U.S. claims North Korea has been silently infiltrating networks since 2009

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) claim North Korea is silently infiltrating the media, aerospace, financial, and critical infrastructure sectors both in and out of the United States using two known families of malware. They believe the attack has been underway since at least 2009 and conducted by a state-sponsored hacker group dubbed as Hidden Cobra. 

In a joint Technical Alert issued on Wednesday, the DHL and FBI claim that Hidden Cobra is using two pieces of malware in its campaign: a remote access tool called Joanap and a Server Message Block (SMB) worm named Brambul. The goal is to infiltrate networks, maintain a presence undetected, and send all collected information back to the hacker group. 

“FBI has high confidence that Hidden Cobra actors are using the IP addresses — listed in this report’s IOC files — to maintain a presence on victims’ networks and enable network exploitation. DHS and FBI are distributing these IP addresses and other IOCs to enable network defense and reduce exposure to any North Korean government malicious cyber activity,” the report states. 

Joanap is typically the payload of another malware obtained through a compromised website or a malicious email attachment. It can establish a peer-to-peer network to create a botnet and accept commands from the hacker group. 

Outside the botnet aspect, Joanap is capable of file management on a compromised Windows device, process management, the creation and deletion of directories, and node management. The Technical Alert says once Joanap infects a PC, it creates a file to capture and store information such as the host IP address, the hostname, and the current system time. 

According to the report, an analysis of the infrastructure used by Joanup identified 87 compromised network nodes in 17 countries including Brazil, China, Egypt, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, and Taiwan.  

Meanwhile, Brambul is a worm serving as a “dropper” malware payload obtained by compromised sites and infected files. Once executed, it will scan the local network for additional PCs and attempt to gain unauthorized access through the file-sharing feature built into Windows. This is done through brute-force password attacks using a list of embedded passwords. 

If successful, Brambul will contact Hidden Cobra and relay the IP address, hostname, username, and password of each infiltrated PC. The hacker group can then remotely access the compromised PCs via the Windows file-sharing protocol (SMB) to harvest information, infect other PCs on the network, and more. 

While both malware can be troublesome for the mainstream web surfer, they could devastate corporations by obtaining proprietary and/or sensitive information, disrupting regular operations, and harm their reputation. The financial losses due to eradicating the malware can be costly as well. 

“DHS and FBI recommend that network administrators review the information provided, identify whether any of the provided IP addresses fall within their organizations’ allocated IP address space, and—if found—take necessary measures to remove the malware,” the report states. 

A downloadable copy of the indicators of compromise are available in CSV and STIX formats.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Hackers modify ransomware to deliver a Coinhive cryptocurrency-mining payload
• From pranks to nuclear sabotage, this is the history of malware
• Researchers claim hackers can create havoc in the Oculus Rift, HTC Vive
• Windows Defender thwarts major malware attack directed mostly at Russian users
• Slingshot malware that attacks routers may be state-sponsored espionage tool

Think your GPU rig is fast? This Asus motherboard can handle 20 at once

Asus is doubling down on its earlier efforts in expanding the multi-GPU capabilities of modern motherboards built for cryptocurrency mining with the new H370 Mining Master. Built upon a similar design as last year’s B250 Mining Expert board, the Mining Master increases the number of supported graphics cards to 20.

Graphics card cryptocurrency mining has been the bane of gamers’ existence for well over a year, but it has tapered off in 2018 as the values of almost all cryptocurrencies have fallen. Clearly, Asus believes that won’t be the case forever, as it is expanding its offerings for new mining rig builders with a board that can take one more GPU than its last flagship miner.

While a lot of mining rigs offer multiple graphics card configurations (some using super-expensive 1080 Tis), few can handle anything close to as many as Asus’ new H370 Mining Master. On top of supporting 20 graphics cards at once, Asus has simplified the design by removing the standard PCIe x1 slots and replaced them with PCIe-over-USB ports. That allows for a more sturdy and reliable connection and reduces the number of overall parts that could potentially fail under the high stress of crypto mining.

To help owners out when something goes wrong, Asus also included a number of diagnostics tools, which help spot when any of the connected graphics cards are having problems. When it does, it quickly identifies the problematic GPU and notifies the owner which it is and what is going wrong. New debug LEDs on the motherboard itself help highlight any issues with CPU or memory, too.

There is even a new UEFI BIOS with specific tweaks to make the system more efficient and stable for long-term mining.

Built to the ATX form factor, the H370 Mining Master features an Intel LGA 1151 socket that supports eighth-generation CPUs and support for up to 32GB of RAM with twin slots, as Edge Up explains. It also supports up to three power supplies with a trio of 24-pin power connectors (no special boot-up sequence required) and a new DVI port with support for dual monitors.

The Asus H370 Mining Master will be shown off for the first time at Computex on June 6 and will go on sale sometime in 2018’s third quarter. Asus has yet to reveal its planned price tag.

Wondering what all this talk of cryptocurrency mining is all about? Check out our introductory guide.

Editors’ Recommendations

• What is a motherboard?
• Sprint hopes to lure Always Connected PC owners with free LTE
• What laptop are you looking forward to most in 2018?
• HP’s first Qualcomm-powered PC, the HP Envy X2, suffers a slight delay
• What is SATA? Here’s everything you need to know about it

Google’s Just a Line AR app draws Android and iOS users together

Back in March, Google released an app called “Just a Line” as part of its slew of new ARCore 1.0 apps. On Wednesday, May 30, the company not only launched a version for the iPhone but introduced a new collaborative feature for both Android and iOS.

If you already couldn’t tell by its name, Just a Line is super simple and also fun. The app essentially lets you bring drawings to life. Using the camera, simply point at the area where you’d like to draw and press your finger on your smartphone screen to begin doodling. After you’re done, you can then walk around to see it from various angles.

The app is extremely reminiscent of Google’s Tilt Brush virtual reality app, which allows users to paint in a 3D space. But the app was only available on expensive VR devices, which makes Just a Line far more accessible.

Since the app was initially launched in conjunction with Google’s ARCore, it’s only been available for compatible Android devices. But iPhone users can now get in on the fun as well, by downloading the iOS version via the App Store. For both iOS and Android, users will also get to try a new feature that lets you simultaneously create together in augmented reality across both platforms.

To start, place both phones side-by-side and tap the partner icon. Once both phones are connected, you and your partner are able to see and add to the same drawing in real-time.

The collaborative experienced is powered specifically by “Cloud Anchors” which was introduced at this year’s annual Google I/O developer conference. It allows developers to create these types of AR experiences through the cloud regardless of whether you’re on Android or iOS.

At the conference, Google made a demo app called Lightboard where two people are able to shoot paintballs at each other. The point of the game is to cover an area with as much color as possible. We were able to play the game successfully between an Android phone and iPhone in seconds.

Even though Google only recently launched its new framework for augmented reality apps on Android, there are already tons of ARCore-based apps available on the Google Play Store. Ranging from Pottery Barn 3D Room View where you can virtually try furniture in your home, to My Tamagotchi Forever where you get to raise your own Tamagotchi, ARCore apps are available for a variety of categories.

Editors’ Recommendations

• Draw a line on the world around you with Google’s ‘Just a Line’ ARCore app
• Google Expeditions go beyond the classroom with AR Tours for Android and iOS
• Sotheby’s is making homebuying immersive with AR app Curate
• The best ARCore apps to try out on your Android smartphone
• ‘My Tamagotchi Forever’ is an endless barrage of microtransactions

Best Accessories for the LG G7

Keep your new G7 fresh with a protective case and other great accessories!

The G7 ThinQ is LG’s latest flagship, and despite its ridiculous name it’s shaping up to be one of the best Android phones of early 2018.

You can make a great phone even better with great accessories, and there are already quite a few to choose from for the G7! These are some of the best cases, battery packs, and general accessories we could find for the G7 ThinQ.

• Spigen Liquid Crystal Case
• OtterBox Defender Case
• OtterBox Alpha Glass Screen Protector
• Anker PowerCore II 10000 Portable Charger
• Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand
• Samsung EVO 128GB MicroSD Card
• Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Bluetooth Speaker

Spigen Liquid Crystal Case

With five colors to choose from, there’s a good chance you’ll want to show off the back of your G7 as much as possible. To preserve the clean aesthetic of your phone as much as possible while adding a bit of protection, a thin, clear case is the perfect solution.

Spigen has been making great cases for a wide range of phones for years, and its Liquid Crystal case for the G7 ThinQ is no exception. It protects the back and sides of the phone from drops or scratches, and features cutouts with plenty of room for the camera, fingerprint sensor, and various ports. Best of all, it’s only $12! If the Liquid Crystal case isn’t to your liking, though, don’t worry — we’ve already rounded up plenty of other great options.

See at Amazon

OtterBox Defender Case

If you’re more concerned with drop protection than looks, and you don’t mind a bit of added thickness (okay, it’s more than a bit thicker), the OtterBox Defender might be more up your alley. OtterBox has been one of the biggest names in the case market for years, and for good reason — few other cases offer the same level of shock absorption.

The Defender series even includes a built-in screen protector, though bear in mind it’s a plastic screen protector that sits above the display rather than adhering to it, which you may or may not appreciate. At $49.95, it’s a little pricey though, so if you can go without the screen protector, the thinner Symmetry series might be a better fit.

See at OtterBox

OtterBox Alpha Glass Screen Protector

While OtterBox’s reputation is mostly built around its cases, the company also makes some of the best tempered glass screen protectors money can buy. The Alpha Glass screen protector keeps your G7’s display scratch-free, and should absorb the damage from any serious drops.

For $39.95, though, the Alpha Glass is pretty expensive compared to other screen protectors. There are plenty of cheaper options that should still protect your screen from most damage.

See at OtterBox

Anker PowerCore II 10000 Portable Charger

The G7 ThinQ may have a 3500mAh battery, but even that may not be enough for some people. If you find yourself burning through your battery faster than you’d like, a portable battery pack is a great way to stay up and running all day. Anker is always a great option for power-related accessories, and the PowerCore II 10000 is perfect for the G7.

While Anker makes bigger battery packs, the PowerCore II 10000 is small enough to fit in any bag or even a pocket, and offers quick top-ups through Anker’s PowerIQ 2.0 technology. It’s quick to recharge as well; if you have a USB-C cable handy (and if you’re using it with the G7, you definitely do), you can top up the PowerCore II 10000 in just four hours. $31.99 for all of that isn’t too bad of a deal.

See at Amazon

Samsung Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand

A frustrating number of recent flagship phones have shifted to glass backs, but excluded the convenience of wireless charging that helps justify the more fragile material. Thankfully, the G7 ThinQ isn’t one of them, and charges just fine on a wireless charging pad. While there are plenty to choose from, our favorite remains Samsung’s Fast Charge Wireless Charging Convertible Stand.

While the name is a mouthful, the pad itself it simple to use. You can lay it flat or prop up the base, then simply place your G7 on the stand to instantly begin charging. Wireless charging still isn’t quite as fast as charging through a cable, but Samsung’s unit is still quick enough for most purposes, and it places less wear on your phone’s USB-C port. Samsung’s wireless charger used to cost as much as $90, but these days you can pick it up for just $46.

See at Amazon

Samsung EVO 128GB MicroSD Card

For most people, the G7’s built-in 64GB of onboard storage should be plenty, but if you’re the type who likes to fill your phone with media, a microSD card could be useful. LG is one of the few remaining brands to support microSD expansion, after all, so you might as well take advantage of it!

MicroSD cards are a dime a dozen these days, but one of the best options for most people is the Samsung EVO. Rated at UHS Class U3, it’s one of the fastest cards around, making it perfect if you plan on shooting a lot of 4K video. At $40 for the 128GBGB card, it’s reasonably priced as well, but if you need even more storage, SanDisk’s 200GB card is a much more affordable option than stepping up to Samsung’s 256GB card.

See at Amazon

Ultimate Ears BOOM 2 Bluetooth Speaker

LG put a lot of focus on its new Boombox feature of the G7 ThinQ, which utilizes the phone’s inner chambering to project much louder audio than you might expect, particularly when you lay it down on a flat surface. That’s still not always ideal, though, and if you’re hosting a party you’ll probably still want louder, clearer audio. That’s where a Bluetooth speaker comes in.

Logitech’s UE Boom series has been extremely popular in recent years, thanks to its relatively small design and loud output. The UE Boom 2 comes in a wide variety of colors, and sounds fantastic — it’s even water resistant, so you don’t need to worry too much if someone accidentally spills a drink on it. You can liven up your parties with a UE Boom 2 for around $114.

See at Amazon

What accessories look good to you?

Are you picking up any of these accessories for your G7 ThinQ? Or do you have something else in your sights? Let us know in the comments below!

LG G7

• LG G7 hands-on preview: All about that bass
• LG G7 Specifications: Everything you need to know
• Join the LG G7 forums

Amazon’s Whole Foods Market discount for Prime members is expanding nationwide

Shop and save.

Earlier this month, Amazon announced a new benefit to your Prime membership – the ability to use it at Whole Foods Market stores and get a 10% discount on almost everything in the store. When it was first announced, it was only available in Florida. Today Amazon has officially kicked off the nationwide expansion by adding 12 states to the list, including Colorado, Texas, and parts of California. You can now use your Prime membership at 121 regular Whole Foods Markets across the country and all of the country’s Whole Foods Market 365 stores.

You can see all the new markets here, but if you want to know the specifics, the states include: Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, northern Nevada, northern California, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and Kansas City, Missouri.

If you’re in one of those locations, you should be able to update your Whole Foods Market app and add your Prime account to it. When you check out in-store, you can scan the Prime Code on the app to get your discount. You’ll also be able to get deals exclusive to Prime members at each store.

Prime members who live in Austin, Dallas, Denver, Sacramento, or San Francisco live in the sweet spot right now. Not only do you now have the new 10% savings benefit of Prime but you can also get free two-hour delivery of your Whole Foods groceries (as long as it’s over $35). Those are the only markets where you can get both benefits, but as this new program expands it will cover more places.

You can try all of this out even if you’re not a Prime member yet. Just sign up for a 30-day free trial and see if the benefits work for you. For regular Whole Foods Market customers, it really seems like a no-brainer.

There are plenty of reasons to be a Prime member, not the least of which is the upcoming Prime Day. It’s a huge sales event exclusive to Prime members, and we’re certain there are going to be a lot more savings to see then.

See on Amazon

Save hundreds on a Supercharged Cybersecurity course and ebook bundle!

Cybersecurity has never been more important, yet there are new high-profile breaches seemingly on a daily basis. To combat those with malicious intent, penetration testers are employed to find weak spots in defenses.

Learn Kali Linux, Python, and Wireshark 2 penetration testing with this course and ebook bundle! Learn more

The cybersecurity profession covers a wide swath of information and education, and getting a jumpstart on a career can be frustrating as you attempt to gather all the necessary resources. Instead of running around, looking for the required materials, why not grab a bundle of ebooks and start learning with 2,724 pages of course material?

Right now, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on a 2018 Supercharged Cybersecurity bundle that contains 10 courses and associated ebooks. Instead of paying the regular price of $636, you can get it now for just $30. That’s 95 percent off the regular price!

This course and ebook bundle covers Kali Linux, Wireshark 2, and Python penetration testing, along with a whole lot more. The bundle includes the following:

• Kali Linux 2 Assuring Security by Penetration Testing
• Kali Linux 2: Windows Penetration Testing
• Mastering Kali Linux Wireless Pentesting
• Learning Python Web Penetration Testing
• Expert Metasploit Penetration Testing
• Building Virtual Pentesting Labs for Advanced Penetration Testing
• Practical Mobile Forensics
• Learning Python for Forensics
• Digital Forensics with Kali Linux
• Network Analysis Using Wireshark 2

Save hundreds on this cybersecurity course and ebook bundle! Learn more

If you’re ready to get a jumpstart on a career in cybersecurity ― and especially penetration testing ― this bundle should prove invaluable. Considering you can save 95 percent off the regular price, you might want to get started now.

The Yi 1080p home camera is a wireless security cam for $38

A lot of features packaged together.

The Yi 1080p wireless Home Camera indoor security surveillance system is down to $37.88 on Amazon with code 6NHSQU3U. This camera is $45 without the code and actually sells above $50 usually, so this is a huge discount and lower than any direct price drop we’ve seen.

The Yi home camera has a 122-degree wide-angle lens with the ability to record 24 hours a day up to 1080p and 15 frames per second. It features two-way audio so you can both hear what’s happening and talk back if necessary. The camera uses eight individual infrared LEDs for enhanced night vision. If used as a baby monitor or motion detector, you can get instant activity alerts on your phone, and you can store seven days worth of activity for free with Yi Cloud. The Yi Home App allows you to share the camera’s feed with up to five family members.

These cameras support microSD cards up to 32GB so you can keep a local copy of your video footage.

See on Amazon

LG G7, LG V35 and Moto G6 are coming to Project Fi

A new low-cost option and two more flagship-level devices join the Fi ranks.

Project Fi’s limited phone offerings are getting a boost today, adding three new phones to the ranks after previously only offering the Google Pixel 2 and Moto X4. The Project Fi account page now lists the new LG G7, the refreshed LG V35 and new low-cost Moto G6 as “coming soon” for Fi customers. The Moto G6 is the only one you can actually pre-order at this point, and you can only be notified for future updates on the status of the LG G7 and V35.

The Moto G6 is available only in black and with 32GB of storage, but despite just being announced is already being discounted to $199 — that of course makes sense considering the ongoing Moto X4 promotion that has that phone listed for $249 still. (And, to be clear, the Moto X4 is a much better phone for just $50 more — consider it.)

Pricing for the LG G7 lines up with other carriers, at $749 in either black or blue colors with 64GB of storage. The real head scratcher here is the new LG V35, which is a confusing phone in general but extra confusing here because it’s listed at $899 … why not just buy the newer LG G7? Beats me. Anyway, it’s available in black or silver, also with 64GB of storage. All three phones offer the standard Project Fi financing with 24-months of payments with no interest.

Outside of the Android One Moto X4’s launch on Fi several months ago, we haven’t heard anything about a pending expansion to new models or altogether new manufacturers bringing phones to the carrier, so I love seeing Google continue to work on expanding its device offerings.

Google Project Fi

• What is Project Fi?
• Get the latest Project Fi news
• Google Pixel 2 review
• Moto X4 review
• Discuss Project Fi in our forums
• Sign up for Project Fi!

OnePlus Bullets Wireless review: Great affordable Bluetooth headphones for everyone

Leave it to OnePlus to make simply great Bluetooth earbuds you can use with any phone.

We’re well past the point of no return when it comes to removing headphone jacks from smartphones. High-end phones, in particular, have dropped the headphone jack as quickly as companies could get enough consumer research to show that it wouldn’t materially affect buying decisions. This has boosted an already-strong market for Bluetooth headphones of all shapes and sizes, as USB-C audio just hasn’t taken off and people would rather go wireless than deal with a bunch of dongles.

Most of the big smartphone makers also have a line of audio products, and you can buy Bluetooth headphones from dozens of known — and hundreds of unknown — companies. They run the gambit from cheap $20 pairs up to $300 and beyond for over-ear noise-cancelling cans. But leave it to OnePlus, which continues to include a headphone jack on its phones, to make a pair of sensible mid-range headphones — the Bullets Wireless, which go for just $69.

OnePlus Bullets Wireless

Price: $69

Bottom line: For just $69, which is only a little more than you’ll spend on a solid pair of wired earbuds, the Bullets Wireless are a great pair of Bluetooth headphones that work well with any phone and provide great value without trying to woo you with advanced features and tricks.

The Good

• Above-average sound quality
• Clever connect/disconnect with magnets
• Light and comfortable for neckbuds
• Simple USB-C charging
• Great price and value

The Bad

• Not particularly flashy or good looking
• Ear tips and hooks are basic
• Splash-resistant, not fully waterproof
• No Google Fast Pair pairing

See at OnePlus

Bluetooth earbuds for all

OnePlus Bullets Wireless What I like

If you’ve had a OnePlus phone or any of its accessories like chargers or wired headphones, you know what you’re getting into when it comes to the Bullets Wireless. These are simple and well-made from end to end, with quality higher than the price would suggest — from a hardware perspective, I wouldn’t balk if OnePlus had set the price at $89.

Dead-simple design focuses on comfort and ease of use.

OnePlus went with a modified neckbud design in that the Bullets Wireless don’t have a hard or fixed neck ring. It’s easily flexible, meaning it can expand and contract to fit around a large or small neck, or even around the collar of your jacket. It’s also very light, and the soft touch rubberized coating doesn’t get hung up on clothing or hair. The earbud cords don’t retract like some neckbud models from LG, but they’re long enough that your ears are never supporting the weight of the neck portion of the headphones — at the same time, they aren’t long enough to swing around and be annoying. As a result, the Bullets Wireless are very comfortable to wear.

The earbuds themselves are rather basic — they have a standard design to go in your ear, and they’re left/right ergonomic with a curve to better fit. There’s also a rubberized loop portion designed to help keep the earbud positioned in your ear and not yank out, but this is entirely removable if you don’t feel like you need the extra in-ear security. You get three sets of tips and loops, and once you go through the familiar guess-and-check method of finding the right combination, they feel fine. The fact that the earbuds are super small and light means there aren’t any bad pressure points, at least in my ears, but the earbud tips aren’t anything special — just generic rubberized material, and the only part of the experience that feels a bit on the cheap side.

OnePlus talks about some sort of “Energy Tube” for better sound, and I can’t really speak to the physics of all that. But I can say the earbuds sound really good. I didn’t experience any distortion problems with high volume or lots of bass. It’s clear to me that the 9.2 mm drivers are more capable than the quality of music you’re going to be sending them over a Bluetooth connection, though the aptX audio tries to give you as much wireless quality as possible. Oh, and that connection was always solid — I didn’t experience any unexpected cutouts or dropped connections.

Bullets Wireless sound great, have good battery life and thankfully just charge over USB-C.

There’s a regular in-line remote on the left earbud wire with dedicated volume up/down buttons and a play/pause button. You can do a press-and-hold on the center button to invoke Google Assistant (just like any other headphones), or do a quick double-press to skip tracks. After using touch-controlled earbuds recently, it’s so refreshing to be able to just reach up and press a button, without a second thought, to change the volume or pause.

And if you don’t want to even do that much, you can simply pull the earbuds out and snap them together. Soon as they get close, magnets in the back of the earbuds pull them together — that pauses your music and disconnects the earbuds. Separate them again, and they’ll re-connect to the last device you were using. There’s a power/pairing button along the left side of the neck, but it’s almost never necessary since the earbuds are always on and ready to go when you disconnect their magnets.

OnePlus quotes 8 hours of battery life for audio or 10.5 hours for calls, which matches my observations. That’s probably fine for most people in real-world use but will seem low if you’re used to larger neckbuds or over-ear headphones that offer 15 to 25 hours of listening. Unless you’re a heavy user you’ll probably be recharging these things every couple days, and it’s a painless experience because they use USB-C — you get a short cable in the box, but you can use any one you can get your hands on. And with just a 10 minute charge, the tiny batteries inside give you up to 5 hours of battery life again — easily assuaging your battery anxiety.

Not much wrong

OnePlus Bullets Wireless What’s not good

As a slight counterpoint to all of that simple design discussion, one could argue that people often use headphones as a fashion statement or an extension of their personal style, and the Bullets Wireless do basically nothing in this respect. They’re simple and all black save for a small red ring around the earbud. You could mistake these for any other generic pair of Bluetooth headphones you bought on Amazon for $25 from a random company you’ve never heard of. OnePlus interestingly didn’t even put its logo on the typical spot of the earbud endcaps, only putting a light grey printed logo on the left side of the neckbud and an embossed logo on the carrying case.

The design isn’t particularly unique or eye-catching, and that case sure is dopey looking.

The included silicone carrying case definitely stands out, being bright red and all, but the case is otherwise a little funky to me. It’s a good way to wrap up the earbuds and the included charging cable when you won’t be using them for a while and want to keep them safe in a bag, but it’s too big to be a daily-carry case and provides no other function. There’s no separate pouch for replacement earbud tips or loops, and the case lid simply closes with one magnet rather than some sort of seal or zipper — so it doesn’t keep dust or water out.

I shouldn’t be entirely surprised considering this is OnePlus we’re talking about here, but I’m slightly upset that the Bullets Wireless aren’t properly waterproof. Like the OnePlus 6 they’re merely splash-resistant, which means you’ll have no issues sweating all over them but you shouldn’t ever submerge them in water. While you somewhat understand not having an IP67 rating on a phone that has lots of components, it seems like a relatively trivial manner to get a real waterproof rating on something as simple as a pair of headphones. Not because I want to swim with my Bullets Wireless, but because I never want to have to worry about getting them too wet.

Lacking Google’s ‘Fast Pair’ system is an odd omission.

OnePlus touts the ability of the Bullets Wireless to auto-pair with modern OnePlus phones, which is neat, but that functionality unfortunately doesn’t extend to any other phone. It would’ve been great if OnePlus simply went with Google’s “Fast Pair” pairing system that’s compatible with almost all modern Android phones, and accomplishes the same goal. Aside from this restriction there’s nothing else proprietary about the Bullets Wireless, and they’re a great to use with any phone — why not keep the whole thing open? A small negative mark on what’s otherwise a great no-nonsense experience.

Great value, great headphones

OnePlus Bullets Wireless Review

For me, reviewing the Bullets Wireless is an interesting juxtaposition to the review of the Google Pixel Buds I just finished. At $69, the Bullets Wireless are less than half the price of the Pixel Buds, and in dropping the price have stripped away the “advanced” part of the equation — there are normal physical controls, a regular charging system, no fancy headline-grabbing features or any extra nonsense. But actually, that’s a good thing.

With the Bullets Wireless, every dollar you spend goes toward the things you actually care about with a pair of Bluetooth headphones: quality sound, simple design, good comfort and basic features executed properly. Sure the carrying case is a little dopey and they’re just splash-resistant, but those are small negatives compared to all of the advantages they have over both the super-cheap and high-end competition.

4.5
out of 5

For just $69, which is only a little more than you’ll spend on a solid pair of wired earbuds, the Bullets Wireless are a great pair of Bluetooth headphones that work well with any phone and provide great value without trying to woo you with advanced features and tricks.

See at OnePlus

Everything that’s new in the OxygenOS Open Beta

Wondering what’s new in the latest Open Beta? You’re in the right place.

There are a lot of reasons to like OnePlus phones, but one aspect that’s remained since the beginning is the excellent software experience they offer. All OnePlus phones now run OxygenOS, and if you want to test out new software features before anyone else, you can sign up for the OxygenOS Open Beta.

OnePlus updates the Open Beta quite frequently, with each new version including bug fixes, security patches, and feature galore.

To make sure you never miss a beat, here’s everything new in the beta right now.

May 30, 2018 — OnePlus Switch and File Manager get updated for OnePlus 5/5T and 3/3T

The OnePlus 5/5T and 3/3T received updates through the Open Beta recently, offering similar improvements to the OnePlus Switch app and the built-in File Manager.

OnePlus Switch is getting UI improvements, better support for data migration from your apps, and general bug fixes/stability improvements. For the File Manager, you can now manage Parallel Apps files.

Looking specifically at the 5/5T, OnePlus added a heap of System updates, including:

• Added disable peek notifications option for Do Not Disturb
• Added disable peek notifications option in reading mode
• Optimized PIN code confirmation process
• Optimized sleep standby power consumption

As for the OnePlus 3/3T, there’s a new Camera UI that should bring it up to speed with more recent OnePlus phones.

May 15, 2018 — OnePlus 5 & 5T get group MMS, May security patch, and new launcher goodies

OxygenOS Open Beta 10 and 8 for the OnePlus 5 and 5T, respectively, is here and comes with a fair amount to check out.

In regards to user-facing changes, the OnePlus Launcher now has a Toolbox Card in the Shelf, Hidden Space section in the app drawer, and dynamic app icons (such as the calendar, clock, and weather) can now be edited. The OnePlus Switch app has a tweaked UI for the Backup & Restore section, as well as a more accurate time remaining timer and other general bug fixes.

This Open Beta also fixes a bug that was preventing group MMS from working on the 5 and 5T, and last but not least, the May security patch is here in all of its glory.

How do you install the Open Beta?

If you’ve got a OnePlus phone, enrolling in the Open Beta is fairly simple.

You’ll need to manually download the latest available version for your device from OnePlus’s website and sideload it, but once you do this, any future versions will be sent to you as over-the-air updates.

Harish wrote up a step-by-step guide walking you through the whole process, and I highly recommend checking it out to ensure nothing goes haywire.

How to install the OxygenOS Open Beta on your OnePlus phone

What phones are supported?

Right now, the list of phones supported by the OxygenOS Open Beta include:

• OnePlus 3
• OnePlus 3T
• OnePlus 5
• OnePlus 5T

The Open Beta isn’t available for the OnePlus 6 quite yet, but that should be changing in the very near future.

OnePlus 5T and OnePlus 5

• OnePlus 5T review: Come for the value, not the excitement
• OnePlus 5T specs
• Should you upgrade from the OnePlus 3T?
• OnePlus 5T vs. Galaxy S8: Beast mode
• All of the latest OnePlus 5T news
• Join the discussion in the forums

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