Whether you’re simply looking for super-fast speeds or you’d like to share your data with other devices, connecting via an Ethernet cable can help.

Can I connect an ethernet cable to my phone?

Yes, but the question is, how can you do it?

Here, you’ll discover some of the best and easiest ways to connect Android devices to an ethernet connection.

Make sure you’ve got the right equipment

To connect your Android device to an ethernet connection, there are a few things you’re going to need.

It’s also worth noting that, as it stands, MAC users are unable to tether Android with USB, so the instructions here are purely for Windows users.

First and foremost, you will need an OTG to ethernet adapter. This is designed to plug into Android devices through their micro USB port.

It is important to state that not all OTG ethernet adapters are compatible with every best Android tablet.

So, you’re going to need to make sure to find one that’s compatible with your specific phone or tablet.

You can pick up quality ethernet cables and components from companies such as RS.

How to connect ethernet to mobile

Before connecting your device to the ethernet connection, you’ll need to turn your Wi-Fi off on the device.

If you’ve bought a compatible adapter, all you need to do is plug that into your Android device, then plug your ethernet cable into the Android ethernet adapter.

This should automatically work. If it doesn’t, try setting the phone into Airplane mode. Some devices require this depending on their ROM.

It really is as simple as that! Connecting a LAN cable to your mobile isn’t that hard at all. However, it’s worth keeping in mind that the ethernet cable you’ll need is ethernet to USB.

So, check to see that the ethernet cable you’re using does have a USB connection. If not, you’ll need to buy one.

Connecting ethernet on an Android phone is surprisingly easy

Once you’ve connected it, run a speed test to be sure you’re getting the best connection.

As you can see, connecting your Android phone or tablet to an ethernet connection is simple.

Provided you have the right equipment, it can be done in seconds, and you’ll soon be ready to download, share your data or upload files to your device.

Remember that it’s only possible to connect Android devices using Marshmallow or a later operating system.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations: 

• Cloudflare’s privacy-focused DNS service, 1.1.1.1., is coming to Android and iOS
• Google’s Android Dev Summit featured changes to app updates and support for foldable screens
• Google confirms (sort of) that Android’s dark mode saves battery life

The post How to connect your Android mobile device to Ethernet appeared first on KnowTechie.

While there aren’t many major Samsung Galaxy S21 changes compared to the S20, a few key updates make the S21 a more affordable option.

Like the iPhone 12, this iteration of Samsung’s flagship smartphone doesn’t come with a charger. This is an effort to reduce electronic waste and help keep the phone’s price down.

Samsung has been known for years for its high quality and sleek design. The Galaxy S21 line is no different.

This may lead some potential buyers to wonder what other things might be left out. The Galaxy S20 line from Samsung released in 2020 was the first Galaxy phone to launch without a headphone jack.

This came several years after Apple began producing iPhones without the 3.5mm headphone port. But what about the Galaxy S21?

Does the Galaxy S21 have a headphone jack?

Short answer: No

Samsung has decided to leave the headphone jack off the Galaxy S21. All Galaxy S21s, including the S21 Plus and S21 Ultra, don’t have a headphone jack.

So what does this mean for Samsung smartphone users? While there is no headphone jack on the Galaxy S21, you still have other options.

Firstly, there are a plethora of Bluetooth headphone options available. The Galaxy S21 supports any Bluetooth headphones.

Another option is using a USB-C to 3.5mm adapter to connect wired headphones to the Galaxy S21.

Where is the headphone jack on the Samsung Galaxy S21

Sadly, the Galaxy’s S21 headphone jack is gone, but with all the wireless options available, it seems logical to start phasing them out.

Phones are thinner and ergonomic. Plus, not having a phone jack also cuts down a little on prices, which is good for everybody.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Is the Samsung Galaxy S21 waterproof?
• How to take a screenshot on the Samsung Galaxy S21
• Does the Samsung Galaxy S21 have an SD slot?
• Can the Samsung Galaxy S21 be charged wirelessly?

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Does the Galaxy S21 have a headphone jack? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Unihertz is arguably the weirdest phone company in existence. It knows that, of course.

Since its inception in 2016, the company has won fans and headlines through its highly-niche devices, like the Unihertz TickTock 5G.

Today’s specimen is no exception. KnowTechie got its hands on the company’s latest miniature phone, the Unihertz Jelly 2E. We covered its predecessor a few years ago.

Unihertz Jelly 2E

Quick Verdict

The Unihertz Jelly 2E is a tiny, credit card-sized phone. Practical, yet impractical. As a digital detox phone or a backup device — it’s hard to fault the Unihertz Jelly 2E. But if your ambitions are grander, this phone is not for you. It’s clever but limited.

While the Unihertz Jelly 2E doesn’t break much new ground compared to previous models, it remains an eye-catching and weirdly practical device, but one that’s totally and unrepentantly bonkers.

But what was it like to use this phone on a daily basis? Is it worth using? Better yet, is it worth buying? That’s the question we’re going to tackle today.

When you shrink the dimensions of a phone, you inevitably limit its capabilities. Batteries, cooling systems, and multi-sensor camera arrays take up space. A lot of space.

Like the previous model, the Unihertz Jelly 2E is a living testament to that point.

If you’re spoiled by the amenities of the modern (or rather, conventional) smartphone industry, this device will leave you wanting.

But that doesn’t mean that it’s underpowered. Even with the performance trade-offs that its credit card-sized frame requires, the Unihertz Jelly 2E is more than capable of day-to-day tasks.

That said, it does suffer from a fair degree of sluggishness.

Many of the headline specs on the Jelly 2E are actually a downgrade from its predecessor. The MediaTek A20 is vastly less powerful than the Helio P60 in the previous model.

It comes with 2GB less RAM than the previous model, and storage is half that on the older Unihertz Jelly 2.

Indeed, most aspects of the device remain unchanged from the previous Jelly 2 device. The form factor is unchanged. The battery size is the same. And it looks and feels identical to the previous model.

But looking and feeling nearly identical isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unihertz also preserved the weirdly useful elements that elevated the original Jelly 2 phone beyond gimmickry.

The IR blaster remains. This is a lovely little addition since it lets you use the phone as an ad-hoc TV remote control. It’s something we’d love to see across more devices.

READ MORE: Review: Infinix Zero Ultra

Given that you’ll likely want to spend as little time as possible using this phone’s diminutive 3.3-inch screen, the physical headphone jack is also welcome.

In practice, it means you can listen to your tracks without fiddling with the Bluetooth settings and switch songs by using the built-in remote control on your headphones.

The first Android device I owned mirrored the Unihertz Jelly 2E in many respects. It was the Sony Xperia X10 Mini. And I hated, hated, hated it.

Like the Unihertz Jelly 2E, it touted a tiny screen that measured 2.55 inches across. But, from a usability perspective, it was a nightmare.

It forced you to type using a T9 keyboard, like the ones found on an old-school phone, which was tedious beyond words. It was slow and clunky.

On a really basic level, the Sony Xperia X10 Mini was a nightmare to use.

I can’t say the same thing about the Unihertz Jelly 2E. If you set your expectations low enough, it’s something you can learn to live with — and perhaps even love.

Although small, it’s big enough to show a normal QWERTY keyboard. You won’t type with the same cadence as on a conventional phone, but it’s good enough for the occasional text.

Some usability flaws are unavoidable. Good luck trying to read long emails and documents on the Jelly 2E. You can’t. At least, not without also feeling really uncomfortable.

But Unihertz softens the blow with a few nice touches. One is the inclusion of a physical hotkey that can trigger pre-defined apps or behaviors.

Unihertz doesn’t take a particularly hands-on role in customizing the pre-installed Android 12 OS. But the changes it does make are sensible, proportionate, and beneficial.

Unihertz explicitly markets the Jelly 2E as a companion phone.

Something you’d use when trying to wean yourself from your existing phone, but you can’t (or won’t) make the full jump to old-school feature phones, like one of Nokia’s reborn classics.

Or, as a device that you won’t really mind losing. Something slightly above a burner phone. A smartphone for festivals or camping, where you don’t want to risk your everyday carry device.

With that in mind, focusing too much on the phone’s lethargic specs is unfair.

And so, I’ll mention them in passing. The original Unihertz Jelly 2 impressed us with its ability to handle day-to-day tasks with aplomb, despite its small frame.

The Jelly 2E, on the other hand, struggles. Applications take noticeably longer to load. It can’t multitask as well as its predecessor. You can do stuff, sure. But it’s not a fun or fluid experience.

To illustrate that point, the phone took almost eight seconds to bring up the Wi-Fi password prompt during setup.

Unlike the original Jelly 2, I didn’t bother trying to run any intensive games because what would be the point?

The camera similarly fails to impress, with pictures looking flat and stagnant.

On most devices, that would be a deal-breaker. But, as I mentioned, the Unihertz Jelly 2E isn’t “most devices.” Realistically, you won’t be capturing life’s finest moments with this phone.

It won’t be the tool that earns you the photography world’s most prestigious awards.

So, to recap: The Unihertz Jelly 2E is a tiny, credit card-sized phone. It’s clever but limited. Practical, yet impractical.

Specs-wise, this model represents a major downgrade from the previous version. But it also comes cheaper than the original Unihertz Jelly 2.

Still, for most people, I’d recommend considering the pricier option. It’s just so much less frustrating.

For its stated purpose — as a digital detox phone or a backup device — it’s hard to fault the Unihertz Jelly 2E. But if your ambitions are grander, this phone is not for you.

Despite its niche status, there is no shortage of alternatives to the Unihertz 2E. The most obvious is the Unihertz Jelly 2.

This device has the same form and aesthetic as the newer Unihertz Jelly 2E, but touts stronger internals, more RAM, better storage, and a faster processor.

The Unihertz Jelly 2 costs $199.99 – $40 more than the Unihertz Jelly 2E.

Previewㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ	Product	Price
	Unihertz Jelly 2The Next Best Thing Touts stronger internals It offers more RAM and storage Better storage and a faster processor Price: $199.99 ($40 more than the Unihertz Jelly 2E)	Learn More
	AGM H5 ProThe Rugged Pick It’s rugged and shockingly heavy Tacitly promoted as a backup device rather than something for day-to-day Excellent battery life Price: $319	Learn More
	Nokia 8210The Nostalgic Pick Vastly cheaper than the Unihertz Jelly 2E 2.8” QVGA color display 128MB, and there’s even room for a MicroSD card Price: $78	Learn More

I’d also consider the AGM H5 Pro. It’s a conventional (albeit rugged and shockingly heavy) phone with plenty of quirks.

Its most charming feature is a massive loudspeaker that pokes out of the rear like a pimple. Like the Unihertz Jelly 2E, this device is tacitly promoted as a backup device rather than for day-to-day usage.

Finally, if you’re looking for a digital detox device, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Nokia’s many reborn classics, like the 3310 and the 8210.

These are vastly cheaper than the Unihertz Jelly 2E, although their global availability remains somewhat of a mixed bag.

At the time of writing, the Unihertz Jelly 2E is yet to appear on Amazon. You can buy the device directly from Unihertz, which will save you $160.

As for availability, units start shipping in December. After that point, the phone’s price will rise to $170.

Review

Unihertz Jelly 2E

While the Unihertz Jelly 2E doesn’t break much new ground compared to previous models, it remains an eye-catching and weirdly practical device, but one that’s totally and unrepentantly bonkers.

See at Unihertz

See at AliExpress

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Eight Sleep Pod 3 Mattress – deep sleep at any cost
• Review: HHOGene GPods light earbuds
• Review: INNOCN 27 4K mini LED monitor
• Review: Das Keyboard 6 Professional mechanical keyboard

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Review: Unihertz Jelly 2E appeared first on KnowTechie.

I’ve spent the past decade writing about phones. Looking back through my work, you’ll notice a growing dissatisfaction.

Time made me cynical. Jaded even. Try as I might, I couldn’t bring myself to be excited about anything. Fortunately, the subject of this review bucks that trend.

Today, we’re looking at the Infinix Zero Ultra. Infinix isn’t a household name in the US, but this device is novel enough to pique my interest.

Infinix Zero Ultra

Learn More

Quick Verdict

The Infinix Zero Ultra is a great phone. Sure, the camera quality isn’t the best and doesn’t deliver flagship performance. On the other hand, the screen is outstanding. Its 180W fast charging is nothing short of a game-changer. It’s beautiful. It feels incredible to the touch.

Of course, I’d be negligent in my duty if I only cared about nostalgia or fast charging speeds. The whole package matters.

And while I’ll deliver my reasoning in a second, I’m fairly content with how the Infinix Zero Ultra performed. This is a great phone—one worthy of your consideration.

Price-wise, it sits in the middle of the Android market. You won’t find the Infinix Zero Ultra in the bargain basement, but it’s still reasonably affordable.

When factoring in exchange rates, it costs about $500, give or take.

When it comes to specs, Infinix delivers a mixed bag of goods.

The model reviewed by KnowTechie came with a generous 13GB RAM and 256GB storage, although including a MediaTek Dimensity 920 felt a little strange.

We regularly see high-end Qualcomm and MediaTek silicon on devices within this price range and would have liked to see something similar here.

Chipset

To be fair, the MediaTek Dimensity 920 is no slouch. Sure, it’s not the fastest chipset in the world, but it’s nonetheless capable.

It’ll handle everything you throw at it, from games to social media doomscrolling. It doesn’t frustrate, but it doesn’t deliver the delightful snappiness of more powerful platforms.

Perhaps I’m just spoiled. Or maybe the line between flagship and mid-ranger is so blurred our expectations are a little out of alignment.

As mentioned earlier, the Infinix Zero Ultra packs 180W fast charging. This is the fastest charging speed on the market.

Having used this device for the past couple of weeks, it’s hard to imagine going back to the iPhone 12’s 12W charge speeds.

Fast charging is no joke

You can fully recharge your phone from empty in the time it takes to shower. You can reach the halfway point in under four minutes. This effectively eliminates the entire notion of battery anxiety.

You can meaningfully replenish your phone if you have a few minutes and a wall outlet. I know, I write for a living, but it’s hard to articulate how awesome that actually is.

The Zero Ultra technically has two batteries

Infinix achieved this by re-using a trick used by other smartphone vendors. The Zero Ultra technically has two batteries that charge in tandem at a speed of 90W each.

This approach is used on various devices, from the OnePlus 8T to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip. There’s a downside to this, however.

When you use two distinct batteries, you end up with a lower overall capacity.

Space that would otherwise be occupied by anodes and cathodes houses battery packaging and duplicate power management circuitry.

And that’s arguably why the Infinix Zero Ultra has a 4,500mAh battery. Sure, that’s about the standard. But it’s also a little smaller than you expect when considering the phone touts a 6.8-inch display.

Battery life is average

The Infinix Zero Ultra lasts a full day but with little power in reserve. Fortunately, this isn’t much of an issue.

As the battery starts to wane, you just need to plug the phone in with the charger included, and you’re set for the rest of the day.

I’ll be honest, the Infinix Zero Ultra is a gorgeous piece of engineering. It’s a beautiful phone. More beautiful than you’d reasonably expect, given the price range.

Display

The 6.8-inch display delivers exceptional levels of brightness and color fidelity. It uses an AMOLED panel (1080×2500) with a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.

The screen itself is curved. This is one of those smartphone industrial design choices I’m not wildly enthusiastic about.

Sure, they look great, but only when they’re unshackled from a protective case.

Curved screen

Additionally, curved screens are often harder to replace than flat-pannel equivalents, with replacements costing more. Put simply: They look good but have undeniable trade-offs.

A metal bracket holds the near-borderless display in place, which leads to the rear chassis.

Like the Samsung Galaxy FE20, Infinix opted for a plastic back. But this doesn’t feel cheap. It touts an unusual and texturally-spectacular pattern that gives this phone an undeniable premium aesthetic.

Camera

The cameras are some of the widest I’ve encountered, looking more akin to a Sylvanian Family dinnerplate than anything else.

They’re bulbous, too, protruding awkwardly from the phone’s rear chassis.

Sensors

The aforementioned 200MP primary shooter uses a Sony ISOCELL HP1 sensor, which sits above a secondary 13MP ultrawide lens. To the right, you’ll spot a more conventional-looking 2MP macro sensor.

Sure, 200MP sounds like a lot. But like most other high-density megapixel cameras, the Infinix Zero Ultra uses pixel binning. This is where smaller pixels are grouped into one larger virtual pixel.

There’s a good reason for that. Smaller pixels, by definition, absorb less light than larger pixels. This becomes an issue when taking nighttime shots.

Picture quality

The Infinix Zero Ultra didn’t underwhelm in terms of image quality, but it didn’t impress, either.

Pictures were of acceptable social media quality but couldn’t hold a candle to a premium flagship phone or a proper DSLR.

The Infinix Zero Ultra is a great phone. Sure, the camera quality isn’t the best and doesn’t deliver flagship performance.

And if you’re wondering, yup, it also comes with a dumpster truck worth of bloatware, which undoubtedly will offend anyone used to clean Android installs.

But it’s also practical in ways that are hard to ignore. The screen is outstanding. Its 180W fast charging is nothing short of a game-changer. It’s beautiful. It feels incredible to the touch.

Despite Infinix’s French roots, the company is yet to make a retail splash in Europe or the US. If you want to grab one, you’ll have to import it.

Fortunately, you’ll be able to pick one up with Google’s essential Android apps pre-installed, unlike some China-exclusive devices I’ve reviewed in the past.

Infinix holds sway throughout the Asian market and is making slow, tentative steps westward.

Imageㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ	Product	Price
	Xiaomi 11T ProThe Best Value Fast charging speeds Slightly larger battery than the Infinix Zero Ultra Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset	Learn More
	Pixel 7Editor’s Pick Excellent camera Fairly priced Great battery life Good for those looking for a premium Android experience	Learn More
	OnePlus 10 ProRunner Up Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 1 6.7” QHD+ 120Hz display 48MP Sony IMX sensor Good for those seeking a Samsung or Apple alternative	Learn More

You have options if you’re looking for something now and don’t have the time or inclination to wait for an import.

The Xiaomi 11T Pro is available in Europe at roughly the same price as the Zero Ultra.

It offers similarly impressive fast charging speeds, albeit with the benefit of a slightly larger battery and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G chipset.

For those Stateside, the OnePlus 10 Pro will also deliver your need for charging immediacy, albeit at a slightly higher cost.

If you decide that the Infinix Zero Ultra is for you, you can snag it directly from the company’s website for approximately $500.

US buyers can purchase the phone from retailers like AliExpress for around the same price.

Review

Infinix Zero Ultra

I’m fairly content with how the Infinix Zero Ultra performed. The phone’s screen is gorgeous. The fast charging is incredible. It feels smooth and clean to the touch. This is a great phone—one worthy of your consideration.

See at Infinix

See at AliExpres

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Eight Sleep Pod 3 Mattress – deep sleep at any cost
• Review: EPOS GTW 270 Hybrid wireless gaming earbuds
• Review: HHOGene GPods light earbuds
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Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Review: Infinix Zero Ultra appeared first on KnowTechie.

Functionally, they accomplish the same tasks. The only real difference is how fast they accomplish them. 

In short, phones are boring. The mid-2000s era of weirdness, defined by phones like the Nokia 7600 and the Samsung Juke, feels incredibly distant.

For the most part, this is great for consumers. You don’t really need to think about what to buy anymore. If you’re team Android, anything north of $300 will do. Apple die-hards can just buy the latest iPhone. 

But it is boring. I miss weird. I’m tired of the dreary, unimaginative output of most major smartphone vendors.

I’m desperate for someone to actually take a risk. To, as a certain fruit company once said, think differently. 

A new challenger appears

Fortunately, we have little-known Chinese smartphone maker AGM to take on the challenge. I’ve flirted with its latest model for the past few weeks — the uninspiringly-named AGM H5 Pro.

It’s a rugged phone with many of the same internals you’ll find in competing models produced by brands like BlackView, Doogee, and Unihertz. But it has one key difference.

Editor’s Pick

Learn More

Quick Verdict

The AGM H5 Pro checks most of the boxes for people looking for a rugged smartphone. While it doesn’t have the power of Android and Apple flagships, it regularly runs under $400 which helps make up for its shortages.

You see, it’s loud. Really, really loud. Possibly the world’s loudest phone, even. Its 3.5W speakers produce a (frankly ludicrous) 109 decibels.

Or, put another way, equally loud as an ambulance siren. It’s louder than a motorcycle. Louder than an electric drill. 

Another thing: It has RGB disco lights built-in.

RGB lighting isn’t necessarily unique by itself. Countless gaming phones come studded with color-changing LED lights (because, of course, they do).

It’s the application that sets the AGM H5 Pro apart from its rivals.

I use the term “disco lights” deliberately. They act almost like the stage lighting at a concert. They exist to accompany the music. That’s it.

A different tack

Rugged phones are overwhelmingly targeted at tradespeople. Those working in austere conditions, where a standard iPhone or Samsung Galaxy simply wouldn’t last the day.

There are outliers (like the formidable Unihertz TickTok, which we reviewed here), but those are exactly that: exceptions. 

READ MORE: Review: Infinix Zero Ultra

By contrast, AGM posits the H5 Pro as more of a lifestyle companion. The device you’d take on a hike or camping trip, rather than a practical phone for everyday carry. There’s a certain honesty in that. 

Let’s face it. You wouldn’t want the AGM H5 Pro as your day-to-day phone. It’s ridiculously heavy, tipping the scales at 360g (12.69oz). That’s double the iPhone 14. Because it’s a rugged phone, it’s also bulky. 

Its cameras aren’t the best. Pictures routinely appear grainy and washed out. It lacks the color fidelity of similarly-priced models.

The inclusion of an IR-based night vision sensor is an interesting touch, but realistically, it won’t prove useful for most people.

And while it’s equipped for demanding smartphone tasks (it touts 8GB of LPDDR4 RAM, a gaming-centric MediaTek Helio H85 platform, and plenty of storage), it can’t hold a candle to most mid-range phones.

If your primary concern is getting the most power for your money, this phone won’t satisfy you. 

The perfect companion

But there are scenarios where the AGM H5 Pro doesn’t merely shine, but actually exceeds the competition.

Smartphone vendors routinely band around the term “two-day battery life,” but forget to highlight the caveat that you’ll need to use the device sparingly. By contrast, the AGM H5 Pro can easily go two — and occasionally three — days between charges without even batting an eye. 

It’s not the most attractive phone in the world, but AGM resisted the temptation to mess with the stock Android experience. That’s a nice touch.

While its powerful rear-mounted speaker doesn’t quite deliver Bose-style quality, it’s good enough for listening to Spotify while you’re gathered with your friends around a barbecue.

The biggest driver behind the smartphone revolution was a need for convergence. People didn’t want to carry a phone, camera, PDA, and portable gaming console everywhere they went.

By combining these roles into a single product, smartphones were able to deliver a level of convenience to consumers in a way that wasn’t possible before. 

This is the first phone I’ve ever encountered that could potentially replace a dedicated Bluetooth speaker. 

And I don’t worry about this phone’s ability to survive the wilds. It’s heavy, with a strong metal and rubber frame that can absorb even the most brutal of drops.

Its IP69K rating can withstand water, dust, and heat. It can fall into streams and muddy pools without even batting an eyelid.

Alternatives

If you’re looking for a more conventional rugged smartphone, take a look at the venerable CAT S62 Pro or Samsung’s Galaxy XCover Pro. 

I’d also suggest the aforementioned Unihertz TickTok — a similarly-rugged phone with a defiant weird streak.

Imageㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ	Product	Price
9.0	Unihertz Ticktok 5GComparable Choice T-Mobile and Verizon support 5G support Rugged  $379.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
9.5	Samsung Galaxy XCover6 ProPremium Pick Trusted brand 5G and WiFi 6E All-day battery $599.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
9.1	CAT S62 Pro LTEDurable Pick 108W of power distributed across four ports 2x USB-C GaN and 2x USB-A ports Low-profile design $579.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews

Practical impracticality

Okay, so you’ve heard the good and the bad. We like its battery life, its speaker, and its incredible hardiness.

Specs-wise, it earns a passing grade, but doesn’t really compete with other phones in its price range. We’re also critical of its photography credentials, weight, and girth. 

Those criticisms would dominate any device that’s an everyday-carry smartphone. But the AGM H5 Pro isn’t such a device. Nor does it try to be.

It’s a companion, like the Palm of 2018. Or a substitute for those times when you don’t want to risk your day-to-day handset. And that’s fine. By that standard, it’s easy to recommend the AGM H5 Pro. 

Not least because it’s dirt cheap. It’s currently on sale for just $319.00. It’s available directly from AGM and from Amazon.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: INNOCN 27 4K mini LED monitor
• Is the 10th-gen iPad worth buying? Here’s what reviewers say
• Review: Nuphy Air60 wireless mechanical keyboard
• Review: Dell HD22Q Dual Charge Dock

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Review: AGM H5 Pro smartphone appeared first on KnowTechie.

New data from analyst firm IDC supports this. The company recorded a 9.7 percent drop in shipments year-over-year in Q3 2022. In total, the industry shipped 301.9m phones, a figure last seen in 2014.

Luxuries are a good barometer for the health of an economy.

Given the spiking inflation in most developed countries, the war in Ukraine, and the prospect of a lengthy global recession, it’s unsurprising many are holding on to their smartphones for longer.

But an interesting story emerges when you take a closer look at the figures.

Not all brands are equal

Most smartphone vendors suffered a contraction of shipments during Q3 2022. But not Apple. In fact, its market share grew by 1.6 percent.

Apple’s own figures lend credibility to IDC’s analysis. Yesterday Apple reported a record Q4 2022 (don’t get confused – some companies start their financial years at different times).

Revenue hit an all-time high, with Apple selling nearly $4bn more in iPhones compared to the same period last year.

That’s a little surprising. After all, Apple is a luxury brand. It seems counterintuitive for it to thrive during a period of economic turmoil.

IDC’s figures for other budget-oriented brands are ever weirder

Vivo and OPPO, frankly, suffered a bloodbath during Q3 2022. Their market shares dipped by 22.1 percent and 22.3 percent, respectively.

These are the brands you’d expect to flourish right now. So, what gives?

IDC points out that while most regions (except Central and Eastern Europe) saw a decline in smartphone shipments, the actual extent varied wildly between places.

Regional differences

Developed markets – like North America, Western Europe, and Japan – are expected to see single-digit drops.

IDC expects smartphone shipment sales to decline the most in emerging markets, like Latin America, Africa, and APAC (Asia/Pacific), falling by double digits in some places.

And these are the regions that are getting hammered right now, economically speaking.

China is locked in a perpetual lockdown, as Xi Jinping pursues his doomed “Zero Covid” strategy. Compounding matters, its construction industry (which accounts for a quarter of GDP) teeters on the brink of collapse. 

Turkey – another major regional market – faces inflation rates above 83 percent, forcing consumers to spend on just the bare essentials.

Africa faces the long-term repercussions of the pandemic, and the economic consequences of the Ukraine war.

In short, things are bad in the West but worse elsewhere.

The road to recovery

In IDC’s eyes, that’s bad for the smartphone industry. Emerging markets are also growing markets. They’re vital for the long-term health of the smartphone ecosystem.

“However, as we look toward next year and beyond, if the global market is going to grow, it will need a strong recovery in emerging markets to make that happen,” Reith continues.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: The Nubia Red Magic 7s Pro gaming smartphone
• iPhone 15: News, rumors, leaks, pricing, and release date
• Google’s Pixel 7 Pro is a bad gaming phone
• Review: OnePlus 10 Pro – a great smartphone for under $1,000

The post The smartphone market suffered a massive drop in shipments appeared first on KnowTechie.

Dual-screen phones. They’re the smartphone industry’s mythical white whale. Countless vendors — both plucky startups and industry stalwarts — have flirted with this experimental form factor, with varying levels of success. 

Most dual-screen phones are aimed at casual users, with their second display serving as a fashion statement or facilitating gaming binges and long Netflix marathons.

Then there are the productivity-focused devices. Phones like Microsoft’s Surface Duo use the extra screen real estate to help their users manage their emails and Word documents. 

And then, you have the outliers. Dual-screen phones that fit into neither category. The quirky $369 Unihertz TickTock is the best example of this.

In addition to its primary display, it contains a secondary smartwatch-sized screen. Nestled within the phone’s rear, it provides quick access to notifications and certain built-in apps.

And it’s genius. I’m sorry. I know I’m jumping ahead. Reviews are supposed to simmer. They’re like a crescendo of thoughts, bubbling towards a fiery conclusion, where the reviewer gives their final verdict.

Editor’s Choice

Buy Now

Quick Verdict

The quirky $369 Unihertz TickTock is a great budget smartphone that separates itself from the pack with its small, second screen. The phone effectively combines two items — a smartphone and a smartwatch — into a single product. And it makes sense.

Sure, the Unihertz TickTock is far from being a perfect phone. There’s plenty I can (and will) grumble at.

And yet, it’s also the best example of a dual-screen phone I’ve ever seen. The diminutive secondary display doesn’t feel superfluous. It’s useful, but it also doesn’t get in the way.

A brief Introduction

Before I delve into things, it’s worth re-acquainting you with Unihertz. We last covered them in 2020, following the launch of its diminutive Jelly 2 smartphone. Its business model is as unusual as its output. 

Put short: Unihertz makes phones that cater to a small (but passionate) demographic. The Titan series, for example, offers a Blackberry-style physical keyboard paired with a modern Android experience.

These niche devices are a gamble, to be sure. That’s why Unihertz relies on crowdfunding campaigns to test the waters.

READ MORE: Review: Infinix Zero Ultra

Indiegogo and Kickstarter are great places to see whether there’s a market for its latest devices. In the case of the TickTock, Unihertz clinched over 600 preorders with a book value of HKD$1.34m (roughly $180,000 at current exchange rates). Not bad.

After the brief initial crowdfunding feeding frenzy, Unihertz will release its devices to the wider public. In the case of the TickTock, consumers can buy it directly from Unihertz’s website or through Amazon. 

I don’t want to get too sidetracked here. In short: Unihertz is one of the weirdest, most experimental brands in the mobile space.

But it’s also proven itself capable of executing. The diminutive Jelly and Atom lineup is surprisingly usable. The physical keyboard on the Titan series rivals anything BlackBerry ever produced, surpassing even the venerable Bold 9700. 

The Unihertz TickTock: an overview

Okay, let’s look at the specs. Unihertz doesn’t make flagship-speed phones, and the TickTock is no exception. On paper, it inhabits the familiar mid-range of the mobile market. Here are the highlights:

Product Specs

• A MediaTek Dimensity 700 5G platform 
• 8GB RAM
• 128GB UFS 2.1 storage 
• A 6.5-inch primary display (1080×2340)
• A 1.3-inch secondary display (360×360)
• A MicroSD slot and a 3.5mm headphone jack
• A 6,000mAh battery with 30W fast charging 
• IP68 dust/water resistance 
• A 48MP primary camera 
• An 8MP secondary camera 
• NFC and IR (infrared)

As I said. We’re in mid-range territory. But, despite that, the Unihertz TickTock provides strong foundations. There’s nothing here that screams “compromised.” 

The MediaTek Dimensity 700 — although hardly a speed demon — is capable at performing most day-to-day tasks. There’s plenty of storage for apps and videos.

There’s plenty of RAM for multitasking (and gaming). The capacious battery offers enough endurance to last two days between charges, and the inclusion of 30W fast charging is a lovely touch. 

And then there are features you wouldn’t really expect in the crowded middle ground of the smartphone market. Unihertz included an IR port — a rarity in 2022 — allowing users to convert their phone into a universal remote control.

NFC lets you make payments with Google Pay. And the hardy IP68 rating guarantees a level of protection against the elements. 

Pros & Cons

Look and feel

When you pick up the Unihertz TickTock for the first time, you notice its incredible weight. It tips the scales at 308g (about 10.8oz), or almost double that of an iPhone 12. It feels ludicrously heavy. Conspicuous, even. 

Heft is a common theme within the rugged phone space. It’s easy to forgive the Unihertz TickTock’s weight when you consider it serves a purpose.

That includes the strong metal frame of the device, the rubberized surroundings that dampen the consequences of unexpected drops, and the large battery. 

The Unihertz TickTock’s aberrations don’t stop at the secondary display. It bucks the trend for Candybar-shaped phones with a hexagon-like frame.

This approach isn’t too far from the norm within rugged smartphones. Tapered corners help absorb the impact of drops. They play a major role in survivability.

Additionally, the TickTock’s screen adopts a wider aspect ratio than you’d likely expect from a conventional consumer-grade smartphone.

It’s stout, not tall. This didn’t bother me. Wider screens are, for the most part, better for reading web content and emails. 

READ MORE: Review: Unihertz Jelly 2E

The phone’s 8MP camera sits at the top of the display. The volume and power buttons adorn the TickTock’s sides.

The phone also contains two programmable buttons. The USB-C port is protected by a rubber flap, which helps to protect against water, but does limit the kinds of charge cables you can use. 

You’ll spot the phone’s infrared port towards the top of the device. The TickTock comes with a pre-installed universal remote control app, with support for a surprising array of compatible TVs and appliances.

Performance

With a bargain-basement price tag, the Unihertz TickTock was never going to astound you with its ability to number crunch.

Its MediaTek Dimensity 700 platform deftly renders web pages with little latency. Apps open at a brisk pace, albeit without the snappiness expected from a top-of-the-line flagship.

The generous (for the price) RAM configuration makes multitasking a relatively frustration-free experience. 

The TickTock uses a relatively-pristine version of Android 11. There are a few extra apps — like the aforementioned remote control app — but none of the bloatware that’s far too common in the mid-range market.

The extra bundled applications largely served a purpose and didn’t feel extraneous. 

As you perhaps would expect, there’s no wireless charging. That’s hardly a dealbreaker, however. The sizable 6,000mAh battery lasts at least two days between charges, assuming moderate use.

The 30W fast charging — although hardly the nimblest on the market — means you can replenish your battery in less than an hour. 

The camera isn’t the strongest, even by the standards of the mid-range segment. The pictures I took with the device felt flat. They lacked the sharpness of a more potent camera array. 

Similarly, I wasn’t impressed by the color accuracy of the primary display. Despite the high resolution and solid pixel density, colors felt washed out and dull.

If you’re accustomed to the vivid color fidelity of an AMOLED display, this will feel extremely conspicuous. 

The second screen

Remember how many mid-2000s flip phones had a monochrome display that allowed you to check the time and view notifications without opening the device?

It was a great concept, and sadly, one that has been consigned to the scrap heap of technology history. 

The Unihertz TickTock effectively replicates that long-abandoned functionality and refines it in a way that makes sense for a 21st-century audience. Yes, it’ll show you the time and your push notifications. But it does so much more. 

Swiping left and right allows you to cycle through the various installed applications that are compatible with the second screen.

You can, for instance, control music playback. If you’re geocaching, you can see the phone’s compass without the power drain of the main display.

And you can even use it to take selfies with the phone’s rear-facing camera. Look, ma. No hands.

In essence, it replicates many of the functions of a smartwatch. I’m reluctant to call this a gimmick. 

If you’re trying to limit the number of distractions, the second screen is incredibly useful. It acts like a filtering mechanism.

You can see notifications in real time without necessarily breaking your train of thought. It becomes so much easier to see what requires your immediate attention, and what doesn’t. 

Unihertz makes it easy to customize the secondary display’s functionality. Most of its settings — like when it goes to sleep, and how to wake it up — can be found with a couple of taps. 

That said, it’s easy to accidentally wake the screen without realizing, particularly if you aren’t careful when holding the phone. I inadvertently took several pictures of my thumb just by accidentally grazing the rear display.

Alternatives

The TickTock isn’t the only phone on the market that is afford and offers rugged and niche features.

Imageㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ	Product	Price
9.0	Samsung Galaxy XCover ProName-brand option Extremely Rugged Comes from a known brand Enhance Touch for gloves  $300.00	Learn More
9.5	Nokia G50 5GBest Budget Pick 5G Affordable No second screen $289.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews
9.0	Unihertz TitanRugged alternative Physical keyboard Android 10 IP67 certified $349.99	Learn MoreRead the Reviews

Conclusion

The Unihertz TickTock is an imaginative take on the dual-screen paradigm. It’s one I’d love to see other vendors replicate.

The phone effectively combines two items — a smartphone and a smartwatch — into a single product. And it makes sense. 

Although the Unihertz’ primary display and camera setup left me wanting, I can’t heap enough praise on the phone’s rugged design, capacious battery, and relatively performant interior.

The inclusion of an IR blaster and 3.5mm headphone jack is a nice touch, too. 

The Unihertz TickTock won’t be for everyone. If you want a more conventional rugged device, check out the Samsung Galaxy XCover 5 and XCover Pro.

These devices benefit from a long-term update schedule and Samsung’s excellent customer support.

Similarly, if you want a small secondary screen, there’s the Motorola Razr (2022 edition). This is an alternative, albeit an expensive one. It’s also exclusive to China, although a Western release is on the cards.

But if you don’t mind taking a walk on the wild side, the Unihertz TickTock is a capable and affordable device. It is available on Amazon and directly from Unihertz.

Review

Unihertz TickTock 5G smartphone

The quirky $369 Unihertz TickTock is a great budget smartphone that separates itself from the pack with its small, second screen. The phone effectively combines two items — a smartphone and a smartwatch — into a single product. And it makes sense.

See at Amazon

See at Unihertz

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Review: Ugreen Nexode 140W USB-C GaN Charger
• Review: The Nubia Red Magic 7s Pro gaming smartphone
• Review: OnePlus 10 Pro – a great smartphone for under $1,000
• Review: The Eagle One electric scooter by Varla

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The post Review: Unihertz TickTock 5G smartphone appeared first on KnowTechie.

An eSIM is an alternative method that some phones use to connect with carriers. It stands for “embedded subscriber identity module,” and is different from the physical SIM cards that many phones use.

Nowadays, many of the more popular phones on the market give people the option of using an eSIM or a SIM card for their phones. In some cases, you can even use both.

However, that may change in the future. In fact, it has already begun to do so. The iPhone 14 came out recently, and Apple confirmed that it will only use eSIMs for customers in the United States. So what’s the difference?

SIM cards are physical, eSIMs are digital

There’s one fundamental difference between eSIMs and SIM cards, and it’s pretty significant. A SIM card is a physical card, similar in size to a microSD card, that slides into a dedicated slot on your phone.

It holds all your carrier information and can be transferred from one phone to another. An eSIM, on the other hand, is entirely digital. It’s a small piece of software stored in your phone.

It holds the same information as a physical SIM card, like your phone number, account information, and more info from your carrier.

An eSIM is safer than a SIM card. With an eSIM, there’s no way for someone to take your carrier information, while a SIM card can technically be stolen from your phone.

Many phones even offer dual-SIM capabilities. You can have two different carrier plans with different phone numbers stored on the same device.

One way to do this is by adding a carrier via eSIM while you have another plan on your physical SIM card.

Alternatively, you can store multiple carriers’ information on different eSIMs stored in your phone. Then, you can switch between the ones you want to use.

This is a good option for people who travel internationally, as it gives you more options depending on where you are. So switching between two SIM configurations can be pretty helpful.

How to set up an eSIM

For most users, you won’t have to worry about setting up an eSIM. When you buy your phone, the retailer will likely be the one to set up your eSIM for you. Just give them your carrier information, and they’ll handle the process.

Sometimes, however, you might need to set up your own eSIM. For example, if you order a phone online, you might have to set up your phone on your own.

You can always take it to a retailer, but you have the option to set it up yourself as well.

When you receive your phone, you’ll be able to turn it on and set it up without an eSIM. Then, just head to the phone’s settings and find the SIM options.

On iPhones, you can find the eSIM option in the Cellular section of the settings app. Android users can open settings and search “SIM” to find the SIM manager.

From here, you can add an eSIM to your device. You’ll want to ensure you have WiFi access at this point. Just choose your carrier from the list and follow the steps to set up your eSIM.

Depending on your phone and carrier, you might have the option to scan a QR code to set up your phone. If not, the carrier you choose when buying your phone will have instructions for how to set up eSIM if needed.

SIM cards may soon be a thing of the past

So that’s the difference between SIM cards and eSIM. eSIM is the more dynamic approach, storing all of your cellular carrier information on the phone instead of a physical card.

With eSIM, you can have multiple carrier options installed on the same phone at once. Then all you need to do is head to the settings and switch between carriers.

Most phones today still have the option for SIM cards. However, some are already abandoning physical SIM cards entirely in favor of eSIM, and there will likely be many to follow suit in the future.

Have any thoughts on this? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

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The post What is an eSIM and how does it work? appeared first on KnowTechie.

UPDATE 8/2/2022 11:26 AM ET: The program is live, with iFixit selling kits with genuine Samsung replacement parts and all the hand tools needed for the repair. Prices start from $66 to replace the USB-C charging ports, with screen replacements in the $230 region.

Owners of Galaxy S20 and S21 devices, or the Galaxy Tab S7+ are first. Once the program starts this summer, they will be able to repair some of the most common issues.

These include replacing the display, the back glass, and the charging port. Once done, owners will be able to send back the faulty components to Samsung, who will recycle them.

“We are excited to be consulting with Samsung to help them develop a solution for DIY parts and repair information. Every time you fix a device, you’re helping the planet,” says Kyle Wiens, CEO of iFixit

READ MORE: Apple’s new self-repair service sounds like an absolute nightmare

It’s a nice look for Samsung, who was often dragged by iFixit for how irreparable its devices are. If you don’t feel like repairing your device, Samsung wants you to remember it has multiple options.

Those include same-day repairs at many retail outlets. Samsung even has vans that can do in-home visits, if you’re close enough to one of its depots.

Samsung isn’t the only large phone manufacturer with such a program. Apple announced its version last year, which now encompasses the iPhone 12, iPhone 13, and the M1-powered MacBooks.

READ MORE: The new Samsung Gaming Hub brings cloud gaming to your TV

With two of the industry’s largest players now allowing self-repair, the rest of the pack is sure to follow.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung unveils its first-ever OLED TV for 2022
• Apple and Meta handed over data to hackers pretending to be police
• No, cell phones don’t give you brain tumors, study finds
• Samsung has been caught throttling over 10,000 apps on the Galaxy S22

The post Samsung will finally let you repair your own Galaxy smartphone appeared first on KnowTechie.

Nowadays, most phones are completely touchscreen, but the days of a folded phone are starting to come back with companies like Samsung and Motorola.

However, Google looks to be the next one on deck.

When did Google start making the foldable?

Rumors of a foldable phone from Google date back to 2019, when CNET reported the tech giant was developing a mobile device with bendable screens.

Mario Queiroz — who led the development of the Pixel phones — threw cold water by saying Google was prototyping foldable phones, but there wasn’t a rush to develop this technology.

However, Google filed a patent the same year for a foldable OLED panel, which somewhat confirmed plans for the company to move forward with this type of phone.

In August 2020, news leaked of Google’s plans to release a foldable phone in the fourth quarter of 2021. In the summer of 2021, reports surfaced that Samsung would produce foldable OLED panels for tech companies — including Google.

The fourth quarter has already passed, so what is the latest update?

The potential release date and specs

At Google IO 2022, the company did not mention a foldable phone when announcing its future products.

It still seems to be a promising year, with some industry insiders projecting the fourth quarter of 2022 for a release of Google’s long-awaited foldable-phone debut alongside the Pixel 7.

Ross Young — a supply chain expert — broke the news about the foldable Pixel and its release date, which will help build hype for the phone in tech spaces online.

Nowadays, about 36% of shoppers use social media to aid their decision-making when deciding between brands that make gadgets like foldable phones.

Google seems to be basing its foldable phone on the Pixel, which first debuted in 2013. Some possible specs for the phone for the foldable Pixel include:

• Design: The closest comparison for design likely comes from the Android 12L. This is a tablet from Android that would give the Pixel the feel of a book with its display.
• Camera: The foldable’s cameras could consist of a single 12MP camera on the rear and two 8MP cameras on the front.
• Price: The speculated price for Google’s foldable is reportedly lower than the $1,800 Galaxy Z Fold 3 from Samsung — Google’s primary competitor regarding this design. In contrast, Samsung’s foldable cost about $2,000 when the company debuted it in 2019.

Comparing Google’s foldable to competitors’

The leading company on the market for foldable phones is Samsung, which manufactures two different versions.

They make the Fold, which opens from left to right like a book. There’s also the Flip, an old-school flip phone that looks like a Gameboy Advance SP.

Google’s foldable will look more like Samsung’s Fold, but the size is one significant difference between the two devices.

Google’s version will likely have an external display of about 5.8 inches, making it smaller than Samsung Z Fold 4’s 6.2 inches for the same display. This means that Google’s foldable will have a wider aspect ratio for the inner display when you open the phone.

Another critical difference between the two phones could be in their thickness. Samsung’s Z Fold 3 is just over half an inch thick at 0.62 inches.

By comparison, the iPhone 12 Pro Max is about 0.29 inches. If Google draws from its past, the foldable Pixel could cut size to clock in below its Z Fold rival at Samsung to make a sleeker phone.

Will Google make it official?

The tech world has buzzed about Google’s foldable phone for a few years. Three years ago, the likelihood of one of these devices coming from the tech giant wasn’t high. Google didn’t seem too serious about it then.

2022 could be the year the world finally sees the foldable version of the Pixel.

Hopeful users will have to wait for more information from Google on the official specs and how they compare to those of its rivals on the market. However, the signs now point to late 2022 for the long-awaited release.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Samsung’s new foldable phones are going to cost a whole lot less than older models
• Patent shows that Apple could be working on its own foldable iPhone
• Microsoft’s releasing a foldable keyboard designed for any mobile device
• It sounds like Apple is working on a foldable iPhone

The post Does Google have a foldable in the works? appeared first on KnowTechie.

For anyone keeping count, that will make nine colors you can get the Galaxy S22 in. Four of those, Graphite, Cream, Sky Blue, and Violet, are Samsung.com exclusives.

When the Bora Purple variant arrives on August 10, five colors will be available from both Samsung.com and all major carriers in the US (except T-Mobile).

READ MORE: Samsung’s upcoming foldables Unpacked teaser video leaks online

Samsung says that ‘Bora’ means ‘purple’ in Korean. That means the new Galaxy S22 color is literally ‘purple purple.’

That’s interesting, but it’s even more interesting when you consider that purple doesn’t really exist. See, purple is a non-spectral color, that is, it’s created in our brain by two colors of light interacting. Isn’t that awesome?

The rest of the Galaxy S22 isn’t being changed. It still costs $799, it still has a 6.1-inch display, 8GB of RAM, and either 128GB or 256GB of storage.

Additionally, you get the same three rear-facing cameras as the other color options, with a 12-megapixel ultrawide, a 50-megapixel wide, and a 10-megapixel telephoto.

It’s a great phone, by all accounts, and now it’s slightly sweeter because all you purple fans can buy one in your favorite color. But you’ll have to wait until August 10 to get the Bora Purple Samsung Galaxy S22.

On the other hand, if you’re waiting to see what Samsung announced at its Galaxy Unpacked event later in August, that’s understandably fair.

And if you are, do yourself a favor and put your name on Samsung’s reserve list – they’ll give you up to $200 off when placing an order after the event. More info here.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• Best Buy is offering a great deal on the Galaxy Watch 4 right now
• Samsung’s Galaxy Enhance-X app uses AI to optimize your photos
• Galaxy Watch 5 release date – when is it coming?
• Samsung’s Galaxy Z Flip 4 leaked and it looks just like the Z Flip 3

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post Samsung is releasing a purple Galaxy S22 – here’s how to get it appeared first on KnowTechie.

Since picking up the pieces from hapless one-time CEO Stephen Elop, HMD Global has released a steady trickle of retro revival feature-phones, starting with 2017’s remake of the iconic 3310.

The latest addition to the Nokia Originals stable is a faux version of the diminutive Nokia 8210 first released in 1999.

For those born after the millennium, the Nokia 8210 (shown above) looks like a boring, unremarkable feature phone. At the time, however, it was nothing short of groundbreaking. 

Tiny and trendy

Phones used to be ugly. Year after year, mobile vendors would release nondescript handsets with the same weight and dimensions as a piece of industrial rebar, often with a breadstick-like antenna protruding awkwardly from the top.

The Nokia 8210 represented a modest, but significant, change of priorities within the industry. 

It boldly claimed that phones didn’t have to only be functional, utilitarian blobs of plastic and rubber. It was tiny. Light. Owners could carry them without the need for a rucksack.

Oh, and you could play Snake. 

Note: Nokia aimed the 8210 at a younger audience. It spent vast sums on an aggressive advertising campaign fronted by a group of young, prancing dweebs wearing what passed for haute fashion at the turn of the millennium. For your amusement, if not horror, it’s embedded below.

But it wasn’t perfect. The Nokia 8210 had plenty of flaws. It took decades for the consumer electronics industry to perfect the miniaturization techniques we now take for granted. A major design fault saw the screen connector contract over time, resulting in the display becoming ever-more difficult to read. 

It also suffered from the limitations of the era. The Nokia 8210 forced owners to make difficult choices about the texts and contacts to save. 

The 2022 Nokia 8210

Fortunately, these issues are unlikely to rear their ugly head with the latest revival. By all accounts, it’s a modern feature phone. That means modern manufacturing processes. But it also infers a level of sophistication beyond the scope of the original device. 

There’s a camera, support for 4G and VoLTE (voice-over-LTE), dual SIMs, and a larger 2.8” QVGA color display.

The inclusion of 4G may seem excessive, given the phone’s basic design and limited capabilities. It isn’t. Mobile networks are actively withdrawing legacy mobile standards, like 2G and 3G. HMD Global’s decision to use a 4G radio gives this device a shelf life beyond the end of this year.

Storage is a (respectable, given the category) 128MB, and there’s even room for a MicroSD card. It supports simplified feature-phone-friendly applications, including Facebook and WhatsApp. On the entertainment side, the Nokia 8210 comes with a built-in FM radio tuner, as well as support for MP3s. 

And perhaps the most important prerequisite: it has Snake. 

HMD Global is yet to confirm US availability for the Nokia 8210. A UK launch is penciled for later this month. When it arrives on these shores, it’ll cost £65 (roughly $78 at current exchange rates).

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

Editors’ Recommendations:

• You can make your iPhone or Apple Watch look like an old-school Nokia
• Apple is rumored to be working on a $1,000 Apple Watch Pro
• The Samsung Galaxy S22 has terrible resale value
• Google Pixel Watch: news, rumors, price, features, and release date

Just a heads up, if you buy something through our links, we may get a small share of the sale. It’s one of the ways we keep the lights on here. Click here for more.

The post The Nokia 8210 sees new life in 2022 thanks to HMD Global appeared first on KnowTechie.

Things like knowing where you are going, for a start. Also, how to get away if needed, and what clothes to wear, are all essential.

What’s also essential is to think about how to secure your smartphone, not just from loss or theft but also from surveillance.

You also need to plan for disrupted communications. Cell tower jamming is a favorite. That many devices in one place also slows down the network.

I mean, have you ever been to a sporting event or conference where the WiFi was crawling? The same thing applies to protests.

Assume the protest is being watched

Work on the assumption you will be tracked. That could be in real-time, or it could be after the fact. It could take many forms, including photos, video, and facial recognition. Credit card receipts, transit passes, etc, are all tracked.

The authorities will use facial recognition. Real-time might take too many resources. Assume images and video posted to social media will be scanned. Consider this if you do decide to post any images while you are there.

It might be wise to stick emoji stickers over faces or blur them out completely before you post. It’s not just your safety at risk.

Surveillance is often done from aircraft. Same with drones. Some precincts have more exotic surveillance like X-Ray vans.

Your wireless communications are also watched

Your smartphone is a treasure trove of data for anyone looking to identify you or bring charges against you.

Stingrays can trick your phone into connecting to them instead of the local cell towers. That lets the authorities siphon off information (such as SMS messaging, identifying information, and more) without you knowing.

Your wireless provider will also be asked for information on your movements. All it takes is a request from the police or other authorities.

Any intelligence gathered about protestors would then be used to create relationship charts and other information for future monitoring efforts.

WiFi can be tracked just as easily as a Stingray tracks your cell service. If you connect to an Open Network, the data you send across it isn’t encrypted, leading to an easy interception.

The authorities aren’t the only ones you need to worry about here. Criminals also use this tactic to target crowds to siphon off bank details and other information that can be used to steal your identity or cash.

The other thing on your phones? GPS location data. The New York Times showed that this data can be bought by pretty much anyone and reconstructed to show your movements. Yikes.

Or this one from The Guardian, which outlines how “anonymized location data from opt-in cellphone apps” was used to show the movements of protestors from lockdown protests. The upshot of all of this? Assume your phone is being tracked.

How to minimize your risk while protesting

So, you’re now aware that you and your mobile device will likely be tracked while you’re out at a protest. Knowing that risk is better than going out unprepared.

Assume that you also might be detained by law enforcement, and any mobile devices you carry are confiscated, searched, and possibly stolen.

Whatever happens, once it’s out of your hands, your phone data is no longer yours and you must assume that it has been downloaded for future analysis.

That’s not to say you shouldn’t take a phone. Aside from their utility as a communication device, most phones nowadays have a capable camera attached to them. That might enable you to have exculpatory evidence if you get charged.

Here are more tips on how to protect your smartphone at a protest:

1. Turn off biometrics: seriously, your Fifth Amendment rights don’t apply to biometric locks. Make sure they’re off and make sure you have a long PIN or password set instead
2. Enable disk encryption: Most Android or iOS devices do this automatically if you enable a passcode, but double-check
3. Remove any unnecessary apps: Treat your phone like a burner and uninstall everything but essential apps.
4. Log out of any apps: Seriously, anyone can use your accounts if you leave them logged in. If you need access, try to set PIN codes for individual apps if possible
5. Back up your phone: Back things up before you go. Also, make sure that the backup is encrypted and protected by a password, and two-factor authentication
6. Use encrypted communications wherever possible: Use messaging apps that support encrypted messaging, such as WhatsApp or Signal, set messages to expire automatically if possible, and if you need to send unencrypted messages, use prearranged codes instead
7. Shut off WiFi: Just do it. You’re not likely to be in reach of a WiFi hotspot while inside a big crowd anyway. Any hotspots you might see are probably honeypots created by police officers or criminals
8. Disable location services: You don’t need this on unless you’re trying to use your Maps app, and you should really have a physical map
9. Disable Bluetooth: Yes, you won’t be able to use your AirPods, but nobody will be able to track you with Bluetooth either
10. Turn off your data plan: If you don’t need it to be on, turn this off as well. It might hamper your ability to use encrypted communication apps, but you can always turn it on briefly to check for messages, then turn it off again

Finally, Turn your phone off completely: The best defense against wireless tracking is to completely turn your phone off unless you’re using it at that moment. This also makes it harder for anyone to access the data if you’re separated from your handset.

Use a burner phone at protests

If you don’t already know why it’s wise to use a burner phone and keep your main phone at home, here’s a little refresher, illustrated by the below tweet from Unicorn Riot. There’s a little bit of tech called the Stingray that the police like to use to collect cell phone data in an area.

When they mount them onto drones, it’s then airborne and can potentially siphon up data from a huge area. Your cell phone data. That of the person next to you. That of the cell phones the authorities are carrying.

Everyone will get their cell phone data in the hands of the police. You don’t want that. Your details are tied to your account, and to your home address.

The advice in the reply is also good. Use a VPN app to encrypt your data connection. Use a five-digit PIN, if your phone supports it, and turn off all biometrics (yes that means fingerprint unlock, Face ID, or Touch ID).

Heck, it takes seconds to make a new Google account, and if you’re using a burner phone, you don’t want to sign in with your main account.

This phone should be using a SIM card that you paid cash for. That way, it’s not linked to your name. Even better, buy several, and use one SIM card per time you protest.

You don’t want to be trackable back to your home and having that burner SIM on when you get to your front door makes all the efforts you’ve just gone to worthless.

On this phone, you should have as little information as possible. Only have the apps you absolutely need for communication. Don’t connect it to any of your cloud services.

Only have the numbers in Contacts that are essential. Consider putting fake names here. If you need to log in to any app to use it, see if you can set a secondary PIN code to access it.

Lastly, set up new accounts for all the apps you use on this phone, and never log in to anything you use on your normal phone with your main credentials.

Temporarily disable Face ID on your iPhone during protests

You should be using biometric locks on your iPhone. It’s more secure in most situations than a short pin code, and easier to use.

That said, you don’t want biometrics on during a protest, as legal precedents say that the authorities can force you to unlock your devices.

There is a way to have both biometrics on and be able to disable them quickly. It involves using the iPhone’s built-in Emergency Calling feature.

You can access this by either tapping the side button five times or by holding the power and either of the volume buttons for about two seconds.

The press-and-hold method is probably easier, as it works on any iPhone and doesn’t require you to set up the five-press method.

This opens the emergency SOS screen, which has a slider to call for help, or a button to show your medical details. You don’t need to do anything from this screen.

All you wanted was to get to that screen, which temporarily disables Face ID or Touch ID. Now anyone wanting to get into your iPhone needs the passcode, which you aren’t required to give out.

Oh, and never hand your phone to anyone. We mean anyone. If the authorities actually need your phone, they’ll just take it. They won’t ask. So don’t hand it over if they do ask.

Print out any necessary information

We don’t mean to print out your contacts list, but there are a few things you should probably print just in case. That includes maps of the area you’re protesting in, or even better, buy a physical map of the area.

Have prearranged areas to meet up with the people you went to the protest with.  It’s also worth working out some pre-arranged signals, so you don’t have to type out long instructions.

Turn your smartphone off when not being used. You can turn it on every so often to check messages or calls but keeping it off minimizes tracking while also protecting your battery life.

Always have a plan

The biggest thing to take away from all of these, frankly scary, preparations? Being prepared and having a plan, then doing your best to stick to that plan, is the best way to avoid trouble.

Think back to your childhood. Scouts told you to “Be Prepared,” and GI Joe told you that “knowing is half the battle.” That advice rings true whatever you’re doing, whatever age you are, and wherever you find yourself.

What do you think? Do you have any more tips for people looking to protect themselves while protesting? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post How to protect yourself and your smartphone at a protest appeared first on KnowTechie.

Announced to an eager audience in 2007, the iPhone has revolutionized how we communicate and even how we live day to day.

The large-screen revolution

The iPhone was released in the United States in June 2007, and in a further six countries in November.

From the launch of Mac computers in the 1970s to the iPod in 2001, Apple already knew how to engage with its audience – and how to encourage extraordinary levels of hype when launching a product.

Early reviews for the iPhone were almost universally glowing, applauding Apple’s attention to detail and style.

The only problem flagged was network connectivity – and this was an issue with slow speeds on phone carrier networks, rather than the device itself.

READ MORE: Here’s why everyone hates those annoying cookie notifications

Consumers’ appreciation of the iPhone’s style was no surprise.

It was indicative of an emerging trend towards smartphones with large-format screens (but which still reflected the form of a phone). The Nokia N95 was another such example that hit the market the same year.

The original iPhone offered wifi, supported 2G EDGE connectivity and had internet download speeds below 500Kbps (compared to multi Mbps speeds today).

It was also limited to 4GB or 8GB models. This might sound pitiful compared to the 1TB options available today, but it’s enough to hold hundreds of songs or videos and was revolutionary at the time.

The Apple assembly line

The iPhone 3G was rolled out across the globe in July 2008, with significantly improved data speeds and the addition of the Apple App Store.

Even though it offered a mere 500 apps at launch, the app store marked a significant improvement in phone functionality.

And just as users started getting used to 3G, it was superseded by the 3GS about a year later.

This cycle of regularly pushing out new products was critical to Apple’s success. By releasing regular updates (either through whole product iterations, or more minor functionality improvements) Apple managed to secure an enthusiastic audience, eager for new releases each year.

Also, since older products would often be passed down within families, Apple’s product pipeline helped it establish a multi-generational user base. This pipeline continues to operate today.

New approaches to old ways

The iPhone family has delivered size, speed and storage improvements over its 15-year history.

Some of its “new” features weren’t necessarily new to the market, but Apple excelled at delivering them in highly integrated ways that “just worked” (as founder Steve Jobs would say).

In 2013, the iPhone 5S introduced touch ID, which allowed users to unlock their phones with a fingerprint.

While this had first been introduced with the Fujitsu F505i back in 2003, Apple delivered a robust implementation of the feature. Of course, it wasn’t long before enterprising individuals learnt how to bypass the mechanism.

The iPhone 8, released in 2017, brought with it the face ID feature. This still had weaknesses, but was at least immune to being unlocked with a photo.

Beyond security, the iPhone series has also produced year-on-year improvements in camera technology.

While the original model sported a paltry two-megapixel camera, later models featured multiple lenses, with resolution boosted to 12 megapixels – rivalling many digital cameras on the market.

Wireless charging was introduced with the iPhone 8 (although preceded by Samsung as early as 2011). And the bezel-less design of the iPhone X, released in 2017, built on features found in the Sharp Aquos S2 from the same year.

Controversy

Nonetheless, the iPhone has not been without problems. The introduction of the iPhone 7 in 2016 saw the removal of the standard 3.5mm headphone socket – and many weren’t happy.

While an adaptor was initially provided for customers to connect their regular headphones, it was only free for about two years.

After that it had to be purchased. In 2016 there were indications of a spike in wireless headphone sales. Perhaps somewhat conveniently, Apple launched its AirPods (wireless Bluetooth earbuds) at the same time.

A similar change came in 2020 with the release of the iPhone 12. Arguing consumers had a multitude of spare devices – and perhaps trying to ride on the green re-use agenda – Apple removed chargers from the unboxing experience.

Users still received a charge cable, but it was a USB-C to lightning cable, whereas previous iPhone chargers would have a USB-A socket (the standard USB port).

The justification iPhone users would have a box full of old chargers overlooked the fact that none of them would be likely to support the newer and faster USB-C cable.

So you could use your old USB-A to lightning cable and charger to charge your shiny new phone, but you’d be limited to slower charging speeds.

Future

If the past 15 years are anything to go by, it’s likely the iPhone will continue with annual product releases (as we write this article many will be anticipating the iPhone 14 due later this year).

These models will probably bring improvements in speed, weight, battery life, camera resolution and storage capacity. However, it’s not likely we’ll be seeing many groundbreaking innovations in the next few years.

The latest iPhones are already highly sophisticated mini computers, which means there’s limited scope for fundamental enhancement.

Perhaps the most radical change will be the shift from Apple’s proprietary lightning connection to USB-C charging, thanks to a new European Union directive. And while a common power connector standard is widely considered a positive move, Apple wasn’t convinced:

We believe regulations that impose harmonisation of smartphone chargers would stifle innovation rather than encourage it.

As display technologies evolve, Apple may turn to the clam-shell phone design, with a fully foldable display screen.

Samsung has already brought this to the market. But Apple, in true fashion, will likely wait until the technology (particularly the glass) has evolved to deliver an experience in line with what iPhone users have come to expect.

While we can’t predict what the iPhone will look like in another 15 years (although some have tried), it’s likely the demand for Apple products will still be there, driven by Apple’s strong brand loyalty.

Editor’s Note: This article was written by Ismini Vasileiou, Associate Professor in Information Systems, De Montfort University, and Paul Haskell-Dowland, Professor of Cyber Security Practice, Edith Cowan University. This article was republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post The iPhone turns 15: A look at the device’s past, present, and future appeared first on KnowTechie.

HTC’s smartphone resurrection seems like a cheap way to piggyback onto the latest buzzword. Why? Because the reveal will show off a metaverse-enabled smartphone. Not the same metaverse Meta wants, but one running on HTC’s own Viverse.

Yes, Viverse.

In HTC’s own words, this is “an interoperable ecosystem where different content platforms interconnect to form a seamless user experience in a decentralized, secure, and open way.” See what we said about buzzwords? They’re all here.

There are lots of unknowns around HTC’s latest handset. Price, for starters. Given that they want it to be a portal to Viverse, expect flagship specs, and flagship prices, of $1,000 or more.

Comparing apples to apples, the blockchain-focused Exodus 1 was $960 at launch, and that was before 5G was a thing. We also don’t know if it will be an Asian market-only release or a worldwide one.

Expect some integration with HTC’s Vive headsets, maybe as a controller to do tasks while you’re in VR. Why would anyone want to use a touchscreen device when their eyes are covered by VR screens? We’re not sure but it’s a likely part of the announcement.

We’ll have to see how expensive this latest HTC smartphone will be when it’s revealed on June 28. We can only wonder what associated costs the HTC Viverse smartphone will carry.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post HTC will unveil a phone designed for the Metaverse on June 28 appeared first on KnowTechie.

Even with the leak, we’ll have to wait to hear about the internals of phone (1) as it’s known, but we know what the back of it looks like now.

Nothing has been slowly teasing its smartphone on Twitter recently. But eight hours ago, they decided that the slow drip of teasers wasn’t enough and tweeted out an image of most of the back of the device.

The image shows a white smartphone, with two camera modules in a vertical arrangement. In keeping with Nothing’s aesthetic, you can see some of the internals, like the coil for wireless charging, and the surrounding parts of some of the other camera parts, like the LED flash and microphone.

READ MORE: Nothing opens preorders for its Phone 1, but there’s a catch

READ MORE: The Nothing Phone 1 isn’t coming to America

Will white be the only color available at launch? We’d love to see a matte black version, to match the existing Nothing earbuds.

We know almost nothing about the internals of the Nothing phone (1). It’s a fair bet to say it will be powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor.

That’s likely a flagship-level chip if founder Carl Pei has anything to do with it. He was behind OnePlus when it was still a scrappy startup creating flagship-killers.

Expect a midrange price, of €500 (roughly $600). With all the anticipation and teasing, only time will tell if Nothing can deliver on the hype.

Tune in on July 12 to find out everything else about phone (1), Nothing’s first smartphone.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Nothing shows off its first phone a month early appeared first on KnowTechie.

That could be as simple as clearing your device’s app cache. But you’ll need to know where Android apps store data.

Once done, all the files your apps have added to storage are gone. Hopefully, that fixes the slowdown.

The app cache should make all your apps load faster in a perfect system. The reality is that many apps don’t use caching efficiently.

This has the result of making your device slower as it contains more data than needed.

It could even be an issue after updating an app if enough structural changes make the existing cache data obsolete.

So, how do you deal with this without factory resetting your device? Where does Android store its files Let’s find out.

So, where do Android apps store data?

Short answer: In the Data partition

Android takes a different take on storage compared to desktop operating systems.

When you install an app (either from the Google Play Store or a downloaded apk file), Android places that into the device’s app folder.

That’s /data/app/your_package_name for most apps. Some encrypted apps use /data/app-private/your_package_name.

This section of your device storage is also known as Shared Storage, as all your apps put their data here.

The thing is, giving apps access to the whole folder causes some issues. The first is that sometimes files generated stay in internal storage, even after uninstalling the app.

The second is that it’s a security risk, as any app on the device can access that folder.

Google fixed this in Android 11 with a thing called Scoped Storage. The biggest change is that apps should now have all their generated files inside their own app directory.

That means no more cluttering up the Shared Storage folder. Now the system knows which files were created by individual apps, so there won’t be leftover files after uninstalling.

READ MORE: Where is the Trash folder on Android devices?

It also hides the Android/data and Android/OBB folders from other apps. This is good for your data privacy, although it has stopped some third-party file management tools from being able to manage your data.

How to clear app cache on Android

We’ll walk you through the process if you are ready to clear out your Android cache.

Most users only need to clear the app cache by doing the following:

1. Open Settings

2. Then Storage > Apps

3. Then tapping on individual apps, then on Clear cache from the menu that opens

If your apps misbehave, such as crashing when opened, you might also need to clear the data files.

That’s on the same page where it says Clear Data. Doing this puts the app back into a freshly installed state.

That means it wipes all information on your device from that app. It also makes you sign in again if it’s an app that uses a login.

Only do this if you’re sure that you have backups of any important documents that the app has created.

What do you think? Have you ever had any issues with clearing your Android app cache? Carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Where do Android apps store data? appeared first on KnowTechie.

Cellphones hold a significant amount of user data, so people need to understand how their information is collected, used, and stored. 

Apple and Google are constantly collecting data on their smartphone users. A recent study from Vanderbilt University found that an Android phone sends information to Google at a rate of 340 times per day, even if the phone is sitting idle.

Are there any smartphones that function properly and prioritize privacy? The recently released Murena One smartphone may be a viable option. Here’s how it may change the industry. 

The Murena One unveiled

Murena, a small tech company, recently announced a new smartphone called the Murena One. It’s a 4G LTE phone powered by the /e/OS Android Fork, an open-source, privacy-oriented Android operating system (OS).

This OS can “de-Google” an Android, which removes Google apps, Google Play, and Google Assistant, among other features or services from the device.

What sets the Murena One apart from other smartphones on the market is its level of data privacy. Here are a few examples:

• The Murena OS does not send personal data to remote servers without the user’s permission.
• Murena does not scan a user’s smartphone or data in their cloud storage space.
• Murena does not track a user’s location hundreds of times a day. 
• Murena does not track what apps a user downloads.

The Murena One costs around $369 and was launched in the U.S., Canada, Switzerland, Europe, and the U.K. The Murena One was out of stock in the U.S. when this was written.

Murena One specifications and features

The Murena One is a mid-range smartphone that’s more affordable than other leaders in the Here are some of its specifications:

• 6.5-inch IPS LCD screen with a 1,080 x 2,242 resolution
• MicroSD card for extra storage space
• MediaTek’s Helio P6 processor with 4 GB of RAM
• Four rear-facing cameras
• 25-megapixel punch-hole front-facing camera
• 4,500 mAh battery
• Side-mounted capacitive fingerprint scanner

The Murena One has several apps that work as alternatives to popular Google options.

For example, there’s a messaging app, contacts app, internet browser, music player, calendar, file storage system, notes app, and navigation app. Murena even plans to offer Elivia, a digital voice assistant comparable to Siri or Google Assistant. 

These Murena apps have cloud backends, which can boost security and privacy. It’s commonly known that cloud security is often better than other security solutions.

Verizon’s Data Breach Investigations Report analyzed more than 5,250 confirmed breaches, none of which were caused by a cloud service failure.

Leveraging cloud services is critical in the digital era, especially as cybercriminals become more sophisticated in their attack methods. 

Users can also download other apps from Murena’s App Lounge. Suppose you want to use Google Docs on your Murena One.

In that case, you can still download it because Android powers the phone’s OS. This would defeat the purpose of using a Murena One, but consumers may want this option, which could help boost sales. 

Will the Murena One succeed?

The Murena team spent the last few years trying to de-Google Android phones. According to Murena CEO Gael Duval, the goal was to create a product as good as Android software without surveillance and data privacy issues. 

However, it’s worth noting that other, bigger companies have tested the same waters as Murena.

For example, major telecommunications company Huawei got into serious trouble with the U.S. government due to its alleged shady business practices.

This led to a ban that prevented the company from working with other major tech players like Google, Intel, and Qualcomm.

It’s unclear if the Murena One will perform well in the smartphone market. However, it will be interesting to see if more consumers decide to try this brand and transition to a privacy-oriented smartphone.

Private smartphones in the digital era

More consumers are focusing on their data privacy, so the Murena One and other Murena smartphones could grow in popularity. Keep an eye out to see how it performs and decide if you’re willing to make the switch.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Privacy-focused Murena Android smartphone makes its debut appeared first on KnowTechie.

The secretive company plans to showcase the Nothing Phone 1 on July 12 in London. Nothing has branded the launch event as “Nothing (event): Return to Instinct”.

As consumer electronics brands go, few are as unusual as Nothing. The company has used intrigue and self-deprecating humor as a marketing technique. It is deliberately enigmatic.

What we know so far about the Nothing Phone 1

Nothing’s secrecy — combined with Pei’s sky-high profile — ensures every launch is preceded by a crescendo of enthusiasm and speculation.

The Nothing Phone 1 is no exception. Very little is known about the product, although Nothing has drip-fed the public with details.

READ MORE: Nothing shows off its first phone a month early

We know it’ll tout a Qualcomm Snapdragon processor — although the exact model is unknown. The Nothing Phone is expected to cost €500 (roughly $600), so we’re hardly in flagship territory.

The phone will run a heavily-customized version of Android 11, dubbed (of course) the Nothing OS. We saw a sneak-peak of this last month following the beta release of the Nothing OS launcher.

If you’re curious, you can download it from the Google Play store here.

READ MORE: The Nothing Phone 1 isn’t coming to America

Perhaps most interesting of all, the Nothing Phone 1 breaks with convention in its industrial design, using a fully transparent chassis. This mimics last year’s Nothing Ear (1) earbuds, and doesn’t come as much of a surprise.

Nothing has inked exclusive distribution deals in the UK, Europe, and India. Telekom Deutschland and O2 Virgin Media have exclusive rights in the UK and Germany respectively. Indian consumers can buy the device through Flipkart. US availability remains unknown, however.

Behind the buzz

READ MORE: Nothing opens preorders for its Phone 1, but there’s a catch

At the tender age of 23, Carl Pei founded OnePlus in 2013 with former OPPO vice-president Pete Lau. The company — a wholly-owned subsidiary of BKK Electronics, which also owns Vivo and Realme — initially targeted the Android enthusiast market.

OnePlus’ first device — the OnePlus One — mixed flagship capabilities and developer friendliness, but at the cost of a mid-range smartphone.

It was a runaway success, helped by the fact that it cost half the leading Android flagship at the time, Samsung’s Galaxy S5. OnePlus rapidly emerged as a leading smartphone brand following that.

It’s not entirely known why Pei left OnePlus in 2020. The Internet rumor mill speculated, of course. One theory suggested Pei fell out with Lau. Another argued Pei had become disillusioned with OnePlus’ gradual drift from its original vision to make enthusiast-friendly phones.

Pei has remained coy about departure, although he has dismissed rumors about a spat with his co-founder. In an interview with Wired, Pei said he left OnePlus to explore his creative vision.

“I still feel like I have a lot of creativity within me, but I still love tech and I have some new ideas I wanted to try out,” he said.

“OnePlus is a really large company, compared to where we were when we were just started. And once the company is larger, you’re kind of set in your strategy. So, by turning a blank page, I can be a lot more creative with what I choose to spend my time on.”

About Nothing

Pei’s looming profile in the consumer electronics world allowed him to easily find investors for his new venture.

Nothing’s first seed round — made before the company had even revealed its name — raised $7m. Early investors included iPod inventor Tony Fadell, Casey Neistat, and Reddit CEO Steve Huffman.

In the months since, Nothing raised an additional $145m. The company also acquired the remains of Essential Products — the failed smartphone startup created by Android co-founder Andy Rubin.

Pei formally introduced the company to the public on January 27, 2021. Perhaps to his chagrin, the company’s name was revealed by publicly-accessible business registration records two months prior.

Nothing’s first product — the Nothing Ear 1 — debuted in early 2021. Its launch strategy mirrored the first OnePlus One phone, with the first shipments sold directly to consumers in limited waves, including through an invite-only purchase system.

Critical reception was largely positive, with reviewers praising the design and expansive feature set, but underwhelmed by the okay-but-not-outstanding audio quality and battery life.

Nothing’s approach to consumer electronics centers on a wider ecosystem, with its components working together harmoniously. With that in mind, it plans to release a slew of smart home devices in the near future. Details about these are — as you’d expect — thin.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post Nothing will debut its first smartphone on July 12 appeared first on KnowTechie.

That’s right, someone decided to de-Google the Android operating system. Gael Duval decided to do something about the amount of data collection his smartphone did, saying “Like millions of others, I’VE BECOME A PRODUCT OF GOOGLE.”

That moment of realization became the privacy-focused /e/OS. Used on devices from Fairphone and Teracube, it’s de-Googled so no Google services touch your data.

Murena had to make a whole bunch of new apps to replace Google, from a messaging app, to a web browser, a maps app, email, calendar, file-storage, contacts, and more. There’s even a new virtual assistant in the works, called Elivia.

READ MORE: Privacy-focused Murena Android smartphone makes its debut

That’s not to say that you can’t install some Google apps if you wanted. Murena’s App Lounge does have some of Google’s apps, but it’s designed to not show Google your identity when you download them, or when you use them.

It’s a small concession to how hard it is to de-Google the Android operating system.

The Murena One is a no-frills, no-Google phone

The Murena One seems to feature what you’d expect from a $379 device. It’s got 128GB of storage, 4G LTE, dual-SIM, and a 6.53-inch IPS LCD screen. Powered by the Mediatek Helio P60, it’s got 4GB of RAM, a 4,500 mAh battery, and a microSD card slot.

The primary camera is a 48MP sensor, a secondary 8MP camera, and a 25MP selfie cam. We’re not sure what the image quality is like, but Murena says it splurged on the sensors as they know people won’t use smartphones without them.

We’ve got to applaud Murena’s efforts, even if it will probably take someone with more resources than a startup to create a truly Google-less smartphone. Even Huawei is struggling, and they were a top-five smartphone maker.

And no, Apple doesn’t count as a “Google-less smartphone.” We can’t forget the billions of dollars Google gives Apple yearly so that Google is the default search engine on its devices.

That’s before you consider all the Google apps in the App Store, or even what Apple does with your data in terms of selling advertising, etc.

Have any thoughts on this? Let us know down below in the comments or carry the discussion over to our Twitter or Facebook.

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The post This Google-less Android smartphone is meant for privacy appeared first on KnowTechie.