Digital Trends Live: Android skips dessert, Netflix vs. theaters, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, host Greg Nibler and Adrien Warner dive intot the biggest trending tech topics of the day, including Android skipping dessert, Netflix fights for The Irishman, Qantas goes for 20 hours, and much more.
Here’s how fast the Note 10 Plus’ battery charges compared to the competition
Samsung has lagged behind in charging speed time for its phones for years. That's changing with its latest Galaxy Note 10 Plus. It comes with a 25W charger in the box and supports USB Power Delivery 3.0. Here's how it fares over popular phones like the iPhone XS Max, Pixel 3 XL, and OnePlus 7 Pro.
Casio’s newest PRO TREK smartwatch finally adds heart rate monitoring
Casio just announced the PRO TREK WSD-F21HR, the company's first smartwatch with a heart rate monitor. The $500 Google WearOS watch has tools for tracking runs, cycles, and climbs via GPS, altimeter, and barometer measuring activity and outdoor conditions, as well as logging trails for future treks.
The next Google Home Mini could have a wall mount and support for hand gestures
Google will reportedly release an upgrade for the Home Mini this fall called the Nest Mini. The new smart speaker will have a wall mount, better sound, and support for hand gestures, all for a similar price as the older Home Mini.
Google cuts the sugar out of Android with a simplified name and fresh logo
After 10 years of dessert-named operating system updates, Google is finally retiring the naming structure for Android OS. Android Q will now be known as Android 10, and next year's update will be Android 11, and so on. The Android logo is also getting a makeover after five years.
Motorola One Action vs. Moto G7: Which budget phone is your best bet?
Motorola turns out some of the best budget phones you'll find, but there are an awful lot of them to choose from. How does the Motorola One Action measure up against the Moto G7? We dive into the specs and explain all of the differences to make it clear exactly how these two phones compare.
Tough K50S and K40S phones are just a taste of what’s coming soon from LG
LG has announced two new smartphones ahead of the IFA 2019 technology show at the beginning of September — the K50S and K40S. The K50S and K40S are notable for the MIL-STD-810G toughness rating, making them able to stand up to some relatively harsh treatment, at least compared to flagships made of glass.
Gmail’s A.I. grammar and spell-checker will save you from embarrassing emails
Nothing is more embarrassing than sending an important email, only to realize that is had been littered with grammar errors. Well, Google is now out to help. The company announced that it's Gmail email service now sports smarter spell-check and automatic detection of grammar issues.
Score the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 for $301 less on Amazon
The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is a prime choice for a premium smartphone and even more with Amazon's 30% price cut. Usually ringing in at $1,000, you can score this phone for $301 less and qualify to knock off another $50 on top of the $699 sale price with your Amazon Rewards Visa Card.
Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs. OnePlus 7 Pro: Specs comparison
The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is the smaller of Samsung's 2019 Note range, but it's by no means a lesser option. With flagship specs and looks, it's a gorgeous addition to anyone's pocket. But can it take down OnePlus's latest flagship killer, the OnePlus 7 Pro? We put them head to head to find out.
Xiaomi confuses everyone with new Mi 9T Pro that isn’t really new at all
The newly announced Mi 9T Pro smartphone from Chinese brand Xiaomi is a renamed version of the Redmi K20 Pro, which was initially launched at the end of May. It follows the Xiaomi Mi 9T, which was itself a renamed version of the Redmi K20, also revealed alongside the K20 Pro in May. The phone will go on sale in Europe soon.
Blocks modular smartwatch project gets dismantled, leaving backers in pieces
The Blocks modular smartwatch project has ended in failure, after starting life on Kickstarter more than four years ago, and raising more than $1.6 million from just over 5,000 backers during its campaign. The company has unfortunately gone into liquidation, meaning the long-delayed smartwatch will not ship.
The Nokia 3V is HMD’s latest, and it’s available from Verizon for only $168
Nokia has announced a new Verizon-exclusive phone, called the Nokia 3V. The Nokia 3V boasts a relatively modern design compared to other phones in this price range, plus it offers decent internal specs. Couple that with the fact that this phone is so cheap, and it looks to be a solid option.
Snag this incredible yet affordable LG Stylo 4 phone for just $250 on Amazon
People are so focused on LG’s flagship G and V series that they forget about the company’s low and midrange phones, like the LG Stylo 4. Like the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, it has a built-in stylus and runs on Android Oreo 8.1. Their difference? A Stylo 4 costs a quarter of a Galaxy Note 9. Get it for just $250 on Amazon.
Galaxy Note 10 vs. iPhone XS: We expected more from Samsung
Samsung's Galaxy Note 10 is the smaller sibling to the Note 10 Plus, much like the iPhone XS is to the iPhone XS Max. Unlike Samsung, Apple didn't leave anything out of the smaller iPhone when the pair came out. Does the Note 10's missing features place it behind a nearly year-old phone?
Save space and data with Google Go, now for regular Android devices
Google Go is the top app for space and data-saving searches on the entry-level Android Go, and now Google is making those capabilities available on regular Android. Starting on Tuesday, August 20, you'll be able to download Google Go on any Android device from Android 5.0 Lollipop and later.
Amazon drops prices on refurbished Samsung Galaxy, Google Pixel, and iPhone
Break your smartphone or, worse yet, lose it? Tired of paying for a device you don't own while being locked to a single carrier? An unlocked, refurbished phone is the way to go. Amazon's got some great deals on the Pixel 3 XL, iPhone XS, and Samsung Galaxy S10 this week.
Walmart drops $150 off the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 with S Pen included
If you're looking for a tablet that can cope with your everyday tasks, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5-inch Tablet with S Pen is a legit contender. Available in 64GB and 256GB models, Walmart is giving $150 discounts on both variants, selling it now for $498 and $598, respectively.
Trim down and get big savings with Amazon’s 20% sale on the Fitbit Inspire HR
Smartwatches may be great for keeping up with the daily grind but if you're looking for a virtual workout buddy, then a fitness tracker should do just the job. The Fitbit Inspire HR is usually priced at $100 but Amazon's 20% sale lets you trim down and get big on savings by making it available for only $80.
From Stadia exclusives to Death Stranding, Here’s everything shown at Gamescom
Gamescom 2019 will be the site for four different presentations, including the next Google Stadia Connect event. Here you can find out where to rewatch the shows and catch up on all of the announcements that came from each of them. Gamescom 2019 will be the second-biggest gaming event of the year.
Amazon swipes 32% off of Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro smartwatches
If you're looking for a smartwatch that can monitor your exercise, the Samsung Gear Fit 2 Pro smartwatch is a solid pick. While it usually sells for $200, Amazon reduced its price by $65 down to only $135. The smaller model is also discounted by $65.
Google Duo is getting a low-light mode to brighten up your video chats
Google Duo is getting a little more useful in low light. Google has announced a new low-light mode for Duo that is aimed at brightening up video in case you're video-chatting at night or in a poorly lit environment. The feature could be particularly useful in areas that often have power outages.
Cyberpunk 2077 headlines the biggest games announced for Stadia at Gamescom 2019
Google held a Stadia Connect presentation for Gamescom 2019, and Cyberpunk 2077 stole the show with a new look at the choices you'll be able to make across the story and combat encounters. Other games mentioned in the show include Watch Dogs Legion, Darksiders Genesis, and the exclusive Orcs Must Die! 3.
Google was sharing Android user location data with carriers worldwide
Google quietly ended a service providing cell carriers with location data from customers. The “Mobile Network Insight Service” gave data on connection speeds and integrity using a map showing data from Android users on any carrier. Data was aggregated and anonymous, and carrier names weren't disclosed.
Miami public transportation is getting Google Pay — and it could save you money
Google and the Miami-Dade Transit public transportation system have announced that the system will now support Google Pay -- meaning you can tap to pay at turnstiles, instead of having to buy a ticket for each ride. In fact, the support for the new system may even end up saving you some money.
Huawei gets another short reprieve from ban, but the future doesn’t look hopeful
Huawei has been given another 90-day extension to the Temporary General License, which holds off the ban imposed on it by the U.S. government in May, meaning it’s allowed to continue trading with U.S. companies for now. The extension comes with comments that indicate it may be the last such extension.
Walmart cuts prices for Google Home smart speakers and displays for Labor Day
Walmart dropped a round of serious price cuts on Google Home smart home devices for its Labor Day sales event. We've found the best discounts on Google Home smart speakers, a smart display, and two Google Home smart kits, one for smart lighting and the other to set up a smart TV in your home.
3 to beam up: Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo collaborate on new file transfer feature
Xiaomi, Oppo, and Vivo are working together on a new device-to-device file transfer feature for Android. The unnamed feature will be used instead of Android Beam when it's retired from Android in the near future, and will likely work in the same way as Apple's AirDrop feature, with Wi-Fi enabling fast file transfers.
1.5% of Chrome users’ passwords are known to be compromised, according to Google
1.5% of passwords used in Chrome are unsafe and have been released in data breaches, according to new information from Google. In February, the Chrome browser introduced a feature that checks whether users' passwords are secure. Now, Google has released eye-opening stats gathered from Password Checkup.
Best alternatives to Google’s preinstalled Android apps
Want to get away from Google's preinstalled Android apps? Usually, Google apps like Google Maps, Gmail, and so on, are central to the Android experience -- but they don't necessarily have to be. Here are the best alternatives to the preinstalled apps that come with your phone.
Grab the terrific Samsung Galaxy A50 phone for $126 less on Amazon
Samsung is mostly known for its premium Galaxy S and Note Series phones, but it also manufactures more budget-friendly fare through the A and J-Series. An example is the Samsung Galaxy A50, a solid phone that not only looks great but also boasts a lot of neat features. Get it for $274 on Amazon.
The results are in: Alexa is legitimately dumber than Siri and Google Assistant
If you’ve always thought Alexa was dumber than the other voice assistants in your house or on your phone, a new test performed by Loup Ventures might prove your theory correct. Amazon Alexa scored last in an IQ test against Google Assistant and Siri.
These fraudulent Android apps were downloaded 8 million times
According to a new report from security research firm Trend Micro, a hefty 85 Android apps have been caught serving fraudulent ads that take over the user's screen -- and those apps have been downloaded 8 million times. What's more, is that the apps have ways to prevent being uninstalled.
Amazon and Walmart match lower prices on Echo Dot and Google Home Mini
Amazon and Walmart just resumed their price competition on the entry-level smart speakers for the Amazon Echo and Google Nest Home smart home ecosystems. The price cuts have started again, with 40% discounts on the third-generation Echo Dot and the Google Home Mini.