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Latest by J. Chokkattu

google pop up stores 2018 hardware 35

We toured the Google Hardware Store pop-up in New York: Here’s what it’s like

To show off its slew of new products, Google is opening up pop-up shops in New York and Chicago starting October 18. You'll be able to buy products -- such as the Pixel 3, Pixel Slate, or the Google Home Hub -- at the Google Hardware Store. We got a tour of the store before it opens to the public.
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An app can solve all your problems with the Pixel 3 XL’s notch

The Google Pixel 3 XL has a lot of A.I. brainpower, but there's been a lot of blowback over the design, specifically the notch. But there are a few ways to get that great Google experience without having to deal with it. We've rounded them up in a guide, from hiding the notch to using a third-party app.
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Is the iPhone XS camera really that much better? Definitely. See for yourself

Apple's iPhone XS and XS Max both have excellent cameras. How much better are they than the ones on the iPhone X? We pit them against last year's iPhone X to find out. The differences may be minuscule, but they certainly are substantial, and it's all thanks to one key feature -- Smart HDR.
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Android 9 Pie review

Google’s latest version of Android is here, and it’s called Android 9 Pie. It brings quite a few quality of life improvements that enhance the way we use our smartphones. We’ve been using it for the past few months on a Google Pixel, OnePlus 6T, and Essential Phone to see how this flavor stacks up.
Skagen Falster review

Skagen Falster review

After six months, the Skagen Falster is still our favorite Wear OS smartwatch. It doesn't have a lot of features, and it doesn't have good battery life, but we're mesmerized with how it looks -- and can't keep it off our wrist. The Falster shows the importance of design in a smartwatch. Here's our review.
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Google will announce hardware on October 9, new Pixel phones expected

Save the date: Google will announce new hardware on October 9 in New York City. The date and venue are a change of pace considering the past two events took place on October 4 in San Francisco. Google is widely expected to announce the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, along with two Pixelbooks and a new Google Home.
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Casio Pro Trek Smart WSD-F20 review

Casio’s second-generation smartwatch -- the Pro Trek Smart WSD-F20 -- features a GPS sensor, along with the same outdoor tools as last year’s model, such as an altimeter, barometer, and compass. It runs Wear OS, which means you can also access your notifications. The new WSD-F20A model adds a new color.
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Samsung Galaxy Watch review

Samsung’s Galaxy Watch has almost everything and anything you’d want in a smartwatch. We’ve been wearing this watch for more than a week, and we’ve managed to stretch the battery up to four days. Say goodbye to one of the biggest pain points about smartwatches. Here’s our Galaxy Watch review.
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‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges’ review

Disney has partnered up with Lenovo for the Mirage Augmented Reality headset, which lets you play a new game called ‘Star Wars: Jedi Challenges.’ The Dark Side Expansion pack lets you become Kylo Ren and fight characters like Yoda and Rey, and there's a new lightsaber you can nab as well.
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New Wear OS smartwatches have arrived! Here’s why you shouldn’t buy them

The likes of Skagen and Diesel have unveiled new Wear OS smartwatches at IFA 2018. You shouldn't buy them, because they're utilizing a two-year-old Qualcomm processor. Google may have just introduced a new way to interact with Wear OS, but a fresh processor is more important -- and on the way.
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From snapping photos to scribbling, here’s what the S Pen can do on the Note 9

With the new Galaxy Note 9 smartphone, Samsung has introduced Bluetooth capabilities for its stylus -- and a whole new set of features. With this handy guide, you'll learn about everything you can do with the S Pen and find out about the cool new ways it now interacts with apps.
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The Galaxy Note 9: Key settings you need to change on your brand-new smartphone

Got your shiny new Samsung Galaxy Note 9 already? Before you finish setting it up, we've rounded up 10 settings you may want to tweak before enjoying your smartphone. These range from maximizing the screen resolution and customizing the S Pen to turning off Bixby Home.
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Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review

The Galaxy Note 9 is here, and it’s jaw-dropping how much tech Samsung has fit inside this phone. It’s one of Samsung’s largest phones ever thanks to its 6.4-inch screen. There’s a water-cooling system to cool the internals, beta access to Fortnite, A.I. in the camera, and lots more.
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Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium review

Sony’s third flagship phone of 2018 is its first to ever feature a dual-camera lens. The Sony Xperia XZ2 Premium can capture ultra-low-light video far better than phones like the iPhone X or Galaxy Note 9, but is it worth the high cost? We look at how the overall package holds up against the spotlight video features.
hmd global launches nokia 8110 with 4g support

Nokia 8110 4G: Everything you need to know

As the second addition to Nokia's family of "Originals," HMD Global has launched the Nokia 8110 4G, a revival of a design classic with some modern tech inside, including a 4G connection, Google Assistant, and even downloadable apps. No, it won't replace your iPhone X, but it may complement it perfectly.
Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 Review

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review

Before you purchase Samsung’s newest tablet, the Galaxy Tab S4, you’ll need to figure out exactly what you’re looking for. The Tab S4 delivers a decent tablet and desktop experience, but it doesn’t excel in either. There are plenty of other options on the market, which makes its high price a tough proposition. Here’s our Galaxy Tab S4 review.
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Here’s how Google’s Digital Wellbeing feature looks and works in Android 9.0 Pie

Digital Wellbeing is Google's initiative to help people better manage the time spent on smartphones. It's a part of Android 9,0 Pie, but the feature is currently in beta for Pixel devices after you sign up to try it. We have explored it in depth, and here's what it's like to use.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact

Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact review

Want a small smartphone? There aren’t a lot of options out there these days. Well you should consider Sony’s Xperia XZ2 Compact. It may not look like the snazziest smartphone, but it’s small, packs powerful performance, and has a more than capable camera. Here’s our XZ2 Compact review.
moto z3 play

Moto Z3 Play review

Motorola’s latest phone is the mid-range Moto Z3 Play. It costs $500, so why wouldn’t you just get the superior OnePlus 6? The answer isn’t so simple. There’s a lot to like here, and the phone comes with a battery mod that extends its life to two days. There are also more Moto Mods than ever before, and some of them are enticing enough to recommend this phone.
lg g7 thinq review

LG G7 ThinQ review

LG hasn’t had the best luck with its G-series smartphones. The modular G5 flopped, and the G6 didn’t garner much interest. The LG G7 ThinQ is the latest in the series, and it has incredible speakers and a super bright display -- can it pull Apple, Google, and Samsung loyalists? Here’s our review.
Samsung A Moon For All Mankind

Samsung’s moon-hopping VR experience in NYC is like space camp for adults

In New York City? For the next year, Samsung will let you simulate walking on the moon, thanks to the Gear VR, Galaxy S9 Plus, and a complicated harness system that was developed in partnership with NASA. It's all to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing in 2019.
Essential phone review phone on bench

This high-end Android smartphone only costs $250 for Amazon Prime Day (updated)

Amazon Prime Day is here, and one of the best deals we've found is on a phone. The Essential Phone is from the creator of Android, it has Google's stock Android operating system, it's made of ceramic and titanium, has flagship specifications, and it now just costs $250. That's a steal.
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Tech Armor says its new screen protector improves iPhone performance. We tested it

Tech Armor has a new screen protector for the iPhone, and the company believes it can redirect harmful radiation from your cellphone, while improving cell signal and battery life. That's on top of protecting your iPhone's screen. Skeptical? So were we, so we put the Enhance to the test.
felix gray prescription lens computer glasses sunglasses

Felix Gray gears up for summer with blue-light filtering, stylish sunglasses

Ever notice eye issues or headaches after staring at a screen for long periods of time? The culprit is likely the blue light emanating from the screen. Computer glasses can help, and Felix Gray wants to make them stylish to wear. It just launched a new sunglasses collection.

HTC U12 Plus review

HTC may have sold around 2,000 of its engineers to Google, but that’s not stopping it from churning out a new phone. The HTC U12 Plus is a 6-inch behemoth with four cameras and no physical buttons. We’ve been using it to see if digital buttons feel futuristic or frustrating. Here’s our HTC U12 Plus review.
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iOS 11 camera guide

Apple's latest software update for the iPhone and iPad is here, and we take a look at how to use the new iOS 11 camera effects.
samsung galaxy s8 camera tips

Samsung Galaxy S8 camera tips that will make you a better photographer

The Galaxy S8 has a great camera, but it takes a little getting used to. Here are our favorite Samsung Galaxy S8 camera tips to get you started. From filters, effects and overlays to different shooting modes (and selfies) here's how to master the S8 for great photography.
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‘Can I book a table for Thursday?’ Google Duplex duped me, but I didn’t mind

Google’s Duplex technology enables the Google Assistant to make calls, so you can ask it to book a reservation at a restaurant or schedule a haircut, and it’ll do all the work for you. We spent some time with the team behind Duplex to learn more about how it works, and to take a call from the Assistant.
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BlackBerry Key2 review

The KeyOne, which launched last year, rode a wave of nostalgia, but it’s back to business for BlackBerry. Its latest phone is the BlackBerry Key2, which succeeds its predecessor in every way -- especially with the keyboard, which is now practically perfect.
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Google’s Android Messages for web finally lets you text on your computer

Google is finally ready to take on Apple's iMessage with a new desktop client for Android Messages, called Messages for web. The new feature is rolling out now, and allows you to access your phone's messages straight from your computer -- which should make for a much easier messaging experience.
sony xperia xz2

Sony Xperia XZ2 review

Sony’s current flagship smartphone is the Xperia XZ2. It costs $800, and it’s quite comparable to Samsung’s Galaxy S9 in many ways. Does that mean you should drop your hard-earned money on it? It’s a tough question, as the XZ2 checks off a lot of boxes. We find the answer in our review.
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Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus review

Samsung’s Galaxy S9 Plus is a hardware masterpiece. Featuring refined design, fun camera additions, impressive low-light capabilities, and a fantastic display, it’s hard to be dissatisfied.
samsung galaxy s9 review

Samsung Galaxy S9 review

The Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus are here, but which one do you buy? In our Galaxy S9 review, we talk about the benefits of the smaller phone.
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Live updates: How to watch Apple’s WWDC 2018 keynote

It’s WWDC, our favorite time of year when Apple shows off all of its new software. This year there are lots of exciting updates from iOS 12 to a very sleek MacOS 10.14. Here's how to watch the keynote, and we'll be updating this post live throughout the show to include major announcements.