All Posts by Andrew Martonik | Android Central

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All Posts by Andrew Martonik

Great new OnePlus 5 render shows off a bit more style, dual rear cameras

61 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 3:40 pm
OnePlus 5
This is our best look yet at the OnePlus 5's hardware. Landing right after the OnePlus 5 launch day announcement, we have our first great look at the phone thanks to a solid render offered up by Android Police. The render only shows us roughly the top half of the phone, but gives a few hints of what to expect while also discrediting some previous (admittedly weak-looking) renders. We see a...

Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 currently on sale for $499, keyboard cover just $65

22 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 3:55 pm
Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
This is a steep discount, and we don't know how long it'll be around. Samsung's new Galaxy Tab S3 hasn't been out for long, but there's a big sale on right now across multiple retailers that has dropped its price to $499 (or a tad less in some cases). Amazon, Best Buy, Samsung and more all have the Galaxy Tab S3 for at least $100 off the original price, with Amazon posting the lowest price at $...

Best Buy already offering open-box unlocked Galaxy S8 for $638, GS8+ for $726

42 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 2:24 pm
Samsung Galaxy S8
A nice discount on a great phone. There are legitimate questions surrounding whether or not you should go with a U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8, but for those who are all-in on the unlocked bandwagon this is a great deal. Just a week after the U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8 and S8+ went on sale, Best Buy is already offering "open-box excellent" condition Galaxy S8s for nearly $100 off — setting you back just...

Merge VR launches $1 million fund to fuel VR and AR developers

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Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 12:52 pm
Merge VR launches $1 million fund to fuel VR/AR developers
There are a lot of great ideas out there — they just need the resources to make them happen. Hoping to spur VR and AR development to grow the platforms even further, Merge VR has announced it is launching a $1 million fund for developers who build for Merge platforms. Several studios are participating in the Merge VR Developer Fund, including React VRX, Draw & Code, Steelehouse Productions...

T-Mobile Tuesdays 1-year anniversary kicks off 12 hours of giveaways

3 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 12:07 pm
If you want to play the games, you could get some sweet prizes. T-Mobile's weekly giveaway system, simply called T-Mobile Tuesdays, has already been around for a full year. To celebrate, T-Mobile is offering some solid incentives in its T-Mobile Tuesdays app and kicking off 12 hours of giveaways — totaling millions of dollars — over on its Twitter account, even if you're not a T-Mo customer....

9 things to know about the Sony Xperia XZ Premium

29 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 12:00 pm
A big, beautiful new phone, but it may not be worth the price. Sony's latest flagship is the Xperia XZ Premium, and it's really nice. It's one of those phones you don't want to touch because it's so nice to look at. You may also not want to touch it because the damn thing is incredibly shiny, exposing fingerprints as well as any mirror. And it may not be worth buying because, well, there are...

The OnePlus 5 will be unveiled on June 20, pop-up events will sell the phone right away

37 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 12:10 pm
OnePlus 5 event page
Get ready for the launch event. OnePlus has announced that it will unveil its new OnePlus 5 via an event on June 20. The online event is set for 12:00 p.m. ET. After the online event is over, OnePlus will be hosting a handful of satellite events in major cities on June 20 and 21 to give fans an opportunity to see the OnePlus 5, get free swag and be one of the first to actually buy the phone....

Best T-Mobile Prepaid Phones

Posted by Andrew Martonik on 6 Jun 2017 10:00 am
Samsung Galaxy S8
Update, June 2017: The entire list has been refreshed to show the best options for someone buying a phone to use on T-Mobile prepaid. Best overall Best clean experience Best for less Best inexpensive Best overall Samsung Galaxy S8 See at T-Mobile See at Best Buy The Galaxy S8 has slick redesigned hardware with tiny bezels that let it have a big screen in a small body, but inside it...

Factory images with June security patch now available for Pixels and Nexuses

16 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 5 Jun 2017 3:27 pm
Pixel and Pixel XL
Get your Google devices up to the latest release on your own terms. Google has just released the latest factory images for supported Pixels and Nexuses including the June 2017 security patches with Android 7.1.2. That includes the Pixel XL, Pixel, Pixel C, Nexus 6P, Nexus 5X, Nexus Player. The Nexus 6 and Nexus 9 get the June patches with Android 7.1.1. If you're going to apply a factory...

HTC is learning a tough lesson in mobilizing a fan community to fight U11 reviews

148 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 5 Jun 2017 1:37 pm
HTC U11
This may not be as bad as first thought, but HTC should know better than this. Update: In response to today's news, HTC has changed the wording on the Elevate page and removed any "swag" incentives for the volume of posts community members make. HTC is at the center of a disappointing kerfuffle today surrounding its use of the private "Elevate" enthusiast community to dispel misconceptions...

Follow iMore's WWDC 2017 coverage!

20 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 5 Jun 2017 12:20 pm
WWDC
See what the other side is doing. We just had our fun at Google I/O 2017, and now it's time for Apple to have its turn. WWDC 2017 — the company's yearly developer conference — is kicking off on June 5, and much like I/O it's an opportunity for Apple to both show off products and also talk to developers about the future. Whether you're seriously interested in what Apple has to show off or just...

How to fix Galaxy S8 battery life problems

57 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 5 Jun 2017 11:00 am
Galaxy S8 power usage screen
Battery life on the Galaxy S8 and S8+ is actually pretty good — but it can always be better. After the first couple of week using a phone where battery life seems great, things can go south as we load up our new phone with all kinds of things and turn on every last feature. The Galaxy S8 and S8+ aren't immune to battery shortcomings if you push them hard enough, and that means you'll be...

Essential's uphill battle, and its mixed message on how to fight it

38 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 4 Jun 2017 3:00 pm
From the Editor's Desk
You can do everything 'right' in launching a new phone company ... and still not make it work. Andy Rubin's new consumer electronics brand, Essential, had a pretty well-executed launch last week. There was a little bit of hype ahead of time, but also no real leaks or expectations. So when everyone saw the Essential Phone and Essential Home, and listened to CEO Rubin talk about his plans,...

New hardware as far as the eye can see [#acpodcast]

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Posted by Andrew Martonik on 3 Jun 2017 2:56 pm
It's all hardware this week, folks. This week, Andrew, Jerry, Flo and Russell get back to the roots talking about all of the new hardware. We get into the merits of buying an unlocked HTC U11 or Galaxy S8 or Xperia XZ Premium, the new Moto Z2 Play replacing its predecessor, and everything we know so far about the Essential Phone. And of course, you'll never guess what Jerry has to say! Show...

Only 42 Android models have been updated to a security patch from the last 2 months

61 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 1 Jun 2017 2:35 pm
Android monthly security patch
This needs to get better. A lot better. In a blog post detailing how much it has paid for Android security vulnerabilities, the Android team at Google has released information on just how many devices are getting monthly security patches. In fighting a serious uphill battle, Google says there are now 100 distinct devices where a "majority" of the models sold have been updated to a monthly patch...

Samsung's Connect Home smart mesh Wi-Fi system will be available July 2, starting at $169 each

5 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 1 Jun 2017 12:42 pm
Samsung Connect Home Wi-Fi router
Another smart home mesh Wi-Fi solution for you to consider. Samsung's new mesh Wi-Fi solution, the Connect Home, was announced back with the Galaxy S8 and S8+ but was understandably overshadowed by the flagship phones. Now a couple months removed from the hype, the Connect Home is finally getting a price and launch date. Best Buy is the exclusive launch partner for the system, and pre-orders...

Where to buy the BlackBerry KEYone

48 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 1 Jun 2017 8:00 am
BlackBerry KEYone
It's time to put your money where you want your keyboard to be. The BlackBerry KEYone is on sale now, and it's available just about anywhere you'd want to buy it. The pricing is a notch below what you'd expect to pay for other flagship phones, which is nice, but really we know you're considering the KEYone for one main reason: that hardware keyboard. If the keyboard entices you, we have all...

Samsung updating Gear Fit 2 with new and improved workout features, SOS function

7 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 31 May 2017 6:34 pm
Workout detection and post-workout feedback are getting better on Samsung's fitness wearable. Samsung has just pushed out an update to the Gear Fit 2 right around a year after launch that makes a few solid upgrades to its tracking — because, after all, that is what it's designed to do. Building on the Gear Fit 2's automatic fitness tracking that auto-starts workouts when it detects certain...

You can now buy an unlocked Galaxy S8 in the U.S.

59 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 31 May 2017 2:31 pm
Get an unlocked Galaxy S8 ... for a considerable amount of money. After a few weeks of pre-orders, Samsung has fully opened sales for the U.S. unlocked versions of the Galaxy S8 and S8+. Samsung had previously confirmed around the time of the S8's launch in April that it would eventually offer an unlocked model in the U.S., and now we have specific details. Prices are $724.99 and $824.99 for...

Android Pay is finally available in Canada, several banks are on board

23 Comments
Posted by Andrew Martonik on 31 May 2017 1:43 pm
Well, it's about darn time. Android Pay is finally available up in Canada, coming closely after everyone was informed of its impending launch at Google I/O 2017. Canadians can now install the Android Pay app, add their cards and start paying right away. Google says over the next few days, banks will be finalizing their support — but all the big names are here, including BMO, Banque Nationale...

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