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Galaxy Note 9: If this is it, it’s the new boss

Chris Burns | Apr 20, 2018

Analyzing the Galaxy Note 9 is like seeing the culmination of a year's worth of best phone concepts. It's like seeing what every other smartphone was trying to achieve, and Samsung crowning their efforts. Each year when the Samsung Galaxy Note series arrives, it's like Samsung was just sitting back waiting for everyone else to try to make something as uniquely all-encompassing and fulfilling, specs, price, and all that goodness.

How to use Alexa Blueprints for DIY fun galore

Chris Burns | Apr 20, 2018

It's time to turn Alexa into a joke machine, using the first round of Alexa Blueprints to do some mischief. If you're a big fan of The Office, you know the episode cold open where Michael Scott figures out he can make his computer speak. Today, you can make all your Amazon Echo or otherwise Alexa-infused devices do what you want. Or at least answer all the questions you ask it, how you wish.

Chat is Google’s industry-backed answer to Apple iMessage

JC Torres | Apr 19, 2018

Google's communication services are a mess, and that's describing it nicely. It has made multiple attempts, some of which continue to exist independently, to offer the best messaging platform ever. Almost all of those have failed miserably. Why can't Google just make a straight out iMessage clone? Well, it could but it's choosing not to do so. Instead, it is trying to push for a more industry-supported messaging standard that it will simply be calling "Chat". Not "Google Chat", just "Chat".

Nest earmarks 1 million Thermostat E units for low-income homes

Brittany A. Roston | Apr 19, 2018

Nest is helping address the energy burden in America with Power Project, an initiative that earmarks 1 million Nest Thermostat E units for low-income homes. The devices will be provided to needy homes in partnership with energy companies, non-profits, and housing agencies over the next five years, says Nest. Recipients are promised them "at little or no cost."

Google Grasshopper free coding app is made for beginners

Brittany A. Roston | Apr 19, 2018

Google's experimental products workshop Area 120 has released a mobile app that teaches adults how to code in JavaScript. The Grasshopper app, which is free, supports both Android and iOS, walking beginners from the very basics toward more sophisticated skills, but also helping individuals who already have some coding knowledge. The app is one of many that offer similar lessons.

Samsung’s next Galaxy could be a radical departure from iPhone X

Chris Burns | Apr 19, 2018

We've been tracking the Galaxy S9, S9 Plus, and now the Galaxy Note 9 too - but what comes next? Is it worth the wait to skip over the Galaxy S9 and Note 9 altogether? Today we're having a peek at some clues that suggest Samsung's next Galaxy smartphone might be the most radical departure from their biggest rival - Apple's iPhone X - since the two companies began warring.

Moto G6 and E5 detailed in full (Plus and Play, too)

Chris Burns | Apr 19, 2018

Motorola's 2018 lineup of midrange and low-cost smartphones includes Moto G6 (6th generation Moto G) and Moto E5. These devices are further expanded with "Plus" and "Play" models for those users that want the same device, just a tiny bit larger or with a bigger battery. Each of these devices are set to be released and priced according to local timing and market.

Why is this Red Magic phone so compelling? Showmanship.

Chris Burns | Apr 19, 2018

This morning I received an email from "Red Magic Team" about a new smartphone. This group of creators works with Nubia, a smartphone company most haven't heard of - part of the brand ZTE, a brand you've most likely heard of, especially very recently. The most important part of this situation isn't the wild contents of this phone, it's the presentation which surround them.

Windows Defender Chrome extension protects against phishing scams

Brittany A. Roston | Apr 18, 2018

Microsoft has launched Windows Defender Browser Protection for Google's Chrome browser via an extension. Anyone can download the extension now, adding an extra layer of protection to block malicious websites. The extension, which is free, alerts users when they attempt to load a dangerous website and directs them back toward safety.

Virus removal for Android: A step-by-step in 2018

Chris Burns | Apr 18, 2018

Today we're taking a peek at the so-called Android virus, and how one might destroy said malicious entity. Before we go any further, know this: if you stick to Google Play, chances are you're gonna be safe. Google's got a fairly good handle on the "virus" game at this point, and any app you've installed from Google Play is going to be remotely removed if it's found to be malicious. For everything else, there's a quick process.

This is your next phone (but here’s one better)

Chris Burns | Apr 17, 2018

Today we're having a peek at the current state of the mobile industry by-the-numbers to find your next smartphone. We're using the most recent sales numbers for the smartphone market in the United States, working forward from the most recent quarter, fast-forwarding to now. What we've got is a pretty good idea of what you'll most likely have in your pocket next.

LG G7 release details leak: Date with big specs

Chris Burns | Apr 17, 2018

Today we're having a peek at the LG G7 ThinQ, a sort-of rebranding of the LG G lineup, but still in the G6 swing of things. To be clear - it would appear as though LG's latest smartphone won't be significantly different from its predecessors with any regard to its newly donned "ThinQ" branding. That's just a move that's being made to tie the phone in closer with the rest of the products LG has available - in the smart home, appliances, wash machines, and whatnot.