Inbox is dead, long live Inbox! Well, despite the love for Inbox by Gmail, it finally ceases to function for the vast majority and will now simply be a relic of email organization likely broken down and scavenged for parts by the real Gmail team.
As Chrome OS continues to improve and offer consistent features and experience across all devices (with the exception of the Pixel line’s special treatment), the only real difference between two Chromebooks is the external and internal hardware. The Acer Chromebook 514 has hardware that certainly sets itself apart from the pack, but not always in a good way.
Not too long ago we took a look at a similar high-end Wear OS option in the form of the Armani Exchange Connected. But for anyone not wanting a massive watch face, the Emporio Armani Connected might be a much more palatable option.
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The smartphone industry has certain trends and traits that come and go. The Razer Phone 2 is part of what was the growing, but now shrinking gaming phone trend.
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Whether you are interested in watches or not, it’s hard to argue that Italian brand Emporio Armani makes some of the most stylish options for those with a middling to high-end budget.
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As far as Android tablets go, there really aren’t too many that warrant a closer look unless the cost is low enough. The Huawei MediaPad M5 Lite is a solid tablet that is decent enough but suffers from much of the same problems that have plagued Android tablets since day one.
At a time when device manufacturers scramble to remove the headphone port and tell us that Bluetooth audio is the answer, there are very few truly decent pairs of wireless earbuds to fill the gaping hole left behind.
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Chromebooks used to be the laptops that cost a dime a dozen, but in 2019 you can get premium Chrome OS devices that pack the specs and designs that are capable of getting real work done. For the past couple of months, I’ve been using the Lenovo Yoga Chromebook, and for getting things done, it’s one of the best options currently available.
It’s amazing to think that gaming smartphones are now a ‘thing’, and that more and more brands are adopting this new, near dedicated device trend. The Red Magic Mars is most definitely a trend-follower rather than a trendsetter, but in all honesty, it really is quite a good phone that’s merely held back by its very gamer-heavy design.
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At its release, the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 was almost totally unrivaled. The problem is that since August 2018, we’ve seen a ton of flagships release which tackle the Note 9.
Quite a few have even come close to beating the best phone of 2018, however, how does the Note 9 hold up in early 2019? Let’s dive in.
The Moshi Mythro C USB-C headphones are great headphones, but they are most definitely not the solution to the loss of the headphone port. That said, they are probably the best USB-C earbuds available right now.
There are a few home streaming options for anyone looking to cut the cord and move into the world of online content streaming. The problem is that not everyone initially knows what to look out for.
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Wear OS is a platform that’s gone from a pioneer in the industry to a stagnant, boring offering. Now, it’s finally back on the uptick with a fresh new design and a brand new chipset. The Fossil Sport is one of the first new watches with the Snapdragon Wear 3100 under the hood and it’s also the best Wear OS smartwatch for most people.
When the Nvidia Shield was announced and subsequently released in 2015, it probably didn’t quite justify the initial high price-tag for a base Android TV streaming box — at least in my opinion. Despite that, the updated 2017 model proved to be a very different story thanks to a combination of exceptional hardware and updated Android TV software.
The TicWatch C2 from Mobvoi is yet another solid smart wearable from the brand, who are really carving out a name for themselves as one of the best smartwatch makers on the market. That said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows and the Ticwatch C2 isn’t a massive leap over other smartwatches a) on the market, and b) in the TicWatch line-up.
Huawei has made some superb smartphones this year, with the Huawei Mate 20 Pro being one of the standout devices on the market. Smartwatches are another area the company has doubled down in, but not with our preferred Wear OS. Instead, the Huawei Watch GT has gone down the Samsung route, favoring its own LiteOS smartwatch operating system.
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Android TV is a fantastic platform that is growing quite well, but consumer hardware is surprisingly tough to find. The Nvidia Shield TV is still the best Android TV set-top box, but for a more affordable price, the best option is the Xiaomi Mi Box S. Here’s what you need to know.
Google is known for doing a few different versions of everything. Android Messages and Allo. Gmail and Inbox (by Gmail). Google Play Music and YouTube Music. Take your pick. The strategy is this: Take many versions of an idea seriously and you’re bound to get enough data to point you in the right direction. Intentional or not, that’s what I feel has happened with the Pixel Slate, tablet by Google.
The Pixel Slate is at the same time its own worthwhile — and as I’ll argue, great — device with its own attractive qualities, but also a very familiar user experience that seems grasping for a purpose…
Wear OS has been in a rough spot for the past few years, but in terms of hardware, 2018 has actually been pretty great. We’ve seen some creative solutions to common complaints, as well as a new chipset that promises some major improvements over the next few years. Lately, I’ve been testing out the Fossil Q Explorist HR and the Skagen Falster 2, and I’ve got to say, I’ve been thoroughly enjoying both of them. Here’s what you need to know.
Perhaps like many of you, I’ve had to embrace the world of Bluetooth headphones and earbuds much sooner than I would’ve liked. Mobvoi makes some superb Wear OS smartwatches, but the IndieGoGo-backed TicPods Free finally give Android users a solid alternative to Apple AirPods.
Smartwatches come in an array of shapes, sizes, and styles. At the low-end, these are a utilitarian affair. Plastic dominates with quality not always top of the priorities list. That makes the Fossil-made Michael Kors Access Runway smartwatch all the more attractive to anyone wanting a more ‘high-end’ feeling wearable.
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The Moto Z3 Play could be considered a great phone. It has an improved design, an exceptional software experience, solid build, and the ability to increase functionality with the Moto Mod system. However, the phone becomes more of an issue when you see just what other devices are achieving at the same price point, making the Moto Z3 much harder to recommend.
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Unveiled at CES earlier this year along with a host of other new Android TV devices, the Hisense H9E Plus is a no-nonsense Android TV featuring 4K resolution with HDR support and stunning audio at a solid price. I got the chance to try one out and was surprisingly impressed.
Have you ever been listening to music with wired headphones only to realize your phone battery is low? In that moment, if you own one of the many phones that have recently dropped the headphone port, you’re presented with a choice: keep listening as your device slowly dies, or charge it up in silence. I spent some time with a new Made for Google adapter from Moshi that asks “Why not both?”
