Galaxy Note 9: launching early?

Yup, you read that right!

The rumor mill ain’t sleeping and new info is running down like waterfalls!  Not to worry as we’ve got all the latest key info below:

How early?

SamMobile reports that the late July or early August target launch may get a go signal as the tech giant started its production two months earlier this year compared to the Note 8. They’re also  fast-tracking the process to get ready to announce the Galaxy X next year which we will discuss in future blogs for sure! 😉

New additions for the Note 9?

We got the first leaked photo of the Note 9 courtesy of leaker Ice Universe. Overall, it looks just the same as the previous but with smaller bezels in this case.

The Note 9 is rumored to have a 6.38-inch Super AMOLED display and Super Speed Dual Pixel camera with an 8MP front camera and dual 12MP rear camera. It will also be faster as its powered with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 845.

It has been reported there may be an option of 8GB ram and a whopping 512GB storage! Great for those who love taking pictures and most especially hi-res photos! But this may just be available in selected markets (hopefully US is one of them!). And there would be added cost… there always is! The standard Galaxy Note 9 model will have 64GB storage.

The Galaxy Note 9 will come equipped with a 3,850mAh battery and rumors suggest a new color: Teddy Brown. TechAdvisor is putting an estimate of £869 or around $ 1,000 for the upcoming device.

What’s the same?

We will still see a physical fingerprint sensor since most of the new or revolutionary upgrades may be are saved for the Galaxy X. The Note 9 will still have a micro-SD slot which can add 512GB storage–making it the first phone to have 1TB in total.

Can we rewind on the price?

Yep, $1,000. But if your heart’s set on the Note 9, we’ll help keep it protected without adding another dent on your wallet!

For now, you can arm your current phone with us! Check out our Amazon Storefront Page or our website now!

Get the latest on everything and anything about Galaxy Note 9! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2018/05/27/samsung-galaxy-note-9-specs-design-storage-price-release-date/#69e837496ea3

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-note-9-specs-storage,news-27282.html

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-product/mobile-phone/samsung-galaxy-note-9-3671013/

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/966446/Galaxy-Note-9-Samsung-specs-power-ram-release

https://www.thesun.co.uk/tech/6400134/samsung-galaxy-note-9-specs-leak-storage-iphone/

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-note-9-bixby,news-27258.html

https://www.geeky-gadgets.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-with-exynos-9810-appears-on-geekbench-30-05-2018/

http://bgr.com/2018/05/16/galaxy-s10-release-date-early-note-9-foldable-galaxy-x/

http://bgr.com/2018/05/10/galaxy-note-9-release-date-coming-image-leak/

https://www.sammobile.com/2018/05/16/early-galaxy-note-9-release-may-be-due-to-samsungs-accelerated-schedule/

http://bgr.com/2018/05/16/galaxy-s10-release-date-early-note-9-foldable-galaxy-x/

https://twitter.com/UniverseIce/status/993799279453003776

http://bgr.com/2018/05/10/galaxy-note-9-release-date-coming-image-leak/

https://pixabay.com/en/smartphone-technology-mockup-apps-1283938/

https://unsplash.com/photos/eJsh9LKnX_A

Galaxy Note 9: Rumors on what is coming around the corner

Excited for Samsung’s next flagship device?

After Samsung was able to redeem themselves last year with the Note 8, the next one (codenamed Crown) is definitely on its way! What can we expect from the new phablet? Here’s a rundown from the rumor mill!

The Korea Herald got an exclusive that Samsung is almost done with their neural processing units or “AI chips”, which can help up their game in the area versus Apple, Huawei and the likes; and most likely will be available for the Note 9. What’s confirmed is we’ll be seeing a Bixby 2.0 in the Note 9 according to mobile chief DJ Koh last Mobile World Congress. We’re pretty sure this new device will also be powered by the Snapdragon 845 just like the S9 and S9+.

What’s new is it may have a larger screen display: a 6.4-inch Infinity Display with 2,960×1,440 pixels and may even 4K resolution too.   

They’re also going bigger on the battery (yep, they’re going for it even after the Note 7 battery debacle) to 3,850mAh or 4,000mAh to help power up the device.

Will we see the in-finger sensor?

Last MWC, an in-fingerprint screen has been launched from a Chinese company. But it’s in the gray area or “will they or won’t they” situation with reports coming from KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. For now we can only have fingers crossed…

The Animojis can make its way to the Note 9 too by the way!

A new camera feature we might see is HDR video recording which will be a first for Samsung phones . Plus, this device will also have a headphone jack and may come with a free pair of AKG headphones.

It could be released earlier (than last year’s model) too as the tech-giant wants to make up for the not-so-stellar sales of the Galaxy S9 and S9+; also to launch ahead of the next iPhones this September. We’re looking at around July 2018 or August 2018 launch.

Of course, the elephant in the room is the price: estimated at around $930 to $960; $100 more from the S9+. There’s also been reported leaked photos of the Note 9 though we might have to take this with a grain of salt.

Whoa, the phone looks awesome but that price isn’t really nice to look at…

We totally understand where you’re coming from. Nowadays, to get a flagship phone means shelling out around $1,000. That’s why we at Tech Armor make sure that you get the best protection for your devices at a fraction of the price!

Right now we’re protecting the latest Samsung Flagships: the Galaxy S9 and S9+ and Apple devices too like the iPhone X.  See more at our Amazon Store Front Page or website to arm your device!

Get the latest on everything and anything Samsung! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+accounts to stay in the know! You can join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20180117000885

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-9-release-date-price-specs-rumours-features-3304594

https://www.tomsguide.com/us/galaxy-note-9-bixby-2,news-26691.html

https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-note-9-what-we-want-to-see

https://www.androidauthority.com/samsung-galaxy-note-9-851366/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaymcgregor/2018/04/11/samsungs-note-9-gains-two-big-advantages-over-the-galaxy-s9/#21fdb85e166f

http://bgr.com/2018/04/11/galaxy-note-9-release-date-coming-specs-leak/

https://www.valuewalk.com/2018/04/fake-live-galaxy-note-9-images-leaked/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/cellphone-communication-computer-electronics-241345/

https://www.pexels.com/photo/android-phone-blur-cellular-telephone-close-up-454699/

https://unsplash.com/photos/VD9Hsvg3DVQ

Mobile World Congress 2018: Recap

A lot sure happened!

Barcelona was packed with innovations and new technologies last week! One of the biggest highlights was the Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus launched which we already shared here. Now, let’s go head on with the rest of the highlights from this year’s Mobile World Congress!

Let’s start with new devices!

As promised last CES, Alcatel launched several handsets namely the Alcatel 5, Alcatel 3V, Alcatel 3C, Alcatel 3X, Alcatel 3, Alcatel 1X, Alcatel 1C—all having the 18:9 display ratio. The Alcatel 1X was the first Android Go phone to be released on Google’s “Android Go” Platform. That’s not all, they also released tablets the Alcatel 1T 7 which has a 7-inch display and the 1T 10 which has a 10-in display.

LG got into the game with the release of the LG V30S ThinQ and V30S ThinQ Plus. Externally, they are a lot similar to their predecessors with the 6-inch Full Vision Display.

They do get AI camera upgrades like QLens that does visual image searches on Amazon or Pinterest. And the AI Cam that offers the ideal camera settings for a photo based on image recognition.

Hold on… did we just see the LG G7 lurking around in the event? Even Evan Blass took notice of the blog that shows a hands-on with the device.

Sony also came to the scene with the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact. Steering away from its usual design, they came with a more modern look better camera and audio. Quite identical except for the display and battery. The former having a 5.7-in Full HD+ screen and the latter with 5-in.

ZTE did not come empty handed and released the Blade V9, Blade V9 Vita and the Tempo Go— their Android Go phone offering.

Nokia is also joining the no headphone jack scene with is Nokia 8 Sirocco with a 5.5-in OLED display. This was launched alongside mid-tier Nokia 7 and 7 Plus and a refreshed 6-in LCD display Nokia 6.

5G coming in fast folks! Phone carriers Sprint, Verizon and AT&T showcased their plans on how they’ll roll out as early as late 2018 to 2019. With other phone carriers to follow hopefully by 2020.

Of course congrats to the GLOMO (GSMA’s Global Mobile) Awards Winners!

Apple (though a no show in the event) won Best Smartphone 2017 and Disruptive Device Innovation Award. While Samsung Won Best Mobile Innovation for Payment and Best Mobile VR or AR.

Surprisingly, Huawei bagged a lot of awards with Best Mobile Network Infrastructure, Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough (along with Sprint and Airspan), Best Network Software Breakthrough, Outstanding Mobile Technology Award- The CTO’s Choice, Best Mobile Innovation for Smart Cities, Best Mobile Innovation for Emerging Markets, The Green Mobile Award and the Outstanding Contribution to the Mobile Industry.

Wow, that’s a lot to take in… lots of new devices and a lot of possible phone falls in

No worries! Tech Armor will always have you covered!

From then til now, we’re committed to giving the best kind of protection and accessories for your devices backed by industry-leading customer service. We promise we’ll help you get ready for anything that can happen to your device!

You can always check out what we have new on our website or our Amazon Storefront page!

Get the latest on devices! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterestand Google+accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.cnet.com/news/alcatel-launches-7-budget-phones-mwc-2018/

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/24/17048004/alcatel-mwc-2018-announcements-phones-tablets-android-oreo

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/03/06/mwc-roundup-things-saw-2018s-mobile-world-congress/

https://www.androidpolice.com/2017/05/17/googles-android-go-new-android-variant-plugs-entry-level-hardware-gap/

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/02/24/alcatel-reveals-worlds-first-android-go-phone/

https://www.androidauthority.com/mwc/

https://www.androidpolice.com/2018/02/28/lg-g7-neo-caught-video-mwc-sporting-snapdragon-845-19-59-oled-display-notch/

https://www.ynet.co.il/articles/0,7340,L-5137286,00.html

https://twitter.com/evleaks/status/968907837878489088

https://www.androidauthority.com/mwc/#sony

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/25/17046572/zte-blade-v9-vita-camera-specs-price-release-date-mwc-2018

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/2/25/17046504/zte-tempo-go-android-spect-release-date-mwc-2018

https://www.androidauthority.com/mwc/#nokia

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/25/17049950/nokia-8-sirocco-release-date-pricing-mwc-2018

https://venturebeat.com/2018/02/27/all-eyes-on-the-5g-prize-as-troubled-telecom-industry-gathers-for-mwc-2018/

https://www.mobileworldcongress.com/conference-programmes/global-mobile-awards-2018/winners-2018/

http://www.lgnewsroom.com/2018/02/lg-v30s-thinq-with-new-integrated-ai-debuts-at-mwc-2018/

The latest rumors on the next iPhones: yes, not just one (or two)!

How many new iPhones will Apple launch?

It’s been just months since the iPhone X was launched and they’re already rumors about the next batch of phones!

Rise of the new design

So far, the rumor mill is going for 3 or at most 4 iPhones being released by Apple this year. There’s still no clear names so for now, let’s go with:

• 5.8” OLED display –  iPhone X (2nd gen)
• 6.5” OLED display – the iPhone X Plus
• 6.1” TFT-LCD –  iPhone X SE
• 4.0” display –  iPhone SE 2

Of the 4 phones, the iPhone SE 2 is the most uncertain if it sees the light of day this 2018. Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo report that should this push through, we’ll mostly just see internal updates like a faster processor.  If ever, a hardware change that we might see is a glass back for wireless charging like the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus. And its release can be as early as May or June 2018.

The main reason is the California tech-giant’s focus is on the 3 other models to avoid last year’s shipment delay concerns. The iPhone X (2nd gen), iPhone X Plus and iPhone X SE are expected to be launched on September, Apple’s usual cycle on their smartphones.

We might have to say goodbye to the Touch ID as these 3 phones are said to feature the Face ID as they will be equipped with the TruDepth camera system.  The iPhone X (2nd gen) and iPhone X Plus will have 4GB of RAM and made with Stainless Steel Frame Material.

The iPhone X SE will represent the affordable version of the 3, having an aluminum frame material, single lens camera and uses LCD display. But LCD display that’ll be used may only require ultra-slim 0.5mm bezels on all sides!

Excited to see the new phones?! (But not really about the rising price…)

The prices are pretty wallet-denting (with the iPhone X at the $1,000 price range), but on the bright side, you don’t have to pay a flagship price for the best protection for your devices! As promised, Tech Armor will always be here to help you out!

We’ll always have the latest (like the iPhone X) to keep your phone safe from drops and scratches.;)

Get the latest on everything and anything Apple! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.macworld.co.uk/news/iphone/new-iphone-2018-3646340/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2018/01/28/iphone-x-se-leak-reveals-apples-expensive-smartphone/#45c73fad2852

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/29/16946264/iphone-se-2-rumors-ming-chi-kuo-kgi-securities-apple

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/29/kuo-casts-doubt-on-iphone-se-2/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/iphone-11-news-rumors/

http://bgr.com/2018/01/26/iphone-se-2-release-date-may-or-june-report/

https://www.slashgear.com/iphone-x-plus-coming-with-2-cell-battery-4gb-ram-says-kuo-28517289/

https://www.macrumors.com/2018/01/28/ming-chi-kuo-2018-iphone-rumors/

http://www.techradar.com/news/iphone-se-2

http://www.valuewalk.com/2018/01/iphone-11-rumors-latest-next-gen-apple-smartphone/

Super Bowl LII Party Tips

It’s almost the most wonderful time of the year for NFL fans… Super Bowl!!! Will Tom Brady and the New England Patriots continue their NFL dominance or can the Philadelphia Eagles FINALLY get that elusive ring? This is sure to be exciting.

Finalizing your party plans or gearing up for your trip to Minnesota for the game (lucky you by the way!)? None of the above cause you have to go to work? 🙁

We have that all covered below!

Getting Ready

Having a Checklist helps! You can see this one for ideas. Or create your own to make sure everything is set! (Special shoutout to those going to the game)

Food (and drinks) at the party are as important as the game! Whip up amazing and easy to prepare food like Cool Ranch Snack Mix or Mini Nacho Pizzas! Chicken wings are definitely a must and here’s a useful life hack: you can evenly coat them using a salad spinner!

Or to have a more football vibe feeling, you can make some Frozen Footballs or Turkey and Avocado Onigiri Footballs! You can view the recipes on your iPad while cooking to keep track. It’s best to protect the screen from smudges while cooking with our Ballistic Glass Screen Protector– the oleophobic coating helps prevent greasy fingerprints. Here’s another useful tip: the Suction Cup Universal Magnetic Car Mount can also stick right to your countertop to prop up your phone or laptop. This will give you an excellent hands-free view of any recipes or a great stand for streaming the game live!

For the drinks, Costco is a great place to save some money, plus maybe get lots of variety for the party. You may be able to buy even without a membership.

Game On

Where to watch? Lots of online TV streaming services in the US offer NBC Sports so you can start there.  NBC will also have a live streaming on their website and on their Sports App for free.

For those at work, the app can really be helpful! Arm your smartphone with a privacy screen protector so you can watch discreetly (we suggest the 4-way Privacy for maximum invisibility)… just try to keep the cheers to a minimum. Want to watch on a bigger screen at work? We have privacy screen protectors for the Macbooks too. 😉

The game can get intense so it’ll be great to have party games as a stress-buster! You can play Charades… on your phone! It’s easy to play and even make your own list. A case and screen protector for your phone may come in handy especially how the game’s played.

After The Verdict

When it’s time for your guests to leave, make sure your Designated Driver is sober for the ride. To keep them company, they can have some tunes while driving. A Tech Armor car charger and car mount can help them out here.

For those in Minnesota, you can eat their popular Juicy Lucy or have some Walleye… great for celebratory or maybe comfort food… Then get a beer or two and chicken wings from one of their Sports Bars like Stanley’s Northeast Bar Room or Iron Door Pub. It’s best to keep a power bank with you so your phone doesn’t die out!

Always get scoops about the latest tips, tricks and events! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources

https://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/entertaining/food-drink/super-bowl-party-checklist

https://thejoysofboys.com/football-games-charades/

http://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/party-ideas/g477/football-superbowl-snacks/?thumbnails&slide=17

https://www.buzzfeed.com/peggy/31-genius-super-bowl-party-hacks-that-will-make-your-life-ea?utm_term=.cfLJKv2AO#.wsAKQEl93

https://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/cute-football-snacks-for-your-super-bowl-party?utm_term=.swN7gMJyr#.ggZ8RoEpx

http://www.delish.com/entertaining/a51193/hacks-super-bowl-party/

https://20somethingfinance.com/shop-costco-without-membership/

http://www.techradar.com/how-to/how-to-stream-super-bowl-2018-live-online

https://www.thebalance.com/super-bowl-party-games-1357353

https://www.minneapolis.org/blog/foods-minneapolis-is-known-for/

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/charades/id653967729?mt=8

http://www.pajcic.com/9-tips-hosting-safe-super-bowl-party/

https://www.minneapolis.org/blog/where-to-watch-the-game/

http://www.nbcsports.com/super-bowl

CES 2018: New tech on the rise

We got lots of surprises (plus a blackout) this year!

After the holidays we’re treated to the annual tech convention in Los Vegas. The bright, shining glimpse into the future of tech that is CES 2018! Big and small game players gathered for another interesting year! Let’s see… what happened?

Smartphone announcements at CES 2018

To start things off, Samsung debuted their mid-range A series. It’s a budget-friendly version of the Galaxy S8 with its infinity display but lower specs. The fingerprint scanner is adjusted to below the camera (hopefully avoiding camera smudges). The series is for worldwide release but no official date yet.

Sony came into CES 2018 full force announcing 3 smartphones during the event. Unveiled were Xperia XA2, Xperia XA2 Ultra and Xperia L2. New feature that all 3 would have is the fingerprint sensor.  

Huawei Mate 10 Pro and the Mate 10 Pro Porsche Design versions are coming to the US! Pre-orders will start on February 4. We also caught a glimpse of the new Alcatel 5, 3 and 1 series. More info on that would be released hopefully by the Mobile World Congress.

Blackberry announced that we’ll get to see the Blackberry Motion in the US, while Asus revealed lots of new tech including the Asus ZenFone Max Plus; a first for the Zenfone line to have the Face Unlock feature. (Price off-contract is $229).

The greatest highlight for the mobile industry was the under-glass fingerprint sensor. The tech comes from Synaptics and was placed on a Vivo phone. Synaptics announced that they are now manufacturing it for public use , so we can expect to see this tech in a lot of future phones that use the OLED display.

Upgrade to laptops and TVs

Could your smartphone double as your laptop’s touchpad? Now there’s a huge possibility. Razer’s Project Linda showed just that by connecting the phone to a laptop shell with USB Type-C. Then Acer put in its bid to win the “world’s thinnest laptop” at 8.98 mm thin with its Swift 7.

From thinnest, now going to the largest. Samsung’s “The Wall” is a 146-in diagonal display TV that definitely attracted lots of attention and LG did not hold back in the TV game with its rollable (yes, like paper rollable) 65-inch 4K OLED television.

Other events

CES trended for a lot of notable reasons. And maybe one-not-so-good reason: #CESblackout. It got dark real fast and real quick and took a few hours to get everything back on track. CES released a statement that the electronic outage was due to heavy rainfall that short circuited one of the event’s transformers.

Google also went all out in pushing its Google Assistant in this year’s CES. Safe to say it was literally everywhere: partnering with third party hardware to a big booth on the event grounds.

It’s just the start of the year and loads of announcements have been made!

Tech Armor will always have your back as new tech arises! We’ll keep you on track with all the reveals… plus keep them protected too. 😉 Head on over to our Amazon Store Front Page or to our website main page to get you started!

Always get the latest from Tech Armor! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

http://www.trustedreviews.com/news/ces-2018-best-highlights-news-3350586

http://www.samsung.com/global/galaxy/galaxy-a8/specs/

http://www.ibtimes.sg/top-smartphones-presented-ces-2018-check-price-availability-23120

https://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-xa2/

https://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-xa2-ultra/

https://www.sonymobile.com/us/products/phones/xperia-l2/

http://www.ibtimes.sg/huawei-mate-10-pro-heads-us-february-799-22912

http://consumer.huawei.com/us/press/news/2018/huawei-ces-2018-press-release/

http://www.techradar.com/news/alcatel-5-series-announced-with-flagship-features-at-a-lower-price

https://www.cnet.com/news/alcatel-5-3-1-series-phones-ces-2018/

https://www.cnet.com/news/all-the-smartphone-news-from-ces-2018/

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/9/16867152/blackberry-motion-keyone-bronze-edition-us-availability-ces-2018

https://www.cnet.com/news/asus-zenfone-max-plus-ces-2018/

https://www.asus.com/us/Phone/ZenFone-Max-Plus-M1/Features/

https://www.cnet.com/news/ces-2018-the-final-word/

https://www.androidauthority.com/ces/

https://qz.com/1179116/best-of-ces-2018-nvidias-chips-googles-thirst-razers-project-linda-riding-modobag/

http://time.com/5102127/best-laptops-ces-2018-dell-lenovo/

https://www.cnet.com/news/samsung-microled-makes-massive-modular-tv-a-reality/

https://www.cnet.com/news/lg-display-crazy-65-inch-oled-tv-can-roll-up-like-a-poster-ces-2018/

https://www.ces.tech/News/Press-Releases/CES-Press-Release.aspx?NodeID=413c31cf-1575-462b-a958-d24d8a2d3685

http://stocknewspress.com/2018/01/13/power-goes-out-at-ces.html

http://money.cnn.com/2018/01/10/technology/ces-2018-blackout/index.html?sr=twtech011018ces-2018-blackout0934PMVODtopLink&linkId=46816850

https://9to5google.com/2018/01/16/google-ces-booth-assistant/

http://www.techradar.com/news/google-takes-on-amazon-echo-show-with-display-equipped-google-assistant-smart-speakers

http://www.techradar.com/news/ces-2018/2#article-body

https://9to5google.com/2018/01/14/hands-on-clear-id-fingerprint/

Rumored Mobile Devices for 2018

Lots to expect this year folks!

2018 has just begun but rumors are starting to pile up from top mobile device manufacturers! What awesome gadgets can we expect this year? Read on for the rundown!

Apple

iPhone

The iPhone X was most probably the design refresh everyone was waiting for from the tech giant. This year, we might be seeing 3 versions of that.  Aside from the 5.8-inch screen we’ve seen. There’ll be an iPhone X Plus that can be 6.2-6.5-inches. The third will be a refresh of the iPhone SE with 6.1-inches. Speaking of the iPhone SE2, it may also have wireless charging feature.

iPad

The iPad Pros may have less bezels this year with the Touch ID removed in favor of the Face ID. And we might get to see it this summer. There will also be a next gen to the budget-friendly “iPad”… and could become even cheaper at $259 from last year’s $329. Expected release is first half of this year.

Apple Watch

We can also say hello to a different version of the Apple Watch with its design upgrade.  Its launch will be alongside the iPhone in September.

Samsung

Galaxy S9 and S9+

It’s safe to say 2017 was the year of redemption for Samsung after the whole Note 7 debacle. And it delivered! What will they have in store this year? So far one of the good news rumors for the Galaxy S9 and S9+ is the fingerprint scanner is moved to the center, to avoid smudging the camera. Another is it’ll have a super slow-motion video feature.

The new devices could launch either February or March. Rumors suggest we may get to see the smartphones for the first time at the Mobile World Congress or on Samsung’s own event just like last year’s “Unpacked”.

Note 9

The Galaxy Note 9 may just have what the iPhone X doesn’t— in-screen fingerprint scanner. Other than that it’ll also have it’s own version of facial scanning. This device is rumored to be launched either on August or September.

Google

The company is currently working on 3 phones this year with code names Crosshatch, Albacore and Blueline. One of the three-phones will be a budget-friendly version one similar to the old Nexus phones. While it’s high-end is targeted to compete with the iPhone X. Despite having different screen sizes, it’ll all be powered with the Snapdragon 845.

These devices will reportedly be launched in October.

LG

LG G7 will be released with a different name as LG is rumored to let go of the G branding. A new feature reportedly coming to the device is its own version of the iris scanner.  The new flagship device is rumored to launch this February

OnePlus

The OnePlus 6 will reportedly go for a better facial recognition feature. Similar to the iPhone X. While it will most likely have the same design of edge-to-edge screen as its predecessors. The new flagship phone will reportedly be out on June.

Bonus: Honor 7X and Honor View 10

Both the Honor 7X and Honor View 10 are confirmed to be released in the USA sometime this year. The Honor 7X has an 18:9 aspect ratio and a headphone jack to name a few specs.

The Honor View 10 has a 16MP camera and 3750mAh battery. You can get the Honor 7X for $199 while Honor View 10 will cost under $500. Honor is a brand under Huawei.

Whoa… Lots in store for 2018!

And that may be just the tip of the iceberg folks! Don’t worry as we’ll always have you updated! Of course your devices will be protected too! Head on to the Tech Armor website or our Amazon Storefront for the latest!

We promise you can keep on playing, while we protect! 😉

Always get the latest from Tech Armor! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkelly/2018/01/02/apple-iphone-x2-iphone-x-plus-iphone-se2/#6d7bd98074c8

https://www.macworld.com/article/3236255/iphone-ipad/iphone-2018-rumors.html

https://www.slashgear.com/iphone-se-2-glass-back-and-wireless-charging-tipped-plus-early-2018-launch-08514271/

http://www.businessinsider.com/apple-iphone-ipad-mac-watch-2018-release-date-preview-2018-1/#three-new-iphones-1

http://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-s9-wasnt-at-ces-2018-but-new-rumors-make-it-seem-imminent

http://www.mirror.co.uk/tech/samsung-galaxy-s9-release-date-11768475

http://www.alphr.com/samsung/1007273/samsung-galaxy-note-9-rumours-release-date-and-specs

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/science-technology/898533/Samsung-Galaxy-S9-Note-9-Google-Pixel-3-Release-Date-UK-Leak

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-product/mobile-phone/google-pixel-3-3669066/

https://www.techadvisor.co.uk/new-product/mobile-phone/lg-g7-3660763/

http://www.expertreviews.co.uk/lg/1405983/lg-g7-uk-price-release-date-and-specs-rumours-will-the-new-lg-smartphone-in-2018

http://www.alphr.com/mobile-phones/1006451/oneplus-6-release-date-specs-price

http://www.knowyourmobile.com/mobile-phones/honor-7x/24834/honor-7x-and-honor-view-10-finally-coming-usa

https://www.theverge.com/circuitbreaker/2018/1/7/16860892/huawei-honor-7x-v10-specs-price-us-release-ces-2018

https://www.cnet.com/news/red-honor-7x-honor-view-10-coming-to-us-ces-2018/

Holiday Shopping Tips: getting ready for the rush!

Especially with Cyber Monday just around the corner too!

It’s that time of the season again folks for all the big sales and discounts! Are you geared up for the rush? Don’t worry, we’ve got tips here that can help you out!

1. Have your Christmas Shopping list ready before Cyber Monday arrives

• Writing one now might be a good idea. So as soon as all the deals come rolling around, you already know what to buy to score great deals too!

2. Sign up as early as now to newsletters

• Some companies give out exclusive deals to their mailing list (maybe like us 😉 ) that you might miss out on!

3. If shopping online: keep website open in multiple devices.

• With lots of people browsing for deals, websites crashing may happen. But there’s a possibility it’s still available on other devices like on mobile or tablet.

4. Another online shopping tip: check online shops at different times

• There might be different deals going on for just a certain time period only!!!

Tech Armor Amazon Storefront

5. If you’re planning to go to the stores: compare prices to get the best deals

• With several deals trying to get your attention and maybe a hundred people making things crazier in the mall, best to know where to go.

6. One more for store buying: call for availability of the item you want

• Probably the last thing everyone wants is staring at empty shelves of what you were planning to buy. Some may even let you reserve the item.

7. Prioritize protecting your identity

• Keep track of all your expenses anywhere and everywhere you go while shopping. Keep watch on any fraudulent charges or even identity theft. (A Privacy screen protector will help you out here)

8. Also, pay with a credit card

• Should someone steal your credit card info and use it, you’d have zero liability on those charges… check the terms and conditions with your cardholder to keep you protected!

9. A little heads up for the Tech fans: this might be a great time to buy an iPhone or TV!

• Experts from Huffpost said that TVs and iPhones (not directly from Apple) get great deals during Black Friday

10. Track and save order confirmations

• Save it online and offline if you can! It can help you track down with your expenses (especially when your credit card bill knocks on your door) plus for exchange purposes too.

There you have it! We hope all this info help you out at one of the busiest times of the year!

As always, Tech Armor will always have your back! Plus make sure your trusty sidekick for the holidays (aka your phone) is armed and ready!

• Screen Protectors? Definitely!
• In need of a car mount? Yep, we have that too!
• Charging devices a daily routine? We’ve got power banks and chargers for you to choose from!

BOOM! A few levels of stress removed from an otherwise crazy, stressful event! Always get the latest from Tech Armor! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/15/smarter-living/black-friday-cyber-monday-shopping.html

http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-38090240

http://www.lifehack.org/504558/5-last-minute-holiday-shopping-tips-beat-the-holiday-rush

https://people.howstuffworks.com/culture-traditions/holidays-christmas/5-early-holiday-shopping-tips2.htm

http://www.bestproducts.com/lifestyle/a118/shopping-tips-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/

http://freefrombroke.com/tips-shopping-black-friday-cyber-monday/

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/black-friday-tips_us_5a0e2382e4b045cf43707caa

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/black-friday/0/13-black-friday-shopping-hacks-how-to-shop-online-like-a-pro/

https://www.bbb.org/northern-alabama/news-events/news-releases/2017/11/tips-to-consider-before-shopping-on-black-friday-and-cyber-monday/

https://www.moneycrashers.com/cyber-monday-shopping-tips/

Google Launch 2017: New Google Pixel 2 phones and more!

They had a lot under their sleeve to reveal! 😉

Google did not hold back with all the announcements it had October 4 at the San Francisco Jazz Center! After lots of leaks and speculations, they finally launched the Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL! And there’s even more new tech you might wanna check out.

First up: the new Google Phones!

One of the immediate differences is seen in the screen structure:

• The Google Pixel 2 has a 5.0-inch OLED display and a 16:9 aspect ratio.
• The Pixel 2 XL has 6.0-inch P-OLED display with a 18:9 aspect ratio. The larger phone ironically has slimmer bezels around the screen compared to its small counterpart.

The Pixel 2 also is powered a 2,700 mAh battery, while the Pixel 2 XL boasts a 3,520 mAh cell. The available colors for the Pixel 2 are Just Black, Clearly White, Kinda Blue and Black and White (the Pixel 2 XL is only Just Black and Black and White).

While most of the interior specs are the same for both phones. Some of which are:

The devices are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 processor, 4GB of Ram and the latest version of Android Oreo out of the box. They’re also DayDream/augmented reality Ready. You can also choose from either 64GB or 128GB of storage.

Sadly, no headphone jacks on this one folks. You’d have to choose between listening to music or charging the phone.

The bright side is the Google Pixel camera continues to be on top of the DxOMark scoring a 98, beating current Apple and Samsung flagships both scoring a 94. One of the newest features you can check out is squeezing the sides of the device to launch Google Assistant. The phone will also come with the Quick Switch Adapter to make transferring data easier from your old phone to your chosen Pixel 2. Oh and this is how they showed it in the event:

Pretty interesting, right? 😉

What else did Google announce?

Google announced a whole lot in its conference! Several of the other announcements are:

• Google Pixelbook as a “four in one convertible”
• Pixelbook Pen to complement the new Pixelbook
• Google Home Max, the tech-giant’s answer to Apple’s Homepod,
• Google Home Mini, smaller/donut-sized version of the Max
• DayDream VR headset
• Google Pixel Buds (notable feature is its live translation)
• Google Clips

Awesome! But how much for the new Pixel phones again?

The price for the Pixel 2 starts at $649 while for the Pixel 2 XL starts at $849.

Almost $1,000?! That price is no joke.

Unfortunately, there seems to be no stopping the rising price for any new phone on the market! 🙁 Tech Armor totally understands how investing on a great phone is important nowadays. And just how much it can give a dent to your wallet.

That’s why we make sure that you get premium quality phone accessories at a fraction of your device’s price. A clear win-win! 😉

We are definitely protecting the new Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL! Stay tuned as we give more updates on our upcoming screen protectors for it!

Get the latest on all tech-related updates! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+ accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YGoxbeSzLc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D89C8T9yKpM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cjVj1ZyzyE&list=PLnKtcw5mIGUR9dJlAz281LouhEEjfFTWH

https://store.google.com/us/?hl=en-US

http://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-2-xl-804237/

https://www.engadget.com/2016/10/04/made-by-google-pixel-pixel-xl/

https://gizmodo.com/pixel-2-what-you-need-to-know-about-googles-new-top-an-1819121718

https://www.theverge.com/2017/10/4/16405192/new-google-pixel-2-xl-phone-photos-video-hands-on

https://techcrunch.com/gallery/heres-everything-google-announced-today/slide/1/

http://www.androidauthority.com/google-pixel-2-best-smartphone-camera-dxomark-804794/

https://techcrunch.com/gallery/heres-everything-google-announced-today/slide/1/

iPhone 8 / 8 Plus: Reviews are in!

We look at the reviews and even drop tests on the new iPhones!

It’s been just a couple weeks since the release and lots of reviews for the new iPhone 8 and 8 Plus are out! Are you planning on getting one or waiting for the iPhone X ? We’ve got an overview of info to help you get started!

What’s great with the 8?

One of the immediately noticeable things is it’s cleaner looking thanks to a glass cover in the front and over the back – giving it a premium glossy look.

That’s about it for the exterior… the rest of the upgrades are mostly found internally. The iPhone 8 contains tweaks and improvements from the iPhone 7 and making it future proof. Same with the iPhone 8 Plus.

Trusted Reviews also comments how powerful the A11 Bionic chip is, which is more powerful than the current Qualcomm high-end Snapdragon chips out there. This is found both in the iPhone 8 and 8 Plus, positively affecting its performances.

Another awesome perk you get from both phones is found in the camera. Wired.com reviews that the new camera and chip combined made everything faster and more efficient. If you go for the iPhone 8 Plus, it boasts Portrait Lighting, so your photos are on point!

Both devices are also going big with Augmented Reality combined with iOS 11. But with PC Mag’s experience, better to go with the iPhone 8 Plus for this perk. Overall, this is a safe choice as it’s familiar compared to the upcoming iPhone X.

What’s not to like in these devices?

Most people agree that both phones look quite old fashioned especially since the design has been used for too long (4 generations already). This might be a deal breaker for some people.

Having glass in front and at the back has major cons too. TechAdvisor says it will probably slowly slide off if placed in an uneven surface. While Wired also reviews that just after few days use they already saw a few scratches while using it without any case or such. (Side note: who DOESN’T put a case on their phones these days???)

Drop tests on iPhone 8  and iPhone 8 Plus show in one way or another, the glass material (either front or back…or both really) may crack if the devices fall.

Both phones still do not have the headphone jack and both are considered expensive. The starting price is $699 for the iPhone 8 and $799 for the iPhone 8 Plus.

Speaking of expensive, the glass back is also more expensive to replace than the front one.

Sold with getting either of these devices? But those drop tests though…

It’s all cool as we’ve got your back! 😉 Our screen protectors and cases are good to go for either phone so you’ve got nothing to worry about. We’ve even been featured as one of the best screen protectors for the iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus! And also on 9to5toys! Glass backs may be back on the iPhone but it never the cracks with Tech Armor! 😉

Get the latest on all Apple updates! Join our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest and Google+accounts to stay in the know! Join the TA Nation too!

Sources:

https://www.theverge.com/2017/9/19/16323570/apple-new-iphone-8-review-plus-2017

http://sea.pcmag.com/apple-iphone-8-plus/17430/review/apple-iphone-8-plus

https://www.wired.com/2017/09/review-apple-iphone-8-and-8-plus/

http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/09/30/iphone-8-review

https://www.stuff.tv/apple/iphone-8/review

http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/iphone-8-battery-life-and-verdict

http://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/iphone-8-plus

https://www.cnet.com/products/apple-iphone-8-review/

http://www.techadvisor.co.uk/review/iphones/iphone-8-review-3664716/

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/oct/02/iphone-8-plus-review-big-phablet-camera-battery-life

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-Eg7US-G8s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wApMyDq9zE

https://www.imore.com/eight-great-iphone-8-plus-screen-protectors#tech

https://9to5toys.com/2017/09/25/glass-screen-protectors-iphone-8/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/mobile/best-iphone-8-screen-protectors/

https://www.engadget.com/2017/09/22/iphone-8-glass-back-costs-more-to-repair/