Richard Gao
Contributing since August, 2016
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1932articles
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About Richard Gao
Richard loves technology, namely Android flagships, as well as depreciated German cars that can be picked up for next to nothing on Craigslist. In other words, he enjoys throwing money away. Send him some electronic mail at richard@androidpolice.com.
Latest Articles
Open GApps launches its own app for quick and easy Google Apps package downloads [APK Download]
If you're involved in the world of custom ROMs, there's little chance you haven't heard of the Open GApps Project. As of late, Open GApps has been the go-to site for downloading Google Apps packages. It's not hard to understand why; the site is pretty and easy to use, and the packages, which come in nine sizes and variations, are always up to date. Now, the guys behind Open GApps have taken the stuff that makes their site so great and infused it into a new Android app.
[Update: Official] Samsung's Galaxy Beta Program will allow the S7 and S7 edge to beta test Nougat, starting November 9th
Read update
- Samsung has made the program official. Sprint beta testers will begin to receive the update on November 9th, Verizon testers on the 11th, and T-Mobile testers on the 14th.
Late last week, an eagle-eyed XDA user and Galaxy S7 edge owner noticed an app in the Galaxy Apps store entitled "Galaxy beta program." Not unexpectedly, many owners of Galaxy S7-series phones, myself included, got excited. Now, thanks to a major oversight on Samsung's part, we've got a ton of information about Samsung's upcoming Galaxy Beta Program.
Daydream VR was revealed alongside the Pixel phones and Google Home last month, but while those other things began to ship, news surrounding Google's latest virtual reality headset remained sparse. However, the Mountain View-based company has just pushed an update to Google VR Services, the framework needed for Daydream VR to work with the Pixel and Pixel XL.
The new Play Store UI that Google leaked in one of its own videos is real, and it's going live for some
As many Android enthusiasts may know, Google is constantly experimenting with new features and UI changes for its apps. Just a few days ago, in a recently published Google video featuring the Pixel, we noticed a never-before-seen Play Store UI on the device. This user interface possessed a new color scheme, a larger "Install" button, and more. Now, we're starting to see elements from that video pop up on enthusiasts' devices.
RCS is going live for some Google Messenger users, enabling "enhanced features" for messaging
A little over a week ago, we first detected several less-than-subtle hints of Rich Communication Services, more commonly known as RCS, in Google Messenger 2.0's code. In case you don't know what RCS is, it essentially adds some useful features to SMS that are similar to what you'll find in Apple's iMessage. Now, for a select few, Google has flipped a server-side switch for RCS.
T-Mobile's $325 off Pixel promo is now available to customers with Simple Choice Unlimited plans too
John Legere is well-known for being a rather unconventional CEO, and the Pixel promo that T-Mobile took the wraps off of last week had Legere stamped all over it (it was essentially the equivalent of spitting in Verizon's face). The $325 bill credit for having a Pixel on T-Mobile seemed like a sweet deal at first glance, but it required customers to be on the carrier's controversial, "unlimited" ONE plan.
As of late, Sony Mobile has been making some pretty decent smartphones, but it destroys any chances of them succeeding by slapping massive price tags on them. The relatively new Xperia XZ is one of these phones; it's nice, but $700 nice? Not to most. However, with this latest markdown by Amazon, you can grab an XZ with a US warranty for $649.99, $50 less than the MSRP.Unfortunately, the fact that this XZ carries a US warranty means that its side-mounted fingerprint sensor has been disabled (it can be re-enabled with a firmware flash). That being said, the rest of the phone's specs are still solid; they include a 5.2" 1080p display with Gorilla Glass 4, a Snapdragon 820, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of internal storage, a 23MP camera, and 2900mAh battery. In addition, despite its unassuming appearance, it's IP68 water and dust-resistant.Amazon has discounted all three colors (black, blue, and silver) to $649.99. Since the phone is being shipped and sold by Amazon, you'll get fast shipping if you're a Prime member. You also won't have to deal with third-party sellers, who can be a pain to deal with sometimes. We're not sure how long this offer will last, so if you've been on the lookout for an Xperia XZ, you may want to jump on this soon.Source: Amazon
The Google Pixel phones' development has had a big week; just a few days ago, the Verizon and EE variants had their bootloaders unlocked. Now, Chainfire, the famed developer of SuperSU and FlashFire, has debuted a systemless root method for the Pixels.
Twitter's latest alpha brings support for app shortcuts, Nougat multi-window, and a round icon [APK Download]
Android 7.1 launched with the new Pixel phones and became available in beta form for the Nexus 5X and 6P not too long ago, but many apps are already introducing support for the new features that 7.1 brings. With its newest alpha build, Twitter has become the latest app to do so by adding support for app shortcuts and a round app icon. This build also enables multi-window for devices running 7.0 Nougat+.
T-Mobile will give $325 in bill credit to customers who bring a Pixel and sign up for T-Mobile ONE
Verizon exclusive? Ha! After CEO John Legere teased some sort of Pixel offer yesterday, T-Mobile has taken the wraps off an offer for the new Google Pixel; if you bring a Pixel to T-Mo, you can get $325 in bill credits back. If you've been on the fence about either T-Mobile or the Pixel, this may sway your decision.
Swappa increases fees for the first time since launch, ditches flat $10 per sale cost
Those of you who switch smartphones often have probably heard of Swappa, an online marketplace that people buy and sell mobile technology on. In the past few months, Swappa has been expanding to offer options to sell devices such as VR headsets, Chromebooks, and MacBooks. Now, for the first time since its launch back in 2010, the site is raising its sales fees.
ASUS ZenWatch 2, Casio Smart Outdoor Watch, and ASUS Chromebook Flip get axed from the Google Store
Just as several new smartwatches make their debuts on the Google Store, two (and a Chromebook) say their goodbyes. The ASUS ZenWatch 2, Casio Smart Outdoor Watch (great name, right?), and the ASUS Chromebook Flip are now unavailable for purchase from Google's hardware shop; in fact, the links to their listings now automatically redirect to the Android Wear and Chromebook landing pages, respectively.
GoPro's Passenger app allows you to control a nearby Karma drone and see what it's seeing
The competition in the world of drones is getting fierce these days, and to edge ahead, companies need to come out with innovative features. To compete with the DJI Mavic Pro's stunning abilities, GoPro announced an app called Passenger, which allows one person other than the pilot to see what the drone's onboard GoPro is seeing and control the camera. Now, Passenger is available for download in the Google Play Store.
[Deal Alert] Get a refurbished Huawei Watch for just $159.99 from Newegg's eBay store
Android Wear deals are pretty abundant nowadays, and the fact that many major OEMs won't be releasing any new AW-powered smartwatches this year makes them even more appealing. Now, you can pick up a leather strap-equipped Huawei Watch refurb from Newegg's eBay store for just $159.99 - that's $40 less than Newegg's usual price for the refurbished Huawei Watch, and a whopping $190 less than the Watch's MSRP.
Android Nougat is still relatively new, and very few phones have officially been upgraded to it thus far. However, in the past few hours, we've been seeing reports by multiple tech sites that the mid-range Moto G4 and G4 Plus are now receiving Android 7.0 Nougat in various countries; this is completely false. While the G4 Plus has received a Nougat soak test, the software has not officially been released in any region yet.
[Update: Plum] Huawei's Mate 9 gets leaked in standard and curved screen guises, shamelessly rips off Samsung's edge devices
Chinese products don't have a great reputation for unique design, whether it be with cars, designer items, or electronics. With this leaked picture (courtesy of VentureBeat, the home of serial leaker @evleaks) of two upcoming Mate 9 models, "Manhattan" and "Long Island," Huawei isn't exactly doing that rep any favors.
The LG G5 isn't a terrible phone, but its sales figures would definitely lead you to think otherwise. LG's effort to incorporate "Friends" modules into the G5 caused the phone to fail in a number of aspects. With the recently-released V20, the company ditched the Friends idea, and according to reports coming out of South Korea, it will do the same with the G5's successor, the G6.
Google's Pixel survives durability tests, including a bend test, that last year's Nexus 6P succumbed to
Ah, the iPhone 6 Plus. Not only was it Apple's first phablet, but after many owners realized that their shiny, huge new iPhones were bending in their pockets, it also became the phone that truly introduced bend tests to the world.
[Deal Alert] Get a Spigen Rugged Armor case for your Pixel or Pixel XL on eBay Daily Deals for just $13-14
With prices starting from $649, the new Pixel phones definitely can't be considered inexpensive, and fixing or replacing a cracked screen or rear glass panel could cost a decent bit of change. To protect your shiny new investment, why not grab a high quality case? Spigen, one of the most reputable case manufacturers, is offering its Rugged Armor case for the Pixel and Pixel XL at just $12.99 and $13.99, respectively, via eBay's Daily Deals.As someone who's used Spigen's Rugged Armor line of cases in the past, I can personally vouch for their quality. While the carbon fiber may not be real, the case's unique and comfortable feel, accurate cutouts, and tactile buttons more than make up for that. I think the design looks especially nice on the Pixels.The Rugged Armor is just $12.99 for the Pixel and $13.99 for the XL on the company's eBay store. That's quite a bit less than the $19.99 Spigen's own website is charging for both variations, and the $15.99 and $22.99 Spigen's Amazon storefront is asking for the Pixel and Pixel XL cases, respectively. USPS First Class shipping is free for US addresses. Since this is a Daily Deal, you may want to act quickly if you're interested.Source: Spigen via eBay (1), (2)
[Update: B&O H3 headphones too] LG V20 will cost $799 unlocked from Newegg and B&H, include free G Pad tablet
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- We've now learned that unlocked V20s from B&H and Newegg will also receive the $150 B&O PLAY H3 in-ear headphones via LG. When the redemption page goes live on the 28th, you'll be able to request your pair here. Thanks, Brad and Jon.
Now that the Galaxy Note7's chance to be this year's best phablet has gone up in flames (sorry, I couldn't resist), LG may have a real shot with the V20. The phone launched a few weeks ago in South Korea, but it still isn't available for purchase here in the US. However, the pricing details for the unlocked model are now out.