Google Photos on Android TV disabled following discovery of privacy bug

A pretty serious Android TV bug has caused Google to disable viewing Google Photos on Android TV devices completely.

When using his Android TV-powered Vu LED TV and setting up Backdrop/Ambient Mode with a Pixel 2 XL, Twitter user Prashanth found a long list of accounts complete with names and profile photos for each. He couldn't view these users' photos on his TV, which was running Android 7.0, but being able to see all of these other accounts is still a serious security issue. Prashanth couldn't replicate the bug on a Xiaomi Mi Box with Android 8.0.

That doesn't mean that having an old version of Android is to blame, though, because Twitter user Aarjith ran into the same issue on an iFFalcon TV running Android 8.0.

A couple of days after Prashanth discovered this bug, Google has responded. "We take our users’ privacy extremely seriously," the company told Android Police. "While we investigate this bug, we have disabled the ability to remotely cast via the Google Assistant or view photos from Google Photos on Android TV devices."

Vu Technologies PVT LTD, the manufacturer of Prashanth's television, has confirmed that this bug is not being caused by a Vu TV but instead is related to the Google Home app. "We take your privacy very seriously. Vu has a long-standing commitment to protecting the privacy of the personal information that our customers entrusts to us," Vu said.

Even though these users weren't able to access other peoples' photos, this is still a pretty major bug, and it's possible that eventually someone else might've stumbled upon the issue and would've been able to find a way to access others' private images. The good news is that there doesn't appear to be any word of a nefarious person taking advantage of the bug. Now hopefully Google can get it fixed up fast so that Android TV users can go back to accessing their photos on their TV.

Google

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Essential Phone getting March 2019 Android security patches and Digital Wellbeing

Essential has a pretty good track record when it comes to software updates, often releasing updates for the Essential Phone on the same day that Google pushes updates to its Pixel phones. Today that continued with the latest Android security patches.

The Essential Phone is now receiving an update to build PQ1A.190105.024. This update includes the March 2019 Android security patches as well as Digital Wellbeing support. Essential Phone owners on Reddit report that they've already begun receiving the 93.2MB update.

The latest software release is now available. Check your Essential Phone for the update! pic.twitter.com/dzlWIPduAN

— Essential (@essential) March 4, 2019

This update is notable because the Essential Phone is getting access to Digital Wellbeing, which is only available on a handful of non-Pixel phones. With it, users can get an overview of their usage like how often they use apps and how often they check their phones in a single day. Digital Wellbeing also lets you set daily app timers and use a feature called Wind Down to help you switch off at night by switching your screen to grayscale and turning on Do Not Disturb to silence notifications.

If you've got an Essential Phone, be on the lookout for this new update!

Essential

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HTC may license its brand to smartphone makers in India

HTC has had a rough few years recently, but a new report says that the company is working on a new way to bring some cash in.

HTC is in talks to license its brand to Micromax, Lava, and Karbonn in the Indian market. That's according to the Economic Times, citing three "senior industry executives" who say that HTC will earn royalties in return for allowing these smartphone makers to use its name. The talks are said to be in advanced stages, and it's said that Lava and Karbonn could team up to bid for HTC's brand license.

Today's report goes on to say that HTC wants to license its brand for smartphones, tablets, and mobile accessories. Licensing HTC's name could help the other brands continue competing in the Indian market, with one source adding that because HTC used to compete in the Rs 10,000-plus segment, its brand could help Indian smartphone makers compete in this arena where Xiaomi, Samsung, Oppo, and Vivo are battling it out.

While HTC used to be one of the biggest names in mobile, the company has struggled lately when it comes to competing against the likes of Samsung, Huawei, and Xiaomi. At the end of 2018, HTC reported that it earned revenue of 23.74 billion NT$ ($770 million USD), which was down 62 percent from 2017 and was the first time that HTC grossed less than $1 billion during a year as a public company. While licensing its brand to other smartphone makers in India isn't suddenly going to make HTC the smartphone company that it was years ago, it could help to bring in some extra cash and keep its name in the mobile market.

HTC

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Google's March 2019 Android security updates official, Pixel 3 performance improvements included

A new month means new Pixel security updates, and that's precisely what Google has given us today.

Google has posted the March 2019 Android security updates for Pixel devices. There are factory images and OTA images available if you like to sideload your device's update, or you can check for the over-the-air update on your device. There are updates available for the Pixel 3, Pixel 3 XL, Pixel 2, Pixel 2 XL, Pixel, Pixel XL, and Pixel C.

Also shared today is the Android Security Bulletin in which Google tells us all of the fixes that are included in this month's update. There are patches for vulnerabilities related to the framework, media framework, and system in the 2019-03-01 patch level, and the 2019-03-05 patch level adds fixes for vulnerabilities related to the system, kernel components, Qualcomm components, and Qualcomm closed-source components.

Finally, there are some functional patches for Pixel owners to look forward to. Google says that it has improved the startup and responsiveness of the Camera app on the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, and the storage performance and Bluetooth reliability has been improved on those devices as well. Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL owners can also expect improvements to recovery in the instance of OTA update failure and improved playback of encrypted media on some video apps.

These updates should begin rolling out over the air to Pixel devices today, so if you've got a Pixel phone or tablet, be on the lookout.

Google Pixel 3

Google Pixel 3 XL

Google Pixel 2

Google Pixel 2 XL

Google Pixel

Google Pixel XL

Google Pixel C

Google

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Samsung Galaxy S10 has 'most innovative and high-performance smartphone display', says DisplayMate

Following the Galaxy S10+ and its cameras earning top marks in DxOMark's testing, Samsung's new flagship has now received praise for its display.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 has earned an award for Best Performing Smartphone Display from testing firm DisplayMate, which gave the device its highest ever A+ grade. "The Galaxy S10 is the most innovative and high performance smartphone display that we have ever lab tested, breaking and establishing many new display performance records," DisplayMate says in its report.

After its examination of the Galaxy S10's 6.1-inch 3040x1440 AMOLED screen, DisplayMate found that the S10 has the "most color accurate display" that it's ever measured, saying that the screen is "visually indistinguishable from perfect, and almost certainly considerably better than your existing smartphone, living room HDTC, tablet, laptop, and computer monitor." The Galaxy S10 earned a 0.4 Just Noticeable Color Difference (JNCD) rating for color accuracy from DisplayMate, which the testing firm says is a new record. To compare, the Galaxy S9 earned a 0.7 JNCD rating and the Galaxy Note 9 got a 0.5 JNCD rating.

That's not the only area in which the Galaxy S10's display improves on its predecessor's screen. Boasting a peak display brightness of 1,215 nits, the S10 beat out the S9 and its peak luminance of 1,130 nits. The Galaxy S10's screen is also more energy efficient, featuring a relative power efficiency rating of 1.54 watts compared to the Galaxy S9's rating of 1.70 watts.

Samsung's flagship Galaxy smartphones regularly receive high marks for the AMOLED screens — the Note 9 and S9 both got A+ ratings from DisplayMate, too — so it's no surprise to see the Galaxy S10's display getting an A+ rating too. It's good to see Samsung continuing to improve upon the screens in its flagship smartphones, though, and this news is sure to get Galaxy S10 pre-order customers even more excited for the arrival of their new phones later this week.

To read DisplayMate's full report on the Galaxy S10's screen, hit the source link below.

Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Samsung

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iOS 12.2 beta 4, watchOS 5.2 beta 4 released by Apple

Two weeks after releasing the last iOS 12.2 beta, Apple is back today with another beta release.

Apple today released iOS 12.2 beta 4 to registered developers. If that's you, you can download the update over the air by going into Settings > General > Software Update on your iOS device or by pointing your web browser at Apple's Developer Center.

The update to iOS 12.2 brings with it a few notable changes. They include four new Animoji — a giraffe, a shark, a boar, and an owl — support for AirPlay 2 and HomeKit on third-party TVs, and a redesigned Apple TV remote in Control Center. The Wallet app is getting a refresh in iOS 12.2 and there's a new UI for Apple Pay Cash, too, and AT&T customers are getting that controversial new "5G E" icon in their status bar.

Now that iOS 12.2 beta 4 has been released to developers, public testers in Apple's Beta Software Program should get it in the next day or two. Apple hasn't said when it'll release iOS 12.2 to the public, but it's likely that we'll see another beta release or two before the public rollout.

Apple today also released watchOS 5.2 beta 4 to registered developers. Included in this update are some new Hermès watch faces. This update can be downloaded through the Watch app on your iPhone if you're a registered developer. The public release is likely to happen alongside the public iOS 12.2 launch.

Apple

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Google Maps now shows nearby Lime scooters in more than 80 new cities

When Google Maps first gained the ability to show nearby Lime scooters, the feature was only available in 13 cities around the world. Now the feature is expanding in a big way.

Google Maps can now show nearby Lime scooters, pedal bikes, and e-bikes in more than 80 new cities. The new cities include Tacoma, WA; St. Louis, MO; Lansing, MI; Miami, FL; and Everett, MA, as well as some cities outside the U.S. like Madrid, Spain and Stockholm, Sweden.

Here's the complete list of new cities where Google Maps can show nearby Lime ridables:

U.S.:

Arizona (Mesa, Scottsdale), Arkansas (Little Rock), California (Monterey, Mountain View, San Marcos, Santa Barbara), Colorado (Denver), Florida (Miami, Orlando), Georgia (Atlanta, Statesboro), Idaho (Boise), Indiana (Bloomington, South Bend), Kentucky (Louisville), Massachusetts (Arlington, Bedford, Belmont, Chelsea, Everett, Malden, Medford, Melrose, Milton, Needham, Newton, Revere, Waltham, Watertown, Winthrop), Michigan (Lansing), Nevada (Reno), Missouri (St. Louis), New Jersey (Keyport, Metuchen, Plainsfield), New York (Ithaca, Queens, Rockaways), North Carolina (Charlotte, Charlottesville, Greensboro, Greenville, Jacksonville, Raleigh/Durham), Ohio (Columbus, Oxford), Oklahoma (Oklahoma City, Tulsa), Rhode Island (Providence), Tennessee (Memphis, Nashville), Texas (Corpus Christi, Lubbock), Utah (Salt Lake City), Virginia (Harrisonburg), Washington (Tacoma), Washington D.C.

International: 

Brussels, Calgary, ChristChurch, London, Lyon, Madrid, Malaga, Malmö, Marseille, Mexico City, Milton Keynes, Oxford, Pamplona, Paris, Poznan, Stockholm, Sydney, Tel Aviv, Vienna, Warsaw, Wellington, Wroclaw, Zaragoza

This feature is available in Google Maps for Android and iOS.

Google

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Facebook Messenger adds dark mode on Android and iOS

Dark modes are a popular addition to apps nowadays, letting you save your eyes from being blinded by a bright white screen while also helping to save a little battery life on OLED screens. Now another major app has gotten a dark mode.

Facebook Messenger now has a dark mode, but it's a bit hidden. To get it, you'll need to send the crescent moon emoji in any Messenger chat. You'll then see a bunch of moons falling across your screen and a pop-up telling you that you've found dark mode. You can enable dark mode in your Messenger app's settings.

"Messenger’s dark mode provides lower brightness while maintaining contrast and vibrancy," explains Bridget Pujals, Product Manager for the Messenger team. "Dark mode cuts down the glare from your phone for use in low light situations, so you can use the Messenger features you love no matter when or where you are."

This new dark mode takes a little getting used to after getting accustomed to Facebook Messenger's bright white UI, but it's a welcome addition that'll help save your eyes if you're chatting late at night.  Facebook Messenger's dark mode is available to all users on Android and iOS. Facebook says the feature will be fully rolled out in Messenger's settings in the coming weeks.

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OnePlus 7 renders leak, hint at pop-up front camera and three rear cameras

Days after we learned that the OnePlus 7 won't have wireless charging, we're getting some info on the features that it will have thanks to some leaked renders.

New renders that claim to show the OnePlus 7 have leaked out. These images, shared by OnLeaks and PriceBaba, are not official renders made by OnePlus but instead are based on factory CADs. They show that OnePlus may ditch the notch entirely with the OnePlus 7, giving the phone smaller screen bezels and a pop-up front-facing camera.

Around on the back of this alleged OnePlus 7 we can see a vertically stacked triple camera setup with a flash below it. This triple camera housing protrudes from the body of the OP7. The bottom of the device is home to the speaker and USB-C port, and we can see the power and volume buttons on the sides of the phone as well as an alert slider.

Spec details for the OnePlus 7 are largely a mystery, but rumors have suggested that it could pack a 6.5-inch display and a 4150mAh battery, which would be an increase from the OnePlus 6T's 6.41-inch screen and 3700mAh battery. A Snapdragon 855 processor is a possibility, as is at least 6GB of RAM.

The OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T both had a notch, with the OP6 starting with a larger notch and the OP6T shrinking it down to a waterdrop notch. It's possible that OnePlus wants to get away from the notch altogether and give the OnePlus 7 slimmer bezels, and these renders suggest that the company could go with a pop-up mechanism for the front camera to achieve this goal rather than build a slider or put a second screen on the back of the device.

OnePlus announced the OP6 in mid-May last year, so we could still be a couple months away from the OnePlus 7's announcement. What do you think of this alleged OnePlus 7? Would you be happy if OnePlus ditched the notch and used a pop-up front camera?

is3-pXlrTyw

OnePlus

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In Samsung Galaxy S10 durability test, fingerprint sensor stands up to scratches but not cracks

One of the highlight features of the Samsung Galaxy S10 is its ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor, which lets you unlock your phone by placing a finger on the phone's screen. But how well will that fingerprint sensor work after the phone has been used and abused? Now we know.

The Samsung Galaxy S10 was put to a durability test by JerryRigEverything, and part of the video focused on the device's in-display fingerprint sensor. After scratching up the part of the screen where the in-display fingerprint sensor is, it was found that the sensor worked just fine, recognizing a fingerprint every time with no issue.

Things were different when the screen was cracked, though. When the area with the in-display fingerprint sensor was scratched up in a way to simulate being cracked, the fingerprint sensor stopped working.

In general, the Galaxy S10 held up well to being abused. While both the glass front and back as well as the aluminum sides side show scratches, the overall build is solid and experienced no flex or glass separation when pressure was applied to the front and back of the phone in a bend test.

Flagship smartphones are expensive gadgets, and the Galaxy S10 starts at $899.99. Because of that, I'm sure lots of folks that are interested in the S10 or even pre-ordered one are pleased to see that Samsung's new flagship fared pretty well in this durability test. When it comes to the Galaxy S10's in-display fingerprint sensor, we know that Samsung is including a screen protector in the box, but those of you that choose to discard it don't have to worry about the fingerprint sensor having issues if your screen gets scratched in day-to-day use.

QD_IlFkqSnA

Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Samsung

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Google Clock can wake you up with music from Pandora and YouTube Music

Google Clock is adding a new feature to help you wake up the way that you want to.

With its latest update, Google Clock will let you wake up to music from Pandora and YouTube Music. You'll need both the Google Clock and YouTube Music or Pandora apps on your phone to get this feature. Once you do, create an alarm in the Google Clock app and tap the bell to select the source of your music. 

When your alarm goes off, your tunes will begin to play, complete with album art displayed in the background. You can then snooze, stop the alarm, or keep listening to the music.

This is a nifty new feature for Google Clock. Sometimes waking up to a buzzing alarm can be jarring, and the built-in jingles that come with some phones just aren't all that great. Now you can choose exactly the music that you want to wake up to in the morning so that you can get the day started on the right foot.

Google

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Google stops letting you unlock your Android phone with Voice Match

Google used to let you unlock your phone using the "Ok Google" phrase and the Voice Match feature, but that changed with the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL, and soon it'll change on other Android devices too.

Google is getting rid of the ability to unlock your phone with Voice Match and the "Ok Google" phrase in a new update to the Google app. The folks at 9to5Google have discovered that with the update to Google app v9.27, the Moto Z and Pixel XL are no longer able to unlock with Voice Match. Instead, when you use "Ok Google" and your phone is locked, you'll be able to send messages and access your email, calendar, contacts, reminders, memory aids, and shopping lists.

This appears to be a server-side update, so not everyone is losing full Voice Match unlock right now. When the change arrives on your device, the "Unlock with Voice Match" toggle in your Assistant Settings will change to "Lock screen personal results".

This change will require you to unlock your phone to perform some "Ok Google" voice actions, like playing music, but it does help to make your phone a bit more secure. That's what's important here, because a lot of people store important, personal information on their devices. Now that the less secure Unlock with Voice Match feature is being removed, it won't be possible for a recording of your voice to be used to unlock your device.

Google

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Netflix confirms Galaxy S10 phones get HDR streaming

The Galaxy S10, S10+, and S10e have large, high-res AMOLED displays, and lots of folks will likely use Samsung's new flagship phones to enjoy Netflix on the go. Now Netflix has confirmed that owners of the Galaxy S10 phones will be able to enjoy the HDR features of their display while streaming Netflix shows.

Netflix has added the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10+, and Galaxy S10e to its list of Android devices that support HDR10. To stream Netflix in HDR, you'll need the latest version of the Netflix app, a four-screen Netflix plan, an internet connection of 25Mbps or higher, and streaming quality set to high.

When Samsung announced the Galaxy S10 series, it said that the Galaxy S10 is "the first HDR10+-certified smartphone" and that the display on its new flagship "delivers vivid digital content, and with dynamic tone mapping, you'll see a wider range of color for a brilliant, realistic picture." Now that Netflix has certified the Galaxy S10 phones for HDR content, folks that picked up Samsung's new phones know that they'll get a high-quality image while streaming Netflix on day one of owning their phone.

Samsung Galaxy S10

Samsung Galaxy S10+

Samsung Galaxy S10e

Samsung

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U.S. Cellular 5G network launching in the second half of 2019

Most U.S. carriers are planning to begin their 5G network rollout in 2019, and now we know that that includes U.S. Cellular.

U.S. Cellular has confirmed that it'll launch its 5G network in the second half of 2019. The carrier announced its plans along with the news that it's partnering with Ericsson on the rollout, with U.S. Cellular getting 3GPP standards-based 5G NR hardware and software from Ericsson over the course of multi-year agreement.

"We're constantly working to ensure that our customers have access to the latest technology available," said U.S. Cellular EVP and CTO Michael S. Irizarry. "We value our long-standing relationship with Ericsson and are impressed with their 5G-ready portfolio. We also know Ericsson is committed to meeting our deployment timeline in order to bring 5G to our customers in the second half of 2019." 

U.S. Cellular also says that Ericsson will help out in the carrier's network modernization from LTE to 5G, with Ericsson's 5G portfolio helping U.S. Cellular to expand coverage and future-proof its current network.

U.S. Cellular

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T-Mobile Galaxy Note 9 Android Pie update announced

Time for another Samsung Galaxy Note 9 model to get its Android Pie update.

T-Mobile has announced the Android 9.0 Pie update for its version of the Galaxy Note 9. Owners should keep an eye out for an update to version N960U1UEU1CSB3, which is a massive 1671.6MB in size.

As for what's included, T-Mo Note 9 owners can expect Android Pie along with Samsung's refreshed One UI. This updated user interface moves interactive elements toward the bottom of the display so that they're easier to reach and adds a night mode, along with other improvements. You can see One UI in action on the Galaxy S9+ in our hands-on video.

Also included in this update is a new e911 call flow, a compass calibration fix, and a BYOD update.

The T-Mobile Galaxy Note 9's update to Android Pie should begin rolling out today, March 1st. You can check for it by going into Settings > Software update > Download updates manually on your Note 9. One thing to keep in mind is that T-Mobile says the update "will not be available to all customers right away," which suggests that this is a staggered rollout and that you may not see the update on your Note 9 for a few days.

Samsung Galaxy Note 9

T-Mobile

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Vivo iQOO is a new gaming phone with a 6.41-inch AMOLED display, up to 12GB RAM

Gaming phones are one of the trendier styles of smartphones nowadays, and now another company is getting in on the gaming phone segment.

The Vivo iQOO — which stands for "I Quest On and On" — is a new gaming phone with the type of high-end specs that you'd expect from a phone focused on playing games. It's got a Snapdragon 855 processor, up to 12GB of RAM, and up to 256GB of storage. The AMOLED display measures 6.41 inches and has a resulotion of 2340x1080. There's a waterdrop notch at the top of the screen that's home to a 12MP camera, and there's an in-display fingerprint reader included as well.

Since this is a gaming phone, Vivo has added some gaming-focused features to the iQOO, like pressure-sensitive shoulder buttons on the right side of the device. There's also a vapor cooling system and some software features to help prioritize system resources and switch between 4G and Wi-Fi connectivity. Finally, there's an LED strip running down the middle of the phone's 3D glass back that can also serve as a notification light.

Also on the back of the Vivo iQOO is a triple camera setup that includes a 12MP main camera with Sony IMX363 sensor, a 13MP super wide angle camera with a 120-degree field of view, and a 2MP bokeh camera.

Rounding things out is the 44W Vivo Super Flash Charge system. Available in all but the base 6GB RAM version of the iQOO, Vivo Super Flash Charge can recharge the phone's 4000mAh battery up to 50 percent in just 15 minutes or up to 85 percent in 30 minutes. Vivo says that the iQOO can reach 100 percent in in 45 minutes with Super Flash Charge.

The Vivo iQOO can now be ordered in China with Android 9 Pie in tow. Pricing starts at 2,998 yuan ($447 USD) for the base model with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage. From there, it goes up to 3,298 yuan ($492 USD) for the 8GB/128GB model and 3,598 yuan ($536 USD) for the 8GB/256GB model. And then there's the top-end variant that comes with 12GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and a faux carbon fiber finish on the back glass, and that version costs 4,298 yuan ($641 USD).

It's unclear when or if the Vivo iQOO will make its way outside of China, but it does look like a respectable gaming phone, and it's pricing is fairly aggressive for the specs that it offers. What do you think of the Vivo iQOO? Do you have any interest in owning a gaming phone?

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Sony Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus have tall 21:9 displays, now available for pre-order

Along with the Xperia 1 flagship, Sony introduced a couple more mid-range smartphones at MWC: the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus. Now those devices are available for pre-order in the U.S.

The Sony Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus can be pre-ordered from Amazon, B&H, and Best Buy. Pricing for the Xperia 10 is set at $349.99, while the Xperia 10 Plus is $429.99. Both models are sold unlocked and are compatible with AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon in the U.S., and they both come with a U.S. warranty. Both models are slated to launch on March 18th.

For you Verizon customers that may be interested in these new Sony wares, you should know that both the Xperia 10 and the Xperia 10 Plus have been certified by Verizon for use on its network. That means you should have no issue popping your Verizon SIM into either of these new phones and using them as normal.

Like Sony's new Xperia 1 flagship, both the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus feature extra tall displays with 21:9 aspect ratios. The Xperia 10 has a 6-inch 2520x1080 display, and as you might expect given its name, the Xperia 10 Plus has a slightly larger 6.5-inch 2520x1080 screen.

In addition to that tall 6-inch screen, the Xperia 10 boasts a dual rear camera setup that includes 13MP and 5MP cameras, letting you add a bokeh effect to your photos. There's an 8MP wide angle front camera for your selfies, too, and a fingerprint reader on the side for added security. Inside the Xperia 10 is a Snapdragon 630 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, and a microSD card slot for adding up to 512GB of additional storage. The battery is 2870mAh, and the Xperia 10 comes with Android 9 Pie preloaded.

The Xperia 10 Plus has its own dual rear camera setup with 12MP and 8MP sensors, support for bokeh images, and 2x optical zoom. Inside is a Snapdragon 636 processor paired with 4GB of RAM, 64GB of built-in storage, and a microSD card slot. Sony has also given the Xperia 10 Plus an 8MP wide angle selfie camera, just like the Xperia 10. Rounding things out is a side-mounted fingerprint reader, a 3000mAh battery, and Android 9 Pie.

We've seen many smartphone makers move to taller screens in recent years, but most of those devices are 18:9 or 19.5:9. We haven't really seen many phones with 21:9 screens, which could help make the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus great options if you watch a lot of videos on the go. Sony also touts the tall screens' multitasking capabilities and says that the 21:9 aspect ratio helps the phones to better fit in your hand thanks to their "sleek and slender form".

What do you think of the Xperia 10 and Xperia 10 Plus? Are you thinking about pre-ordering one of them?

Sony

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Moto G7 now available in the U.S. for $299

The latest entry in Motorola's Moto G series is now available.

The Moto G7 can be purchased from Motorola for $299.99. It comes with 64GB of built-in storage, though you can add up to 512GB more with a microSD card, and it's available in black and white color options. Motorola sells the Moto G7 unlocked, and it's compatible with AT&T, Sprint, T-Mobile, and Verizon in the U.S.

As a refresher, the Moto G7 runs Android 9 Pie on a 6.2-inch 2270x1080 display. There's a notch at the top of that screen that's home to an 8MP camera that also offers face unlock. Around back is a dual rear camera setup with a 12MP main sensor and 5MP depth sensor, and Motorola touts that it's included camera features like portrait mode and an auto smile capture that'll capture the photo when the phone detects that everyone is smiling.

There's a rear fingerprint reader on the Moto G7 for added security, a 3D glass back to give the phone a more premium feel, and a 3000mAh battery along with 15W TurboPower charging that'll give you 9 hours of usage in 15 minutes. Inside the Moto G7 is a 1.8GHz octa-core Snapdragon 632 processor paired with 4GB of RAM. There's a USB-C port for charging and a 3.5mm headphone jack, too.

Motorola's Moto G series is known for offering great bang for your buck, and the Moto G7 looks like it'll continue that trend. If you want to make the Moto G7 your next daily driver, hit up Motorola's website using the source link below.

Moto G7

Motorola

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U.S. Cellular deal offers 50 percent off smartphones to new and existing customers

U.S. Cellular launched a new deal this week that'll get you hefty discount on a new smartphone.

For a limited time, U.S. Cellular is offering 50 percent off select smartphones to both new and existing customers. Included in the offer are phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR. U.S. Cellular says that the promo offers 50 percent off the base model price of phones, and if you want a higher-end version, it'll apply the price of 50 percent of the base model.

To get this offer, new customers will need to purchase a smartphone on a 30-month contract with $0 with Device Protection+ and a Total Plan. Existing customers must be eligible for an upgrade and be on an Unlimited Plus Plan. Once you've met all the requirements and bought your phone, your discount will be applied via a monthly bill credit.

This deal will be available through March 19th, so you've got a little time to pick out the perfect phone for you.

U.S. Cellular

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OnePlus not interested in making a foldable phone right now

There are several companies getting into the foldable smartphone market; Samsung and Huawei recently introduced new devices, Motorola has confirmed that it's got a foldable in the works, and TCL has expressed interest in releasing a foldable as well. However, one notable phone maker is staying out of the foldables game for now.

OnePlus won't be launching a foldable phone in the near future, CEO Pete Lau has said. "With this technology, costs are high," Lau told CNET. "But the value to the end user doesn't seem to correlate."

That doesn't mean that OnePlus is straight-up ignoring the foldable phone concept completely. Lau explained that OnePlus has been looking at what foldable phones can do, calling the devices "very much a different product" and "very interesting". The CEO reiterated that foldable very expensive right now, though.

There's a lot of excitement and interest around foldables right now following the official reveal of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Huawei Mate X. Both phones are pretty pricey, though with Samsung saying that it'll ask $1,980 for the Galaxy Fold and Huawei pricing the Mate X at around $2,600. Those prices make it unlikely that most consumers will buy one of these first gen foldables, and so it makes sense that a company like OnePlus that's always placed a focus on aggressive pricing would skip out on foldables for now. 

OnePlus

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