Google Home too boring? You want Gatebox’s cute virtual character in your life
Do you want to share your life with a virtual character? If so, then your dream is closer to reality due to the impending release of Gatebox. Like Alexa, it will control your smart home; but the character that lives inside the Gatebox has the ability to recognize, interact, and even celebrate with you.
Huawei just overtook Apple as the second-largest smartphone seller
Huawei is on the way up. According to a new report from Counterpoint Research, the company overtook Apple as the second-largest smartphone seller during the second quarter of 2018. Of course, it's likely that will change as Apple heads into another upgrade cycle and releases its new range of iPhones.
The Galaxy Tab A 10.5 is cheaper than the Tab S4, with the same screen size
Along with the new Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, the company also took the wraps off of the new Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5, a tablet with a relatively low price and midrange specs. The device isn't available in the U.S. just yet, though Samsung says a U.S. announcement will be made some time in the future.
With Sprint’s flash sale, customers can lease an iPhone 8 for $8 per month
For those looking for a good deal on an iPhone, Sprint announced its flash sale. Until August 9, the carrier is offering the iPhone 8 for $8 per month to new and existing customers. New and existing customers will have to sign up for a new line of service with the Sprint Flex lease plan.
Apple posts best-ever third-quarter earnings on sales of more expensive iPhone X
Apple recorded its best-ever third-quarter earnings in the most recent quarter thanks largely to the increased average iPhone price. Apple sold about as many iPhones as it did in the same quarter last year, but because of the more expensive iPhone X, it posted higher revenue.
Exclusive: Turing’s next phone looks out of this world, and won’t arrive until 2020
Turing has had a rough history, but the company is eyeing a 2020 release for its third phone, called the Turing HubblePhone -- and it may well be the craziest phone we've ever seen. The device features two displays that wrap around it, as well as a huge camera sensor and a range of futuristic features.
Google Clock is getting music streaming support — here’s how to enable it
Google Clock is finally getting integration with music streaming services, meaning you can now wake up to your favorite tunes instead of those jarring alarm noises. Here's how to enable music streaming support in the Google Clock app. Note that for now, the feature only supports Spotify.
New Google Maps update is rolling out with location-based recommendations
Google showed off a new version of Maps at Google I/O 2018, and now that redesign is finally rolling out. The new version of Maps brings with it a number of great features, including personalized recommendations based on your location history, and a "For you" tab that shows you new restaurants.
Sluggish Galaxy S9 sales lead to second-quarter slump for Samsung
All good things must come to an end. After reporting record-breaking profits for the last four quarters, Samsung released its second-quarter earnings report, showing disappointing number in its mobile division. Sluggish sales of the Galaxy S9 are primarily to to blame for the slump.
Mint Mobile makes it easier to try before you buy with money-back trial
Mint Mobile is making it a little easier for potential customers to try before they buy. The company has tweaked its seven-day trial offering to now give customers a money-back guarantee -- so customers that don't like Mint's service can get their $5 back at the end of that seven-day period.
Dixons Carphone hack exposes 5.9 million cards, 10 million accounts
Mobile retailer Dixons Carphone has admitted a massive data breach which has exposed payment details of 5.9 million people, and the accounts of 10 million. The hack included both U.K. and international card information, but following an investigation, Dixons says no fraudulent activity has been recorded.
There’s a reason LG’s Signature Edition costs twice as much as the LG V35
Want a phone that's stupidly expensive because you have too much money? Don't worry, you don't need to buy two phones - LG's bringing out a special phone that should help drain your overflowing coffers. But beware: it's only available in Korea, and there's only 300 available in the whole world.
Idaho prisoners hack $225,000 in credits from JPay computer tablets
The Idaho Department of Corrections has discovered that 364 prisoners in five state facilities hacked JPay computer tablets to gain credits used to download and play games and music. They rung up $225,000 in hacked credits. A single inmate had almost $10,000 in hacked credits.
Samsung drops lots of hints about upcoming Note 9 in trio of teaser videos
With just weeks until the Unpacked event in Brooklyn, Samsung is making a splash with its new series of Samsung Galaxy Note 9 teaser videos. The company is releasing a series of three videos highlighting a few ways the upcoming Galaxy Note 9 will relieve common problems every smartphone user has experienced.
You can now search the Apple Store app using your voice
Need to find something on the Apple Store app? Apple is making that a bit easier for you. The app has been updated to version 5.1, and finally, is beginning to look more like the App Store and iTunes Store. The brand new search interface displays trending searches, and also allows for voice search.
Google’s updated events search feature will keep your boredom at bay
Here to ensure you're never bored this summer is Google, who has rolled out a new and improved way to search for events in your neck of the woods. After introducing a card interface for event-related searches last year, the internet giant is ramping up its techniques yet again, simplifying your hunt for things to do.
Apple shrugs off Fitbit and Garmin to remain king of smartwatches
According to the latest report by Canalys, Apple has claimed a majority of smartwatch shipments for the second quarter of 2018. Of the 10 million units shipped during the quarter, the company shipped 3.5 million Apple Watches. While shipment has grown, Apple's market share decreased.
Huawei hasn’t forgotten — expect a foldable phone from company in 2019
Speculation as to whether or not Huawei will release a "truly foldable" smartphone has been surfacing for years now -- but a launch date may be near. Despite earlier rumors pegging the release date as late 2018, a new interview with Huawei bigwigs suggests a potential release in 2019.
What the (Galaxy) F? Samsung leak causes phone-naming confusion
What is the Galaxy F? Samsung may consider naming a future phone the Galaxy F, according to a rumor, and that device may or may not be the foldable phone now known as the Galaxy X. F for foldable. or flexible, see? However, the Galaxy X isn't the only phone Samsung may have in development at the moment.
Drop it. Smash it. Slam it. Samsung’s unbreakable OLED screen can take it
After submitting a new type of smartphone screen for testing, Samsung Display has revealed its special panel has surpassed toughness standards laid out by the U.S. Department of Defense. Destined for smartphones and other devices in the future, it withstood multiple drops, and even hammer strikes.
Rebble is exactly what you need if you want to bring your Pebble back to life
Want to bring your Pebble smartwatch back from the dead, after the June 30 official service shutdown? Of course you do, and Rebble is here to help. An unofficial alternative to the now-dead Pebble service, it will help reinstate many of the best features you love about the Pebble watch, even after official support ended.
Google video shows possible all-white redesign for Gmail and its other apps
Google is reportedly working on a variety of changes to both its web and mobile apps. Thanks to a new Material Design video that surfaced, there is a preview of what we can possibly expect for the redesign of Android apps like Gmail, Google Photos, Google Drive, and Google Trips.
PayPal no longer the only payment system for eBay – Apple Pay is coming soon
PayPal no longer has a monopoly on eBay payment systems. The online retailer is exploring other options, and soon, you'll be able to buy home appliances, clothes, or even cars on eBay using Apple Pay. Previously, eBay revealed that it would be managing the end-to-end payments flow on its own platform.
Buckle up, Houston, you’ll soon be getting 5G service from Verizon
Everything is bigger in Texas, and now, everything might be faster, too. That's right friends, 5G is coming to Houston, and it's all thanks to Verizon. On Tuesday, the mobile service provider announced that it will be bringing 5G technology to the Texas metropolis in the second half of 2018.
Finally, you can get Google Assistant to make a Duo video call for you
Making a video call from your phone is getting a little easier thanks to some help from your favorite assistant -- that is to say, Google Assistant. At long last, Google's A.I.-powered helper will allow you to start a video call on Duo, its video calling service. The feature has been missing for quite some time.
Motiv smart ring tracks ‘active minutes,’ because step counters are so 2015
The Motiv Ring is a $200 ring that tracks your active minutes with a heart rate monitor. After months of delays, it's finally available. And a few months later, its Android app, which had been in beta for several months, is publicly available too, offering all the same features as the original iOS app.
Nomad creates a wireless charging pad just for the Tesla Model 3
Nomad, the luxury mobile accessory company, created a wireless charging pad that fits perfectly within the Tesla Model 3's charging station.It uses power from two USB ports, as well as a 6,000mAh battery, to power its dual charging coils. It's currently available for pre-order but should begin shipping in September.
Qualcomm releases new antennas that will make 5G phones a reality in 2019
The race to 5G is slowly but surely proceeding. Qualcomm has announced its first 5G antennas. The antennas will be paired with the forthcoming Snapdragon X50 5G modem in upcoming 5G phones for 2019. The tech giant has sent samples of the antennas to handset manufacturers to use in upcoming 5G phones.
Flagship Android phones top iPhone X in download speed, report claims
According to a new report, phones equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 have much faster download speeds than phones equipped with Intel's XMM 7480 modem, such as the iPhone X. That can impact everyone on a particular network -- the faster file is downloaded, the faster bandwidth is freed up for others.
Google’s $5.1 billion antitrust fine could mean the end of free Android
The European Commission has fined Google a record breaking $5.1 billion over anti-trust issues related to the search engine giant's handling of the Android ecosystem. But while the fine is still small beans to Google, it's the EU's continued attention that could be making the company nervous.
Why Apple Watches, Fitbits, and more could soon get more expensive
The proposed $200 billion in U.S. trade tariffs on specific Chinese manufactured goods could result in significant price increases for a wide range of mobile gadgets. Listed products from Apple, Fitbit, Sonos, and other companies could each be hit with 10 percent price bumps if the proposed tariffs are approved.
Have an old 3G phone? You won’t be able to get it activated by Verizon anymore
If your phone isn't 4G LTE-compatible, don't look to Verizon to solve your problems. The mobile service provider has begun to cease activating phones that don't have this relatively modern technology available. A few 3G phone owners who went to Verizon in hopes of activating their mobile devices were turned away.
Some Samsung phones aren’t alerting users of app background processes
Worried that Facebook is spying on you? Some Samsung phones aren't correctly showing some apps on the App Permission Monitor, so users won't be alerted if an app tries to access certain permissions. Thankfully, due to the way Android works, it may not be as big an issue as it seems.
Huawei is gaining on Apple as it aims for 200 million smartphone sales in 2018
Could your next phone be a Huawei or an Honor phone? Huawei is certainly hoping so, as it aims to reach 200 million sales by the end of 2018, after passing 100 million sales earlier this month. With Apple only a whisker above 200 million sales last year, could Huawei exceed Apple this year?