OnePlus announces early access program for official OxygenOS builds
OnePlus is among the few smartphone makers that let their fans test software updates before they're released to the public. Its beta program has two such "streams", or rings if you prefer, which give members access to closed or open betas. But now the company is adding one more.
OnePlus just announced the MP Early Access Program, a new stream to test builds that it deems ready for prime time before they're pushed to the official -- MP -- channel. Why? Simple: to catch any bugs that might have slipped through.
Google Maps gets real-time location sharing
When it comes to Google, many people are concerned about privacy, and rightfully so. Look, the company makes money through advertising and data collection. In other words, if you rely on the search giant's services, such as Gmail and Maps, the company probably knows a lot about you -- including the locations that you visit.
While exposing your location is normally something people try to avoid from a security perspective, today, Google is making it easier to do so. No, the search giant isn't doing it without your permission -- it is actually a very cool new feature. The company is enabling Google Maps users to share their real-time location with others. The reason that this is cool (and not scary) is that the user can choose with whom they share the location, and for how long it is shared. Your phone will even keep you notified that you are sharing your location -- just in case your plans change and you forget to shut it off. In other words, it is totally optional.
What's new in Android O?
We might not know exactly what Android O is going to be called, or exactly when it will be released, but the arrival of the developer preview means that we now have a hint of what to expect from the next version of Google's mobile operating system.
For now, Android O can only be installed on Nexus and Pixel devices, but further down the line this will change. So what is there to look forward to? Quite a lot as it turns out: battery and data saving, improved notifications, new lockscreen shortcuts, customizable navigation bar, and more!
Apple unveils red iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus
The iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 Plus look great in any color, but the black, silver and gold variations aren't exactly the most eye-catching finishes around. However, if you fancy something different, Apple now has just the thing for you.
That's because, for the first time on an iPhone, Apple is now making red available as a color option for its flagship smartphones. The (Product)Red Special Edition, as it's officially called, is offered only for the 128GB and 256GB models.
US bans laptops and tablets on flights from eight countries in Africa and the Middle East
Not content with its second crack of the whip with a travel ban, the Trump administration has now issued a ban on larger electronic devices being taken on flights from certain countries. Devices larger than a cell phone will not be permitted in cabin baggage but must instead be checked in.
The ban is set to run indefinitely, and means that laptops, tablets, portable DVD players, ebook readers, portable games consoles and other larger electronic devices will be banished to the holds of aircraft. While the ban focuses on individual airports rather than countries, it has been noted that they are located in Muslim-majority parts of the world
There's an all-black OnePlus 3T -- but you probably can't get it
Black is my favorite color on a smartphone. It looks elegant, it's understated and it works on all devices, regardless of price, design or size. Sadly, it's not always an option, as some manufacturers opt to offer more eye-popping colors instead.
The OnePlus 3T, for instance, is among those smartphones that aren't available in black, being offered only in Gunmetal and Soft Gold. Both look really good if I'm honest, but for fans of black devices neither will suffice. At least until now, as a new partnership sees the release of a much-awaited black version.
Google Assistant is not coming to tablets
If the rollout of Google Assistant to more devices got you excited as a tablet owner, there's some bad news. Google has confirmed that the handy tool will not be making its way to tablets.
Last month the company said that Google Assistant was on its way to all Android smartphones running Marshmallow and above, but didn’t make reference to tablets one way or the other. But now it has been made clear that tablets are not in line for the upgrade -- at least not for the time being.
Most employees use smartphones for private tasks during work hours
Smartphones, even personal ones, are no strangers to the workplace. With the increase in adoption of BYOD initiatives, more and more employees are using their smartphones for everyday job tasks.
However, according to a new report by LaptopsDirect.co.uk, British workers are also using personal smartphones for private communication, during work hours, as well.
Mint SIM delivers mobile for the cord-cutting generation -- 20 percent discount for BetaNews readers
Choosing the right mobile plan can be a minefield, requiring you to balance your needs for voice, texts and data against the performance of the service provider and the monthly costs.
US company Mint SIM is seeking to shake things up with a phone service for today's agile, digitally savvy generation. It offers a model that is platform agnostic and not tied to a particular phone or OS.
Samsung Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge receive Android 7.0 Nougat
If you look at Google's Android distribution chart you will see that very few devices run Nougat. Despite the fact that it was officially introduced in late-August last year, it is only found on 2.8 percent of Android devices. However, things are slowly improving.
Manufacturers, like Samsung, are starting to release software updates to bring Nougat to their flagship offerings, which will help it gain more traction among Android users. The Samsung Galaxy S7 and Galaxy S7 edge, for instance, got Nougat in mid-January and their predecessors, the Galaxy S6 and Galaxy S6 edge, are now receiving a similar treatment.
Renault adds Android Auto to 2017 models
Advanced smartphone integration is a feature that more and more consumers will be looking for in a new car. Renault knows this, and to make its 2017 range more attractive to potential buyers it is now adding support for Android Auto.
The first models to have Android Auto support are the Espace, Kadjar, Mégane, Mégane Estate, Scénic, Grand Scénic, Talisman and Talisman Estate. Other models in the line, which are listed below, will also get the integration soon.
Take care with Facebook Lite -- it could be stealing your data and installing malicious apps
It's no secret that Facebook can be a real hog, both in terms of data and battery usage. To combat the problem, Facebook released a cut-down version of its mobile app in certain markets called Facebook Lite; it also followed that up more recently with Facebook Messenger Lite.
The problem with Facebook Lite is that it's not available everywhere through Google Play. For people keen to get their hands on the app, there are plenty of app repositories online offering it for download. But not all repositories are equal, and some are serving up a tainted version of Facebook Lite that's laden down with spyware -- specifically Android/Trojan.Spy.FakePlay.
LG G4, V10 will get Android Nougat update -- but you won't like when
It's pretty hard to understand why Android makers take so long to release major updates when it's clear that they're an integral part of the user experience -- especially on a flagship device. But that's exactly what LG is doing with its G4 and V10 devices, which will not receive Nougat until later in the year.
LG actually said a few days ago that the two flagships will not receive any more updates, but the company has likely changed course following complaints from unhappy users. And who could blame them? Both the G4 and V10 can handle Nougat just fine.
Google Assistant's rollout to Marshmallow and Nougat begins today, and it comes to updated Allo too
Just a few days ago, Google announced that Google Assistant was going to spread to Marshmallow and Nougat smartphones. The wait is already over, as the company has made a follow up announcement in the form of a YouTube video indicating that the rollout starts today.
Google previously told us that Google Assistant will first make its way to the US, followed by Australia, Canada, the UK, and then Germany. The assistant's growing repertoire of talents will soon be little more than a long-press of the home button away.
Askborg ChargeCube 20,800mAh and 10,400mAh external batteries [Review]
I tend to use my smartphone more than usual when I'm away, so before I go on a trip I make sure to throw an external battery in my bag. That way, if my device is about to run out of juice early I can plug it in and get enough charge to last me through the day.
Because I want to charge my smartphone a couple of times or two smartphones at the same time, I prefer larger external batteries. Askborg's ChargeCube 20,800mAh and 10,400mAh models meet this requirement, featuring two full-sized USB ports and big-enough batteries inside to keep me happy for a few days. I've tested both to see whether they're worth your attention.
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