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The Google Wifi app started life as "Google On" for OnHub, and it's always been one of the nicer Android router clients. However, it was missing some advanced settings from non-Google routers. Today, the Wifi app is gaining some new features, including some of those advanced settings.
You know it's getting to be that time of year when Google updates the Santa Tracker app. Yes, the app has gotten its 2017 makeover so you can follow Saint Nick on his totally real journey across the globe. The updated app includes some new games, Android TV support, and more.
Waze is owned by Google but it offers a different experience than Google Maps. Waze emphasizes data from the community and tends to include more experimental features. Today, it's getting three new features that Waze says have been among the most frequently requested by users. Some of the new features will only matter if you've got certain driving habits or vehicles, but the voice command improvements will be useful to more Wazers.
A few years ago, it would have been unthinkable that Microsoft would launch a mobile version of its web browser on Android, but we live in strange times. After dominating the desktop software space for ages, Microsoft has been unable to break into mobile. So, it's launching Android versions of its apps, including the Edge browser. This app popped up as a beta some weeks back, but now it's final.
You have to hand it to NVIDIA—it's kept the SHIELD Tablet updated for more than three years now. That's about three years longer than most Android tablets. Today, the SHIELD Tablet is getting the 5.3 upgrade, which includes a few little bug fixes along with one big fix for the KRACK vulnerability.
Google announced a few weeks ago that Lens was coming to Google Assistant, but the deployment would take some time. It's showed up sporadically for users since then, but it appears to be rolling out widely on Pixel phones today (in select markets). Open Assistant, and you may very well have the Lens button down at the bottom.
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Google dropped the first developer preview for Android 8.1 last month, and now it's time for an update. The second dev preview build is now available for download via system images on the developer site. This is your chance to be on the bleeding edge of Android, but as usual, running beta software comes with some risks.
Most of Nest's smart home devices went on sale for Black Friday, but today Amazon is making several Nest products even cheaper. The Nest Cam is down to a mere $117.99, the Cam Outdoor drops to $124.99, and the 3rd gen Thermostat is $169.
Last week, this camera was selling for $139 and the Cam Outdoor for $149 at most retailers. The Nest indoor cam was already $60 off the retail price, but now it's $117.99. That's about $81 off retail. The Cam Outdoor is selling for $124.99, which is $74 off. Nest's cameras are excellent, but they're expensive compared to a lot of the competition and the subscription plans are less generous. Additionally, Nest's free service doesn't include any online video storage. It's easier to justify the Nest cameras at these prices, even with the expensive subscription plan.
The 3rd gen Nest Thermostat doesn't need a monthly plan, and it's getting a similarly generous discount. The non-sale price is $250, but it's just $169.15 right now (stainless steel only). That's roughly $80 off. This price was available at Costco last week (membership required), but you can get it on Amazon now as well. All three devices work with Google Assistant and Alexa, and they work together in the Nest app. They're all in-stock with free Prime shipping.
Motorola's flagship phones are a bit of a tough sell with all the pricey Moto Mods, but its budget lineup is compelling. It's even more compelling today with a sale on the Moto G5S Plus. That phone usually starts at $280, but it's $50-75 less today.
Fitbit started out making simple step counters that clipped on your pocket, but over time it added displays, exercise tracking, heart rate monitors, and more. Many of its rivals have changed their focus or simply gone out of business, but Fitbit is fast becoming a household name. The last few wrist-based Fitbit devices have been vaguely smartwatch-like, but the true Fitbit smartwatch has been elusive—until now. After acquiring some bits from the now-defunct Pebble, Fitbit has its very own smartwatch called the Ionic.
Google's Pixel 2 and 2 XL have a lot in common, but they aren't just larger and smaller versions of the same hardware like last year. Thus, fans of JerryRigEverything have been calling for a followup test after the Pixel 2 narrowly averted complete failure in the recent stress test. Well, here it is: the Pixel 2 XL has met the blade, the flame, and the bend. It went better this time.
Keeping an eye on your home or office while away can be an expensive proposition, especially if you need more than one camera. The Arlo Pro camera system is one of our favorites, but the 4-pack usually costs a whopping $650. Today, it'll run you a more reasonable $499.99 at Best Buy.The Arlo Pro 4-pack includes four cameras (duh) as well as the dedicated hub. The hub must be wired to your router, but the cameras themselves are completely wireless. The batteries hold a charge for months at a time, too. These are the previous generation cameras, but the new Arlo Pro 2 cameras have some early issues anyway.These cameras record in 720p and you get a week of online video storage for free. Most cameras include just a day or two, if you get any at all. Longer storage plans are available, but you can also just use the hub to back up all your video to a USB device.
Google recently launched a smaller, cheaper Google Home device, but the original has much better sound. It's still priced at $129 most of the time, though. As the shopping bonanza approaches, you can beat the rush and pick up a Google Home for half-price on eBay.
Motorola launched the Z2 Force a few months ago with a whopping $720 price tag, and that's if you got it from Motorola. Most carriers are charging even more than that to this day. However, T-Mobile has been pushing this phone for a mere $500, and today it's cheaper still. The Z2 Force is just $375 right now.
T-Mobile has done a lot to improve its network in recent years, but there are still places where you can't get a good signal. The carrier has long offered devices to boost signal, and it quietly snuck out some new versions of them this month. T-Mobile is now offering the CellSpot V2 and Signal Booster Duo to qualifying customers for (mostly) free.
Nest's smart home products are overall very good, but the prices can sometimes be a little out of hand. Most Nest devices are a little cheaper today, though. You can shave $20-60 off the prices of Nest's cameras, thermostats, and other gadgets. These reduced prices are available at multiple retailers, so you can pick whichever suits you best.Here are all the discounts, along with the online stores offering them.
There aren't as many big players making Android Wear watches right now, but Huawei is one of them. The second-gen Huawei Watch came out earlier this year, and the price has remained pretty close to the MSRP. However, both versions of the watch are on sale today for more than $100 off MSRP.
Internally, both the Watch 2 and Watch 2 Classic are the same piece of hardware. They've got 4GB of storage, a Snapdragon 2100, GPS, and NFC. On the outside, the Huawei Watch 2 is a sporty device with an integrated silicone band. The Classic is a bit more conventional with a hybrid leather/rubber band you can easily swap.
The Huawei Watch 2 has been bouncing around between $300 and $250 in recent months, but now it's $179 on Amazon. The Watch 2 Classic has been consistently close to $350, but now it's $219. These are solid deals if you're looking for a high-end Android Wear watch.Source: Huawei Watch 2, Huawei Watch 2 Classic
Casio has a very particular design aesthetic. Its watches and phones are bulky, rugged, and have a lot of sharp angles. Now, there's an action camera to go along with those devices. The G’z EYE can take a beating while recording video, and it looks like a Decepticon.
There are plenty of good reasons to buy a Pixel, but for many, it's the unlockable bootloader that's most appealing. Imagine the disappointment when some Pixel 2 devices from the Google Store showed up without an unlockable bootloader. Google seems to have gotten right to work on the bug, and it's now fixed.
It feels like just yesterday that OnePlus started selling the OnePlus 5. It was actually five months ago, which is still pretty recent. Today, the new OnePlus 5T is on sale. It's $20 more expensive than the OP5 was, but it has a bigger 6-inch display and a rear-facing fingerprint sensor. If you decide to get the latest OnePlus device, you can also snag some accessories at a discount.