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Nokia Three, Five, 6, and eight will get Android 8.0 Oreo
The latest Nokia-branded phones from HMD Global have been pretty popular. The purpose of a near-stock Android ROM with quick updates has also caused Android enthusiasts to take notice, especially as many budget phones don’t receive major updates at all.
YouTube, your volume controls are bad and you should feel bad
Many of you have very likely seen yesterday’s XKCD comic about the laughably terrible state of volume controls on mobile devices. The issue is particularly bad in Android apps, and developers truly need to do something about it. Fairly honestly, it’s embarrassing that this is still a problem in 2017.
Harman Kardon, DTS, and Fabriq announce fresh Alexa-powered speakers
There is no shortage of Alexa-powered clever speakers at this point. Even however the very first third-partyGoogle Assistant clever speakers were the starlets of IFA in Berlin this past week (at least as far as audio products go), Amazon hasn’t been resting on its laurels. A few more Alexa speakers were exposed at the event, including ones from big-name companies like DTS and Harman (parent company of JBL).
Acer Chromebook fifteen hands-on: One big Chromebook
Chromebooks are mostly clustered toward the bottom of the market, and that often means the materials are unimpressive, features are lacking, and the build quality is mediocre. Acer has announced an updated version of its 15-inch Chromebook at IFA two thousand seventeen and it’s none of that. This device has been slimmed down compared to the last Acer CB15, it has better battery life (up to twelve hours), and it’s gained an aluminum framework. You’re still not going to get the best hardware out there, but this Chromebook could be just what some people want.
Galaxy Note8 and Xperia XZ1 are Netflix HDR capable
In the past few months, Netflix has added HDR streaming support on a few devices including the Xperia XZ Premium and LG V30, and now two fresh phones announced in the past weeks have joined the fold: the Samsung Galaxy Note8 and the Sony Xperia XZ1.
The Note8 is the very first Samsung device to be officially Netflix HDR compatible. The Galaxy S8 and S8+, despite having the required HDR displays, still haven’t been officially green-lighted by Netflix to the dismay of many a user. The same can be said of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3. It’s good that those who put down almost $1k for the Note8 won’t have to wait or wonder whether their shiny fresh phone will have it, but it’d be even better if those previous devices would get the official support soon.
Android Police – Android News, Apps, Games, Phones, Tablets
Android Police
[Deal Alert] ZeroLemon’s Ultra Power battery case for Pixel down to $27.99 ($13 off), Pixel XL case is $41.99 ($16 off)
Phone batteries keep getting smaller and smaller, but if you need a little more juice in day-to-day usage, an extended battery case is one option. ZeroLemon is known for making superb battery cases, and the company’s Pixel and Pixel XL cases are at an all-time low on Amazon. The Pixel case is now $27.99, and the Pixel XL case is $41.99 (once you factor in the 30% coupon for each). That’s a $13 and $16 reduction in price respectively from the usual cost.
Nokia Trio, Five, 6, and eight will get Android 8.0 Oreo
The latest Nokia-branded phones from HMD Global have been pretty popular. The aim of a near-stock Android ROM with quick updates has also caused Android enthusiasts to take notice, especially as many budget phones don’t receive major updates at all.
YouTube, your volume controls are bad and you should feel bad
Many of you have very likely seen yesterday’s XKCD comic about the laughably terrible state of volume controls on mobile devices. The issue is particularly bad in Android apps, and developers indeed need to do something about it. Fairly honestly, it’s embarrassing that this is still a problem in 2017.
Harman Kardon, DTS, and Fabriq announce fresh Alexa-powered speakers
There is no shortage of Alexa-powered wise speakers at this point. Even however the very first third-partyGoogle Assistant wise speakers were the starlets of IFA in Berlin this past week (at least as far as audio products go), Amazon hasn’t been resting on its laurels. A few more Alexa speakers were exposed at the event, including ones from big-name companies like DTS and Harman (parent company of JBL).
Acer Chromebook fifteen hands-on: One big Chromebook
Chromebooks are mostly clustered toward the bottom of the market, and that often means the materials are unimpressive, features are lacking, and the build quality is mediocre. Acer has announced an updated version of its 15-inch Chromebook at IFA two thousand seventeen and it’s none of that. This device has been slimmed down compared to the last Acer CB15, it has better battery life (up to twelve hours), and it’s gained an aluminum framework. You’re still not going to get the best hardware out there, but this Chromebook could be just what some people want.
Galaxy Note8 and Xperia XZ1 are Netflix HDR capable
In the past few months, Netflix has added HDR streaming support on a few devices including the Xperia XZ Premium and LG V30, and now two fresh phones announced in the past weeks have joined the fold: the Samsung Galaxy Note8 and the Sony Xperia XZ1.
The Note8 is the very first Samsung device to be officially Netflix HDR compatible. The Galaxy S8 and S8+, despite having the required HDR displays, still haven’t been officially green-lighted by Netflix to the dismay of many a user. The same can be said of Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S3. It’s good that those who put down almost $1k for the Note8 won’t have to wait or wonder whether their shiny fresh phone will have it, but it’d be even better if those previous devices would get the official support soon.
Optoma NuForce BE2 review: The best Bluetooth earphones in this price range
I am very cynical about Bluetooth audio these days. Even if the sound is good, the battery life deep throats, the buds themselves aren’t comfy, and so on. However, I think I eventually found a product that actually meets a lot of the criteria that make a good pair of Bluetooth earphones. Optoma’s NuForce BE2 is made for athletes; it packs an IPX5 rating, decent sound, and a nice 10-hour battery life span all for $50.
The Best Of AP
Galaxy S8 Active review: A indeed rugged, truly expensive phone
Today’s XKCD comic flawlessly sums up Android’s volume problem
Sensational: Google plans to launch a fresh Chromebook Pixel, mini version of Google Home alongside fresh phones
LineageOS adds support for OnePlus Five, more LG G6 variants, and other devices
Telegram Four.Three adds better replies in groups, a fresh contact invite system, and more [APK Download]
I’ve come to expect excellent things from every fresh Telegram update. Each one seems to enhance the quality-of-life for the users, and the latest brings some of those. Version Four.Three adds a much better group mentions and reply system, an overhauled UI for inviting contacts to join Telegram, and other minor improvements.
[Deal Alert] Brexlink Galaxy S8 5000mAh, S8+ 5500mAh battery cases are just $29.99 ($Ten off) on Amazon
The Galaxy S8 and S8+ have pretty good battery life out of the box, but sometimes, you just need some extra juice. For those occasions, you have two options: a portable battery or a battery case. Portable batteries usually suggest more power for your money, but they’re also rather cumbersome. These battery cases for the S8 and S8+ are just $29.99 apiece, which erases much of the cost issue, and at 5000mAh+, they’re pretty muscled as well.
[Deal Alert] Get a Chromecast Ultra for just $29.99 ($39 off) from RCWilley, but only with local pickup
Thus far, we’ve most commonly seen $Ten discounts on Google’s Chromecast Ultra. That’s indeed not that superb of an incentive, but if you’re on the West Coast, you may be able to grab one of these 4K-capable streaming devices for just $29.99 – a whopping 57% off the MSRP.