Android Central - Android Forums, News, Reviews, Help and Android Wallpapers

The U.S. unlocked Galaxy Note 8 makes an appearance on Samsung's store page.The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 will be announced next week in New York, and the leaks just keep coming as we run up to the event. This time, Samsung has prematurely listed the U.S. unlocked version (model UZKAXAA, consistent with the U.S. unlocked Galaxy S8s) of the device on its online store. The product link itself doesn't go anywhere, but we still learn a few things about it.Before getting too excited: the listing doesn't yet show a price. But it does corroborate the brochure that leaked earlier which stated the device would ship with 64GB of internal storage in the base model. Most importantly, it suggests the U.S. unlocked model might ship at the same time as the carrier versions.For context, the U.S. Galaxy S8 shipped about a month after the carrier versions, while the U.S. unlocked GS7 shipped three months after launch. Getting a U.S. unlocked version of the Note 8 on the same day as the carrier versi...

Action Launcher keeps adding more features so users can fine tune their home screen.Action Launcher has been a fan favorite launcher for years now, partly due to developer Chris Lacy consistently adding new features. Action Launcher 27 is out now, and here are some highlights of the new features:The App Shortcuts and Notification Dots can now be colored to match either the wallpaper or the icon itself. Action Launcher's custom search bar widget can now be placed anywhere on the home screen, not just at the very top.Users can now adjust the transparency of folders and the All Apps drawer via Action Launcher's Quicktheme settings.A new weather widget for Android 6.0 and later. The full changelog is: NEW: Weather widget (Alpha). Requires Android 6.0 or later. NEW: Adjust the color of the App Shortcuts panels via Quicktheme. NEW: App Shortcuts, Shutters and Covers can be tinted with the highlight color of the controlling icon via Quicktheme. Allows for Twitter's App S...

Get ready to see a new tasty treat unveiled on Monday.The next major version of Android, Android O will be completely unveiled Monday, August 21 to coincide with the solar eclipse. Google announced it would be live streaming the Android O announcement, appropriately enough, via its Eclipse homepage, which is typically used for its Eclipse developer documentation.The page has links to NASA's own live stream of the Total Eclipse, which will begin at 12:00 p.m. ET, with the Android O reveal coming at 2:40 p.m. ET. For those of us that enjoy both space and Android, it's nice that we won't have to divide our attention. Now we just need to place last-minute bets on what the name will be.Update: Android Police did some sleuthing on a video that was uploaded to Google's Google+ page. When the video was first uploaded, the file name for the video was "GoogleOreo_Teaser_0817," suggesting that Oreo would be the next codename. Google removed that video, and uploaded another file named "Oct...

Lost your MetroPCS password or PIN? You can get it back in just a few easy steps!Have a lost MetroPCS password or PIN issue? Not to worry! You can easily recover it a number of ways providing you have all of the account information available. Here's how to get it done!Lost MetroPCS PasswordIf you have a lost MetroPCS password situation, you'll be unable to login to your online account to do anything like paying your bill, adding or changing features or upgrading your plan. Thankfully, you can quickly recover your lost MetroPCS password with just a few clicks.Head to the MetroPCS account login page and click the Forgot Password link under the box. Next, enter the phone number on the account and a password recovery link will be sent to you via phone or email (based on your account preference). Using the link, create a new password for your account and you'll be good to go!MetroPCS Account LoginLost MetroPCS PINIf you have a lost MetroPCS PIN, you'll have to get on the...

Instant Apps make it easier to get things done on Android without downloading apps. Here's how.Instant Apps are a neat idea: instead of downloading an app from the Play Store that takes time, resources and, in many countries, expensive mobile data, it allows Android users running Marshmallow and above (and soon Lollipop, too) to "try before you buy." Since rolling out to all developers earlier this year, Google says that 500 million Android devices have access to the innovative feature, but Instant Apps doesn't work out of the box, at least not yet — it needs to be enabled.If your phone runs Android 6.0, you can go to your phone's settings to enable it. Here's how to do it.How to enable Android Instant AppsFrom your home screen swipe down on the notification shade.Tap on Settings (the cog icon).Scroll down and tap on Google.Tap on Instant Apps.Toggle feature On.Confirm you agree to the terms by tapping, Yes, I'm in.That's it! Once you're done enabling Instant ...

Google patents a wild looking design that may show up in its next laptop.Back before it became a line of phones, the Chromebook Pixel line was known for setting an example of what a high end Chromebook would look like. The first model had a unique 3:2 aspect ratio, a high-resolution screen and an optional LTE model. That line culminated in the Pixel C, an Android convertible tablet. Since then, ASUS and Samsung seriously stepped up in the design department, with the Samsung Chromebook Plus using a 3:2 aspect ratio screen, Android applications out of the box, and a stylus for note-taking.Even with those third party options, it appears Google will be releasing its own convertible sometime in the future. Slashgear shared a patent awarded to Google for a laptop with a unique keyboard area. Rather than just opening the screen and seeing the keyboard and trackpad, the user would be greeted by a smooth cover.Said cover has a hinge that can be opened to reveal the keyboard and trackpad...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a deal on creating the smartest home possible!Right now you can get the SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit for $150, which comes with a hub. Or you can get the SmartThings Smart Home Hub by itself for just $50. The hub normally sells between $80-100 and rarely drops past that. This sale for $50 is its lowest price since last year's Black Friday deals.The Home Monitoring Kit normally sells around $200. Although it fluctuates pretty frequently, this $150 price point is its 2nd lowest price this year. The kit includes the hub, two multipurpose sensors, one motion sensor, and one outlet plug. All of these bought individually, even with the hub on sale for $50, add up to $206.Hubs like this act as the "brain" of any smart home. As you start adding more smart features, like a thermostat or smart plugs, you want to be able to control all of them at once. The hub lets you connect everything to it and then control them from one single ...

A brochure for the Galaxy Note 8 has leaked, listing the device's specifications.The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be announced at an Unpacked event on August 23, and as we get closer to that date we learn more and more about Samsung's next flagship. Earlier, we saw super clear images of the device, and now a product brochure shows off the phone's specifications.Ausdroid shared the brochure, and the specs are mostly what could be expected by a late 2017 flagship: the phone will be powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, feature a 6.3-inch QHD+ AMOLED display with an 18:9 aspect ratio, 6GB of RAM, and a 3,300 mAh battery.Storage is where it gets really interesting: the introductory model will feature 64GB of internal storage, while the more expensive model will include a whopping 256GB of internal storage. If that is somehow not enough, the phone will also include a MicroSD slot for expansion. Are you excited for the Galaxy Note 8? Let us know down below!Samsun...

Instant Apps now available on 500 million Android devices.Instant Apps are a way for developers to provide a lightweight, modularized portion of their full app experience when a user opens specific search results. The user has to enable Instant Apps in the Settings menu before the feature will work, however. Announced at Google I/O 2016, the feature was made available to all developers after this year's I/O.Google has announced the feature is now available to 500 million users, so developers should feel encouraged to start building for the feature. Instant Apps are available for any user running Android 6.0 and later, or 45.8% of all Android users. While that's not a majority, that's still a very large number of users and will continue to grow in the future.Google also shared that application developers are already seeing a return on their work for Instant Apps. Vimeo increased session duration by 130% following the integration of Instant Apps, while the real estate purchasing ...

What are the best cases for the LG G6?Whether you have an LG G6 already or it's on its way, you'll probably want to have a good case around for those times when you can't guarantee it'll stay safe from bumps and scrapes. Now that we're a few months removed from the G6 launch, there are tons of options available to fit your needs and budget.Here's our breakdown of some of the best cases you can find for the LG G6.Caseology GeometricSpigen Rugged Armor SUPCASE Unicorn Beetle ProTrianium Clarium Series CaseSpigen Thin FitUAG PlasmaIncipio DualProCaseology GeometricCaseology's Geometric case is the perfect blend of protective and comfortable, offering two layers of protection — an inner silicone and outer TPU shell — that is covered, on the back, with a grippy geometric pattern.While all the ports are easily accessible, including the G6's rear fingerprint sensor, the case lips over the front of the phone, protecting it from the front and back. Available i...

Our friends at Thrifter post some great deals every day, and here are the best ones available right now!From mobile phones to general tech, home goods and much more, the team at Thrifter is scouring the web every single day to find the best deals. Whether something hits a new all-time low, gets discounted for just a limited time, or has a new coupon code available for it, you won't want to miss out any of them. If you want to know about the deals as soon as they are happening, you'll want to follow Thrifter on Twitter, and sign up for the newsletter, because missing out on a great deal stinks!So, what are the best deals that you should be looking at right now? Well, let's take a look at them so you can see which ones are best for you!10% off Xbox digital gift cards - $27 for $30, $90 for $100, etcThis deal is done at Amazon but Walmart has picked up the torch! Much like Amazon, some of the denominations are not on sale for whatever reason. You can still spend $27 to get $30...

It's hot, it's hyped, and it's now on sale.If you're looking for a high-end phone, it's hard to ignore the gravity of the Essential Phone right now. When a company run by Andy Rubin releases a phone, people take notice — and they'll also have to take out their wallet, because the Essential Phone is a cool $699.It's available in the U.S. and Canada, with a variety of retailer options and a few good deals. Here are all of the details.U.S.The U.S. is obviously Essential's dominant launch market, where you have multiple retail options.AmazonAmazon has both black moon and pure white colors available for pre-order, though it isn't offering a time frame on the latter's delivery. Pricing is set at $699 with free shipping for Prime members.See at AmazonBest BuyBest Buy is listing both the black moon and pure white colors of the Essential Phone, but won't actually let you place an order for the white model just yet. Pricing is set at $699, and you can finance that with ...

Google has removed alt-right social network Gab from the Play Store.Google has removed alt-right social network Gab from the Play Store, the social network shared on Twitter. This comes days after Nazis protested in Charlottesville, VA, leaving one woman dead after a protester drove a van into a crowd of counter protesters. Two police officers also perished when a police helicopter crashed during the protests.Gab stated the application was removed for violating the Play Store's hate speech policy. That policy states: We don't allow the promotion of hatred toward groups of people based on their race or ethnic origin, religion, disability, gender, age, veteran status, or sexual orientation/gender identity.Android holds around 53% of the market share for mobile operating systems in the U.S, which is not large enough for this to be an antitrust concern. Nor is it a First Amendment issue, as some commenters on Twitter have pointed out. The First Amendment only forbids the gover...

Amazon has a really good music service that you might have overlooked. Here's what you need to know about Amazon Music.Fun fact you might not be aware of: Amazon has a really good music service. It's called, as you might expect, Amazon Music. And just like Apple Music or Google Play Music or Spotify or Pandora or whatever, it, uh, plays music. Lots and lots of music.That's not really the exciting part. The real reason you might want to consider Amazon Music comes down to the options, and the myriad ways you could end up listening to it.Let's dive in.See at AmazonWhere to get started with Amazon MusicThe quick links:AndroidiOSOn the webMac and WindowsWhat are the different plans for Amazon Music?Amazon has four plans for its music service. Here's how they break down.Prime Music: This one is free. If you have Amazon Prime, you have Prime Music. It only has 2 million songs, so at some point you'll hit a wall if you try to listen to something a little more obscure. ...

Your web browser is also a VR platform.Most conversations about VR surround specific headsets, like Oculus Rift or Google Daydream. WebVR, as the name suggests, is bringing immersive experiences to anything with a browser. It's a lot of fun to explore, and something anyone can try out without a lot of set up or additional hardware.Lets get to know WebVR together!Read more at VR Heads!...

Sprint and T-Mobile are both offering discounts on LG phones.The LG G6 is nearing five months old, and carriers are already starting to offer discounts on it. Sprint and T-Mobile both announced discounts on LG's 2017 flagship.The Uncarrier is offering a free (after rebate) LG G6 or V20 when the user activates a G6 or V20 on another line. The rebate comes in the form of a prepaid debit card.Sprint is offering the G6 for $20 per month for 18 months, totaling $360, down from the regular price of $480.Are you interest in either of these deals, or is the LG V30 worth the wait?Learn more about the LG G6!...

Microsoft has brought a little bit of Cortana magic to the Skype Preview app on Android.If you use the Skype Preview app for Android, then you can now interact with Cortana alongside all of your other chats — so long as you call the U.S. home. The latest update to the app, which acts as sort of a beta testing ground for new features, adds Microsoft's digital assistant as a bot, along with a couple of other notable features.Cortana in Skype Preview acts much as you'd expect if you've already used it on other platforms. Once you've granted Cortana access to the requisite permissions, the digital assistant can offer help in completing tasks like navigation, general facts, and weather. Skype even helps things along by offering up some sample phrases to ask Cortana.Alongside Cortana, Skype Preview has also picked up other goodies like panoramic photos. Here's a look at all of what's new:Panoramic photos - share panoramic photos with friends via chat or your highlights.Sp...

Google Home adds Bluetooth functionality, allowing users to pair their phones to the smart speaker.While a lot of music services integrate Google Cast, not all do, particularly fan favorite music players such as Poweramp. While streaming music to an ordinary Bluetooth speaker would work fine with those apps, the Google Home did not work with any music service that did not integrate Google Cast.That changes today. Users can now pair Bluetooth devices to the Google Home, opening the speaker up to be used with any media application. Google announced the feature at this year's Google I/O, and like the new hands-free calling, the feature is now live. Users are able to initiate Bluetooth pairing from inside the Google Home app. In addition to just playing music, Bluetooth pairing would also be useful for using Google Home with Android's Smart Lock feature. Have you been waiting forever for this feature, or is it something you are barely going to notice?Google HomeGoogl...

How we're spending our leisure time.Everyone has a bit of quiet downtime once in a while. Whether you're sitting quietly at home or trying to relax on a plane or just giving your busy mind and hands a break, it's important to relax.A good way to do that is to read a book, listen to some music or watch a movie or show. See what's caught our attention recently!Ara WagonerOooh boy, let's get started. What have I been watching? The VICE News piece on Charlottesville, the truth to power being spoken by late-night comedy, been getting my anime on with some Log Horizon, Knights and Magic, and Restaurant to Another World, and I've been scratching my nostalgia itch with Sword in the Stone, Robin Hood, and the free first episode of the DuckTales reboot.I haven't had much time to read outside news and research lately, but I have been listening to a lot of music. I could list all the albums and artists out, but I've done enough of that, so here's one giant Google Play Music playlist ...

Running a successful website takes a lot of work, and there are many angles that must be covered. One important aspect is search engine optimization (SEO), but learning the ins and outs takes a lot of time and usually costs a decent chunk of change.What you need is a tool that can handle SEO on its own, and ultimately boost readership on your site. Sounds too good to be true, doesn't it?Right now, Android Central Digital Offers has a deal on a lifetime subscription to Webtexttool Personal Plus, which analyzes the data of all users contributing to a website and provide SEO optimization tips in real time. Instead of paying the regular price of $986, you'll pay instead just $40. That's 95% off the regular price.Webtexttool Personal Plus is a proven way to move your website up the search list, providing you with way more readers. If your site is suffering, or if you just want to be the best possible, take advantage of this deal!See at Android Central Digital Offers...

The announcement of the LG V30 draws near, and LG has shown off its process for creating device wallpapers.The LG V30 will be announced on August 31st at this year's IFA conference in Berlin, and as LG tends to do, the company is releasing bits and pieces of information ahead of the announcement. LG has already confirmed the device will have a 6-inch OLED display, a unique haptic engine and a fantastic low-light camera.Today, LG has also shared how it makes some of the device wallpapers. The video shows the company working with different colors of lighting, cutouts of the letter "V" and other methods for creating the wallpaper shown in the leaked image above. The aspect ratio of the video is 18:9, the same aspect ratio as the screen on the G6 and presumably the V30.Are you looking forward to the LG V30? Sound off in the comments!Learn more about the LG V30!...

The Galaxy Note 8 leaks in stunningly clear photos.Samsung's Galaxy Note 8 is expected to be announced on August 23 in New York City, and as that date has grown closer we have been getting more and more leaked images of the device. The latest images come courtesy of a Weibo user and these images are stunningly clear.The design looks just like the Galaxy S8, from the minimal bezel to the awkwardly placed fingerprint sensor. There are no clear images with the S-Pen silo, but that is expected to be along the bottom of the device as in previous years. Here is a gallery of the rest of the images: Are you excited about the Galaxy Note 8? Let us know down below!Samsung Galaxy Note 8Galaxy Note 8: Everything we know so farRumored Galaxy Note 8 specsAll Galaxy Note 8 newsShould you buy the Galaxy S8+ or wait for the Note 8?The buttonless future of Samsung phonesJoin our Galaxy Note 8 forums*//*-->*//*-->*/...

AT&T and Sprint allow subscribers to call and text Barcelona for free.AT&T and Sprint have announced that their subscribers will be able to make free phone calls and send free SMS messages to users in Barcelona following yesterday's deadly attacks.AT&T will be extending the free service through August 19th, while Sprint did not specify when fees would be active again for those calling the Barcelona area. While AT&T did not mention its pre-paid offerings, Sprint stated that Boost Mobile and Virgin Mobile subscribers would also be able to call or text the Barcelona area for free. Sprint subscribers will need to enable international calling in their My Sprint account.Source: Android Police;(function(){(new Image()).src='https://www.mintsim.com/mn/1x1.gif?tid=mobilenations&subid=UUacUdUnU62409&cb='+(Math.floor(Math.random()*1000000));}()); ...

Setting up a VPN on your phone is easier than you think.One of the easiest ways to protect yourself and your privacy while you are using the internet is with a VPN. Filtering traffic and tunneling through an anonymous service isn't something most people can set up themselves, and there are plenty of companies out there who want to do it for you. We've looked at a few of the services and their Android apps, so if you don't already have a VPN subscription that's where you should start.The best VPN servicesThe best VPN apps for AndroidThe next step is getting your VPN set up on your phone, and that's really easy, for the most part. VPN access is built into the network settings on Android, and we'll look at how this native integration works, but most of the time there is a better way: the company's Android app.If your VPN company has an Android appWe're going to use IPVanish VPN for our example. Once you have an account set up with IPVanish, you'll need to visit Google Play. ...

After its early demise was announced earlier this summer, Altspace appears to be back for good. However, there are still great alternatives to discover.In the massive spectrum of apps you can experience in VR, social VR is often the most interesting. So many games played on consoles and phones are deeply social now, with multiplayer as the default and exciting ways to share games together in person, but doing all of that in VR is a little more complicated. Not every headset lets you get up and walk around, but every VR experience in a virtual room with someone else is a unique opportunity to explore a new world with new friends.After revealing its plans to shut down in early August, AltspaceVR has announced it won't actually be disappearing anytime soon. Following a wave of fan feedback, the team is now in talks with "others who passionate about AltspaceVR," in an attempt to keep the service running into the near future. However, what's to come for the service is still relatively...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a deal on an over-the-air antenna!This AmazonBasics ultra thin HDTV Antenna is down to $23.99. This antenna dropped to $28 in early February and has sold steadily at that price ever since. This is the first drop below $28 and its lowest price ever.Features for this antenna include:50 Mile range to access from broadcast tower; receives free HD channels including ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS, Fox, Univision and moreReversible with black or white sides to match your home's decoration; antenna can be painted over to achieve a more personal touchSupports 1080 HD and includes 16 foot coaxial cableMulti-Directional and Reversible: No "pointing" neededLike the product page notes, the success of the antenna varies a lot depending on where you live, what's being broadcast near you, how far away you are, and other variables like that. If you want to know how to take full advantage of over-the-air antennas like this, check out our article....

Essential's second carrier-exclusive launch gets under way.Coming in a day after the Essential Phone launched in the U.S., Canadian carrier TELUS has opened up its pre-orders for the new phone from Andy Rubin's company. Unlike the Sprint "exclusivity" in the U.S., TELUS has a true exclusive deal to be the only retailer in Canada selling the phone, rather than just the only carrier partner in Sprint's case. Essential won't be shipping its unlocked model to Canada at launch, so your only choice up North is to buy from TELUS.See at TELUSAt launch, TELUS only has the "black moon" color on offer, just like Sprint, and of course, the only storage option is 128GB.Pricing is set at $290 on a two-year plan of at least $95 per month, or a hefty $490 on a two-year plan of $85 per month or more. Online orders ship for free (at that price they better), and are expected to arrive in three to four weeks — that'd put the Essential Phone on your doorstep around the week of September 10....

What are the latest games worth checking out in the Google Play Store?Update August 18, 2017: Rearrange comic panels to solve a noir mystery in Framed 2, and then try to colonize Mars in Space Frontier — two games you absolutely need to check out this week!There are thousands and thousands of games available in the Google Play Store, with more being added every month. With so much content hitting the app store, it can be damn near impossible to keep up with all the latest releases and determine which games are worth your time.Here at Android Central, we want to help. We'll be using this space to let you know about the latest gaming releases for Android that we think deserve your attention. We'll be checking in and updating this page weekly as new games are released, so refresh often!Framed 2Get ready for more comic book stylized fun in Framed 2! This is a standalone prequel to groundbreaking mobile game Framed developed by Hideo Kojima back in 2014.As the story ...

Whenever a newcomer hits the scene to challenge an incumbent, we take notice.The Galaxy S8 has been a clear success in the market, outselling not only the entire slate of high-end phones in 2017 but also beating Samsung's own Galaxy S7 sales records. But there's a new challenger, the Essential Phone, coming in at a similar price with similar specs — and though it doesn't have immediate aspirations of coming anywhere near Samsung's sales, Essential surely believe it has a competitive product.Here's how the new Essential Phone compares to Samsung's Galaxy S8. Even though it wasn't the first to do it, you can easily say that Samsung popularized the "tiny bezel" movement in the smartphone industry. This is the direction phone hardware is moving, and I think it's fair to say the Essential Phone takes one more step along the path with its own amazingly tiny display bezels. Whereas Samsung plays a bit of eye trickery with its curved display to makes its bezels seem super-small...

When it comes to joining the smartphone market, the path isn't simply defined.It's pretty rare nowadays to see a brand new smartphone company launch from scratch, and it's rarer still that it chooses to launch right into the ultra-competitive high-end smartphone space. The final piece forming this triumvirate of rarity is actually shipping a product — something that Essential has actually done. Sure hundreds of millions of dollars in venture capital helps, as does the leadership of one of the founders of Android, but this is still no small feat.And despite being its first ever product, the Essential Phone isn't some sort of short-sighted or incomplete gimmick. It's the real deal, with proper specs, serious hardware and desirable stock software. After a brief hiccup with its shipping timeline, Essential has a full e-commerce launch, as well as a retail partnership with Best Buy and carrier partnerships with Sprint and Telus. Yup, it's done things properly and actually starte...

Here's a look at the hardware that's powering the Essential Phone.Andy Rubin's Essential Phone has a lot going for it, including an edge-to-edge display and a modular system that lets you attach accessories like a 360-degree camera. The phone itself is crafted out of titanium, and it has a ceramic back that gives it added protection from tumbles.Here's the complete spec sheet for the Essential Phone:Category Essential PhoneOperating System Android 7.1.1Display 5.7-inch LCD, 2560x1312 (505 ppi)Corning Gorilla Glass 5Chipset Qualcomm Snapdragon 8352.45GHz octa-core Kryo 280 CPUAdreno 540 GPURAM 4GBStorage 128GB (UFS 2.1)Non-expandableRear Cameras Dual 13MP camera (color + monochrome)f/1.85 lens, phase-detect + laser auto focus4K video at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps or 720p at 120fpsFront Camera 8MP with f/2.2 lens4K video at 30fps, 1080p at 60fps or 720p at 120fpsBattery 3040mAhNon-removableCharging USB-C fast chargingWater resistance NoConnectivity 8...

If your child hasn't created an account on at least one social network by now, chances are the question has come up.Besides being easier to connect with entire groups of friends and classmates through these services, schools are becoming increasingly involved in sharing group accomplishments on social media for all of the parents to see at once. Combine that with the relatively recent appearance of social network celebrities, regardless of inspirational or aspirational interest, and you've got plenty of reasons for your child to want into this world they are currently denied access to.Truth be told, social media is almost exactly as great as it is terrible. It only gets weirder if you're not an active user yourself, and that can raise a lot of perfectly valid concerns you may have before allowing your child access to these apps and websites. To help you better understand how to talk to your kids about the potential pitfalls and to help you understand exactly what is going on and ...

You can clone Facebook or WhatsApp to log in with two different accounts at the same time.Running a business from your smartphone? That's pretty cool, but I bet you feel like switching between personal and business accounts is kind of a pain in the butt. Fortunately, some Android devices offer the ability to make an "app twin," essentially emulating an existing app so that you can log in with different accounts at the same time.There are already apps in the Play Store that can help you achieve this helpful little runaround for dealing with multiple accounts on one social network, including App Cloner and Parallel Space. But if you have the Huawei Mate 9, Honor 9, or any of Huawei's devices running EMUI, this helpful feature is built into the software, though it's only limited to two specific apps at present.If you want to become familiar with EMUI's built-in App Twin feature, read on. We'll also provide you with some resources to expand the feature beyond the apps provided, too...

Let's guess when your phone will pick up the Android O update.Android O is on the horizon, and there's plenty to look forward to. The update introduces picture-in-picture mode to phones and tablets, colorized notifications, adaptive icons, a systemwide autofill API, improvements to Bluetooth audio, and so much more.Android O will also feature Project Treble, which aims to fix Android's fragmentation problem. With Project Treble, Google is separating the OS framework from "vendor interfaces," which allows device manufacturers to roll out updates without having to rework their custom skins for a new version of Android. In short, it is the "biggest change to the low-level system architecture of Android to date."They key question when we're talking about Android O is when (or if) your phone will receive the update. Indian manufacturers don't exactly have the best track record when it comes to rolling out updates, and that isn't likely to change with Android O. Let's predict which d...

Finding adult apps for VR is easy, finding awesome adult apps in VR can be more difficult.Porn in VR is all over the place these days. In fact, all you have to do is a quick Google search and you'll find plenty of websites and apps that can give you what you're looking for. Not all adults apps are awesome though. So instead of slogging through the internet and hoping you find an awesome app, we've done the work for you. Below you'll find the best apps in VR for adult entertainment.Read more at VRHeads.com...

ASUS has promised Android 8.0 for its 2016 and 2017 phones.There's no nice way to say this, ASUS has a history bloated software and taking too much time with updates. I imported and owned the monstrous (and glorious) Zenfone 3 Ultra and my only real complaints with the device were the amount of pre-installed garbage and how slowly it got the Nougat update. It took me a full hour when I was setting up the device to turn off all the duplicate features and applications.According to Android Police, ASUS will be rectifying that. With its ZenUI 4.0 — launching with the Zenfone 4 series and coming later to the Zenfone 3 series — Asus will be cutting down on pre-installed applications significantly. ZenUI 3.5 currently includes 35 pre-installed applications, while ZenUI 4.0 will only include 13. The company also states certain apps will get some percentage faster but did not quantify those measurements.ASUS also confirmed the entire Zenfone 3 and Zenfone 4 series would be u...

IFA is always one of the biggest tech conferences of the year, and we're expecting nothing less than an onslaught this time around.IFA is approaching its 100th birthday, but the Berlin-based trade show still manages to pull in the biggest names in consumer electronics, which in more recent years means the biggest names in smartphones.Almost every major Android manufacturer has some sort of keynote at the event, with big names like Samsung, Huawei and LG launching high profile products in the past few years. It also serves as a great launch point for accessories, wearables and more from the big names.Here's what to expect from IFA 2017.LG — LG V30The highlight of IFA 2017 should be the LG V30, which is poised to take the best parts of last year's V20 and this year's well-received G6 and combine them into a powerful smartphone for enthusiasts.We know quite a lot about the V30 already thanks to LG's agreeable policy of pre-announcing many of its phones' hardware ...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a $15 discount on Smart plugsSmart plugs are a great addition to any house. If you don't have any smart home equipment and want to get started, these plugs are one of the best purchases that you can make. Amazon currently has a 2-pack of TP-Link smart plugs priced at just $39.99 when you use the coupon code 15SMARTKIT at checkout. For two of them you'd normally pay around $55, so this is a $15 savings, bringing the cost per unit down to $20 each.Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice controlRemote Access: Control devices connected to the Smart Plug wherever you have Internet using the free Kasa app on your smartphoneTurn electronics on or off from anywhere with your tablet or smartphone using the free Kasa app (Compatible w/ Android 4.1 or higher & iOS8 or higher)Use Away-Mode to turn devices on and off at different times to give the appearance that someone is home while you are awayEasy to use and ins...

YouTube TV is now available in 29 markets total.When YouTube TV launched earlier this year, it launched in 15 heavily populated markets, including Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth and New York City. Today, Google has expanded the streaming TV service to 14 additional markets.Here is a full list of markets YouTube TV is now available in:Atlanta, GABaltimore, MDBoston, MACharlotte, NCChicago, ILCincinnati, OHColumbus, OHDallas-Fort Worth, TXDetroit, MIHouston, TXJacksonville, FLLas Vegas, NVLos Angeles, CALouisville, KYMemphis, TNMiami-Fort Lauderdale, FLMinneapolis-St. Paul, MNNashville, TNNew York City, NYOrlando-Dayton Beach-Melbourne, FLPhiladelphia, PAPhoenix, AZPittsburgh, PASan Antonio, TXSan Francisco Bay Area, CASeattle, WATampa, FLWashington, DCWest Palm Beach, FLThe basic YouTube TV package runs for $35 per month, offering standard basic cable channels. The service also features an unlimited Cloud DVR so you can watch your favorite shows anyt...

Great-sounding music is made easy with a Chromecast Audio. And you'll save a fistful of dollars, too.If you're thinking about setting up a whole-house (or even just a single-room) streaming audio solution, Sonos systems are pretty much what you'll find recommended by folks on the internet. They are easy to set up and the Sonos service offers a decent choice of streaming content providers. But the price tag — you'll be spending hundreds per room for individual Sonos amps or speakers — can be tough to swallow. We've got a solution: Use a Chromecast Audio and a few standard components and save a whole lot of money.Three things make the Chromecast Audio a good (or even better) alternative — the Chromecast has its own 96KHz / 24bit capable audio hardware, the 3.5 mm combination output supports optical as well as analog connections, and the Google Cast app lets you create groups or zones so you can stream your music to specific sources just like you can with a Sonos. ...

The Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact has leaked, showing a compact phone with a lot to offer.Yesterday, we showed off images of the alleged Sony Xperia XZ1. As Sony has done for the last few years, that phone looks to use the same design as the current Xperia XZ. Today, we have images and specifications for the new Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact, thanks to @Onleaks and 91Mobiles.The device uses the same design language carried over from last year, including the side mounted fingerprint sensor that probably won't work in the U.S. According to 91Mobiles, the device will feature a 4.6-inch screen, a Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 4GB of RAM and a 2,600 mAh battery. For those that want a super powerful phone in a small chassis, this may be perfect for you. For comparison's sake, Sony's last compact device used a midrange Snapdragon 650 processor paired with 3GB of RAM with a 2,700 mAh battery. That device was announced at IFA 2016, so we could see this year's compact phone announced at IFA 2017 in two wee...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with some great deals on Anker's charging accessories!Update: You can also pick up Anker's dual-USB Quick Charge 3.0 wall charger for just $18.99 for a limited time.Going on a road trip these days can be brutal with everyone wanting to charge their phone all at once and just one single cigarette lighter to plug a charger into. Thankfully, you can pick up an Anker car charger with four USB ports for just $13.99 at Amazon, a nice savings of $3 off the price its had for almost a year now.With PowerIQ technology, this product has a charge speed of 2.6 amps per port. With its 48 watts of power, you can charge four tablets, smartphones, or other devices at full speed simultaneously. It also features MultiProtect which protects your device from low voltage, output and input current surges, voltage surges and short-circuiting issues.This car charger comes with an 18-month warranty and has a 4.6 out of 5-star ranking on Amazon.If y...

What do I need to know about Skyrim VR?A surprise trailer for Skyrim VR was shown during the Sony presentation at E3 2017. Arriving on the heels of the Fallout 4 VR trailer, many fans were left with a bunch of questions regarding Bethesda's move to take their beloved fantasy RPG into VR. To help spread the word, here's everything we know so far.Read more at VR Heads!...

Theming on Android doesn't require rooting, but theming Android itself almost always does.We can use third-party launchers to theme our home screens. We can theme our most-used apps to get rid of that searing white and spice things up with some color. We can do so many things to customize Android and make it our own, but theming the Android system itself requires one of two things: a phone with a robust theming engine like the Samsung Galaxy S8 or root.Theming Android at the system level is intoxicating, but most people don't have the patience, practice, or prowess to invest in root theming. Even I don't bother with the hassle of root theming, and I'm a girl who will spend hours dialing in custom icons and widget colors on her home screen. System theming isn't worth root tinkering, but soon, root might not be required to theme Android.Here's why we think there's a light at the end of this long, custom-skinned tunnel.The RRO Framework: Thanks, SonyThe groundwork for nati...

Hit the pavement running with your Galaxy S8 secure and accessible!Itching to take your Galaxy S8 with you on your runs? Sure, you could awkwardly keep it in your pocket, but you're best off getting an armband case. It keeps your phone protected and accessible to you, so you can check on your progress in your [Couch to 5K app]https://www.androidcentral.com/best-couch-5k-apps) or control your music as you run.While these armbands won't help with your running motivation, they sure will make running with your phone more convenient and comfortable. Lets dive in!Lifeproof LifeActiv Armband with QuickMountSporteer Velocity V150 Universal ArmbandSUPCASE Sports Running ArmbandRevere Sports Running ArmbandLifeproof LifeActiv Armband with QuickMountOur first armband on this list is by Lifeproof, known for making some high-quality accessories that offer supreme protection for a wide range of phones.The LifeActiv Armband with QuickMount is a compelling option if you hate dealin...

After a long wait, the Essential Phone is now available for purchase.Andy Rubin's Essential Phone was announced back in May, with the company planning for a June release date. June came and went, and we heard near the end of July that part of the delay was due to complications in the certification process.It is now August, and the Essential Phone is finally available to purchase. The phone can be purchased from Essential, Sprint and Best Buy. The device will also be available in Sprint and Best Buy's physical retail locations. While the Sprint version is locked to that carrier, the model sold on Essential's site is SIM unlocked and will work with all of the big four carriers.With a retail price of $699, the Essential Phone certainly isn't cheap, but there are some deals to be had. For a limited time, Sprint is offering the device for $14.58 per month for an 18 month lease, totaling $262 (at which point you need to upgrade to a new phone or continue to pay out the remaining 6 mo...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a discount on a powerful Bluetooth speaker.Update: This popular deal is back again, this time with a new coupon code. Be sure to use code ALBCXN3Y for the full savings.Amazon's currently has a pretty great discount on the extremely popular Anker SoundCore Bluetooth speaker. With this deal, the black version speaker drops down to $26.99 with coupon code ALBCXN3Y (the other colors are $32.99), from a usual street price around $36. Anker is well known for coupon code deals, which are hard to track over time, so it's possible this speaker has gone lower than this in the past. For direct price drops, though, this price only matches a previous drop back in 2016 on Black Friday.The SoundCore has a 24-hour battery life, which means you can take it on any outdoor excursion without worrying about it fading for quite some time. It has a built-in mic so you can use Bluetooth for hands-free phone calls. It also comes with an 18-month ...

Comcast has finished rolling out their mobile network to all the markets that it offers home Internet.Comcast announced its Xfinity Mobile service — mobile plans for existing Xfinity subscribers — earlier this year. The network runs on the Verizon Wireless network, so Comcast has plenty of spectrum they can use, but the company did not yet have the Xfinity Mobile service in every Xfinity market.That changes today. Comcast has announced that it has completed the roll out of the Xfinity Mobile service, and any Xfinity user in any market will be able to sign up for the service. Comcast is offering two data tier options for subscribers: $45 per month per line (up to five lines) with no usage limits or $12 per gigabyte per line. The company does note that speeds will be throttled after reaching 20GB of usage in a month. From Comcast: PHILADELPHIA – Aug. 17, 2017 – Comcast today announced it has completed its nationwide rollout of Xfinity Mobile across all of ...

Getting Bixby Voice to do what you want can be pesky, but these tips can help.Bixby Voice for Samsung's Galaxy S8 delivers a pocket assistant that you can talk to in order to get things done. However, if you can't seem to get Bixby to do what you're asking, then this assistant can be more of a hassle than a help. That's why we've put together this handy list of tips to get Bixby Voice to listen when you give it a command!Ask Bixby to open an appCheck compatible appsBe specificTake the time to teach BixbyUse Quick CommandsAsk Bixby to open an appWhen you're trying to get Bixby Voice to complete a specific task for you, the first thing that you need to do is ask it to open an app. Saying "Hey Bixby, Open my Calendar" will open up your Calendar, but once you have an app opened up, you'll be able to ask it to complete specific tasks without causing confusion for your pocket assistant.Taking the extra moment to ask Bixby to open an app before giving her specific commands me...

Our friends at Thrifter are back again, this time with a great deal on a smart plug you'll want to buy!Right now you can pick up D-Link's Smart Plug for just $19.99 at Amazon, which is a savings of $10 from its regular price. This smart plug works with both Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant, meaning you can use just your voice to control the power to the outlet if you wanted. It can also be controlled from the mydlink app, which is available on both iOS and Android.Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for voice control (devices sold separately)Turn devices on or off from your smartphone or tablet from anywhere. Create on/off schedules for your devicesEasy setup. Designed to work with existing Wi-Fi networks (no additional hub required)Use with other mydlink Home devices and the free mydlink Home app to create a smarter, more secure and more aware home. Works with any smartphone or tablet running Android 4.1 or higher or iOS 7.0 and higherElectrical rating of 120...