Is a $50 discount on a new LG phone enough to offset having to look at ads everytime the device locks? That’s the question some Amazon customer are debating, as the company is offering to knock $50 off LG smartphones that show ads on the phone’s lock screen. [More]
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McDonald’s Suggests Putting Your Phone In A Locker Rather Than Talking Through Meal
By 10.17.17
Walk into just about any restaurant — it doesn’t matter the price or quality of food — and you’ll see many diners constantly fidgeting with their phones, if not ignoring their table mates altogether while they tap away on their screens. McDonald’s may be the last place on Earth you’d expect to care about this decrease in human interaction, but some Golden Arches franchises are trying to get customers talking to each other again. [More]
New Clues Revealed About iPhone 8 Display, Facial Recognition
By 7.31.17
For the better part of a year rumors have been swirling about the features and design of Apple’s yet-to-be launched iPhone 8. Speculation about the highly anticipated 10th Anniversary phone, which CEO Tim Cook blamed for the poor sales of the iPhone 7, may have reached peak levels this weekend after the tech giant accidentally pushed out firmware for its HomePod. [More]
Samsung To Make Google Play Default Music App On All Devices
By 4.21.17 — Updated: 4.23.17
If you’re planning to order one of Samsung’s new Galaxy S8 devices today, you’ll also be getting a little bit more — or at least Google hopes you do: Google Play Music streaming service will now be the default music app on Samsung devices. [More]
You Can Apparently Fool Samsung Galaxy S8 Facial Recognition With A Photo
By 3.31.17
A number of companies have turned to facial recognition as a way to offer customers another level of security: from MasterCard’s “selfie” verification to British Airways’ face-scanning boarding process. Now, Samsung is using the technology as a way to unlock its new Galaxy S8 smartphone, but it turns out the process may not be as secure as one would hope. [More]
Google Says Some Pixel Phones Have Broken Microphones
By 3.9.17
When you spend the better part of a thousand dollars on a new phone, it’s pretty reasonable to expect that it will actually work. But Google says that a small number of its Pixel phones contain a hardware issue resulting in broken microphones. [More]
Nexus 5X Owners Say Device Boot-Looping Kills Phones; Getting Runaround From LG
By 1.27.17
Even in an age where you’re expected to regularly shell out hundreds of dollars on a new smartphone, you expect each new pricey device to last at least a year before becoming worthless. Yet, some owners of relatively new Nexus 5X phones tell Consumerist that their smartphones have unexpectedly been rendered useless. Making matters worse, the manufacturer is allegedly giving them the runaround, leaving them without a phone for months. [More]
“Find My iPhone” Will Now Find Your Missing AirPods
By 1.24.17
For years, owners of the iPhone have been able to track their devices through the company’s “Find My iPhone” system. Now, the company is expanding the tracking system to include its new, wireless earbuds. [More]
Report: Battery Size Likely Led To Samsung Galaxy Note 7 Issues
By 1.20.17
There will be answers: Samsung is set to reveal Monday the findings of an investigation into why the recalled Galaxy Note 7 smartphone has the tendency to catch fire or explode, with the cause centered on the device’s battery. [More]
Paramedic Claims His Samsung Galaxy S6 Exploded While Charging
By 9.6.16
While the new Samsung Galaxy Note 7 is making headlines after reports of explosions and fires, owners of some earlier generation Galaxy devices say they’ve had similar experiences — like the Massachusetts paramedic who claims that his S6 Active exploded while it was plugged in. [More]
Nissan Disables Electric Car App Over Security Flaw That Allows Other Users To Control Vehicle Temps
By 2.25.16
If you own a Nissan Leaf and you’ve been unsuccessfully trying to use the NissanConnect EV app to control your car’s heating and cooling systems, there’s nothing wrong with your car or your phone. Nissan has disabled the app after researchers found a flaw that left the vehicle vulnerable to hackers. [More]
Volvo Will Sell Cars With Smartphone Keys Starting In 2017
By 2.19.16
Smartphones can do just about anything: open your hotel room door, or unlock your front door. Starting next year, the device will do even more if you’re in the market for a Volvo. [More]
Chase To Install Cardless ATMs That Offer A Variety Of Denominations
By 1.26.16
Bank customers weary of using ATMs for fear they’ve been compromised by ne’er-do-wells using skimmers to get their hands on card numbers have a new option. That is, if they bank with JPMorgan Chase, as the company is rolling out new cash machines that are not only cardless, but will let you take out money in a wider variety of denominations. [More]
In Spite Of Past Failure, Amazon Not Giving Up On Smartphones
By 1.26.16
Three months after it was revealed that Amazon took a $170 million loss during its last foray into the smartphone market, the e-tailer is reportedly readying plans for a second go-around, this time by partnering with other well-established mobile companies. [More]
Google Testing Password-Free Account Login System
By 12.22.15
Could a smartphone be the new password? That’s the idea behind a new login option being tested at Google. [More]
Google Begins Testing Buy Button On Select Mobile Searches
By 7.15.15
Google has finally made good on those reports that it would simplify the smartphone shopping experience by allowing users to simply hit a “buy button” to complete a transaction straight from sponsored search results, rather than toggling between retailer websites. Today, the company announced it is officially testing what it calls Purchases. [More]
Google Reportedly Adding Buy Button To Sponsored Mobile Search Results
By 5.18.15
Searching for and buying a product with your smartphone is about to get a bit easier. Google is reportedly just weeks away from adding a “buy” button to mobile search results, a move that will increase the company’s rivalry with other online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon. [More]
