Anker’s new $20 PowerPort Cube fits plenty of power in its compact design
Power for everything you own!
The Anker PowerPort Cube 3-outlet 3 USB port ultra compact power strip is down to $19.54. This is a brand new product from Anker and doesn’t really have much of a pricing history to speak of. It sells for $26 normally and has dropped down to just over $21 with a coupon code recently.
This is about as small a power strip you can expect to find, especially considering it manages to fit six plugs (3 AC outlets, 3 USB ports) in a compact fashion. The USB ports have a max output of 18W and the outlets have a max of 1250W, which is plenty of power for whatever you’re plugging. At less than 2.5 cubic inches, it won’t take up any space wherever you choose to put it. Anker also backs it up with an 18-month warranty.
See at Amazon
Google’s developing a fix for slow Pixel / Pixel XL charging speeds on Pie
From new gestures to extending battery life, here’s everything you need to know about Android Pie!
Following last year’s Oreo release, 2018 is the year of Android 9 Pie.
Google’s latest flavor of Android is jam-packed with all sorts of new features, including a brand-new gesture navigation system, new UI elements, and a heap of under-the-hood tweaks that aim to make this the best version of Android to date.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about Pie!
The latest Android Pie news
August 15, 2018 — A fix is coming for slow-charging speeds on Pixel and Pixel XL running Pie
Google’s Pixel and Pixel XL are among the first smartphones to be treated by the Android 9 Pie update, but after getting the new software, users have been complaining about slow charging speeds with both the official charger that’s included with the phones and third-party ones. This bug’s been reported by both Pixel and Pixel XL owners, so we’re glad to hear that a fix is on the way.
According to The Verge, Google’s currently testing a software update that resolves the issue. In a statement that was sent to the publication, Google said:
We’re aware of an issue where non-Power Delivery (PD) USB-C chargers no longer rapidly charge the 2016 Pixel and Pixel XL after the upgrade to Android 9 Pie. The 18W rapid charger included in-box is a PD charger and does not exhibit this behavior. We are verifying a fix for non-PD USB-C chargers and will roll it out in the coming weeks.
A clearer timeframe than “the coming weeks” would be nice, but nonetheless, it’s great to hear that these troubles with be over with soon.
August 6, 2018 — Google releases Pie’s OTA images for Pixel and Nexus devices
If you’re eager to start using Pie ASAP, Google’s got you covered.
The full OTA images have already been released, meaning you can grab them and flash Pie onto your Pixel or Nexus phone this very second.
Go, go, go!
Grab the OTA files here
All the big details
Android P is officially Android 9 Pie
No Popsicles or Pineapples here. On August 6, 2018, Google revealed that its next version of Android is Android 9 Pie.
Along with the name change, the number this year is also slightly different. Rather than following the trend of 7.0, 8.0, etc., Pie is referred to as 9. This probably doesn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things, but it’s still an interesting move on Google’s part.
Check out our full review!
Every new Android version builds upon the previous one, meaning that each new update is better than the last.
However, in day-to-day use, how does really Pie hold up? What’s it like using the new gestures instead of the traditional navigation buttons? How do the subtle UI tweaks compare to Oreo? What’s performance like?
All those questions and much, much more are answered in our full review, so be sure to give it a read and watch!
Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices
How to upgrade to Pie
We could talk about Android Pie all day long, but if you don’t know how to actually use the new software for yourself, what’s the fun in that?
Most users will likely upgrade to Pie via a simple OTA update, but if you don’t feel like waiting on Google to serve that to you, you can manually flash it on your phone, too.
Jerry’s got all the details of how to start using Pie right now, so be sure to give his guide a look.
How to install Android Pie on your Pixel right now (or downgrade to Oreo)
See what Google has to say about Pie in our interview with Android’s UX Manager
Android Pie is a big deal for Google. Between the gestures, digital wellbeing initiative, and more, there’s a lot going on all at once.
Andrew recently had the chance to talk with Android’s UX Manager, EK Chung, about all things Pie to get a better understanding of why this is such a big release for the company.
This is a longer read, but it’s absolutely worth a look if you want a deeper understanding of what all went into crafting Pie into the final build that we have today.
Interview: Google’s EK Chung on Android 9 Pie design, simplicity and digital wellbeing
It completely changes Android’s navigation system
Back in 2011 with Android 3.0 Honeycomb, Google introduced Android’s iconic three-button navigation system we’ve come to know and love – Back, Home, and Recents. Seven years later with Android Pie, these are being eliminated in favor of a gesture-based system.
Android Pie is the first time Google’s heavily relying on gestures for navigating the UI, and in their current form, they work as follows:
- Tap the Home button/pill to go home
- Swipe up to access the recent apps page
- Swipe up twice or do a long swipe for the app drawer
- The Back button only appears in certain apps/menus when it’s needed
This combination of taps and swipes can be confusing at first, but with enough practice and patience, are fairly easy to master in a short amount of time. Phones that are updated to Pie will still use the three-button nav by default, but if you want to turn them on, doing so is fairly simple.
Going forward, phones like the Pixel 3 will have gestures turned on by default with no way to revert back to them. So, while you can keep using your Back, Home, and Recents for now, you’ll need to get aclimated with the gestures sooner or later.
How to master the new Android Pie gestures
The user interface is more rounded and colorful
Android Pie isn’t as drastic of a visual change like we saw with the jump from KitKat to Lolipop, but compared to Oreo, there are some elements that are noticeably different.
At first glance, things like the colorful icons in Settings, circular Quick Settings icons, and rounded corners for just about every menu jump out like a sore thumb. These elements do take some getting used to, but I ultimately came around to liking them quite a bit.
Something else you’ll notice with Pie is just how alive it feels. Between the new gestures and updated animations, Android moves in a way that I’ve never seen before. Oreo was smooth and buttery, but Pie flies underneath your fingertips in a way that can only be experienced in-person.
There are tools for helping you use your phone less
Google talked a lot about helping people with their “digital wellbeing” at this year’s I/O conference, and a lot of those efforts are baked right into Android Pie.
Although not live quite yet, later versions of Pie will introduce a new system called Android Dashboard. Android Dashboard will offer a quick glimpse into how you’re using your phone, including stats on which apps you’re using the most, how many times you’ve turned on the screen, how many notifications you’ve received, and how much time you’ve spent on each app.
You’ll also find a feature called App Timers that’ll restrict you from using a certain app after you’ve spent x amount of time on it, as well as tools for easily turning on Do Not Disturb and switching your screen to a monochrome color palette to help you wind down for bed.
Google’s Digital Wellbeing initiative: Everything you need to know
Google’s trying to squeeze as much juice as possible out of your battery
It seems like Google’s always trying to find ways to maximize your phone’s battery life as much as possible, and with Android Pie, those efforts are present in a new Adaptive Battery mode.
Similar to how Adaptive Brightness automatically adjusts your display’s brightness level based on your environment and usage, Adaptive Battery will examine how you use your phone and limit CPU usage to apps you infrequently use.
Google notes that Adaptive Battery can lower CPU usage by as much as 30%, and thanks to the use of Machine Learning, it’ll only get better the more you use your phone.
How to save battery life on Android Pie
App shortcuts are everywhere
With Android Nougat, Google introduced us to App Shortcuts for the first time. Holding down on an app icon to quickly access certain elements of it can be genuinely useful at times, and with Android Pie, Google’s taking these to the next level with App Actions and Slices.
App Actions will try to determine what you’ll do next with your phone and give you recommend shortcuts for doing so within the app drawer, Assistant, and more. For example, if you watch Good Mythical Morning each day with breakfast, you might see an App Shortcut in your app drawer for searching Rhett and Link on YouTube during the morning.
On the other hand, Slices will allow you to perform more complex actions from the Assistant or Google Search. In the example Google gave at I/O, searching “I want to book a ride” will give you a special link to call a ride home via Lyft (assuming you’ve got the app installed).
Android Pie features you’ll love: App Actions
157 new emoji
In Android 9, Google’s added a ton of new emojis to keep your conversations bright and colorful — 157 of them, to be exact.
Although we won’t run through the entire list, some of the highlights include red hair, superhero, face with three hearts, bagel with cream cheese, mooncake, lobster, and llama.
There are also improvements to existing emoji, including two new gender-neutral family and couple designs and updated looks for the bacon, salad, turtle, and cricket emojis.
Check out all of the new emoji here!
A new standard for biometric authentication
Fingerprint sensors and face unlock systems make it easier than ever to access private information on our phones, and in Android P Developer Preview 3, Google added a brand-new standard for this called “BiometricPrompt API.”
Thanks to the new API, developers no longer have to create their own dialog for using biometric systems with their apps. This isn’t something you’ll notice in day-to-day use, but it’s an important background change we’re more than happy to see.
Android Pie features you’ll love: Better, faster biometrics
All the little things
In addition to the big changes found in Android Pie, there are a ton of smaller elements also scattered throughout the update. Some of my favorites include:
- Built-in screenshot editor
- Zoom pop-up when highlighting text
- Changing the volume now defaults to your media volume
- Volume controls appear on the right of your screen instead of the top
- Do Not Disturb is more customizable and easier to understand
Updated August 6, 2018: This article was revamped/refreshed with up-to-date content now that Android Pie is official!
Android 9 Pie
- Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices
- Everything you need to know about Android 9 Pie!
- Will my phone get Android Pie?
- How to get Android 9 Pie on your Pixel right now
- Join the Discussion
Samsung Galaxy Note 9: Which storage size should I buy?
The answer is simple for most people.
Samsung pulled out the stops for the power-users with the launch of the Galaxy Note 9. Three of the biggest things spec hounds were looking for all received significant improvements over the last generation: battery, storage, and memory. At the same time, the price went up — and in the case of the 512GB model, it went way up. Most people who were originally excited about the idea of a 512GB storage Galaxy Note 9 quickly tempered their lust after seeing the $1249 price tag.
But even still, people will be looking at the upgraded model. As you consider your Note 9 purchase and try to decide which storage is right for you, we have a few things for you to keep in mind.
Who should get 128GB
128GB is the baseline Note 9 storage and will automatically grab a majority of sales because of it. Most people who had a 32 or 64GB phone previously will be extremely happy with the jump up to 128GB of storage by default. The price jump from the Note 8 up to $999 seems a little steep, but keep in mind that Samsung charges a $50 premium to go from 64 to 128GB on the Galaxy S9+ — so this isn’t that big of a deal if you were someone who was going to buy more storage anyway.
If you fit into a 64GB phone today, don’t hesitate about getting a 128GB Note 9.
With 128GB internally, you’re going to have well over 100GB of free space after your first start-up and installation of your typical apps. (After getting my own Note 9 set up, with plenty of data downloaded, I have 97GB free.) That’s a lot of space for Netflix downloads, big games, 4K video shooting and more. Even if you’re pushing the limits of your 64GB phone today, there’s a good chance you’re going to be able to make it work with an additional 64GB — and remember you always have a microSD card slot for any future overflow.
So if you’re in any way worried about the additional cost required to go up to 512GB, and fit into a 64GB phone currently, you should have no hesitations about getting the base model 128GB Note 9.
See at Samsung
Who should get 512GB
We can’t talk about the benefits of the extra storage before first addressing the price increase. In order to get 512GB of storage, you’ll pay $250 (or, 25%) more for your Note 9. That’s a significant move on an already extremely expensive phone. It’s true that carrier and retailer financing programs can ease the burden of that extra price, but even on a 24-month payment plan we’re talking about moving from $41 to $52 per month — it’s still a big jump.
If you can eat the cost, the 512GB Note 9 is the ultimate expression of what the Galaxy Note line is all about.
But if you can eat the cost, the higher-end Note 9 with 512GB of storage and 8GB of RAM is the ultimate expression of what the Galaxy Note line is all about: doing everything to the biggest extent possible. You’re encouraged to never say the word “never,” but it’s hard to see how you’d fill up 512GB of storage given today’s file sizes for apps, music, games and video. Even if you throw out all thoughts of managing your storage in any way, and simply keep every single thing you download, you’d be hard-pressed to push the 512GB limit. (And I’d recommend that if you are storing that much on your phone that you should have a robust backup system for keeping a copy of that data safe elsewhere.)
With 512GB internally, you can add another 512GB with a microSD card (albeit for about $350) to go full-on crazy mode and have 1TB of storage available. Even if you keep things reasonable with a 256GB card (for about one-quarter the price), that’s over 750GB of storage in your hand everywhere you go.
With that kind of potential, and the knowledge that you’ll effectively never worry about how much storage you have left when downloading or creating content, if you can eat the extra cost it’s worth considering the big jump up to 512GB.
See at Samsung
More RAM is just a nice bonus
Like some other phones, Samsung offers extra RAM in the model with increased storage — in this case, a jump up to 8GB from 6GB. Just like we’ve discussed regarding the OnePlus 6’s extra RAM, we caution you against putting too much stock in what the extra memory can actually do for you.
Getting more RAM is a nice bonus — not a reason to spend $250 extra.
Yes, the extra memory gives you more room when running dozens of apps at the same time, or when running several intensive apps in the DeX desktop interface while running others on the phone itself. But the use cases where you’ll actually see a clear benefit between 6 and 8GB are minimal. With the base Galaxy Note 9 (and Galaxy S9+ as well) coming with 6GB of RAM, Samsung is designing all of its software for devices that have that memory size — it isn’t going to build things to expect 8GB of RAM, because a large majority of people won’t actually have that much.
Your choice to buy a higher-model Note 9 should start and end with a decision on whether you value having 512GB of storage at $250. The extra RAM is a nice bit of futureproofing — and bragging rights — but nothing more, and shouldn’t be a deciding factor for whether you make the jump to the higher model.
Which color Galaxy Note 9 should I buy: Blue, purple, gold, or black?
Samsung Galaxy Note 9
- Samsung Galaxy Note 9 hands-on preview
- Galaxy Note 9 vs. Note 8
- Where to buy the Galaxy Note 9
- Galaxy Note 9 specifications
- Is the Note 8 still a good buy?
- Join our Galaxy Note 9 forums
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Verizon
T-Mobile
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Nissan Sentra Features CarPlay Starting With New 2019 Model
Nissan today announced that the 2019 Sentra, excluding the base Sentra S model, features standard CarPlay and Android Auto.
This is the first model year of the Sentra with CarPlay, following in the footsteps of the 2017 and newer Maxima, 2017 and newer Micra, 2017 and newer Murano, 2018 GT-R, 2018 Kicks, 2018 LEAF, 2018 Rogue, and 2019 Altima.
CarPlay enables iPhone users to access a range of apps from the NissanConnect infotainment system, including Messages, Apple Maps, Apple Music, Podcasts, Overcast, Spotify, SiriusXM Radio, Pandora, WhatsApp, Downcast, Slacker Radio, Stitcher, and, starting with iOS 12, Google Maps and Waze.
The 2019 Sentra is on sale now at Nissan dealerships across the United States, with CarPlay-enabled packages starting at $19,090.
Related Roundup: CarPlayTag: Nissan
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Twitch Plans to ‘Aggressively Broaden’ its Content and Expand Beyond Gaming as it Battles YouTube
Twitch, the platform known as a place to watch streamers play games like League of Legends, Fortnite, and Overwatch, is now looking into becoming a “broader video service” that would cater to lifestyle vloggers from rival company YouTube.
According to a report today by Bloomberg, Amazon-owned Twitch has decided to “aggressively broaden” the programming on the platform to directly compete with YouTube, and gain more advertising revenue in the process. Amazon and Twitch have reportedly pursued exclusive live-streaming deals with “dozens” of popular media companies and personalities who are currently on YouTube.
These deals are said to be worth “as much as a few million dollars a year,” and include a share of future advertising sales and subscription revenue. “A few deals have closed,” although some approached by Twitch have not agreed to the company’s terms, including a minimum amount of hours required to livestream per week.
Despite Twitch’s plans to add more non-gaming programming, the company is still focusing on live streaming video.
“There will be a steady drumbeat of lots of new content we’re bringing on,” says Michael Aragon, Twitch Interactive Inc.’s senior vice president of content. “We’re growing well, and that makes us an attractive destination for people looking to do new things in live, interactive entertainment.”
When Amazon bought Twitch in 2014, the live streaming service was exclusively focused on video games and didn’t let anyone post videos that weren’t related to gaming. In recent years, Amazon slightly expanded the scope of the platform with “Twitch Creative,” encouraging non-gamers like chefs and artists to stream on Twitch. There have also been marathons of old Saturday Night Live episodes and some live sports.
Despite this introduction of new content, Twitch is still primarily video game-focused today. When browsing the Discover tab on iOS, popular live gaming streams, gaming channels, game clips, and more fill up the space. While Twitch will retain all of the live-streaming features and community of gamers it currently has, today’s report suggests that users can expect to see more non-gaming streams in this area down the line.
This “broader video service” expansion appears to have gained even more momentum recently, as Twitch looks to bring people to its platform who might be more susceptible to advertising. As it stands, Twitch’s target audience of young male gamers “tend to be resistant to ads.” Justin Warden, CEO of e-sports marketing agency Ader Inc., explained that “few brands are excited about reaching an audience of hardcore gamers,” but there is interest for “working with an influencer or personality.”
YouTube has been losing favor in the creator community for a few years now, most recently causing controversy in May by testing a non-chronological video order in the user’s subscription feed. In January, YouTube and Google announced new rules surrounding creator monetization and partnerships, particularly de-monetizing videos that have controversial or inappropriate content. This caused many YouTubers to consider lessening their focus on the platform and look into supplementing their income with other services like Twitch.
Tags: YouTube, Twitch
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Apple Maps Now Features Indoor Maps at 18 Shopping Malls in Canada
Apple Maps has been updated with indoor maps of at least 18 shopping malls in several Canadian cities and suburbs, including Toronto, Mississauga, Hamilton, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa, Winnipeg, Vancouver, and Dieppe, New Brunswick.
Nearly all of the shopping malls are Cadillac Fairview properties, with the sole exception being Square One in Mississauga:
- Galeries D’Anjou in Montréal
- Carrefour Laval in Laval
- Promenades St-Bruno in Saint-Bruno
- Fairview Pointe Claire in Pointe-Claire
- Rideau Centre in Ottawa
- Markville in Markham
- Shops at Don Mills in Toronto
- Fairview Mall in Toronto
- Sherway Gardens in Toronto
- Square One in Mississauga
- Lime Ridge in Hamilton
- Fairview Park in Kitchener
- Masonville Place in London
- Polo Park in Winnipeg
- Chinook Centre in Calgary
- Market Mall in Calgary
- Richmond Centre in Richmond
- Champlain Place in Dieppe, New Brunswick
Apple has yet to add indoor maps for the Eaton Centre in Toronto and the Pacific Centre in Vancouver, two of the biggest Cadillac Fairview malls. Two other notable exclusions are Yorkdale in Toronto and the Centre Eaton de Montréal.
Apple launched indoor maps at select airports and shopping malls in 2017, with a list of locations available on its iOS Feature Availability page. To view an indoor map, open the Apple Maps app on an iPhone or iPad running iOS 11 or later, search for a supported location, zoom in, and tap on “Look Inside” if necessary.
Indoor maps at shopping malls make it easier to find the exact location of stores, restaurants, and restrooms on each floor, in addition to guest services, parking, escalators, stairs, and so forth. Or, swipe up on the place card to browse by category, such as clothes, shoes, accessories, beauty, food, and drinks.
Likewise, at airports, Apple Maps users can zoom in to view terminals, boarding gates, security checkpoints, airline check-in desks, baggage claim carousels, information kiosks, restrooms, stores, restaurants, parking, and more.
Tags: Apple Maps, Canada
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Tag Heuer shoots, scores with new Premier League smartwatch watch face
If you own one of Tag Heuer’s Connected smartwatches, whether it’s the Connected Modular 45 or our preferred model, the Connected Modular 41, and are a soccer fan, the company has the watch face for you. It’s designed to keep you up-to-date with all the 2018-2019 Premier League season’s developments, right on your wrist.
Tag Heuer announced the special interactive watch face to celebrate the extension of its partnership with England’s top flight league. Tag Heuer will continue timing games — the company was the very first official Premier League timekeeper — whether its while the match is in progress, or through the international television broadcasts.
The exciting part about the watch face is the deep customization, as rather than follow each team and risk an overload of information, the watch face can be linked to your favorite team. This way all the match timings, live updates, player changes, and the scores delivered will be ones you want to see. Notifications can also be added, providing alerts on when the game starts, and goals scored at exactly the time they happen. Tag Heuer’s going to want to make sure all this is accurate too. Its reputation is at stake.
If you think this sounds slightly familiar, it’s similar to the way Hublot’s Big Bang Referee smartwatch operated during the World Cup. The special, limited edition watch provided up-to-date information on games, including goal alerts, was worn by World Cup referees, and shown off at the Baselworld 2018 watch fair. Hublot and Tag Heuer are both part of the LMVH luxury product conglomerate.
Additionally, Tag Heuer has also collaborated with sports teams and personalities in the past. Several big-name sports stars including Tom Brady and Jeremy Lin have designed custom Wear OS watch faces, for example. The Connected Modular range of watches also includes special editions linked to sports sponsored by Tag Heuer, with the most recent being a stunning collaboration with F1’s Aston Martin Red Bull Racing.
For now, though, it’s all about soccer (or football, whatever works for you). Sadly, if you’re a Premier League fan without a Tag Heuer smartwatch, you won’t be able to use the watch face on any other Wear OS device — it’s an exclusive to the brand. Those lucky enough to have a Connected Modular watch on their wrist, can download the watch face for free from Google Play now.
Editors’ Recommendations
- Tag Heuer Connected Modular 41 review
- How VAR and instant replay have transformed the 2018 World Cup (so far)
- Here is everything you need to know about the Fitbit Versa
- WatchOS 5 brings Walkie-Talkie, Podcast features, and much more
- The best smartwatches
These are all the Android Go phones available today
Entry-level phones from the cheap to the… very cheap.
Android Go is Google’s latest effort to make the experience of owning an entry-level Android phone less frustrating. The $100 price point is overrun by phones that come with outdated versions of Android and underpowered hardware, and Android Go is designed to fix these shortcomings. Aimed primarily at markets like India and Africa — where hundreds of millions of users are projected to make their way online for the first time in the coming years — Android Go aims to offer an uncluttered software experience.
Android Go is a barebones take on Android that is designed specially to run on low-powered hardware — devices with 4GB of storage and 512MB of RAM. Google created lightweight versions of its apps that work better on entry-level hardware, and the OS takes up a mere fraction of the space as a full-fledged Android install. Sure, the hardware isn’t the fastest around, but you’re getting the promise of quick updates and a markedly better user experience.
There are nine Android Go phones currently available in various regions around the world, and Samsung is set to announce its own product in this series shortly. There are hardware limitations in place for a device to be certified for Android Go, so a lot of the phones in this list share a similar set of specs. That said, you’ll see a lot of variety in terms of the design.
Alcatel 1X (U.S., UK)
| Screen | 5.3-inch 18:9 IPS LCD (960×480) |
| SoC | 1.3GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6739 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Camera | 8MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 2460mAh |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 147.5 x 70.6 x 9.1mm |
| Weight | 151g |
| Colors | Black, Blue |
| Price | $99 |
The Alcatel 1X is one of the few Android Go devices that offers an 18:9 display. That isn’t saying much as there are considerable bezels up front, but it is better in comparison with the rest of the phones on this list.
You also get 16GB of storage and an 8MP camera at the back, and the 2460mAh battery is more than adequate to last an entire day without any issues.
With Android Go phones tailored at the $100 price point, one of the features that manufacturers have had to abandon is the fingerprint sensor, but that isn’t the case on the 1X. The phone has a fingerprint sensor located at the back, and it’s perfectly serviceable.
Best of all, the Alcatel 1X is up for sale in the U.S. for $99 unlocked.
See at Amazon
Nokia 1 (Global)
| Screen | 4.5-inch IPS LCD (854×480) |
| SoC | 1.1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737M |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Camera | 5MP |
| Front Camera | 2MP |
| Battery | 2150mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 133.6 x 67.8 x 9.5mm |
| Weight | 131g |
| Colors | Warm Red, Dark Blue |
| Price | ₹4,850 ($70) | £79.99 ($105) |
The Nokia 1 is widely available across the world, making it the default option for those looking to try out Android Go. The phone has a vibrant design with a colorful polycarbonate back covers that can be easily switched out — like Nokias of old.
The phone has large bezels at the front and there isn’t a fingerprint sensor, but at $70 the Nokia 1 is one of the most affordable devices on this list.
See at Amazon UK
Nokia 2.1 (Global)
| Screen | 5.5-inch IPS LCD (1280×720) |
| SoC | 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Camera | 8MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 4000mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 153.6 x 77.6 x 9.7mm |
| Weight | 174g |
| Colors | Blue/Copper, Blue/Silver, Grey/Silver |
| Price | $115 |
At its core, the Nokia 2.1 is an entry-level phone with a massive battery. The 720p 5.5-inch display paired with a 4000mAh battery allows the phone to deliver at least two days’ worth of battery life without breaking a sweat.
The Nokia 2.1 is one of the very few devices on this list to feature a Qualcomm chipset — there’s a Snapdragon 425 under the hood with four Cortex A53 cores clocked up to 1.4GHz.
Elsewhere, you’ll find an aluminum mid-frame, which adds rigidity to the device and makes it one of the sturdiest Android Go phones available, and there’s a plastic back that feels great to hold.
You also get stereo speakers up front, FM radio, and Gorilla Glass protection on the panel. The Nokia 2.1 is set to go on sale very soon for the equivalent of $115.
See at Nokia
Moto E5 Play with Android Oreo (Go Edition) (UK)
| Screen | 5.3-inch 18:9 IPS LCD (960×480) |
| SoC | 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Camera | 8MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 2100mAh |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 151 x 74 x 9mm |
| Weight | 150g |
| Colors | Flash Gray, Black, Dark Lake |
| Price | €109 ($125) |
Motorola unveiled the Moto E5 Plus and E5 Play back in April and has now rolled out an Android Go variant of the Moto E5 Play that’s slated to make its way to the UK.
Whereas the standard variant of the E5 Play comes with a 5.2-inch 16:9 screen, the Moto E5 Play with Android Oreo (Go Edition) features a 5.3-inch 18:9 panel.
As it is running Android Go, the device now comes with 1GB of RAM (instead of 2GB for the regular model).
The phone will launch in the UK shortly and will make its way across Europe and Latin America in the coming months.
Huawei Y3 2018 (South Africa)
| Screen | 5.0-inch IPS LCD (854×480) |
| SoC | 1.1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737M |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Camera | 8MP |
| Front Camera | 2MP |
| Battery | 2280mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 145.1 x 73.7 x 9.5mm |
| Weight | 175g |
| Colors | Gold, White, Gray |
| Price | R999 ($75) |
The Huawei Y3 is primarily sold in African countries, with the phone making its debut earlier this year in South Africa. The phone has a clean design, with Huawei focusing on the single loudspeaker located at the back — the company says it’s one of the loudest in this segment.
There’s also an 8MP f/2.0 camera, and the 2280mAh battery is good enough for a day’s worth of use.
Interestingly, the phone features the F2FS file system over the more conventional EXT4, and Huawei says it is better-optimized for the Y3’s intended use case.
See at Huawei
ASUS ZenFone Live L1 (SE Asia)
| Screen | 5.5-inch 18:9 IPS LCD (1440×720) |
| SoC | 1.4GHz quad-core Snapdragon 425 |
| RAM | 1GB/2GB |
| Storage | 16GB/32GB |
| Camera | 13MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 3000mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 147.3 x 71.8 x 8.2mm |
| Weight | 150g |
| Colors | Space Blue, Rose Pink, Shimmer Gold, Midnight Black |
| Price | $105 |
The ZenFone Live L1 marks ASUS’ foray into Android Go, and the phone is now available in Indonesia — with other Asian markets set to receive the device shortly.
When it comes to specs, the Live L1 is the most interesting phone yet in this space. The phone has a 5.5-inch 18:9 panel with an HD+ resolution, and like the Nokia 2.1 and the Moto G5 Play, it is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 425.
It also has a 13MP rear camera, and ASUS is selling the device in two variants — one with 1GB of RAM and 16GB of storage, and a model with 2GB of RAM and 32GB of storage.
The hardware combined with the variety of color options on offer make the Live 1 a great choice in this category.
See at ASUS
Micromax Bharat Go (India)
| Screen | 4.5-inch IPS LCD (854×480) |
| SoC | 1.1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737М |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Camera | 5MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 136.5 x 67 x 9.6mm |
| Weight | 130g |
| Colors | Black |
| Price | ₹4,299 ($65) |
Indian manufacturers like Micromax have faded to relative obscurity over the last two years, but the Bharat Go is a decent option for those looking to pick up an Android Go device.
For one thing, it is one of the most affordable phones on the list, selling for the equivalent of $65. The Bharat Go is exclusively sold offline — part of Micromax’s broader push to focus on the retail sector — so you won’t be able to find it on an e-commerce store.
That said, the phone is available at thousands of retail stores across the country, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to get your hands on a unit if you’re living in India.
Lava Z50 (India)
| Screen | 4.5-inch IPS LCD (854×480) |
| SoC | 1.1GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6737М |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 8GB |
| Camera | 5MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 2000mAh |
| Security | PIN |
| Dimensions | 135 x 66.6 x 9.7mm |
| Weight | 140g |
| Colors | Black |
| Price | ₹4,299 ($65) |
Indian brand Lava Mobiles has been a long-time Google partner, so it stands to reason that the manufacturer team up with the search giant over an Android Go phone.
The hardware on offer is identical to what you get with Micromax’s Bharat Go, but there’s a slight variance in design, and you’ll actually be able to buy the Lava Z50 online.
And just like the Bharat Go, the Z50 is available for what amounts to $65.
See at Flipkart
General Mobile GM8 Go (Turkey)
| Screen | 5.5-inch 18:9 IPS LCD (1440×720) |
| SoC | 1.5GHz quad-core MediaTek MT6739 |
| RAM | 1GB |
| Storage | 16GB |
| Camera | 13MP |
| Front Camera | 5MP |
| Battery | 3500mAh |
| Security | Fingerprint sensor |
| Dimensions | 150 x 70.5 x 8.59mm |
| Weight | 152g |
| Colors | Gold, Space Gray |
| Price | $180 |
Turkey’s General Mobile has been making Android One handsets for some time now and the GM8 Go is a lightweight version of the GM8.
It doesn’t miss out on any essentials — you get a 13MP rear camera, 18:9 screen up front, and the 3500mAh battery should deliver two-day battery life with ease.
There’s also a fingerprint sensor at the back. The phone offers serious hardware (for this segment), and it has a hefty $180 price tag to boot.
See at General Mobile
More to come
There’s no shortage of choice when it comes to Android Go phones, and with Samsung set to make its debut in the coming weeks, this category is only bound to get interesting.
Are you planning to get an Android Go phone? If so, what device are you eyeing? Let us know in the comments below.
Updated August 2018: This article was updated with the latest prices of Android Go devices.
Android Oreo
- Android Oreo review!
- Everything new in Android Oreo
- How to get Android Oreo on your Pixel or Nexus
- Oreo will make you love notifications again
- Will my phone get Android Oreo?
- Join the Discussion
How to turn on and use Android Pie’s new gesture navigation system
Take a look at a huge fundamental change to Android navigation
Android 9 Pie’s consumer launch is exciting for a whole bunch of reasons, not the least of which being a brand new gesture navigation system that eschews the standard “back, home, recents” buttons we’ve all grown accustomed to. The replacement is a gesture-based interface that hides the recents button, and even the back button sometimes, to hopefully let you move more fluidly and intuitively through the interface.
But when you install Android Pie on your phone, you won’t actually see this new gesture navigation system by default — you have to enable it to experience this significant change to the way Android works. Follow these steps:
Open up your phone’s Settings.
Scroll down and tap on System.
Find Gestures and tap on it.
Tap on Swipe up on home button.
Toggle the switch to on — you’ll notice the navigation buttons change immediately.
Aside from the oddly named and placed settings, that’s a pretty simple process.
So, now you need to know how to use these gestures. Here’s a quick rundown of how the gesture system works:
- You still tap the new elongated “home” button to go home at any time, that doesn’t change.
- When you’re in an app or view that can use a back button, the back button will appear to the left of the home button where you’re used to seeing it.
- Swipe up on the home button and continue swiping to open the app drawer.
- Alternatively, swipe up on the home button and swipe up again to open the app drawer.
- Swipe up on the home button to enter the multitasking view.
- Swipe left and right to move the list, and tap to select apps.
- Swipe up to remove apps from the list.
- Press and hold on the app icon at the top to enter “split screen” view.
- Apps in this view are “live” — you can select, copy and paste text while in the multitasking view.
- Swipe right on home button and hold to scroll slowly between apps — release to open the center app.
-
Swipe right on home button quickly and release to just switch to the previous app — analogous to a double tap on recents currently.
This is a pretty considerable change to the way you interact with an Android phone, but I feel it’s intuitive and more directly interactive in a way that the static buttons weren’t. This change also affords Google the opportunity to dynamically adjust the buttons to the context of what the phone is doing, opening up even more possibilities going forward.
How to master the new Android Pie gestures
Update August 2018: With Android Pie’s official release, we’ve updated this article to reflect the latest changes.
Android 9 Pie
- Android 9 Pie review: Greater than the sum of its slices
- Everything you need to know about Android 9 Pie!
- Will my phone get Android Pie?
- How to get Android 9 Pie on your Pixel right now
- Join the Discussion
UK Deal: Up your phone’s storage with this £37 128GB SanDisk microSD card
Never worry about running out of space again.
You can save on some additional storage for your phone, tablet, action camera and more today as the 128GB SanDisk Extreme Pro microSDXC card is reduced in price at Amazon UK. It’s down to just £37.49, after having sold for over £50 most recently.
The card supports 4K UHD video and can read data at 100MB/sec — making it ideal for phones with higher-end camera capabilities or for your digital camera/action cam itself. Importantly, the Extreme Pro series is rated A1, meaning the cards are optimised for providing a faster smartphone experience and enable apps to be loaded quickly, making this the perfect card to expand the storage of your phone or tablet.
The 64GB version of this card is also discounted, on sale for £28.30 — down from around £33 — as part of SanDisk’s sale on additional storage that includes SD cards, microSD cards, USB Flash Drives and more.
For more UK deals coverage, be sure to keep an eye on Thrifter UK, sign up for the UK newsletter and follow the team on Twitter.
See at Amazon UK
