Best Screen Protectors for the Galaxy Note 8 in 2018
What are the best screen protectors for keeping my Galaxy Note 8 scratch-free?
The Galaxy Note 8 is a pretty marvelous phone. With a slightly larger screen than the Galaxy S9+ the Note 8 is Samsung’s biggest phone ever, so you’re going to want to keep that screen in pristine condition.
More often than not, your best choice for a screen protector is a tempered glass option, but phones with curved edges like the Note 8 can cause issues. Several users in the Galaxy Note 8 forum have reported adhesion issues with some of the tempered screen protectors here. Others have complained that both tempered glass and film screen protectors drastically change the feel of using the S-Pen.
It’s all a matter of trying out a few different styles and seeing what works best for you and the other accessories you may have. Let’s dive in!
- Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- BodyGuardz Pure Arc Tempered Glass Screen Protector
- amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Galaxy Note 8
- Spigen NeoFlex Screen Protector for the Galaxy Note 8 [2-pack]
- LK Flexible TPU Screen Protectors for Galaxy Note 8 [3-pack]
- IQ Shield LiQuidSkin Full Coverage Screen Protector
Whitestone Dome Glass Tempered Glass Screen Protector
Top Pick
This one was recommended by a contingent in the Note 8 forums and was a popular option for the Galaxy S8. The Whitestone Dome Glass uses a special UV machine (included) and a liquid adhesive during installation that manages to achieve full-screen adhesion where other screen protectors might only adhere around the edges.
It’s a premium option all around that’s compatible with more rigid cases or ones that don’t touch the front glass at all. It goes on crystal clear and shouldn’t affect your touch sensitivity at all. Most importantly, it’s tough enough to take the abuse of a drop so your phone’s screen doesn’t.
It’s a $45 accessory, but it comes with that little UV machine for installing it and is arguably your best bet if you’re serious about protecting your Note 8 above all else.
See at Amazon
BodyGuardz Pure Arc Tempered Glass Screen Protector
Premium Option
Another quality tempered glass option comes from BodyGuardz. This one was recommended in the forums as the brand has a solid track record for making tempered glass screen protectors for curved screens.
The adhesive is around the edges of the screen protector, so you’ll need to make sure to apply pressure around the edges and not the center. The kit comes with a cleaning cloth for the screen and installation instructions. It’ll work with BodyGuardz cases and OtterBoxes, but you’ll want to be careful testing other makes.
This is a premium product that can be yours for $40. Backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee along with a 30-day money back guarantee, it’s a great option if you’re on the fence about tempered glass screen protectors.
See at Amazon
amFilm Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Galaxy Note 8
All-Around Fit
Tempered glass is typically your best bet for a screen protector, but the curved edges of most new phones make it difficult for accessory makers to deliver full edge-to-edge protection. amFilm has a tempered glass solution which uses slightly curved slabs to achieve the perfect fit for the Note 8.
You receive everything you need for clean and accurate installation, including an installation guide tray along with the prerequisite wet/dry wipes and dust removal stickers. The adhesive portion of the screen protector is around the edges with a dot matrix on the display itself which helps maintain the touch sensitivity so you can use your finger or S-Pen flawlessly.
You can order this kit for just $12.
See at Amazon
Spigen NeoFlex Screen Protector for the Galaxy Note 8 (2-pack)
Best Wet Install
Spigen typically offers a quality line of tempered glass screen protectors for the latest flagship phones, but for the Note 8, they’ve opted for a flexible screen protector made of TPU.
It’s a wet installation here, which typically guarantees reliable adhesion without any bubbles or that dreaded halo or rainbow effect. Spigen gives you everything you need for a perfect installation — a dust removal sticker, the solution spray, a silicone squeeze card. You also get two screen protectors, and that’s important because non-tempered glass screen protectors are more prone to collecting scratches. Let the NeoFlex take the daily abuse and wear and tear, so your Note 8 screen does not, then replace it with the back up when it’s time for a fresh start.
If you have any issues with the installation process or the quality of the screen, Spigen offers a lifetime warranty on its products, so reach out to them, and they’ll gladly send out a new one. As you’d expect, these $9 screen protectors are case friendly, and Spigen recommends installing them with your case on the phone for the best fit.
See at Amazon
LK Flexible TPU Screen Protectors for Galaxy Note 8 [3-pack]
Best Value
LK offers the best value with a 3-pack of screen protectors made of TPU and PET materials for just $9. It’s a dry installation here, so there’s no need to mess with messy spray. They are case-compatible and easy to install if you follow the included instructions. LK (which stands for Lightning Knight) backs their products with a lifetime warranty and no-hassle replacements which is super rad.
While other screen protectors have a big cutout around the top for the front-facing camera and ear speaker, LK has opted for precise cutouts around each which should help you when lining things up. If you mess up, simply try again with one of the included spares — that’s the benefit of buying your screen protectors in bulk.
See at Amazon
IQ Shield LiQuidSkin Full Coverage Screen Protector
Best Coverage
If your biggest pet peeve with using a screen protector is that they don’t provide full-screen protection and they’re too tricky to install perfectly, you’ll want to check out the IQ Shield LiQuidSkin screen protector for the Note 8.
This is a flexible film screen protector that only leaves a fraction of a millimeter gap around the edge of the screen. It’s a wet-install method which is a little more involved than other film options, but if you spend the time and get it right using the included installation guide, you should be left with outstanding scratch protection for your phone.
IQ Shield backs all their products with a lifetime replacement warranty and guarantees that you’ll be satisfied with their product. Available for just $8, you don’t have much to lose here.
See at Amazon
Do you go naked?
Protecting an expensive new phone makes sense to us, but we always hear from those who swear they don’t need a screen protector. Got any near-miss stories? Ever had a screen protector saved the day on a nasty drop? We want to know in the comments!
Updated August 2018: Updated our pricing information and updated our listing for the LK 3-pack of screen protectors.
Samsung Galaxy Note 8
- Galaxy Note 8 review
- Galaxy Note 8 vs. Galaxy S8+
- Which Note 8 color is best?
- Complete Galaxy Note 8 specs
- Join our Galaxy Note 8 forums
Verizon
AT&T
T-Mobile
Sprint
Best Buy
Anki Reveals Autonomous ‘Vector’ Home Robot With AI Learning to Help Around the House
Anki has revealed its fourth consumer product in the form of a home robot that it’s calling “Vector,” launching on Kickstarter today. Although the company has debuted a Kickstarter to give backers early access to the robot on October 9, it’s promising that Vector will launch wide just a few days later, in stores on October 12, 2018.
The new robot looks visually similar to Anki’s previous “Cozmo” robot, which teaches kids how to code through games and a compatible iOS app. Vector differs significantly in functionality, however, with the company explaining that Vector is a major step forward in robotics and is meant to be an always-on companion robot that follows you around your house to help in your daily routine.
Once you complete a one-time setup with the connected iOS or Android app, Anki says that all further interactions with Vector are done with eye contact and talking to the robot. Vector is fully autonomous, cloud-connected, and always-on, and has a personality, facial expressions, and animations (“around a thousand”) created from a team of animators coming from major studios like Pixar.
Anki says that Vector is closer to the fantasy of at-home robot helpers than any company has yet to come:
When people imagine what their daily lives will be like with robots, many take inspiration from sci-fi novels, television shows, and films with high-spirited characters like R2-D2 from “Star Wars,” and Rosie in “The Jetsons.” Instead, the closest the world has come in the quest for affable, useful home robots are puck-like vacuum cleaners and lifeless cylindrical talking speakers. That’s about to change.
Anki CEO Boris Sofman: “For the first time, people will be living with a robot that is able to bring both a warm and joyful experience, as well as a new and characterful form of utility. This builds a bridge not just to a new category of home robots, but our own future product lines that will continue to expand on the level of capabilities that are possible.”
Vector is outfitted with an HD camera with a 120-degree ultra-wide field of view to see your house and his users, and can even learn the name of everyone he sees. With four microphones to hear and detect commands (by saying “Hey Vector”), you can ask Vector about the weather, geography, nutrition, astronomy, sports, stocks, flights, time zones, unit conversion, currency conversion, and math equations.
The robot also supports setting timers and taking photos, and knows when to greet you at the door when you arrive home thanks to the onboard HD camera and microphones. The company says these features help Vector become a “more productive” member of the household, allowing users to set up additional timers from their other smart devices. The robot can also play a few games using an included “Cube” accessory, knows how to play Blackjack, and dances when he hears music.
When Vector is running low on battery, the robot will locate and travel back to the included charging cradle. Vector also has four cliff sensors with infrared emitters, ensuring that any trips the robot goes on won’t end in spills over counter edges in your house.
Anki says that Vector was “designed with security and privacy in mind,” with features installed that strengthen the device’s security and minimize data collection. According to the company, it “does not store voice or audio in the cloud.” Down the line, Anki also promises consistent over-the-air updates that will introduce new features, animations, and commands for Vector.
Currently, the Vector Kickstarter goal is $500,000 in 30 days, and early access backers can get the robot for $199.99 for an estimated arrival on October 9. The retail launch will then happen on October 12, when Vector will be priced at $249.99 and ship with one base charger and one interactive Cube.
Tag: Anki
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Amazon Launches Grocery Pickup at Select Whole Food Stores Using ‘Prime Now’ Mobile App
After first launching direct grocery delivery from Whole Foods to its customers’ doors earlier this year, Amazon today has begun a rollout of curbside grocery pickup at Whole Foods locations in Sacramento and Virginia Beach. At supported stores, grocery pickup will be available from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time.
The company explains that Prime members can now download the “Prime Now” app for iOS and Android, shop for items like fresh produce, bakery products, dairy, meat, seafood, floral, and everyday staples, and choose the pickup option at checkout. For orders over $35, customers can choose free pickup in as little as an hour, or pay $4.99 to get it in 30 minutes.
When arriving at a Whole Foods store, the supported locations will now have reserved pickup spots designated for curbside pickup customers. After parking, a Prime Now shopper will arrive and place the groceries in the customer’s car “within minutes,” and if customers tell the store that they are on their way in the Prime Now app, “groceries will be ready as they arrive.”
“Pickup from Whole Foods Market is a perfect option for customers who want to grab healthy and organic groceries at their convenience, all without leaving their car,” said Stephenie Landry, Worldwide Vice President of Prime Now, AmazonFresh and Amazon Restaurants. “A customer can order at 5:00 p.m., pick up at 5:30 p.m., and we’ll have their groceries loaded into their car just minutes after arrival. For an even faster experience, customers can tell us they are on their way using the Prime Now app and groceries will be ready as they arrive.”
Outside of the new grocery pickup feature, Amazon’s Prime Now iOS app [Direct Link] offers customers the ability to shop from Whole Foods and other local stores to get their items delivered to their door. In select cities, the app also allows for food delivery from restaurants like Red Lobster, P.F. Chang’s, and Applebee’s.
Amazon is continuously introducing exclusive features for Prime members into Whole Foods, following its acquisition of the grocery store chain in June 2017. Prime members shopping in the store now have the chance to save on exclusive “Prime member deals” and an extra 10 percent off certain designated items. Members can also opt to ship Amazon orders to delivery lockers located at select Whole Foods stores, and return Amazon orders there as well.
The new feature from Amazon launches in the wake of similar curbside pickup services gaining popularity at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Sam’s Club. These stores let customers shop in their respective mobile apps, choose curbside pickup during checkout, and then drive up to the location and wait for a team member to load the groceries into their car, saving time and money on delivery fees.
Amazon says that grocery pickup will be expanding to more cities throughout 2018, and those in Sacramento and Virginia Beach can download the Prime Now app today to start trying out the new service.
Tag: Amazon
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How to use the Saved feature on the Instagram Android app
Instagram’s ‘Saved’ feature is pretty great. Here’s how to use it on Android!
With millions of people using Instagram each day, it can often be challenging to keep up with everything that’s being shared on the app. Whether you’re looking at photos of your friend’s new dog or yoga videos on the Explore page, it’s safe to say that there’s a lot to see.
Thankfully, by using a feature on Instagram called “Saved,” it’s easy to take photos/videos and save them in a personal library for later that isn’t shared or viewable with anyone else.
- How to add a post to Saved
- How to view your Saved posts
- How to create a Collection
How to add a post to Saved
You’re scrolling through Instagram, come across a cute picture of a corgi, and want to make sure you can save and view it whenever you want to brighten up a rainy day in the future.
To do this, just tap the bookmark icon that’s underneath every post you see.
The icon is at the very right underneath posts and is separated quite a bit from the heart, comment, and share to DM ones.
Once you tap it, you’ll see a little animation at the bottom right and an option to go a step further by adding that post to a Collection (more on this later).
How to view your Saved posts
After adding a few posts to your Saved library, chances are you’ll want to actually see what’s in there.
Tap the profile button (the one furthest to the right on the bottom navigation bar).
Tap the bookmark icon.
How to create a Collection
On that Saved page, you’ll see that there’s another tab titled “Collections.” This is essentially the same thing as Saved but allows you to put saved posts in their own unique categories. Yay organization!
From the Saved page, tap the + near the top-right.
Type in the name of your Collection.
Tap Next.
Tap the photos from Saved you want to add.
Tap the blue checkmark when you’re done.
Now, when you go to the Saved area, you can swipe over to Collections and see all of the ones you’ve created.
Additionally, if you’re scrolling through Instagram and see a photo you’d like to throw into one of your Collections, hold down on the Bookmark icon, tap the Collection you want to save the post to, and it’ll be added just like that.
That’s it!
With that said, that’s everything you need to know about using the Saved feature in the Instagram Android app.
If you’ve got any additional questions, leave them in the comments below!
Instagram: Everything you need to know
Xiaomi Mi A2 with Snapdragon 660 and Android One lands in India for ₹16,999 ($250)
Xiaomi’s latest Android One device is all about delivering unmatched value in the budget segment.
Just a few weeks after the global unveil, Xiaomi has launched the Mi A2 in the Indian market. The Chinese manufacturer is in an intense battle with Samsung in India, with both brands duking it out for the top spot in the country’s handset market.
Xiaomi set the bar for the value category over the last three years, and that thankfully hasn’t changed with its latest phone. The Mi A2 will be available in India for ₹16,999, which comes out to $250. The device will be sold exclusively on Amazon India, with sales set to kick off from later this month.
There’s a lot to like in the Mi A2: the phone offers considerable upgrades in the hardware and camera departments, and is currently the fastest phone in the sub-₹20,000 segment. The Snapdragon 660 is a stalwart in the mid-range segment, but it’s usually found on devices that cost closer to ₹25,000 ($375), like the Nokia 7 Plus. To launch it at the ₹17,000 figure makes the Mi A2 an absolute bargain.
The Mi A2 offers considerable upgrades in several areas — including the camera and internal hardware.
Another key change with the Mi A2 is the switch to an 18:9 form factor — the phone comes with a 5.99-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD panel. The screen is backed by Gorilla Glass 5, and there’s an ambient display mode as well.
The camera is also of particular interest, as the upgraded 12MP + 20MP setup produces stunning photos both in daylight and low-light shooting scenarios. The Mi A2 also comes with a 20MP front camera that has an LED flash module, AI-assisted beautify feature, and portrait mode.
Other specs include 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, Wi-Fi ac, Bluetooth 5.0, LTE with VoLTE (no dual VoLTE yet), and a 3000mAh battery with Quick Charge 4.0 — exclusively for the Indian market. The model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage will launch at a later date.
For all of the features on offer, the Mi A2 is talked about primarily for what it’s missing; there’s no 3.5mm jack, no NFC, and Xiaomi got rid of the MicroSD slot as well. Xiaomi signified its intent to remove the 3.5mm jack last year as a way to save internal space, but the Mi A2 has the same battery and retains the same thickness as last year’s Mi A1, which had both a headphone back and a MicroSD slot. If you’re interested in learning how the Mi A2 fares in day-to-day usage, be sure to take a look at our extensive review:
Xiaomi Mi A2 review: A valiant effort that ultimately misses the mark
Xiaomi’s decision will prove to be a divisive one in India, but if you don’t care about the missing ports, the Mi A2 is a great option. The base variant of the Mi A2 comes with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage, and will be available starting August 16 on Amazon India for ₹16,999 ($250).
Xiaomi Mi A2 review: A great sequel with a fantastic camera, but it isn’t for everyone
Xiaomi once again shows that it understands the value market better than anyone else.
The Mi A1 was one of the best phones of 2017. It combined Xiaomi’s hardware chops with the simplicity of Android One, resulting in a device that was a delight to use. While the premise of the Mi A1 was great, Xiaomi failed to follow through on a few initial promises — the Oreo update didn’t arrive until the start of the year, and when it was rolled out, it was plagued with so many issues that Xiaomi had to pull it.
With the Mi A2, Xiaomi is hoping to learn from last year’s mistakes. The phone has vastly superior hardware in the form of a Snapdragon 660, along with an upgraded dual camera at the back and an 18:9 display up front. That said, the Mi A2 loses out on the 3.5mm jack even though it has the same 7.3mm thickness as the Mi A1, and there’s no MicroSD slot as well, putting the device at a disadvantage in countries like India.
To offset the lack of expandable storage, Xiaomi is making the 64GB variant the base model for the Indian market. However, that isn’t likely to assuage buyers as the Mi A1 also had 64GB of storage and came with a MicroSD slot. So is the Mi A2 worthy of your consideration? Let’s find out.
Xiaomi Mi A2
Price: ₹16,999 ($250)
Bottom line: The Mi A2 continues Xiaomi’s now-familiar tradition of offering excellent value. The upgrades from last year make it an enticing option in this category, and the camera in particular is stunning.
Pros:
- Fantastic value
- Impressive hardware
- Android One
- Great cameras
Cons:
- Display isn’t polarized
- No MicroSD slot
- No 3.5mm jack
- NFC is missing as well
See at Amazon India
About this review
I (Harish Jonnalagadda) am writing this review after using the Indian retail unit of the Mi A2 for over two weeks in Hyderabad and Delhi. The device picked up a single update over the course of the review, introducing the August 2018 security patch as well as several bug fixes. The unit was provided to Android Central for review by Xiaomi India.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Hardware
The major change on the design front from last year is the introduction of an 18:9 panel. The 5.99-inch IPS LCD display on the Mi A2 offers more screen real estate in a chassis that’s marginally taller than the Mi A1. I’m fine with the fact that there are sizeable bezels at the top and bottom; if that’s what it takes to avoid the notch, so be it.
The bezels are in part due to the sheer number of sensors located at the front. There are the usual proximity and ambient light sensors next to the front camera, and there’s also a LED flash module that sits to the right.
Round the back, you get a dual camera assembly arrayed vertically, and the module juts out considerably from the body, creating a lot of wobble when using the Mi A2 on a flat surface. The fingerprint sensor is located just where your index finger rests, and the sensor itself worked reliably and didn’t pose any issues.
Xiaomi hasn’t made any significant changes to its design in the last two years, and that is immediately evident from the moment you start using the Mi A2. The device feels like a smaller variant of the Mi Max 2 as it has the same antenna lines at the top and bottom, and a similar matte finish. Moreover, that dual camera arrangement — which is a splitting image of the iPhone X — needs to go away.
While the Mi A2 may not look very different from its predecessor, it has rounded corners and subtle curves at the back that make it easier to hold. Xiaomi has also retained the IR blaster, but the 3.5mm jack is no longer present.
| Screen | 5.99-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) IPS LCD |
| Chipset | Snapdragon 660 |
| RAM | 4GB |
| Storage | 64GB |
| Software | Android 8.1 Oreo |
| Rear Camera 1 | 12MP, ƒ/1.75 |
| Rear Camera 2 | 20MP, ƒ/1.75 |
| Front Camera | 20MP, ƒ/2.2 |
| Security | Rear fingerprint |
| Battery | 3000mAh |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 802.11 ac, BT5.0 |
| Colors | Black, Red, Gold, Blue |
| Dimensions | 158.7×75.4×7.3mm |
| Weight | 166g |
| Price | ₹16,999 ($250) |
It’s clear that Xiaomi’s design language is in need of an overhaul. The Mi A2 just isn’t exciting when there are glass-backed phones like the Honor 9N that offer a much better design aesthetic.
Coming to the display, the 5.99-inch FHD+ (2160×1080) panel on the Mi A2 is similar to what we’ve seen on the Redmi Note 5 Pro, but it’s missing the display tweaks on offer with MIUI. Colors out of the box are decent, as is the case with sunlight legibility. But my main issue with the device is that the display isn’t polarized, so if you’re wearing sunglasses, you won’t be able to see the screen at all.
There’s also an ambient display mode that wakes the screen whenever you receive a notification. It works as advertised, and is one of my favorite features on Android One. The Mi A2 is the first phone in India with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.
The Mi A2 has a single speaker located at the bottom, and it is loud. It isn’t as detailed as stereo configurations, but as far as single speakers go, it is one of the loudest I’ve encountered to date. Calls went through without any hassle, and cellular connectivity was on par with other devices in this category.
Performance
Xiaomi has always been great at delivering excellent value, and the Mi A2 is no different. The Snapdragon 660 makes it one of the fastest phones in this category, and you get 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage as standard in India (the 6GB version is coming soon). That said, the Mi A2 isn’t without its gremlins as I noticed lag and the occasional app crash during the first week of testing. But more on that later.
Barring the few instances of lag, the Mi A2 proved to be a reliable workhorse. Gaming was enjoyable on the phone, and I played Alto’s Odyssey as well as PUBG for several hours without any issues. PUBG defaults to medium settings as the Adreno 512 GPU isn’t quite on the same level as flagship chipsets, but the overall experience was on par with the likes of the Nokia 7 Plus.
While it isn’t as big an issue in India, the lack of NFC will undoubtedly hurt Mi A2 sales in Western markets as it makes the device incompatible with Google Pay. On the subject of features, the omission of the MicroSD slot and the 3.5mm jack will also be detrimental to sales in India.
The Mi A2 is a reliable workhorse, but you’ll encounter a few gremlins out of the box.
The Mi A2 will come with 64GB of storage as standard in India, but its predecessor also offered 64GB of internal storage and came with a MicroSD slot. While 64GB of storage is more than enough for most, there will always be a subset of users that will refuse to buy a device that doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. And that’s fine. Xiaomi has more than enough devices in the budget segment, and the Redmi Note 5 Pro is a better bet for those that want the added features.
The Redmi Note 5 Pro isn’t as fast as the Mi A2, the cameras aren’t as good, and it won’t receive platform updates anywhere as fast, but yes, it has a MicroSD card and a 3.5mm jack. In that context, the lack of expandable storage and headphone jack doesn’t seem like a big deal, and it didn’t make any difference to the way I used the Mi A2.
Even after downloading a few seasons of Line of Duty from Netflix for offline viewing and most of my Spotify playlists, I had over 10GB of free space left on the Mi A2, and unless you’re intent on carrying your entire music collection or several movies around with you, it’s hard to fill up the internal storage. And with a plethora of streaming services available combined with affordable 4G plans from Jio and Airtel, there just isn’t any incentive to download media anymore.
Of course, your use case may vary significantly from mine, but I’ve had no issues with the fact that the Mi A2 doesn’t have a MicroSD slot. Having made the switch to the MDR-100X, I don’t miss the 3.5mm jack either. This isn’t the first Xiaomi device I’ve used that didn’t have a headphone jack, and for what it’s worth, the Mi A2 paired to my MDR-1000X and other Bluetooth gear around my house without any hassles.
But if you have a lot of wired gear, Xiaomi provides a USB-C to 3.5mm dongle in the box that lets you hook up your headphone jack to the device. Also included in the box is a silicone case that offers basic protection.
Battery life
I routinely got a day’s worth of usage from the 3000mAh battery on the Mi A2. That was the case even on days where I predominantly used cellular data, and I averaged well over five hours of screen-on-time with usage spread out over the course of a day.
MIUI has a host of battery-saving optimizations that eke out the most from a battery, but Android One has the standard battery saver mode. It still comes in handy when you’re looking to extend battery life, but isn’t as effective as what MIUI offers. This will change once the Mi A2 picks up the Android Pie update and Adaptive Battery becomes available.
Unlike most Xiaomi phones, the Mi A2 comes with Quick Charge 3.0 out of the box, and the Indian unit supports Quick Charge 4.0 exclusively. However, you’ll have to pick up a third-party wall unit to access Quick Charge 4.0 speeds, as the wall charger bundled in the box is the standard 5V/2A unit that Xiaomi includes with its budget phones.
There aren’t many reliable Quick Charge 4.0 chargers available in the market today, but I was able to use my Tronsmart Titan’s Quick Charge 3.0 ports to charge the Mi A2. It takes an hour and a half to charge the device fully, and if you’re in a hurry, you can use Quick Charge 3.0 to go from zero to a 50% charge in just 20 minutes.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Software
The Mi A2 comes with Android 8.1 Oreo out of the box, with Xiaomi committing to an Android Pie update before the end of the year. As is the case with all Android One phones, the Mi A2 has a clean interface that’s close to Google’s implementation of Android on the Pixels.
While the interface itself is unchanged, manufacturers have the freedom to include their own apps. The Mi A2 comes with Xiaomi’s camera app, along with the MIUI file manager and an app to control the IR remote. Using Android One on a Xiaomi device is just as exciting as last year, but the experience is marred by a few shortcomings.
I encountered lag a few times during initial setup that went on well into the first few days of usage, along with app crashes. There were also times when apps like Box and Slack would just freeze and become unresponsive, and I had to force close them and start up again. It’s puzzling to see a phone with such robust hardware exhibit lag, and the Nokia 7 Plus — which is also powered by the Snapdragon 660 and runs Android One — doesn’t have any such issues.
It hasn’t gotten any less exciting to use Android One on a Xiaomi phone.
Another recurring issue was Wi-Fi connectivity. The Mi A2 would automatically disconnect from my home Wi-Fi network for no reason, and I had to manually reconnect several times over the course of the last two weeks. Then there was the issue with the ringtone — the phone defaulted to vibrate mode whenever it came out of Do Not Disturb.
I would’ve excused some of the bugs as the usual shortcomings that plague every new device, but with the Mi A1 also facing similar issues last year, Xiaomi needs to do a better job optimizing the hardware for Android One. For what it’s worth, the latest update with the August 2018 patch also included a ton of bug fixes, and the interface has become more responsive following the update.
To its credit, Xiaomi seems to be doing a much better job this time around when it comes to updates. The Mi A2 has picked up the August security update earlier this week, so customers purchasing the device can look forward to a day-one update with the latest security patch and a ton of bug fixes.
Xiaomi Mi A2 Camera
The Mi A2 comes with two new imaging sensors at the back — a 12MP f/1.75 sensor joined by a 20MP f/1.75 lens. The secondary lens is interesting as it is designed to kick in during low-light shooting scenarios. The camera interface has toggles for the flash, HDR, and live filters; and you’ll be able to switch between shooting modes with a swipe left or right gesture.
There’s the now-ubiquitous portrait mode, along with a manual mode that lets you select between the regular 12MP sensor or the 20MP low-light shooter. The Mi A2 has a 20MP front camera with Xiaomi’s AI features that automatically add beautify effects and remove blemishes. You also get a software-assisted portrait mode for the front camera, and it works pretty well most of the time.
The Mi A2 does a great job in both daylight and low-light shooting conditions, with the resultant images offering plenty of detail, accurate colors, and high dynamic range. The front camera is great for taking selfies, and portrait mode also works reliably well. There’s also an LED flash module that does a decent job in near-darkness.
Overall, there’s little wrong with the Mi A2 when it comes to the cameras. Xiaomi said earlier this year that its primary focus for 2018 would be improving the camera quality on its phones, and it has managed to deliver on that brief.
Should you buy it? Yes, with a caveat
If there’s one thing Xiaomi has shown over the last four years, it’s that it can beat expectations. I was sure that the Mi A2 would go up against the Nokia 7 Plus, but with Xiaomi launching the phone at ₹16,999 ($250) in India, it is targeting the Redmi Note 5 series instead. The Snapdragon 660 chipset makes it one of the fastest phones in this segment, and the camera holds its own against the likes of the Nokia 7 Plus.
While it excels at the hardware side of things, there are a few feature omissions that are puzzling. The lack of NFC makes it a non-starter in Western markets, and Xiaomi’s decision to get rid of the 3.5mm jack and the MicroSD slot will prove to be divisive in India.
The Mi A2 will go up for sale in over 40 global markets, but it’s in India where it will face the utmost scrutiny. Indian customers demand the absolute best hardware at the lowest possible cost, and it’s for this reason that OnePlus was able to dethrone Samsung in the premium category. It’s also the main reason why Xiaomi was able to rise up the ranks to become the second-largest handset manufacturer in the country.
The Mi A2 is missing a MicroSD slot, but the camera more than makes up for it.
The only way Xiaomi could have competed against the Nokia 7 Plus was if it introduced the Mi A2 at under the ₹20,000 figure, and that’s exactly what it did. It managed to undercut HMD significantly, but in doing so, it lost out on features that ultimately made the Nokia 7 Plus a fan favorite.
Therefore, it makes more sense to compare the Mi A2 against the Redmi Note 5 Pro. Indian customers have come to like the customizability that MIUI offers and the 4000mAh battery on the Redmi Note 5 Pro runs rings around the Mi A2. However, the Mi A2 has much better cameras, and the Snapdragon 660 is faster than the Snapdragon 636.
I haven’t been this conflicted about a phone in a long time. On the one hand, I value clean software and an easy-to-use camera above all else, and in these areas, the Mi A2 absolutely delivers. And while I don’t miss the MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack — or even NFC for that matter — my use case doesn’t align with that of Xiaomi’s target audience. By leaving these features out, Xiaomi is ultimately putting the Mi A2 at a disadvantage next to other devices in this category.
But as I outlined above, the MicroSD slot isn’t as major an omission to discount the Mi A2 entirely. It’s an easy trade-off to make when you look at just how good the cameras are on a day-to-day use. At the end of the day, that makes the Mi A2 a standout device in this category.
If you can’t get past the fact that the Mi A2 doesn’t have a MicroSD slot or 3.5mm jack, fret not, for there are plenty of alternatives available. If performance is your primary criteria, the Honor Play is a decent option. Need a Xiaomi device that is packed with features? Look no further than the Redmi Note 5 Pro.
And even though it costs $130 more than the Mi A2, the Nokia 7 Plus continues to be a fabulous choice in the mid-range segment. It has a better design, a significantly larger battery, and comes with a MicroSD slot, NFC, dual VoLTE, and a 3.5mm jack as standard. The ₹25,999 ($380) asking price is more than justified when you look at the number of features on offer.
4
out of 5
There’s plenty to like in the Mi A2. The Snapdragon 660 is a performance beast, the new cameras are astounding, and the phone is scheduled to get the Android Pie before the end of the year. If you don’t mind the lack of MicroSD slot, 3.5mm jack, or NFC, it is a great option considering what it costs.
The Mi A2 will go on sale starting August 16, and the device will be exclusively sold on Amazon India.
Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones Gain Alexa Support via Software Update
Bose has released an update for its QuietComfort 35 II wireless headphones that adds Alexa support as a voice assistant feature.
Previously, the “Action” button on the popular noise-canceling cans was exclusively for invoking Google Assistant (Siri is accessed by holding down the multifunction play/pause button for two seconds).
However, after updating the software through the Bose Connect app, QC35 II owners can now opt to use Amazon’s ubiquitous virtual assistant instead via the app’s Options menu.
For those wondering, voice assistant support is the main difference between the Bose QC 35 Series II headphones and the original Quiet Comfort 35 Series I (reviewed here), although the later model does let you use the noise canceling feature in wired as well as wireless mode.
So if voice assistant support doesn’t interest you and you’re looking to go wireless, the Series I cans are definitely still worth a punt if you can find them online – and you just might save yourself a few dollars in the process.
Tag: Bose
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JBL Xtreme 2 review: Plenty of power for your summer and more
The JBL Xtreme 2 is the follow up to the initial JBL Xtreme speaker that sits in between the JBL Flip and JBL Boombox series of Bluetooth speakers.
The JBL Xtreme 2 is for consumers who want something more powerful than the JBL Flip speaker but not quite as large or expensive as the JBL Boombox. JBL was kind enough to provide us with one for review, so keep reading to see how it stands up and if it’s the right speaker to rock your summer.
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Design
The JBL Xtreme 2 does not differ in design from most other JBL Bluetooth speakers. It uses a cylindrical body covered in a fabric with visible bass radiators on the sides. I have the Midnight Black version for review but it also available in Ocean Blue and Forest Green.
There are two rubber feet on the bottom in order to keep it upright but they are a little on the narrow side. I found they didn’t always keep the speaker from rolling over on uneven surfaces. However, if you’re only placing it on a table or flat ground then this shouldn’t be an issue.
For this being JBL’s middle of the road speaker it is still quite large and heavy weighing in at a little over 5lbs. There is no comfortable way to carry this speaker with one hand, so it’s a good thing it comes with a carrying strap. The strap is high quality and connects to the speaker via two metal loops.
While the strap makes carrying the JBL Xtreme 2 more convenient, unfortunately, it lacks sufficient padding and rubber to prevent slipping. Due to this fatigue sets in much quicker on your shoulder and you often feel like the speaker is going to slip and fall. If there were any doubt that this is a party speaker then the included bottle cap opener on the strap should put that to rest. All in all, it works but it is not exactly perfect.
Controls
Along the top are buttons for Bluetooth pairing, volume down, power, Connect+, volume up, and play/pause. All the buttons are responsive and work well with the play/pause button also allowing you to skip tracks when pressed twice. There is no way to go back to the previous track though.
All of the ports on the JBL Xtreme 2 are hidden under a compartment on the back. The compartment is a little difficult to pry open and this is most likely to aid in the IPX7 waterproofing. That’s right, the JBL Xtreme 2 is waterproof making it perfect for hanging by the pool, the lake, or even the beach. Regardless, it still would have been nice if the compartment was easier to open.
Included under the door are a 3.5mm jack, a power port, USB port, and micro USB port for service only. Having a dedicated power port was a little disappointing because it requires a special charger you must use over using a more common micro USB charger.
To be fair, the JBL Xtreme 2 houses a rather large 10,000mAh battery and the dedicated port provides a way to charge faster. Thanks to this large battery the full-sized USB port can be used to charge your phone or tablet. This is a great feature that really comes in handy when you’re on the go with your speaker. Although, I’d much rather see JBL include a USB-C port for faster charging as well as power output for charging.
Bluetooth
The JBL Xtreme 2 is using Bluetooth v4.2 and has exceptional range when outdoors without any obstacles. I was able to get nearly 50ft. away with a steady connection and able to hear music. However, I noticed some interruptions in the music after reaching 30ft with some obstacles in between. This is similar to most other Bluetooth speakers I’ve used in the past though.
App
There is a JBL Connect app for Android and iOS that is used for updating the firmware and adds some new tricks to JBL speakers such as the JBL Xtreme 2. In my case, I found the Xtreme 2 needed a firmware upgrade immediately to version 1.6.0. Anyone out there purchasing one might want to check after setting it up.
The app also allows you to control the audio feedback sounds, speakerphone functions, and includes instructions for the Connect+ feature. I was able to use Connect+ with two other JBL speakers without using the app though. The JBL Connect app itself is mainly only useful for updating the firmware and switching the purpose of the play/pause button to activate your voice assistant.
Unfortunately, a feature you would expect to be present such as an equalizer is nowhere to be found. Personally, I enjoy the way the speaker itself is tuned, but this would be a welcomed addition to JBL’s app and make it more useful and win over more users.
Sound
Sound quality is one of the most important factors when it comes to a Bluetooth speaker. What good is a speaker after all if it doesn’t provide your ears with quality sound? Thankfully, the Xtreme 2 delivers first-rate sound, utilizing two 2.75-inch woofers for the low end and two 20mm tweeters to handle the treble.
Using this combination supplies your ears with a nice range of sound incorporating pounding full bass while not overpowering the high notes and vocals in songs. The nice balance between the treble and bass helped with instrument separation and preventing instruments from getting lost or becoming muddy.
My only complaint in regards to the sound quality is when the volume is at its highest levels. When approaching 80% volume and above the high end overwhelms the bass making it almost disappear. Fortunately, with a speaker this loud I found myself rarely turning it up over 50% preventing this from being much of an issue.
Battery
Battery life on the JBL Xtreme 2 is rated for 15 hours to get you through a full day. In my experience, the speaker was even better than it claimed. After listening to the speaker for approximately 14 hours over a weeks time, it reports the battery is only half drained from a single charge. Obviously, this will all depend largely on what volume you listen to the speaker at and I’ve used it mostly between 20 and 50 percent.
Conclusion
JBL has delivered a durable waterproof speaker capable of big sound with the Xtreme 2. Between the sound quality, battery life, and extra features you can’t really go wrong with it. However, it’s also a bit on the pricey side starting at $300 and most likely out of many people’s price range. If you’re looking for something more affordable you might opt for JBL’s smaller Flip 4 currently priced at $85 on Amazon.
The Flip 4 trades in the more powerful bass and louder sound for a more budget-friendly portable speaker that still sounds good in its own right. Still, I’m certain there are others out there wanting something even larger and louder than the JBL Xtreme 2. For them, I say give the JBL Boombox a try. It is the larger, louder, longer lasting of the trio but will also cost you more at $441.
Soft robotic hand gives scientists new grip on deep sea life
It’s often said that we know less about the deep ocean than we do about the moon. The pitch-black, high-pressure underwater environment makes it tough to brave its depth — even when explorers dive vicariously through remotely operated vehicles (ROVs).
But we learn more about the deep ocean with every passing day. Marine biologists still regularly come across unidentified species and, when they reach out to collect them with UAVs robot arms, they need to be gentle to not damage the specimen.
To that end, a team of roboticists and marine biologists from Harvard University have created a sampling hand that’s soft and flexible enough to handle fragile organisms. What’s more, the hand can be 3D printed on the fly so that researchers can make modifications while out in the field. A paper detailing the research was published recently in the journal PLOS One.
“When interacting with soft, delicate underwater creatures, it makes the most sense for your sampling equipment to also be soft and gentle,” Rob Wood, a Harvard robotics professor and co-author of the recent study, said in a press release. “It’s only recently that the field of soft robotics has developed to the point where we can actually build robots that can grasp these animals reliably and harmlessly.”
Schmidt Ocean Institute
Most ROVs are designed as robust machines, built for underwater oil and mining, rather than the delicate task of picking up sea life. In contrast, the hand-like gripper developed by Wood and his team is made of polyurethane and other soft materials, allowing it to gently grab creates like sponges and sea anemones. In a recent trial aboard the R/V Falkor in the South Pacific, the soft gripper was attached as an extension to the default hard claw of the ROV.
Since deep ocean sampling often takes place on long expeditions to remote regions of the globe, it was important for the researchers to be able to customize the tool on the go, adjusting and replacing parts as needed.
“Being on a ship for a month meant that we had to be able to make anything we needed, and it turns out that the 3D printers worked really well for doing that on the boat. We had them running almost 24/7, and we were able to take feedback from the ROV operators about their experience using the soft grippers and make new versions overnight to address any problems,” said Daniel Vogt, a Harvard research engineer and the paper’s first author.
In one instant, the ROV operators requested the additional of a sort of fingernail to the front of the gripper, which enabled them to pry specimens off of hard surfaces.
Harvard isn’t alone in developing 3D-printed robotic parts. In 2016, researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology demonstrated a rapid fabrication process that let 3D-printed robots hit the ground running — or, rather, walking.
Moving forward, the Harvard team hopes to equip the gripper with even more features, including sensors that could let the devices feel the firmness of a given object and adjust its strength accordingly.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Gotta catch em all: Harvard’s undersea grabber is a Poké Ball for sea life
- Cornell’s popcorn-powered robots are far more practical than they sound
- Robot submarine discovers the ‘holy grail’ — a shipwreck with billions in gold
- Explore the deep blue sea with these awesome underwater drones
- Harvard’s latest robot can walk on water. Your move, Jesus
Gmail App for iOS Now Includes Option to Disable Conversation View
The Gmail app for iOS was today updated with an option to turn off the threaded conversation view that some users have been unhappy with.
Toggling off “Conversation View” in the Settings menu in the Gmail app will now let users see each of their emails listed individually in their inbox rather than grouped up in an “easier to digest and follow” format, as Google puts it.
Gmail on the desktop has long allowed users to turn off Conversation View, and today’s update introduces feature parity on mobile devices.
Your Conversation View settings are synced across devices, so if Conversation View is disabled on desktop, it will be disabled on mobile and vice versa.
Google says the toggle for disabling Conversation View is rolling out to all iOS and Android users, but it could take up to 15 days for the feature to be visible to everyone.
Tags: Google, Gmail
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