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OnePlus 8 Pros are so scarce they're now selling for hundreds of dollars above MSRP in the US
With no new stock in sight, the company's supply chain issues are having unintended consequences
When the OnePlus One launched in 2014, it was commonplace in the first months of the phone's availability for second hand models to be sold for over MSRP online. That was due to the phone's notorious (and widely disliked) invite system, which artificially created scarcity in the market to manage OnePlus's supply chain capacity against the demand of consumers for its smartphone. Now, the same has happened to its brand-new phone, the OnePlus 8 Pro.
AT&T now says it won't get rid of 5Ge logo in status bar, doubles down on lying to customers
5Get the hell out of here with that nonsense
In a decision related to a complaint initially filed by T-Mobile, the National Advertising Review Board finally said what we all knew about AT&T's dumb "5Ge" branding from the get go: it's bullshit. AT&T is choosing to comply with the industry self-regulatory body, sort of: (over an issue, let us not forget, that it bitterly contested in an actual lawsuit) it says it will stop saying 5Ge, marketing 5Ge, but that it won't stop using the 5Ge logo in your status bar, because AT&T will do everything possible to weasel out of admitting that displaying a "5Ge" symbol when your phone is definitively not connected to a 5G NR network is and always was a lie. A big lying lie, told by liars, who lie (read: the marketing division). The update regarding the status bar icon came this afternoon in a statement given to Light Reading, with the carrier saying it would not change the 5Ge logo back to 4G or some other term, and that it would continue to be displayed.
Head of Google Pixel's camera team quits, Osterloh allegedly slammed Pixel 4 battery life before launch
Marc Levoy has left Google, as well as Pixel GM Mario Queiroz
If you asked anyone who owned the stage at the launch event for the Pixel 4 last fall, you'd get one answer: That guy who demoed the cameras. That guy is Marc Levoy, and he's been at the head of the Google Pixel camera team for several years. Now, he's gone, according to a new report from The Information, as is long-time smartphone lead at Google Mario Queiroz.
How to track (nearly) every piece of mail coming to your door
It's not perfect, but USPS's Informed Delivery tool really does work
As anecdotal evidence of mail theft grows in the US in recent weeks, we're all probably being a little more careful about collecting our mail in a timely manner as we await for important things to arrive, like an envelope from the IRS (the agency sending out Economic Impact Payments). And while the IRS isn't making any sort of direct mail tracking of stimulus checks available, you can at least get a heads up on the day your check will arrive using this handy tool from USPS. It's not infallible, and it won't get every single letter, but it's about the only way you can get any sort of advanced knowledge your check will be hitting your mailbox soon.
The march toward the $2000 smartphone isn't sustainable
Phones have always been expensive, but this trend is getting out of hand
Whether it be a crazy foldable or just a 5G mega-brick with more storage than most laptops, smartphones are summiting peaks almost no one is asking them to, particularly on price. Samsung in particular has been on the cutting edge of what is a larger and growing trend, with its nearly-$2000 Galaxy Fold and maxed out Galaxy S20 Ultra (which retails for $1600 in 512GB trim). With Apple's new $400 iPhone SE making waves in the market like no handset has in a long time simply for the amazing value it provides, suddenly super expensive smartphones have a lot more of us feeling skeptical.
The Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra buyer's guide: Which should you pick?
We recommend the base model and the S20+, but not the Ultra
Samsung's latest and greatest smartphones have arrived, but not without a bit of confusion: the latest Galaxy lineup is considerably different than in years past, and it's made choosing a phone a bit more complicated as a result. Our buyer's guide will help you sort through the noise on the Galaxy S20, S20+, and S20 Ultra.
Galaxy S20 sales numbers in the US could be even worse than expected
Data suggests S20 sales could be well under half the S10's in America
According to data provided to PCMag, Samsung's Galaxy S20 sales figures in the US are looking positively grim. While the coronavirus pandemic has undoubtedly had a big impact on smartphone sales in America, I don't think anyone fully expected the level of damage these numbers suggest Samsung's flagship phone series has sustained.
OnePlus and Verizon fast-track certification for unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro
All phones should now activate properly on the network
Read update
If you're a Verizon customer hoping to bring a shiny new OnePlus 8 Pro onto America's biggest, reddest network, you finally can. After OnePlus told us that it could take until June for unlocked OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro phones to get onto Verizon, the carrier today certified both devices to use its towers.
When's the last time you really, deeply lamented the fact that your phone's mobile data connection wasn't marginally—maybe 10 or 20%—faster? Never? Because right now, and for the foreseeable future, that's statistically all 5G is going to get you. In return, manufacturers of 5G phones are asking for a hell of a lot from you, the consumer. Specifically, the dubious real-world benefits of 5G come attached to phones that are becoming legitimately, ludicrously expensive.
5 amazing YouTube channels you might actually learn something from
You've got more time on your hands, you may as well use it to absorb some information
YouTube is a great way to spend 8 hours you suddenly realize have gone by when you get into 40 minute rants about ancient aliens, because its algorithms for suggesting content can be questionable, to say the least. Not everything that's popular is really all that informative or educational, and you may find your regular subscriptions just aren't keeping up with your increased content consumption habits of late. So, we thought we'd point out five channels we really enjoy that, at the very least, genuinely do seek to inform their viewers, and in some cases, actually tech them new skills. And we just think it's a good thing to give shoutouts to some of our favorite creators right now, as we enter a time of economic uncertainty.
Galaxy S20 review: After a month in my pocket, I think this is the one to buy
It's the phone most people should probably buy, provided you get a decent deal
The Galaxy S20 is Samsung's most expensive "entry level" flagship to date. When a phone starts at a thousand dollars, it's easy to begin questioning just how much smartphone you need, versus what you may just want (and let's be honest, we're all guilty of upselling ourselves sometimes). But as the US begins the long transition to 5G cellular networks and smartphones begin to support them, it's becoming valid to ask just when an upgrade is necessary, and just which phones will be suited to best handle the next few years of mobile technological disruption.While we think the Galaxy S20 Ultra is simply too much money and too much phone for most people, the base model Galaxy S20 offers a far more approachable size and price point, while losing very little functionally in the process. Given Samsung's aggressive discounting and trade-in offers, we also think the $1000 price tag only exists on paper, and that in practice, this phone represents a very solid buy at the 0 most retailers are currently offering it at. With its manageable size, industry-leading display, excellent battery life, top-notch performance, and the only 5G you'll need for the foreseeable future, the Galaxy S20 is the Android phone we think most people should probably buy if they're in the market right now—just make sure you're not paying full price, as there's really no good reason to.
The time for a pair of OnePlus true wireless Bullets earbuds is now
The new Bullets Wireless Z are priced to sell, but they still look pretty dorky
When OnePlus announced the Bullets Wireless Z earlier this week, we already knew we were in for a new generation of the company's neckbuds. And perhaps the most compelling thing about them is the price: they're just $50 (free if your pre-ordered a OnePlus 8 or 8 Pro), and you can probably expect the same respectable sound and strong battery life previous generations have offered. But in 2020, neckbuds are decidedly not the kind of audio accessory befitting a $900 smartphone: it's true wireless or bust, OnePlus, and everyone knows it.
OnePlus' new rapid wireless charging uses a fan to cool your phone's battery and the charger
30 Watts flowing over the air does not generate an insubstantial amount of heat
OnePlus' new rapid wireless charging tech is something to behold, and in our testing, lives up to the hype. So how did OnePlus manage to send 30 Watts of juice across a wireless coil when most other brands max out at a comparatively measly 10 or 15? A lot of it's just down to heat management, and the official OnePlus wireless charger sure is doing a fair bit to achieve the necessary results.
Google confirms Hangouts Meet is now Google Meet
An unceremonious rebrand drops the association with Google's beleaguered chat platform
In a blog post this morning, Google confirmed that Hangouts Meet is no longer a Hangouts product, and will simply be known as Google Meet. The post, which lays out Google Meet's extensive security and privacy credentials, makes no mention of the change, but refers to the product throughout as Google Meet. Similarly, the Meet support pages have almost all been updated with language calling the service Google Meet, where they previously said Hangouts Meet.
Behind every delivery app is a person—tip them well, especially now
At a time like this, more than ever, a few extra dollars can mean a lot
Right now, almost all of us are relying more on delivery and on-demand services than we ever have in our lives. Be it Instacart, Uber Eats, Grubhub, DoorDash, Amazon Prime Now, or Postmates, the gig delivery economy is operating at heretofore unseen levels. In many ways, this is great: it means Americans are staying home, reducing their exposure to others, and doing their best to flatten the curve of the coronavirus pandemic that is now spreading across the globe. But in using these services, it's critical to remember that the people bringing you these goods often aren't well paid, and rarely enjoy any kind of benefits. You should be tipping them well.
Right now, a phone is just a phone (and that's okay)
Our phones are more indispensable than ever, they're just kind of hard to care about at the moment
Today, a Big Brand launched a Major Smartphone with Exciting Innovations. Even as a jaded veteran in this industry, I do always take the time to see who's doing what, what's new, and how the landscape is changing. In the past few weeks, though, the amount of attention I pay to smartphones (and tech at large) has plummeted, even the phones I'm using every day.
After huge 1-star onslaught, Zoom's Android app rating is back up to 4.0
The app had previously enjoyed a near 4.5-star rating—it dropped as low as 2.0, before bouncing back to 4.0
It appears Google continues to take action against the 1-star ratings being given to the Zoom app, as its rating continues to climb as the days go on.. It's now back up to a nearly-respectable 4.0, compared to a low of 2.0 when we originally reported on this story.
How to install Netflix and Disney+ APKs on your Android phone or tablet
It wasn't previously easy to sideload these apps, but with a new tool, it's a snap
Netflix and Disney+ are two incredibly popular streaming services, but if you try to install the application files (APKs) for these apps on your phone or tablet, they just fail out. That's because they're something called "bundled" APKs, and can't be installed with just the regular application file you get from the Play Store. But now, you can, and we'll show you how.
Coronavirus is forcing Netflix to lower its streaming quality (Update: Statement, more regions)
Netflix will reduce stream quality in Europe for 30 days to ease network congestion
Read update
- Netflix has released a full statement about reducing its internet traffic. The company explained that while all resolution options (1080p, 4K, etc.) will continue to be available, they will use lower-bandwidth versions:
Netflix has confirmed it will be reducing streaming quality in Europe during the coronavirus pandemic, presumably in a bid to ease congestion on crowded European networks. It was unclear if Netflix itself was experiencing issues as a result of the surge in network activity, or whether the steps were taken merely to reduce network congestion overall.
AT&T employees report customers coughing in stores, fear over coronavirus as retail is deemed 'essential business' (Update: AT&T statement)
AT&T wants most of its stores to stay open, but employees are increasingly scared to go to work
According to documents obtained by Android Police, AT&T is seeking to have its stores classified as an "essential business" during the coronavirus pandemic, as many states like California, New York, and Texas continue to close all "nonessential businesses" during mandatory shelter and social distancing orders. But according to dozens of messages posted by AT&T retail employees on the company's internal message board, the atmosphere in stores is not one of pride in providing communities an essential service, but rather of fear, anxiety, and real concerns over exposure to the virus.