Saturday, September 30, 2017

Pocket Mortys to donate all proceeds earned on Sunday to help hurricane relief efforts in Puerto Rico

This Sunday would be a good time to spend that Google Play credit!

Now there's another reason to play Pocket Mortys. Besides being incredibly fun, Adult Swim Games has pledged to donate any cash it makes via the game on Sunday, October 1 to help Hurricane Maria relief in Puerto Rico.

The game itself is free to play, but ads and in-app purchases can make for a sizable amount of money, especially now that we have an extra incentive to hand it over to the company. It's fun to play and chances are you would probably spend a little coin because of it, but this news removes any excuse to not part with a buck or two.

Remember, Google Play credit can be used to buy in-app purchases, and plenty of us have upwards of $100 or more by using the Opinion Rewards app. There's no better time to spend it!



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Amazon Echo devices can now make free calls in North America

All Amazon Echo devices can now make free calls to the US, Canada, and Mexico without any additional hardware.

Amazon has been adding a steady stream of features to its Echo device family dating back to the release of the first Echo back in 2014. In May, the company announced the ability for Echo owners to make free calls to any Alexa-enabled device, including smartphones with the Alexa app. Now, Amazon is expanding that even further.

AFTVnews reports that that Echo owners and those with the Alexa smartphone application can now make free calls to any phone number in the US, Canada or Mexico completely free with no additional hardware required. The other end of the phone call won't have any idea you're using an Echo device since the recipient will see it is coming from your phone number. If you'd like, you can opt out of sharing your number, in which case the recipient will see the call is from an "unknown caller."

This feature will let users dial contacts by either stating the person's name (if the app has permissions to view contacts) or by simply speaking the phone number. For the Modern Dads out there with multiple users in the same home, you'll need to switch to a different user profile on the Echo in order to load the correct user's contact list. Also, note the calling through Alexa cannot be used for emergency numbers. Users will be able to control volume or hang up a call via voice commands as well, which would be a fantastic way to end a dramatic phone call.

One final note is that users will not be able to receive calls from landline phones through Alexa without the Echo Connect plugged into a landline phone at their end.

Are you interested in free calls through your Amazon Echo? Let us know down below!



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Google Assistant is coming to Chromebooks

The latest Google Home app has confirmed that Google Assistant will be launching soon for Chromebooks.

Since launching alongside last year's Pixel phones, Google Assistant has since expanded to all Android devices running Android 6.0 Marshmallow and later, Google Home, Android Wear devices, headphones, and most recently, Android TV. With almost all bases covered, it looks like Google Assistant will be launching on one more platform.

9to5Google reports that the Chat with your Assistant game lists supports for Google Home, Allo, Android phones, Chromebooks, and iOS devices. Just to drive the point home (pun intended) even further, there's an icon of a laptop, right next to an icon of a Google Home and a smartphone. Elsewhere, ChromeUnboxed has found solid evidence that the new Pixelbook will feature a hardware button specifically for triggering Google Assistant. Even without the physical key, Assistant support is important going forward as Chrome looks like it will replace Android (the operating system, not the APIs) on tablets.

Google is expected to announce the Pixelbook, as well as the next Pixel phones and the Google Home Mini at a press event on October 4th. It's highly likely that support for Assistant on Chrome would also be part of this event, and we don't have too long to wait.

Would you use Google Assistant on a Chromebook? Let us know down below!

Learn more about Google Assistant!



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Best HOTAS Controller for PlayStation VR

Is there a HOTAS controller I can use with PlayStation VR?

Hands On Throttle And Stick (HOTAS) controllers are extremely popular in the flight simulator community and are now gaining a lot of traction in the VR world. These controllers essentially give you a ton of control over your airplane or spaceship, and you can also look and feel like a boss while playing. HOTAS controllers will usually have a familiar joystick for one hand and a throttle for the other.

With rumors of War Thunder and Elite: Dangerous coming to PlayStation VR, and with a few VR games already supported, including EVE: Valkyrie and Starblood Arena, you might be tempted to set up a cockpit in your VR space. Here's the best — and so far really the only — one you'll want to get for PlayStation VR.

Read more at VRHeads!



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Your weekend comments thread is open for business

Reset and recuperate with friends both online and off.

Weekends are all about taking time to shake away the work-week brain dust. No matter your job, work can get stressful and everyone needs to find time to step away and remember how to enjoy themselves. That could mean something quiet and relaxing or extreme and adrenaline pumping, or anything in-between. And while you're winding down from it all here's the place where you can get together with friends and chat about anything.

I like to spend my downtime with either a fishing pole or a guitar in my hands, and it seems like everything is awesome while I'm doing either. My job is filled with cool stuff that I enjoy, but it still can be stressful so I value doing the other things I love whenever I get a chance. I imagine most of us feel the same way, even if you've not yet found the job you love.

More of that fun and possibly stressful work will be heading our way very soon, as we get our keyboards and minds lubricated to prepare for Google's October 4 hardware show. Andrew and Russell are headed to San Francisco, Daniel is going to get together with Google Canada and the rest of us will be typing furiously and watching the live stream. Nobody is sure exactly what Google's one big thing will be this go 'round, but we're sure they will drop a bomb about something while they show off the new Pixel 2 phones and other products. They always do.

It will be fun, and we'll be ready!

So what are you up to this weekend? Jump into the comments below and let's talk about it.



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Best Cases for Moto G5 Plus

What are the best cases available for the Moto G5 Plus?

Motorola's latest budget phone, the Moto G5 Plus, is quite the follow up to the Moto G4 Plus.

If you recently picked one up on sale, you should reinvest some of the money you save on a case to keep it in tip-top condition. We've rounded up a wide variety of cases here —from heavy duty rugged to slim and sleek — so you can find the one that fits your lifestyle best!

Ringke FUSION case

Ringke has a good reputation as a solid case manufacturer, and for good reason: its Fusion series always fits and protects well without adding too much bulk.

The Moto G5 Plus version, available in Clear, Rose Gold Crystal, or Smoke Black colors, is no exception. All versions leave a clear back while the two colored options merely accentuate the sides of the phone. The case covers the ports with little flaps, preventing water from getting inside, and the TPU covering is reinforced at the corners to ensure MIL-STD 810G drop protection.

See at Amazon

Supcase Unicorn Beetle Pro with Built-in Screen Protector

Do you regularly head out into the great outdoors with your phone and need a case that's rugged enough to take on the elements? Supcase offers its Unicorn Beetle Pro case, which features rugged, dual-layer protection and a built-in screen protector.

It combines a rugged polycarbonate shell with soft TPU to create a durable case with a sporty design. Supcase brags that this case exceeded military shock standards by surviving a 4-foot drop test 26 times so if you're prone to dropping your phone this is the case for you. All the ports are covered to keep out dirt and lint with access to the phone's ports and buttons, and also comes with an optional swiveling belt clip holster. It's come in sleek all black, or premium color cases.

See at Amazon

Spigen Rugged Armor case

Spigen makes some of the best cases you can buy, with their Rugged Armor lineup offering a great balance between style and functionality without adding a ton of bulk to your phone.

This one-piece case is made from flexible TPU with an internal spider-web pattern to help disperse the shock from drops along with Spigen's Air Cushion technology in the corners. The screen is protected with a raised lip around the front, and on the back, you'll find a precise cutout around the camera along with glossy, carbon fiber textures at the top and bottom of the case which increases your ability to maintain a solid grip on your phone.

Precise cutouts around the ports and raised tactile buttons ensure the functionality of your phone is never impeded. For a great, lightweight case that offers rugged protection, you really can't go wrong with Spigen.

See at Amazon

Incipio NGP case

If you're looking for a lightweight rugged case, Incipio's NGP case is the right voice for you.

Featuring a textured back and bumper to ensure you maintain a solid grip, this one-piece polymer case is designed with enhanced drop protection — you'll notice the honeycombed interior which helps to disperse the shock when your phone inevitably hits a table or floor.

Precise cutouts mean you'll have full access to the charging port and headphone jack as well as the volume and power button on the side.

Choose between black and berry pink and keep your Moto G5 Plus protected!

See at Incipio

Tudia Ultra Slim case

Tudio's Ultra Slim case for the Moto G5 Plus is a very stylish option for protecting your phone. it features stylish carbon fiber designs at the top and the bottom of the backplate, which both looks great and helps with grip.

Made with high quality TPU, this sleek case won't add much bulk to your phone, while the raised edge around the screen help keep your phone protected when it's face down on a surface. It's available in three color options: black, grey and navy blue.

For a really stylish and slim option for protecting your Moto G5 Plus, the Tudia Ultra Slim case can't be beat!

See at Amazon

Cimo clear case

Cimo's cases always fit really well and their clarity is excellent. Made from flexible TPU, these cases have a great in-hand feel that's not slippery, so you won't be fumbling your Moto G5 Plus all the time.

There's a raised bezel around the front of the case to protect your phone's screen when you lay it face-down, and the ports and buttons are cut out precisely.

It's important to note that clear TPU will almost always yellow after some time due to the way it absorbs sunlight. But for around $8, you might as well grab a few.

Interested in checking out other clear case options? Check out the best clear cases for the Moto G5 Plus!

See at Amazon

Poetic Revolution

If rugged protection is the name of the game for you, you'll want to consider this Poetic Revolution case for the Moto G5 Plus. It offers full protection for your phone, including a front plate with a built-in screen protector that also adds water resistance to the mix.

This two-piece case combines polycarbonate and TPU on the back to provide a balance of shock absorption and scratch protection, while the front plate is made of solid PC and includes a screen protector to keep your screen protected better than any other case on this list.

There's a lot of smart design elements in play here, including grippy textures along the side edges of the phone, lint/dust flaps over the ports at the bottom, and 'edgy' corners that give the phone a fresh and unique look. Despite all the features and protection built into this case, the profile remains relatively slim so you're not carrying around a plastic brick in your pocket.

See at Amazon

LK Leather Wallet Flip case

If you're looking to keep your phone, ID, credit cards and cash all in one place when you're heading out for a night on the town, the LK wallet case is your best bet.

Available in both black and brown color options, this case features three card slots on the inside cover, including a windowed slot that's perfect for your ID, and also includes a pocket for carrying cash as well. Your phone is held in place via a soft TPU shell that offers quality protection in the spots you need it most: the corners. Fold over the front cover to use it as a kickstand for viewing, then use the magnetic clasp to keep your screen protected in your pocket.

Do note that some of the Moto G5 Plus' functionality may be impeded when the front cover is closes, including the twist and chop gestures for launching the camera and flashlight respectively. Those require the infrared sensor to work properly which is covered by the case when closed. It certainly shouldn't be a dealbreaker for most, but it's worth mentioning before you make the purchase.

See at Amazon

Which case will you pick?

We want to know which cases work best for you, so let us know in the comments below!

Update September 30, 2017: We've added the Ringke FUSION case because it's great and you should buy it.



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This $7 accessory will revolutionize the way you use your phone

Ease is a ring away.

We have all done it. You are laying in bed or on the couch scrolling through the latest news, social media or cat memes on your phone and then splat. You just dropped your phone on your face, and it hurt. Even worse, it fell from your face onto the floor and now your precious phone has a cracked screen. Now that your face and ego are bruised, you realize that something needs to be done to ensure this travesty never happens again.

Allow me to introduce you to the phone holder that will not only revolutionize the way you use your phone, but make you feel safe all the while! Amazon has the 2-pack Aukey Phone Ring Holder for $6.99 when you apply coupon code AUKEYHP3 during checkout. This is the lowest price ever by $3.

Simply attach the 3M adhesive firmly onto the back of your phone or phone case, and you are all set. Now you can take that selfie with confidence. Better yet, watch your favorite movie by using the 180-degree flip-over ring design, and 360-degree rotating base as a phone stand.

See at Amazon

More from Thrifter

For more great deals be sure to check out our friends at Thrifter now!



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Huawei Mediapad M3 vs. Mediapad M3 Lite: Which should you buy?

A battle between two fantastic Android tablets at different price points.

Huawei's Mediapad M3 and Mediapad M3 Lite are both extremely capable tablets that won't break your budget. How do you pick between two devices that look so similar, though? You let us break it down feature by feature to see M3 is more worth your hard earned money!

Specs comparison

Category Mediapad M3 Lite Mediapad M3
CPU Qualcomm Snapdragon 435, octa-core Kirin 950, octa-core
Screen resolution 8-inch 1920x1200 pixels 8.4-inch 2560×1600 pixels
RAM 3GB 4GB
Memory 16GB 32 GB / 64 GB
Battery 4800 mAh 5100 mAh
Price $169 $299 / $330
Dimensions 4.8 x 8.4 x 0.30 in 4.8 x 8.5 x .28 in

Same name, different device

The Huawei Mediapad M3 and Mediapad M3 Lite are two vastly different tablets that share a name. They're both 8-inch portrait-oriented tablets (though the Mediapad M3 has a slightly bigger 8.4-inch screen).

It's the actual hardware that makes a serious difference between the Mediapad M3 and the Mediapad M3 Lite. The M3 is in possession of the much more powerful Kirin 950 octa-core processor compared to the M3 Lite's Snapdragon 435 processor. Likewise, the Mediapad M3 has a resolution of 2560 x 1600 pixels, which surpasses the 1920 x 1200 resolution of the Mediapad M3 Lite by quite a margin.

The Mediapad M3 also has more storage and RAM than the equivalent models of the Mediapad M3 Lite. And the Mediapad M3 has a slightly larger 5100mAh battery compared to the 4800mAh cell in the M3 Lite.

Now while the Mediapad M3 does have far more power under the hood, it's also the much more expensive tablet at $299 versus the Mediapad M3 Lite's $169 asking price.

Intent matters

Due to the major differences in hardware between these two devices, it's a bit difficult to compare one directly against the other. Instead, what you need to consider it what you plan on using your Huawei Mediapad for.

If you need a device for distracting the kids during car rides, watching your favorite shows, and surfing Facebook, then the Mediapad M3 Lite is definitely the one to pick. It doesn't have the better specs overall, but it is more than capable of getting the job done.

In comparison, the Mediapad M3 is capable of doing far more than letting you catch up on binge watching. It's got a huge battery, a solid processor, making it great for everything from checking documents in Google Drive to conducting live chats with friends on Hangouts. With its fantastic screen and great speakers, the Mediapad M3 can really act as a replacement for your Laptop in most cases.

The Mediapad M3 is the better tablet!

By every possible marker, the Mediapad M3 comes out ahead of the Mediapad M3 Lite. This isn't surprising, as it is the higher end Mediapad from Huawei, but Huawei has gone above and beyond to pack it to the brim with fantastic features for you to take advantage of. While it is a bit pricey compared to the Mediapad M3 Lite, it's well worth it for the increase in screen quality, battery, processor, and speakers.

One thing to keep in mind, though, is that the Mediapad M3 shipped with Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and still hasn't been updated to Android 7.0 Nougat in most regions of the world. The Mediapad M3 Lite, though, shipped with Nougat since it is a newer product.

Essentially in every other metric that counts, the Mediapad M3 excels, delivering a device that really does go above and beyond.

See Mediapad M3 at Amazon See Mediapad M3 Lite at Amazon

Which is your favorite?

Both the Mediapad M3 and the Mediapad M3 Lite are very capable, but the Mediapad M3 pulls ahead by virtue of all of its features. Do you agree that the Mediapad M3 is the better device? Do you prefer the Mediapad M3 Lite? Let us know about it in the comments below!

Huawei Mediapad M3 review



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Get two powerful military-grade flashlights for $18

What do you do when the lights go out? Sure, you could use the light on your phone, but if you can't charge your phone, then you'll want to conserve power. Maybe you're out camping or hiking, night falls, and you don't even have your phone on you. Then what?

If you're going to do things, do them up right. Don't bother with some dollar store flashlight that you'll have to toss because the plastic's dried out. Get yourself a flashlight with a metal casing that can stand up to the rough life so that you can take it with you wherever you go: camping, hunting, in the car, whatever.

The UltraBright 500-lumen Tactical Military Flashlight is made of an aircraft aluminum alloy and has a range of about a mile in ideal conditions with adjustable zoom. Right now, a two-pack of these flashlights is only $17.99 at Android Central Digital Offers. They regularly retail for $100 together, so you save 82%.

The UltraBright flashlights feature three modes to fit every situation: bright, lower bright, and SOS mode. They come with a convenient storage case, so you can toss them in the trunk of your card and never lose them. The handy and sturdy clip lets you slap one on your belt and have it stay put until you need it. UltraBrights are light and only take one AA battery.

If you're looking for a handy little flashlight that's perfect in any situation, check out the UltraBright 500-lumen Tactical Military Flashlight two-pack at Android Central Digital Offers and pay only $17.99.

See at Android Central Digital Offers



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Friday, September 29, 2017

The best wireless chargers for your new phone

It's been eight years since wireless charging first came to smartphones with the Palm Pre, but it took Apple building it into the new iPhone 8 and iPhone X to make it matter to the mainstream. That's no snarky jab at Apple or its customers; in fact the iPhone's newfound embrace of wireless charging is reason to celebrate for all those who've ever known the joy of cutting the (charging) cord!

That's because wireless charging is about to return to the scene in a big way – and this time, there's no pesky standards war to get in the way of progress. I'm MrMobile and here's everything you need to know if you're treating your smartphones to a wireless charger in 2017.

Featured Products

Stay social, my friends



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Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL: Release Date, Specs, Price and Rumors!

What do we want from the Google Pixel 2?

A new, delicious version of Android is here, so now we're looking to the next big Google announcement: new phone hardware.

Up until recently, we thought this year's crop was to be a fairly predictable update to last year's — two devices built by HTC with improved specs and a newer version of Android. But things change.

Here's what we do know: two phones, with an unveiling on October 4, 2017 in San Francisco. The rest? Read on for more.

Google Pixel 2 — HTC 'walleye'

The first rumors around next-gen Pixels suggested that HTC would once again be the manufacturer of two Pixel phones in 2017, and that perhaps the company had signed a multi-year contract with Google for the privilege. Previous Nexus and Pixel devices have been named after various kinds of aquatic life, and so when references to devices named "walleye" and "muskie", appeared, they fitted the bill. Both "walleye" and "muskie" were expected to be from HTC, with updated designs similar to that of the original Pixels.

In June 2017 the news broke that "muskie," the larger of the two HTC phones, had been canceled by Google in favor of a new Pixel — this time produced by LG.

Specs in the Pixel 2, according to rumors, would unsurprisingly include Qualcomm's very latest processor — likely a Snapdragon 835. Recently those rumors have been corroborated by a report on XDA suggesting the smaller Pixel 2 would feature 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. The screen size would purportedly stay around 5 inches, with a 1920x1080 display resolution.

In August 2017, the leaks really began: we saw the first "live" photo of the Pixel 2, which greatly resembles the original smaller 5-inch Pixel with a few small alterations, including a much larger camera module and less glass on the top of the phone. Later on, we got to see a set of official renders that leaked, corroborating the design and confirming 64GB of internal storage. Pricing was also rumored at $649, or $749 for 128GB of storage.

We also learned the smaller Pixel will do away with the 3.5mm headphone jack of the original and instead opt for dual front-facing stereo speakers, a compromise that we're sure won't be to everyone's taste.

In another leak, we saw the front and back of the Pixel 2 in slightly more detail, festooned as they were in barcodes and stickers, all the while confirming the familiar design language.

And in the most definitive of non-photo leaks we've received so far, the Pixel 2 passed through the U.S. telecom regulator, the FCC, telling us a few new things about it, including a confirmation that it's being manufactured by HTC. First, the phone is definitely going to be running the Snapdragon 835, and it will include HTC's Edge Sense "squeeze-the-sides" technology, though for what purpose remains to be seen.

Google Pixel 2 XL — LG 'taimen'

In March, it emerged that a another potential Pixel device was being produced, codenamed "taimen", likely bigger than both "walleye" and "muskie." Now we know that "muskie" is no more, leaving us with just one big-screened Pixel — "taimen."

Leaked specs for the device from benchmarking sites include a Snapdragon 835 processor and 4GB of RAM, like the HTC-made Pixel 2. Multiple reports later confirmed that LG would be the manufacturer of the new, larger phone.

In July, we got our first look at the Google Pixel 2 XL in all its glory, thanks to a render produced in-house by Android Police based on information seen by them. As well as revealing many key design features, like a slightly curved glass front (though with a flat OLED screen, apparently), the render shows just one rear camera, and the return of the fingerprint scanner around the back. It bears a passing resemblance to LG's own V30 handset in terms of proportions and edge curvature.

The renders were backed up by later leaked versions, this time in both black and white, from the folks over at Droid-Life (shown above). Once again we see a shrunken glass back portion, and smooth metal all the way down. A power button sits above the volume keys on the right side (when viewed from the front), and the fingerprint sensor sits on the back roughly where it did on the original. It also shows a larger camera cutout, once again with just a single lens.

According to AP's report, "taimen" would have a 6-inch, 18:9 aspect ratio display (again, like the V30), and will also include the Edge Sense-like squeeze feature, where users can squeeze the phone to make certain things happen. Google Assistant was once again suggested as a likely contender for squeeze-activated functionality.

Ultra Pixel — a third Pixel? (Probably not)

An odd leak only days before the Pixel 2 event suggests that Google may release a third Pixel, dubbed Ultra Pixel, at the October 4 event.

While this is extremely unlikely, the source claims that Google will release a phone with dual cameras, a completely bezelless screen, and an interface that does away completely with Android's on-screen navigation buttons. Some of this information is reportedly corroborated by photos that show the term 'Ultra pixel' on what appears to be marketing materials. Others have (probably correctly) suggested that if they're anything at all, they may merely be marketing materials for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL.

Google, LG Electronics and LG Display

Earlier this year, it was revealed that Google wants to spend nearly a billion dollars with LG Display to secure OLED panels for its upcoming Pixel phones. LG Display is a separate company from LG Electronics, which creates phones, but the two are connected (LGE is the largest shareholder in LG Display), and it stands to reason that Google would give the latter a manufacturing contract to ensure the success of the former.

OLED displays are the future of screens, and Google wants a piece of the market.

OLED displays are the future of mobile optics, and LG is ramping up production for its own devices and to compete with Samsung Display, which largely has the market cornered. The first Pixel phones were affected by enormous and frustrating manufacturing delays, and though Google never specifically pointed to a shortage in OLED displays, experts believe that may have been a factor. With its sequels, Google wants to ensure it has a reliable supply of panels, and giving LG the rights to manufacture one of its Pixels goes a long way to making sure that happens.

The move makes sense, since LG is ramping up production of phone-based OLED displays for its own LG V30. It's also worth noting that Google and LG have a long history of partnerships on Nexus, Android Wear and Google Play edition devices. LG has historically been keen to team up with its major partner in the mobile space.

Design and hardware features

The smaller Pixel 2, manufactured by HTC, is expected to share much of its design with its predecessor, though it will gain stereo speakers. Google and LG are clearly moving towards the "bezel-less" ideal of smartphones in 2017 for the larger Pixel 2 XL. Both phones look to be clad in the same smooth, almost-featureless metal body that we saw on the original Pixels.

Nevertheless, at least Pixel 2 XL's larger screen should address the main design criticism of the original Pixels: their large bezels, which look even sillier now that the Galaxy S8 and LG G6 are on the market. What could put off buyers is the fact that the Pixels may not offer a 3.5mm headphone jack.

It looks like the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will share a similar design aesthetic.

A more recent XDA report suggested that both Pixel 2 and Pixel XL 2 will have a few more hardware goodies to look forward to, including an HTC U11-like "squeezable" frame that would launch Google Assistant. An all-new ambient display could make the Pixel series a bit more like Moto Display, allowing users to interact with what they see of their notifications without turning the screen on — a direct benefit of having an OLED panel. And that OLED panel could allow Google to offer a true sRGB color option in its display settings, something that has until now been relegated to the little-visited (for most people) Developer Options.

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL Specs

The specs for the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL are coming together, and we're getting a clear picture of what most high-end phones look like at the end of 2017 — with a couple interesting diversions.

Category Pixel 2 Pixel 2 XL
Manufacturer HTC LG
Operating System Android 8.1 Android 8.1
Processor Snapdragon 835 Snapdragon 835
Display 5-inch, 1920x1080 (16:9) 6-inch, 2880x1440 (18:9)
RAM 4GB 4GB
Storage 64/128GB
Non-expandable
64/128GB
Non-expandable
Camera Single rear camera, single front-facing camera, EIS Single rear camera, single front-facing camera, EIS
Security Rear fingerprint sensor Rear fingerprint sensor
Water resistance IP68 IP68
Price $649 / $749 $849 / $949

In early September, we learned that unlike earlier rumors, Qualcomm has no plans to launch a Snapdragon 836 processor to replace the Snapdragon 835 this year like it did with the Snapdragon 821 in 2016.

We also learned in a recent leak that Google will once again forgo optical image stabilization (OIS) in favor of electronic stabilization, which fared so well in the previous Pixel devices. That same leak also confirmed that the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL will both be IP68 water resistant.

Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL software — Android 8.1

Similar to last year, the Pixel 2 series may launch with Android 8.1, a version that may remain exclusive to the phones for a couple of months. Android 8.0 Oreo is finalized and released to current Pixels, so it'd make sense for the first maintenance release, version 8.1, to ship with the new Pixels.

That strategy allowed Google to roll out some great new features for all phones running Android 7.0 Nougat while keeping some exclusive features for the Pixels, which ran Android 7.1 when they launched a few months later. At the same time, Google's excellent Pixel Launcher remains unique to the lineup, as does Project Fi support, which should fall over to the phones, too.

We don't know anything specific about what we'll see on Android 8.1 right now, but we're keeping our ear to the ground and will update this as we know more.

More: What you need to know about Android 8.0 Oreo

Pricing and availability

When will the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 be announced? That's easy — the event is scheduled for October 4 in San Francisco, with satellite events in Toronto and London. Early leaks point to a price jump to $849/$949 for the Pixel 2 XL, while the smaller Pixel 2 will stay at the same $649/749 price as its predecessor.

If there's one silver lining to the prices, it's that the base storage on both phones has gone up to 64GB — more space for your stuff.

Other announcements

The Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL aren't the only things being announced at Google's October 4 event. We saw leaks of a smaller Google Home Mini, which should debut for $49 in three colors — with Google Assistant on board, of course.

And Chromebook fans will be excited to learn that Google plans to release a Pixelbook convertible with a detachable screen and touchscreen support starting at $1149, along with an optional powered pen for $99.

There's also going to be a slightly refreshed Daydream View VR headset, likely to accommodate the taller footprint of the Pixel 2 XL.

Update, September 20: This article was last updated with the latest information on all the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL leaks.



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Hardware is Table Stakes [#acpodcast]

Daniel Bader, Jerry Hildenbrand, Russell Holly, and Phil Nickinson talk about the motives and strategies behind some significant moves in the industry this year, including Google's HTC deal and Amazon's new Echo products and Fire TV 4K.

It's update-mageddon! With Google extending security updates for Nexus 5X and 6P, and the Moto X Pure Edition just now getting Android 7.0, what can users reasonably expect from manufacturers in the way of support for devices they already own?

Finally, the Pixel 2 only days away—Google is offering up to $410 back when trading in your original Pixel through the Google Store. Now might be a good time to get on it!

Show Notes and Links:



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Survey: What are your mobile typing and messaging patterns?

What's your messaging mindset? Take this survey and help us find out!

Every single day, all over the world, people are sending messages back and forth through a multitude of different services, and according to some estimates, more than half the world now uses a smartphone. That means there are a lot of folks out there tapping away on their devices using both virtual and physical keyboards.

But do folks enjoy the experience? Can those virtual and physical keyboards be improved? Do people abandon writing longer messages on their smartphones until they get to a computer where the typing experience is arguably better? These are all questions we have and to help get them answered, we have put together a little typing and messaging patterns on mobile survey that we hope you will take part in.

The survey is five simple questions about how many messages you send, what you do most on your smartphone and how you feel about the typing experience your smartphone offers. It shouldn't take any more than five minutes to complete, and we certainly appreciate you taking the time to fill it out! You can fill it out in the embed below, or if that's not working properly you can click on the link below.

Take the survey



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Google app now has 3 new home screen shortcuts

Some people are now able to add home screen shortcuts for the Dining, Entertainment, and Sports sections of it.

Earlier this year, Google added shortcuts above its Feed cards for quickly accessing certain areas of the app – including options for checking the weather, finding ATMs near you, opening Google Translate, tracking down a new restaurant, and plenty more. In an effort to make getting to these shortcuts even easier, some users are reporting that they can now add certain ones to their home screens.

At this time, it appears that you can now add home screen icons for the Eat & Drink, Entertainment, and Sports sections of the Google app. When viewing any of these sections within Google, you'll see a message either the top or bottom of your screen asking if you'd like to add a shortcut for that particular section to your home screen.

Devices that are on Android 8.0 Oreo will have these icons added as Pinned Shortcuts, meaning that you'll see a small logo for the Google app near the bottom right of any of them that you add. If you're running a version of Android Nougat or earlier, they'll be added as regular App Shortcuts without the Google logo. The shortcuts will work the same either way, but that's why you might see a change in their appearance across different devices.

The feature doesn't appear to be widely rolled out to everyone quite yet, as I'm only able to add a Dining icon that opens up the Eat & Drink part of the Google app when tapped.

The only other home screen shortcut that could previously be added from the Google app was one for Weather, so it's encouraging to see that Google is trying to expand this functionality to other areas. It's not a game-changer or anything, but it does make navigating through all of Google's many functions a little bit easier.

If you want to see if you have access to these new home screen shortcuts, they appear to be working on both the latest stable version of the Google app as well as the current beta (7.11 and 7.12 respectively).

Google's longstanding search widget could add customization options soon



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