Thursday, February 1, 2018

HTC U11 receives $100 price cut in time for Valentine’s Day

The HTC U11 is still one of the best Android devices you can buy and starting today, the phone has become that much more enticing. HTC is giving the U11 a $100 price cut. The deal is only good for the US model — which you can buy directly from htc.com/us — but applies to both the 64GB and 128GB models.

If you're unsure storage config to invest in, remember that the 64GB model only comes with 4GB of RAM (now $550), while the 128GB model features 6GB of RAM (now $630). The HTC U11 also comes unlocked and supports all major networks in the US, including Verizon.

So if you've been looking for the perfect gift for your sweetie this Valentine's Day, hit up the link below to get in on the deal.

Buy HTC U11 $100-off


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How to change font in Instagram Stories

Instagram is today introducing a great new feature for those who think words — not pictures — are worth a thousand words. It's Type Mode, a new option for Instagram Stories that lets you express yourself using text.

You've always been able to use text-only, but Instagram is now letting you do so with an extra degree of flair thanks to the inclusion of new font types, as well as the ability to customize background and font color. Want to use it for your next stroke of Instagram genius? It's quite easy:

  1. When you open the camera, you'll see "Type" next to the "Normal" button under the record button. Tap "Type."
  2. On the screen that appears, type whatever it is that you want.
  3. Next, you'll pick your style, or font. There are a number to choose from, including the "boring" stuff like Modern and Typewriter, as well as more exciting options such as a Neon cursive style and a bold Strong type.
  4. Finally, change your text colors, highlights, and even customize the background, including the use of pictures you take through your camera.

You can also use these new type styles when adding text to any video or photo you post to Stories. Don't forget to pin it if you want it to last, otherwise it'll go away after 24 hours like any other story would. The goods will show up in the version 30 update to Instagram, which should be available over at Google Play right now. Give it a go!

Download Instagram at Google Play


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Face Unlock officially arrives on the OnePlus 5

One day after the OnePlus 5T received a substantial update to include some awesome iPhone X-like gestures, the OnePlus 5 sees an update of its own. OnePlus has started pushing the stable version of OxygenOS 5.0.2 to the OP5 which features a few minor changes, while adding Face Unlock.

If you remember, Face Unlock was introduced with the OnePlus 5T as one of the best features of the device. Since then, the company has brought the feature to not only the OnePlus 5, but also both the OnePlus 3 and 3T.

In addition to bringing Face Lock with this latest update, OnePlus has also updated a few of its own applications, while improving EIS for video recording. Here's the full changelog:

System

  • Added Face unlock function
  • Applied CPU security patch: CVE-2017-13218
  • General bug fixes and improvements

Applications

  • Updated Launcher to v2.2
  • Updated Gallery to v2.0
  • Updated Weather to v1.9
  • Updated File Manager to v1.7.6

Camera

  • Enhanced EIS for video recording

As has been the case for some time now, OnePlus is rolling out this latest software version incrementally. This means that a smaller percentage of users will receive the update in an effort to ensure that there are no major bugs in the release.

If you have received the update on your device, be sure to give us a heads up on how you are liking Face Unlock on your OnePlus 5.



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Nest Hello doorbell will finally launch in March

Video doorbells are a big part of home security, and Nest finally jumped on the bandwagon last September with the Nest Hello. It's pretty much a high-end video doorbell with advanced features like Nest's person detection and facial recognition. Hello is outfitted with a 160-degree wide angle lens that records HDR HD video with a 4:3 aspect ratio to capture more of everything.

The Nest Hello was originally given the "early 2018" launch date, but that could mean anywhere from January to May. Nest's website is now listing March 2018 as the release window. You can still pre-order the Hello for $229 and get a free Google Home Mini when it launches. We still have some time to wait, but at least now we have a specific timeframe.

Nest Hello connects to your smartphone using Bluetooth LE and integrated microphone/speaker lets you communicate with whoever is outside. Features like Nap Time mode (to silence the doorbell at specific times) and Quick Response (you can pre-record phrases like "leave the package at the door, please") are also nice touches and really separates the Hello from the plethora of other video doorbells floating around Amazon.

pre-order now


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LG to pay out at least $425 to each member of bootloop class action lawsuit

A while back, LG was brought under the gun by a law firm who had reason to believe that LG's response to mounting complaints of faulty devices was inadequate. Namely, the company's phones all shared a damning characteristic: they tended to get stuck in bootloops after some time thanks to a common hardware defect.

This was seemingly consistent for flagship devices like the LG G4, G5, LG V10 and LG V20, but also even extended to phones with Google software such as the Nexus 5X. And yet, the only recourse provided by LG was to replace those phones with phones that, well, had the same issue. (And that's if the company even decided to honor your warranty.)

This prompted a class action lawsuit against LG to somehow address the issue. With the company understandably unwilling to throw resources behind fixing the issues with the years-old problem devices, their ultimate move was a good ol' settlement, one that'll have each member of the lawsuit receiving either $425 cash in compensation or a $700 rebate towards a new LG phone.

This is a pretty significant settlement both monetarily and from a sheer consumerism standpoint, one that patrons of other OEMs are sure to consider if they're ever forced to deal with an issue as big as this. It's a warning shot that tells them consumers won't put up with these issues regularly, especially when they're paying hundreds (and now thousands) of dollars for these gadgets.

If you were part of the original class action lawsuit, stay on the lookout for a correspondence from Girard Gibbs LPP to cut through the red tape on your way to compensation. Those who didn't join the lawsuit before this moment, unfortunately, won't be entitled to anything.



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Wednesday, January 31, 2018

Mario Kart Tour has officially been announced for smartphones

I almost never thought I'd see this day, but it's finally happening. Nintendo is gearing up to release their latest title for mobile devices: Mario Kart Tour. Nintendo hasn't been too forthcoming with details, only showing off the logo and a vague release date sometime "in the fiscal year ending in March 2019." Yeah, it's going to be awhile but on the bright side of things, there's now plenty of time to start saving up for the boatload of in-app purchases sure to be found in the game.

This latest development is joined by news that Nintendo is also working on a full-length feature film from the Illumination Studios, the guys that brought you Despicable Me and Minions. Again, no word on a release date, but Nintendo is making a comeback in a very big way. I, personally, couldn't be more excited.

via Twitter



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Essential Phone is skipping Android 8.0 and focusing on Android 8.1 instead

Essential has been hard at work testing beta versions of Android 8.0 Oreo on the PH-1. They're already in their 3rd beta and while it looked like we nearing an official public release for Oreo on the Essential Phone, the company announced today that they're now pulling the plug on 8.0 entirely.

Before you get too upset, Essential said in a statement that they're simply moving directly onto Android 8.1 — the latest version of Android currently available — something that will push back the public release of Oreo "a couple weeks."

Essential expressed their gratitude for anyone who participated in the Oreo Beta while they prepare to launch a brand new Android 8.1 Beta. Stay on the lookout and if you're looking to talk with other Essential Phone owners about anything you like — including the Oreo Beta — check out the forum linked below.

Essential Phone Forum

via Twitter



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