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There was a time when Apex Launcher was among the best home screen apps on Android. However, it fell behind the likes of Nova and Action Launcher before going silent. Apex made a comeback in 2017, but the update to v4 over the summer has been nothing short of a disaster. Now, the developers are trying to undo the damage by rolling back to v3 in the latest "update."
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The Razer Phone 2 is a predictable and modest improvement over the first-generation Razer Phone. It has a better 120Hz screen, wireless charging, and a glowing logo. It also has Verizon Wireless support, or rather, it will soon. The new Razer Phone has the necessary hardware for Verizon, but Razer is still working to make it functional.
The Galaxy Note 9 launched at $1,000 just a couple of months ago, but you don't have to pay anywhere near that much now. We've seen this phone drop a few hundred several times, but the latest deal on eBay is impressive for a new Samsung flagship. You can get the international unlocked Note 9 for $656.99 after applying a 10% off coupon code.
Do you have some favorite haunts around town? Well, now you can do more than star or save them in Maps—you can also follow them. Following a business gets you updates on events and promotions inside Maps. This feature is rolling out today on Android only.
LG is a profitable company overall, reporting growing profits almost every quarter. However, LG's mobile division has been an anchor around the company's neck. LG mobile still isn't profitable in the just-released Q3 results, but the losses have lessened. LG thinks it can turn the corner and start making money on smartphones again, but it's not exactly within striking distance of that goal.
We've all been there—a phone that was snappy and stable becomes dramatically less so after the OEM releases a slapdash update. Italian authorities have investigated Samsung and Apple for the way they develop and deploy updates to older phones. As a result, Samsung has to pay a €5 million fine, and Apple's is double that.
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The OnePlus 6T is shaping up to be a big deal for the plucky little Chinese smartphone maker. Not only will it sport a tiny notch and an in-display fingerprint reader, but the company is also taking a risk by ditching the headphone jack. We've heard rumors that the 6T could launch in T-Mobile stores in the US. Now, a report from PCMag suggests the 6T will work on Verizon.
Chromebooks used to be good computers for a small subset of people who didn't need much power. Now, Chrome OS is a surprisingly capable platform that can handle the needs of most mainstream users. New Chromebooks can be quite inexpensive, and that's doubly true if you want to pick up a refurbished model. Today, you can get a refurbished HP Chromebook 14 for just $175 with our exclusive coupon code.
Xiaomi announced the Black Shark gaming phone just a few months ago, and it's already time for a sequel. The Black Shary Helo makes a few minor changes to the hardware, but it still has that distinctly "gamer" aesthetic. By which I mean it glows.
A busted phone usually leaves you with two options: an expensive and lengthy repair by the manufacturer or doing it yourself with potentially suspect parts. Motorola is getting together with iFixit to offer certified repair kits for some of its phones. You get OEM parts, tools, and instructions to get the job done.
Few products have been as poorly concealed in the run-up to launch as the Misfit Vapor 2. It looked for a time as though Misfit would just release the watch without ever announcing it. However, the smartwatch is now official. The Vapor 2 is coming to various retailers soon, starting at $250.
Google started talking about Assistant-powered smart displays earlier this year, but it let Lenovo and JBL roll out the first products. Google unveiled its Assistant display alongside the new Pixel phones, and it's not just the same guts in a new shell. Google has added some unique features and also omitted one that all other devices have.
Google took its sweet time launching a smart display, but it finally unveiled the Home Hub at the recent October event. You couldn't get the device right away, but the wait hasn't been too long. Home Hub pre-orders are now shipping, and you can purchase the device from the Google Store and other retailers.
You could be forgiven for thinking Google was new to wireless charging if you haven't been obsessively following its products for years. The Nexus 4, 5, and 6 all had wireless charging capabilities, and Google even released its own wireless charging pad in 2013. After ignoring wireless charging for several years, the feature is back on the Pixel 3 and 3 XL. Google is also selling a wireless charger again: the Pixel Stand.Not a whole lot has changed in the last five+ years. Google's official wireless charger costs more than the competition, and it has an unusual design. However, the Pixel Stand includes some genuinely cool technology, and it integrates tightly with the Pixel 3. You probably don't need those features, though. It's tough to justify $79 for the Stand when you can get a Qi-compatible pad that charges your phone just as well for $20.
OnePlus has been teasing the 6T for weeks, and we were supposed to learn all the details on October 30th. Well, now you won't have to wait quite as long. OnePlus has moved the date up a day in response to Apple's announcement of an unusual second fall event on the 30th.
Google's Nest family or products have particularly tight integration with Assistant. For instance, the Nest Hello doorbell can announce visitors if you've got a Google Home on the same network. Now, you can get both components of that setup (at a discount) in a single purchase from B&H.
The Pixel 3 XL is landing on doorsteps as we speak, but how careful do you need to be with your shiny new smartphone? YouTube channel JerryRigEverything is here to absolutely wreck another phone in order to assess its durability. The Pixel comes out of it alright—it won't bend, but you might pick up some scratches.
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Asus has been making Republic of Gamers (ROG) products for years, but they've mostly been in the PC gaming realm. Now, ROG is a phone brand, too. The previously announced ROG Phone is about to reach US consumers. It's coming October 18th, but it won't be cheap. Asus wants $899 for the phone, and that's without the fancy gaming accessories.The ROG Phone has high-end specs like all the supposed "gaming phones," but it also includes a few features that could actually make it better for playing games. Here's the spec sheet.
Today is the "official" launch date of Google's latest flagship phones, so naturally, there are Pie factory images to go along with them. You can download images and OTA files for both the Pixel 3 and 3 XL onGoogle's developer site.
Google finally brought location sharing back to Maps in 2017, and it's getting more useful today. Well, in the latest version of Maps, which started rolling out a few days ago. You can now share your trip progress (as opposed to just your location) via third-party apps. Plus, trip sharing works on iOS just in case you should ever find yourself holding an iPhone for some reason.