Android

Even before dust and water resistance became a staple of high-end smartphones, Sony has been flaunting high IP grades on its flagship models since 2013. Sadly, it seems that some users have taken Sony’s word for it and didn’t get the results they expected. What they got, instead, was a totally soaked and damaged phone. But now they could be getting some cash as well, now that Sony has agreed to settle the lawsuit instead of just letting it drag on and on ad infinitum. And depending on which phone you got broken, Sony might owe you $100 to $300 in cash.

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We’re just counting down the hours for one of the major Android events this year but for LG, it is unsurprisingly a non-event. But for a non-event, it still took time to make not one but two short video clips that leave no doubt in anyone’s minds that it is poking some fun at the Galaxy Note 8. Whether all in good fun or not, the true test of LG’s own mettle will happen when the V30 is unveiled just a week after the phablet that it is mocking.

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Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods not only shook up the supermarket market, pardon the redundancy, it was also a wake up call to its rivals, showing what the retail giant is capable of or willing to do to get an edge. Google and Walmart are definitely not taking things sitting down but rather than hit Amazon separately, they’ve decided to join forces to deliver a more powerful punch. Starting next month Walmart becomes the third but also the biggest store accessible from Google Express, combining Walmart’s supplies and Google’s machine learning to try and outdo Amazon.

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While Google has already enumerated the main highlights of Android 8.0 Oreo, it isn't uncommon that some of the finer details are revealed or discovered only later on. One example is Rescue Party, a band aid or user-caused bootloops. This new change, on the other hand, might cause users a bit of confusion. Gone is the checkbox that allows users to install Android apps outside of Google Play Store. But have no fear, Google just changed its location on a per-app basis.

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Final Fantasy XV Pocket Edition's first trailer was shown today with a promise of cuteness - and it delivered. Imagine a world somewhere between the Windows edition of Final Fantasy XV and the super teeny-tiny world of Final Fantasy Tactics. That's where this newest game lives, right in the middle. Maybe a little bit closer to the cute side.

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Google introduced Chrome Enterprise today to allow businesses more control over their Chromebooks. With Chrome Enterprise, businesses will have access to a collection of features not available on the standard version of Chrome OS. With this subscription service, Google aims to bring businesses a more secure and consistent user experience for all computer-using workers.

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Tomorrow is the big day for the Galaxy Note 8. Samsung is set to take the stage in New York tomorrow and reveal its new phablet flagship, and it's then that all of the rumors can be laid to rest and we'll find out some facts once and for all. Before that can happen, though, we have a new last-minute leak that's telling us when the Galaxy Note 8 will actually release.

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This week's Android Oreo update was announced ready for some smartphones now and a bunch in coming weeks. Today we've got a list of devices that'll certainly get the Android 8.0 Oreo update as well as a few mentions of devices that'll more-than-likely get the update. This list begins with the most obvious members of the Android family: Google's own Pixel and Nexus.

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Android Oreo's new features are abundant, and make for an Android update that's well worth the effort. Along with the update comes the very clear message from Google about their Pixel devices: Google Pixel is the smartphone to have if you want to have the latest and greatest features from the mothership. Today we're running down a set of new Android 8.0 Oreo features that we didn't cover in yesterday's part 1.

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Much of what's new in Android 8.0, now officially named Oreo, has already been dug up in the betas leading to yesterday's launch. It seems, however, that Google managed to sneak in a new feature that deserves a bit more attention. The oddly named “Rescue Party” tries to save phones from bootloops and potentially save Google, or one of its OEMs, from class action lawsuits. That said, it isn’t yet time to party as this hidden feature is far from being a panacea.

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It may have been eclipsed by the Android Oreo reveal but Xiaomi fans will devour this new smartphone model nonetheless. The Chinese smartphone giant has just launched the latest addition to its mid-range phablet line, the Redmi Note 5A, and it’s no surprise that there’s a focus on selfies in two the three models available. What’s a bit surprising is how Xiaomi seems to be eschewing dual cameras that is in fashion, even among some cheaper smartphones.

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Bixby is both the highlight of Samsung year and also its biggest disappointment. Bixby Voice, the only part of Bixby that does matter, came late and was underwhelming. To be fair, it was a completely new venture for Samsung and a company exec admits it didn’t have the necessary big data for it. And to its credit, Samsung has been consistent in pushing and improving Bixby, which it is now pushing to over 200 countries around the world, allowing anyone with a compatible device to speak with Bixby. Presuming they can fluently speak US English or Korean.

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