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Latest by Mark Jansen

Essential phone review top half

Essential PH-1 Phone: Everything you need to know

It's been nearly a year since the Essential Phone PH-1was announced in 2017. It comes from the co-creator of Android itself. The PH-1 is compact and light, weighing less than 185 grams and 7.8mm thick. And while the phone has not a huge seller, Essential has continually improved the phone via updates.
Moto Z3 review

The best Moto Z3 cases to keep your flagship phone protected

The newly released Motorola Moto Z3 is a fine phone with a lot to offer its fans, with access to all the latest Moto Mods, and with the flagship power you expect. But while it's tough, it's not tough enough to go five rounds with concrete. Here are the best Moto Z3 cases to keep it safe and protected.
google one news

Google One subscriptions offer more cloud storage for low prices, other perks

Can't get enough storage on Google Drive, Photos, and Gmail? Never mind the old paid plans, Google One is the new way to boost your cloud storage. But it's not just about more room for your files -- Google One has a bunch of benefits for subscribers. Here's everything you need to know about Google One.
Apple Watch Series 3 buying guide heart rate

Apple considers making its own health-monitoring processors

According to a job listing from Apple's own job website, Apple could be looking at making its own dedicated health-tracking processors. Known as ASICs, these chips are dedicated to health monitoring features on wearables, and if true, could mean Apple will add more features to the next Apple Watch.
Galaxy Note 9 pink and black

Samsung Galaxy Note 9 vs. Huawei P20 Pro: Two high-end phones clash

The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is here and it's a big, beautiful beast of a smartphone, with power, style, and more special features than you can shake a stick at. But today's market is demanding, so does the Note 9 measure up to other flagships? We pitted it against the Huawei P20 Pro to find out.
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The best Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium cases

The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium is a beautiful and powerful phone, with incredible camera tech - but with a glass build and a $1,000 price tag, you'll want to keep it protected. We've done all the research you need, and found the best Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium cases to keep your premium phone pristine.
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Bloatware could be putting millions of Android devices at risk

Changes to Android's firmware could be making millions of Android smartphones vulnerable to massive hacks. A study of 10 phones from a variety of U.S. carriers has revealed that manufacturer skins and added bloatware could leave users open to their devices being hijacked.
what to expect at samsung galaxy unpacked august 2018 note 9

Here’s everything announced at Samsung Galaxy Unpacked

Samsung's theme at Galaxy Unpacked was "unity" - so here's everything that was announced at Galaxy Unpacked in one place. From the jaw-dropping Galaxy Note 9, to the surprising Galaxy Home smart speaker powered by Bixby, and the all-new Galaxy Watch. Here's everything that was announced.
samsung s pen

How to watch Samsung’s Galaxy Unpacked August 2018 event

Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked event is today, and the excitement is becoming very real. With the Galaxy Note 9, a new wearable, and more cool new devices rumored, it's going to be the event to watch. But how do you watch it? Here's how you can watch Samsung's Galaxy Unpacked 2018 event.
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Android 9.0 Pie: Everything you need to know

It's time to dig in, as the new version of Android is here. After months of a beta program, Google has released the newest version of the Android operating system, and revealed its new name: Android 9.0 Pie. Is it worth getting excited about? You bet! Here's what you need to know about Android 9.0 Pie.
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Here’s how to download and install Android 9.0 Pie

Want to take the next version of Android for a spin? Here's how to install the Android 9.0 Pie on your compatible device, and what you need to know before testing the new OS. If you have a Pixel or another eligible phone you can get all the new features early, but you can also expect some bugs.

When is your phone getting Android 9.0 Pie? We asked every major manufacturer

Android 9.0 Pie has been released -- and it's bringing some awesome new features. But when is your phone getting Android 9.0 Pie, and if so, when? We asked every device manufacturer -- from Asus to Samsung to ZTE -- to see when their devices would be getting the update, and here's what we found out.
xiaomi qin 1 feature phone news featured

The Qin is a super-cheap feature phone with A.I., 4G, and a T9 keypad

The Qin phone is a feature phone with A.I., real-time translation, a 4G connection, and Bluetooth -- all for half the price of the Nokia 8810. The crowdfunded Qin phone comes in two varieties, with the cheapest costing just $30 -- but unfortunately for anyone interested, it's probably only for China.
asus zenfone live l1 news what a cool dude

Asus bringing super-budget ZenFone Live (L1) to the U.S. for $110

If you're looking for a super-cheap phone then devices powered by Google's Android Go are probably on your radar. Options in the U.S. are about to get a bit better with the introduction of the Asus ZenFone Live (L1). With a Snapdragon 425, it's priced at $110, and will be a Bust Buy exclusive.

Apple found guilty of infringing WiLan patents, must pay $145 million

Apple was ordered by a California jury to pay WiLan, a Canadian patent licensing company, the sum of $145.1 million for damages as a result of patent infringement. According to the jury, some of Apple's iPhone models used two of WiLan's wireless communications technology patents.
iPad 9.7 2018

Huawei and Apple’s tablet sales rise despite big market segment decline

The IDC's analysis of tablet sales for the second quarter of 2018 are out, and it doesn't paint a rosy picture of the market. Samsung, Lenovo, and Amazon are among those who've lost out in the declining market, while Apple and Huawei have continued to make gains in their sales with new devices.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 vs. Galaxy Tab S3: Android Tablet Showdown

Samsung has unveiled the Galaxy Tab S4, and with upgraded power and looks, and a much larger screen, it looks set to prove that Android tablets are back in a big way. But before it can take on the iPad it needs to cut its teeth on its stablemate. Can the Tab S4 beat last year's Galaxy Tab S3?
oneplus 5t hands on review flat angle

The 10 best OnePlus 5T cases

It might have been superseded by the OnePlus 6, but the OnePlus 5T is still no slouch, with the power of the Snapdragon 835, and a modern bezel-less design. But just because it's powerful, don't expect it to be able to drop onto the sidewalk with no injuries. Protect it with the best OnePlus 5T cases.
Google Daydream View (2017) review

Daydream VR users can browse with Google Chrome in virtual space

Tired of browsing the internet in your boring regular reality? If you're a Daydream VR user, you no longer have to, as Google has announced the ability to use Google Chrome from within your Daydream VR headset. It comes with the usual features you'd expect from Chrome, with a few just for Daydream.
lg v35 thinq assistant

There’s a reason LG’s Signature Edition costs twice as much as the LG V35

Want a phone that's stupidly expensive because you have too much money? Don't worry, you don't need to buy two phones - LG's bringing out a special phone that should help drain your overflowing coffers. But beware: it's only available in Korea, and there's only 300 available in the whole world.
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Alcatel 1X review

Need a cheap phone that doesn't cost an arm and a leg? Alcatel is offering the Android Go-equipped Alcatel 1X for a paltry $100. But with that sort of bargain price, you’re bound to run into issues. We spent a week with the Alcatel 1X to find out if it's worthy of becoming your next phone.
Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus

Some Samsung phones aren’t alerting users of app background processes

Worried that Facebook is spying on you? Some Samsung phones aren't correctly showing some apps on the App Permission Monitor, so users won't be alerted if an app tries to access certain permissions. Thankfully, due to the way Android works, it may not be as big an issue as it seems.
huawei p20 pro review front jc

Huawei is gaining on Apple as it aims for 200 million smartphone sales in 2018

Could your next phone be a Huawei or an Honor phone? Huawei is certainly hoping so, as it aims to reach 200 million sales by the end of 2018, after passing 100 million sales earlier this month. With Apple only a whisker above 200 million sales last year, could Huawei exceed Apple this year?
xiaomi mi max 3 news in hand

The Xiaomi Mi Max 3 has a tablet-sized screen and a huge battery

Is the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 still not enough phone for you? Do you need a phone that's around the size as your head? Then check out the Xiaomi Mi Max 3, Xiaomi's latest addition to its huge Mi Max range. With an enormous 6.9-inch display and a 5,500mAh battery, there's enough phone for anyone.
nokia 7 plus review full 8

The Nokia X5 is a budget phone with a premium glass body and a notch

Nokia's busting back into the budget market with the Nokia X5, a cheap phone with a premium glass body, a notched display, and a dual-lens camera. The Nokia X5 is only coming to China for now, but it may see a global release as the Nokia 5.1 Plus. Could this be the next great budget handset?
google assistant visual snapshot proactive notifications feature

Google Assistant’s new Visual Snapshot tab prepares you for the day

Ever wish you could get an instant update of your day at a glance? Google Assistant now can show you upcoming travel plans, deliveries, bills and more as a part of the new Visual Snapshot feature. Expect more to be added as time goes by, such as the ability to see details from various to-do list apps.
sony xperia xa2 plus news design silver

The new Xperia XA2 Plus packs a huge display and high-resolution sound quality

Looking for a mid-range phone with great entertainment possibilities? Sony has just released the Xperia XA2 Plus, and with a huge display, incredible high-resolution sound, and a powerful camera, Sony is hoping it'll impress. Here's everything you need to know about the Xperia XA2 Plus.
google gboard go news

iPhone users can now access Morse code on Gboard for iOS

In a huge accessibility win, Google has announced that Gboard for iOS will be getting the option to type in Morse code. While this may seem odd to some, the inclusion of this mode will open smartphone technology up to many disabled people who may find it hard to type on a regular keyboard.
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The best ways to reuse or recycle an old Android or iOS device

As technology marches ever onward, most of us are bound to have some old Android or iOS devices that they're simply not using. Rather than leaving them to languish in a drawer, why not put them to good use? Here are some of the very best ways to reuse or recycle an older phone or tablet.
Magic Leap

AR/VR headset creator Magic Leap partners with AT&T on upcoming release

AR and VR are the most cutting-edge and impressive technologies around at the moment, so why has no one really melded the two together yet? Magic Leap aims to do just that, and now, a partnership with AT&T may hold the key to bringing this headset to market and finding it a willing audience.
iPhone X - How to use AirDrop

Apple USB Restricted mode can be bypassed with a simple $39 accessory

USB Restricted mode, one of iOS 11.4.1's most anticipated features, has apparently already been beaten - to a degree. The mode seeks to stop third parties from being able to extract data from a seized iPhone by locking down the Lightning port - but a $39 accessory can effectively halt Apple's security.
samsung galaxy s9 plus review both

The most common Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus problems and how to fix them

Whether it's an issue with the Wi-Fi, a spot of slowdown in certain apps, or a display that doesn't work in certain places, there's nothing worse than an issue with your beloved phone. If your Galaxy S9 or S9 Plus has been playing up, check out our list of Galaxy S9 problems, issues, and fixes.
Google Play store on a smartphone in someone's hand.

Some Android apps could be secretly recording your phone’s screen

Worries that phones have been listening to our private conversations or watching us have been around for years, but now a study has revealed that some apps may be secretly recording parts of our phone screens and sending the data to analytics companies. Is this a real security concern?
huawei p20 pro security scaremongering front opinion

Huawei might be making a powerful phone for mobile gamers

A phone just for gaming seemed like an oddity just a year ago, yet now we're seeing more and more gaming-based devices pop up. Now, Chinese juggernaut Huawei might be making its own high spec, gaming-focused device, set for the end of 2018. Here's everything we know about the Huawei gaming phone.