OnePlus will reveal its new OnePlus 8 Series smartphones on April 14, the company has announced, capping a full weekend of leaks which entirely exposed the new Android handset. Given the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, OnePlus will be holding a virtual launch for the smartphones, rather than a physical event, much as we've seen from other phone-makers recently.
If you've been waiting for a 5G smartphone with a physical keyboard, get ready to get excited. Planet Computers - known for its steadfast, some might say obsessional, commitment to the mini-laptop form factor - has revealed its latest model, the Astro Slide, complete with a "RockUp" sliding mechanism and high-speed connectivity.
Dismal Galaxy S20 sales, Huawei P40 announcement, new Apple iPad Pros, are just some of the highlights in the mobile industry the past few days. Given the situation around the world, it has been a slow and uncertain trudge for that market but the world keeps on turning and products still need to start selling. And just to remind consumers it hasn't disappeared because of the novel coronavirus, LG has released a promotional video highlighting the LG V60 that you can buy, along with its Dual Screen partner, starting next week.
OnePlus has always prided itself on its more direct connection with its customers compared to giant companies like Samsung and Apple. It claims to always consider what users ask for but one thing that those users felt has been repeatedly ignored is the request for an Always-on Display or AOD feature. At long last, OnePlus has officially put that feature on its roadmap but it might not be a done deal yet, depending on how its tests turn out.
With the Huawei P40 series out of the bag, the next high-profile early 2020 flagship left is OnePlus'. Not unless HTC has a surprise waiting for its remaining fans. Like any other premium phone these days, the OnePlus 8 and its Pro sibling have all but been leaked entirely. That's not to say we know with absolute certainty that the phones will turn out like these but, judging from the sources and the consistency of information, this is pretty much what we can expect from the OnePlus 8 and the OnePlus 8 Pro.
Google has banned the Infowars app from the Play Store after it was used to spread misinformation about the novel coronavirus behind the ongoing pandemic. Attempts to access the app's URL now returns an error message stating that the product is no longer available. It took Google more than a year longer than Apple to boot the app from its mobile platform.
Grocery delivery via gig worker group Instacart might be in trouble. A release today detailed communications between Instacart Shoppers and Gig Workers Collective in which the two groups have planned an Emergency Walk Off. The way they put it, Instacart, the brand, has not been very kind to its workers in this time of significantly increased potential danger.
The game Monument Valley 2 usually costs around $5 USD, and it's been selling for that price since launch several years ago. Given its massive success as one of the most popular aesthetically pleasing games of all time, Monument Valley 2 needn't cost any less than it did at launch. But here, nearly 3 years after launch, this still-fantastic game has gone temporarily free for most users.
As people attempt to self-isolate and work from home, they're turning to video calling to communicate with others. A number of video calling services have experienced an uptick in traffic, and though Google hasn't shared anything official, we imagine Google Duo is among them. Today, the app is getting a new feature that will help larger groups stay in touch.
Xiaomi has revealed its latest flagship smartphones, with the Mi 10 and Mi 10 Pro joined by a Mi 10 Lite 5G with an unexpectedly low price tag. Unveiled via livestream today, the new trio will start to arrive in Europe from early April, with Xiaomi confirming pricing outside of China for the first time.
Samsung doesn't make a big fuss about its tablets outside of the Galaxy Tab S family but there are times when even those don't get enough attention. The Galaxy Tab S5e, for example, wasn't advertised as much despite the "S" in its name. The Galaxy Tab S6 Lite might have the same fate as it is expected to be a mid-range offering. Fortunately, the leaks do more than enough to sate our curiosity until the somewhat silent press release comes out.
Smartphones today are not only becoming more powerful, they're also becoming slightly a bit eccentric in their appearance. Never mind the notches and punch-holes on the screen, their backs are becoming visually busier, courtesy of a growing number of cameras and sensors there. Not one to always jump on the latest fads, it seems that OnePlus is putting a bit of sanity to its design, with the OnePlus 8 Pro sporting something that is both familiar and also a bit less flashy.