As it turns out, despite what Apple said, iOS 12.1 brings performance throttling to the iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone 8 Plus.
The post iPhone X, iPhone 8, 8 Plus get performance throttling in iOS 12.1 appeared first on Pocketnow.
Also on the show, Samsung has a name for its foldable mobile display. watchOS 5.1 screws up while iOS 12.1's dual eSIM function won't work in the US.
The post Honor Magic 2 announced with 6 cameras | Pocketnow Daily appeared first on Pocketnow.
It's been an up-and-up path for the Chinese tech manufacturer and another record has been broken. It's a very specific hit, but it'll take it.
The post Huawei Mate 20 Pro pre-orders reach Western Europe best appeared first on Pocketnow.
Evan Blass reports that CES could punctuate its CES 2019 keynote event with a bombshell of a product launch. And LG won't deny it.
The post LG foldable smartphone tipped for CES 2019 appeared first on Pocketnow.
The Blade Max View works on Verizon while the Blade Max 2s works on Sprint. Both of them also go on GSM networks, too. And they provide value under $200.
The post Two new ZTE Blade Max phones and they can work on all the networks appeared first on Pocketnow.
In India, the Pocophone F1 maxes out below Rs. 29,999. The OnePlus 6T, just launched, starts at Rs. 37,999. Both have the Snapdragon 845. It's war.
The post Xiaomi plumps Pocophone in front of OnePlus’s face appeared first on Pocketnow.
If you have pulled the trigger on the iPhone Xr, you might as well protect your investment by grabbing one of RhinoShield's cases.
The post Case options for iPhone Xr appeared first on Pocketnow.
We already have most of the specs and pricing for the new Honor Magic 2 that includes the best software in today's Honor smartphones
The post The new Honor Magic 2 has been officially presented appeared first on Pocketnow.
The new Nubia X removes the selfie camera from its front panel to eliminate the need for the notch, but it gives us a better option for selfies
The post Another great solution for the notch is provided by the Nubia X appeared first on Pocketnow.
We found the best value iPhone in 2018! We looked at the iPhone Xs, iPhone Xs Max, iPhone Xr, iPhone X, iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus. Check out our conclusion!
The post The best value for an iPhone in 2018 appeared first on Pocketnow.
iOS 12.1 is already available and it gives all 2018 iPhones great new features like dual eSIM. However, don't expect them to work in US biggest networks
The post Apple’s Dual eSIM won’t be supported by Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile appeared first on Pocketnow.
Apple has released the first major update to iOS 12, adding support for eSIM technology that allows owners of an iPhone XR, iPhone XS or iPhone XS Max to use a software-based SIM card alongside their normal physical SIM card.
‘Apple SIM’ has been included in the iPad range since the introduction of the iPad Air 2, while the Apple Watch 3 also supports it. However, these are the first iPhones to support the functionality.
Many Android devices already support eSIM, but just as has been the case with previous innovations like Near Field Communication (NFC), the combination of Apple’s hardware and software encourages mainstream adoption.
Its inclusion will allow users to switch between work and personal numbers without having to physically change SIM cards, while international roamers will be able to choose a tariff from a local provider – provided they support Apple SIM.
This is not only convenient as it negates the requirement to carry multiple handsets or SIMs, but it can also save money as mobile customers can shop around for the best deal when travelling, or test out a network before committing to a long-term deal.
EE is the only UK operator to have confirmed support for Apple SIM on the iPhone – it is already supports Apple SIM on the iPad and on Apple Watch.
Meanwhile, Truphone offers an eSIM that can be used across 33 countries.
However there have been teething problems in the US. Verizon, T-Mobile and Sprint were all due to offer Apple SIM from day one but have delayed launch due to a number of compatibility issues. Of the three, Verizon has the biggest issues with PCMag reporting that when a Verizon SIM is pushed into the ‘secondary’ position, coverage reverts to 2G.
This means no data services and in some places no coverage at all as 30 per cent of Verizon cell sites are 4G-only.
We all need data. Without it our phones wouldn’t be nearly as useful. You pay for your monthly allowances, trying to make sure you have enough to get by, and then at the end of the month, all the unused data disappears as you return that allowance you’ve signed up for. You’ve probably thought there must be a better option for keeping that unused data. Well, Sky Mobile has the answer you were looking for.
You see, Sky Mobile has a great offering called Roll. Instead of taking away all the unused data every month, Roll will collect everything you didn’t get chance to use and store it inside your own personal piggybank. It’ll be safely kept there for up to three years, ready for when you need it the most.
Your piggybank is available 24/7 via the My Sky app or Sky.com, letting you see how much data you’ve stashed away. It’s also here that you can redeem the data for your personal use, so redeeming your savings is as easy as opening up a real piggybank and pouring out the contents. Roll is a way of letting yourself save up a little safety net, in case you burn through a bit too much data one month and risk being cut off.
Piggybank Rewards
Some savings can even be redeemed with Sky Piggybank Rewards, which lets you cash in your unused data in exchange for fabulous gifts - including accessories and discounts on new phones. Roll & Share also means you can use your own piggybank to share your data savings with friends and family, who are on the same Sky Mobile account, and you can use up to 5 SIMs on one account. That way they won’t risk running out of data either.
But there’s more to Sky Mobile than Roll and the piggybank. The network also offers a perk called ‘Mix’, which lets you change your allowances whenever you like each month. It’s so you can ‘Mix it up’ and make sure you have the plan that’s right for you, and that you only ever pay for what you need. It’s mainly designed to alter how much data you get, but Sky Mobile also lets you swap your standard unlimited calls and texts for a pay-as-you-use model.
Roll and Mix together
A great part of this proposition is that you can combine Roll and Mix together. So if you want to reduce your monthly bill you can ask for a smaller data allowance and redeem some of your piggybank savings to make up for it. Just make sure you have enough stored away!
Of course, if you’re happy with things the way they are, that’s all right, too. It’s all about making sure you have a contract that works best for you.
Roll is just one of many things Sky Mobile has to offer, with everything running on the same Telefónica network, which offers signal across 99 per cent of the UK. That way you’re not going to suddenly find yourself without signal, just because you left the house.
Sky Mobile has recently won a number of awards, including Best MNVO 2018 at the Mobile News Awards and Recommended Mobile Phone Provider 2018 by Which?
What you can save with Sky Mobile
Sky Mobile is also the obvious network to choose if you’re already a Sky TV customer. Sky TV customers get unlimited calls and texts each month at no extra cost, saving you £10 each month compared to non-Sky TV customers. In other words your monthly bill only has to include the cost of your data and phone. On top of that TV customers get free access to Sky Go Extra, letting you download all your favourite shows to your phone or tablet - so they’re ready to watch at your leisure.
If you like what you’ve heard so far, you can find more information, along with the network’s fantastic range of deals on the newest handsets, over on the Sky Mobile website.
Hello Sky Mobile, Hello Possible
Get the Ivacy VPN: Lifetime Subscription + NAT Firewall today for 96% off the original price. It's yours for just $39.99.
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Samsung has posted its Q3 2018 results, and, while the mobile division didn't perform at its best, it hopes 5G and foldable smartphones will boost it.
The post Samsung relying on 5G and foldable smartphones to boost mobile division appeared first on Pocketnow.
Apple has pulled the watchOS 5.1 update as reports surface of it bricking devices upon attempting to install the software refresh.
The post watchOS 5.1 bricks devices, Apple halts distribution appeared first on Pocketnow.
O2 is already feeling the benefits of its custom price plans as an increase in handset revenue and 120,000 new contract customers contributed to a 7.9 per cent increase in revenues to £1.5 billion during Q3.
The new tariffs were introduced at the end of August and allow customers to spread the cost of their device over the course of between three and 36 months at 0 per cent interest and are able to increase or decrease their data, text and call allowance on a month-by-month basis.
There are now 32.3 million users on the O2 network, a figure which also includes Tesco Mobile, Sky Mobile and Lycamobile customers, with O2 also citing a strong quarter” for its B2B units and an increase in service revenue.
The company recently announced plans to bring 4G coverage to more rural communities in the UK, while it has also been trialling 5G at a testbed at The O2 in London. It’s most recent achievement was its first data test call on 5G using edge computing technology.
“O2 Custom Plans offer customers real choice, by giving them control, flexibility and transparency, and once again has driven the O2 point of difference in the market,” declared O2 CEO Mark Evans.
“Q3 saw us deliver strong commercial performance with continued growth in revenues and profitability as more customers chose to join us, stay with us and spend more with us. Our ongoing commitment to invest in our network includes enhancing 4G connectivity and preparing the ground for 5G. As champions of Mobile we continue to build for the future, where Mobile is one of the most powerful opportunities to strengthen the UK economy and enrich our society.”
O2 was a bright spot for the wider Telefonica Group, which saw profit rise during the same accounting period. Telefonica abandoned plans to sell O2 following the failed £10.5 billion merger with Three having been impressed by the performance of the businesses during the process.
An IPO was mooted shortly after in 2016, but this was delayed because of an apparent failure to attract investors. Telefonica still plans to take O2 public but will wait until after Brexit due to market uncertainty.
Forget “poolside poses” and “hotdog legs”. According to a recent survey commissioned by Nokia, over half of 1500 millennials believe creative selfies and landscapes attract the most engagement from followers.
Perhaps that's why over a third of those millennials are found to be jealous of other people’s holiday snaps. After all, a landscape says a lot more about a holiday than a hotel swimming pool.
Getting those snaps right can be a challenge, though, particularly if you don’t have the right hardware in hand, and that’s why the new Nokia 7.1 is the ideal holiday smartphone.
Its sharp, fast ZEISS optics, high-quality dual rear cameras and Auto HDR processing let you shoot carefree with high quality images.
The Nokia 7.1 feasts on sunsets, handling low-light conditions with ease, while its quick autofocus helps capture spur of the moment action shots.
If you’re struggling to take a picture of a friend or loved one—don’t worry, 55 percent of millennials admit they get help from tools and apps to improve their photos—extra features like Live Bokeh mode use the rear depth camera to blur out backgrounds.
Live Bokeh is similar to using a big DSLR camera with an expensive lens, except in a pocket-friendly (and wallet-friendly: the Nokia 7.1 costs just £299) format. It’s like shooting in a studio, wherever you are. Live Bokeh works with the front camera too, bringing your selfies into even sharper focus.
The Nokia 7.1 is also a master of sharing, which is ideal for the 56 percent of millennials that post their holiday snaps right there and then, rather than waiting to get back home. You can live stream to Facebook (which is still commands over 40 percent of photo shares) and YouTube directly from the camera app.
With Google Photos as your built-in gallery, you get unlimited free storage for all your memories. Plus, the app can help you effortlessly search and share memories instantly.
Google Photos recognises a meaningful moment like a summer BBQ or a wedding, selects your best shots and even suggests who you may want to share them with. So go ahead, search for a photo you took years ago with just a single word.
The Nokia 7.1 is a great phone for holidays—but it’s not just about the camera.
To keep your battery going, Android One phones such as the Nokia 7.1 prioritise background activity for your most important apps and even reduce power usage while in your pocket.
With just 30 minutes of charge, it replenishes 50 percent of the battery. Even if you use the Nokia 7.1 to keep you entertained on a long flight, give it a quick boost once you land and it’s ready to carry on all night.
As an Android One phone, the Nokia 7.1 comes with Google’s latest mobile software built in. This combination of high-quality hardware and software generates an experience that’s smart, secure, and easy to use.
The Google Assistant enables you to get things done quicker and easier while on the go. Google Photos allows an unlimited number of images to be stored in the cloud at high quality. You can also make use of Google Maps for directions and local information and use Google Pay for your purchases.
The price for all this reliability and creativity? In case you missed it: the Nokia 7.1 costs just £299 SIM-free, and you can head to Nokia.com to find out more.
There is slight, but repeated, evidence that hints towards Google silently preparing a Play Pass subscription service for the Store.
The post Play Pass subscription possibly coming to Google Play Store appeared first on Pocketnow.
A recent trademark filing indicates that Samsung's upcoming foldable smartphone will feature its own Infinity Display. Check it out!
The post Samsung foldable smartphone will get its own Infinity Display appeared first on Pocketnow.
A SIM-only plan is a mobile phone contract that offers calls, texts and data in return for a monthly fee, but doesn't come bundled with a phone. Leaving the phone out of the equation means SIM-only plans can be much cheaper than general mobile phone plans which makes them ideal if you already have a handset or are eyeing up a SIM-free phone.
To make things easy for you, we've gone through and combed through all of Australia’s available SIM-only plans to picks the ones we think offer the most bang for your buck. Our choices start from $16 per month for a basic plan, but we've also looked at more expensive plans at $40 and $60, and there are some great options for power users who need loads of data.
Below, you'll find the very best SIM-only plans in Australia as of November 2018. Whether you’re after the cheapest plan possible, want to dig out the best-value big data SIM plan or just want an all-round great deal but don’t know how much to spend, you should find a recommendation here that suits your needs.
Belong | No contracts | 5GB data | Unlimited national calls and text | Unused data rollover | $25 per month | Telstra 4G & 3G Network
Hate contracts but love data? Belong's Regular 5GB Plan might be for you. You get unlimited talk and text within Australia, as well as 5GB of monthly data — all on Telstra's 4G and 3G network. Plus, any data you don't use during the month will rollover to the next month.
Amaysim | No contracts | 2.5GB data | Unlimited national calls | Unlimited texts | $20 per 28 days | Optus 4G Network
With its new SIM-only, pay-as-you-go plans, Amaysim is offering terrific value when it comes to data, talk and text. $20 will get you 2.5GB of data, unlimited national talk and text, all on the Optus 4G Network.
Vaya | No contracts | 3GB data | Unlimited national calls | Unlimited texts | $24 per month | Optus 4G Network
A plan that offers terrific value, Vaya's Unlimited 3GB plan offers unlimited national calls and texts with 3GB of data for just $24 per month. Best of all, there are no contracts involved, so your minimum cost is the initial monthly payment.
Amaysim | No contracts | 15GB data | Unlimited national calls (international calls included) | Unlimited texts | $40 per 28 days | Optus 4G Network
A fantastic package on a pay-as-you-go plans, Amaysim is offering 15GB data, plus unlimited national talk and text. You'll also get unlimited international calls to 10 specific countries, and 300 minutes to a further 22 countries. Amazing value for only $40 per 28 days.
Think Mobile | 12-month contract | 20GB data (12 month plan only) | Unlimited national calls | Unlimited national and international texts |$30 per month | Vodafone 4G Network (available areas)
If you're willing to go on a 12-month contract, Think Mobile's Ultimate $30 Plan is exceptional value. Those who choose the 12-month option will get 20GB of monthly data, unlimited national calls, unlimited national and international texts — all for only $30 per month. Minimum cost $360 over 12 months.
Optus | 12-month contract | 10GB + 5GB bonus data | $300 international calls (select countries) | Unlimited national texts | $40 per month | Optus 4G Network
While this plan does require you to sign up to a 12-month contract, there's plenty of value included here for just $40 per month. You get 15GB of total monthly data (10GB + 5GB bonus when you sign up or recontract), as well as data-free streaming through selected apps, with an Optus Sports subscription also included. Minimum cost $480 over 12 months.
Amaysim | No contracts | 20GB data | Unlimited national calls (international calls included) | Unlimited texts | $50 per 28 days | Optus 4G Network
Another terrific pay-as-you-go plans from Amaysim gives you 250GB data, plus unlimited national talk and text. You'll also get unlimited international calls to 10 specific countries, and 300 minutes to a further 22 countries. Unbeatable value at $50 per 28 days.
Optus | 12-month contracts | 30GB data | Unlimited national calls | Unlimited texts |$50 per month | Optus 4G Network
Offering a huge amount of data at an appealing price, Optus $50 SIM only plan on a 12-month contact is great value for power users. You get a whopping 30GB of monthly data, unlimited talk and text, data-free streaming of certain apps and an Optus Sports subscription (if that kind of thing excites you),
Optus | 12-month contracts | 50GB data | Unlimited national calls | Unlimited texts |$60 per month | Optus 4G Network
A whopping good deal from Optus that's heavy on the data, you get 50GB of data per month, as well as unlimited talk and text, data-free streaming from certain apps and an Optus Sports subscription – all for just a tenner more than the previous deal. You'll need to go on a 12-month contract, though, which carries a minimum cost of $720 over the year.
If you a) want to save some money; b) don't want to be tied into a lengthy contract; or c) both of the above, then going SIM-only is well worth considering. In fact, you're probably in one of two situations if your thoughts are turning to a SIM-only mobile plan:
There are three sizes of SIM card that you can get for your phone, and the one you need will depend on your handset. It's been a while since the traditional, so-called standard SIM (15 x 25mm) has genuinely been the staple in new phones. Instead, any phone you've bought within the last five or so years is much more likely to require a micro (12 x 15mm) or nano (8.8 x 12.3mm) SIM – the iPhone 5 was Apple's first mobile with a nano SIM, while Samsung began using the smallest size in its Galaxy S6.
Before you purchase your new SIM, double-check the manufacturer's website to see what size you require. And if you're simply not sure, most networks now simply send out a triple SIM, so you'll get one of each size.
Unlike with a contract, there's a lot more flexibility available when it comes to how long your SIM-only plan will last. Two year commitments are virtually unheard of, with the norm being either one year or rolling one month contracts for ultimate flexibility. You can often get better prices if you tie yourself in for 12 months, especially on larger data tariffs. But sticking to one month at a time means that you can effectively hand pick a new plan to suit you every 30 days or so.
Because you can change your plan up more regularly than a normal, lengthier contract, it's less crucial to get this nailed from the start. But if you're thinking of grabbing a 12-monther or just put a personal pride on getting things right first time, then we'll help you pick out the sweet spot of data for you.
Firstly, check your phone to see how much data you've been using to date, and whether you have the tendency to use more than your current allowance every month. Then, if you're still unsure, check out our guidance:
Call it practicality, call it greediness, call it what you want - it's human nature to want 'unlimited' anything if offered. But you should think genuinely about whether you really need it in a world where the likes of WhatsApp and Skype let you call and text for free over wi-fi or 4G. If you decide that a few thousand monthly minutes and texts should do you, then you could shave off some cash from your bill.
The SIM-only plans on this page are checked regularly, so make sure you visit often if you want to get the most up-to-date information on the plans that are currently available!
Also on our show, the MacBook Air gets a new breath, the Mac Mini gets a mega-upgrade in specs and the Pixel 3 XL doubles up on notches.
The post iPad Pro announced, Galaxy S10 with 48MP camera? | Pocketnow Daily appeared first on Pocketnow.
This iteration of Wear OS includes the one-swipe paradigm for all crucial interface points and the swipe-free notification shade.
The post Huawei Watch, Huawei Watch 2 updated to latest Wear OS appeared first on Pocketnow.
With the shift from Lightning to USB-C, Apple has decided that its customers who are already paying more than $799 for a tablet can pay more for a dongle.
The post Apple isn’t bundling new iPad Pro with headphone jack dongle appeared first on Pocketnow.
The government's audit found that Xiaomi didn't report foreign gifts and reimbursement properly. What does that mean for further expansion?
The post Xiaomi stock tumbles as Chinese government turns out damaging audit appeared first on Pocketnow.
The new Nokia 6 is getting its long-awaited taste of Android Pie, but there's a question as to whether the Plus version will make it under the deadline?
The post As promised, Nokia 6.1 gets Android Pie update appeared first on Pocketnow.
OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 6T in India. At the OnePlus 6T launch event in New Delhi, OnePlus announced that their latest smartphone will go on sale from November 1 and will be available exclusively on Amazon.in and OnePlus store. The smartphone was first unveiled yesterday in New York, and the OnePlus 6T starts at $549 for the 128GB/6GB variant in the US.
OnePlus 6T, as the name suggests, is an upgrade to the OnePlus 6. For those unaware, it’s not the first time when the company has launched a ‘T’ variant of the phone. Soon after the OnePlus 3 launch, the company has been following a six-month cycle for every phone launch after.
The company says the ‘T’ variant is to make sure that OnePlus phones are at par with the technological trends and in the best possible way. While the OnePlus 6 is still a great value for money, the OnePlus 6T brings some extras to offer with minor compromises. As the leaks suggested, it gets an in-display fingerprint sensor, a smaller notch, and a bigger battery. What’s missing this time is the headphone jack, that has to be dumped in favor of a bigger battery and “screen unlock”.
The OnePlus 6T has a slightly bigger 6.41-inch full HD OLED display than the OnePlus 6. It’s also the first OnePlus phone to have an in-display fingerprint sensor touted as the ‘Screen Unlock’. OnePlus claims they’ve started testing the technology on the OnePlus 5T last year, but they waited for it to be in the best possible shape before putting them into their devices. They further claim that their version on screen unlock is the fastest performing implementation of the technology yet.
Another welcome addition is a 3700mAh battery, which is a 23% bump over the 3300mAh on the predecessor. The OnePlus 6 offers a promising battery life already, so it’s fair to expect the 6T to last a day with ease.
To accommodate a bigger battery, OnePlus has ditched the 3.5mm jack this time. Which also means that OnePlus 6 might be the last OnePlus phone to have a 3.5mm jack. The company is bundling a USB Type-C port to 3.5mm adapter in the box. Also, OnePlus sells their Type-C and Wireless Bullets headphones separately.
The OnePlus 6T retains the optics of its predecessor, which is a 16MP and 20MP sensors and an aperture of f/1.7 for the primary lens. There’s also a new Nightscape mode in the camera for better low-light photography. The nightscape mode is preset of how we usually tune our cameras in the pro mode. It lowers the ISO and the shutter speed aided by AI for stability. Further, there’s a new Studio Lighting feature developed in collaboration with photographer Kevin Abosch to enhance portraits.
The hardware inside the phone remains the same as on the OnePlus 6. However, the 6T ships with the latest Android 9.0 Pie running OxygenOS on top.
The OnePlus 6T will be available in two color variants - Midnight Black and Mirror Black. It goes on sale from November 1 onwards on Amazon.in, OnePlus store.
The 6GB RAM/128GB storage variant is priced at Rs 37,999, 8/128 variant for Rs 41,999 and the high-end 8/256 for Rs 45,999.
The Type-C Bullets will cost Rs 1490. The OnePlus Explorer backpack will be available later on invite basis at Rs 4,990.
It's slimmer, brighter and has more intuitive design. The iPad Pro's power is also being utilized for the full Photoshop program and NBA 2K.
The post The iPad Pro grows up with second-gen Apple Pencil, slimmer bezels appeared first on Pocketnow.
Great changes and upgrades have come with the presentation of the new Mac mini that's already available for purchase for a really nice price.
The post The new Mac mini has received the biggest upgrade ever appeared first on Pocketnow.
Apple has just announced the New MacBook Air, a faster, smarter, sexier, and lighter version of its notebook. Check out all the details.
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You can now watch todays Apple event live stream, if you don't know how, just follow the links in this post and join us to see what's new
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Etisalat is positioning itself as one of the first telcos in the world to offer e-SIM support for the new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. The services will be available on these Apple phones following the release of iOS 12.1 later today.
The three new iPhone models launched this year support dual SIM technology on an iPhone for the first time and will allow consumers to have two active connections.
Such functionality has been available to Android users for many years though through physical SIM cards. Apple is the first company to introduce an unlocked version of eSIM that can be used by any global carrier supporting this technology.
Etisalat launched an eSIM with the Apple Watch LTE earlier this year and is now extending an updated version of this technology to the iPhone.
The two new Samsung ISOCELL image sensors announced are 48- and 32MP in size and are aimed towards multi-camera smartphones.
The post Samsung Galaxy S10 might have a 48MP camera appeared first on Pocketnow.
Oppo is aiming to be the first smartphone manufacturer to launch a commercial 5G handset after achieving a significant milestone in its lab tests of next-generation mobile networks.
The Chinese phone maker was able to connect one of its devices to a 5G network for the first time, overcoming one of the final hurdles in development and paving the way for a release in 2019.
“Oppo made the connection successfully between an R15 smartphone terminal and the 5G network, in [its] 5G communication protocol laboratory environment,” the company said in a statement.
“The connection was carried out on a pre-commercially available 5G smartphone developed on the basis of Oppo [Release-15]. It was customized with fully integrated 5G components including Systemboard, RF, RFFE and antenna. The "5G" logo also appeared in the top right corner of the screen.”
It is keen to stress its contributions to the 5G standard and its R&D efforts, with its Oppo Research Institute exploring 5G applications in the fields of 3D vision, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented (AR) reality. It believes these three technologies will combine to create a ‘Ubiquitous Reality’ that will be used for 3D video calls and online gaming among other use cases.
On top of this, the firm is working with chip maker Qualcomm on a ‘5G Pilot’ programme to jointly investigate 5G innovations.
Oppo will have stiff competition to be first to market from LG, which has previously stated it plans to launch a compatible device with US operator Sprint. Oppo is one of the world’s leading device manufacturers, but its success has so far been limited to its homeland and emerging markets like India.
The first 5G network has already gone live in the US, offering Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) broadband in major cities, with others set to come online in 2019.
Read to find out the reasons why Americans are no longer upgrading their smartphones as often as they used to in the past.
The post These are the reasons Americans don’t upgrade their smartphones appeared first on Pocketnow.
Apple will unveil new hardware at today's special event but it will also release the iOS 12.1 software update bringing new features.
The post iOS 12.1 arrives today with Group FaceTime, new emoji, and more appeared first on Pocketnow.
The Pixel 3 XL just got a second notch. Yes, look at the image, there are two. Luckily this is a software glitch Google is already addressing.
The post Pixel 3 XL has two notches thanks to a bug, fix coming soon appeared first on Pocketnow.
Also today, we get another preview of a new iPad Pro model before tomorrow's event, Samsung's Android skin gets props and Xiaomi comes to bat in the UK.
The post OnePlus 6T is now official! | Pocketnow Daily appeared first on Pocketnow.
Sprint and T-Mobile want to merge. They may not be large enough to pose problems in and of themselves, but their prepaid properties might be.
The post New York Attorney General peers into Sprint and T-Mobile’s prepaid appeared first on Pocketnow.
The telecom provider is weeks away from launching its new 5G network and it finally has revealed the first device that will traffic on it.
The post AT&T 5G “puck” revealed to be Netgear hotspot appeared first on Pocketnow.
What's worse than a huge notch at the top of your phone display? Try two notches! That's exactly what some Pixel 3 XL owners are currently experiencing, with a new glitch plopping an additional 'virtual' notch on the screen of Google's latest flagship device.
As reported by Android Police, several users have noticed a bug which randomly places a side-mounted second notch on the Pixel 3 XL's display, though unlike the very prominent hardware-based cutout at the top of the handset, this one exists solely in the digital realm.
Though the phantom notch has so far only reared its ugly head in a few isolated instances, users have already taken to social media to post pictures of their bugged-out phone displays, including Kyle Gutschow (whose picture can be seen above) and UrAvgConsumer (seen below).
According to several Reddit users who've experienced the software issue, the virtual notch does disappear after a restart of the device.
Thankfully, Google is aware of the problem, telling Android Police that a fix for the ghastly glitch is "coming soon".
Though we're not entirely sure why the Google Pixel 3 XL would even need a virtual notch cutout (especially one that doesn't hold any speakers, cameras or other sensors), there's no denying that it is indeed a funny sight. Horrifying, yes, but also funny.
Header image courtesy of Kyle Gutschow.
Here is how you can get the ECG function in the Apple Watch Series 4 even if you live outside of the United States with a little change
The post You can activate the ECG monitor in the Apple Watch Series 4 outside the US appeared first on Pocketnow.
The official iOS 12.1 release date is Tuesday, October 30, according to Apple, bringing new features like Group FaceTime, more than 70 new emoji, and eSIM support.
The shift from iOS 12 to iOS 12.1 on your iPhone and iPad coincides with the Apple's big iPad Pro and Mac launch event in New York City. That means additional tweaks to make room for the iPad Pro 2018 may be a part of the software update.
Apple has made its mobile operating system competitive in the wake of Google's Android Pie update and next week's Google Pixel 3 launch.
Here's everything you need to know about iOS 12.1 and iOS 12, whether you're upgrading an older iPhone (that will be faster), or getting it out of the box with iPhone XS Max.
What's the difference between the latest phones showcasing iOS? Watch our handy explainer to find out:
The iOS 12.1 release date is Tuesday, October 30, according to Apple. The timing is in line with the company's launch event for the iPad Pro 2018 and new Macs.
There are five important iOS 12.1 changes:
70+ new emoji
On October 2, Apple announced that more than 70 new emoji were launching with the iOS 12.1 developer beta 2. Get ready for red, gray and curly hair options, as well as bald people, according to Apple's official press release. Softballs, skateboards, and frisbees are here for alternative sports, while new animal and food emojis include kangaroos, lobsters (sometimes a food, always an animal) bagels, and cupcakes.
Group FaceTime
First, Group FaceTime for up to 32 users is here. To test it out, however, you're going to have to pair up with people who have iOS 12.1 beta, so its use cases are limited right now.
Portrait Mode bokeh effects
Second, Apple has improved the bokeh (background blur) feature in portrait mode on the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Before you could only adjust the blur after a picture was taken. Now, with iOS 12.1, you can also adjust the blur in real time, as you're snapping a photo. This helps you better frame your portrait photos.
eSIM support – kind of
Third, eSIM iPhone support is live with the proper setup menus. But there's a catch for setting up the simulated dual-SIM – you'll have to wait for your carrier to start supporting the feature, which may happen on the official iOS 12.1 release date.
iOS 12.1 fixes bugs
Fourth, the iOS 12.1 release notes indicate that you're in for some bug fixes. That's very good news if you're experiencing problems. Apple's updates usually remedy the issue, however, you may have to wait until iOS 12.2 in order to fix the iPhone XS and XS Max charging issues.
iPadfall2018 reference
Fifth, although not a feature, the iOS 12.1 code references 'iPad2018fall' and that's interesting to us. We're likely to see the iPad Pro 2018 launch. New iPad Pro rumors point to a bezel-reduced iPad, one with a TrueDepth camera for Face ID and Memoji. There are plenty of hints in iOS 12.1 that Animoji and Memoji are going to be supersized on Apple's tablet soon.
iOS 12 focuses on reliability and performance with this update, and it supports all of the same iPhones and iPads that iOS 11 worked with.
Apple highlights the iPhone 6 Plus, specifically, saying iOS 12 makes this phone 40% faster at launching apps, 70% faster at launching the camera app, and 50% faster at displaying the keyboard. Keyboard typing and other routine features on older iPhones can slow down with every new iOS update, and Apple is looking to change these pain points with iOS 12.
This makes your existing iPhone and iPad more reliable, and your older devices can be used by family members, or will be more sellable – they don't have to sit in a drawer because they're too slow.
Grouped notifications are a part of iOS 12. This is a small, but very important tweak (maybe the most important in the iOS 12 update) because it changes the lock screen alerts you see each and every day.
It binds together notifications by message threads and topics, making it easier to see everything at a glance. Right now, individual notifications in the morning are a big pain to check as they pile up.
Memoji is a customizable mask that can look like you – or the real you, according to Apple. It still resides in Messages. You can select hairstyles, eye color and accessories like earrings and sunglasses.
Like Animoji, this is a feature for newer iPhones in the X lineup as it requires Apple's TrueDepth front-facing camera.
Animoji is expanded, not just with new masks, but with tongue detection and wink detection. Ghost, Koala, Tiger, and T-Rex will be joining the cast of Animoji masks.
Two-factor authentication is great, except the annoying task of entering six-digital security codes sent to you via text feels like a chore. iOS 12 fixes this issue.
As soon as a security code is sent to your device as a text, it'll automatically pop up within the suggested words in the keyboard interface. All you have to do is tap it. It makes life just a little easier when you're locked out of Dropbox.
Face ID on iOS 12 supports more than one face within the Setting menu labeled 'Face ID & Passcode.' Look for the 'Set up an Alternative Appearance' sub-menu to add a second look.
This is helpful for two reasons: You can either allow a partner to have access to your iPhone or iPad with Face ID, or you can add your alter ego to make sure Face ID unlocks your phone no matter what you look like today, tomorrow or the next day.
Siri is smarter. If you set up Siri Shortcuts, a brand new app, It‘ll know that “I lost my keys” means to ring your Tile tracker.
Sure, Tile is a handy gadget, but getting to the slow app is a pain when you've lost your keys. An integrated Siri is a game-changer for both Tile and our peace of mind.
Siri Shortcuts go far beyond this example. Apple allows for all sorts of formulas. The app can suggests coffee orders from the place you always order from, and nudge you to message contacts to tell them you're running late.
There's also Kayak-based flight information you can call up via voice. By pressing the add to Siri button, you can then say “Travel plans” and Siri will read back information such as your hotel address.
Apple's IFTTT-like Siri Shortcuts app launched alongside the final iOS 12 software. However, not all shortcuts will be found in the new app. Some companies, like the aforementioned Tile, will host shortcuts within their own app, so look out for that.
Group FaceTime is coming to iOS 12 with up to 32 participants, and you go directly from a group chat to a group FaceTime in the Messages app.
Update: Apple has delayed the launch of iOS 12 Group Notifications, according to release notes indicating that it'll come out this 'fall'. To us, that sounds like an iOS 12.1 launch – like Apple Pay, Apple Cash, AirPlay 2 and other features didn't make it live on day one in previous operating system updates.
People can drop in and drop out at any time. The interface is filled with tiles that can expand, and 'the roster' along the bottom for everyone else in the Group FaceTime chat. When people start to speak, their window gets bigger, even if they're in the bottom roster of participants. It works on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and you can even answer on the Apple Watch and HomePod with just audio.
Animoji is coming to FaceTime and Group FaceTime. You'll of course need to update to iOS 12 and an iPhone X, iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max or an iPhone XR to make that magic happen.
Screen time is Apple's way of limiting your iPhone usage – calculating how much time you're spending on apps, which apps you use the most, and which apps are sending you the most notifications. Screen time doesn't lie.
For those without self-control, Apple has created app limits. You can set your own limit, with a notification letting you know when time is almost up. A 'Time is up' message will display when you've reached your self-imposed-Siri-assisted limit.
Parents can create limits for kids with Allowances, time-of-day-based downtime controls, and category controls. Education and essential message apps can also be greenlit thanks to an always-allowed settings.
The best part? Setting limits for your kids uses Family Sharing, so you can manage it all remotely from your parental device – no need to get hold of your 12-year-old kid's phone to execute on these new iOS 12 controls.
Apple has expanding its Do Not Disturb capabilities with a cleaner 'Do Not Disturb During Bedtime' mode. It'll silence not just the notification delivery sounds, but also the visual notifications clutter that can distract you when you're trying to sleep.
The lock screen remains clear until you unlock your iPhone in the morning. You can allow certain apps to break through, just like with DND mode right now. Apple refers to these as critical alerts, and they're opt-in.
We really like the solo DND notification hanging out on the lock screen. It's peaceful without distracting visual clutter at night and it reminds us that DND mode is on. All notched iPhones don't have the DND icon at the top, so it was always hard to tell before iOS 12.
Instant Tuning is an iOS 12 feature you'll love if you've ever gotten a notification from an app you always seem to dismiss (HQ trivia, breaking news alerts, etc), but don't have time to turn off future notifications in the many submenus of Settings. Apple is allowing you to control individual app notification profiles right from the lockscreen, without making you leave what you're doing.
Deliver Quietly is an option within Instant Tuning, and it'll allow you to choose to have notifications delivered silently Notification Center by default so you’re not interrupted by alerts on the lockscreen. It's a nice in between option.
Siri helps clean up your messy lock screen with notification delivery suggestions based on how you interact with notifications. Siri will understand which notifications it should deliver prominently and which ones to send to Notification Center. It's like iOS 12's version of 'clean up your desktop' system nudges.
'Measure' is getting its own AR app. It uses the iPhone's and iPad's sensors to measure objects in front of you, including suitcases, as shown in the first iOS 12 demo. All it takes it just tap-and-drag along the edges of the object on the screen.
It also automatically detects the approximate dimensions of a photo – we've used it to buy a photo frame when we couldn't find the old-fashioned tape measure. iOS 12 to the rescue.
For AR developers, Apple has created a new file type called 'USDZ.' The company worked on USDZ with Pixar, and Adobe is supporting it, too. The file format can be shared across FIles, Mail, Messages and Safari. This is an important step forward for developers working on AR apps.
Apps are indeed getting updates with iOS 12, starting with Apple News. There’s a new Browse tab and a sidebar for better navigation. Stocks is finally being rebuilt with a helpful news design, complete with charts and Apple news headline integrated into into stocks. The top stories will be business news curated by Apple News editors.
Voice Memos has come to iPad (as well as macOS), and it’ll get iCloud support, long overdue changes. Now you won't have to AirDrop conversations between devices in order to listen back. It'll also be easier to assign names to voice clips thanks to an overhauled Voice Memos redesign.
Apple Books is the new name for iBooks, allowing you to pick up reading where you left off and a new store interface to browse buy ebooks and audio books.
CarPlay now support third-party applications, with Waze and Google Maps appearing on-screen. Apple didn’t call out the Google-owned apps by name, but they were there on the screen. This was a major highlight of iOS 12.
Apple delivers a clever trick with NFC, allowing you to use a metro pass or student ID in the Wallet app, even if your iPhone has a depleted battery.
Express Cards with power reserve ensures you're not stranded outside of a train station or a dorm room because there's still some low-level power in your phone. This is one of our biggest fears for users who routinely rly on NFC.
Apple solves this, and though there's not enough power to give you visual feedback, when you touch your dead iPhone to an NFC-equipped terminal and you'll get a haptic response. And like magic, it works.
Just don't expect this new feature to work with Apple Pay. That requires Face ID, so you're going to have to possess a powered-on smartphone for that to work.
For 12 and 13, iOS 12 fixes some irksome features we hated about iOS 11. They're the kind of problems only first-year iPhone X users will know about.
Closing open app windows in iOS 12 is easier. All you have to do is slide up on an open app to dismiss it from the multitasking menu. iOS 11 had us press down on the app until a bunch of red close icons appeared over top of each app, and then to tap those little red icons to dismiss the app. That was unpleasant.
Whenever we picked up our iPhone X, we'd always press the volume up and power button accidentally, which is the new 'take a screenshot' button combination on iPhone X. Apple has disabled this action whenever the phone screen is off. Our iOS 12 Photos app is no longer going to be filled with errant screenshots on the daily.
iOS 12 cements Apple as a leader in augmented reality (AR) with the arrival of groundbreaking multiplayer capabilities it calls Shared Experiences in ARKit 2.
These multi-user virtual environments allow for multiplayer gaming and experiences through iPhones and iPads. iOS 12 creates a more collaborative (and competitive) way of experiencing AR.
Lego demoed a four-player game at WWDC in June, pledging that it was in when it came to Apple's “creative play possibilities.” Players were involved in building up an AR town. It was like The Sims was reimagined for the future.
ARKit 2 opens up AR to hundreds of millions of users, according to Apple, and that makes iOS 12 the broadest AR platform in the world. We got a taste of AR last year, but multi-user virtual environments bring more advanced tools and gameplay.
Smart DHR is reserved for the A12 chip-equipped iPhone XS and iPhone XR phones, but iOS 12 also tweaks the default camera app on older devices with new tricks.
First, the Portrait Lighting mode (on newer iPhones with dual-lens cameras) looks more natural. The software will be able to define crisper edges by more effectively separating a person from a background scene. Apple is also allowing third-party apps to use the software to separate the foreground and background.
Second, it's the end of an era for our how to scan a QR code from your iPhone and iPad guide. The default camera in iOS 12 makes QR code reading automatic.
Third, while not part of the camera app, RAW photos can be imported and managed on an iPhone and iPad, with the bonus ability of editing RAW photos on an iPad Pro.
The Photos app expands its search capabilities in an effort to compete with Google Photos. It recognizes photos by event now and indexes them accordingly. Apple says it takes into account over four million events, citing the Aspen Ideas Festival as a very niche example.
This lets you search by event without any thankless manual tagging. Searching by event joins other smart suggestions, including filtering by people, places, and relative dates (searching via Siri works with all of these and is quite handy in our experience).
The iOS 12 Photos search capabilities have also been broadened to let you use multiple search terms at once. Seeking "dog, animal" should weed out all of your gourmet hotdog results (this is a real problem we just tested at TechRadar).
A new tab 'For you' is a part of the iOS 12 Photos app, and it's filled with personalized suggestions on how to improve and share your pictures. Sharing has gotten smarter, letting you share at full-resolution and suggesting who to share these photos with.
Share back suggestions is a neat feature that lets you send photos to a friend, and it uses machine learning to poke them to send photos they took to you. Bonus: iOS 12’s photo sharing features uses iMessage's end-to-end encryption.
It's confusing owning both an iPad and a new iPhone X right now because returning to the home screen and opening Control Center are executed by different gestures.
The iPad takes cues from the iPhone X with the iOS 12 update: swipe up from the bottom to return home and check Control Center by pulling down from the top right-hand corner.
This may be a prelude to the iPad Pro 2018 that's rumored to include Apple's TrueDepth camera for Face ID, Animoji, and Memoji.
Try asking Siri to translate something into Spanish. It works, and with iOS 12 it'll be even more robust with over 40 language pairs to aid your international travels.
So far, Siri will translate English (US) into Brazilian Portuguese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Russian and Spanish. We really hope Siri will be able to translate foreign words into English. That may have to wait for iOS 13.
Siri will also learn the language of motorsports, per se. Asking for Formula One and NASCAR information will have Siri recite live standings, schedule, roster and stat info.
Food knowledge and celebrity facts are also part the Siri update. Right now, asking "How healthy is fish" gives a smatter of search results and requires opening up Siri. In the future, a specific answers about food will come from the USDA database, citing calories, vitamins, and how healthy the food is overall.
Password hunting is now within Siri's grasp, letting you search any saved passwords, according to Apple. This applies to both apps and websites.
You won't have to worry about reciting your exact location when calling 911 in the US thanks to iOS 12. It'll pinpoint your whereabouts during emergency calls.
Apple says it'll "automatically and securely" share your iPhone location with first responders, but only with them and only during such emergencies. It's an effort to reduce response time, yet maintain your privacy.
iOS 12 will run on all devices that have its 64-bit chipset. It'll work on the iPhone 5S and newer, while the iPad Air and iPad mini 2 are the oldest iPads that are compatible with iOS 12.
That's means this update is supporting 11 different iPhones, 10 different iPads, and the sole iPod touch 6th generation, still clinging to life. It’s the broadest support for a software update Apple has ever offered, and this is one of the biggest advantages Apple has over Android phones.
Apple's official weather app contains new messaging that indicates air quality in cities. This is where Sunny, Cloudy, and Partly Cloudy messaging usually sits. iOS 12 puts it in a spot where you'll see it more regularly, as opposed to a separate air quality app.
The forecast New York City as of writing this, for example, tells us that the area has 'Unhealthy Air Quality for Sensitive Groups'. People with asthma therefore may want to stay indoors.
iOS 12 released on Monday, September 17 following the iPhone XS launch event, where Apple announced the official launch date. You can now download it.
There were actually three phases to the iOS 12 launch: one for developers, one for public beta testers, and one final version launching in mid-September.
First, the developer beta launched at WWDC and got more frequent refreshes, but it was early software. You have to be a registered Apple developer, which costs $99 for the annual membership. It's for people who like to tinker with Xcode and make apps.
Second, iOS 12 public beta launched on June 25 and was completely free. It was less problematic than the developer beta. The downside? It was always one step behind what the developers have access to.
Third, the final software, meant for everyone, launched on September 17. There's no need to jump through hoops to enroll in a beta. iOS 12 is now here in its final form, right in time for the iPhone XS release date.
That's a wrap for new iOS 12 features.
The two biggest highlights were Grouped notifications and Group FaceTime with Memoji. Of course, Group FaceTime is not due to launch just yet, which means an inevitable iOS 12.1 and more updates for us to write about.
