The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL are now available, depending on where you're getting your device. But what should be a good if not uneventful launch is now being marred by some unstated caveats. It turns out the Pixel 4 phones purchased from Verizon and even from Best Buy are locked to the carrier and have to be activated on Verizon before they can be unlocked for other networks after 24 hours at most.
It’s not uncommon to come across devices that score low on iFixit’s repairability index. These often include tightly enclosed smartphones and especially Apple’s products. There are, however, a few that have earned the distinction of having a score of zero. One of those is the Surface Laptop, Microsoft first and most premium notebook. With the Surface Laptop 2, Microsoft has the chance of addressing some concerns. Sadly, it seems that iFixit’s teardown adventure is a case of deja vu instead.
LG has just unveiled the LG V40 ThinQ, boasting of its first triple camera smartphone. Naturally, there will be no small amount of curiosity how these three cameras will fare against Huawei high-end as well as Samsung’s new mid-range Galaxy A7 and A9 phones. If LG’s performance on DxOMark will be taken into account, however, it might not be so encouraging. The digital photography specialists have just review the LGG7 ThinQ and while it does score higher than the previous V30 ThinQ, it isn’t much to push LG near the top.
Sony is arguably not one of the top Android smartphone makers in recent history but it does have some qualities that endear it to Android fans. One is the near vanilla Android experience Sony’s Xperia phones offer. The other is its support of custom ROM development. Both of these factor in the speed of Android updates and now Sony is giving faithful fans the great news. Android 9 Pie will be theirs in the next few weeks.
Sony's livestreaming television service PlayStation Vue is now available through Apple's TV app on the Apple TV, iPhone, and iPad. The company announced the new support this evening, revealing that existing customers can now activate the serivce on their Apple device. As always, new customers have the option of signing up for a free trial.
YouTube and Eventbrite have teamed to make it easier for viewers to buy live performance tickets. The new experience is launching on YouTube Official Artist Channels, where viewers will be presented with Eventbrite concert listings in the US. Anyone who wants to purchase one of these tickets will be able to directly do so from the video page.
Uber may be gearing up to launch a new business that has nothing to do with transportation. According to a new report, the company is working on "Uber Works," an alleged temporary staffing business that provides companies with on-demand short-term workers. Though Uber has declined to comment on the matter, the report claims it is increasing its work on the project.
Tesla has added a new, mid-range battery version of the Model 3, the most affordable iteration of the automaker's all-electric car. The announcement was made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who also confirmed that the automaker has a new ordering system for the Model 3 which aims to make the process more smooth.
One of Netflix's first original hits, Orange is the New Black, will end next year, the company has revealed. The seventh season will be the show's last, bringing closure to a show that has seen generally favorable viewer reviews. The reason for choosing to end the show has not been revealed, but we do know the Final Season will arrive next summer.
As of this week, users are able to download a copy of their Apple data, including most of the history they've got with the company digitally. That includes the data you store with Apple too, including calendars, photos, documents, and more. This data download is very similar to what Google offers with Google Takeout, and both services are entirely free to use.
Google has added a new feature to Google Maps for iOS: the ability to send an ETA to someone else. The feature was recently updated for Android users back in August and now it can be used from an iPhone, as well. With it, Google Maps users on iOS can share their live location with contacts in real time, enabling others to see their ETA without waiting for manual updates.
Uber has updated its mobile app with a new way for riders and drivers to talk with each other: VoIP. The new calling feature is akin to Skype, but exclusively for users who want to chat with their driver in a personal manner. The new feature joins the existing ability to send SMS and in-app text-based chat messages.