Considering that the newly unveiled iPhone X commands a hefty price tag a of $999/£999/AU$1,579, it's not a bad idea to opt for an extended warranty to protect your premium phone.

However, be prepared to pay extra for the privilege, as Apple is charging $199/£199/AU$299 to cover the iPhone X under AppleCare+, asking a higher price than normal for the service, which provides two years of accident coverage and technical support.

To compare, AppleCare+ for other iPhones (including the also-just-announced iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus) costs $129/£129/AU$189, and seems to offer comparable, if not exact, coverage for customers.

The "+" refers to the new price

Considering the brand-new, bezel-less OLED display on the iPhone X (which also doubles as the new Home Button) we imagine that the primo handset is more complex/expensive to repair compared to other iPhone models, possibly explaining the price hike.

That said, the inflation is sure to make some buyers inhale sharply through gritted teeth, as even two years' worth of peace mind is difficult to work into the budget once the final tally for a covered iPhone X exceeds well into quadruple-digits.

The iPhone X releases November 3, with pre-orders planned to start October 27. 

Via The Verge

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While the just-announced iPhone X is the hot new device right now, the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is building up to a big release of its own.

Samsung's new handset has been pre-ordered a whopping 650,000 times over five days and across approximately 40 countries, according to Reuters.

This not only makes beats pre-orders for the Note 8's predecessor — the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 — by about 2.5 times, but also makes the Note 8 the most-preordered entry in the Note family.

The turnout also bodes well for the Note name, which was put in jeopardy last year when the ill-fated Note 7 was recalled worldwide for volatile battery issues.

Samsung for life

Despite the Note 7's reputation-damaging recall, Samsung fans didn't seem to waver. Out of 5,000 Note users Samsung polled afterwards, an impressive 85% reportedly said they'd give the brand another chance.

The Galaxy Note 8 hits store shelves in the US and UK this Friday, September 15. The phablet releases in Australia a week later, on September 22.

In the meantime, Apple fans (as well as the 15% of Note owners from the poll looking for an alternative) will have a lot of options to consider later this year. If you're thinking of making the switch to iOS, you have the iPhone 8, iPhone 8 Plus and the all-in iPhone X to choose from.

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Whether it's managing what services can use your Google data, using encrypted messaging apps or just having a stronger password than "password," there are many ways to keep your information secure on the go.

To help with that effort, Verizon, Sprint, AT&T and T-Mobile announced a collaboration today to work towards a new method of mobile authentication.

Dubbed the Mobile Authentication Taskforce, the combined effort hopes to develop a new solution for both users and companies that can better ensure that people using personal information on mobile devices are who they say they are.

While the four carriers are still in the resource planning process, some potential ideas for how the new authentication standard might work could involve using cellular networks, geo-location or recognizing SIM cards.

The team-up expects to have a new solution planned sometime next year — though given yesterday's news that a data breach at credit reporting firm Equifax may have compromised the data of over 143 million people, we imagine those worried about identity theft may not want to wait that long.

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Since its launch in 2009, Google Dashboard has been a useful tool that helps users better manage their data and (relative) privacy.

Eight years later, Google is announcing a major overhaul of its Dashboard, making it easier to manage the products and services you use through Google, as well as how much data each is allowed access to.

As seen in the image above comparing the old Google Dashboard (left) with the new one (right), the most noticeable difference is how touchscreen-friendly the refreshed design is compared to the original.

With more users turning to mobile devices for their searches and apps, it also makes sense that managing your data on those devices should be better-suited for smaller screens. 

Take your data to go

The redesign also make it easier to download data — useful for Google's Takeout feature, which allows users to copy or export all their Google data to an external source. 

According to Google, this feature has led to over an exabyte of exported data since its launch in 2011, with more than a million exports made each month.

Google's new Dashboard is expected to roll out to users over the coming days. Oh, and in case you were curious: one exabyte is equal to a billion gigabytes.

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The iPhone 8 launch date and reveal is less than one week away, but its rocky production may force Apple to temper expectations for its upcoming handset.

It appears that Apple's anticipated handset was beset by issues during the manufacturing process, which may leave out the long-running Touch ID feature as well as run the risk of delays or short supply, The Wall Street Journal reports.

This isn't the first time we've heard tales of troubled production for the iPhone 8, with significant design challenges reportedly setting back factory partners like Foxconn by as much as a month.

In response, Foxconn is said to be offering bonuses for employee referrals in order to bolster the workforce at its iPhone plant in Zhengzhou, China — up from a staff of around 250,000 people as of this past June.

Touchy subject

It appears that Apple's rumored decision to ditch the bezel and home screen on its latest handset, while aesthetically competitive with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S8, may have inadvertently caused two major production challenges.

The first was Touch ID, Apple's fingerprint-scanning biometric security system. According to sources familiar with the matter in The Wall Street Journal's report, Apple technicians struggled to implement a fingerprint scanner into the touch screen, ultimately cutting Touch ID in favor of a facial scanning feature.

The second issue, and likely the chief culprit in Apple's supposed production delays, are the OLED screens rumored to be used in the iPhone 8. 

Although Samsung's competing handsets also use OLED displays, the report claims that Apple's manufacturing process takes longer and requires more layers of adhesive and protective film than Samsung's, resulting in longer production times and a higher risk of manufacturing error.

While it appears that Apple's more-than-incremental changes to its newest iPhone may have cost the company more time than anticipated, it's hard to deny our excitement at seeing what the company's been working on come this Tuesday, September 12.

Via 9to5Mac

• How to watch the iPhone 8 reveal

T-Mobile announced its "Netflix On Us" plan for customers today, offering subscribers to the carrier's T-Mobile ONE family plan free access to the streaming service at no additional charge.

While a nice little bonus for those who primarily use mobile devices for watching shows on-the-go, T-Mobile's new initiative is also meant to be taken as a response to internet-and-cable bundles often sold through other carriers.

“While the carriers spend billions on their franken-strategies to cobble together carrier-cable-content mashups," said John Legere, president and CEO of T-Mobile, "[T-Mobile] just leapfrogged them all by partnering with the best and giving it to customers at no extra charge."

T-Mobile's Netflix bonus is available to T-Mobile ONE subscribers with two or more qualifying lines starting September 12, and can be applied to customers who already subscribe to the streaming service. 

For fans of ultra-high definition streaming, Legere does mention that the service included with Netflix On US is the standard version, meaning that you'll still need to fork over a few extra bucks if you have a 4K TV or perhaps even the now-supported Samsung Galaxy Note 8.

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While not every smartphone owner has the time, patience or tools for DIY repairs, other take great pride (not to mention save some significant cash) fixing devices on their own.

The new Essential Phone may prove to be a hassle for those handy handset-havers, as a teardown of the high-end Android handset reveals some design choices that could complicate simple repairs, according to iFixit.

iFixit's extensive piece-by-piece tour of the modular Essential Phone proved a major challenge for the professional tinkerers, with the phone needing to be flash-frozen just to get a look at its innards. 

From there, it appears that Essential wasn't joking when it wanted to cut the fluff, as the PH-1 is densely packed with tech and even featured some repair-friendly choices like standard Phillips/JIS fasteners and stretch-release adhesive for the battery.

However, one major issue iFixit encountered with the Essential Phone's design (besides needing Iceman's mutant powers just to open it) was the decision to solder the USB-C port onto the motherboard.

Should the charging-and-accessory port need replacing, it will first have to be painstakingly removed from the board or have the board replaced altogether — neither of which are cheap or easy procedures. 

Additionally, since the Essential Phone is also ditching the 3.5mm headphone jack iPhone 7-style, the port could see a lot of wear and tear, compounding the issue.

While all this won't be a deal breaker for Android fans that don't plan on taking apart their phones anytime soon, the complexity of Essential's high-end, higher-efficiency design could mean that even minor repairs could require a lot more work than Google and a screwdriver — but hey, that's what warranties are for, right?

As if the upcoming Samsung Galaxy Note 8 wasn't already catching our eye as is, the flagship phablet is gaining another perk thanks to its massive, HDR-capable display and Netflix.

Netflix is adding support for high dynamic range video streaming for the Samsung Galaxy Note 8, allowing users to beam higher-contrast, richer color content right to their phone, according to the service's support page.

The Galaxy Note 8 joins a small but rapidly growing selection of supported devices that includes two other newcomers, the LG V30 and Sony Xperia XZ1, alongside the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, which joined Netflix's list just last month.

Additionally, the LG G6 also features HDR Netflix streaming and is currently the only Android device listed that uses Dolby Vision — a separate high dynamic range format also supported by the video streaming giant.

More to follow?

Despite the Samsung Galaxy S8, S8 Plus, Galaxy Tab S3 and infamously recalled Samsung Galaxy Note 7 all featuring HDR-capable displays, Netflix does not support high dynamic range streaming for those devices at this time.

We have contacted Netflix to learn more about potential HDR support for other compatible Samsung devices, and will update this story as more details develop.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 8 releases September 15 in both the UK and US, followed by September 22 in Australia. The handset will fetch a price tag as impressive as its high-end display, starting at $930, £869, AU$1,499.

Via SamMobile

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From predictive text to YouTube support, Google is continually making improvements to its keyboard add-on, Gboard.

The latest addition coming to Gboard are two standbys for any fans of illustrating their feelings in a chat: sticker packs and Bitmoji.

Not unlike applications like Facebook Messenger and Google's own Allo, using stickers and Bitmoji is easy: first, you download sticker packs and/or set up a Bitmoji avatar, then link them to Gboard. 

From there, stickers and Bitmoji stamps work the same as sprinkling emojis into your text using menu on the bottom of your keyboard, allowing you to sprinkle in cute little reactions, comebacks and more into any app that supports posting images. 

At the time of writing, some sticker packs available for Gboard include famous characters and imagery from Google Allo's selfie stickers, Disney, Hello Kitty, Garfield, Star Wars and more.  

Gboard's latest features are rolling out now for Android users, and we've contacted Google to learn if iOS users will also be able to get in on this action as well. We will update this story as we learn more.

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While many flocked to BlackBerry phones for their tactile QWERTY keyboards, those who prefer touchscreens may want to pay attention to the next BlackBerry handset in the pipeline.

TCL, the manufacturer in charge of the BlackBerry brand, plans to release a companion phone to the high-end BlackBerry KeyOne — this time replacing the built-in keyboard with a full touchscreen display, according to CNET.

It's no surprise that TCL has more BlackBerries to release before the year is out. However, the all-screen phone comes as a small surprise because not only will it ditch the physical keyboard, but could also make a launch as soon as October.

BlackBerry KeyLess

The device is also said to cost about the same as the BlackBerry KeyOne (about $549, £499, AU$729), meaning the phone will likely be on the higher end of the quality scale compared to BlackBerry's more budget-friendly, touchscreen-only Android phones — the BlackBerry DTEK50 and DTEK60.

While this likely won't spell the end of BlackBerry's trademark physical keyboards, the move towards more traditional smartphone designs could help the phone maker find an audience beyond hardcore business-types. 

Until then, we hope to learn more what TCL and BlackBerry have planned during IFA 2017, which kicks off this week in Berlin.

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Being an open platform with a massive number of users, Android can sometimes run the risk of having software that contains malware, privacy hacks or just plain bad coding.

To ensure it's sticking its name onto something good, Google is partnering up with several manufacturers, sellers and developers to inform customers of worthy products using a time-tested method: a seal of approval.

Going forward, a Google Play Protect logo will be placed on the retail packaging of phones, tablets or other devices that pass the tech giant's standards for security and permissions use.

Devices that feature Google's certified symbol also feature genuine Google apps pre-installed, mitigating issues with sketchy third-party apps or imposters.

Even if your phone arrived pre-certification, Android users can still utilize Google Play Protect's machine learning abilities to scan their apps for malfeasance, as well as keep their device safe in case of theft or unsafe web browsing. 

To find out which Google Play Protect partners are getting the a-okay from Google, you can check out a full list here. 

• 10 things you need to know about Android Oreo

Though a handy accessory for artists, businesses or just those who just prefer the feel of a writing utensil, the Apple Pencil is limited in use thanks to being exclusively compatible for the high-end iPad Pro.

That may change, however, as a new patent published in Apple's name suggests that the Apple Pencil could soon expand to new devices — to possibly include future iterations of the iPhone, according to Patently Apple.

The patent, describing a technique for "Noise Correction for a Stylus Touch Device," specifically names that both a tablet and smartphone could make use of the tech — though, as always, a patent is not a substitute for an official announcement.

This isn't the first patent to suggest Apple may be considering the Apple Pencil for smartphones, with Tim Cook himself even letting slip a comment late last year that could suggest iPhone compatibility coming to the Apple-branded stylus.

While a smartphone's smaller screen may not be as optimal for drawing as a tablet, we can see the upcoming iPhone 8 benefiting from a quality stylus to help it compete with writing phablets like the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 — as well as make the Apple Pencil more than a single-product accessory.

Via 9to5Mac

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5G may still be a ways off, but mobile carriers are working hard to make the most of their 4G LTE networks, and T-Mobile is no exception.

The carrier announced today that it's successfully activated a 600MHz cellular LTE network site in Cheyenne, Wyoming — the first of its kind. 

Operating on a previously open frequency, purchased during the Federal Communications Commission's auction of premium low-band spectrum licenses, the 600MHz LTE network claims to offer better coverage and less data congestion compared to the 700MHz network used by most large carriers today.

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After Wyoming, T-Mobile plans to expand its newly minted 600MHz network to other rural locations such as Northwest Oregon, West Texas, Southwest Kansas, the Oklahoma panhandle, Western North Dakota, Maine, Coastal North Carolina, Central Pennsylvania, Central Virginia and Eastern Washington.

Though active, it will still be a while before T-Mobile's record-breaking service sees widespread use. 

According to the carrier, it will take some time for today's phones to catch up with the tech, with Samsung and LG planning to launch phones capable of tapping into the new network by the fourth quarter of this year. Those are the Galaxy Note 8 and LG V30, by the way.

T-Mobile is also still hard at work preparing the rest of its network for the eventual switch to 5G, the next-gen (albeit currently undefined) mobile communications standard the carrier hopes to have ready for consumers nationwide by 2020.

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Cracked screens are the bane of just about any phone owner. Even with the best cases and screen protectors at the ready, shattering your phone with just one unfortunate drop seems like it's always a possibility.

Replacing a broken screen is often the only to go after a nasty fall (if not also costly) but Motorola seems to be working on a more sci-fi alternative: regenerating your cracked screen right on the spot.

The company behind the nostalgic Razr phone and more contemporary Moto Z family of handsets published a patent last week for a method of using heat to reform a damaged screen, essentially 'healing' the crack in the process.

Originally filed in February of last year, the patent describes using a "shape memory polymer" that regains its form after being subjected to "thermal elements," which can include the phone heating itself up, applying a hair dryer, using body heat or even leaving the damaged phone out in the sun.

While this could be a dream come true for clumsier phone owners, Motorola's patented method seemingly only heals (or partially heals) smaller cracks and scratches, making it far from a magic bullet for those bigger spills that can take out entire pieces of your screen.

Additionally, and should be stated as always, patents like Motorola's are only proof-of-concept. This means it could still be long while before we see this self-healing technology in action, if at all. 

There's also no saying how good-looking (or cost-effective) a regenerating screen would turn out, so for now we just suggest taking extra caution and investing in a good phone case with that precious handset of yours.

Via The Verge

• Our review of Motorola's shatterproof Moto Z2 Force.

If we could play a word-association game with Facebook, we'd probably say "blue" and "squares" as our go-to description of the social media giant's mobile app.

That may soon to change to "grey" and "circles," as Facebook has unveiled plans to revamp its mobile interface, changing some long-running aesthetic choices with something new.

First off, conversations on Facebook posts are getting a new coat of paint to look more like, to our eye, Facebook Messenger — swapping out blocky fields for rounder conversation bubbles to make a posts and replies look more like a modern messaging app. 

Secondly, the News Feed proper will get a few readability tweaks of its own, such as bigger, higher-contrast text on the 'Like/Comment/Share' buttons so that they're easier to tap. Links previews will also get its text enlarged for an easier read.

Speaking of links, the News Feed makeover will also feature changes that make it easier for viewers to see where a link may take them before clicking (and potentially help users identify clickbait before it's too late, luck willing.)

Another big change likely to be met with scorn are circular profile pictures, replacing square pics to match the rounded-down, monochrome look that's apparently become so hip since Instagram changed its look in a similar way back in 2016.

While innocuous at first, we learned from Twitter's last refresh that users might not take to the new profile pic shape kindly. Critics of #NewTwitter at the time claimed circles look uninteresting, as well as made it hard for profiles to use text, certain logos or QR codes as their avatar.

Love it or leave it, Facebook's new design is expected to roll out to users over the coming weeks. The company claims that the change should not impact a page's reach or traffic, causing no inconvenience — minus changing to a circle-friendly profile picture, of course.

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