All Posts by Andrew Martonik

Pixel 2 XL screen burn-in is real, Google 'actively investigating' the problem

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 23 Oct 2017 3:00 pm

This isn't a great sign. Consternation surrounding the display in the Google Pixel 2 XL is well known at this point, and to be honest most of it has been pretty overblown. But we have something new to talk about now: screen burn-in. It's something people with OLED screens worry about (to varying degrees) and something people who prefer LCDs like to poke fun about. But one of our Pixel 2 XL...

How much longer do we fight for the headphone jack?

94 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 23 Oct 2017 9:00 am

How much longer can we keep up this fight, and will it actually make any difference? I love having a headphone jack on my phone. Even though I don't actually use it every day (love my Bluetooth headphones), I sure do miss it in the couple times a week when I encounter a 3.5 mm audio cable that I'd like to plug into my phone and I simply can't do it. When I use the Pixel 2 XL, HTC U11,...

Could Google 'fix' the Pixel 2 XL's display with a software update?

86 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 20 Oct 2017 12:00 pm

Okay, now let's talk about the realistic parts of the situation. We know people have opinions on the Pixel 2 XL's display. Some are bad, some are good, and some people want everyone to just move on with their lives and pick the phone that works for them for a variety of reasons. We know that the Pixel 2 XL's display has a few characteristics that are polarizing: the color representation, off-...

Best Car Chargers for Google Pixel and Pixel 2

61 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 19 Oct 2017 2:00 pm

Keep your Pixel charged while out on the road. Here are our favorite USB-C car chargers. We've all been there (some of us more than others): You hop in your car ready to rev on the road and then you check your phone — it's dying at a rapid pace! You've barely enough battery life to get to your destination. Well, that's what car chargers are for, and if you've a Google Pixel or Pixel 2, this...

Moto X4 review: A mid-range phone done right

87 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 19 Oct 2017 9:00 am

Not everyone wants to spend top dollar on a phone — if that's the case, the Moto X4 is a fantastic choice a couple steps below that top level. The quick take Project Fi was in dire need of a new, solid, mid-range phone — and now it has one in the Moto X4. Motorola's $399 phone offers build quality that will make you feel like you paid far more, with hardware features like waterproofing that...

Best Android Phones of 2017

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 18 Oct 2017 12:00 pm

Best overall Best for features Best with huge screen Best mainstream alternative Best for keyboard Best overall Google Pixel 2 See at Verizon See at Best Buy See at Google Store Google's new Pixel 2 gives you sleek and solid hardware, all of the requisite specs inside and runs simple and intuitive software at a breakneck pace. The hardware surely isn't flashy, but it's beautiful and...

The Pixel 2's eSIM makes it dead simple to ditch your carrier for Project Fi

27 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 17 Oct 2017 12:00 pm

Google's new Pixels have an ace up their sleeves. The new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL have what's called an "eSIM" — essentially an embedded SIM card that can be activated and deactivated on the fly to emulate a physical SIM card. But you don't have to know the details about how it works — you just need to know that it's an amazing innovation that makes it dead easy to use Google's Project Fi cell...

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review: The new standard for Android

300 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 17 Oct 2017 9:00 am

This is no longer a hobby or a half-assed project — Google hardware is getting serious. Google's smartphone division is in a very interesting, even precarious, position. At once, it's trying to appeal to two disparate ends of the market: the design and experience-focused high-end phone buyer who is typically drawn to the iPhone; and the Google-loving Android enthusiast that wants a very...

Common Galaxy Note 8 problems and how to fix them

50 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 13 Oct 2017 1:00 pm

No phone is perfect — but we can help. The Galaxy Note 8 has all sorts of power and features to take advantage of it, but that doesn't mean it's impervious to the issues that so many other smartphones have. Bad battery life, issues with radios, running out of storage and the like may hit your Note 8 in some form or fashion over the months and years you have it — but that doesn't mean it has to...

Best Google Pixel Cases

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 13 Oct 2017 11:00 am

Whether you're looking for something low-key or high-protection, these are the best cases for the Google Pixel Not everyone uses a case on their phone, and those who do may not even use a case every day. But one thing is certain: the Google Pixel is an expensive piece of hardware, and that means you should consider the options for protecting it. We're not just talking about a drop from...

Should you use your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?

36 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 12 Oct 2017 12:05 pm

For some people, getting a Pixel is a sure thing — the next question is which carrier you should choose. If you're already set on buying a Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL, or even have one already, you may be thinking about switching carriers at the same time. Google's own Project Fi service is quite popular, but unless you had a previous Nexus or Pixel phone, you haven't even had the choice to use it....

Samsung Gear Sport and Gear IconX 2018 go on sale Oct 13 with surprisingly high prices

18 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 12 Oct 2017 12:00 pm

Now we know how much Samsung's latest wearables will cost, and when they'll be on sale. Following an initial debut back at IFA 2017 at the end of August, Samsung is ready to sell the new Gear Sport smartwatch and Gear IconX 2018 truly wireless headphones. The fitness-focused Gear Sport will cost $299, and the IconX 2018 headphones will be $199 — both will go on sale on October 13, with in-store...

Google to disable touch-activated listening on Home Mini following reports of constant recording

26 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 11 Oct 2017 9:20 pm

Well, this sort of escalated quickly. Google has said it will permanently disable the touch-sensitive function of all Google Home Minis — including touching it to pause/play audio, we suppose — following reports this week that issues with the software and hardware were causing the devices to constantly record and send audio back to Google. The issue, which stems from the Home Mini's touch-...

Google is adding Duo video calling to the dialer and SMS app of Pixel, Android One phones

52 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 11 Oct 2017 3:38 pm

A step in the right direction for seamless video calling. Remember Google Duo? That's the company's person-to-person mobile video calling solution, announced alongside Allo back at Google I/O 2016. Neither app has gained much traction in the open market, but Google's working on that with the announcement that Duo video calling will be built into the phone dialer, contacts app and Android...

OnePlus responds to OxygenOS data collection concerns

52 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Oct 2017 8:47 pm

Well this isn't a great look — but there's an explanation. A concern from earlier this year over how much data OnePlus has been collecting has resurfaced this week, pointing to the fact OxygenOS on all recent OnePlus phones keeps track of all sorts of information on the phone and sends it back to the company. Despite this being something that's been happening for some time on OnePlus phones and...

Will Google Pixel and Pixel XL cases fit on the Pixel 2 and 2 XL?

8 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Oct 2017 1:00 pm

A simple question with a simple answer. There are some striking similarities in design between last year's Pixel and Pixel XL and the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL. With the names as they are, you wouldn't expect the hardware dimensions or quality to change much — and in general, they haven't. That immediately leads to questions of whether or not they're actually close enough to use the same cases...

Google Pixel and Pixel XL: Everything you need to know

157 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Oct 2017 10:00 am

A year on, Google's Pixels remain important — this is what you need to know. Google's Pixel and Pixel XL are fantastic. These phones are the first made entirely under Google's control, following in the footsteps of the two Chromebook Pixels and the Pixel C tablet — and they marked a new era of smartphones blessed by Google. That makes these phones interesting from a hardware perspective,...

How to take a screenshot on the Google Pixel 2

23 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 10 Oct 2017 8:00 am

This is one of the most fundamental features of a smartphone. Being able to take a screenshot on our phone is something we all need to do on a regular basis. Whether it's to send off to someone or save for your own use later, it's the fastest way to grab information on your phone. For all of the changes in the new Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL, one thing has remained: taking a screenshot is dead...

Best AT&T Phones

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 9 Oct 2017 1:00 pm

What are the best phones you can buy at AT&T right now? Whether you're a loyal AT&T subscriber, or you're looking to hop onto the giant cellular network, you'll want to first take a peek at our list of the best smartphones the carrier has to offer. We'll be updating this guide throughout the year to keep you informed of the latest devices worth wielding as your daily driver. Be sure to...

Google Pixel 2 XL vs. Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Big phones, big prices

118 Comments

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 9 Oct 2017 8:00 am

For some people, price isn't a deal-breaker for a high-end phone. Google's Pixel 2 XL is the new hotness, and with its fresh specs and features it's picked up a price bump that puts it on another level to compete with only the most expensive phones available today. Starting at $849 it's darn close to the price of the just-released Galaxy Note 8, but that's not where the similarities end. These...

Moto G5S Plus review: Too much of a good thing

Pixel 2 XL screen burn-in is real, Google 'actively investigating'

How much longer do we fight for the headphone jack?

Should you use your Google Pixel 2 or Pixel 2 XL on Project Fi?

Save over 60 percent on this Wireless and Waterproof Endoscopic Camera!

Everything you need to know about the Google Pixel 2!

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Common Galaxy Note 8 problems and how to fix them

Is any phone actually worth $1000?

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Sony's Xperia XZ1 gets most everything right

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Everything you need to know about KRACK, the WPA2 Wi-Fi vulnerability

Huawei Mate 10 + Mate 10 Pro hands-on preview

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Daydream View 2017 review: Mostly successful refinement

Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL review: The new standard for Android

The Google Pixel 2 is the best phone you can buy

Up your ethical hacking game with this nine-course bundle!

Enter Android Central & Mint SIM's Ultimate Pixel 2 Giveaway!

All Posts by Andrew Martonik

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