Samsung Messages app is randomly sending pictures for some users

Even worse, there’s no evidence on your end that the photos were sent.

If you’ve got a Samsung phone and use the default Samsung Messages app for all your texting needs, you may want to check your gallery to make sure you don’t have any embarrassing photos in it. According to numerous Redditors, a bug is causing Samsung Messages to randomly send pictures to contacts without leaving any sort of evidence.

This has been reported on the Galaxy S9 and Note 8 so far, but based on what we’re seeing, this could also be affecting other Samsung phones. Rather than being a carrier or device-specific quirk, the bug appears to be rooted in the Samsung Messages app itself.

Some of the complaints read as follows:

Last night around 2:30 am, my phone sent her my entire photo gallery over text but there was no record of it on my messages app. However, there was record of it on tmobile logs. Why would this happen?

Oddly enough, my wife’s phone did that last night, and mine did it the night before. I think it has something to do with the Samsung SMS app being updated from the Galaxy Store. When her phone texted me her gallery, it didn’t show up on her end — and vice versa.

To make sure you don’t have any photos sent out without your knowledge, go to Settings -> Apps -> Samsung Messages -> Permissions -> Storage. From here, disable the permission and you should be safe until Samsung rolls out a fix.

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Track everything you do with the $75 Withings Activité watch

One-day only deal.

The Withings Activité Steel Activity and Sleep Tracking Watch is down to $74.99 on Amazon. This is part of Amazon’s Gold Box deals of the day, so the price is temporary. This tracker normally sells for around $99. The drop to $75 is one of the best deals we’ve seen, and it works on both the Black model and Black & White.

We have shared deals on the newer version of this watch, the Nokia Steel HR, but that watch has never dropped to less than $100 before.

The activities this watch can track include steps, running, calories burned, swimming, and distances. It also has sleep monitoring that provides analysis of your sleep, and it can wake you up with a silent alarm in the mornings. There is a free app you can access for coaching. It comes with a stainless steel case and a silicone sports strap and works with both iOS and Android. Users give it 3.8 stars based on 625 reviews.

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Amazon Working to Further Lessen Reliance on Power Cords for Future Echo Speakers

In an effort that would give future Echo speakers with Alexa a new advantage over Apple’s HomePod, Reuters today reports that Amazon is working with chipmakers to build Alexa speakers that would not require a constant power source. As it stands, most smart assistant devices — Amazon’s main Echo, Apple HomePod, Google Home, etc — require a constant draw of power due to their always-on microphones listening for the user’s voice commands, among other reasons.

Now, Amazon has partnered with chipmaker DSP Group to build a standardized chip that is “a little smaller than a U.S. 10-cent coin” and optimized for lower power consumption. Amazon and other companies will be able to use the chip to place Alexa into their own smart devices that offer greater portability to users.

Amazon already has the Amazon Tap, a portable Bluetooth speaker that doesn’t need to be plugged in to use all of its features. With a “hands-free mode” users can ask Alexa questions and command her to play music, which slightly affects battery life: 9 hours of continuous playback compared to 8 hours with hands-free mode activated.

There are also third-party companies like Fabriq that sell portable Alexa solutions, but these devices are still a small portion of the market in comparison to AC-powered speakers. With Amazon and DSP Group’s new partnership, it appears that Amazon is looking to greatly bolster the amount of cord-free Alexa devices available to buy, while also improving the user experience with internal chips that can run always-on listening features without as much of a hit to battery life.

Amazon also has numerous other chipmakers offering solutions for Alexa — including Intel and Qualcomm — but as of now DSP is said to be the sole supplier competing with a chip that offers low power consumption. DSP’s current client roster includes making chips for Samsung smart watches, cameras for GoPro, and a wireless speaker for Logitech.

Those are all large companies with many engineers, but by working with Amazon to make its chip easier to use in a device, DSP is hoping to spur more products from gadget makers of all sizes to include Alexa, Elyakim said.

“We are at a fairly early level in this market, but I think over the next 12 months we’ll see a lot of announcements,” he said.

For Apple’s HomePod, the main rumor for the next-generation speaker centers around its price tag, with numerous reports earlier this year suggesting Apple is “mulling” and “low-cost version” of the HomePod that will run between $150-$200. What this means for specific features remains unclear, but since the original speaker is believed to have underperformed due to ecosystem limitations and Siri issues, some theorize Apple could focus on combating these problems in the cheaper HomePod.

The only time that portability and a future version of HomePod were tied together came from a questionable report earlier this spring, which claimed that the “low-priced” HomePod will be placed under the Beats by Dre brand, which only sells portable rechargeable speakers. Apple has yet to introduce its Siri assistant into any non-Apple product, and one reason Beats Pill devices don’t have “Hey Siri” is likely due to their portability and lack of constant power.

Although unlikely at this point, the speculative HomePod/Beats speaker was described in a way that suggested a more portable smart speaker than the first generation, and could be similar to the proposed future versions of Amazon Echo from today’s report. As it stands, there are many pros and cons to both the HomePod and Echo, as Apple’s more expensive speaker focuses on sound quality first, while Amazon’s speaker provides one of the most robust smart home hubs on the market thanks to its numerous Alexa Skills.

Tags: Amazon, Alexa
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GE’s Full Lineup of HomeKit-Enabled Window Air Conditioners Now Available in the U.S.

After a soft launch of just one model earlier this spring, GE today announced the launch of its full lineup of HomeKit-enabled window air conditioning units. While there are a few other HomeKit air conditioners on the market outside of the United States, the new units represent the first HomeKit-compatible air conditioners to launch in the U.S.

GE’s air conditioners deliver 8,000 to 12,000 BTUs and can cool medium- to large-sized rooms, according to the company. With HomeKit control, customers can add the units into the Home app on iOS, connecting them to Scenes, controlling them with Siri, or automating them to activate and deactivate when they arrive and leave their home.

“Consumers told us they like how they can create their own schedules to keep rooms comfortable without wasting energy,” said John Desmarais, Commercial Director, Window A/C, Portables & Dehumidifiers for GE Appliances.

“Many people also found peace of mind in having control of the unit anywhere they have internet access. We’re pleased to offer the very first air conditioners with HomeKit integration, bringing simple and secure control through the Apple Home app and using Siri. We are confident owners will find the convenience at the tip of their fingers.”

Each unit has cooling settings for four-way air direction and an “Energy Saver” mode that automatically shuts off the fan and compressor when the room is cool enough, reducing electricity consumption and helping to save money on monthly bills. Although HomeKit control is supported, GE’s air conditioners also come with an electronic digital thermostat and remote control.

Starting today, the units are available at The Home Depot (which has three models) and Lowe’s (which has two models), and at local authorized GE Appliance dealers. Prices on the units vary depending on the amount of BTUs, starting around $279 (8,000 BTUs) and increasing to $349 (10,000 BTUs) and more.

Tags: HomeKit, GE
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Apple to Prevent iTunes Payment Info Changes on Very Old Versions of iOS, OS X, and Apple TV Software

Apple has announced that, starting June 30, customers will no longer be able to change their iTunes or App Store payment information from devices running iOS 4.3.5 or earlier, OS X 10.8.5 or earlier, or Apple TV Software 4.4.4 or earlier.

In an email to customers who may be impacted, Apple said it is implementing this change to continue to ensure that their financial information is protected when they make purchases on the iTunes Store or App Store. For emphasis, this appears to be a proactive move, not the result of a security breach.

Given how old the affected software versions are, relatively few customers should be impacted by this move. iOS 4.3.5 and Apple TV Software 4.4.4 were both released in 2011, while macOS 10.8.5 was seeded in September 2013 as the final update to what was then called OS X Mountain Lion.

If you’re using one of these versions on your device and need to change your payment method, Apple says to update your device to the latest version of the software. Of course, this may not be possible on older devices that have been phased out, in which case a newer device with newer software must be used.

The full email to customers courtesy of MacRumors reader Rich:

On June 30, 2018, Apple will implement changes to continue to ensure your financial data is protected when you make purchases on the iTunes Store or App Store.

Our records show that you may be accessing the store from an older version of iOS, macOS, or Apple TV software:

– iOS 4.3.5 or earlier
– macOS 10.8.5 or earlier
– Apple TV Software 4.4.4 or earlier

To be able to change your payment information with devices running the software listed above, you’ll need to update to a more recent software version.

The email was also shared on Reddit.

Apple provides more details, instructions on how to update to the latest version of iOS, macOS, and Apple TV software, and steps to change your payment method, in a support document related to this change.

Tags: App Store, Mac App Store
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Apple Pay Promo Offers 20% Off TGI Fridays Pickup Orders Through July 8

This week’s Apple Pay promotion is offering customers the chance to save on their Fourth of July dinners with 20 percent off from restaurant chain TGI Fridays. If you use Apple Pay to checkout in the TGI Fridays iOS app, select the order for pickup, and use the promo code APPLE20, you’ll get 20 percent off your meal through Sunday, July 8.

Apple’s new promotion encourages users to get out and shop to prepare for their Fourth of July celebrations, suggesting stores like Trader Joe’s, Party City, BevMo!, Hannaford Supermarkets, and BJ’s Wholesale Club, all of which support Apple Pay. The email also mentions Apple Pay support at ACE Hardware, where users can find supplies for summer projects.

The last few Apple Pay promotions have been themed around summer activities as well, offering customers the chance to save money on new Adidas shoes to wear during summer workouts, and two free bike rides with the ofo app. Apple tends to theme its weekly promotions around big holidays or events when they happen, offering $5 off movie tickets with Fandango in celebration of the Oscars and a free Postmates Unlimited subscription for holiday dinners last November.

Tag: Apple Pay promo
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Honor’s newest phone costs so little, it may as well be given away

The new Honor 7S borders on the unfathomably cheap. Launched Thursday, June 28, in the U.K., it can be purchased for just 100 British pounds, which converts over to about $130. It has been a while since a smartphone we would consider using dipped under the 100 pound mark, and while the Honor 7S is obviously not going to challenge the Honor 10, or any flagship phone, it’s probably going to have specs far better than you expect.

What do you get for your money? The big news is the Honor 7S has an 18:9 aspect ratio screen, following a major trend throughout the phone industry; but more often seen on devices that cost three times this price. It’s a sensible 5.45 inches in size and the resolution is 1440 x 720 pixels, so while not full HD, it’s still acceptable. It’s wrapped in a body that we’re going to assume is plastic, but it does come in the now-famous Honor blue color, along with black or gold. It’s only 8.3mm thick, and 142 grams in weight.

Android 8.1 is a welcome sight, as many low-cost phones come with much older versions of Google’s operating system installed. It’s certain to have the Huawei EMUI interface over the top. Remember, Honor is a sub-brand of Huawei, and they share certain technology between them. However, rather than use a Kirin processor, the Honor 7S has a MediaTek MT6739 chip inside with 2GB of RAM and 16GB of storage space. Adequate, especially at this price, and there is a MicroSD card slot to expand memory, too.

The rear camera has 13 megapixels and the selfie camera 5 megapixels, which also has an LED selfie light to improve pictures taken in poor conditions. A 3,020mAh battery powers the phone for approximately a day, there is a 3.5mm headphone jack, the SIM tray will take two SIMs, and it connects to a 4G LTE network. There isn’t much more you would want from a basic phone, and they don’t get much cheaper than the Honor 7S.

Honor will sell the 7S through its own online store from June 28, plus it will be available through Argos stores and Three network stores, too. No U.S. release details have been announced.

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Xiaomi has made the cutest, most beautiful special edition phone you’ll see

Xiaomi has shown how limited edition smartphones should be done, with the announcement of the Xiaomi Mi 6X Hatsune Miku Special Edition, the second collaboration between the Chinese smartphone brand and the virtual pop star. It’s a follow up to 2017’s Mi 4X Hatsune Miku edition, and like all sequels, it’s bigger, better, and yes, cuter than ever before.

What do you get? The Xiaomi Mi 6X for a start. Announced in April, the midrange phone is a great example of the type of device the company does well. It starts at around $225 and has an 18:9 aspect ratio, 6-inch screen with a 2160 x 1080 pixel count, all for that slim-bezel look. A Snapdragon 660 processor and — in the case of the Hatsune Miku model — 6GB of RAM provides the power, along with 64GB of storage space. A 4GB/32GB and a 6GB/128GB are also available without the Hatsune Miku goodies.

The design is highly reminiscent of the iPhone X, due to the vertically mounted camera lenses — 20-megapixel and 12-megapixel sensors — on the back. However, you will be queuing to buy this not because it’s a bit like the most expensive iPhone, but because of the Hatsune Miku tie-in package.

The phone comes in Miku’s signature teal color, which Xiaomi calls Hatsune green, complete with a specially commissioned image of Hatsune Miku on the back, with a limited edition number and logo. It comes in a stunning presentation box, which also contains a case for the phone and a custom battery pack. These both feature the same artwork as the phone, but the box itself is decorated with other images and looks simply fantastic. Artists Mame no Moto and ZYre drew the superb artwork for the special edition phone and packaging, according to mikufan.com, and are well-respected within the Vocaloid community.

No special edition phone would be complete without custom themes, and sure enough, the Mi 6X comes with Miku-centric images, and we’d expect sounds and ringtones to also be part of the package. Xiaomi’s official page for the phone also shows a CD, which presumably contains Hatsune Miku songs, and may come with the device.

If you’re a Hatsune Miku fan, you’ll want this — but it’s not going to be easy to get one. For a start, it’ll only be officially available in China, and only 5,000 of them will be made. Xiaomi wants those interested in buying one to register interest ahead of the July 3 launch, at which time invitations will be randomly given out. At the time of writing more than 105,000 people have registered. Should you be lucky enough to be invited to buy one, it will cost 2,100 yuan, or about $316. The phone will be shipped out on July 10.

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Xiaomi’s Redmi Note 5 series crosses 5 million sales in four months

The Redmi Note 5 series becomes Xiaomi’s best-selling lineup to date.

Xiaomi has announced that the Redmi Note 5 and the Redmi Note 5 Pro have cumulatively amassed over 5 million in sales. Both phones made their debut back in February, and the Redmi Note 5 Pro in particular continues to sell out within minutes during weekly flash sales.

Its unavailability has led to a lot of consternation among Xiaomi fans eager to get their hold on the device, and Xiaomi for its part has stated that it is looking to scale up production of the phone to meet demand. Xiaomi didn’t break down the sales figures of each individual phone, but the 5 million mark is nonetheless a huge achievement for the brand as it looks to solidify its position at the top of India’s smartphone segment.

It took Xiaomi over six months to get to the 5 million milestone last year with the Redmi Note 4, so clearly there’s upward progress when it comes to sales figures. Looking ahead, Xiaomi is likely to launch the Mi 8 in the coming months.

The Chinese manufacturer hasn’t committed to a launch in the country, but rumors suggest the phone is slated to make its debut sometime next month. Xiaomi hasn’t released the Mi Mix 2S in India, so last year’s Mi Mix 2 continues to be the only mid-range device on offer by the brand. That should change with the introduction of the Mi 8. There isn’t much information to go by regarding a formal launch, but it’s possible Xiaomi will be looking to debut the Mi 8 in India at around the ₹25,000 figure, which comes out to $370.

We’ll have to wait and see about the Mi 8, but in the meantime, Xiaomi is looking unassailable in the budget segment.

LG G6: Specs, problems, availability, and more!

Though it’s been around for more than a year at this point, it’s still worth considering the LG G6.

After a flirtation with mods in the LG G5, LG decided to change things up in a big way for 2017. The mods were gone after only one try. Additionally, LG got rid of the removable battery — a long time staple for power users — in favor of an all-glass build. The dual cameras are back and better than ever, as in LG’s brand of Android.

This is everything you need to know about the LG G6.

Check out our reviews

Honestly, the LG G6 doesn’t do anything poorly. It’s well-designed, gorgeously-engineered, and comes off as a mature, reliable piece of equipment. As MrMobile said in his review, it wears its chunkiness on its sleeve, not trying to hide its metal frame with sloping glass. As a result, it may feel a bit squat next to the Galaxy S8, but I’ve grown to really love that solidity, both in my hand and my pocket.

donm527
04-02-2017 12:07 PM

“

The LG G6 has clean strong lines and thick frame leans on the industrial side. Bezels down to a minimum and screen framed with the right amount of chin. Silver has a business classy look to me while the murdered out black reminds me of my LG G2 days and very nice too.

You say the S8 UI looks clean but can’t understand how you can say that compared to the G6. The G6 would be closer to stock…

Reply

It’s waterproof, drop-resistant, and covered in glass, just like the Galaxy S8. And while it lacks this year’s Snapdragon 835 platform, I’ve yet to worry about its performance, since the Snapdragon 821 — which powers the Pixel and Pixel XL — is still so good, and feels so new.

The bottom-firing speaker is good, the headphone quality is great, as is the call quality and LTE reception. I had some trouble connecting to one particular LG Bluetooth speaker, and the Bluetooth volume was unexpectedly low on another speaker, but that’s the extent of the bugs I’ve found so far.

• LG G6 review
• LG G6 second opinion: This one’s the best
• LG G6, one month on: A great phone, and the best LG has ever made

It’s got a big screen, but feels really compact

The LG G6 is the first of likely many phones with a non-standard screen aspect ratio. Specifically, its 2:1 (or 18:9, for a more standard comparison) screen makes it considerably taller than most phones out there today, but coupled with the near-elimination of bezels around the bright, beautiful IPS display, it’s one hand-friendly.

The screen really is beautiful. Contrast is great for an IPS display, an area where Samsung’s AMOLED panels traditionally take the lead, and colors are punchy and accurate. Indeed, LG’s 2880×1440 pixel screen is Dolby Vision HDR certified, as well as HDR 10 certified, two competing standards that, with the help of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Vudu and others will make it much more pleasant to watch video content on a relatively small phone screen.

How the LG G6 was made

It’s got wireless charging, but only in the U.S. and Canada

For some reason, LG decided to keep one of its best features, wireless charging, limited to the North American market. It’s not a huge deal — most people rely on Quick Charge wired charging through the USB-C port — but it’s strange nonetheless. Still, the phone’s 3,300mAh battery may need a top-up, wired or wireless, once or twice throughout the day, as we’ve found the phone to have less-than-stellar uptime compared to phones like the Pixel XL.

These LG G6 features are limited to some regions

Its two cameras are wonderful and creative

Like the G5 and V20, the LG G6 has two cameras on the back, each 13MP in resolution but with differing focal lengths, that transition seamlessly using toggles in the simple-yet-powerful camera app.

We’ve spent some time playing with G6’s optics, and while the regular, optically-stabilized is great indoors and out, it’s the wide-angle sensor that we’ve grown to love, especially when taking landscape photos that capture the whole field of view.

LG’s also got some really fun camera modes that take advantage of its symmetrical screen, which can be divided into two perfect squares. You may not want to use the word ‘twofie’, but the phone can take two square photos at the same time using the front and back cameras.

• Everything you need to know about the LG G6’s cameras
• Our first LG G6 camera samples!

Only the Korean unit gets the Quad DAC

One of our favorite features from the LG V20 and V30, the Quad DAC that makes music incredibly inviting, full and sonorous, is not coming to the North American or European models of the G6. Citing higher costs, LG says that there just isn’t a big market for audiophile components in smartphones — but that doesn’t exactly assuage our frustrations.

Fortunately, the LG G6+, which is available as an Amazon Prime Exclusive, has the same Quad DAC in the U.S.!

Get a microSD card, because the storage won’t last

Another strange decision, especially in light of the Galaxy S8 coming with 64GB of storage by default — the North American and European LG G6 only comes with 32GB of internal storage, with no option to buy a higher-capacity model. Sure, 32GB should be fine for most people, but it won’t last forever, which is why we recommend you buy a big, spacious microSD card for it.

Don’t buy an LG G6 without a microSD card

The launcher is still pretty terrible

We like the software on the G6 — it’s LG’s most restrained take on Android to date, and there’s very little to complain about. But the launcher, which eschews the app drawer and adds ugly borders around all homescreen icons, is pretty bad.

Our recommendation? Download Nova Launcher, Action Launcher, Evie Launcher, or something that resembles the opposite of whatever LG is thinking.

More: How to make the most of an extra-tall home screen on the Galaxy S8 or LG G6

Those colors are gorgeous

Black or platinum — doesn’t matter. Both colors are really, really nice, and they shimmer and reflect light in their own unique ways. I haven’t been a big fan of the generic silver that seems to ship with every phone these days, but LG’s take on it, called Platinum, is really something else altogether. And then there’s the shiny, fingerprint-friendly black color, which I’ve been using. I love it; as long as you keep it clean, it’s one of the crispest-looking phones I’ve ever had in my pocket.

There’s also a white variant, but it’s not coming to the U.S.

Which color LG G6 should you buy?

There’s a Prime-Exclusive version

The G6 has joined the ranks of other Android phones that are sold by Amazon for $50 in exchange for advertisements being shown on the phone’s lock screen. The Amazon version of the G6 is unlocked and ready for use on AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon. The LG G6+ is also available from Amazon, costing only $499. For the extra $100 over the Prime-Exclusive G6, the G6+ includes 128GB of storage instead of 32GB, and the 32-bit Quad-DAC that will make your Sennheisers sound like heaven.

More: LG G6 joins Amazon Prime Exclusive for $399 as the G6+ and Q6 make their U.S. debut

It’s not perfect

Like any phone, the G6 has its fair share of problems, especially when it comes to overcoming some of the endemic software problems LG is known for.

For starters, it doesn’t have a super large battery, but there are things you can do — optimizations and such — to prolong the inevitable. And LG’s software, while not great, is the best it’s ever been — you just have to know how to wrangle it.

Common LG G6 problems and how to fix them

It’s a lot cheaper than the Galaxy S8

So here we come to the final decision. At between $400 and $500 depending on the carrier, and cheaper unlocked, the G6 is a lot cheaper than the Galaxy S8. That’s a lot of money to save on a phone that’s better in some ways (it’s much easier to pick up off a table, and the fingerprint sensor placement is so much better) and nearly as good in others. The Prime-Exclusive version of the G6 is significantly cheaper at $399, so don’t forget that if you don’t mind seeing advertisements.

If you’ve made up your mind, you can learn everything you need to know about the phone in our forums!

Then you can figure out which carrier to buy it from.

Where to buy the LG G6 in the U.S.

If you want something newer, get the G7

Despite earlier rumors, LG has released a proper follow up to the G6 with the G7. The G7 continues key G-series features like the wide-angle camera and excellent audio, with a slightly refreshed design — including a notch that you can hide — and internals to match other 2018 flagships. If you’re in the market for an LG phone today, you may be better of ponying up for the G7.

LG G7: Review, Specs, Availability, Problems and more!

Oreo is here

While it was a bit behind compared to other manufacturers, LG finally starting rolling Android 8.0 Oreo to the G6 in June 2018. It hasn’t quite reached all networks and regions, and we’re only a couple months away from the final Android P release. We can hope that LG will get better with support on future devices, but they’ve had a similar release schedule the past few years.

More: These U.S. carriers have updated the LG G6 to Android Oreo

More: Unlocked LG G6 finally gets Android 8.0 Oreo update

Updated June 2018: Article updated with information regarding the Oreo update and the LG G7.

LG G6

• LG G6 review!
• LG G6 specs
• LG G6 vs. Google Pixel: The two best cameras right now
• Everything you need to know about the G6’s cameras
• LG forums

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