Easily add the Mclaren Edition’s fingerprint animation to your OnePlus 6T

Just like in years past, OnePlus partnered with Mclaren to release a special edition of its latest flagship. In addition to a modified design and 10GB of RAM, the limited edition handset includes several software tweaks.

One of these software additions is the in-display fingerprint animation seen below. Fortunately for those who already own a OnePlus 6T, forum members at XDA-Developers found an incredibly easy way to enable the unique animation without the need for root access or sideloading any software.

There are two reasonably straightforward methods to get things working on the T-Mobile and global versions of the OnePlus 6T. The first involves you downloading the Settings Database Editor app from the Play Store. From there, open the app and make sure that “System table” is selected.

Next, locate “op_custom_unlock_animation_style” and select the option to edit the value. Here, you will enter in “3”, confirm the change, and the OnePlus 6T Mclaren Edition’s animation should be working on your phone. 

Editor’s Pick

OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition hands-on: What should you expect?

Over the past few years we’ve seen a number of Chinese OEMs partner with luxury car companies to provide special edition handsets for fanatics with deep pockets. Huawei has Porsche Design, Oppo has Lamborghini, and now …

The second method is even easier, but only if you have ADB set up on your computer. If you do, first connect your OnePlus 6T to your machine and then run “adb devices”. As long as the handset showed up, you can then run “adb shell settings put system op_custom_unlock_animation_style 3”. And that’s it!

You can check out the forum on XDA’s website if you have any issues getting the animation to work on your OnePlus 6T.

Make sure to let us know in the comment section if you decided to add the Mclaren Edition’s animation to your OnePlus 6T!

Source: Android Zone

The post Easily add the Mclaren Edition’s fingerprint animation to your OnePlus 6T appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

New Year deal: SelectTV and HDTV antenna from under $1/month

If the family bonding is already wearing thin this Christmas you might want some great shows to keep everyone entertained. Well, it’s time to cut the cord. With SelectTV you can save yourself a ton of money but still access the channels you want and more.

SelectTV brings together anything that can be streamed online — which in 2018 is pretty much any show — in one place. It’s a much bigger library than the likes of Netflix or Hulu. In fact, those services are integrated into SelectTV for your convenience.

With a SelectTV subscription and an internet connection, you can watch whatever you want, whenever you want, on any device. Right now you also get a free HDTV antenna too, so you can pick up local channels in high definition.

It’s not quite all free of course. You still need to pay for the likes of your Hulu or Netflix subscription. However, you do get a bonus free month trial of nine different services. These include Netflix, Hulu, HBONow, Showtime, CBS All-Access, SlingTV, and Amazon Prime Video. 

The great thing is that the vast majority of SelectTV is free. 250,000 TV shows, 10,000 movies, and all sorts of other great stuff are included in the package. 

SelectTV at a glance:

• Watch over 300,000 TV episodes (250,000 free) and 200,000 movies (10,000 free), plus unlimited video on demand from any device.
• Streamline your options with Pay-Per-View deal Finder.
• Save your favorite shows and movies for easy access.
• Enjoy over 2,000 curated channels, with the latest episodes from top networks, as well as classic TV from the last 50 years.
• Stream over 50,000 world radio stations.
• Unify your entertainment by combining all of your subscriptions into one easy to use guide.
• Access a full calendar of live events, sports, concerts, and more, all streamed live via the web.
• Play thousands of free online games — Arcade, Puzzle, Multi-Player, Sports, Casino, and more.

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Normally subscribers have to pay monthly for SelectTV, but right now on Tech Deals a three-year subscription is just $29. You can even save a further 19 percent this week only with our promo code. Enter the code NEWYEAR2019 at the checkout to pay just $23.50 for your three-year subscription. That’s well under $1 per month.

Other great deals are available too. The one-year subscription is offered for just $19, and there’s even a lifetime subscription for only $59. The promo code works for these deals too, so your lifetime subscription will actually be less than $50 once you apply the code.

Ready to cut the cord and save money? Hit the button below to check out SelectTV, and don’t forget to use the promo code!

Check it out!

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.

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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

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What was the biggest blunder of 2018? (Poll of the Week)

Last week’s poll summary: Last week, we asked you about your favorite newcomer smartphone brand in 2018. Out of all the votes on our website and YouTube, an overwhelming majority (80 percent) said their favorite new brand is none other than Xiaomi’s Pocophone. Coming in at a very distant second place was Palm with 6 percent of the votes, followed by Black Shark with 5.5 percent, Red with 5 percent, and Realme with 4.5 percent.

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For as many highs as we’ve seen in 2018, there were just as many lows.

The first embarrassing moment that comes to mind is Red’s Hydrogen One launch, which was basically a disaster. The $1,295 price tag was already a tough sell without even looking at the phone, but when it finally launched (after delays) the price tag was the least of its worries. The 3D display was borderline gimmicky, and above all else the lackluster camera was the thing that surprised us — not something you’d expect from a camera company.

Related

5 most controversial Android apps and games from 2018!

Shop Catalog

Android apps and games took huge leaps in 2018. We saw AAA game titles like Fortnite and PUBG hit Android. We also saw excellent new apps and services like Bouncer and YouTube …

The most far-reaching blunder of the year might go to Huawei, however. It may have released one of the best Android phones ever made, but that didn’t stop the company from catching some negative headlines. As well as its failed launch in the U.S., Huawei has been under scrutiny for some privacy major concerns.

Speaking of privacy concerns, Facebook was one of the worst offenders this year too. Not only did the mega-company have its fair share of data breaches, Mark Zuckerberg even had to testify before Congress due to its big Cambridge Analytica scandal.

There were plenty more blunders this year, but those are three of the biggest. Which one gets your vote? Cast your vote in the poll below, and speak up in the comments if there’s anything you’d like to add.

Note: There is a poll embedded within this post, please visit the site to participate in this post’s poll.
Source: Android Zone

The post What was the biggest blunder of 2018? (Poll of the Week) appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

Mobile audio trends we hope to see in 2019

Between tossing our 2018 planners and contemplating what “new year, new me” means for 2019, we should also consider what resolutions and evolutions we want to see concerning mobile audio. While there are plenty of excellent smartphones for audio enthusiasts on the market, smartphone manufacturers are pushing wireless audio, despite our cries for the headphone jack’s return. Wishful thinking aside, let’s dive into what we’re likely to see this year.

Realistic trends

For the record, I’m a realist. While that’s usually code for “I’m a pessimist in denial,” in this instance, I think there are a handful of realistic, positive mobile audio trends on the horizon. After all, as wireless and true wireless technology improves, it becomes increasingly affordable.

A true wireless renaissance

True wireless earbuds have become significantly more compact and feature-packed in just the past year.

Although many of us are resistant to the wireless-only trend, it seems all but inevitable. True, Bluetooth still can’t outperform wired audio but its convenience is hard to ignore. What’s more, we’ve seen true wireless earbuds improve leaps and bounds in just the past year. Plus, as demonstrated at IFA 2018, renowned audio brands are trying their hands at truly wireless tech, too, which has helped bolster the market.

While it’s entirely possible that the accessibility of the technology will open the floodgates for sub-par earbuds to come, the coin flips both ways. Leveling the playground has allowed other competitors in like JLab and RHA. As manufacturers push their second generation true wireless earbuds to market, we expect to see battery life and connectivity improvements. Said expectations seem attainable and necessary to entice consumers.

Improved USB-C headphones

The USB-C market remains relatively untapped, leaving ample opportunity for any savvy companies in 2019.

Editor’s Pick

USB-C headphones are not a solution to the missing headphone jack

In theory, USB-C headphones solve the case of the missing headphone jack, but in reality, it’s a small band-aid lackadaisically placed over a gaping wound. It’s been just over a year since the dying headphone …

Recent events have compelled some smartphone users to replace their traditional wired earbuds with USB-C earbuds. In a perfect world, the replacement would be seamless, but the lack of universal support for USB-C audio systems is impossible to ignore. Likewise, compatibility issues are headache-inducing.

That said, this year two major companies — OnePlus and Razer — have released their own USB-C headphones, the latter of which performs exceptionally well within its unremarkable category. I hope and anticipate more companies trying their hands at the USB-C market as it remains fairly untapped. If a big brand like Samsung or LG, for instance, produces a knockout pair of earbuds, it can easily corner the market. That said, it seems a stretch since both companies have retained the headphone jack.

Increased aptX support

One of the biggest qualms audiophiles have regarding wireless smartphone audio is, well, streaming quality. A year ago, SBC seemed much more common than aptX. This makes sense since SBC is the lowest common denominator of Bluetooth codecs. Now, however, even ~$30 wireless earbuds can support aptX and aptX LL while operating on Bluetooth 5.0.

As wireless audio becomes ever more salient, we expect to see an increase in aptX-supported headphones and earbuds.

Seeing as mobile audio is a greater concern for general consumers, it seems realistic that more companies will partner with Qualcomm for aptX supported headphones and earbuds. Doing so would also reduce latency when streaming videos, which is important for Netflix and YouTube streamers.

Hail Mary mobile audio wishes

Naturally, there are a few long-shot wishes we audio enthusiasts are clinging onto. While they may not come to fruition this year, it’s okay to be optimistic about years to come.

Headphone jack revival

We desperately hope the headphone jack doesn’t become a luxury feature.

This one’s pretty unlikely seeing as companies have unapologetically let go of the headphone jack like it’s a summer intern at the end of August. That said, there exist enough dissenters within the mobile audio and wider audio communities condemning its removal. Perhaps that will galvanize companies to restore it. Even so, this restoration probably won’t come for another year or two beyond 2019, since the immediate future is evidently leaning wireless.

Android’s version of a W1 chip

Samsung’s partnership with AKG may lead to an Android chip comparable to Apple’s W1 chip. We won’t hold our breath for too long though.

For those abstaining from all things Apple, the company’s W1 chip vastly improves wireless audio for iPhone users. Since it’s proprietary hardware, Android users don’t get a bite. Although it’s unlikely an Android W1 chip-equivalent will be announced in the coming year, Samsung and AKG could develop comparable hardware for Android devices, or at least for Samsung’s.

While all this conjecture is fun, it seems guaranteed that true wireless and USB-C technology will only continue to improve. After all, consumers continue to vote with their wallets, casting their ballots for true wireless earbuds in particular. For better or worse, this is the avenue we’re heading down and perhaps it leads to a dead end, or perhaps it leads to an all wireless, high-quality audio future. Until we know for sure, though, I’ll continue championing wired audio.

You may like the Best of Android: the best audio

Source: Android Zone

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Deal: Save $90+ on the unlocked 64GB Moto G6 from Amazon

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly smartphone that has a premium look and feel, the Moto G6 is one of the best options. And if you hurry, you can save $90 to $100 on the handset from Amazon dropping the price as low as $199.99.

Grab this deal!

The Moto G6 features a 5.7-inch LCD with a 2,160 x 1,080 resolution. Under the hood, you will find a Snapdragon 450 CPU and a 3,000mAh battery charged via a USB-C port. 

Around back, the handset sports a 12MP primary camera accompanied by a 5MP RGB sensor for portraits. Users can then use the 8MP front-facing camera for their selfie needs. 

Editor’s Pick

Best Motorola phones

Lenovo-owned Motorola covers all the bases with its smartphone lineup, giving consumers choices at every price point. No matter if you’re looking for a high-end, mid-range, or a budget device, Motorola has you covered. To …

For this sale, Amazon is discounting the higher-end model which features 64GB of built-in storage and 4GB of RAM. The trade-off is that the discount is only applicable on the black colorway. 

The unlocked Moto G6 can be used on pretty much every U.S. carrier including AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. You can buy it right now for $229.99 using the button below. 

And if you want to save a bit more, Amazon is dropping the price of the Prime Exclusive model to $199.99. In exchange, you’ll get a phone with a bunch of Amazon’s apps pre-installed and Alexa set as the default voice assistant.

You can pick up the Prime Exclusive Moto G6 in Indigo Blue for $199.99 using the button below. 

Unlocked Moto G6

Prime Exclusive Moto G6

Source: Android Zone

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Android in 2018 is the opening act for Android in 2019

As the end of 2018 gets closer, we’ll start seeing the usual “Best of 2018” lists for smartphones and mobile devices. Android Authority will take part in all the fun as usual. No doubt some of these lists (and the comments) will mention how lackluster 2018 was for the mobile industry, with incremental updates and little innovation.

To be clear, 2018 hasn’t been bad. We’ve seen incredibly cool devices that slide, pop, and bend. We’ve seen great products made even better with subtle tweaks and refinements. We’ve seen established brands launch new sub-brands to rousing success. We’ve seen brands still establishing themselves achieve things few would have suspected.

There have also been incredible advancements in photography, with multi-lensed smartphones becoming the norm and AI-powered photography tricks empowering even novices to take professional-quality shots.

However, let’s face it: despite all that, 2018 has also been full of yawns.

It’s hard to correctly judge the future, but I think Android in 2018 won’t be fondly remembered in the Android history books.

Just look at how nearly every manufacturer jumped onto the notched display bandwagon, resulting in a deluge of iPhone X clones. Regardless of how you feel about the notch, it’s hard to deny there were a lot of look-alike devices this year, which makes for a pretty yawn-inducing market.

Editor’s Pick

Q3 2018 smartphone shipments are in: how much longer before Huawei claims top spot?

Huawei and Xiaomi were the big winners in Q3 2018, according to smartphone shipment figures from Counterpoint Research. While the numbers say Samsung is still the number one OEM in terms of market share, a …

We also yawned at the launch of “new” devices that look and feel so similar to the previous device they’re hard to tell apart. A lot of the major smartphone releases were just revamps of previous devices with a few extra bells and whistles added. Just look at the iPhone XS, Google Pixel 3, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy Note 9, LG V40 ThinQ, and the Sony Xperia XZ3, all of which are minor steps up from the previous models. It would seem appropriate to label 2018 an “S” year.

Even the Google Pixel 3 XL — one of the most talked-about devices of the year — fully leaked months before it launched, and landed to a chorus of yawns.

For these reasons and more, it would be easy for me to write an article where I bash this year’s Android devices. Instead, I’m going to spin things into a more positive take: Android in 2018 will likely be the competent opening act to the true main event: Android in 2019.

Android in 2019

Each major Android OEM has made a lot of promises about what it will have to offer next year. In fact, companies like Samsung and Motorola dedicated large parts of their 2018 device launches hyping up what is coming soon, rather than what they actually had on offer that day.

Let’s check out what a handful of the major OEMs have coming up.

Samsung

In early November, Samsung finally revealed its years-in-the-making foldable phone. The potentially game-changing device opens up into a bendable tablet, allowing users to do all sorts of things currently impossible to do on a standard smartphone. Samsung didn’t fully reveal the device at the event but promised we’d see it in 2019.

The 2019 iteration of the Galaxy S series (likely called the Samsung Galaxy S10) looks to be a complete overhaul from what we’ve seen over the past two years. We expect three (or possibly even four) variants of the S10 instead of the usual two, and we expect them to sport some unique technology like 3D mapping scanners and ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensors. It’s also possible the S10 line could launch with an Infinity-O display, with a small hole cut out for the front-facing camera.

We also expect to see a 5G-enabled smartphone from Sammy in 2019. However, we aren’t sure if it will be part of the S10 line or something all its own.

Regardless, we know Samsung is currently in a “crisis” and working hard behind the scenes to get consumers excited about buying its smartphones again, which is good news for all of us.

OnePlus

OnePlus is revamping its entire smartphone strategy in 2019 by releasing a 5G model that won’t be a successor to the most recent OnePlus 6T. That means there will likely be two smartphone lines running concurrently from OnePlus. This will be the biggest strategy change for the company since it launched the OnePlus X in 2015.

OnePlus also might release a television in 2019, as weird as that sounds. The Chinese company gets bigger, more popular, and more ambitious every year. 2019 will likely be quite exciting for OnePlus.

The major Android OEMs have made some big promises in 2019 which are making us pretty excited.

Xiaomi

Xiaomi is doing some exciting things in 2019, too. It’s already started to trickle into new territories this year, including the U.K. The company is also selling products in the United States, but not smartphones yet. It’s absolutely possible we’ll see Xiaomi smartphones worldwide in 2019, even in the U.S.

The launch of the ultra-cheap Pocophone F1 was one of the surprise hits of 2018, and we fully expect Xiaomi to double down on its new sub-brand in 2019. While the Pocophone F1 was certainly awesome, it wasn’t without flaws, and we hope the Pocophone F2 (or whatever it gets called) will fix some of those issues.

As with most other OEMs on this list, Xiaomi is promising a 5G smartphone in 2019. It’s also promising a foldable phone to compete with Samsung (and possibly LG). Either way, we’d just be happy to finally be able to buy Xiaomi devices in the U.S.

Huawei

Like Samsung, Xiaomi, LG, and others, Huawei has promised a foldable phone in 2019. However, it is one-upping the competition by claiming its foldable device will be 5G capable and possibly even the first one from a major OEM to market.

Huawei will be pushing its very popular sub-brand Honor hard in 2019. In certain areas of the world, Huawei’s biggest competitor is Honor, which is the best kind of problem for any company to have. As such, you can likely expect more powerful mid-range and budget devices for incredibly cheap prices.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like we’ll be seeing Huawei devices in the United States in 2019. The company could surprise us, but it looks like we’ll still be watching Huawei’s success from afar in the immediate future.

LG

Let’s face it: 2018 hasn’t been the greatest year for LG. After a controversial decision to abandon its original plans for the follow-up to the LG G6, the company launched the LG G7 ThinQ later than planned and to lukewarm sales. The company’s smartphone lineup has gotten incredibly confusing, with the LG V30 quickly followed up by the LG V30S ThinQ and then the LG V35 ThinQ after that, and so on.

However, 2019 could be a new dawn for LG. It’s even apparently hired a “turnaround expert” to solve its mounting financial woes in the mobile sector.

Nothing would please us more than to see LG make a true comeback. LG devices are usually pretty awesome, albeit with a few caveats, but those caveats combined with a usually-very-high asking price make them hard to recommend. Hopefully, LG’s future strategy will take this into account.

Choose your perspective

Many of you reading this might be disappointed with 2018’s phones. You might be holding on to your 2017 device because nothing this year motivated you to run out and replace it. That makes sense.

However, just because 2018 didn’t blow us away, it doesn’t mean we should start with the doomsday talk. We can choose to see 2018 as a stepping stone year, building up the hype for what’s going to really wow us in 2019. There are certainly enough potentially awesome things on the horizon to warrant a positive outlook.

Do you agree? Do you think 2018 is paving the way for an awesome 2019, or do you think next year will be more of the same? Sound off in the comments!

NEXT: Google dev hints Android Q previews could come to more users, sooner

Source: Android Zone

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That Stranger In The Mirror — A beginner’s guide to neuroscience

Contrary to what some might say, we all have a complex and fascinating brain. It controls your actions, gives you emotions, and defines your personality, but most of us haven’t got the first clue how it works. Neuroscience is a mystery.

Well, now’s your chance to learn what’s going on up there, and it’s pretty cool. Loonycorn has produced a fun and engaging online learning kit to give you a beginner’s guide to neuroscience. It’s called That Stranger In The Mirror and you can save $20 on the signup fee right now.

Over this course, you’ll learn the anatomy of the brain, and how each part interacts to determine behaviors and motivation. Plus, you’ll dive into the psychology behind personality, memory, and much more.

The neuroscience guide at a glance:

• Access 45 lectures and seven hours of content 24/7.
• Identify different parts of the brain, and how they correspond to different voices in your head.
• Understand primary motivations, including complex urges such as desiring fairness and independence.
• Seek the state of flow, a mental state of intense concentration and joy, brought on by work.
• Classify personalities into 32 categories using the Big Five Personality Traits.
• Learn how memory works, and why it is reconstructive and associative.

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The learning kit normally retails for $50, but this Christmas it’s on offer at Tech Deals for just $29.99. That gives you lifetime access too, so you can dip in and out at your own convenience.

The deal only runs this week, so don’t spend too long mulling it over. Hit the button below to find it.

Check it out!

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.

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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 That Stranger In The Mirror — A beginner’s guide to neuroscience appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.

How to Use the New WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg Tutorial)

In WordPress 5.0, the classic content editor was replaced with a brand new block editor, known as Gutenberg. Since then, several of our readers have asked us to create a comprehensive tutorial on how to use the Gutenberg block editor in WordPress.

WordPress block editor is a totally new and different way of creating content in WordPress. In this tutorial, we will show you how to use the new WordPress block editor and master it to create visually stunning blog posts and pages.

What’s The Difference Between Block Editor (Gutenberg) and Classic Editor?

Before we dive into the new editor, let’s first compare and understand the differences between Gutenberg Block Editor and the Classic Editor.

Here is what the classic editor in WordPress looked like:

If you upgrade to WordPress 5.0, then this is what the new block editor looks like:

As you can see, they are two completely different editors for creating content in WordPress.

The old classic editor was a text editor with formatting buttons very similar to Microsoft Word.

The new editor uses a totally different approach, called ‘Blocks’ (hence, the name Block Editor).

Blocks are content elements that you add to the edit screen to create content layouts. Each item you add to your post or page is a block.

You can add blocks for each paragraph, images, videos, galleries, audio, lists, and more. There are blocks for all common content elements and more can be added by WordPress plugins.

How is the new WordPress block editor better than the classic editor?

The new WordPress block editor offers a simple way to add different types of content to your posts and pages.

For example, previously if you wanted to add a table in your content, then you needed a separate table plugin.

With the new editor, you can simply add a table block, select your columns and rows, and start adding content.

You can move content elements up and down, edit them as individual blocks, and easily create media-rich content.

Most importantly, the new WordPress block editor is easy to use and learn.

This gives an immense advantage to all WordPress beginners who are just starting their first blog or building a DIY business website.

That being said, let’s take a look at how to use the new WordPress block editor like a pro to create great content.

Here is what we will cover in this Gutenberg tutorial:

1. Using Gutenberg – The new WordPress block editor
2. Creating a new blog post or page
3. How to add a block in Gutenberg
4. Working with blocks in the new editor
5. Saving and reusing blocks in Gutenberg
6. Publishing and post settings in Gutenberg
7. Plugin settings in new editor
8. Adding some common blocks in Gutenberg
9. Exploring some new content blocks in Gutenberg
10. Bonus tips on using Gutenberg like a pro
11. Adding more blocks to Gutenberg Block Editor
12. FAQs about Gutenberg

Ready? Let’s dive in.

Using Gutenberg – The New WordPress Block Editor

The block editor is designed to be intuitive and flexible. While it looks different than the old WordPress editor, it still does all the things that you were able to do in the classic editor.

Let’s start with covering the basic things that you did in the classic editor, and how they are done in the block editor.

Creating a New Blog Post or Page Using The Block Editor

You will start creating a new blog post or page like you normally would. Simply click on Posts » Add New menu in your WordPress admin. If you are creating a page, then go to Pages » Add New menu.

This will launch the new block editor.

How to Add a Block in Gutenberg

The first block of every post or page is the title.

After that, you can use the mouse to move below the title or press the tab key on your keyboard to move down and start writing.

By default, the next block is a paragraph block. This allows users to start writing right away.

However, if you want to add something different, then you can click on the add new block button on the top left corner of the editor, below an existing block, or on the left side of a block.

Clicking on the button will show the add block menu with a search bar on top and commonly used blocks below.

You can click on tabs to browse block categories or type in the keyword to quickly search for a block.

If you don’t want to use a mouse to click on the button, then you can use a keyboard shortcut by typing / to search and add a block.

Working with Blocks in The New Editor

Each block comes with its own toolbar which appears on top of the block. The buttons in the toolbar would change depending on the block you are editing.

For example, in this screenshot, we are working in a paragraph block which shows basic formatting buttons like: text alignment, bold, italic, insert-link, and strikethrough buttons.

Apart from the toolbar, each block can also have its own block settings which would appear in the right column of your edit screen.

You can move blocks up and down by simple drag and drop or by clicking the up and down buttons next to each block.

Saving and Reusing Blocks in Gutenberg

One of the best things about blocks is that they can be saved and reused individually. This is particularly helpful for bloggers who frequently need to add specific content snippets to their articles.

Simply click on the menu button located at the right corner of each block’s toolbar. From the menu, select ‘Add to reusable blocks’ option.

You will be asked to provide a name for this reusable block. Enter a name for your block and then click on the save button.

The block editor will now save the block as a reusable block.

Now that you have saved a block, let’s see how to add the reusable block into other WordPress posts and pages on your site.

Simply edit the post or page where you want to add the reusable block. From the post edit screen, click on the add block button.

You will find your saved block under the ‘Reusable’ tab. You can also find it by typing its name in the search bar.

You can take your mouse over it to see a quick preview of the block. Simply click on the block to insert it into your post or page.

All reusable blocks are stored in your WordPress database, and you can manage them by clicking on the ‘manage all reusable blocks’ link.

This will bring you to the block manager page. From here, you can edit or delete any of your reusable blocks. You can also export reusable blocks and use them on any other WordPress website.

Publishing and Managing Options in Gutenberg Block Editor

Each WordPress post contains a lot of metadata. This includes information like publish date, categories and tags, featured images, and more.

All these options are neatly placed in the right column on the editor screen.

Plugin Options in Gutenberg

WordPress plugins are able to take advantage of the block editor’s API to integrate their own settings within the edit screen.

Some popular plugins are already available as blocks. For example, WPForms, the best WordPress form builder plugin allows you to add forms into your content using a widget block.

Here is how Yoast SEO allows you to edit your SEO settings in the new editor:

WooCommerce also comes with widget blocks that you can easily add to any of your WordPress posts and pages.

Adding Some Common Blocks in New Editor

Basically, the new editor can do everything the classic editor did. However, you will be doing things way quicker and elegantly than before.

1. Adding an image in new WordPress editor

There is a ready to use image block in the new WordPress editor. Simply add the block and then upload an image file or select from the media library.

You can also drag and drop images from your computer, and the editor will automatically create an image block for it.

Once you have added an image, you will be able to see the block settings where you can add metadata for the image like alt text, size, and add a link to the image.

2. Adding a link in new block Editor

The block editor comes with several blocks where you can add text. Most commonly used one is the paragraph block which comes with an insert link button in the toolbar.

All other commonly used text blocks also include a link button in the toolbar.

You can also insert a link using the keyboard shortcut, which is Command + K for Mac and CTRL + K on Windows computers.

3. Adding an image gallery in Gutenberg

The gallery block works like the image block. You add it and then upload or select image files.

4. Adding shortcodes in WordPress posts using Gutenberg

All your shortcodes will work just like they did in the classic editor. You can simply add them to a paragraph block, or you can use the shortcode block.

Exploring Some New Content Blocks in Gutenberg

The Gutenberg editor promises to solve some long-standing usability issues in WordPress by introducing some new blocks.

Following are some of the favorites that we believe users will find immensely helpful.

1. Adding an image next to some text in WordPress

Using the old editor, many of our users were unable to place an image next to the text. You can do this now with the Media & Text block.

This simple block comes with two blocks placed side-by-side allowing you to easily add an image and add some text next to it.

2. Adding a button in WordPress posts and pages

Adding a button to your blog posts or pages was another annoyance in the classic editor. You either had to use a plugin that created a shortcode for the button, or you had to switch to HTML mode and write code.

Gutenberg comes with a button block that allows you to quickly add a button to any post or page.

You can add a link for your button, change colors, and choose from three button styles.

3. Adding beautiful cover images in blog posts and landing pages

Another cool feature that you may want to try is the ‘Cover’ block, which allows you to add cover images to your posts and pages.

A cover image is a wider image often used as a cover for a new section in a page or the beginning of a story. They look beautiful and allow you to create engaging content layouts.

Simply add a cover block and then upload the image you want to use. You can choose an overlay color for the cover or make it a fixed background image to create parallax effect when users scroll down the page.

4. Creating tables inside articles

The classic editor didn’t have a button to add tables into your WordPress posts. You had to use a plugin or create a table writing custom CSS and HTML.

New Gutenberg editor comes with a default Table block, which makes it super easy to add tables into your posts and pages. Simply add the block and then select the number of columns and rows you want to insert.

You can now go ahead and start adding data to table rows. You can always add more rows and columns if needed. There are also two basic style options available.

5. Creating multi-column content

Creating multi-column content was another issue that the classic editor didn’t handle at all. The block editor allows you to add Columns block, which basically adds two columns of paragraph blocks.

This columns block is quite flexible. You can add up to 6 columns in a row and even use other blocks inside each column.

Bonus Tips to Use Gutenberg like a Pro

Looking at the new block editor, you may be wondering whether you will be spending more time adding and adjusting blocks than creating actual content?

Well, the new editor is incredibly fast and even very basic usage for a few minutes will allow you to instantly add blocks without even thinking.

Pretty soon you will realize how much faster your workflow will become with this new approach.

For power users, here are some bonus tips to help you work even faster with the new WordPress editor.

1. Move the block toolbar to the top.

As you may have noticed in the screenshots that there is a toolbar that appears on top of every block. You can move this toolbar to the top of the editor.

Simply click on the three-dot button at the top right corner of the screen and then select the Top Toolbar option.

2. Use keyboard shortcuts

Gutenberg comes with several handy shortcuts that will make your workflow even better. The first one you should start using right away is the /.

Simply enter / and then start typing, and it will show you matching blocks that you can instantly add.

For more shortcuts, click on the three-dot menu on the top-right corner of your screen and then select ‘Keyboard Shortcuts’.

This will bring up a popup with the list of all the keyboard shortcuts that you can use. The list will have different shortcuts for Windows and Mac users.

3. Drag and drop media to automatically create media blocks

Gutenberg allows you to just drag and drop files anywhere on the screen and it will automatically create a block for you.

You can drop a single image or video file, and it will create the block for you. You can also drop multiple image files to create a gallery block.

4. Adding YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo, and other embeds

Gutenberg introduces new embed blocks to the block editor. There is a block for all supported embed types including YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and more.

However, you can just copy and paste the embed URL at any point, and it will automatically create a block for you.

For example, if you added a YouTube video URL, it will automatically create a YouTube embed block and display the video.

Adding More Blocks to Gutenberg Block Editor in WordPress

The new block editor in WordPress allows developers to create their own blocks. There are some awesome WordPress plugins offering block bundles for the new editor.

Here are a few of them:

1. Advanced Gutenberg

Advanced Gutenberg comes with several blocks for popular content elements like WooCommerce product slider, testimonials, maps, counter, tabs, accordions, and more.

It also gives you advanced control on which users can access blocks based on their user roles. You can create user profiles and select which blocks they can add.

2. Stackable – Gutenberg Blocks

Stackable – Gutenberg Blocks is a collection of beautifully designed Gutenberg blocks that you can use on your website. It includes blocks for the container, posts, feature grid, accordion, image box, icon list, call to action, and more.

3. Editor Blocks

Editor Blocks is another neat collection of Gutenberg blocks that you can use. It comes with useful blocks like author profile, hero image, pricing table, brands, features, and more.

FAQs about Gutenberg – The New Block Editor in WordPress

Since Gutenberg became the new WordPress editor, we have been getting a lot of questions. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Gutenberg.

1. What happens to my older posts and pages? Can I still edit them?

Your old posts and pages are completely safe and unaffected by the Gutenberg. You can still edit them, and Gutenberg will automatically open them in a block containing the classic editor.

You can edit them inside the old editor, or you can convert older articles into blocks and use the new block editor.

2. Can I still keep using the old editor?

Yes, you can still keep using the old editor. Simply install and activate the Classic Editor plugin.

Upon activation, it will disable the block editor, and you will be able to continue using the classic editor.

Please note that Classic Editor will be supported until 2022.

3. What to do if the new editor doesn’t work with a plugin or theme I am using?

Project Gutenberg was under development for a long time. This gave plugin and theme authors plenty of time to test their code for compatibility.

However, there is still a chance that some plugins and themes may not work well with the new editor. In that case, you can install the classic editor plugin, request the developer to add Gutenberg support, or simply find an alternative plugin or theme.

4. How to learn more Gutenberg tips and tricks?

WPBeginner is the best place to learn about the new block editor in WordPress. We are the largest WordPress resource site on the internet.

We will be publishing new articles and updating our old resources to help you master the new block editor.

Meanwhile, if you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us by leaving a comment or by using the contact form on our website.

We hope this Gutenberg tutorial helped you learn how to use the new WordPress block editor. You may also want to see our complete WordPress performance guide for improving your website speed.

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The post How to Use the New WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg Tutorial) appeared first on WPBeginner.

Source: Wordpres

The post How to Use the New WordPress Block Editor (Gutenberg Tutorial) appeared first on TuneMaster.ml.