About Ryne Hager
Ryne was ostensibly a senior editor at Android Police, working at the site from 2017-2022. But really, he is just some verbose dude who digs on tech, loves Android, and hates anticompetitive practices. His only regret is that he didn't buy a Nokia N9 in 2012.
Latest Articles
In keeping with the previously projected timeline, Android Q Beta 4 officially lands today. While we dig into this latest version looking for new additions or features (we've already spotted a wider gesture pill in one of the blog post's GIFs), a few details are known: Beta 4 finalizes the Android Q APIs for developers, giving them a firm platform to begin testing their app's compatibility; the SDK for Q (API level 29) is now official; and apps targeting Q can now be published to the Play Store.
Android Q Beta 4 has just been released, and while those of us in the Beta Program wait for OTAs to roll out via the more traditional (and slower) means, images for manual flashing are also available — though they don't get updates. If you're chomping at the bit to test out Beta 4, you can pull them down now.
[Update: Starting to roll out] Pixel updates for June are up, 3a and 3a XL get their first monthly security patches
It's the first Monday of a new month, and that means Google's Pixels are getting their regular security patches. Downloads for both full factory images and sideloadable OTAs are up and available while we wait for the update to roll out via the more traditional means — which usually takes at least an hour or two. Pixel functional patches for this month's update include a few fixes, as well as improved hotword detection for the "Ok Google" command. The Pixel 3a also joins its forebears in picking up its first ever monthly security updates.
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If you are on Google Fi and you're unable to place a call right now, you aren't alone. Widespread reports indicate that Fi subscribers are unable to place or receive calls via their cellular connection, though SMS, data, and Wi-Fi calling services appear to be unaffected. We can independently confirm that calls placed over Fi are failing.
[Update: Fix in coming weeks] Some OnePlus 7 Pros are suffering 'phantom' touch input issues
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Back when OnePlus debuted with its disruptive new OnePlus One phone in 2014, touchscreen issues were chief among complaints, and for some, the latest 7 Pro may be a bit of a throwback. As of now, there are a good number of reports together with example videos that demonstrate the OnePlus 7 Pro's touchscreen is randomly processing non-existent taps, an effect which has been alternately called "ghost" or "phantom" touches.
Some OnePlus 7 Pros are ignoring touch input at screen corners, but OnePlus is working on a fix
OnePlus is still hard at work fixing the so-called "ghost" or "phantom" touch issue on the 7 Pro that a minority of units exhibit, but a new touchscreen problem seems to have cropped up in the meantime. For some, a portion of the top of the phone's screen (typically the top left or right corner) can become unresponsive during use, rejecting touch input.
[Update: Full report] Google is in the midst of a massive outage affecting Gmail, Drive, and some third-party services
In the last few hours there have been widespread reports of outages related to several Google services including Gmail, Drive, Nest, Analytics, and Calendar. In fact, almost all of Google's services suite is potentially affected according to the current statuses listed on the G Suite Status Dashboard. The issue appears to be regional, however, with anecdotal reports indicating not everyone is affected.
Smartphone cameras can do a lot more than take basic photos, and panoramas are one of those so-basic-you-forget-it features, ubiquitous to almost every phone. Almost assuredly, the device in your pocket right now can stitch together the parts of a scene into a nice wide shot. And based on the panorama chops of a particular recent phone, we're curious when the last time you took one was.
OnePlus 7 Pro review: Still one of the best smartphones you can buy right now [Updated]
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The flagship smartphone space is getting pretty stale in 2019. LG and HTC are floundering, overall sales are declining, Google's Pixels are an expensive bundle of compromises, Huawei has left the high-end US market, and Samsung is... Samsung. There's space for disruption, and while we wait for other Chinese OEMs to join the stateside fray, OnePlus is making a big push to compete with the latest $1000 flagships. The only catch when it comes to its new OnePlus 7 Pro is that it costs $670.
Google Assistant is muting itself over Bluetooth for some — a big problem for Android Auto users
We're having trouble reproducing this particular issue, but we've been tipped off to a small pile of reports that the Google Assistant is muting itself when using some Bluetooth devices. That poses a particular problem when using the Assistant together with a Bluetooth connection in a car, with many complaining that it ruins their Android Auto experience.
GE's smart appliances have Google Home/Assistant integrations for some time, and today the company has announced that it is expanding that to include its $144 Smart Countertop Microwave, with an update rolling out to enable the functionality on existing models — hopefully taking advantage of the new device types Assistant categories.Compatible "Hey Google" commands include:
Most of the news that comes out of Computex each year doesn't really apply to Android, but today MediaTek has formally revealed a new high-end chipset for phones with a serious 5G twist: The new (apparently unnamed) 7nm SoC is the first to be announced with an integrated 5G modem.
[Update: Fix rolling out] Samsung pulls Galaxy S10 update after reports of phone-freezing bugs
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- Samsung was apparently able to fix the issue in short order. We've received tips that a new version (XXU1ASE6) is rolling out, and it may fix the problems which were previous reported.
Last week, Samsung pushed out a software update (XXU1ASE5) to the Exynos versions of the Galaxy S10 series, delivering the latest security patches for May, plus a handful of camera improvements, including an improved night mode. One week later, Samsung has stopped distributing that update. According to SamMobile, it was pulled as a result of widespread bugs, which include issues with third-party apps and the entire phone freezing up.
It's a bit of a bummer that the OnePlus 7 is only able to stream Netflix at "HD" resolution — that's below the full 1440p resolution of its beautiful display, after all. But if you decide to unlock the bootloader for future root/ROM adventures, then you'll have to make do with just non-HD 480p Netflix streams.
Always-on display could come to the 7 Pro, but OnePlus wants to work on other features and fixes first
These days, OnePlus is known for engaging with its customers more than most smartphone manufacturers do, feeling out their interests when it comes to certain features. Just earlier today, the company published a series of responses related to customer feedback for the 7 Pro, covering a range of topics from the "ghost touch" issue to ongoing camera improvements, and even the potential its latest phone might pick up always-on display functionality — one of the most common requests.
For the last week, Huawei has dominated the news. Unanticipated consequences of the US government's decision to prevent American companies from selling products to the Chinese giant continue to percolate out, as different parts of Huawei's complex supply chain web reveal how the decision affects them. Although a temporary, 90-day reprieve for the import ban is in effect, it isn't a permanent solution. With things as they stand, would you consider buying a Huawei phone?
New legislation would protect Americans from warrantless search of electronics at US borders
Two days ago, California congressional Rep. Ted Lieu introduced a new bill to the US House of Representatives (together with a similar bill introduced in the Senate) meant to expand the privacy-related rights of Americans at US borders. The new Protecting Data at the Border Act, as it is called, would prevent law enforcement from utilizing "exceptions" for warrantless searches of electronic devices at borders.
Synology LiveCam review: Turns old phones into security cameras, but I wish it worked better
Last year when Synology revealed its new LiveCam app, we knew we had to check it out. The potential convenience of turning an old phone into a remote, battery-augmented security camera was appealing, especially considering the existing power and flexibility of the company's Surveillance Station security camera management system. After months of testing, though, LiveCam makes a better stop-gap than a solution.
[Update: Clarification] The OnePlus 7 Pro's telephoto lens isn't technically 3x "optical" zoom
OnePlus was quick to market its latest 7 Pro as having substantial photography improvements — it even danced around a National Geographic photographer at its launch event to talk about the cameras — but it turns out that some of the numbers tossed around in spec sheets while discussing the phone weren't quite right. That 3x telephoto lens included in the trifecta of cameras isn't actually providing a "3x optical zoom." In fact, it's closer to 2.2x, and it makes up for the difference by cropping.
There are an incredible number of choices when it comes to smaller capacity batteries, but the selection of big, camping-sized units thins out substantially especially if you want comparatively modern amenities like Type-C charging and output. Anker's new Powerhouse 200 fills a slightly smaller niche than its older Powerhouse 120,000, together with the addition of a more modern connector, but its $350 asking price is too much given the compatibility issues and feature set.