict with this data. First, often-accurate Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo said the next iPad Pro models will have 11-inch and 12.9-inch displays. If the 10.5-inch model is in fact evolving into an 11-inch version, then the resolution would be different as a result.

Second, dimensions from Japanese blog Mac Otakara and a photo on Slashleaks suggest the new 10.5-inch iPad Pro will be approximately 4mm wider. That does not necessarily mean the display will be larger, though, and it’s worth noting that all of the other alleged dimensions are smaller on both models.

One way or the other, we should find out in a few weeks. Apple has yet to invite the media to its rumored October event, and with its CEO Tim Cook in Belgium on October 24, there is an increasing probability that the event might not take place until Tuesday, October 30, give or take a day.

Related Roundup: iPad ProTag: AppseeBuyer’s Guide: 10.5″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy), 12.9″ iPad Pro (Don’t Buy)
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Deals: Last Call for Exclusive Anker Discounts, 2017 MacBook Flash Sale, and More

We’re entering the final days of our latest exclusive sale with accessory maker Anker, in which you can get up to 42 percent off portable chargers, speakers, iPhone cases, wireless chargers, and headphones.

You can find every product on sale in the list below, and if you see something you like be sure to place your order before the codes expire on Sunday, October 14. As usual, these discounts are found on Amazon, so Prime members can place their orders and get free 2-day shipping.

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

iPhone Cases

• iPhone X Breeze Case – $3.99 with code RUMORS07, down from $6.99

• iPhone X Shield Case – $3.99 with code RUMORS07, down from $6.99

Cables and Chargers

• PowerLine+ Lightning Cable with Pouch (3ft, Red) – $9.49 with code RUMORS92, down from $13.99

• Powerline+ II Lightning Cable with Pouch (6ft, Black) – $13.49 with code RUMORS53, down from $17.99

• PowerPort Cube with 3 Outlets and 3 USB Ports – $20.79 with code RUMORS63, down from $25.99

• USB-C Wall Charger with 5 Ports – $39.99 with code RUMORS56, down from $49.99

• PowerWave 7.5 Stand Wireless Charger – $39.99 with code RUMORS25, down from $49.99

Audio Accessories

• Soundcore Spirit Pro Sports Headphones – $39.99 with code RUMORS88, down from $49.99

• Soundcore Vortex Wireless Headset – $44.99 with code RUMORS03, down from $59.99

• Soundcore Flare Portable Bluetooth 360-degree Speaker (Black) – $50.99 with code RUMORS31, down from $59.99

Portable Chargers

• PowerCore II 20,100 mAh Portable Charger – $47.99 with code RUMORS26, down from $59.99

• PowerCore Speed 20,100 mAh Portable Charger + 30W Power Delivery Wall Charger – $79.99 with code RUMORS75, down from $99.99

Besides the exclusive codes, Anker has a few normal discount codes live on Amazon:

• 6ft Premium Nylon Lightning Cable [2-Pack] (Black, Silver, Red) – $17.99 with code ANKER532, down from $23.99 (exp. 10/30)

• 3.3ft Premium Nylon Lightning Cable [2-Pack] (Black, Silver, Red) – $14.99 with code ANKER532, down from $19.99 (exp. 10/30)

• PowerCore 10,400 mAh External Battery Pack – $23.99 with code ANKERPC4, down from $29.99 (exp. 10/31)

In other sales, Woot today has the 12-inch MacBook from Mid 2017 (1.2 GHz, 8GB RAM, 256GB HD) for $899.99, down from $1,299.99. This model is on sale for today only, so if you’ve been on the hunt for a cheaper entry-level MacBook this is definitely a good opportunity. Comparatively, this model is priced at $1,249.00 on B&H Photo and $1,299.99 on Best Buy.

If you’re planning a trip soon, Pad & Quill is offering its TechFolio Cord Organizer for $15 off using promo code Family15. This makes the travel accessory $74.95, down from $89.95. Pad & Quill’s ongoing PQ16 coupon code for 10 percent off your order is also still live, but can’t be combined with Family15.

For more information on this week’s sales and bargains, be sure to head over to our full Deals Roundup.

Related Roundup: Apple Deals
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