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    Wednesday, November 28, 2018

    Home Unlabelled Android Help Google makes it clear no one should ever buy Pixel at launch

    Android Help Google makes it clear no one should ever buy Pixel at launch

    November 28, 2018

    Android Help Google makes it clear no one should ever buy Pixel at launch

    Google makes it clear no one should ever buy Pixel at launch

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 11:18 AM PST

    PSA: Ebay/Amazon seller BREED is flashing carrier phones and selling them as new & unlocked

    Posted: 27 Nov 2018 10:58 PM PST

    So two weeks ago I came across what appeared to be an awesome Deal of the Day on amazon for a brand-new LG V30+ (you can see the discussion of the deal here: https://www.reddit.com/r/Android/comments/9wflm3/lg_electronics_v30_factory_unlocked_phone_128gb/)

    I was a little nervous, since some of the comments over at Slickdeals mentioned that the seller, BREED, had poor user reviews over the past month. Still, "nothing ventured, nothing gained," so I bit the bullet and went for it. I was excited enough when the phone arrived to mostly overlook the fact that it the tamper seal sticker looked odd (https://imgur.com/7ZwA1Jf). Booting the phone up I found that the phone had a faulty screen, so I returned it through Amazon. I reordered a replacement (hoping I just got unlucky), and received it yesterday.

    Same cut tamper sticker (https://imgur.com/fnAIVKQ). Reviews mentioned that the model didn't match the listing, so I checked. The model was listed as unlocked, US998, but the phone showed the Sprint model, LS998, on the box and on the back (https://imgur.com/sL9vBbR). In the phone settings, though, it showed the listed model: https://imgur.com/oeZsqbU. So clearly BREED are taking (cheaper) Sprint models, flashing them to the unlocked firmware, and passing them off as brand-new original unlocked LG V30+.

    I'm pissed. I spent a lot of time looking into this phone and it frustrates me immensely that BREED is getting away with a bait and switch here. Looking at their reviews, it seems like they do this thing a lot. Contacting them they claimed that they just ran out of US998 phones, and the cut sticker was just their quality check: https://imgur.com/X1HztF0. Bullshit. They opened the phone to flash the new firmware, which also means the phones can't OTA software updates AND means you don't get the 2-year LG warranty. Hopefully this posts reaches someone thinking about buying a phone from BREED and convinces them otherwise. It's not worth it.

    ​

    TL;DR: BREED (seller) is pulling a bait-and-switch, selling flashed carrier phones as unlocked with no disclaimer. No warranty and no OTA updates with these phones.

    submitted by /u/BetaCyg
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    Bringing Google Fi to more people on Android and iOS

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:00 AM PST

    Samsung one handed mode + should be incorporated into stock

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 11:05 AM PST

    Alright so hear me out, Android users like a universal back button, while iOS users don't like it when button icons clog up the bottom of the screen. With one handed mode +, you can swipe the edge for certain tasks ( like the back button), and customize both sides and different directions to do different things too. Since it's hidden, you could hide the bottom buttons and have an uncluttered screen :D I know good lock is pretty popular on this sub but I don't think this feature has really been noticed yet. It's suprising cause before this I abhorred gesture commands.

    submitted by /u/STEVE_HOLT___
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    My experience with the Pixel 3 XL and S9+

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:43 AM PST

    I've owned the S9+for about 5 months and the Pixel 3 XL for a month. Here is my in-depth overall analysis:

    Display:

    The displays are equally great on both phones. However, S9's is noticeably brighter, and contents are just more easier to see specially under sunlight. Also I've found S9's auto-brightness to be nicer? It would almost always adjust to the brightness I want, where as Pixel 3 XL is more inconsistent. Not sure if that's software related, but I know that Samsung devices since Note7 has had an additional ambient light sensor on the back that might be helping.

    Sound:

    My Pixel 3 XL speaker has certain buzzing sound at certain frequencies, which seems to be a very common issue with the phone. But even without the buzzing, I think the S9+ has a nicer audio overall. S9+ seems to pack more "base" and "fullness" where as Pixel 3 XL sounds bit more flat. Also I miss the EQ on the S9+ so much specially after getting the new Sony Wireless Headphones which doesn't use LDAC if you enable its builtin EQ.

    Build and design:

    For design, I like the S9+'s more for sure but I do personally think the Pixel 3XL's back design is nicer. However, one area people don't talk about is how the phones feel in the hand. The S9+ feels very ergonomic? The back glass curves feel really nice when you hold it, and the phone is much thinner overall because of how the edges curve.

    Camera:

    This is easily the Pixel 3 XL's biggest strength. The photo quality is amazing, and incredibly consistent. Portrait mode is incredible. Now the S9+ also packs an amazing camera with great dynamic range, but the HDR processing is more inconsistent, and doesn't handle motion in low light well. Photos just look more softer overall on the S9+. I think the biggest weakness of the S9+'s camera is honestly just how aggressive noise-reduction Samsung applies to it. It would be nice if Samsung gave us an option to reduce them.

    For videos I think S9+ is slightly better in terms of details and audio but, I never really record videos so not something I care.

    Performance:

    Both are high performing phones in general. People might disagree with me on this, but I think S9+ has a more stable and consistent performance. I've noticed some "freezes" and "delays" become an issue on the Pixel 3 XL specially sometimes when opening/leaving an app. I definitely think this is due to the 4GB RAM limitation. I assume the system is forced to clean up and swap resources more frequently than S9+, thus causing more inconsistent performance.

    Now, in app smoothness is mostly the same, and both have fluid scrolling performance.

    Battery:

    The on screen drain is mostly similar, with the S9+ edging out slightly. Also, Pixel 3 XL lacks a LED notification light, so I'm forced to use Always on Display thus resulting in a worse standby drain on the P3XL.

    Software:

    I can't really comment on this since it's subjective. I personally appreciate stock android, but also love the extra features of Samsung's software. Plus, the S9 just got a new One UI with Pie which I have not yet tried.

    My verdict is that both are great phones, but I think overall S9+ is the better phone for most people. However, if you want the best camera, then Pixel 3XL is a no brainer.

    submitted by /u/itsybitsycode
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    Google Wins a Patent for Face ID-like Technology that could be used in a Future Pixel Phone to interpret hand Gesturing

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 04:37 AM PST

    Android Auto v3.8 adds optional message previews and revamps the music player [APK Teardown]

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 11:53 AM PST

    Latest firmware fixes touch latency issue on POCO F1. I've captured it again at 120 fps slow motion (x-post r/Xiaomi)

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 06:50 AM PST

    Samsung releases second Android Pie beta for the Galaxy S9

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:39 PM PST

    Google play silently updating some apps even when auto updates are off. Huge privacy concerns!

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 11:16 AM PST

    TL;DR Google play silently updates some apps when auto updates are off and no update notifications are shown!

    This all sounds weird and like a conspiracy theory but please read it through. I noticed this after I stumbled upon this thread on /r/Telegram

    I always have auto updates off on all my devices. So after reading the mentioned thread, I went and checked My apps and games on Google Play and it showed two apps (Samsung health and some other app) were updated the night before, I am sure I didn't update any apps in the past week (Galaxy Apps auto updates are also off) I first thought it might be some bug on google play, so I checked last update time of those apps with adb dumpsys and they sure as hell were updated the night before!

    Fast forward to two days later, I notice that HQTrivia was updated a few hours before, again I did not update it, and I'm pretty sure I already had the latest update which was released on October 26, 2018 on Google Play.

    Keep in mind that I did not receive any notifications for those updates, they were updated silently without my knowledge.

    Skip to tonight, I pick up my tablet which I haven't used in the past few days at all, plug it to charge and start using some apps. My tablet is rooted and I rely on Greenify on it heavily. After a few minutes I see that Greenify is asking for a root permission. I've configured SuperSu to revokes granted permissions after apps are updated, so this alarms me and I open my Google Play and see that Greenify, Telegram and a few other apps got updated just minutes ago! Again there's no notification, auto updates are off and I'm dead sure that no updates were released for a few of these apps in the past two months. For example Telegram was last updated on August 28 exactly three months ago and I am sure that I had the latest version installed.

    I can't figure out what is happening, all I can think of is Google being shady. I'd like to know your opinions.

    submitted by /u/NightW01F
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    Most life-changing apps and features

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 01:48 PM PST

    What are the most life-changing apps or features that people may not know about.

    I'll start:

    - FTP Server app - there are many on store, but what it allows me is to type in Windows File Explorer ftp://myname@192.168.1.xx and access the file system to copy/paste files as they were on my computer. It is better than USB connection because USB uses MTP protocol which allows only one operation at a time, so no folder navigation while copying, plus it can lead to data loss (would not list all files, so a few times I did not backup all files). FTP solves this issue, but computer must be on same local network. There are sftp versions for secure connection but I turn it on only when I need to transfer files

    - Play on Chromecast (already build in). These years my wife and I play it directly from Youtube, Netflix, even on Facebook videos that icon appears and you can continue playing on chromecast while you continue browsing

    - Phones with doubleclick on power to open camera - has saved me so much time on fumbling with the phone which is really noticeable once someone who does not have it on their phone asks you to take a picture

    - Interaction with Synology NAS - I have their storage at home and apps that let me use it as cloud storage for phone, no subscription fees ever again. DS Music lets me have my own "spotify" by streaming the music from that NAS at home even if I am outdoors. DS video for TV shows and movies, and DS photo as replacement for Google Photos with no limit in resolution or anything else. These can even connect to Chromecast so I don't need computers to play anything on a TV, all controlled by the phone

    - USB OTG cable - lets me connect USB keyboard to a phone, or a USB key for additional storage

    - Cortana / Microsoft Launcher - I can see all my notifications on my PC without any additional apps on the PC, transfer files, reply to SMS... (I don't use it at the moment, as last version had some issues on my 2GB RAM phone)

    ​

    submitted by /u/t3chguy1
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    LG puts TV boss in charge of mobile hoping for a turnaround

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 02:16 AM PST

    One UI beta sign-ups now available for some US Unlocked Samsung Galaxy Note 9 users

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 10:44 AM PST

    Gionee faces bankruptcy after failing to pay suppliers

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:30 AM PST

    Exclusive: Official Nokia 8.1 aka Nokia Phoenix images & marketing material

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:48 AM PST

    That'll do, Nvidia, that'll do. (A MediaPad M5 First Impression)

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:34 PM PST

    I just sold my old, trusty Nvidia shield tablet k1. It was a great tablet that served me well over the years, but after it becoming super slow and having terrible battery life, I needed a new one. And I finally found a replacement.

    I was looking for a long time to find a smaller tablet with good speakers, high end specs, cheaper price and some personality to replace the Shield. I finally found the Huawei M5 8.4 on black Friday and got it shipped to Canada after a round-about way.

    I am blown away at this tablet. I only played with it for a few hours before work today and have nothing but good things to say. The speakers are amazing, the screen looks awesome, and it's actually smaller than the shield but has a bigger screen.

    I tried playing music over a Bluetooth speaker, downloading apps and browsing Facebook, Reddit and the internet just to see how slow it'd be (what with the whole Bluetooth and wifi issues I read about) and it never slowed down for me. I don't have a fancy wifi router or anything either.

    I'll be personalizing it more, check out the battery life, and be able to give a real review on it in the coming days.

    As Flossy Carter would say, "THIS IS A MAJOR, MAJOR, MAJOR GO!"

    Edit: had to add a major

    submitted by /u/THIESN123
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    One UI (Android Pie) feature focus: Navigation button gestures

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 05:49 PM PST

    nubia Red Magic Mars comes with up to 10GB of RAM, shoulder buttons

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 07:46 AM PST

    Samsung kicks off second phase with One UI beta UK release

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:36 PM PST

    [German] Photos of the Huawei Nova 4 with a display that has a hole instead of a notch

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 05:55 AM PST

    How come the hand-wave/gesture never caught on?

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:43 AM PST

    I'm still rocking a Droid Turbo, though looking for a replacement (harder than I expected it to be!). And one of the funnest things about it has always been the hand-wave to check the time/notifications/whatever (and of course the chop-chop flashlight). But while looking for replacement phones it seems like this whole idea kind of fell by the wayside. Or did it move into third-party apps and so it's just ignored by the OEMs?

    It's just so fun to Jedi wave your phone awake, seems odd that Apple/etc. never implemented it. Apparently Samsung did a while ago but then it disappeared again?

    submitted by /u/Caleddin
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    PSA: Previously erroneously Verizon-locked phones that were bought/repaired as unlocked "fixed"

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 03:58 PM PST

    If you were affected by this issue on the Pixel 2, or this issue on the Pixel 3 where you bought or repaired an unlocked device, but got a Verizon device, it seems to be resolved software side at current.

    ​

    My phone is still saying locked and I can't FR until after work but many users are reporting unlocked. Give it a check before it breaks again.. lol

    submitted by /u/Rhymey
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    Nokia 8 Caught Running Android 9 Pie on Geekbench, Stable Update Expected to Roll Out Soon

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 08:53 PM PST

    Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL purchased through Fi and Google Store are unlocked but bootloader might not be unlockable

    Posted: 28 Nov 2018 10:50 AM PST

    There's an article from Droid-Life about this: https://www.droid-life.com/2018/11/21/google-is-sending-pixel-3-and-3-xl-units-to-people-that-cant-be-bootloader-unlocked/

    Also submitted on Google Issue Tracker (please star the issue, click the star icon next to the issue number 119628469): https://issuetracker.google.com/issues/119628469

    I would like to raise awareness about this particular issue since phones purchased through Google Store and Fi are expected to be bootloader unlockable, especially phones with Google branding. Why else would someone, in their right mind, buy a Nexus/Pixel (other than stock and fast update experience)?

    If you have a Pixel 3 or 3 XL, check if you can toggle "OEM unlocking" from "Developer Options". If you can't, please spend a few seconds to 'star' the issue on Google issue tracker.

    EDIT: For some unknown reason, OEM unlocking toggle is available for me now, same for the people reported them in the issue tracker There has been no response from Google about this since the issue was created. Chatting with Fi support and the answer I received was the phone is "working as intended and we do not have the option to enable the OEM unlocking on Pixel 3 XL".

    submitted by /u/ppkhoa
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