About Scott Scrivens
Senior UK Editor — My interest in Android began with the beautiful Nexus 4 and the less-ugly-than-before Jelly Bean. Right now, I'm probably watching Black Books, playing football (soccer), or listening to Answer Code Request.
Latest Articles
The Huawei Mate 40 series is official, still crippled by lack of Google apps
Sleek hardware and stunning cameras are only half the story
At an online launch event today, Huawei CEO Richard Yu took to the stage to unveil the embattled Chinese company's latest flagship smartphone lineup. The Mate 40 series is without Google apps and services, and Huawei's App Gallery is also without a variety of other popular apps. So while the hardware is undoubtedly impressive, it's hard to get excited about a pair of devices that won't mean much to western audiences.
Vivo is the latest Chinese smartphone maker to bring its products to Europe
Starting with the X51 5G, several mid-range Y-series models, and the customary audio accessories
With OnePlus, Oppo, and Realme all having successfully launched products in European markets, fellow BBK sub-brand Vivo must have been feeling left out. Not to be outdone by its siblings, the company has just announced its expansion into Europe with a range of handsets and audio products.
Stadia is offering three days of free demos, starting today
Games include Stadia-first 'Pac-Man Mega Tunnel Battle' and 'Immortals Fenyx Rising'
In a bid to drive interest in its game-streaming platform, Google is running a three-day event during which you can play some demos of upcoming titles free of charge. Each game is available for seven days, so you'll have plenty of time to give them a try. The demos are available to new or existing Stadia users — and don't worry, if you're signing up for the first time, you won't need to hand over any card details or anything.
OnePlus 8T update adds Canvas AOD wallpaper and a bunch of improvements
OxygenOS 11.0.1.2 claims to fix issues with battery life, network stability, and camera white balance
Before the OnePlus 8T is even in the hands of consumers, it's getting a sizable update with a few important fixes and an interesting new feature. OxygenOS 11 finally introduced the long-awaited always-on display mode, and this latest update comes with another creative option for it named Canvas.
Xiaomi announces ridiculous 80W wireless charging technology
It can charge a typical smartphone in less than 20 minutes
Fast charging has been one of the key battlegrounds in the smartphone wars in recent years, and Xiaomi has often been at the forefront. Last year, the Chinese OEM announced that it was working on a 100W wired charger that could fully fill a 4,000mAh battery in just 17 minutes. It's now going one step further with 80W Mi Wireless Charging that takes almost as little time to do the same job sans wires.
Here's the new BBC iPlayer app for Android TV (APK download)
Intended for the new Chromecast with Google TV, but can be sideloaded on other devices
BBC iPlayer has had a strange relationship with Android TV. There have been versions specific to certain hardware, such as the one for the Nvidia Shield or those you can get on Sony TVs, but there's still no official generic version that works on any ATV device. This means no BBC iPlayer for the new Chromecast with Google TV, since that's just an ATV dongle with a fancy skin. Or so we thought. Thankfully, there's a new version of the app that's compatible with Google's new hardware, just in time for launch.
OnePlus 8T unveiled alongside cheaper OnePlus Buds Z
120Hz smoothness and insane 65W charging speeds are the big hitters
The leaks and rumors are out of the way, as is OnePlus's trademark teaser campaign, and the OnePlus 8T is now official. It's an iterative upgrade over the OnePlus 8, sure, but there are also some considerable improvements, not least the bump up to a 120Hz display and 65W Warp Charge. With the recent introduction of Android 11, the OnePlus 8T also comes with the latest version of the company's software skin, and OxygenOS 11 is certainly different.
The best Amazon UK Prime Day deals (Updated)
Great discounts on Amazon devices, as well as plenty of phones, headphones, and smart home tech
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Amazon UK's two-day deal bonanza is upon us once again, hoping to take all your money before Black Friday can have its way with you. These events can be hit or miss, but there are a few good deals floating around, especially if you're looking to buy an Amazon-made device. I've delved into the depths of Prime Day to pull out a few of the better discounts for our readers on this side of the pond (the right side, in every sense).
The Galaxy Tab S7 and S7 Plus are getting Fortnite’s 90Hz mode
Starting tomorrow Tab S7 owners will be able to play Fortnite at a higher framerate
OnePlus phones are among the most powerful around and sport high refresh rate displays, so it makes sense to target mobile gamers. There are already a number of titles that can be played at 90 or 120 frames per second, and now Fortnite is joining the list. A new partnership with Epic Games sees the OnePlus 8 and 8 Pro as the first mobile devices to run Fortnite at 90 FPS.
OxygenOS 10.3.6 arrives for the OnePlus 6 and 6T
Including the September security patch and not a lot else
OnePlus is currently rolling out its first update to the OnePlus 6 and 6T since July, and users are rightly a little annoyed that it's taken so long. That means three months without the latest security patches, and if you're expecting a sizeable update with exciting new features, sadly this isn't it.
Lenovo unveils AMD Ryzen-powered ThinkPad Chromebook for $579
The sleek 2-in-1 convertible ThinkPad C13 Yoga is aimed at enterprise and education customers
It's been quite a while since Lenovo last released a ThinkPad-branded Chromebook, but it's now back with the C13 Yoga convertible. The productivity-focused machine is powered by an AMD Ryzen 7 3700C Series processor and comes with a slew of ports and features. It starts at $579, although a range of optional extras can be added to configure the ThinkPad to your needs.
Samsung launches Galaxy A42 5G in attempt to rival the OnePlus Nord
The cheapest 5G model yet from Samsung also comes with four rear cameras
Samsung is launching its cheapest 5G handset yet in the form of the Galaxy A42 5G. These A-series devices have come to represent excellent value, especially when compared with Samsung's pricey flagship S and Note series. Our reviews for the recent A11, A21, and A71 5G were largely positive, so there's good reason to believe the Galaxy A42 5G will be worth considering.
I listened to 37 seconds of Samsung's new 5G podcast so you don't have to
Spoiler: It's some of the most irrelevant promotional content imaginable
In its desperation to make 5G a thing anybody cares about — outside of conspiracy theorists who think it causes Covid-19 and kills people — Samsung is making a podcast. The promotional podcast is hosted by Britsh comedian Suzi Ruffell and Dr. Hannah Fry (she's a doctor, so you know you can trust her) as they aim to "uncover how 5G is transforming our everyday lives and building a better world."
Freshly leaked OnePlus 8T renders show off the upcoming phone in full
Sure enough, it looks like a phone
After OnePlus itself showed off part of its upcoming 8T model in a YouTube teaser video, we're now getting our first look at the device in full. Courtesy of consistent leaker Ishan Agarwal, we see two colorways of the OnePlus 8T — the glossy Aquamarine Green we already knew about and a matte finish named Lunar Silver.
Realme’s latest budget phones charge insanely fast and cost next to nothing
The Realme 7 and 7 Pro arrive in Europe with tons of great features and low price tags
It’s no secret by now that Oppo sub-brand Realme is the world’s fastest-growing smartphone maker, and it’s no surprise either given its commitment to low-cost hardware with high-value specs. While Realme does compete at the higher end, albeit which much lower prices than its competitors, it is budget models like the Realme 7 and 7 Pro that likely make up the lions share of the company’s impressive sales figures.
The best smart home devices you can buy right now (Fall 2020)
From voice assistant speakers to robot vacuums, and everything in between
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Millions of homes now contain a smart assistant speaker of some variety and sales of IoT products continue to grow as the market matures and prices come down across the sector. With so many options available, it's hard to know what to buy, and that's where we come in — this is a selection of our favorite smart home gadgets. Whether you want to just dip your toes in the water with a cheap Google Nest Mini or dive into the deep end with smart lights, cameras, thermostats, doorbells, and so on — we’ve got you covered.
You can get the new Google TV interface working on other Android TV devices
Be prepared to jump through some hoops to get it running
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Google isn't one to shy away from confusing branding changes, and the whole Google TV/Android TV thing is just the latest in a long line of examples. The new Google TV interface will come to third-party devices eventually, but the OS will still be called Android TV, at least for a little while. Right now, the new Chromecast with Google TV is the only device to officially support the upgraded UI, but there is a way to get it working on other Android TV hardware.
UE Fits are custom-fitting true wireless earbuds that won't break the bank
They mold to the shape of your ears in less than 60 seconds
Ultimate Ears is probably best known for its adorable Bluetooth speakers in the Boom line up, but it also makes some rather pricey pro-level audio products, like IEMs used by artists on stage and in the studio. With those products, a customized fit is necessary, but these tend to be far too expensive for most (shall we say, less talented) people. Thankfully, a new set of earbuds has just been announced that offers DIY custom-fitting for a fraction of the cost.
The Google TV watchlist is integrated with Google Search and your Play Store wishlist
Keeping track of shows and movies you want to see just got a whole lot easier
Google TV is the biggest change to Android TV we've seen in years, and although it may well have its drawbacks, it sounds like it's pretty good at serving you the content you actually want. It also has an easily accessible watchlist that you can add movies and shows from various services. We now know that this list is also integrated with the watchlist feature in Google Search, as well as the wishlist in the Play Store.
The Oppo Reno4 Pro 5G gets almost everything right, except for the price
Launching alongside the Reno4 and Reno4 Z in the UK and Europe
Oppo introduced three new 5G-equipped models to the UK and European markets today, aimed at young, fashionable consumers. The Reno4 and Reno4 Pro are mid to upper-mid-range handsets powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 765G chip. Meanwhile, the Reno4 Z brings comes in at a much lower price thanks to its more modest Mediatek processor. All three appear to be decent options, but the pricing seems a little too high.