Friday, May 31, 2019

Automate and boost your social media with Postible for $29

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

Postible Social Media Marketing Tool

Social media has revolutionized the way we communicate. Whether it's for personal satisfaction or extending your influence professionally, it's undoubtedly a vital component. Nevertheless, finding the time can be a pain.

What you need is a social media manager like Postible to automate your myriad platforms. Set it and forget it is an expression that best describes this useful tool.

A social media marketing tool that automates posting and boosts engagement with followers.

All you have to do is to create and schedule the posts, then kick back and relax. Postible streamlines your screen time, leaving you with more time to focus on other priorities.

Postible assists you on each post, using AI and analytics to increase engagement with your audience. It's also very convenient to host all your social networks in one place instead of having to log in to each account for every post.

Postible at a glance:

  • Post to multiple social media accounts: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and more.
  • Facebook: auto post, schedule post media, links, or text to Facebook.
  • Instagram: auto post, schedule post video, image, stories, and carousel to Instagram.
  • Twitter: auto post, schedule post video, image, text to Twitter.
  • You can automatically image resize to match Instagram's aspect ratios.
  • Import media from cloud drives such as Dropbox and Google Drive.

A lifetime subscription to Postible would usually cost you as much as $400 over the months and years, but if you catch this limited-time offer, you'll only pay $29 in total.

Start freeing up your time for more important things; click that button below to discover how.

This deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.



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Justice Department eyeing antitrust case against Google

An image of Sundar Pichai at Google I/O 2019

Google is said to be the target of a new Justice Department investigation, according to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post.

The antitrust division of the Justice Department has put together the basics needed to form an investigation, say sources familiar with the agency's plans. The move would put the search giant's business practices under the microscope and could spell trouble for its multitude of business units. In addition to its main search business, Google offers a wide range of products and services, including Gmail, Google Maps, Google Assistant, and Android.

Google no stranger to investigations

In 2013, the Federal Trade Commission concluded a similar probe into Google's behavior. At the time, the FTC deemed it the company hadn't broken any laws. Even so, Google voluntarily made some changes to the way it ran select business units to appease investigators. The Justice Department and FTC only recently agreed which of the two agencies, which share antitrust duties, would pursue the new investigation into Google.

Google is a frequent target of the European Commission. In March, the E.U. fined Google $1.7 billion over "abusive" online ad strategies. In July 2018, the E.U. socked Google with a $5.1 billion fine over Android antitrust concerns.

The timing of the new investigation comes after some in the U.S. government have called for large tech firms to be broken up.

In March, Sen. Elizabeth Warren suggested companies such as Google and Facebook be pulled apart. Specifically, she believes mergers and acquisitions have given these companies too much power.

"Current antitrust laws empower federal regulators to break up mergers that reduce competition," she wrote in a post on Medium.

Neither the Justice Department nor Google immediately responded to requests for comment, and the exact nature of the probe is unknown. For example, it's unclear if the Justice Department has yet contacted Google about the potential investigation.

Android Authority will provide more details about the investigation once they are made available to the public.

Editor's Pick

 



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Price drop! 66% off the T7 Blast noise-cancelling headphones

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

T7 Blast Noise-Cancelling Headphones

If you're in the market for noise-cancelling headphones then your timing couldn't be better. For a limited time, the T7 Blast High Fidelity Bluetooth Headphones are on offer. Usually $149, they're currently available for just $49.99. Jackpot.

These headsets are all about power. The punchy 57mm drivers ensure that you get an immersive listening experience, and the EDR-enhanced Bluetooth ensures that they don't lose connection or lag.

With a muscular delivery, you'd expect battery life to suffer. Not so. The T7 Headphones feature a battery life of up to 10 hours on a single charge, and a standby time of up to 150 hours. You can add talk time into the mix as well, as the built-in mic allows you to make calls on the go.

T7 Blast High Fidelity Bluetooth Headphones

To round off the package, cVc 6.0 active noise-cancellation ensures you can block out the world extremely effectively. You're free to enjoy your tunes.

The T7 noise-cancelling headphones at a glance:

  • cVc 6.0 active noise cancellation to block out distractions
  • Extended battery life lasts up to 10 hours on a single charge
  • Elite Bluetooth 4.2 with EDR
  • Built-in microphone
  • Powerful 57mm drivers

As with many of the deals we find, this is a temporary price drop, and the clock is ticking. You only have a matter of days to get these headphones for one-third of the usual price.

Hit the button below to take advantage of this offer.

This deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.



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Deal: Get the Xiaomi Mi Box S with $10 Vudu credit for $49.99 ($10 off)

Deal on the Xiaomi Mi Box S from Walmart.

For a limited time, Walmart is offering the Xiaomi Mi Box S for $49.99 ($10 off). Better yet, the retailer throws in $10 Vudu credit with your purchase.

The successor to 2016's Mi Box, the Mi Box S runs the Android 8.1 Oreo version of Android TV. Google Assistant functionality is baked right in, with a dedicated button at the top of the included remote. The remote also features dedicated buttons for Netflix and live TV.

Editor's Pick

The Mi Box S supports 4K HDR and includes a quad-core CPU with a Mali-450 GPU, 2GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, Bluetooth 4.2, one HDMI 2.0A port, one audio out port, and one USB-A port. Finally, the device is notable for being one of the few Xiaomi products officially sold in the U.S.

You can pick up the Mi Box S at the link below. You have until July 15 to redeem the $10 Vudu credit code, after which you have 30 days to use the credit. You can use the credit for either purchases or rentals, though you must have a Vudu account.



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Huawei and the Trump debacle: The story so far (Updated: May 31)

Huawei P30 camera array

The headlines and details concerning the Trump administration's blacklisting of Huawei have come in fast and furious over the past week. Here's a breakdown of how the story has unfolded.

For a more detailed historical look at how Huawei has reached this point, check out our full summary here.

Wednesday, May 15:

The Trump administration adds Huawei to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Entity List via executive order, thereby blacklisting the company as far as U.S. corporations are concerned.

Sunday, May 19:

Google publicly states it will obey the administration's order: "We are complying with the order and reviewing the implications. For users of our services, Google Play and the security protections from Google Play Protect will continue to function on existing Huawei devices. Huawei will only be able to use the public version of Android and will not be able to get access to proprietary apps and services from Google."

Monday, May 20:

Intel and Qualcomm join Google: Neither company issued a statement, but sources cited by Bloomberg said the companies would comply with the order.

Huawei issues first public response: "Huawei has made substantial contributions to the development and growth of Android around the world. As one of Android's key global partners, we have worked closely with their open-source platform to develop an ecosystem that has benefitted both users and the industry. [We] will continue to provide security updates and after-sales services to all existing Huawei and Honor smartphone and tablet products, covering those that have been sold and that are still in stock globally. We will continue to build a safe and sustainable software ecosystem, in order to provide the best experience for all users globally."

Huawei issues second public response: "Huawei has been building an alternative operating system just in case it is needed," said spokesperson Glenn Schloss to CNN. "We would like to be able to continue operating in the Microsoft and Google ecosystems."

Further reading: Huawei's response to Google ban raises more questions than answers

Chinese government issues statement: "China supports Chinese companies defending their legitimate rights according to laws," said Lu Kang, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to CNN. "In terms of what measures either Chinese companies or Chinese government would take, please wait and see."

Huawei says plan B in the works: The company has an option to move forward without Google, according to several spokespersons. "We have been making a plan for this possible outcome," said Huawei's Jeremy Thompson, executive vice president in the U.K, speaking to the BBC. "We have a parallel program in place to develop an alternative. We would rather work with Android but if it doesn't happen in the future we have an alternative in place which we think will delight our customers."

U.S. signs 90-day reprieve: On May 20, the Trump administration's Commerce Department issued a temporary license that will allow Huawei to maintain its current products (for existing customers). The license expires August 19, which will essentially bring the full weight of the ban to bear.

Huawei P30 Pro and Huawei P30 speaker grills and selfie camera

Tuesday, May 21:

Huawei founder gets testy: Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei has strong words for Trump's ban, according to Global Times. "The company is able to continue providing products and services, and the U.S. sanctions will not hurt our core business. In such a critical moment, I'm grateful to U.S. companies, as they've contributed a lot to Huawei's development and showed their conscientiousness on the matter. As far as I know, U.S. companies have been making efforts to persuade the U.S. government to let them cooperate with Huawei."

Huawei says it is working with Google: "[Google has] zero motivation to block us. We are working closely with Google to find out how Huawei can handle the situation and the impact from the U.S. Department of Commerce decision," said Abraham Liu, a rep for Huawei in the E.U. Liu also likened the Trump administration's behavior to bullying. "This is not just an attack against Huawei. It is an attack on the liberal, rules-based order."

More plan B details emerge: While not sourced from Huawei, additional details concerning Plan B have leaked. Beijing-based Caijing says Huawei has an OS in the works that could replace the Android OS on its phones while still running Android apps.

Wednesday, May 22:

Arm suspends business dealings with Huawei: British chip designer Arm told its employees to halt conducting business with Huawei. "Arm is complying with all of the latest regulations set forth by the U.S. government," said Arm in a statement. Huawei later acknowledged the action. "We value our close relationships with our partners, but recognize the pressure some of them are under, as a result of politically motivated decisions. We are confident this regrettable situation can be resolved and our priority remains to continue to deliver world-class technology and products to our customers around the world."

Thursday, May 23:

TSMC says it can still do business with Huawei: A spokesperson for Taiwan's TSMC reportedly said its shipments to Huawei won't be affected by the current U.S. restrictions. The chip manufacturer is responsible for producing Huawei's Kirin smartphone chipsets, while processors from Apple, MediaTek, and Qualcomm are also churned out by the firm. The company's continued cooperation means Huawei won't need to search for another manufacturer to produce its Kirin processors.

Trump open to dealing with "very dangerous" HuaweiPresident Trump has called Huawei "very dangerous," but said the U.S. is open to including the company as part of a future trade agreement between the U.S. and China.

Trump was quoted as saying: "If we made a deal, I could imagine Huawei being possibly included in some form or some part of it." This could be a good development for Huawei, though Trump also reaffirmed suspicions about the threat Huawei potentially poses to the U.S. "You look at what [Huawei has] done from a security standpoint, a military standpoint. Very dangerous," Trump said.

Friday, May 24:

Huawei barred from SD card organization: As first spotted by SumahoInfo, the SD Association currently has Huawei de-listed on its website. In a statement sent to Android Authority, the SD Association confirmed that it is complying with the U.S. government order and barring Huawei from the association. This will not affect current Huawei smartphones, but could cause major issues for future devices.

Huawei pushed out of Wi-Fi AllianceSimilarly to the barring of Huawei from the SD Association above, the Wi-Fi Alliance also temporarily revoked Huawei's membership to its own organization. The Alliance had this to say in a statement to Android Authority: "Wi-Fi Alliance is fully complying with the recent U.S. Department of Commerce order without revoking Huawei Technologies membership. Wi-Fi Alliance has temporarily restricted Huawei Technologies participation in Wi-Fi Alliance activities covered by the order."

Monday, May 27:

Huawei claims it wouldn't support bans of American companies: Huawei founder Ren Zhengfei told Bloomberg that he would protest a Chinese ban against Apple, calling the Cupertino company his "teacher." In regards to a Chinese ban on American companies, he said, "That will not happen, first of all. And second of all, if that happens, I'll be the first to protest. Apple is my teacher, it's in the lead. As a student, why go against my teacher? Never." So it seems that Apple, at least, is safe.

Tuesday, May 28:

Huawei sues, says the ban is unconstitutional: Huawei filed a legal motion claiming the ban on the company working with other U.S.-based companies violates the U.S. Constitution. In its argument, Huawei says that the ban violates a constitutional law stating that Congress cannot make laws against specific individuals. Huawei feels this ban violates that clause.

TSMC will continue to work with Huawei: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) will continue to make chips for Huawei, the company confirmed. This goes in opposition to other global manufacturers complying with the U.S. ban (TSMC is not obliged to commit to the ban). Although TSMC will continue its relationship with Huawei until at least the end of the year, the other bans might still have a negative effect on TSMC's business.

Huawei's replacement OS will not arrive in JuneA rumor started to spread online that Huawei OS — the replacement for Android on future Huawei smartphones — will land in June 2019. The source of this rumor was actually a Huawei employee. However, Huawei quickly shot down the rumor as just that, stating that any announcements regarding Huawei's Android replacement will come through proper channels.

Wednesday, May 29:

Huawei rejoins three consortiums: Only a few days after getting pushed out of three consortiums, Huawei is now suddenly a member of all of them again. Huawei was relisted as a member in the Wi-Fi Alliance, the SD Association, and JEDEC. This is some much-needed good news for the company, although it's not quite clear what this means for the ban overall.

Science publishing group IEEE boots Huawei employees as reviewers: The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (or IEEE) is in charge of publishing scientific journals. However, due to the Huawei ban, the U.S.-based organization can no longer allow Huawei employees to peer review those journals. This information leaked via an economics professor on Twitter.

Friday, May 31:

China threatens to create its own 'Entity List' to include American firms: According to a spokesman for China's commerce industry, China will create an Entity List of its own. Even though the spokesman didn't call out the U.S. or U.S.-based companies, the implication is that China's Entity List will include U.S.-based companies.

Huawei employees ordered not to attend U.S. meetings: According to the Financial Times, Huawei ordered employees to cancel technical meetings with American contacts. Huawei also reportedly sent back American citizens who worked in research and development roles.

What will happen with Huawei next?

Stay locked to Android Authority to find out.



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Help us figure out what this battery-powered Google device is on the FCC site

A Google logo.

Over at the FCC approval site (via Android Police), there's a mysterious battery-powered Google device. The device has a 3.8V Li-ion battery for power, Bluetooth, dual-band Wi-Fi, and a model number of A4R-H2B.

Our first guess was that this is a battery-powered Home device, possibly a Google Home Mini you can take with you on the go. That theory holds weight due to the model number; all of Google's Home hardware products have the prefix "A4R-H."

However, Google just merged its Home line with Nest, rebranding the Google Home Hub as the Google Nest Hub, for example. That means the previous model numbering scheme might be different now.

Editor's Pick

The battery power also throws us off. Yes, a portable Google Home Mini is certainly possible, but what if its actually an alarm clock, similar to the Lenovo Smart Clock? In that case, the battery could be for a backup if you lose power in your home so you don't have to worry about missing alarms.

There's also the possibility that this isn't a Home-related product at all. What if it's the Google Stadia controller, for example? What if it's a remote for Chromecasts, something many people have wanted for years now?

The confidentiality agreement between the FCC and Google will drop for this product in November, so we'll find out before then what it is. In the meantime, what do you think it might be? Better yet, what do you hope it might be? Let us know your theories in the comments!

NEXT: Google Nest Hub Max is a super-sized smart display with built-in Nest Cam



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Putting Verizon’s nascent 5G network to the test

It may not quite feel like it, but we're at the dawn of a new era: 5G is (finally) here, even if in a limited way. Verizon and its competitors have been working hard to beef up backhaul while installing the first wave of 5G cell sites in select markets around the country.

As tech companies are wont to say, it's early days for 5G. The networks are hardly anywhere, and only a couple of devices can even access and use the networks.

One of those devices is the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. Samsung announced the device back in February, along with the S10e, S10, and S10 Plus. While the other S10 variants have been on sale for several months, Samsung reserved the S10 5G for Verizon's network kick-off in Chicago. (AT&T will sell the S10 5G later this year.)

Required reading: Sprint 5G: Testing Sprint's new network in Dallas

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G Verizon Wireless S10 family

Can the experience live up to the marketing hyperbole? We're here to tell you in our Verizon Wireless 5G hands-on.

Setting the Verizon 5G stage

Before we get caught up in the shock and awe of raw 5G speed, there's some background worth discussing.

Verizon is relying on mmWave spectrum in the 28GHz band for its 5G service. A massive 400MHz channel sits in Verizon's 5G band to allow traffic to move along, and it has another 400MHz in the wings. Today's LTE 4G networks provide only one-quarter of that capacity, and even then only with multiple carrier aggregation tying up smaller channels. AT&T is using the 39GHz band for its high-band mmWave 5G, while Sprint is relying on its 2.5GHz mid-band spectrum, and T-Mobile will initially launch using its 600MHz low-band spectrum later this year. mmWave is a different animal when compared to 2.5GHz or 600MHz, a different animal altogether.

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G Verizon Wireless Node profile

The wavelengths are much smaller and can be redirected or interrupted by just about anything. This makes it more difficult for the phone to talk to the cell site and vice versa. The standards bodies and engineers behind mmWave 5G have drafted incredibly complex algorithms to help phones and cell sites make use of the mishmash of original, bounced, and redirected cell signals.

These algorithms are constantly evolving, according to Mike Haberman, VP of Network Engineering for Verizon, and are what have allowed Verizon to dramatically improve 5G performance in the few weeks since launch. For example, peak download speeds across the network have already doubled thanks to updated algorithms. More importantly, the algorithm updates can be pushed to the devices and cell sites for instant improvements.

Peak download speeds across Verizon's 5G network have already doubled since launch.

In short, this is why our experience testing 5G in Chicago was a bit different from the very first wave of those who tested it on launch day.

Getting geared up

The Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is an insanely gorgeous piece of hardware. We gave it an initial look back in February and can say that the final, shipping form is a luxurious bit of kit. The silver model is particularly glamorous. And that 6.7-inch AMOLED. Wow.

The S10 5G is the first smartphone with integrated 5G sold by Verizon. Owners of the Verizon-branded Motorola Moto Z3 and Z4 can augment their devices with 5G service via the 5G Moto Mod if they so desire. The S10 has 5G built in.

Verizon's 5G service is highly localized in Chicago. The company took us on a walking tour of downtown Chicago and we hit a solid number of 5G nodes in various neighborhoods in the central business district.

Unlike modern cell towers, which stand tall, the 5G nodes are much closer to the ground. They are most often located on lampposts or equivalent poles along the sidewalk.

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G Verizon Wireless UWB closeup

These are the basic 5G ingredients.

Sprinting here and there

Using the Galaxy S10 5G, I reached a maximum peak download speed of 1.256Gbps. This is about the fastest speed reached by the network to-date, according to Verizon. It's hard to describe just how quick that is, and what you can do with it.

The best results required standing within about 30 yards of the 5G node.

To put it into some context, I was able to download 50-minute episodes of Stranger Things in about 12 seconds each. A two-hour movie took just 48 seconds to download. PUBG Mobile, all 1.85GB of it, took just 12 seconds to download from the Galaxy App Store. Twelve. Seconds.

These highlights are phenomenal. But like the exciting clips you see on Sports Center every night, there's a lot of mundane game in between the definitive action shots.

I performed speed tests all over Chicago. The average download speed across my results was 594Mbps, and this more or less concurs with what Verizon is registering on the network.

It's interesting to compare these results to those generated by Sprint's brand new 5G network. Sprint says its highest speed to-date is 1.1Gbps, but I never saw anything in person higher than 690Mbps. Moreover, the average speed on Sprint's network was one-third that of Verizon's at approximately 190Mbps. The big difference between the two is availability.

In Chicago, I had to have line-of-sight with the 5G nodes in order to get any Ultra Wideband service from Verizon at all. When I say line-of-site, I mean standing within about 30 yards of the node and having a clear view of it. Moving around a corner or ducking into a doorway could easily break the 5G connection entirely. Conversely, I never saw a Sprint 5G cell site at all during my time in Dallas. Entering buildings or traveling in buses and cars had no impact on the availability or speed of Sprint's 5G service.

Don't get excited about uploads. There's no such thing as uploading content via 5G just yet. Instead, Verizon's 5G devices fall back to the company's LTE 4G network. This means you can expect average upload speeds of 8Mbps to 15Mbps.

Improving, always

The metrics I saw this week are a snapshot in time. Assessing the first phones on the first networks hardly scratches 5G's potential. If 5G were merely about speed, this would be a boring story indeed.

Samsung Galaxy S10 5G Verizon Wireless Node on lamp

Verizon's Haberman says the company has really only just gotten the ball rolling. Now that the basics are in place, the real innovation can begin. In addition to boosting speeds, Verizon is focusing on densifying its network, reducing latency, and much more. Haberman pointed to use cases such as self-guiding cars.

"Autonomous vehicles are essentially expensive IoT devices right now. Wouldn't it be cool if the decision-making was done in the cloud, or at the cell site instead of on the car itself?" posed Haberman. "And what if neighborhood cameras in the area were accessible to the network? The vehicle could 'see' a real-time feed of other cars approaching the same intersection from multiple angles and decide on its own whether or not to proceed through the intersection." That's one 5G vision.

For now, consumers may have a different vision. I'm envisioning the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, which is a sultry device with or without 5G. You can grab it from Verizon for a cool $1,299 for 256GB or $1,399 for 512GB.



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Hoping for a Moto Z4 Force or other Moto Z phone? Not this year, per Motorola

Motorola Moto Z4 in repose

Some Motorola fans were disappointed by the decidedly mid-range offering that is the Motorola Moto Z4. However, hope was likely held that the company could offer a Motorola Moto Z4 Force or other more high-end Z line device this year.

Unfortunately, that doesn't seem likely. On the official Motorola Twitter, a company rep responded to a question from another Twitter user that pretty much eliminates any chance of another Z line device landing in 2019:

This might come as bad news to some Motorola fans, as a high-end Motorola Moto Z4 Force might have been a cool addition to the flagship landscape this year.

Editor's Pick

However, just because Motorola isn't launching more Z line devices in 2019 doesn't mean there aren't any other surprises in store. The company could launch a new line for the summer or fall, for example. There could also be some new Moto Mods in the pipeline. Who knows?

It would certainly be strange, though, for Motorola to go the entire year without launching a device carrying the Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 chipset.

Granted, the premium flagship market is tough at the moment, with many OEMs duking it out and prices creeping ever-closer to a four-digit baseline. It could be Motorola's plan is to stay out of the flagship space altogether and see how that fares for the company.

What do you think? Are you disappointed no Motorola Moto Z4 Force is on the way? Would you buy a premium flagship from Motorola if it were to be released? Let us know in the comments.

NEXT: Motorola Moto Z4 hands-on: Moto keeps the Moto Mods alive



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5 top deals you might have missed this week

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

5 top deals you might have missed this week

Tech Deals has been blowing up with top deals this week. Some of them are still running as of Friday, so we wanted to make sure you didn't miss out.

Check out this list of offers that you still have a chance to snap up.

1. The Cisco Certification Training Bundle

The Complete Cisco Network Certification Training Bundle

Cisco is by far the biggest name in the growing world of network engineering. This offer lets you train for the certifications that can open up this world of opportunity.

The deal is on a nine-part online learning kit, with each course preparing you for a certification. By the time you're done, you'll need a lot more room on your resume.

The value of this vast training package is over $800. We jumped at the chance to tell you about it because this week it's just $59 for the lot.

To check out our original post follow this link, or hit the button below to check out the deal.

2. The Complete Raspberry Pi 3B+ Starter Kit

Raspberry Pi 3B Plus Starter Kit

It's not all about business at AAPicks. This Raspberry Pi 3B+ Starter Kit contains both the equipment and training to while away many hours of your free time.

The kit contains a Raspberry Pi circuit board and 37 sensor units, so the building and coding possibilities are almost endless. If you don't know where to start, you also get 10 hours of beginner-friendly online instruction.

Unfortunately, the promo code in our original post no longer applies, but the main offer is still running for a few days. You can get $450 of hardware and training for just $139.99.

Hit the button below to check out the deal.

3. True Wireless Bone Conduction Earphones

True Wireless bone Conduction Earphones Top Deals

The future of hearing is changing. The true wireless Bone Conduction Earphones we featured in a post on Wednesday let you listen to your music without sticking anything in your ears.

The technology is beautifully simple, and the benefits are obvious. For example, by hearing the world and your music at the same time, it means you can safely hear traffic while enjoying your tunes on your bike ride.

There's 20 percent off the Bone Conduction Earphones right now, so you pick up a pair for just $39.99. The offer runs until Tuesday.

Hit the button below to check it out.

4. The Excel Certification Training Bundle

Microsoft Office Excel Laptop Meeting

There aren't many white-collar professions which don't use Microsoft Excel. To train as a power user in this popular software you need only pay $34.

With six-different learning kits packed into this comprehensive bundle, Excel users of any level can benefit. With lifetime access to the materials, you'll have time to learn at your own pace and gain the skills to impress employers.

We spotlighted this deal on Tuesday after noticing a 96 percent price drop, and it's been extended for a few days more.

Tap the button below to find out more.

5. Retro Gaming Console with 600 Classic Games

Retro Gaming Console Top Deals

We're ending our top deals roundup on a misty-eyed note. This retro gaming console takes you on a nostalgia trip with some classic-style eight-bit games.

The small portable console comes pre-loaded with 600 games, so there's no shortage of fun to be had. There are two controllers too, so you can challenge your friends to some multiplayer action.

As we explained in our post from the weekend, there's $250 off the list price right now. You can pick one up for only $49.99. You can check it out for yourself via the button below.

These deals not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.



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Xiaomi and Redmi are looking to dominate in 2019

Redmi 7 in hand (2)

In an interview with Sina Tech published earlier today, Redmi general Lu Weibing wasn't shy about how Xiaomi and Redmi plan to aggressively expand its operations in 2019.

According to Weibing, Redmi plans to increase its investment in Europe and India. Currently, the top four smartphone manufacturers in Europe are Samsung, Apple, Huawei, and Xiaomi. In India, the top four smartphone companies are Xiaomi, Samsung, Vivo, and Oppo.

Interestingly, Weibing claimed that Xiaomi could obtain 50 percent of the smartphone market in India. That would be a considerable leap from the 29-percent market share that Xiaomi currently holds in India, but not completely impossible. In March, Xiaomi reported that it sold 200,000 Redmi Note 7 units in a matter of minutes.

Editor's Pick

Weibing also said that Redmi will focus on Latin American and African markets throughout the year, with plans to enter east, west, and central African markets this year. As it does in other areas, Redmi will be online-only in African markets and use a similar e-commerce strategy. That means plenty of flash sales for Africa residents.

Unfortunately, Weibing doesn't mention any expansion into the United States. Xiaomi has talked about entering the U.S. market, but the country's ongoing trade war with China and issues with Huawei might have the company thinking twice about such a move.

Android Authority reached out to Xiaomi for comment on Weibing's interview, but didn't receive a response by press time.

NEXT: Xiaomi teases Mi 9 variant with pop-up selfie camera



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Expect a fond farewell from iTunes at WWDC

The Apple iTunes page on Apple's website.

iTunes, an 18-year-old desktop application, will likely be retired at WWDC.

Apple

According to Bloomberg, iTunes will be retired at WWDC 2019. The consolidated application will be broken up into three Mac apps: Music, TV, and Podcasts. While this is new for desktop owners, its something iPhone and iPad users acclimated to with the 2015 release of Apple Music.

Editor's Pick

The delegation of tasks to three new applications may seem a cumbersome step forward, but it will likely resolve the main complaint of iTunes users: bloated software. Hopefully the new division of labor will yield quick and efficient runtimes from each application. We anticipate that Music will manage iOS devices in lieu of iTunes and anticipate an official statement from WWDC.

Apple's pivotal media app was first announced by Steve Jobs in 2011 as a jukebox application with a simple user interface. It ushered in the era of digital and mobile media by making it accessible to all consumers, regardless of technical experience. If not for iTunes, the smorgasbord of streaming services at our disposal may not exist, or at least not how we recognize them.

WWDC 2019 begins Monday at 10 a.m. PST, and Android Authority will keep you informed regarding the event.



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Plex for Android gets picture-in-picture mode, see how it works here

The newest update to the Plex Android app is rolling out now (version 7.16.1.10610) via the Google Play Store. It brings with it a few new features previously included in beta versions of the app, most notably picture-in-picture mode.

Editor's Pick

With PiP, you can just tap (or swipe) the home button on your smartphone while viewing a video in your Plex library. The Plex player will minimize and show your home screen, with the video still playing in the lower right corner. You can tap the video twice to go back to a full-screen experience.

Check out how it works in the GIF below as seen on a OnePlus 7 Pro:

This new multitasking feature will likely be a welcome addition to the Plex experience for power users.

Elsewhere, the new Plex update brings the following updates:

  • Updated UI –The video player now looks and functions much like the music player.
  • Better Seeking –You can scrub a video with little preview images, much like you do on YouTube. Your Plex Media Server needs to have this enabled, though.
  • New Viewing Modes — You can change the display mode to fill, stretch, and show the video at original size (under Playback Settings > Display Mode). You can also watch videos with your phone in portrait or landscape-lock can be used to keep landscape only mode (under Playback Settings > Lock to Landscape).
  • Chapters — Jump ahead or skip back to your favorite chapter without digging around for the right spot.
  • Preload Next Videos — When the countdown takes place on the post-play screen, the next video in your play-queue begins to buffer for an instant start.

The rollout of the new Plex version is staggered, so you might not see it yet. Rest assured, it's on the way!

NEXT: I ditched Google Play Music for my own Plex server: The good and the bad



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This week in Apple: The top news from Android’s main competitor

A render based on rumors of what the iPhone 11 could look like.

Rumor-based renders of the iPhone 11 (or iPhone XI, maybe).

MacRumors

Welcome to a new series on Android Authority which gives a rundown of the latest news related to Android's primary competitor, Apple. This is an easy way for Android fans to stay up-to-date on what's happening in mobile outside the Android world.

This week in Apple news there's the possibility of it retiring one of its most iconic products. We also saw the company embroiled in a new privacy lawsuit as well as having to deal with Google's insinuation that Apple dishes privacy as "a luxury good." We also heard some interesting rumors surrounding the 2019 iPhones, the 2020 iPhones, and what could get announced at WWDC 2019 (which starts on Monday). Oh yeah, and there's a new iPod Touch. For real.

See the roundup below for all the latest!


The top Apple news stories of the past week:

  • Surprise! New iPod Touch is for sale: Apple dropped a surprising upgrade to the iPod Touch. It now comes with an A10 fusion chip and a new 256GB storage option. An entry-level Touch will set you back $200, while a maxed-out model will cost $400. And yes, it still has a headphone jack.
  • No more iTunes?: According to a new rumor, Apple could do away with iTunes in the next version of macOS, expected to debut on Monday. We previously heard the company was going to break up iTunes into other apps, but now it seems that break up could mean the end of the iTunes branding.
  • 2019 iPhones could finally get dual-Bluetooth support: We Android users have enjoyed this for quite a while now, but it looks likely that iOS users could finally have the ability to use two Bluetooth devices at the same time on one iPhone. This would enable two people to connect to one phone and listen to music simultaneously.
  • 2019 iPhones might not have 3D Touch: There's a rumor that the pressure-sensitive touch feature on iPhones — sold as 3D Touch — could be going away. Instead, Haptic Touch could take its place in the upcoming crop of 2019 iPhones. This feature already exists on the iPhone XR.
  • System-wide dark mode could come with iOS 13: We expect Apple to drop iOS 13 at WWDC on Monday. Although nothing is known for certain yet, it's looking very likely that Apple will introduce a system-wide dark mode for iOS at that event. Looks like Apple will beat Android to the punch on that one.
  • 2020 iPhones could have in-display fingerprint sensor under entire screen: According to analysts speaking with the Apple supply chain, the 2020 iPhones will have "acoustic fingerprint technology" which will allow for full-screen Touch ID. Android's already beaten Apple to the punch with in-display sensors, but if Apple could make it work on the entire screen, that would be pretty cool.
  • Apple is having privacy problems: A new lawsuit filed against Apple alleges that the company is tracking and selling iTunes data, despite Tim Cook's claims to the contrary. And in related news, Google's CEO Sundar Pichai threw some shade at Apple for making privacy into a "luxury good." Apple's software engineering chief Craig Federighi disputed that assumption.
  • Apple starts new webpage to counter monopoly claims: With numerous complaints from developers as well as a lawsuit (which received the Supreme Court's blessing) that call out the Apple App Store as a monopoly, the company has responded by making a new website explaining how it isn't that. It points to apps for sale that compete against its own apps as an example.

Thinking about making the switch?

If you are currently an Apple user thinking about making the switch to Android, we have multiple articles and guides that can help you with that process. Despite how it might seem, moving from iOS to Android is easier than ever, and many of the services and systems on iOS have similar or even the same counterparts on Android.

Editor's Pick

The best place to start would be our guide on how to switch from iPhone to Android, which goes over all the basics. We also have more specific guides, such as how to transfer your calendar from iPhone to Android. We also have app guides that will give you the best alternatives to iOS staples, such as our list of best alternatives to FaceTime on Android.

If you're looking for a great Android device to replace your iPhone, consult our list of the best Android smartphones available now.



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Alleged Galaxy M40 specs show new triple camera but smaller battery

Yesterday, we heard the official word from a Samsung executive that the Samsung Galaxy M40 specs would include a major camera upgrade as compared to the Samsung Galaxy M30. Today, via SamMobile, we're learning a bit more about the alleged specs of the next Galaxy M product.

According to information obtained by SamMobile, the Galaxy M40 will come with a triple-lens camera with a previously-confirmed 32MP primary sensor. In addition, there will be a 5MP depth and 8MP ultra-wide sensor on the rear. On the front, we already know for certain there will be a 16MP selfie shooter.

Elsewhere in the Samsung Galaxy M40 specs, we'll find a 6.3-inch FHD+ 2,340 × 1,080 resolution Infinity-O display. Infinity-O is the punch-hole display found on the Samsung Galaxy S10 series. This is a bit of a step up over the Galaxy M30 (depending on how you feel about notches), which features the Infinity-U display, also called a waterdrop notch.

Editor's Pick

The Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor will be on board, paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal storage.

Unfortunately, the battery life on the M40 will be a downgrade as compared to the M30. The Galaxy M30 came with a hefty 5,000mAh battery, whereas the Samsung Galaxy M40 specs show a 3,500mAh battery. While that's not a small battery when compared to other mid-range/budget devices, it's certainly a stark difference from the M30.

And, finally, the Galaxy M40 will ship with Android 9 Pie out of the box, the first device in the M series to do so (the other three devices all have Pie upgrades, though).

The Samsung exec previously mentioned confirmed the Galaxy M40 will be "around 20,000 rupees," or about $287. A more specific price is not yet known.

What do you think about the Samsung Galaxy M40 specs? Let us know in the comments!

NEXT: Samsung Galaxy M series vs. the competition



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China threatens to create its own ‘Entity List’ to include American firms

According to Global Times, a Chinese news site, the country is planning to release an "Entity List" in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's own list which caused Chinese company Huawei to spiral into a nosedive.

Gao Feng, a spokesman of China's commerce ministry, had this to say on the matter (via TechCrunch):

Foreign enterprises, organizations, or individuals that do not comply with market rules, deviate from a contract's spirit, or impose blockades or stop supplies to Chinese enterprises for non-commercial purposes, and seriously damage the legitimate rights and interests of Chinese enterprises, will be included on a list of 'unreliable entities.'

While the spokesman doesn't specifically call out the United States or any U.S.-based companies, it's extremely likely that U.S.-based firms would be on this list, should it come to fruition.

China declined to elaborate on what limitations it would place onto firms that appear on this list.

Editor's Pick

This contradicts an earlier assertion from Huawei's founder that China should not respond to the U.S. Entity List with a similar program. In fact, he specifically named United States company Apple as being his "teacher," and that he would oppose any bans China might institute against it.

However, Huawei and China are not the same things. It's possible China could institute an Entity List to offer further proof that the country's government acts independently of Huawei since it is assumed by many Western governments that Huawei and China are practically one and the same. It is extremely likely that a second Entity List would hurt Huawei even more.

Trump's Entity List caused Huawei to lose contracts with major firms, including Google, Arm, Qualcomm, Microsoft, and more. It also temporarily lost its membership to several high-profile coalitions, including the Wi-Fi Alliance. However, many of those memberships were reinstated days later.

NEXT: Huawei and the Trump debacle: The story so far



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Deal: Name your price for professional graphic design training

The AAPicks team writes about things we think you'll like, and we may see a share of revenue from any purchases made through affiliate links.

Graphic Design Man Typing Computer

Graphic design seems like an ideal profession. It's creative, there are opportunities for advancement, and the most skilled pros earn high salaries for their expertise. If there is a downside to becoming a graphic designer, however, it's the cost of the training.

For a professional education, students can expect to pay thousands. And, once finished, they still aren't guaranteed a job. However, that's precisely what makes the Pay What You Want: Complete Learn to Design Bundle such an interesting prospect.

The Complete Learn to Design Bundle gives students the opportunity to learn pro-level graphic design skills but at a price that's easy to afford, which means there's virtually no risk. You spend very little and train on your own schedule so you can give a career your best shot.

You'll learn popular software packages including Photoshop and InDesign.

This package includes lifetime access to ten online training courses that'll show you the same graphic design techniques that the professionals use. You'll learn popular software packages including Photoshop and InDesign, how to develop a logo, and much more.

Here's how it works: Simply check out the current average price for the bundle, which is just over $7 at the time of writing. If you choose to pay a higher amount, then you'll get the entire bundle for that value.

If the average price is a little too high, just enter a lower figure and you'll still get the first course, of $99 value, for that number.

This is your chance to score over $1,450 worth of pro graphic design training for just pennies on the dollar. But don't wait too long to purchase — the average price is likely to trend upwards as time goes on. Hit the button below to check it out.

This deal not quite right for you? To see all our hottest deals, head over to the AAPICKS HUB.



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Google pushing out Play Store redesign with easily accessible navigation bar

Google Play Store app Pixel 2 XL AA 3

One of the most annoying things about today's smartphones is that the screens are simply too big for many people. This makes it difficult to reach UI elements if you don't have massive hands. Thankfully, Google is making things a little easier with its latest Play Store redesign.

Reddit user b_boogey_xl spotted the tweaked Play Store UI, showing a navigation bar at the bottom of the screen. This makes it easier for users to quickly access the games, apps, movies/TV, and books section. Check out the screenshot below.

New Play Store?

We're glad to see Google adopt a bottom navigation bar in its app, and hopefully we see more Google apps offer this option. But the Mountain View firm isn't the only company making UI changes with larger screens in mind.

Editor's Pick

Samsung's One UI Android skin is specifically designed for one-handed use, bringing a navigation bar to the bottom of its phone screens as well. We've also seen the likes of Huawei, Xiaomi, and Samsung implement a one-handed mode, which effectively reduces the screen size in order to bring things within reach. But another approach, like the aforementioned bottom navbars and buttons, would certainly be welcome on these devices.

Hopefully we see more Android OEMs improve one-handed operation, because it would definitely make life a lot easier for those who don't have gigantic mitts.

NEXT: BBC runs out of mobile data shortly before 5G broadcast



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11 things you need to know in tech today

Here's your daily tech digest, by way of the DGiT Daily newsletter, for Friday, May 31, 2019! Get your house in order, it's the last day of the month!

Sign up right here to get the full email with much more into your inbox.

1. Moto Z4: Zzzzz, or a Pixel 3a killer?

Motorola Moto Z4 front panel

The Moto Z4 launched yesterday as a bit of a surprise. Motorola hadn't even made the Z4 official before yesterday, although that one person did manage to buy one from Amazon before the announcement, so it wasn't a complete shock.

Z4 specs and need-to-knows:

  • The Moto Z4 is a mid-range fighter, not a flagship spec beast, but it's still handy.
  • The Z4 packs a Snapdragon 675 SoC, 6.4-inch OLED screen, and supports the Moto Mods line, including that $200 5G mod.
  • The choice of a Snapdragon 675 is a firm message that Motorola is playing in the mid-range game – it's an interesting choice to downgrade from the Snapdragon 800 series.
  • At least the SD675 offers strong battery life and performance isn't a big step down.
  • Otherwise, the Z4 sees some nice upgrades over the Z3: bigger battery, more internal storage, a larger screen-to-body ratio, and the addition of an in-display fingerprint sensor.
  • The 3.5mm headphone jack is back in the Z-line, too, while Android Pie ships in the box.
  • The rear camera is back to a single-lens, reducing different types of camera options, but it's a 48MP imaging sensor now, so image quality is hopefully improved.

Thoughts:

  • For many of us in the Android space, the Z4 doesn't seem too exciting – the specs and price are easily beaten by many players including OnePlus, Asus, and Redmi, and it isn't trying anything new.
  • But Motorola has the big advantage of a North American release, with contract availability as well, which is the big market.
  • So it's a bit of safe bet for Motorola – probably too safe to make a big impact.
  • But there's a Verizon deal that makes it stand out when it would otherwise have been shunned.

Price and availability:

  • It's available in the U.S. and Canada.
  • It's a fantastic deal on Verizon: $240 ($10 per month for 24 months) with new activations, and there are some trade-in deals as well.
  • For everyone else, the unlocked phone is $499. Which is a huge RRP that seems unlikely to stay in place over the coming months.
  • But if you're buying this outright for $499 over the Pixel 3a ($399) or 3a XL ($499), we need to talk.

2. Uh-oh: Galaxy Note 10 might not have headphone jack, physical keys (Android Authority).


3. HMD Global sends out invites for June 6 event, Nokia 5.2 and 6.2 inbound? (AA).


4. Pocophone F1 redux: Still the best value for money? (AA).


5. Amazon interested in buying prepaid cell carrier Boost from T-Mobile, Sprint (Reuters). This tweet from @trengriffin explains it's all about the spectrum at wholesale prices.


6. Apple WWDC 2019: Mac Pro, iOS 13, Marzipan, and what else to expect (The Verge).


7. PC players get thrown a bone: Microsoft is bringing its Xbox Game Pass to Windows 10, meaning the battle to be the Netflix for games has properly started (Engadget).


8. Open Insulin: biohackers trying to create a "microbrewery" for insulin as an answer to price-gouging (Boing Boing).


9. Now that Uber and Lyft are public, their inevitable financial collapse is much clearer (Naked Capitalism).


10. Also in capitalism: How Qualcomm shook down the cell phone industry for almost 20 years (Ars Technica).


11. What's your go-to snack for a long road trip? (Jalopnik). My cousin used to eat a whole loaf of bread, but that always seemed so unexciting. "I don't eat in the car like a savage," is also an option for you very fussy.


12. Is secondhand vape bad for you? (Gizmodo)


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