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Showing posts with the label Verizon

Latest January update for Pixel phones brings "anti-aging" display fixes

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Google is not wasting any time and it kicks off 2018 with an important update for its Google Pixel lineup of phones that helps with aging of the AMOLED screens. The update has already started rolling out for the Google Pixel 2 XL, but also for the Pixel 2, as well as for last year's Google Pixel and Pixel XL. The interesting detail was not openly publicized by Google, but instead comes courtesy of an update listing over at Canadian carrier Telus. Right now, it's hard to pin-point what exactly Google remedies with this update, but chances are that this is about fixing the severe burn-in problems reported on Pixel 2 XL's AMOLED panel. We have reached out to Google to provide us with a more detailed answered and we'll update you as soon as we get it. Google has earlier downplayed the display issues on the Pixel 2 XL, but has nonetheless committed to improving the phone over time. If anyone of you has received the update and notices any differen

A leaked Android 8 build for Galaxy S8 brings Dolby Atmos to the phone!

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With recent stirrings in the Samsung Beta Program for Android 8 on the Galaxy S8 and S8+, it's become obvious that an official update to the next major Android build is drawing near. Official info from the company now states that the Beta Program will be closed on January 15th. This falls in line with earlier reports, which claimed that Android 8 Oreo will be pushed to the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in late January. Also, reports of Oreo hitting Note 8units have also surfaced today. An unreleased beta build has now leaked on Reddit and fans were quick to sideload it on their phones. They discovered that their Galaxy S8 devices (the US variant equipped with the Snapdragon 835 processor) now have a Dolby Atmos toggle in settings! Dolby Atmos is an audio software, which fine-tunes EQ settings and surround emulation for when the user is wearing headphones. As can be seen from one of the screenshots found in the Reddit thread where the leak is discussed, we have 4 presets to choose from —

Galaxy S8 Android 8.0 Oreo beta program ends January 15th, public update could roll by end of January

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Samsung rolled out the first Android 8.0 Oreo update public beta for the Galaxy S8 and S8+ in early November, and it's now been two months since it's been beta-testing the update. The company now says it will close access to the public beta program today, on January 5th (it's your last chance to sign up), as the beta testing will officially end on January 15th. This means one thing: Samsung is done testing and it is preparing to officially release the Android 8.0 Oreo update to the public soon, and as we've heard in previous reports this could even happen by the end of January. Looking back at history, Samsung's Android 8.0 Oreo update actually follows the same schedule as last year's Android 7 Nougat update: five betas and a public roll-out after that. We have reported earlier that a few Samsung Galaxy S8 models have gotten certification over at the Wi-Fi Alliance, a required step before the update rolls out and one more evidence tha

Final Android 8 Oreo is coming to multiple Samsung Galaxy S8 and S8+ devices

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For a while now, Samsung has been running  a Beta program  for early adopters that wish to test out Android 8 Oreo on their devices before it hits the public in an official update. Last we heard, enlisted  Galaxy S8  and  Galaxy S8+  devices were receiving  their fifth Oreo beta patch , fixing both major and minor bugs. It now seems that Samsung is prepping to roll out the update to a number of its S8 and S8+ phones worldwide. Watchers have spotted multiple versions of the flagship duo getting certifications over at the Wi-Fi Alliance — a non-profit that certifies Wi-Fi products. The models that went through are SM-G950F, SM-G955F, SM-G950FD, SM-G955FD, SM-G950N, SM-G955N, SM-G950X, SM-G955X, SM-G950XN, SM-G955XN, SM-G950XC. Translation: these are the European, Asian (India and Singapore), Korean, and Global versions of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8+. And this does fall in line with earlier reports that stated the official update would be arriving  by the end of Janua

Rose Pink Galaxy S8 and S8+ launch in the UK

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Last June, Samsung announced Rose Pink color options for the Galaxy S8 and S8+, but it was initially available exclusively in South Korea and Taiwan, with the promise that it would make its way over to Europe later in 2017. Well, Samsung missed the deadline by a hair (or two), but the rose-colored S8 and S8+ are finally launching in Europe  albeit only in the UK at the time being. The new color variation, which Samsung describes as  "inspired by nature," "sophisticated and modern,"  joins the existing color lineup of Arctic Silver, Midnight Black, Coral Blue, and Orchid Gray. The rose-colored versions of the S8 and S8+ will be available only through EE of Carphone Warehouse in the UK, as these two retailers have exclusivity deals with Samsung,  Express UK  reports. Dutch retailer Besimpel has also confirmed that it will start selling the Rose Pink S8 and S8+, although there's no information yet as to when it will hit store shelves in the Netherla

Two research firms say T-Mobile was tops in customer satisfaction throughout 2017; Verizon was next

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Perhaps with T-Mobile CEO John Legere constantly talking about ways to eradicate customer's "pain points," it shouldn't come as a surprise that the nation's third largest carrier finished on top for Overall Customer Satisfaction in 2017 based on surveys taken by HarrisX Mobile Insights and YouGov BrandIndex. Both research firms state that T-Mobile customers were more satisfied than those subscribed to rivals like Verizon, AT&T and Sprint, all throughout 2017. Besides offering extras like free Netflix for those with two or more T-Mobile One lines, the carrier gives away several goodies and enters account holders in weekly contests on T-Mobile Tuesdays. And of course, the wireless operator loves to brag about its network. T-Mobile had to play catch up when it started to build out its 4G LTE pipeline. Now, it covers 99% of the number covered by Verizon's 4G LTE signal. And according to Ookla's Speedtest, T-Mobile's LTE network has been ranked as t

LG V30 in new "Raspberry Rose" color to be unveiled at CES 2018

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The LG V30 will soon be available in a new color option. Today, LG announced that it will officially introduce the new "Raspberry Rose" hue for its high-end model at CES 2018. In its press release, the Korean company describes hue as an "intense saturated version of red" that's "quite unlike any previous smartphone color offered by LG or its competitors". In case you're wondering, the LG V30 is also offered in four other shades - Aurora Black, Cloud Silver, Moroccan Blue, and t:Lavender Violet. The Raspberry Rose t:LG V30 will have its commercial premiere in South Korea shortly after CES. After that, it will become available in key markets in Europe and Asia. Sadly, it looks like the color won't be officially sold in North America. LG V30 in Raspberry Rose source: LG $375.00 LG V30 ON EBAY

phones that will support Verizon's Gigabit LTE network

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Verizon plans to light up its  Gigabit Class LTE network  in select markets in the United States during 2018. Although the carrier has yet to reveal the regions where its new network will be available starting this year, we do have a list of devices that will support Gigabit LTE. If you've been following our Verizon-related news, then you probably know that a handful of smartphones  have already been updated by the carrier  with support for its Gigabit LTE network. You'll most likely identify them in the list below, which contains all the smartphones that will be fully compatible with Gigabit LTE (256-QAM, 4x4 MiMO, 3-Carrier Aggregation). Samsung Galaxy S7 Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge Samsung Galaxy S8  Samsung Galaxy S8+ Samsung Galaxy Note 8 LG V30 Google Pixel 2 Google Pixel 2 XL Moto Z2 Force Verizon also said that some devices will benefit from its  Gigabit LTE network , but users will not get the full experience. So here are the smartphones that should offer 25

How to get Pixel 2's portrait mode on the original Pixel, the Nexus 6P, and the Nexus 5X

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Camera NX is a Google Camera mod that has previously brought neat Pixel 2 features, including HDR+ and zero shutter lag, to older Pixel and Nexus devices, and even some non-Google phones. However, one of the best new camera features of the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL—or at least on of the  trendiest —has yet to make its way to other phones, by official means anyway. Yes, we're talking about portrait mode, and we're happy to report that this changes with the latest version of Camera NX! Camera NX V7.3, released a couple of days ago, brings Portrait mode to the original Pixels, as well as the Nexus 6P and 5X, which means that all initially exclusive Pixel 2 features have now been ported to older devices! Best of all, no rooting or tinkering is required! It's as easy as downloading the app from the Google Drive link provided bellow and installing it on your device. Portrait mode takes the place of the "Lens blur" option, tucked away in the hamburger menu,

Budget-friendly LG Zone 4 for Verizon has been certified in the US

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Verizon plans to launch a sequel to LG's entry-level Optimus-branded smartphones: Optimus Zone 2 and Optimus Zone 3. However, according to Evan Blass , the new handset will drop the “Optimus” moniker in favor of a shorter naming scheme – LG Zone 4. We've learned about the LG Zone 4 two weeks ago, and the fact that it should be launched at Verizon very soon. Customers waiting for a budget-friendly Android smartphone will be happy to know that LG Zone 4 is very close to its debut. The smartphone has been recently spotted at FCC (Federal Communications Commission), which puts it one step closer to reveal. Sadly, no details about its specs are listed at the regulatory agency, but at least we know it will indeed come to Verizon since it features support for LTE bands 2, 4, 5 and 13. LG Zone 4 is listed at FCC with model number LM-X210VPP and comes with Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and GPS support. Just like its predecessors, the Zone 4 will be offered on prepaid probably for a pric