Pocket Reviews and Tips™

Samsung is now rolling out Bixby key remapping support to some pre-existing flagship phones, according to Sam Mobile . The website reported earlier today that phones including the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8 Plus , S9, S9 Plus , Note 8 , and Note 9 can now customize the maligned button. The functionality is said to have arrived via a Bixby app update. In its settings, you should now be able to visit Advanced features > Bixby key  to assign a Bixby action yourself. Apparently, you can either double or single tap on the Bixby key to launch an app or one of Samsung’s quick commands. Editor's Pick First Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus update adds Bixby button remapping, Instagram Mode The Galaxy S10 isn't out yet, but Samsung is already rolling out an update for the Galaxy S10 Plus with some significant improvements and new features. The most notable part of the update, which was first … This functionality does come with a slight catch, however, in that you can’t remap both sing...

Google Home devices may soon get the ability to stream Apple Music, according to speculation from MacRumors yesterday. The move would follow Apple Music’s rollout to  Amazon Echo devices late last year . The website received an image showing Apple Music as a streaming option within the Google Home app (below). The image came from a reader tip, but  MacRumors said it was also able to find the listing in the Google Home iOS app, and that it no longer says “only available on iOS devices.” The service couldn’t be linked to a Google Home device at the time, but it looks like that may well change MacRumors Despite Apple Music being one of the world’s  biggest music streaming services , and Google Home supporting others like Spotify and Pandora, Apple’s platform hasn’t been available on the Google Home since it launched in November 2016. Editor's Pick 10 best Google Home apps Google Home is one of a few smart platforms out there. It's also one o...

For a while, Google’s Digital Wellbeing feature was limited to Pixel and Android One handsets. That won’t be the case for much longer, according to Google’s blog post that was published earlier today. Google announced support for Digital Wellbeing on the upcoming Motorola Moto G7 line of phones. That includes the Moto G7, G7 Play, G7 Power, and G7 Plus, the latter of which will not launch in the U.S. Google also said it’s “working with partners to bring these features to even more phones,” which include the Galaxy S10 phones and the Razer Phone 2 . The Razer Phone 2 doesn’t currently have Digital Wellbeing, but will get the initiative as part of its upcoming Android 9 Pie update. Editor's Pick A few days in with Digital Wellbeing, and it’s already changing my life I’ll admit that when Google first announced Digital Wellbeing during Google I/O 2018, I just kind of shrugged. Even though I write for a website dedicated to smartphone...

Huawei will introduce the Mate X foldable phone and potentially other devices today February 24, starting at 8AM Eastern. Here’s the Mate X launch livestream start time around the world: San Francisco : 5AM Chicago : 7AM New York : 8AM London : 1PM Berlin : 2PM Moscow : 4PM Mumbai : 6:30PM Beijing : 09:00PM Sydney : 12:00AM (February 25) Where can I watch the Huawei Mate X launch livestream? Huawei is livestreaming its Mate X launch event via YouTube. We’ve embedded the live stream video below for your convenience. We’ve known for a while that Huawei would launch a 5G foldable device early this year. But a recent leak has just confirmed the name and appearance of the device. The leak reveals a foldable device with a peculiar grip on the side, which seemingly allows for easier handling and could host a few sensors. One thing you’re not likely to see at this event is the Huawei P30 flagship line. The company has already announced a March 26 launch date in...

According to a new report from  Reuters , chipmaker Intel will not release a 5G smartphone modem in a consumer-level device until 2020. This information comes directly from Intel, via a recent media event in California. Apple uses Intel modems exclusively in the most recent crop of iPhones — the iPhone XS , XS Max , and iPhone XR . If Apple is planning to use an Intel modem in its eventual 5G iPhone, that means we won’t see that device until 2020. This would put Apple at least a year behind Android when it comes to 5G smartphones . If the 5G iPhone launches in September next year — the usual month of new iPhone launches — it would be close to 18 months behind. Granted, there are multiple ways Apple could avoid this. The most obvious is for the company to not use an Intel modem in a 5G iPhone. However, since Qualcomm refused to provide chips for the latest round of iPhones due to the ongoing legal battles between the two companies, that doesn’t leave ...

While the Galaxy Buds are likely to be the best Samsung Galaxy S10 headphone, they’re not available yet. Well, the cat’s out of the bag: the Samsung Galaxy S10 retains the headphone jack , which means that we consumers get the benefit of choice when shopping around for a pair of earbuds or headphones. While the Galaxy Buds were specifically designed for the Samsung Galaxy line, they’re not yet available . As we anxiously await the Galaxy Buds’ release, you can still choose between wired and wireless options to get the job done. We’ve compiled a list of the best Samsung Galaxy S10 headphone options available to get you on your merry way. We’ll be sure to update this piece once the Galaxy Buds officially hit the market.  Best wireless Samsung Galaxy S10 headphone options If you don’t have any skin in the 3.5mm headphone jack game , then wireless listening probably makes the most sense for you. It’s convenient, comfortable, and can be nearly as affo...

Samsung ’s recently unveiled Galaxy S10 series  will work with the Gear VR (2017) headset, according to Road to VR . The website reported the new phones would be compatible despite their varying display sizes and 19:9 aspect ratios. The Gear VR 2017 headset launched with the 5.7-inch, 16:9 Galaxy Note 7 . A Samsung rep also told  The Verge the necessary adapter is included with the Gear VR already, so the phones should be easy enough to set up. To use the  Galaxy Note 9  with the Gear VR Samsung had to ship a separate adapter. Editor's Pick Samsung Galaxy Fold specs: Samsung’s foldable is formidable Samsung finally gave us a good look at the Galaxy Fold, its first foldable smartphone. This bendy device is an entirely new form factor that opens and closes like a book. A screen on the … Samsung revealed the new S10 lineup at an event yesterday, and it includes the Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 5G, Galaxy S10 Plus, Galaxy S10e. Samsung also announced its new folding phone, the Gal...

The Samsung Galaxy S8 is arguably one of Samsung’s best phones ever, bringing an ergonomic design, gorgeous screen, and a very capable main camera. It seems like the company hasn’t forgotten about it though, as a stable version of Android Pie is apparently hitting devices in Europe. The OTA is rolling out to some users in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, and the Netherlands, according to a thread on the Galaxy S8 subreddit . This update also brings the February 2019 security patches. reddit user subas87 Samsung’s update comes in at 1.6GB, so you might want to connect to Wi-Fi before hitting the download button. Much like the Galaxy S9’s Pie update , the Galaxy S8 OTA brings Samsung’s One UI experience. The Android skin delivers an eye-friendly night mode, a reorganized settings menu, and shifts interactive elements to the bottom of the screen for easier access. System updates tend to roll out in a phased manner, so don’t fret if the update hasn...

Android Authority Opera for Android 50 brings better ad blocker, picture-in-picture video Tue, 19 Feb 2019 09:18:29 +0000 Opera Opera for Android has been around for quite a while, offering a lightweight browser for those with limited data plans. Now, Opera for Android 50 has been launched, bringing with it a few more handy features. The updated browser finally has ad-blocking functionality that can be turned off for websites of your choosing. In other words, it’s no longer an everything or nothing approach to the matter. Opera for Android 50 also includes the desktop browser’s picture-in-picture (PiP) mode. This means you can watch web videos while using your messaging app or browsing through the home screen. Further, this update adds a “fast scroll handle” feature, which seems to be a faster way to scroll through long web-pages. These features join other recent additions, such as automatic cookie dialog accepting, crypto-jacking protection, ...

Android Authority 13 things you need to know in tech for Monday, Feb. 18 Mon, 18 Feb 2019 12:13:14 +0000 Here’s your daily tech digest, by way of the DGiT Daily newsletter, for Monday, Feb. 18, 2019. Sign up right here  to get the full email with much more into your inbox. 1.Ever wanted a foldable phone that’s also a smartwatch? CNET has worked on a nice scoop, tracking patent image filings and renders for a new set of potential foldable devices from TCL, including  a hybrid smartwatch and foldable phone that looks impressive: TCL’s gadgets, if these five different renders are accurate, show a variety of potential foldable devices that might just be nice enough to consider owning . At IFA last year we saw Nubia show off a very early smartphone/watch called the Nubia Alpha ( Android Authority ). The Nuba Alpha wasn’t much more than a prototype, and not particularly attractive, but a sign of things to come. TCL makes a huge range of electronics, from TVs to appliances and...

Android Authority Honor View 20 camera review: A very high score, and for good reason Sun, 17 Feb 2019 08:30:53 +0000 The Honor View 20 is flashy, powerful, and notch-less, but can it take a good photo? That’s what some people care about most when looking into a smartphone. We took the Honor View 20 around town and put it through its paces. Read other recent smartphone camera reviews: iPhone XS Max camera review: An easy-to-use camera that won’t fail (or amaze) you Samsung Galaxy Note 9 camera review Honor steps into the smartphone battlefield with a large 1/2-inch sensor, 48MP resolution, a 3D sensor, a wide F/1.8 aperture, and bells and whistles (all of them). It should do amazing, but theory doesn’t always match practice, which is why we are here to give you a definitive Honor View 20 camera review. Photos have been resized for quicker loading times, but that is the only editing these images have undergone. If you want to pixel peep and analyze the full ...