I got a Google Home Mini for $1 (Update: No more Minis)

Update, December 19, 2018 (06:14 PM ET): It looks like the jig is up as far as the $1 Google Home Minis go. If you visit the Spotify Premium for Family page, the site makes no more mention about obtaining a free Google Home Mini. We’ve also heard from readers that the deal no longer works.

If you missed your opportunity to get a free Google Home Mini, unfortunately, it seems you are out of luck. However, the $1 three-month trial of Spotify Premium (and the $1 two-month trial of Spotify Premium for Family) still works. Follow the instructions below to get that deal, but the steps involving the Google Home Mini no longer apply.

---

Original Article, December 3, 2018 (11:30 AM ET): A few weeks ago, we told you about an insane deal from Spotify: subscribers of the Spotify Premium for Family plan can get a Google Home Mini completely free-of-charge. That deal lasts until December 31, 2018 — head here to read our instructions on the process.

However, Spotify is running another deal right now which gets you a Spotify Premium for Family two-month trial for $1. This deal and the previously-mentioned deal can be stacked, which gets you a Google Home Mini and a Spotify Premium for Family two-month trial for only $1 — total.

What’s more, you can cancel the Spotify trial after the two months are up and still keep your Google Home Mini.

Follow along here and I’ll show you how to do it.

How to get a Google Home Mini for $1

Before we begin, there are two major limitations to this deal: the first is that you must be a new Spotify Premium subscriber. If you currently (or used to) pay for any variation of Spotify Premium, you will not be eligible for this deal. The other limitation is that this is for U.S. customers only.

With that out of the way, the first step is to sign up for the Spotify Premium three-month trial. To get started with that, click here. You will need to either log-in to your existing free Spotify account or create a new account from scratch.

To sign up for the trial, you will need to enter your credit card info. This credit card will immediately be charged $0.99 (plus applicable tax) and eventually be charged the normal fee for Spotify Premium when the trial is over (unless you cancel before then).

Once you’re all set with that, you’ll need to upgrade your new Spotify Premium account to the Spotify Premium for Family program. To do that, you’ll need to click here and then click the blue “Get Started” button.

Editor’s Pick

Apple Music vs Spotify vs Google Play Music

For well over a decade, the music industry has been trying to figure out the Internet and they have failed more often than they have succeeded. Declining music sales and the rise of free sources …

Now, this is where things get a bit scary. The page where you upgrade to Spotify Premium for Family will say that you’ll be charged $14.99 for upgrading. However, you will not be charged. You’ll need to enter your CC information again and all that, but Spotify will not charge you the $14.99. Instead, your three-month Premium trial will be knocked down to a two-month Premium for Family trial.

After you complete the Premium for Family upgrade, you will get two emails: a “Welcome to Spotify Premium for Family” message and an email telling you how to get your free Google Home Mini (deal no longer works, please read the update at top of the article). Obviously, that free Mini email is the one you want to open!

Follow the instructions in the email, but the basic gist is that you’ll be taken to the Google Store where you can pick your free Google Home Mini. Just do whatever Spotify and Google ask, and you’ll get your Mini for free:

Once this is all done and your Mini order is placed, you’ll want to mark your calendar for two months from today so you can cancel your trial. If you don’t want to cancel (which is what Spotify obviously wants) just let your subscription renew at the usual $14.99-per-month rate for Spotify Premium for Family.

Whatever you decide to do, the Google Home Mini is yours to keep.

Keep in mind that the trial offer and the Google Home Mini offer are only valid until December 31, 2018. Make sure you get on it ASAP before it’s over! Hey, a Google Home Mini for free isn’t something you want to skip.

Sign up for Spotify Premium Trial

Source: Android Zone

The post I got a Google Home Mini for $1 (Update: No more Minis) appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Android 8.1 Oreo beta update available for Essential Phone

• Essential has released Android 8.1 Oreo beta for the Essential Phone.
• This new update brings Oreo features as well as some new Essential-specific fixes and tweaks.
• Essential chose to skip Android 8.0 updates, instead focusing only on Android 8.1.

---

At the end of January, Essential announced that it would be skipping the Android 8.0 update and instead jump right into Android 8.1. This left some users disappointed, but Essential argued that Android 8.1 is safer and better than Android 8.0, and it would save time and resources to focus only on the later version.

The wait for Android 8.1 is almost over for Essential Phone owners, as the 8.1 beta is now available for download.

We just started rolling out Oreo Beta 8.1 through OTA. This update includes February security patches, dynamic calendar and clock icons, a slow-scrolling jitter fix (beta), and more. #EssentialPhone

— Essential (@essential) February 14, 2018

Here are the most notable changes in this Android 8.1 beta update.

• The integral Android Oreo features are all on hand, including picture-in-picture mode, smart text selection, faster startup, etc. Consult our Oreo guide for all the baked-in features of the operating system.
• A beta fix for the “Slow Scrolling Jitter” some Essential Phone owners have experienced is included. The fix is still in beta, so it may not be the permanent solution, but users will no doubt be happy to know that Essential is actively working on the issue.
• The update also brings the February 2018 Android security patch, as well as dynamic calendar and clock icons.

As Droid Life points out, the Essential Phone’s navigation buttons have been redesigned. The back and app switcher buttons have been reduced in size, while the home button is two circles rather than just one. Additionally, the theme will automatically swap from a light mode to a dark mode depending on your wallpaper. If your wallpaper is brightly colored, the phone picks a light mode, and a dark mode for darker wallpapers. This is similar to what Google’s Pixel Launcher does on the Pixel 2.

Once again, this is beta software, and thus only available to members of Essential’s beta program. However, users who are looking for a stable release should get excited about these updates, as they point to a wide rollout coming soon.

If you absolutely cannot wait for Android 8.1, feel free to sign up for the Essential beta program at its website.

Source: Android Zone

The post Android 8.1 Oreo beta update available for Essential Phone appeared first on trickmost.ml.