Apple will update China iPhones to prevent ban, but Qualcomm still fighting

  • Apple will send software updates to several iPhone models in China to remove features disputed by Qualcomm as illegal. This will, hopefully, avoid a Chinese iPhone sales ban.
  • However, Qualcomm is at the same time fighting for the potential sales ban to cover even more iPhone models.
  • Apple admitted that if it cannot avoid the Chinese sales ban, it will be forced to settle with Qualcomm.

Earlier this week, a Chinese court issued a set of preliminary injunctions in the patent fight between Apple and Qualcomm. The injunctions — which heavily favor Qualcomm — essentially put a Chinese sales ban into effect for the Apple iPhone 6S, iPhone 6S Plus, iPhone 7, iPhone 7 Plus, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone X.

Apple revealed today, via Reuters, that it will push a software update to the Chinese iPhones in question next week. This software update will change and/or remove the disputed Qualcomm technology, which Apple hopes will allow the company to avoid the sales ban.

“Early next week we will deliver a software update for iPhone users in China addressing the minor functionality of the two patents at issue in the case,” Apple said. “Based on the iPhone models we offer today in China, we believe we are in compliance.”

Editor’s Pick

Originally, Apple claimed the sales ban was irrelevant because the iPhone models in question all run iOS 12, which the company argues fixes the issues revolving around the case. However, Apple must have changed its mind, as now it is pushing an update.

Ultimately, it will be up to the Chinese courts to decide if this future software update will be enough to avoid the sales ban.

Meanwhile, Qualcomm is pushing even harder on Apple, apparently emblazoned by the preliminary injunctions win this week. According to The Financial Times (via Engadget), Qualcomm is now pushing for the sales ban to also include the Apple iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, and iPhone XR.

Should the Chinese courts deem the software update to not be enough to avoid the ban, Apple concedes it would have no other option but to settle with Qualcomm. If this comes to pass, it would be an enormous win for Qualcomm in its years-long fight with Apple over alleged patent licensing infringement.

However, Apple does not mince words when describing how destructive an Apple sales ban in China would be. Apple had this to say in a December 10 filing, via The South China Morning Post:

“Apple will be forced to settle with the Respondent, causing all mobile phone manufacturers to relapse into the previous unreasonable charging mode and pay high licensing fees, resulting in unrecoverable losses in the downstream market of mobile phones. Apple, many other companies, and consumers … will suffer truly irreparable harm, [and the Chinese government] may suffer hundreds of thousands of tax losses.”

We can only assume that next week we will learn whether the Chinese courts will grant Apple some leniency in this case.

NEXT: Apple tipped to be working on own modem for iPhones, but don’t expect it soon

Source: Android Zone

The post Apple will update China iPhones to prevent ban, but Qualcomm still fighting appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Phones compatible with ARCore: What are your options?

Released in March 2018, ARCore is Google’s software development kit (SDK) that allows developers to build augmented reality applications. According to Google, over 250 million devices support ARCore. Even iOS devices and devices without the Play Store officially support Google’s augmented reality SDK.

That’s a lot of devices to keep track of. Lucky for you, we’ve organized all of them right here because Google doesn’t exactly make it easy to find the list of supported devices.

With that said, here are all the devices that support ARCore. We will continually update this list as more devices get supported.

Acer

  • Chromebook Tab 10 – requires Chrome OS stable builds 69 or later

Apple – Requires iOS 11 or later

  • iPhone 6S/6S Plus
  • iPhone SE
  • iPhone 7/7 Plus
  • iPhone 8/8 Plus
  • iPhone X
  • iPhone XS/XS Max
  • iPad (5th Generation)
  • iPad (6th Generation)
  • 9.7-inch iPad Pro
  • 10.5-inch iPad Pro
  • 12.9-inch iPad Pro (1st and 2nd Generation)

Asus

Google

HMD Global

Huawei

  • Honor 8X – international only
  • Honor 10
  • Honor Magic 2 – China only
  • Honor View 10 Lite – international only
  • P20/P20 Pro
  • Mate 20/Mate 20 Lite/Mate 20 X/Mate 20 Pro
  • Nova 3/Nova 3i
  • Porsche Design Mate RS/Mate 20 RS
  • Y9 2019 – international only
  • Maimang 7 – China only

LG

  • G6 – requires Android 8.0 Oreo or later
  • G7 Fit/G7 One/G7 ThinQ
  • Q6
  • Q8
  • V30/V30 Plus/V30 Plus JOJO/LG Signature Edition 2017 – requires Android 8.0 Oreo or later
  • V35 ThinQ/LG Signature Edition 2018
  • V40 ThinQ

Motorola

OnePlus

Samsung

Sony

Vivo

  • Nex A/Nex S
  • X23

Xiaomi

  • Mi 8/8 SE
  • Mi Mix 2S
  • Mi Mix 3
  • Pocophone F1 – international only

Again, we’ll keep this list updated as more devices support ARCore over time.

Next: 10 best augmented reality apps for Android

Source: Android Zone

The post Phones compatible with ARCore: What are your options? appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Deal: 98% off the Complete Javascript Bundle

The Complete Javascript and jQuery Programming Bundle

If you’re thinking of learning to code, we come bearing good news. The Complete Javascript and jQuery Programming Bundle is on offer for this week.

This deal resonated with me as I have a friend who’s learning JavaScript. His reasons for learning to code were purely geographical — he wanted the freedom to work from his bedroom, a coffee shop, or Costa Rica.

Javascript is the most important web development language, and has been for years.

I asked him why he chose JavaScript over the other programming languages out there. He said that he did some research by looking at dozens of remote coding jobs on the market, and Javascript was by far the most in-demand. To him, it was a no-brainer.

I looked into his assertion, and he’s not wrong. There might be easier programming languages to get to grips with, but remote opportunities usually involve web or app development. Put simply, Javascript is the most important web development language, and has been for years.

The Complete Javascript & jQuery Programming Bundle

Javascript has been effectively supplemented over the years by a number of useful libraries and tools. These include JQuery, Ajax, Json, and React, which is used by the likes of Instagram, Facebook, Netflix, and Imgur. This bundle covers them all, and it costs significantly less than my friend forked out for his tuition.

The Complete Javascript Bundle:

That’s almost $1,400 worth of online tuition, but it’s always deal day at AA Picks. For the next few days, you can pick up the bundle for just $26. That’s for lifetime access too, so you can tuck in at your leisure.

If you’re after the flexible life of a coder, hit the button below to find the deal.

The AA Picks team writes about things we think you’ll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links. To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.


Looking for a new phone or plan? Start here with the Android Authority Plan Tool:

This smart tool lets you filter plans by phone, price, data tiers, and regional availability. Stop overpaying for cell service you hate and a phone that you’re tired of. Use our Compare Phones & Plans tool to fully customize your mobile experience and painlessly transition from one carrier to another!

Source: Android Zone

The post Deal: 98% off the Complete Javascript Bundle appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Deal of the day: A $4,000 social media marketing kit for just $20

More than two-thirds of the U.S. population has a profile on at least one social networking site. You might have even found yourself on this page via clicking on a tweet.

Social media marketing is fast becoming the best way to reach customers. It’s how politicians win elections, and how businesses reach new customers. More people will see a viral Facebook post than a television advert, and the Facebook post is way cheaper to produce.

The balance is still shifting too, so experts in social media marketing are in increasingly high demand. Today’s deal is an extremely cheap way to get fully trained in this field, and it’s also the biggest price drop on a learning kit we’ve seen in a long time.

Get the professional techniques you need to impress in an interview.

The Silicon Valley Social Media Marketing Certification Course is 38 hours of online video training. While it suits all levels, you probably know a thing or two about social media already. After all, most of us use it every day. This bundle gives you a chance to become a professional, and then get certified to validate your training.

As well as the technical side, you’ll also become fluent in marketing psychology. These tricks will ensure you can optimize campaigns across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, and more.

Some social media marketing highlights:

  • Access 12 modules and 38 hours of content 24/7.
  • Learn how to increase social media reach, attract more clients, and sell more products.
  • Study strategic social media marketing content, objectives, and goals through videos, quizzes, and learning resources.
  • Understand market psychology to optimize campaigns across Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Pinterest, Reddit, Tumblr, LinkedIn, and more.
  • Qualify for a larger salary with a certification from the Silicon Valley Digital Marketing Institute.
  • Receive feedback from highly certified instructors whenever you need it.

The Silicon Valley Digital Marketing Institute offers this bundle for almost $4,000 on their site. However, right now you can sign up for just $19.99. It’s a remarkable discount, and a small investment for a big upgrade on your CV.

The deal times out this weekend, so if you’re ready to become a specialist follow the link below to enroll.

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you’ll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links. To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.


Looking for a new phone or plan? Start here with the Android Authority Plan Tool:

This smart tool lets you filter plans by phone, price, data tiers, and regional availability. Stop overpaying for cell service you hate and a phone that you’re tired of. Use our Compare Phones & Plans tool to fully customize your mobile experience and painlessly transition from one carrier to another!

Source: Android Zone

The post Deal of the day: A $4,000 social media marketing kit for just $20 appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Football Manager 2019 Mobile and Touch out now on Play Store

It’s November and for football (soccer to everyone in the U.S.) and gaming fans that can mean only one thing — the latest instalment in the Football Manager series is here!

Football Manager 2019 Mobile is available for download from today on Android (and iOS) phones and tablets via the Google Play Store for $8.99.

For the first time in the series’ history, the mobile version launches on the same day as the full fat PC/Mac release, as well as Football Manager 2019 Touch which is also compatible with high-end Android tablets (and iPads).

Editor’s Pick

Starting with FM2019 Mobile, the latest iteration of the popular management sim comes with a raft of new features, including a new training system, a deeper experience for transfers and contract negotiations, match engine enhancements, and much more.

Russia and China have also been added to the mobile version, meaning you can now manage hundreds of clubs from over 56 leagues across 19 countries. The German Bundesliga is also now fully licensed for the first time.

As for Football Manger 2019 Touch, if you want a more in-depth Football Manager experience but don’t want to spend hours and hours tweaking tactics and attending endless press conferences, the latest iteration of the Touch sub-series includes more features than ever before.

New features includes pre-set tactical styles, an optional starter guide with helpful hints and tips, an all-new training system, and plenty more welcome tweaks.

You’ll find FM2019 Touch on the Play Store by hitting the link below, but before you pay up the $19.99 asking price, you’ll want to make sure that you’re tablet can handle it. Scroll down for the full compatibility list.

Android

  • Asus Zenpad 3S 10 Z500KL
  • Google Pixel C
  • HTC Nexus 9
  • Huawei MediaPad M2
  • Huawei MediaPad M2 10.0
  • Huawei MediaPad M3 8.4
  • Huawei MediaPad M5 8
  • Huawei MediaPad M5 10
  • Huawei MediaPad M5 10 Pro
  • Huawei MediaPad T3 8.0
  • Huawei MediaPad T3 10.0
  • Lenovo Moto Tab
  • Lenovo Tab 2 A10-70
  • Lenovo Tab 4 10
  • Lenovo Tab 4 10 Plus
  • Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus
  • LG G Pad II 10.1
  • Nvidia Shield
  • Nvidia Shield LTE
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 8.0
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A2 8.0
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 T580, T585
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.1 P580, P585
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab A 10.5
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 8.0
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 9.7
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 9.7
  • Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 10.5
  • Xiaomi MiPad 3
  • Xiaomi MiPad 4

iOS

  • iPad Air 1 & 2
  • iPad Mini 2, 3 & 4
  • iPad Pro 12.9, 10.5 and 9.7
  • iPad (2017)
  • iPad (2018)

Will you be stepping into the digital dugout this year? Let us know in the comments.

Up next: 10 best soccer games and European football games for Android!

Source: Android Zone

The post Football Manager 2019 Mobile and Touch out now on Play Store appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Microsoft’s Project xCloud: Console gaming experience streamed to your phone

An image of a woman playing a handheld game via Project xCloud, a new game streaming service from Microsoft. Microsoft

  • Microsoft announced its own console-style game streaming service today called Project xCloud
  • Similar to Google’s Project Stream, Project xCloud will allow you to play pretty much any game on any device via streaming.
  • According to Microsoft, internal testing of Project xCloud is happening now, with public trials coming in 2019.

Last week, Google announced Project Stream, a streaming service which will allow you to play console-style games right in your web browser. Today, Microsoft launched its own game streaming service called Project xCloud, which promises to bring console games to every device you own.

Similar to Project Stream, Project xCloud will use internet streaming to enable gamers to play high-performance games on devices which might not have high-performance hardware. This means smartphones, tablets, laptops, etc.

Editor’s Pick

The biggest problem preventing internet game streaming from becoming a full reality is latency — in this case, the time delay between a user hitting a button or key, that keypress registering on the server, and the resulting action happening on the user’s screen. Microsoft claims it has a grip on this latency issue and is confident that it can create a game streaming service which will allow users to play anything they want on any device they choose.

Check out the YouTube video below which describes Project xCloud:

According to Microsoft, the company has created a new type of blade server by assembling the components of several Xbox One systems. Although it’s likely more complicated than just mashing a bunch of Xboxes together, Microsoft is deploying these blade servers to data centers around the world which already house Microsoft’s Azure system. This means that Microsoft will be able to easily scale Project xCloud once it becomes a reality.

In the video above, a woman plays a console game on an Android phone (hard to be sure, but looks like a Samsung Galaxy S9) by connecting an Xbox controller via Bluetooth. According to the video caption, what we’re seeing in the example video is actual gameplay footage streamed to the Android phone via Project xCloud.

Editor’s Pick

Microsoft says its goal with Project xCloud is to bring the console gaming experience to everyone. Despite the popularity of console gaming, there are plenty of areas of the world where owning a console is an indulgent luxury or impractical due to various factors, and Microsoft wants those individuals to have access to console-style gaming even without the console.

For gamers who already own a console, Project xCloud will expand that console’s reach. If you are playing a game at home in your living room and have to start your train commute to work, you can simply restart the game on your phone right from where you left off.

While that all sounds wonderful, it does seem like it will be difficult to do in real-world mobile situations. There are times when its difficult to even play a YouTube video on a smartphone, let alone stream a game like Red Dead Redemption or Call of Duty. However, Microsoft seems fairly confident it has the solution.

Whatever the case, we will find out how it all works in 2019, when Microsoft will start public trials of Project xCloud.

What do you think? Does Microsoft have what it takes to make this a reality, or is this a pipe dream for now? Let us know in the comments!

NEXT: Google’s Project Stream will allow real-time 1080p, 60fps gaming via a browser

Source: Android Zone

The post Microsoft’s Project xCloud: Console gaming experience streamed to your phone appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

The Samsung Galaxy S9 just made history, but not in a good way

  • The Samsung Galaxy S9 shipped nine million units in Q2, one million less than in Q1.
  • This is the first time in the history of the Galaxy S line that Q2 shipments are lower than Q1.
  • These numbers represent further evidence that the Galaxy S line is in trouble.

Korean news site The Bell published some shipment numbers related to the Samsung Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus. According to the report, the second quarter shipment numbers for the Galaxy S9 are lower than the previous quarter.

That has never happened before in the history of the Galaxy S line, which is going on eight years now.

Specifically, Samsung shipped around ten million Galaxy S9s in Q1 of 2018 and then only nine million units in Q2. Historically, Samsung ships more units of Galaxy S devices in the second quarter than the first, which makes sense because Galaxy S phones don’t even launch until the end of the first quarter.

Editor’s Pick

If these numbers are accurate, that means that the Galaxy S9 had a terrific start but is proving to have poor staying power. This backs up earlier claims from industry analysts, which we wrote about at the beginning of July.

So far, Samsung’s only official statement on the performance of the Galaxy S9 is this:

Samsung’s smartphone shipments increased QoQ due to an early release of the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus as well as solid sales of the Galaxy S8. As a result of increased sales, mainly driven by premium models, revenue and profit significantly increased both QoQ and YoY.

However, it also pointed out that sales will be lower in the second quarter:

[In Q2]…Samsung expects earnings to decrease QoQ due to a slowdown in sales of its flagship models and increased marketing expenses to address the situation.

In other words, Samsung sees the writing on the wall, but doesn’t give any specific reason for why the S9 isn’t performing as well, other than “rising competition in the high-end segment.” That’s likely true, but the Galaxy S line is the king daddy of all Android smartphones; surely the blame can’t only be levied at the feet of competition.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is launching on August 9, weeks earlier than previous models. It’s not hard to imagine Samsung hoping to recoup some of its losses with the S9 by pushing the Note 9 out a little earlier. But with the Note 9 seeming more and more like a Note 8.1, will that be enough?

NEXT: Galaxy S9 killer: here’s what my perfect smartphone looks like

Source: Android Zone

The post The Samsung Galaxy S9 just made history, but not in a good way appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

HTC U12 Plus vs the competition: Can HTC’s beast tame the best of the rest?

HTC might not say it, but the U12 Plus’ shoulders carry an enormous amount of hope and pressure. HTC’s former life as a major player in the Android space is no more, and recent financials only serve to paint a bleak picture of the company that constantly reminded us it was quietly brilliant.

That said, the HTC U12 Plus seemingly delivers everything you could ask for in a 2018 flagship. From a powerful processor and tall display to four cameras and Edge Sense-itive sides, the U12 Plus leaves no stone unturned.

Read: HTC U12 Plus specs: This phone is a beast

As good as the HTC U12 Plus is on its own, how does it compare with the best Android smartphones out today? Let’s find out as we compare HTC’s beast with the OnePlus 6, LG G7 ThinQ, and Google Pixel 2 XL.

In terms of displays, the U12 Plus sports a 6-inch 2,880 x 1,440 resolution LCD display with no notch in sight. The Pixel 2 XL’s display features the same size and resolution, except it goes with P-OLED rather than traditional LCD.

  HTC U12 Plus OnePlus 6 LG G7 ThinQ Google Pixel 2 XL
Display 6.0-inch Super LCD 6
2,880 x 1,140 resolution
537ppi
18:9 aspect ratio
DCI-P3, sRGB
6.28-inch AMOLED
2,280 x 1,080 resolution
402ppi
19:9 aspect ratio
6.1-inch LCD FullVision
3,120 x 1,440 resolution
564ppi
19.5:9 aspect ratio
6.0-inch P-OLED
2,880 x 1,440 resolution
538ppi
18:9 aspect ratio
SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
GPU Adreno 630 Adreno 630 Adreno 630 Adreno 540
RAM 6GB 6/8GB 4/6GB 4GB
Storage 64/128GB 64/128/256GB 64/128GB 64/128GB

The OnePlus 6 and G7 ThinQ’s displays are AMOLED and LCD, respectively, but they also feature notches. You can “turn off” the notch if you go into settings, though folks might not appreciate the notch being there at all.

As with most things, this comes down to taste. The U12 Plus and G7 ThinQ feature LCD displays that, while not good for VR, feature high resolutions that are nice on the eyes. The OnePlus 6 and Pixel 2 XL’s AMOLED displays show off those inky blacks and saturated colors, but are more prone to burn-in.

Folks have been particularly critical of the Pixel 2 XL’s display for its multitude of issues that vary in severity across units. The OnePlus 6’s display does not have anywhere near the number of issues of the Pixel 2 XL’s, but the decision to stick with Full HD+ might not sit well with some.

Moving on to horsepower, the U12 Plus, OnePlus 6, and G7 ThinQ feature the Snapdragon 845 chipset. The Pixel 2 XL, meanwhile, makes do with the older Snapdragon 835 chipset. Because the two processors are flagship-level, do not expect anything but excellent performance out of these phones. If you want a phone for the long haul, the chipsets inspire confidence.

Editor’s Pick

The same goes for RAM amounts, with every phone in this comparison including at least 4GB of RAM. The U12 Plus sports 6GB of RAM, while you can pick up the OnePlus 6 with a ridiculous 8GB of RAM. Most folks don’t even need that much RAM, but the option is there if you want it.

The U12 Plus sports 6GB of RAM, while you can pick up the OnePlus 6 with a ridiculous 8GB of RAM. Most folks don’t even need that much RAM, but the option is there if you want it.

We have even come a long way when it comes to storage. Every phone in this comparison features at least 64GB of built-in storage, though the U12 Plus and G7 ThinQ go a step further and include microSD card slots. Then again, the OnePlus 6 is available in 128GB and 256GB configurations, while the Pixel 2 XL is also available with 128GB of storage.

  HTC U12 Plus OnePlus 6 LG G7 ThinQ Google Pixel 2 XL
Cameras Rear: 12MP wide-angle UltraPixel 4, f/1.75, 1.4μm
Telephoto: 16MP sensor, f/2.6, 1.0μm
PDAF, OIS, HDR Boost 2, dual-LED flash

Front: Dual 8MP sensors, f/2.0, 1.12μm, wide-angle, 84-degree FoV

Rear: 16MP, f/1.7, 1.22μm
Secondary: 20MP, f/1.7, 1.0μm

Front: 16MP, f/2.0, 1.0μm

Rear: 16MP, f/1.6, 71-degree FoV
Secondary: 16MP, f/1.9, 107-degree FoV

Front: 8MP, f/1.9

Rear: 12.2MP, f/1.8

Front: 8MP, f/2.4

Audio HTC USonic ANC BoomSound, Hi-Res recording, aptX HD, LDAC 32-bit via Bluetooth Bottom-firing speaker
Dirac HD Sound
3.5mm jack
Boombox Speaker
DTS:X 3D Surround Sound
Hi-Fi Quad DAC
3.5mm jack
Audio over USB Type-C
Front stereo speakers
Battery 3,500mAh
Quick Charge 3.0
3,300mAh
Dash Charge
3,000mAh
Quick Charge 3.0
3,520mAh
IP rating IP68 No IP68 IP67
Software Android 8.0 Oreo Android 8.1 Oreo Android 8.0 Oreo Android 8.1 Oreo
Dimensions and weight 156.6 x 73.9 x 8.7-9.7mm
188g
155.7 x 75.4 x 7.75mm
177g
153.2 x 71.9 x 7.9mm
162g
157.9 x 76.7 x 7.9mm
175g
Colors Black, Red, Blue Black, White Gray, Black, Blue, Rose Black, Black & White

Moving on to cameras, every phone but the Pixel 2 XL feature two cameras around back. The U12 Plus uses the secondary camera for telephoto shots, while the OnePlus 6 uses the extra sensor solely to add depth information for its portrait mode. The G7 ThinQ uses its secondary camera for wide-angle shots, while the Pixel 2 XL has one very excellent camera.

Read: Pixel 2 portrait mode: how does it compare to other phones?

Around front, the U12 Plus is one of a few phones to feature two selfie cameras that offer auto and manual Bokeh modes. They also allow for face unlock functionality, though the same can be said of the OnePlus 6 and G7 ThinQ.

Moving on to the sound department, the U12 Plus and Pixel 2 XL feature dual stereo speakers. The two phones also removed the headphone jack, though the U12 Plus includes a set of USonic earbuds that feature active noise cancellation.

The OnePlus 6 and G7 ThinQ retain the quickly-disappearing headphone jack, but feature one bottom-firing speaker. The G7 ThinQ’s speaker is at least loud and gets extra oomph when you set it on a flat surface, while the Hi-Fi Quad DAC will satisfy audiophiles.

The G7 ThinQ’s speaker is at least loud and gets extra oomph when you set it on a flat surface, while the Hi-Fi Quad DAC will satisfy audiophiles.

In terms of longevity, the U12 Plus sports a 3,500mAh battery. The OnePlus 6 and Pixel 2 XL feature similarly-sized power packs, while the G7 ThinQ gets by with a smaller 3,000mAh battery. In addition to the USB Type-C port, you can wirelessly charge the U12 Plus and G7 ThinQ. The same cannot be said of the OnePlus 6 and Pixel 2 XL, even though the former features a glass back.

Editor’s Pick

For the most part, those large batteries no longer mean a lack of IP certification. The U12 Plus and G7 ThinQ are IP68-rated, while the Pixel 2 XL has an IP67 rating. The OnePlus 6 features no IP rating, though OnePlus said it should survive a drop in a puddle or a walk in the rain.

Finally, every phone in this comparison runs Android Oreo out of the box, whether that is Android 8.0 or Android 8.1. As such, it comes down to whether you like your software skin to be prevalent (U12 Plus, G7 ThinQ) or virtually nonexistent (OnePlus 6, Pixel 2 XL).

At the end of the day, the U12 Plus satisfies every requirement of a 2018 flagship. It even features extras like stunning color options, an upgraded Edge Sense that actually senses where your hands are, and two selfie cameras.

However, the OnePlus 6 shows that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a powerful smartphone. The G7 ThinQ, meanwhile, offers plenty for audio enthusiasts and a unique secondary camera experience. Finally, the Pixel 2 XL has Google’s software prowess behind it and will get timely updates directly from the mothership for at least another two and a half years.

Pixel 2 XL has Google’s software prowess behind it and will get timely updates directly from the mothership

Whether that is enough to sway you away from the U12 Plus is up to you. In the meantime, you can check out our related U12 Plus coverage below:

Source: Android Zone

The post HTC U12 Plus vs the competition: Can HTC’s beast tame the best of the rest? appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

What’s new in OnePlus 5T with the Android Oreo update

OnePlus 5T

Launched last year, OnePlus 5T is a solid, well-rounded smartphone that packs in top-of-the-line specifications in a well-built chassis. The OnePlus 5T though shipped with OxygenOS 4.7.6 based on Android 7.1 Nougat out of the box.

But recently, the company shipped OxygenOS 5.0.3 based on Android 8.0 Oreo via an OTA update and quickly followed it up with the Android 8.1 update.

Oxygen OS is one of the most popular UI customization layers. There’s a subtle touch of enhancements and finesse without overwhelming user experience or performance. It’s improved quite a lot over the years, and with almost stock Android-like experience, it is a delight to use. 

Editor’s Pick

With Android Oreo, there’s a lot of things going behind the scenes on the OnePlus 5T for a more smoother experience overall. The company claims that the OnePlus 5T now starts more quickly with 2x the boot speed when powering up.

Some marquee features of Android Oreo also come to OxygenOS. With the new background limits, Android Oreo helps minimize background activity in the apps that you use least. It’s a pretty good feature under the hood, but something you don’t see on the surface. There’s AutoFill that remembers your credentials with your permission for a quicker authentication. With picture-in-picture, you can see two apps at once. The Oreo update also includes fully redesigned emoji set, including over 60 new emoji.

You can dive into more apps with fewer taps… press the notification dots to quickly see what’s new and clear them with just a swipe. Also, with Android Instant Apps, you can go directly into new apps straight from your browser – no installation needed.

OnePlus 5T screenshots

There’s a bunch of other improvements that OxygenOS brings to the OnePlus 5T with Android Oreo upgrade.

The accessibility button lets you quickly reach accessibility features from the navigation bar, such as magnification, and functionality within accessibility services, such as Select to Speak and accessibility services can optimize the audio experience for users with disabilities.

The OnePlus 5T now features background execution limits that gives it more control over how apps run in the background for better overall system performance. There’s also background location limits for better overall system health.

The latest upgrade brings integrated printing support for all Mopria-certified printers, which make up 97% of printers sold worldwide.

With new notification categories, there’s more granular control over which notifications can appear and how intrusive they are. Users can also hide notifications for a period of time, similar to inbox snoozing.

There are some more nifty little additions to the OnePlus 5T with the Android Oreo update. What is your favorite feature on Oreo that you were missing out on Android Nougat? Tell us in the comments!

Source: Android Zone

The post What’s new in OnePlus 5T with the Android Oreo update appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.