Verizon Motorola Moto Z3 announced with Snapdragon 835 and 5G Moto Mod support

Earlier this year, we were introduced to the mid-range Moto Z3 Play. It's a perfectly capable device, but it's certainly not a flagship Android phone. Today, Lenovo and Motorola have unveiled the Moto Z3, which will be available exclusively on Verizon. There will even be a special Moto Mod to add 5G connectivity. More on that later. First, here are the specs.

Specs	Moto Z3
OS	Android 8.1 Oreo
Display	6-inch Full HD Super AMOLED, 18:9
Processor	Qualcomm Snapdragon 835
Memory	4GB
Storage	64GB
Rear Camera	Dual 12MP full-color + 12MP monochrome
Front Camera	8MP
Battery	3,000 mAh
Size	156.5 x 76.5 x 6.75mm
Weight	156g
Headphone Jack	No (adapter in box)

As you can see from the specs, this is on the lower end of "flagship" Android phones. Motorola opted for the older Snapdragon 835 processor instead of the Snapdragon 845. The display is only 1080p, though it is in the modern 18:9 aspect ratio. The other specs look a little better. You get 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, dual 12MP cameras (one is monochrome), 3,000 mAh battery, and a mostly stock-looking Android 8.1 Oreo. The fingerprint scanner is on the side once again.

One of the most exciting announcements of the event, and the reason why Verizon is involved is the 5G Moto Mod. Verizon is planning to have their 5G network up and running sometime next year. When that happens, the 5G Moto Mod will be available. It's built around Qualcomm's X50 modem. The mod will be backward compatible with all previous Moto Z phones on Verizon. The 5G Moto Mod also includes a 2,000 mAh battery.

The Moto Z3 will be available for $480, which is actually $20 cheaper than the Moto Z3 Play. It goes on sale August 16th at Verizon. We will hear more about the 5G Moto Mod in 2019. What are your thoughts on Motorola's latest Z-series phone?

---

Source: Motorola

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2n7B1wN
via IFTTT

Samsung Good Lock and its add-ons get updates with many improvements

Samsung has pushed an update for its Good Lock apps once again. Good Lock is made up of a group of apps that allow the user to change and customize parts of the UI. Most of these updates are just bug fixes, but some include some new features.

Lock Star

• Provides the ability to freely drag and edit lock screen elements.
• Provides the background history function that you selected.
• We've improved the list of app icons in app shortcuts to take priority over history.
• Changed the behavior when creating and saving a new style.
• Existing: Apply immediately
• Change: When creating the style that is being applied, create/save only)
• The problem with the clock shadow does not appear in the background is improved.
• We've improved the colors of the app shortcut animations so they look better on light backgrounds.
• Improved the problem of SystemUl forced stop when executing flash in edge panel.

Quick Star

• Fixed a problem of malfunction after changing DeX mode.
• Added new switches for the data saver and the power saving mode icon in the simple indicator.
• Fixed a problem when user information is reset after device SW update.
• Added control function for coloring blur effect.
• It also provides recommended coloring editing features for customizing in the provided coloring recommendations.
• Improved coloring layout visibility.

Routines

• Improved GPS algorithms for efficient battery.
• Improved security (24 hour unlock, display the security pop up when setting the security routines)
• Fixed a problem of malfunction that the Notification read operation does not work.
• Fixed a problem of malfunction about do not disturb mode
• Fixed a problem of malfunction about Wi-Fi strength.
• Fixed a problem of malfunction about after finishing routines.
• Fixed a problem of malfunction after disabling routines 'Added new action (data sync, video enhancer, download booster)

One Hand Operation +

• Implemented to support in landscape mode.
• Implemented so that each function can be set to the left / right handler.
• Added "Screen capture" function setting.
• Modified that it does not work when swiping by S Pen.
• Fixed a problem where handler remains in screen saver operation.
• Fixed a problem of "Previous app" on Home screen.
• Fixed a problem that handler does not move up when 3rd party IME appears.
• Fixed service stop problem due to battery saving function. (Need to reinstall after uninstall)

Task Changer

• Added multi-window app list function.
• Fixed Task Changer not running when running in kids mode.
• Fixed the problem of showing certain screen (security folder, etc.) when closing all.
  [v1.3.01.61]
• Fixed an issue of not closing all recently launched apps by Bixby.
• Added a setting function for users who prefer to have the middle of the running app.
• Added blur background effect setting function.
• Fixed an issue where app lock and content hiding settings are reset after reboot.
• Fixed the problem that the previous app is not in the center when deleting the app at the back.
• Improved some of the animation lagging.

Edgetouch

• Added Routines Plug-in (Support for Routines)

Edgelighting +

• Fixed a problem of malfunctioning effect.

Clockface

• Improved visibility about analog clocks.
• Changed layout and battery position about the digital horizontal clock.
• In order to prevent burn-in, high-brightness images were replaced with dark images.

You can install the APKs by downloading this zip and installing all the files. If you are outside of the United States or South Korea, you will need to use Bad Lock to access some of the controls instead of Good Lock. Bad Lock is just a launcher for the Good Lock plugins.

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2OzcsoS
via IFTTT

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite & Honor Note 10 forums are now open

There never seems to be a lull when it comes to companies releasing Android devices. We recently talked to you about the Honor Note 10 and its massive 6.9-inch display for a smartphone. Some may think that is too much, but its 18.5:9 aspect ratio just may just be enough to be usable. Samsung tablet fans have also been looking forward to the Galaxy Tab S4 due to its slim bezels, no home button, keyboard accessory, and compatibility with Samsung's DeX. The Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite was also recently announced with Android One, display notch, and a Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 SoC.

So to help encourage the discussions for all three of these new devices from Samsung, XIaomi, and Honor, we have created official XDA forums for the Galaxy Tab S4, Mi A2 Lite, and the Honor Note 10. As more and more start to get their hands on these devices, we expect these forums to fill up with news, guides, discussions, themes, apps, modifications and more.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 XDA Forums

Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite XDA Forums

Honor Note 10 XDA Forums

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2AwRC6Q
via IFTTT

Spotify is testing a sleep timer, but only for podcasts

There are a lot of online music streaming services to choose from right now. The more popular options include the likes of Spotify, Apple Music, Deezer, Pandora, Tidal, and YouTube Music. With this much competition going on it pushes each company to improve their platform and innovate whenever possible so they have a unique feature the competition doesn't have. Spotify added support for podcasts, video, and context-based listening back in 2015, and their podcast selection keeps growing. Some leaked screenshots indicate that the developers over at Spotify are working on adding a sleep timer to their application, but one that only works with podcasts.

Sleep timers can be an integral part of a person's sleeping habits. Growing up, I was the kid who put on some syndicated sitcom when it was bedtime. This became a habit where it was difficult to sleep when there was just complete silence. But leaving your device on all night isn't necessary when it only takes less than an hour to fall asleep. That's where sleep timers come in.

We have featured apps that silences any music after a certain amount of time, but it's usually better to have it built right into the player itself. Searching for Spotify and sleep timer in Google shows a bunch of requests from iOS and Android users. Just like when Spotify began testing a Safety Mode user interface when your device was connected to Bluetooth, the company has continued to stay in touch with the community and add some of the most critical features. So they know a sleep timer is something their 70+ million paying members and 30+ million free users.

Spotify is working on Sleep Timer, currently for Podcasts. pic.twitter.com/z6Nz2AtuiA

— Jane Manchun Wong (@wongmjane) August 2, 2018

A set of four screenshots of the Spotify application has been leaked, thanks to @wongmjane, where it shows a sleep timer option. Those who listen to podcasts as they sleep will be very happy to see this feature roll out. That is because during this current testing phase of the feature, it is only available for Spotify's podcasts feature. It's unclear if this feature will always be exclusive to podcasts or if they will expand it to other parts of the application once this test is complete.

Spotify Music (Free, Google Play) →

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2OBToGB
via IFTTT

Ava Lockscreen is a lockscreen replacement for Android 8.0+ with widget & quick reply support

There hasn't been a "true" lock screen replacement application for a long time now on Android. This was as a result of changes in Android Oreo, which prevented applications from drawing over systemui. The systemui includes the lock screen, status bar, notification bar, and more. This meant that any custom lock screen attempting to draw over the real lock screen was prevented from doing so. XDA Senior Member Jawomo has a solution in the form of Ava Lockscreen.

Ava Lockscreen

Ava Lockscreen has a number of features that make it one of the best available lock screen replacements today. Not only is it fully secured by Android itself, but you can use biometric unlocking methods too. That means that Ava Lockscreen fully supports face unlock, iris unlock, and all of your standard unlocking methods. Security is the most important aspect of a lock screen, but why replace your lock screen if you aren't getting some new features too? That's where Ava Lockscreen shines, as it's got a huge amount of features that may make you think about using it.

First and foremost, it brings back widget support. Android Lollipop removed the ability to have widgets on your lock screen, and Ava brings that back from the grave. If that's not enough, you can also make use of the quick reply API and answer texts directly from your lock screen – and inside of a chat bubble as well. It even retains the chat history from your conversations! You can also theme your notifications, set up custom shortcuts, enable blurred wallpaper mode, and more. Check out the full list of features below.

• Custom wallpaper / live wallpaper
• Blurred wallpaper
• Custom shortcuts
• Lockscreen widgets
• Send direct replies
• Different notification themes
• Smart notification grouping
• Wake screen on notifications
• Runs on Android security (Fingerprint, pin, pattern..)
• No annoying ads!

If you want to check it out, you can install the free version from the Google Play Store below. Be sure to check out the XDA forum thread as well!

Ava Lockscreen (Free⁺, Google Play) →

Ava Lockscreen on the XDA forums

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2AzHryi
via IFTTT

Google fixes Play Music library issues in Google Assistant

Google has finally fixed one of the biggest annoyances with the Google Assistant in recent months. For whatever reason, while the Google Assistant (and the Google Home) could play music, you couldn't play your uploaded or purchased songs on Google Play Music. It's a huge issue for those with devices that portray themselves as home entertainment devices such as the Google Home Max. Not being able to play your own music is a pretty big issue, but Google has finally fixed it. Previously, it was very limited in terms of what you could actually listen to as a free user of Google Play Music.

Google has another addition too, one that users may either love or hate. When playing music as a free user, your uploaded and purchased songs are more likely to come up than those that you haven't purchased in the same mix. Conversely, uploaded or purchased music is more likely to play if you are a paid subscriber. There are still a few exceptions to that, however. For example, asking Google to play music for a specific mood, genre, or activity will ignore that entirely and will default to the way it used to be.

The Google Assistant just got a whole lot better for those who use it for their own uploaded music. It's very much a needed feature for those with the likes of a Google Home Max, where half of its purpose is multimedia. Note that if Google Play Music isn't set as your default music player, then you can avail of the same functionality by saying "Hey Google, play X on Google Play Music." The updated feature is currently rolling out to Google Home devices globally and will allow you to finally play your purchased and uploaded songs on your smart device.

Let us know in the comments if you've gotten the update yet!

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2AA5D3v
via IFTTT

The Alldocube X is a 10.5-inch Android 8.1 Oreo tablet that costs $269

The Alldocube X is a 10.5-inch Android 8.1 Oreo tablet costing $269, and it's launching mid-August. This is a MediaTek powered Android tablet with one special quirk – we are working with the company to ensure the existence of a development program. That's right: it's unlockable, and you'll be able to develop for it from the get-go. It is powered by the pretty old MediaTek MT8176 SoC, but it's certainly not the worst.

Alldocube X Specifications

Specification	Alldocube X
CPU	MediaTek MT8176 @ 2.1GHz
RAM	4 GB LPDDR3 RAM
Camera	Rear: 8MP Front: 8MP
Storage	64 GB eMMC w/ microSD card support
Display	10.5-inch, 2560 x 1600 Super AMOLED Display
Dimensions	45 x 175 x 6.9 mm
Audio	3.5mm headphone jack, speaker
Battery	8000mAh supports MTK PE+ Quick Charge
Ports	USB-C charging port, 3.5 mm headphone jack
Miscellaneous	Fingerprint sensor
Price	$269

While it's certainly not the best-specced Android device we've ever seen, it's not bad at all for the price. Its most comparable Qualcomm processor is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 625, a processor still used in devices being launched today. It's certainly not terrible, and 4GB of RAM is plenty for an Android device. Problems may arise from the eMMC storage on board, which is one of the slowest types of storage you can get in a tablet. Still, it helps keep costs low.

And that's without getting into its media capabilities. With a 3.5mm headphone jack and 10.5-inch Super AMOLED display, it's perfect for multimedia. It's got a bit of a low PPI at 288, but it's not terrible. Finally, it has an absolutely huge 8,000 mAh battery included. The tablet supports MTK PE+ Quick Charge 2.0 so that you can charge your tablet pretty quickly too. With such a huge battery, you'll need some of the fastest charging around for it to keep up. Alldocube also notes that it should retain 85% of its battery capacity after 100 charging cycles.

While some of those are great selling points, this particular tablet has one unique feature that Android enthusiasts will love We are partnering with the company to start a development program in the near future once the device launches. We can't go into detail quite yet, but you should definitely keep your eyes peeled for that. Because it launches with Android 8.1 Oreo, keep in mind that it will also support Project Treble!

from xda-developers https://ift.tt/2LOwoGA
via IFTTT