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Most of Google's "Go" apps are limited to devices running the Go edition of Android. However, Files Go is available on all devices. It helps you clear out old data to keep your phone lean, and it's getting an update today. There are a couple of notable changes, but most importantly, Google is paying some attention to offline file transfers with a new sharing tab and faster transfers.
Google spent a lot of time at I/O last month talking about Google Assistant. There was that wild Duplex demo, "pretty please" mode for kids, and Continued Conversations. The latter feature saves you from saying the trigger phrase for every single command, and it's starting to roll out today. However, not everyone will have access just yet.
Plenty of Facebook groups have morphed into small businesses that use outside payment and membership tools to distribute paid content (e.g. Patreon). Now, Facebook is looking at ways to bring that activity into its platform with subscription groups. These are sub-groups with exclusive content, a monthly subscription fee, and additional admin tools.
Microsoft's old MSN news app has been on Android since 2014, and it didn't exactly look modern even then. The app was in need of some updates, and Microsoft has provided them by completely rebuilding it. The app is now just called Microsoft News, and it includes new features, more topics, and a dark theme.
Would you like to play a game? How about a classic 2D RPG? A fighting game? A shooter? A collectible card game? How about all of the above and more in a single title? Impossible, you say? No, Evoland II just launched on Android. This game jumps between genres to keep the experience fresh, and it can be yours at a reduced price right now.
Amazon's Prime Edition phones don't have ads anymore, but there is some Amazon bloat that can affect updates. However, Amazon and Moto have managed to keep the retail and Prime versions in sync. About a month after the Android 8.1 update hit the Android One Moto X4, the Amazon and retail versions are getting the OTA (version OPW28.2).
News broke earlier this year that several firms with access to carrier location data were providing access to it with little or no safeguards. In fact, you could access the some of these tools to track a phone as a demo of the service. AT&T and Verizon now say they will stop selling data to these third-party brokers. That does not mean, however, they won't sell your location data at all.
Single routers are so 2014. Now, everyone is making mesh router systems that blanket your home in the warm glow of wireless connectivity. The new TP-Link Deco M9 Plus mesh router (not to be confused with the old non-Plus version) connects your computers, smartphones, and other devices to the internet like other routers, but there's more. The Deco M9 Plus also contains a smart home hub for controlling IoT devices.
Everyone is trying to do away with bezels on smartphones, but necessities like front-facing cameras get in the way. That's why so many phones are shipping with screen notches lately. With the new Find X, Oppo is the second device maker to avoid the notch with a pop-up camera. Although, this phone actually puts all its cameras on the pop-up mechanism. It's a bit elaborate to avoid some bezel, but hey, no notch.
Google Homes and Chromecasts around the world will be quietly updated in the coming weeks with a patch for a rather serious issue. According to security researcher Craig Young from Tripwire, these devices have a vulnerability that could allow an attacker to find your geographic location if you have a Home or Chromecast on your network. That's a big problem, and Google almost didn't believe Young's bug report.
Running Android on your PC can be a surprisingly shady experience with emulators that spam you with ads or try to hide Bitcoin miners on your system. When in doubt, there's always the open source Android-x86 Project. It just so happens that Android-x86 just released a build of Android Oreo.
A new version of Action Launcher (v37) is rolling out today, and it includes the usual dose of Android P styling. There are also some functional improvements mixed in there, along with a helping of bug fixes and minor enhancements.
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Fitbit succeeded in vanquishing its foe Jawbone when the latter shut down in July 2017. Now, Jawbone strikes back from beyond the grave. Federal prosecutors have secured an indictment against five former and one current Fitbit employees for illegally stealing trade secrets from Jawbone when they left the company for Fitbit.
OnePlus began rolling out a new 5.1.6 update last week that added several promised features including scheduled do-not-disturb mode and battery percent in the status bar. However, the OTA halted because of some bugs, and now there's a new build. This one adds additional bug fixes and patches that nasty bootloader vulnerability discovered a few days ago.
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- The moderator of the Xperia Home beta community has explained that development on Xperia Home is being ceased because a new launcher is in the works. This isn't entirely surprising given that it wouldn't really make sense for a launcher used on so many phones to just sit stagnant, but it's a nice bit of confirmation for anyone who was worried at all.
Sony's phones have long used the company's custom Xperia Launcher, which has offered some innovative features over the years. For instance, it was the first OEM to offer Google Feed integration. Sony fans could even join the Google+ beta community to get access to the latest builds. That's coming to an end soon. Sony has announced the end of feature development on the Xperia Launcher, and the beta community will vanish in a few weeks.
Prices on the Galaxy S9 are starting to come down, even if you're going through carriers. However, the carriers won't sell you an unlocked dual-SIM version of the phone. On eBay, you can pick up the dual-SIM GS9 with 128GB of storage for just $639.99. You can also get it in any color you want, as long as that color happens to be black.
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Most home security cameras need to be plugged into power, but there are a few that made do with batteries. Even the best wireless cameras currently on the market need a recharge every couple months, but Eufy (an Anker company) has an alternative. The EverCam has a humongous battery that offers a full year of operation on a charge. You can't get one yet, but you can join the Kickstarter.
Samsung's 2017 Chromebooks have been consistently popular, but it's time for an update. The new Chromebook Plus (V2) features a similar design to last year's model, but it comes with a faster processor and both front and rear cameras. Plus, it still features the built-in stylus from last year's models.
There was general discontent when OnePlus announced the new OnePlus 6 with a display notch and a glass back. Some OP fans claimed they'd never purchase the phone, but it appears they were a vocal minority. The company has just announced that the OP6 sold 1 million units in just 22 days, which is much faster than its previous phones.
Google Calendar is getting an update that will make your depressing lack of popularity more evident. When everyone declines one of your event invitations, the app will alert you and offer quick actions to remedy the situation. Sadly, the options do not include "sulk in the corner" or "send a passive-aggressive email."