The MarbleLympics dodecathlon just concluded, but the real excitement came in the 11th round, an underwater marble race that encompassed the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. (more…)
A teardown of Google Maps v.9.58 turned up some signs that video contributions would become a feature in the very near future. If you're registered as a Local Guide, that time has come. Or at least it's coming, this seems to have only just started rolling out to members of the program today. It doesn't seem as though the videos are actually visible from the detail views yet, but that will probably come soon enough.
The OnePlus 3 and 3T have been updated with bug fixes and security patches.
While the company has since released the OnePlus 5, OnePlus is still committed to taking care of users of the OnePlus 3 and 3T. To that end, OnePlus has begun rolling out Oxygen OS 4.1.7 to the 3 and 3T, bringing some welcome improvements.
Most importantly, the phones are now on the August 2017 security patch, up from the May 2017 patch. There are also unnamed battery optimizations and the system as a whole should feel more fluid. I received the update today, and navigating the interface does feel a bit snappier.
As for bug fixes, OnePlus fixed an issue with its App Locker service, which is designed to keep certain applications locked behind a PIN or password. Even better, it seems OnePlus has patched an exploit that would bypass the app locker. The device will also not require Google Hangouts to be installed.
While making the phone more secure is always a top priority, I'm disappointed that the UI OnePlus has been using in the beta software track for the 3 and 3T (as well as on the OnePlus 5) has still not made its way to the stable build for the two devices. Similarly, the apt-X Bluetooth codec is still only available in the beta track, as is a rather cool feature that will let users run two instances of the same application. While I don't mind using beta software, the OxygenOS Open Betas always give me issues with Bluetooth, so I can't use it on a daily driver. I'd love for the new UI to finally get released to the stable track for the 3 and 3T.
Have you received the latest version of OxygenOS? Let us know down below!
If you're looking for a replacement band with minimal, simply yet stylish feel, then check out the Fitbit Charge 2 classic fitness replacement band from HUMENN.
While the band bares a striking resemblance to the original Fitbit band, the HUMENN band comes made with a durable elastomer material and surgical-grade stainless steel buckles. You can easily adjust the tracker band to fit your wrist, and if you're not thrilled with the product, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The HUMENN band comes in a number of colors, including black, blue, blush brown, gray, plum, pink, orange, teal, and white. You can even pick up all the colors in a value-pack, or pick up certain packs of three and four with different color combos. This particular band on its own will cost you around $6.
Leather is always a smart fashion-forward choice for accessories, outfits, you name it – so it's no doubt that this highly rated leather band from byite is a solid option to consider for your Fitbit Charge 2!
Designed with genuine leather, the bayite band pairs perfectly with your Charge 2. The buckle is made with stainless steel for a secure clasp, while the band comes with a 1-year warranty incase anything happens.
You can pick up your bayite leather band in black, brown, coffee brown, gold, navy, olive brown, and silver for around $13 (so there will totally be a color that'll catch your eye!)
If you're a fan of the bling and are looking to class up your Fitbit Charge 2 with a little extra glitz n' glam, then take a peek at the beauty that is the Gold Swirl Scroll Charge 2 Bracelet from Etsy!
Handmade, gold-plated spacers with ornate detail instantly turns your Charge 2 into a top-of-the-line piece of jewelry. If you're someone who isn't a big fan of wearing tech on your wrist, and you prefer the most classic jewelry look, the Gold Swirl Scroll will probably be your BFF.
If you're not a fan of the gold, then we recommend checking out the rest of the FabFitBracelets Etsy shops for some silver and bronze alternatives! You can pick up the Gold Swirl Scroll Charge 2 Bracelet for around $23.
Classic, elegant, and perfect for day-to-day use, the Wearlizer Milanese Loop band adjusts to effortlessly fit around your wrist while pairing precisely with your Fitbit Charge 2.
The Wearlizer is made with a flexible stainless steel mesh material, and because of the lack of clasp, it's very easy to adjust and make the band comfortable. If you're not thrilled with the quality of the band – although it has a nearly 5-star rating on Amazon – then you can return the Charge 2 replacement without any hassle.
The Wearlizer comes in five different, classic colors, including black, gold, rose gold, pink gold, and silver for around $16.
Keep things simple and timeless with the bayite Stainless Steel band for your Fitbit Charge 2 that looks and feels like a standard wristwatch band.
Designed with a high-quality, durable stainless steel, the bayite band can be easily adjusted to fit wrists of almost any size. With the double-button clasp and butterfly enclosure, you won't have to worry about your tracker ever sliding off of your wrist either!
You can pick from four different colors, including silver, black, gold, and rose gold. Prices range from between $13 to $16.
If you're someone who likes a bit of a sportier looking watch band that also functions as a fantastically breathable workout buddy, then we recommend taking a look at the reasonably-priced AK Fitbit Charge 2 Band.
Designed with a soft, bendable silicone, and adjustable enough to fit wrists of almost any size, the AK Fitbit Charge 2 Band is not only functional, but fashionable. The buckle is stainless steel and the band itself is 100% waterproof, making it the ideal accessory for working out and building up a sweat!
The band comes in six different, vibrant colors, including pink and black, blue and black, green and black, gray and black, red and black, and white and black – and with the AK Fitbit Charge 2 Band costing around $13, why not pick up one in every color?
Is there a watch band on our list that sticks out to you? Or do you have the perfect replacement that you've been using non-stop? Let us know in the comments below!
Update December 2017: This list still has the best of the best, low-cost Fitbit Charge 2 options out there!
One of the most popular games to hit mobile in the past few years has been Monument Valley, and fans were excited to see a sequel finally debut earlier this year. Unfortunately, that new game launched exclusively on iOS as part of WWDC, leaving Android users waiting. Now, Monument Valley 2 is finally heading to Android devices.
BlackBerry’s first ever Android phone, the Priv, was met with mixed reactions following its release in 2015. The phone got a few things really, really right, but faltered in a few key areas. One of the strong suits for the Priv was its near-stock Android software with a few helpful additions that didn’t bog down the OS. Now, according to a new report, BlackBerry may soon start licensing out its take on Android to other manufacturers.
In addition to recent changes to the Newsfeed and other aspects of the app, Facebook today has announced new “On This Day” features for its mobile applications. In a blog post, the social network announced new features for easily “recapping your memories” baked right into the News Feed.
The Internet has matured quite a lot over the years, and while websites now load faster, look nicer, and offer more features than ever before, a lingering frustration is when a video automatically plays without your permission.
Thankfully, according to Googler François Beaufort, you’ll soon be able to mute entire websites so that you don’t have to be bombarded with videos you have absolutely no interest in.
We're all data-millionaires and should start acting like one.
I like to talk a lot about security and privacy. It matters to me, and I place the same astronomical value on my personal data that Google, Apple, Microsoft, and Facebook do. Your data has the same value, and I think we all need to be aware of how our data is used by the people who use it because it's so valuable.
Big tech companies are able to convert our data into dollars and pounds and euros. It becomes their responsibility to collect it the right way, store it the right way, and protect it at any cost. When those companies blunder, because we all do from time to time, the way they handle the issue(s) and what they change to prevent it from happening again in the future is very important. This is why I'll never use another Netgear router without looking at the software, or set up a Yahoo account. If you want to have my valuable data, you need to take good care of it.
Our bits and bytes are now equivalent to dollars and cents. Be as careful with your data as you are with your money.
It's also a given that "accidents" will happen when it comes to storing user data, as will dumb ideas. Evernote serves us a classic example. The original idea of letting actual humans read your private data in any capacity needed a lot more explanation than they provided, so the idea seemed absolutely stupid. They decided to change course and do the right thing after a good amount of kick back and pressure from press and users. We kicked, because they didn't make us feel like they would take proper care of our valuable private data. There was one thing in the whole mess that was great, even if it didn't make up for the things that weren't as great — Evernote didn't try to hide what they were going to do and let everyone know about a big change in advance.
I'm not a user of their services (I like simple notes and reminders versus the do-everything that is Evernote) but I would use Evernote's service if I needed to. Not because I want a human to read my notes, but because they were transparent. They had a change in the works and told everyone in advance so we could take all our data and leave.
Transparency is also part of the reason I, and many others, use Google services.
Your data is part of the reason companies like Google or Microsoft are so successful and have billions of dollars.
Google harvests a scary amount of my (and your) personal data. They know where I am, they know what I buy, they know what bank I use and which airline I prefer. They know about my family — where my kids went to school or where my wife works. They know everything. And they aren't alone. Look at the phone and/or computer you use, and see what things that connect to the internet are installed on it. If any of those companies are big enough and can afford it, they are taking the same types of data in one way or another.
The amount of personal data and the kind of data Google takes — and Apple, and Microsoft and Facebook, and Amazon, and you get the picture here — makes how they handle it and the way they let you know the most important thing about them.
Everything is based on a barter system. I trade my data for a service or product. I look at what data a company wants, how they collect it and what they will do with it once they have it. Then I look at what they are offering. This way, I can decide if the trade is worth it to me. Being able to say "OK Google what's my day like?" and getting a ton of pertinent information from my phone or a Google Home is worth letting a machine look at every word and number that I ever typed online, because I have a very clear and concise document that explains exactly how it's collected, stored, and used. I trust that my data will be kept safe, and if something ever did happen things would be handled in a way I can approve of. I'll grant my trust in advance, and give them the opportunity to use my life's data in exchange for a service I like.
Make sure the things you get in return are as valuable as the data you pay for them with.
I trust Apple and Microsoft the same way. I do wish some of their privacy policies were a bit clearer and less vague, but they do a good job covering the things I'm looking for in general. But I don't use Cortana or One Note, or Siri because that extra bit of my data they need is worth more to me than the duplication of services I get from Google Now and Assistant. Sorry, Microsoft and Apple, you don't get to read my keystrokes and listen to my voice. Not because I don't trust either company, but because I don't need the services either is offering. Millions of others do, and I think it's great that they take care of user's private information. On the flipside, I'll don't trust Facebook because they like to play fast and loose with their privacy policies and surely the things they have been caught doing are just the tip of an iceberg of bad practices.
You need to decide who you trust in the same way. That's not easy. But it's important because you're handing them your data each and every day. Decide who gives you the most in return for the data you pay them with, look into what they do with it and how they keep it safe. This is a discussion we should be having more often.
How we spend this digital currency is a discussion we should be having more often.
Of course, you can also feel that nobody needs your data. I can't say I blame you if you follow a tin-foil hat and scorched earth policy when it comes to being online. And that's the only way to stop the internet giants from taking what they want from you. But I will say that folks who feel they have nothing to hide and just don't care need to rethink their position. I don't have anything to hide either, but I don't want someone from an internet services company to come into my house and rifle through my underwear drawer unless they have something to give me in return.
Google is worth billions of dollars, and the bulk of what made them all that money is our user data. We all need to realize how valuable our information is and that data is now currency. Then we need to make a conscious effort to spend it wisely.
Update August 2017: This post was previously published in December of 2016, The information is still important and relevant.
Animal collective behavior is not well understood, but thanks to new technologies, it's possible to isolate individual animals in order to understand how flocks, swarms, herds, and schools move as a group. (more…)
Google's next Pixel devices will be announced on October 5.
According to @evleaks, the next Google Pixel phones will be unveiled at an event held on October 5. The first generation phones were announced on October 6, 2016, so the upcoming event will be almost exactly a year later.
@Evleaks also noted the devices will be powered by the unannounced Qualcomm Snapdragon 836. Given that the Snapdragon 821 was a slightly tweaked version of the Snapdragon 820, we can expect the Snapdragon 836 to perform very similarly to the Snapdragon 835 that has been on most flagships this year.
FCC documentation confirmed that HTC would be returning to manufacture the smaller of the two devices, while LG is rumored to build the larger model. Both models look to feature an 18:9 display, a gigantic camera sensor, and (sadly) no 3.5mm headphone jack.
Are you excited for the next Google Pixel phones? Let us know down below!
As relaxing, amusing and intriguing as any other: "an impressive Rube Goldberg machine with a 4-minute course. The beads move in a chain reaction divided into several more complex steps, including the one with a whiteboard that turns to release new balls positioned on the back side."
Android Police reports that Pixel and Nexus users with Oreo installed are still having issues, sometimes even worse than before the upgrade. On both the Pixel and Nexus help forums, users report connection issues, "skipping and clipping sounds" when playing music, Bluetooth phone call support working but media support broken, no media information being displayed on a car head unit, Bluetooth turning off a second after being turned on, and a device freezing up and rebooting when trying to listen to podcasts. There are different types of hardware represented such as car head units that are likely using an older Bluetooth version and headphones and speakers that would likely be on a newer Bluetooth version.
Google has used notoriously bad Bluetooth radios for years now, but with the changes promised in Oreo there was hope that Bluetooth would be more reliable. While a user should not have to do this, one thing I didn't see mentioned in the Google Product Forums was whether or not a user tried factory resetting their device. Google is collecting feedback from users, including specific Bluetooth devices and what issues are present. Hopefully, the Android and Pixel teams will be able to diagnose what's going wrong, and things will be better on Android 8.1 or 9.0.
Are you having Bluetooth issues after upgrading to Oreo? Let us know down below!
Now when you search for "clinical depression" on Google on mobile, you'll see a Knowledge Panel that will give you the option to tap “check if you’re clinically depressed”, which will bring you to PHQ-9, a clinically validated screening questionnaire to test what your likely level of depression may be. To ensure that the information shared in the PHQ-9 questionnaire is accurate and useful, we have partnered with the National Alliance on Mental Illness on this announcement. Please see a guest post from them below.
Clinical depression is a very common condition—in fact, approximately one in five Americans experience an episode in their lifetime. However, despite its prevalence, only about 50 percent of people who suffer from depression actually receive treatment. To help raise awareness of this condition, we’ve teamed up with Google to help provide more direct access to tools and information to people who may be suffering.
You may have noticed that in Google search results, when you search for depression or clinical depression in the U.S., you see a Knowledge Panel for the condition which provides general information about it, the symptoms, and possible treatment options. Today PHQ-9, a clinically validated screening questionnaire which can help identify levels of depressive symptoms is also available directly from the search result. By tapping “Check if you’re clinically depressed,” you can take this private self-assessment to help determine your level of depression and the need for an in-person evaluation. The results of the PHQ-9 can help you have a more informed conversation with your doctor.
Mental health professionals often refer to major depressive disorder as clinically significant depression or clinical depression. Clinical depression is a treatable condition which can impact many aspects of a person's life. The PHQ-9 can be the first step to getting a proper diagnosis.
Statistics show that those who have symptoms of depression experience an average of a 6-8 year delay in getting treatment after the onset of symptoms. We believe that awareness of depression can help empower and educate you, enabling quicker access to treatment. And while this tool can help, it’s important to note that PHQ-9 is not meant to act as a singular tool for diagnosis.
We hope that by making this information available on Google, more people will become aware of depression and seek treatment to recover and improve their quality of life.
For more information about depression, you can explore our website.
Buying a Note 8 outright? Be prepared to part with a crap-ton of cash.
Today is Samsung Galaxy Note 8 day, so of course at least one retailer has jumped the gun and prematurely published its product page. British mobile giant Carphone Warehouse has let slip a full spec sheet for the device (largely confirming what we've known for some time through other leaks), along with the first UK pricing details. According to the now-pulled product listing, spotted by The Inquirer, a SIM-free Note 8 will set you back a cool £869. On-contract prices will apparently start at £49 per month and £59.99 upfront for a 5GB plan.
Both numbers are expectedly steep, the SIM-free cost being around £100 north of the Galaxy S8+'s launch price, and contract prices also beginning a tier above that device. As for other markets, a UK price around that level would equate to a euro price around the €900 point, with U.S. prices possibly approaching an eye-watering $1000 for anyone buying outright. That's a lot of cash, however you break it down — through broadly in line with the rumors.
We'll learn more about the Galaxy Note 8 at today's launch event in New York City — stay tuned for full coverage.
Google just can't seem to get its act together with Google Drive. You may recall back in March that Google Drive for Windows automatically updated to 'Backup and Sync,' which broke syncing in the process. That was an unfinished version of the new Google Drive desktop app, which was officially announced in June. But now that the update is out, a major bug has become apparent.
The reason for the new 'Backup and Sync' name is because the app is no longer just for Google Drive file syncing.
Andre F. completes a 33,600 piece jigsaw puzzle called "Wildlife" by Educa. Dimension of the finished puzzle: 224.41 x 61.81 in. He spent a lot of time just turning the pieces right side up!
Android Oreo gives you options for your Do Not Disturb settings.
Android Oreo has made a few changes to what you can do with Do Not Disturb mode, and what it looks like. Whether you just want to make sure you don't get hit with notifications while at the movies, or you want to know that certain notifications will always ping for you, there is a good bit going on here.
That's why we've put together how everything works so that you can get back to your busy day without getting lost in the settings of your phone!
Do Not Disturb mode is how you ensure you aren't hit with notifications when you don't want to be, and opening it is as easy as a tap.
Swipe down from the top of your screen to pull down the shade.
Tap Do Not Disturb.
Tap the toggle to turn DND on.
How to adjust Automatic rules
If you want to use Automatic rules, you'll need to adjust them in order to fine tune when, and how, they work.
Open the Settings on your phone.
Tap Sounds.
Tap Do Not Disturb preferences.
Tap the gear icon next to the rule.
Tap the information you want to adjust.
Tap to adjust the information you want to change.
Tap Done.
How to add an Automatic rule
If none of the preset Automatic rules are up your alley, then you can always create a specific one to be used when you need it.
Open the Settings on your phone.
Tap Sounds.
Tap Do Not Disturb preferences.
Tap Add More.
Tap Event rule or Time rule.
Type out a name for your rule.
Tap OK.
Tap the toggle to turn your rule on or off.
How to delete an Automatic rule
If you no longer need an automatic rule, then you'll need to delete it.
Open the Settings on your phone.
Tap Sounds.
Tap Do Not Disturb preferences.
Tap the trashcan icon.
Tap Delete.
How to adjust Priority only allowances
Priority only allowances show what notifications or noises will get through when you have Do not Disturb mode enabled.
Open the Settings on your phone.
Tap Sounds.
Tap Do Not Disturb preferences.
Tap Priority only allows.
Tap a toggle to adjust the settings.
Questions?
Do you still have questions about using Do Not Disturb settings with Android Oreo? Is there something we should have covered that we missed? Leave us a comment below to let us know about it!
Google just took the wraps off Android 8.0 Oreo, which we've known only as Android O for the last few months. The source code is being pushed to AOSP today, but OTA updates are still in process. The system images are live right this minute, though. If you've got a compatible device and an unlocked bootloader, you can be on Android Oreo in just a few minutes.
I thought I would never see the day. There's an official Bust-A-Move game from Taito Corporation on the Play Store, and it's a premium release. While some of you may know the franchise by its Japanese name Puzzle Bobble, this classic bubble shooter is better known in the west as Bust-A-Move. And while I'm sure absolutely no one has asked for yet another bubble shooter to be released on the Play Store, trust me when I say that this series is the originator of such gameplay and it's the best.
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android games that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
Welcome to the roundup of the best new Android applications that went live in the Play Store or were spotted by us in the previous week or so.
