Strawberries and cream, white uniforms and a lot of grunting - there are few events so ingrained in the psyche as Wimbledon.
Not all are lucky enough to be able to attend the event in person however, most will be stuck at home finding a Wimbledon live stream to get their fix - and perhaps with little to do in-between matches.
What better way to psych yourself up for the next round of matches, than to indulge in a few of the finest tennis games available on mobile - be they on Android or iOS.
From straight simulations, to arcade score attacks, clash of clans-style touch farming to statistic based simulators, there is something for everyone.
Read on for ten of our top tennis games available on Android and iOS.
Wimbledon live stream: how to watch the 2019 tennis championships online from anywhere
Based on an old Amiga game, this option is a little unlike the rest on this list in terms of style. With pixel art straight from the 90s, it also features a deceptively simple control scheme that is easy to learn but difficult to master.
Featuring a pick and play game style that nonetheless has some depth and which offers some room for experimentation and strategy, this is a solid option for those looking for a little challenge. It features quick play options as well as a deeper story mode through which to battle.
Not so keen on simulation? Want a little instant gratification? Stick Tennis has your number. With lightning-quick gameplay, an easy control scheme focused on timings rather than positioning and an endearing art style, it should be near the top of your list if you are a fan of tennis in any way.
This may have all the depth of Pong, but it is just as addictive.
Seasoned tennis gamers will no doubt remember the Virtua Tennis games, released by Sega for various consoles across the 00s. Featuring quick arcade-y gameplay, they were a mainstay of the genre for years - and have now made their way to mobile.
Though sporting a slightly ad-heavy model, this is nonetheless a well executed port of a classic series, offering addictive gameplay, enough challenge without being too difficult and a good variety of different courts and characters to choose from, along with well-implemented controls.
Rounding out the selection of simulation options is Ultimate Tennis. Though this option takes a slightly uncomfortable and leery approach to the fairer sex (think Dead or Alive), it nonetheless offers some depth and an engaging control scheme.
Allowing play to take place one-handed, it focuses on timing as well as positioning, and encourages the user to take the initiative in setting up counter swings. With a modern presentation, this is well worth a shot for the asking price of nothing.
Going again down the very instant route is Timber Tennis, by Digital Melody. A title which comes served with a healthy dollop of humour, this sees the player battling against fellow tennis players with balls, fireballs, bombs and more - all at a breakneck clip. Characters from previous games by the developer make an appearance too, replete with their lumber-related regalia and pixel art stylings.
Played from a top down perspective and more than a little reminiscent of Pong, this is great for quick moments on the bus or otherwise.
Not interested in instant gratification? Looking for something a little deeper, which rewards a longer look? Enter Tennis Manager.
Setting you up to guide a rookie player on their way through the ranks to reach the top of the world rankings, this title has you training your charge on a daily basis and micromanaging every facet of their existence to create a top talent.
The art style may be a little lacking, however this is a good option for those looking for a little strategy as well as something of a challenge.
Back into the world of simulation, here is another entry which offers a compelling control set along with interesting visuals and a polished UI. The key to 3D Tennis is its included physics engine, which is supposedly more advanced than the competition.
This point aside, the game itself is fun and features both a ‘Quick Play’ mode for short bouts and a ‘World Tour’ mode for those looking for a little more to sink their teeth into.
There are times when simulation, instant gratification or even management can feel a little bloodless - when what you would like to play is something with a little soul, a bit of story.
Flick Tennis, although very simple from a gameplay perspective (the title being very remarkably descriptive in this aspect) offers a full story mode, with animations, a soundtrack and a comic book narrative structure. This is a slightly offbeat entry which is nonetheless distinctive and worth a look - especially if you are in a more laid back state of mind.
In addition to being part of the initial 'big bang' of videogames in the late 70s, Pong is itself a classic if slightly abstract tennis situation whose gameplay has more than stood the test of time.
We like this version from CODA Masters in particular due to the small file size, the quick load, the minimalist interface which doesn’t try to improve on the original and the responsive controls. As a nostalgia sink or otherwise, this is a flagpole release for the tennis/table tennis genre.
In the mobile management genre, few developers have carved such an expansive niche as Kairosoft. Here the prolific game-maker has turned its magic hands to the tennis management genre, producing a title which is both addictive and hugely charming.
This is an easy option to sink hours into, especially when bored on the commute, and is highly worth a look due to its unique art style and easy to learn interface.
Update:Leaked renders suggest the Google Pixel 4 could have a square camera block and a notch.
Since its launch in 2016, the Pixel line has become a reliable tentpole in the smartphone release calendar. Offering a suite of features with an almost unmatched level of software polish, the handsets have done a lot to earn the adoration of the tech community at large.
That isn’t to say that the competition is resting however, and Google in 2019 really needs to keep on its feet if the Pixel line is to meet expectations with its next iteration, the Pixel 4.
Read on for the most up-to-date list of rumors regarding its design and pricing, and a full breakdown of what we’d like to see feature-wise from Google's upcoming pocket rocket.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next photography powerhouse from Google
When is it out? Likely October 2019
What will it cost? Possibly close to$1,000/£1,000
Google Pixel 4 release date and price
For years now, Google has opted to release its Pixel lineup in the latter half of the year, after the usual roller coaster of smartphone releases from the first half of the year has died down.
More specifically, we expect a launch event sometime in early October based on past form, with it also being likely that Google will take the opportunity to launch a few other hardware options at the same time, such as the long-rumored Pixel Watch.
Following the announcement, it's likely that the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL will hit stores in early November, if past years are anything to go by.
Image Credit: TechRadar
Pricing-wise, the Pixels have been climbing for years now. With the extra features now included and the general emphasis on a premium fit and finish, the Pixel 3 - or at least the XL model - may be the first of the line to break the $1,000/£1,000/AU$1,500 mark.
We'll probably also see multiple different storage capacities offered at different prices. More information will arrive closer to the launch, so watch this space.
Google Pixel 4 news and rumors
At this stage, we can be fairly sure that a new Google phone is indeed in the works and will be called the Pixel 4, as a Google software engineer has mentioned the phone by name, not once but three times.
The Pixel 4 name has also been mentioned in code found in the Google app, along with the codename 'coral', while the Pixel 4 XL is also mentioned, alongside the codename 'flame' - which likely refers to the flame angelfish, given that all Pixel codenames in the past have been related to sea life.
Beyond that, our closest look at the possible design of the Pixel 4 comes from leaked renders, showing a square camera block which supposedly houses either two or three lenses.
There also appears to be a notch on the front, bottom-firing speakers, and a likely in-screen fingerprint scanner.
On the other hand, the Pixel 4 might arrive toting the punch-hole design used by the Honor View 20and then brought into the mainstream by the Samsung Galaxy S10line.
At least, that's what an image for a screen protector seemingly designed for the phone shows, along with stereo speakers and virtually no bezel.
Image credit: Skinomi
We've also similarly seen a leaked image below, supposedly showing the Google Pixel 4 XL with a dual-lens camera cut into the top right corner of the screen.
Image Credit: SlashLeaks
This will hopefully mean the death of the enormous notch plaguing the Pixel 3 XL, while also ensuring further screen real estate becoming available to the consumer, a win-win.
In fact, there's no visible bezel at all on this image, so it's possible that the Pixel 4 XL will be almost bezel-free.
The image also seems to imply that Google may finally buck the trend which it has set for itself and finally begin to embrace multiple cameras on the rear of its devices.
With the Pixel 3, Google really showed off the full extent of what was possible with a single camera, while also approaching the limits of such a setup. As such, we’re excited to see what a Pixel armed with multiple rear snappers might be able to achieve.
That said, images from a patent just show a single-lens camera still, so it's possible that Google will stick with one lens, or perhaps only the XL model will get two.
You can see some of these patent images below. Note that there's no visible camera, notch or bezel on the front of the phone. That probably just suggests a lack of detail in the sketch, but could mean the phone uses a pop-up camera or something.
We'd take these images with a pinch of salt though, especially as they also show a fingerprint scanner on the back, which could feel a bit dated now that we're getting phones with in-screen scanners.
Indeed, the leaked Pixel 4 XL pictures further up have no visible scanner, suggesting it might be built into the screen and exactly that has been rumored elsewhere. However, both sets of sketches show a two-tone rear, just like its predecessors - though notably the renders at the top don't.
Beyond these images, we've also seen a Geekbench benchmark possibly for the Google Pixel 4. It lists a top-end Snapdragon 855 chipset, along with 6GB of RAM - up from 4GB in the Pixel 3 range. It also, unsurprisingly, lists the phones as running Android Q.
The benchmark includes a single-core score of 3,296 and a multi-core one of 9,235, which are solid but unexceptional results for a top-end phone. Of course, this would be pre-release hardware and software, so results at launch might be better.
In more unusual news we've heard that the Google Pixel 4 might have capacitive buttons rather than mechanical, clickable ones.
It's possible that this change would be made to allow Active Edge (the ability to launch Google Assistant by squeezing the frame, as found on previous Pixels) to work along the full length of the phone's frame, and it could also help improve the design of the phone. Though notably image leaks still show physical buttons, so take this with a pinch of salt.
The same source added that the Pixel 4 will have front-facing speakers and a punch-hole camera.
Finally, code recently added to the open source foundation of Android suggests that the Google Pixel 4 might have improved dual-SIM support, letting you use both a normal SIM and an eSIM at the same time.
Throughout the year more leaks will continue to arrive, so keep checking back here for all of the latest developments.
What we want to see
Though nothing is yet known for sure about the Google Pixel 4, we know what we’d like to see - our eight suggestions can be found below.
1. Multiple rear cameras
Since the beginnings of the Pixel line back in 2016, Google has not only defined what is possible with a single camera sensor, but for smartphone cameras overall.
With tricks such as super-res zoom, night shot and more, the Pixel 3 in particular outcmatched the likes of Huawei, Apple and Samsung in 2018, all seemingly without breaking a sweat. The competition isn't resting on its laurels however, with the Huawei P30 Proin particular turning up the heat.
We wouldn't be surprised if a left-field, potentially game-changing software feature is added to the Pixel 4, but to really exceed expectations a second, third or even fourth sensor on the rear would give it an edge.
Ultra-wide-angle, telephoto zoom, monochrome, there are lots of options, so we would like Google to experiment with the options available to it - the results could be spectacular.
2. No notch
Image Credit: TechRadar
To anyone watching smartphone design evolve, 2018 was the year of the notch. No matter the size of the display, every manufacturer followed the trend set most strongly by the Apple iPhone X with a slew of copycat efforts.
Google's Pixel 3 XL is a particularly infamous example of egregious notch design, as it's larger than most.
We would like to see the firm completely avoid the notch this year, without resorting to the large bezels of the standard Pixel 3, either by using a pinhole camera in the display or with a sliding mechanism.
3. More RAM
Despite generally providing a solid software experience for those using it, the Google Pixel 3 line wasn't without controversy, particularly with regards to RAM management.
Many users reported that in the first weeks of use, the camera app in particular used up so much available memory that any other apps then open would be force-closed.
In a budget phone with only a smattering of RAM available, this might have been forgivable, but for a flagship it certainly is not. For the Pixel 4 we would like to see at least 6GB of RAM, along with a suitably powerful chipset - hopefully this then will remove any accusations of poor performance.
4. Stereo speakers
The humble stereo speaker, usually front-facing, has faced an odd existence. Although popular with fans on any handset graced with their presence, they tend to be the first victim of space-saving measures.
Case in point, 2019 has seen the elimination of the feature from many popular handsets, with it sometimes being replaced by a speaker underneath the display.
But for the quality of audio offered, and the improved listening experience, we would like to see stereo speakers remain on the Pixel 4 as they did on the Pixel 3 - standing out from the competition in all the right ways.
5. Longer battery life
Packing in huge batteries has become the done thingfor most flagships in 2019. Nearly all sport packs the size of which would have been unheard of only a few years ago.
Google though - claiming improved efficiencies with each passing year - has so far not massively improved the size of the battery packs included with its devices.
And although early signs are promising that the new Snapdragon 855 is significantly more efficient than its predecessor, the Snapdragon 845, we would like to see Google go the whole hog.
We want to see a Pixel which can measure its life in days, rather than hours. Here’s hoping that Google can deliver on this.
6. Stadia-sized ambitions
Image Credit: Google
Earlier in 2019, Google 'surprised’ the world with the announcement of its game-streaming platform ‘Stadia’, which utilizes compression technology in an attempt to make a service accessible to all.
It has been promised that the service will reach a plethora of devices, mobile, console or otherwise. The question of mobile is a little more complex however, for although expanding the service to all Android devices will likely be a future ambition, for the moment the word is that availability will be restricted solely to Pixel devices.
With this in-mind, we’d like to see Google take this concept as far as it can go - but what would this mean? In practice, what we want is improved focus on network performance (to combat potential latency issues) and, more importantly, a dedicated peripheral.
This would ideally be in line with what Xiaomihas helped to pioneer with its Black Shark gaming handsets - touch controls are not suited to complex control systems and a dedicated peripheral would help to bridge the gap.
7. More color options
In most settings, from the boardroom to the bedroom, black or white options are a solid choice for phones. They add a touch of class and don't stand out in a crowd.
The Pixel line certainly caters to this subset of the population, however in the past it has taken slightly wild strides, mostly notably the original 'Really Blue' model (which was indeed very blue).
In the vein of this original, we'd like to see the Pixel 4 come in more than one slightly unconventional color, following the example set by the iPhone XR and the Samsung Galaxy S10e. Whether green, blue, yellow or whatever else, the new option needs to stand out from the similarly colorful opposition.
8. A sturdier construction
Image Credit: TechRadar
The Pixel 3, in no uncertain terms, is a better constructed phone than its predecessor. Boasting tight lines and a glass rear, it has really been a match to the likes of the various iPhone models released in 2018.
No amount of truth twisting could lead to accusations of it being damage-proof however - quite the opposite in reality. The stone-like finish applied to the glass on the rear has shown the tendency to scratch easily, far more so than might have been expected.
This meant that those shelling out hundreds for their shiny new Google devices found that it didn’t take long before they regretted not slapping a case on instantly.
As such, whether via an all-metal build or through something a little different (even a different kind of glass or treatment) we would like to see Google embrace a little utilitarianism into its design, creating something which anyone can use at any time, any day.
It has been a few years since the conclusion of the smartphone megapixel wars. Back then, manufacturers from across the industry sought to undo one another, cramming as many pixels as possible into each smartphone iteration released.
This mostly stopped by 2016, with manufacturers moving onto what was the next marketing speak craze of the moment, wider apertures.
In 2018 however, with the release of the Huawei P20 Pro, the Chinese behemoth fired the starting shot in the next phase of this war with its combined 92MP across four cameras. Though none as of yet have answered the challenge, 2019 is set to bring an onslaught.
Behind the generic name lies a whopping 48 million pixels, grouped together, each with a 'compact' size of 0.8 microns.
With Xiaomi, Huawei and Honor (with the View 20) reportedly among the first buyers, and Sony and Samsung rumored to be working on using a similar megapixel count in future devices, it seems the 48MP smartphone onslaught is about to explode onto the scene.
What does this mean for you?
A lot has been done to deride the notion of stuffing megapixels into a smartphone camera, with the common assumption being that image quality is actually harmed through an abundance of them.
Historically, this has been true. Mainly however, keen to differentiate themselves, marketing teams for smartphone manufacturers have used megapixels counts as absolute measures of image quality.
They are most certainly not this, and in the past having a few too many on a small sensor impaired low-light capabilities, but times have changed and technology has advanced.
The main advantage of more megapixels is greater detail representation. More megapixels means more image data making it to the processor, which means larger files, which means more versatility.
Famously, the Nokia Lumia 1020 had up to 4x lossless digital zoom thanks to its 41MP snapper. Those purchasing 48MP monsters in 2019 will be able to zoom in closer to their subjects than ever before, and all with little to no degradation in quality.
The Nokia Lumia 1020 boasted a 41MP camera when it launched in 2013
Secondly, there is the matter of low-light capability to consider. Typically, in the past, in order to achieve excellent low-light performance, three ingredients have been necessary: optical image stabilization (OIS), a wide aperture and a relatively restrained sensor resolution.
The first allows for the shutter to be held open for longer, allowing more light in, while the second performs roughly the same function, though in a different manner.
As for the last point, if we think of a smartphone sensors as a rectangle (as they are), pixels are 'windows' crammed into this rectangle. One megapixel is shorthand for one million pixels, and the more megapixels crammed into the sensor, the smaller each individual pixel needs to be (to squeeze them all in).
These 'windows' let light in, and what allows the processor to recreate the scene in front of it. The fewer pixel 'windows' there are, the larger each individual pixel can be. And the larger the pixel, the more light is let in.
A clever trick is used by this new sensor to get past this old limitation however, which effectively combines information from groups of four pixels creating 'super' pixels.
This brings the light gathering power up by a factor of four, making it roughly equivalent to a 12MP sensor of the same size.
Sony says this should improve the dynamic range available by up to four times the average possible for the sensor, allowing it to really push the limits of what is achievable.
The power within
A large part of what makes all of this possible is the raw computing power now available in the average smartphone.
The 41MP-toting smartphone beasts from the past weren't known for being powerhouses. Though it was capable, 2012's Nokia 808 Pureview ran Symbian and had a single core processor, and while it had a dedicated imaging co-processor to handle the large file sizes produced, it couldn't keep with the best of them at the time.
The Nokia 808 Pureview changed perceptions of what was possible from camera phones in 2012
As for the Lumia 1020, though it produced lovely images, the shot to shot time was yawn-inducing, with the average wait sometimes in excess of 8 seconds.
With the latest chipsets capable of easily plowing through the likes of PUBG and Fortnite on our mobiles, it's unlikely that a few chunky image files are going to hold things back.
Not just that, but the advanced post-processing of current and future smartphones will make the situation even more interesting.
Night modes with crazy motion adjusted long-exposures are commonplace, as is advanced auto-HDR. Combined with more exotic camera hardware such as the Sony IMX586, this promises to produce some game changing results.
Samsung has its own version of the chip, the ISOCELL Bright GM1, offering much the same capability but for likely a lower price. There is no word as of yet as to whether rival manufacturer Omnivision will also jump on board, however it's likely with time.
With warfare comes competition, with competition between manufacturers comes innovation, and with innovation comes benefit to the consumer.
2019 promises to be highly interesting for smartphone cameras, whether due to increased megapixel counts or otherwise, and everyone stands to benefit.
There is no greater truth in photography than the old idiom, "the best camera is the one you have with you" - or in other words, for most people in the present, their smartphone. Whether down at the pub, or at home on the sofa, they are ever-present in pockets, hands and handbags.
That isn't to say that even the best shots from our pocket powerhouses are going to trouble the likes of the medium-format monsters from the likes of Fujifilm or Hasselblad.
But by simply being there for the average Joe, they provide a great deal of flexibility, and as a result there's arguably never been a better time to get into photography.
There's no greater evidence for this than the explosion of Instagram in particular, as amateur sprogs and "pro-togs" alike clamor to share their shots and gain their fair share of likes and comments.
To cash in on this craze, there is an entire new world of accessories available. We've taken our pick of what we think are the ten best gifts holiday picks for budding mobile photographers, read on to find out more.
External lens kit
Whether the iPhone with either its single or dual sensors, or a Huawei multi-ocular mutant, cameras on smartphones are defined by their fixed focus nature.
This means that any zooming takes place via the moving of feet, something not possible in every situation.
An easy way to solve this is with a set of clip on lenses. Various options exist, and for a relatively small outlay it is possible to get telephoto lenses, fisheye lenses, wide-angle lenses and more.
All of these make it possible to completely change the way one shoots with their mobile device, we particularly like these options for the iPhone from known manufacturer Olloclip.
No matter the smartphone, anyone heading out for a long day of shooting on the go will need to top up their energy reserves at some point.
A variety of external batteries of varying quality are available on the market, however this particular option from well-known Amazon vendor Anker packs a lot of juice into a relatively svelte frame.
With 20,100 mAh in the tank, it’ll be possible to keep going for days, should the mood take you.
Sometimes the best shots are those taken on the fly, in the moment. Others require a little more set up, and a steady hand.
The popular GorillaPod tripods from Joby are light, tough and provide a lot of flexibility in setting up shots, whether at home on the desk, wrapped around a fence post or dangling from a light fixture (don’t ask).
For portraits in particular, this is a must-have accessory, but those shooting landscapes and generally at night will also benefit from the longer shutter speeds allowed.
External light kit
No matter the marketing claims, any flash attached to a smartphone is little better than an assortment of tiny LED bulbs, good for little more than serving occasionally as a inadequate torch.
In a pinch, these will cut it, but for those looking to up their game, particularly in a quasi-studio setting, having an external light kit will greatly expand the range of shots it is possible to take.
For example, the Diyife Ring Light kit is aimed at budding fashion photographers, those looking for a more flattering glow in which to bathe their mugs. As a stocking filler, it is hard to do worse, especially for the emerging 'influencer'.
Mobile stabilization gimbal
In addition to being powerful stills machines, smartphones are highly capable of taking detailed and more than usable video footage. Indeed, if the iPhone is good enough for Steven Soderbergh it is certainly good enough for the rest of us.
Smartphone filmmakers looking to take the next step should go no further than the DJI Osmo Mobile 2. This little device holds your smartphone, adjusting for any movement, keeping it deadly still, even when walking, running, jumping and more.
As such, it is possible to get the kind of beautiful tracking shot that it would previously take a complicated rig to achieve, and as such could be worthy investment for the right person, certainly those who like to 'vlog'.
Memory card
Although the memory offerings in smartphones are ever increasing, so too are the sizes of the jpeg files produced. It doesn’t take long for one innocent outing to capture a few lovely snaps to end up as a 1000 image jaunt, with gigabytes of files to wade through as a result.
For those who find themselves in this position, a solid MicroSD card is an important purchase, and this particular option from Sandisk has a nice combo of known-name plus low price. This is almost a no-brainer for any mobile phone owner.
Sometimes just viewing a photo on a screen just isn't enough. Especially for those old enough to remember, actually holding a physical photograph is something quite evocative, maybe of a simpler time.
For romantics and normies alike, comes the HP Sprocket, a palm-sized printer which connects to your smartphone, using packs of paper to print on the fly.
Pretty much the modern equivalent of the Polaroid, this brings a new dimension to mobile photography.
A rugged case
Especially when venturing out into the wilderness for just the right shot of the morning sun, it is easy to be unpleasantly reminded of how fragile our glass and metal handsets really are. One tumble towards the earth/concrete/carpeted-floor is enough to earn a spiderweb of cracks, and a lot of regret.
The best way to avoid this is by of course buying a tough case. Some options, such as those from Moment, even come with slots to add accessory lenses.
Various options exist, however Spigen is an old player, and provides cases for almost every make of phone imaginable - a real necessity even outside the context of photography.
Sometimes, even the very best snapper isn’t quite enough, for although smartphone cameras do what they can, their tiny size is their main weakness. Most sensors fitted into smartphones are barely larger than a pinky nail.
Enter the DXO One - a camera with a much larger one-inch sensor that plugs into lightning-equipped (Apple) devices. Once added, it increases the imaging power of the device considerably, capturing shots with greater dynamic range, detail and low light performance. This comes at a cost however.
A photography book
Sometimes the best ideas come with a little 'creative inspiration' - no man is an island and no one can really improve without first learning a little. What better idea then, to pick up the work of the masters?
There is a slew of options available in all different genres, such as Henri Cartier-Bresson for street photography. To look for the creative muse and find a little inspiration, there is little better than taking in the classics - modern and old.
Update: A leaked render may have given us our first look at the Moto G7 Plus. We also now have a better idea of the phone's chipset and likely colors.
When Lenovo acquired Motorola in 2014, it shook the Moto G line up a little. Gone was the single phone, instead multiple models were launched, and of these the ‘G Plus’ model was the most important addition.
With specs that were distinctly not budget, but a price tag that certainly was, this moved the G line up into the bourgeoisie of the smartphone world. In 2018, the Moto G6 Plus was no exception to the rule, balancing a refined design, enough power and a quality experience to superb results.
The Moto G7 Plus is now on the horizon, promising more goodness at the point where budget meets mid-range, and expectations are running high.
We're starting to learn more and more about the phone, so this page is starting to fill with rumors as we hear them. You’ll also find information about the price and release date below, as well as a list of things we want from the phone.
Cut to the chase
What is it? Moto's next big-screen budget phone
When is it out? Probably March/April 2019
What will it cost? Up to around £300/$400/AU$500
Moto G7 Plus release date and price
We expect that the Moto G7 Plus will, as in previous years, be launched by Lenovo along with the rest of the G line-up in the latter half of April 2019 at the latest.
There’s no word on what it will cost, but the Moto G6 Plus launched for £269 / AU$499 (about $380), so the Moto G7 Plus will probably cost a similar amount, if not slightly more.
The next G Plus phone will probably land in March or April
Moto G7 Plus news and rumors
Our best look yet at the Moto G7 Plus comes from the leaked render below. As you can see, it has a teardrop notch, a bezel below the screen and a dual-lens camera along with what looks to be a fingerprint scanner on the back.
Credit: MySmartPrice
According to the same source, the Moto G7 Plus will come in red (pictured above) and blue, and will have a Snapdragon 660 chipset.
That's it on the Moto G7 Plus so far, but we have seen some leaks regarding the standard Moto G7.
According to HowToTechNaija, that phone will apparently have a 6.4-inch Full HD+ screen, an octa-core chipset, 4GB of RAM, a dual-lens rear camera with 16MP and 5MP lenses, a 12MP front-facing camera, a 3,500mAh battery, 64GB of storage, a fingerprint scanner and Android 9 Pie.
Based on how the Moto G6 Plus differed to the Moto G6 we can expect that the Moto G7 Plus might have a larger screen and battery than that, but the other specs may be similar.
What we want to see
Based on our usage of the range we’ve collected a few thoughts on what we would like to see in the next incarnation of the handset.
1. A HDR-enabled screen
A high-quality screen could help the Moto G7 Plus stand out
HDR tech is all the rage at the moment, supported by Netflix, YouTube and more, this fancy add-on is featured by a growing number of smartphones – allowing improved color, contrast and clarity when viewing optimized video.
Given that the screen size of the Moto G series, the Plus in particular, is always growing, we’d really like to see Lenovo go all out and bring a truly quality panel to the sub-£300/$400 price range, with HDR, AMOLED and all the other lovely flagship features.
2. Better audio output
At the high end of the smartphone market, teaming up with a known audio brand has become all the rage. Some have Dolby tuning, Samsung has its fingers wrapped around AKG. As such we’d like to see the Moto G7 Plus come with a powerful DAC in tow – maybe one tweaked to perfection by a famous audio brand.
This would allow those privileged few who own fancy headphones to rock out a little harder, but would also provide a better listening experience overall for the average Joe and his out-of-the-box earbuds. Perhaps the company could even follow HTC’s lead and offer a slightly fancier pair with the phone itself?
Paying some serious attention to the musical chops of its premium budget offering could really help Lenovo to draw attention to the G7 Plus in what is becoming an increasingly competitive segment.
3. Better biometrics
More and better ways to unlock the G7 Plus would be appreciated
At the moment, and there is nothing wrong with this, the Moto G Plus range comes with a standard fingerprint sensor beneath the display. It is functional, but nothing more – just another way to log in to your phone.
There’s also basic facial recognition on the G6 Plus, but we’d like to see a more advanced option from the Moto G7 Plus, something more like Apple’s Face ID or Samsung’s Intelligent Scan.
Certainly if the new device will make its way to us with a notch in tow, Lenovo could do little better than to add in an infrared biometric sensor – or indeed a fingerprint sensor embedded underneath the display itself.
The options are many, however a greater variety of options for logging in would provide some needed versatility to the security of the device.
4. A truly powerful chipset
For years now, what has really established budget phones as, well, budget, has been their choice of chipset. Although fine in general with the day-to-day business of swiping away notifications and general promenading around the UI, when things get tough these processors never really get going.
By adding a chipset with a little more oomph, something equivalent to the Snapdragon 660 found in the Nokia 7 Plus, or one of Qualcomm’s new 710 chips, Lenovo could really cause the average buyer to question the sanity of laying down over a thousand dollarpounds for the latest iDevice.
Adding such an chipset would also serve to future-proof the Moto G7 Plus against new updates and more, especially if tuned properly.
5. Moto mod support
The Polaroid Insta-Share Printer is one of many Moto Mods
Refining the design of the Moto G7 Plus and adding the necessary Moto mod connectors would open up the device, and a legion of consumers, to the weird and wacky world of Moto mods.
Style covers, pico projectors, boom boxes and more abound, this is a differentiator that only Lenovo has access to – and could be a real draw, especially as it has traditionally been confined to the flagship Z series. As such this would perhaps be at the expense of the Z Play series, but only a few would likely mourn the loss.
6. A brave new design
Lenovo is many things, but daring in design it is not. While the G series is dependably utilitarian in its looks, it isn’t what James Bond would take to a high-stakes poker game.
If the boat were to be pushed out a little, incorporating new materials, or a different design inspiration, the results could be what takes the Moto G7 Plus to new heights of success.
The glass sandwich is tried and true, but the time is right for something with a little more confidence and pizzazz, rather than relatively conservative and staid.
7. A more refined camera experience
When it comes to photographic quality, the Moto G6 Plus is no slouch. It produces lively, interesting images – but there is always room for improvement.
The camera app on Moto phones is renowned for having the same general responsiveness as the average person after a record Christmas dinner. Processing times are slow, for taking images as well as composing them.
Tightening up the software would do a great deal to improve the experience on the Moto G7 Plus.
We’d also like to see refinements to the image processing, which could use a little more nuance in low light scenes. Adding optical image stabilization would help a great deal to improve the imaging skills of the handset.
The Google Pixel 3 XL launch is today, and we'll be reporting live from Google's event to bring you everything you need to know about the firm's next flagship phablet.
It means that the Google Pixel 3 XL release date is also just around the corner, and we should we able to tell you exactly when you'll be able to get your hands on the new handset - and how much it will set you back - later today.
Update:The Google Pixel 3 XL is landing today, and we'll be reporting live from the launch event from 11am ET (8am PT, 4pm BST).
Since its initial launch, Google's Pixel line-up of smartphones has made an indelible impression. Offering a distinct vision for a 'pure' Android experience, the line has also been distinguished by its superlative camera performance.
Though they had their quirks, 2017's Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL were solid smartphones which found popularity among mobile geeks, but perhaps didn't quite offer the wide consumer appeal the search giant may have been hoping for.
Google will go again very soon though, and the Google Pixel 3 XL is tipped to be the flagship leader to the slightly lesser Pixel 3, plus there are also rumors of the first Google produced smartwatch, called the Pixel Watch.
The company has also apparently revealed that you'll be able to pre-order the phone immediately after the launch event on October 9.
And the NCC (National Communications Commission) in Taiwan has also certified the phone (as well as the standard Google Pixel 3) and usually handsets get certified shortly before launch.
In the past, in the UK the Pixel series has initially launched as a carrier-exclusive, and there is no word yet on whether the search firm will pursue the same tactic in 2018.
Google Pixel 3 XL price
The Google Pixel 3 XL price will probably start around $1,000 (£850, AU $1,400), which would be a touch higher than the Pixel 2 XL, which came in at $849 (£799, AU$1,399).
Certainly as the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 has crept above the $1000/£1000 mark there may be temptation on Google's part to bump prices, especially if it plans to include more expensive earbuds and other such goodies.
The Google Pixel 3 XL will almost certainly be priced around 15% higher than the smaller version and it is also likely that a new, higher, max storage option of 256GB will be introduced, with this then being the most expensive available.
Google Pixel 3 XL design and display
Hottest leaks:
A big notch
A 6.2 or 6.3-inch 1440 x 2960 or 1440 x 2880 OLED screen
A two-tone design
Our best look yet at the Google Pixel 3 XL comes from a hands-on conducted by Engadget after the site seemingly got hold of the handset early from a phone shop.
The design matches others leaks, with a large notch, a rear-facing fingerprint scanner and a two-tone back, while the screen is apparently a 6.3-inch 1,440 x 2,960 OLED one which the site says is better than the Pixel 2 XL's. You can see images from the hands-on below.
Thanks to a promotional teaser site that Google has put up in Japan, we might also have been given a sneak preview of the colors that the Pixel 3 XL will be offered in. The phone image on the website cycles through three colors: black, white and mint.
That would be one extra color than the Google Pixel 2 XL was offered in, because white and black were the only options with Google's 2017 handset. The same three colors were also apparently teased in a promotional email from Google.
Pixel 3 colors
A different leak refuted the 'mint' theory by suggesting that in addition to white and black, the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL will come in a pink-hued 'Sand' color. We might not find out the third "fun" color for certain until Google unveils the phones on October 9.
This sandy claim is now looking likely, as just such a shade has now been advertised by a Canadian carrier, with the name 'Not Pink'.
Another close look at the Google Pixel 3 XL comes from a leaked hands on video, which you can see below.
It matches the photos above and the various leaked renders which you'll find further down this article, but also shows a comparison with the Pixel 2 XL, highlighting that the two phones are roughly the same size, despite the 3 XL having a bigger screen.
Interestingly, the video also says that the haptic feedback is better here than it was on the Pixel 2 XL, as well as revealing that the phone apparently supports wireless charging.
We've also seen various other leaked photos of the Pixel 3 XL and one thing is clear in all of them: this phone has a big notch.
There are a variety of leaks of the handset - you'll see most of the photos so far below - and these shots from Russian blogger Rozetked provide one the clearer looks at the phone.
He says the phone features a 2960 x 1440 display, a fingerprint sensor on the rear of the majority aluminium body (there's a glass section at the top) as well as the SIM card slot sitting on the bottom edge of the device alongside the USB-C port.
You'll note that the power button on the white handset is mint-colored, something which we've also seen on the leaked (but apparently official) renders below.
Given that all the clear leaks have only shown the Google Pixel 3 XL in white, black or sand, this could be the closest we'll get to a mint shade.
The source of the images below also says that the screen will be a 6.2-inch one with a 1440 x 2880 resolution, which is slightly different to the rumored resolution above. The size is also slightly different to the 6.3-inch claim at the top of this section.
This source also said that the back was glass rather than metal, so that's something else that sources can't totally agree on.
You can see some more images below, taken from two different sources, and will also note details such as a two-tone rear and a bezel housing a speaker below the screen.
Other details include a truly edge-to-edge display at the sides, particularly visible in these pictures taken on a Toronto subway (also shown above), a single-lens rear camera and a dual-lens front-facing one.
Other similarleakedphotos have also emerged, so it's looking very likely that this is the design of the Pixel 3 XL. You can see a few more in the gallery below and will note that there's no 3.5mm headphone port.
Still not seen enough? Well you're in luck, because the Google Pixel 3 XL has seemingly leaked yet again, this time being snapped after apparently being left in a Lyft car.
You can see those pictures below, but they match up exactly with the other leaks, so don't expect any surprises.
We've also seen various leaked renders from factory CADs (computer-aided designs), and they show both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL from all angles.
You can see those images below. Note that they both have just a single-lens rear camera (something that's also seen in the images above and a leaked case picture), but that they seemingly have dual-lens front-facing cameras and - in the Pixel 3 XL's case - a notch. This all lines up with the leaked photos above.
The source that supplied these renders says the Google Pixel 3 XL will have a 6.2-inch display and measure 158 x 76.6 x 7.9mm, widening to 8.6mm where the camera sticks out.
However, a video leak suggests the Pixel 3 XL XL may have a screen even larger than the rumored 6.2 or 6.3 inches, going up to 6.7 inches, making it a true behemoth even among phablets.
We're skeptical though, as the screen doesn't look that big in the leaked photos we've seen.
Whatever the size though, a separate leak suggests the resolution will be 1440 x 2960, which is in line with other flagships, while the display will probably be OLED, and the aspect ratio based on images will probably be 19:9 or similar.
Screen protectors supposedly for the Pixel 3 XL have also leaked. You can see them below and they match the design rumored above.
Credit: SlashLeaks
A video (below) has also given us a look at a Google Pixel 3 XL screen protector on top of the Pixel 2 XL, revealing that the two handsets are roughly the same size and that the notch and bottom bezel don't stick out any more than the bezels on the Pixel 2 XL either, so maybe the notch won't be so massive after all.
The notch and bezel are also measured in the video, with the bezel coming in at around a third of an inch deep and the notch coming in at roughly the same depth and around 1-inch across. Not small then, but not as big as you might have expected.
Google Pixel 3 XL OS and power
Hottest leaks:
Snapdragon 845 chipset
4GB of RAM
128GB of storage
A recent leak reveals that the Pixel 3 XL will likely have a Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB of RAM. That's the current top-end Snapdragon chipset, but some phones have more RAM than that.
However, it's a claim we've heard more than once, along with the possibility of 128GB of storage. All those specs have also been echoed in a recent early hands-on with the phone.
Another source adds that the chipset will be clocked at up to 2.8GHz and that along with a 128GB model there will also be a 64GB one, but that there won't be a microSD card slot.
The Pixel 3 XL will of course also run Android Pie. Not only has that been rumored but there's really no way it would run anything else.
Unsurprisingly, the Active Edge feature from the Pixel 2 range (which lets you squeeze the sides to interact with the phone) is also rumored to be making a return.
In fact, we've even now seen the feature in action in a leaked marketing video, which also showed that various gesture controls and shortcuts are coming back, such as the ability to double tap the screen to wake it.
Google Pixel 3 XL camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
Single-lens 12.2MP rear camera
Dual-lens 8MP front-facing camera
Wireless charging
Images all suggest that there will just be a single sensor on the rear but a dual-lens (possibly 8MP) camera on the front of the Pixel 3 XL and we now have a little bit of information about those cameras.
For one thing, a hands-on claims that the rear camera is a 12.2MP one (just like the Pixel 2 XL), while the two front cameras are both 8MP. They also add that the rear camera can shoot in up to 4K at 30fps, while the front cameras top out at 1080p.
Sources also claim that one of the front-facing lenses will be wide-angle and that the two lenses combined will allow for a better bokeh effect (portrait mode) as well as something called 'Super Selfies', which is currently unexplained.
The same sources aren't sure whether or not the extra lens will allow for better facial recognition, but they claim the rear camera is great in low light and comes with an upgraded Visual Core chip that - unlike the chip in the Pixel 2 range - does more than just improve the processing of HDR+ images.
There's also been a suggestion that the camera is set to impress, as the standard Pixel 3 (which is likely to have the same camera) is rumored to have a DxOMark score of 107.
DxOMark is a respected smartphone camera review site and that score would be an increase on the 98 scored by the Pixel 2, though would still put it below the Huawei P20 Pro with its score of 109.
We may also get some new AR features on the camera, such as the ability to scan in email addresses from business cards, which is shown in the leaked video above.
Elsewhere, a magazine listing talks about the Google Pixel 3 range having a 'Top Shot' feature, designed to help you 'capture the perfect shot every time'.
We don't know what size the battery will be, but there are rumors of wireless charging, which is a long overdue feature for the range. Another rumor suggests the phone will come with wireless charging, but it won't come with a charger in the box.
Google Pixel 3 XL: what we want to see
The Pixel 2 XL got 4.5 stars in our in-depth review, so there’s still room for improvement, and adding the following features to the Google Pixel 3 XL would be a step in the right direction.
1. Smaller bezels
Google Pixel 2 XL
The Pixel 2 XL had smaller bezels than the Pixel 2, but compared to 2018's onslaught of almost bezel-less devices more can be done by Google.
We'd like to see the bezels on the Google Pixel 3 XL slimmed even more, allowing for a larger screen in a similar form factor. As well as looking good it will also help keep the Pixel 3 XL relevant against the likes of the iPhone 11 Plus, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and Huawei P20 Pro.
2. Customizable Active Edge
Active Edge on the Pixel 2 XL lets you squeeze the sides to launch Google Assistant. It’s a handy feature, but unlike on the HTC U11 that’s all it does and it can’t be re-mapped.
For the Google Pixel 3 XL we'd like to see the feature to return, but we want it to be context-sensitive.
For example, if used in the camera app it would take a photo, while core functionality can be customized, so you can use it as a shortcut to whatever app or feature you want.
3. Camera app improvements
Google Pixel 2 XL
The Pixel 2 XL has one of the best cameras around, but we want even more from the Google Pixel 3 XL.
The trend at the moment is dual rear cameras (and in a few cases more than that), but Google stuck with a single rear snapper in 2017 and still got great results.
If Google does implement dual cameras it needs to do so with a clear reason, rather than simply just following the trend.
Google's software could still use some work. We'd like gesture controls for timed photos and the ability to switch between the main and selfie cameras with a swipe, like you can on Samsung and LG phones.
They're little tweaks, but they’d make using the camera a little faster and a little more pleasant.
4. A return of the headphone jack
Despite taking a dig at Apple for ditching the headphone jack when launching the original Pixel, Google has also got rid of it for the Pixel 2 XL, which is a decision we’d like to see reversed for the Google Pixel 3 XL.
We don’t expect that to happen, if anything ever more handsets are going to start removing the port, but for many users it’s an inconvenience and the benefits of its removal just don’t seem overly compelling.
5. Wireless charging
Google Pixel 2 XL
The Pixel 2 range have reasonable battery life and support fast charging, but don’t come with have wireless charging, which is a major omission, especially now even Apple is supporting it.
We expect wireless charging to become a lot more popular in the next year, thanks to the iPhone 8 and iPhone X, so it will stand out even more if the Google Pixel 3 XL doesn’t support it.
Once you've equipped your home and office with wireless charging pads (at admittedly, an additional cost to yourself) you'll quickly see the benefit and ease of charging your phone wirelessly.
6. Screen improvements
The screen on the Google Pixel 2 XL show room for improvement. The QHD panel on the Pixel 2 XL is sharp enough, but in our review we found that the viewing angles aren’t great and nor is it especially vibrant, so we’d like to see work done to improve those aspects for the Google Pixel 3 XL.
There were also numerous complainants about the Pixel 2 XL display, including a screen burn-in issue. Google later release software updates to address some of these issues, but for the Pixel 3 XL, Google needs to learn from its mistakes and get it right first time.
7. Better water resistance
Google Pixel 2 XL
The Pixel 2 XL sports IP67 certification, which means it can survive being submerged up to 1 meter deep for up to 30 minutes.
That should be plenty, but these are flagship phones we’re talking about and some rivals offer more. TheSamsung Galaxy S8 for example has IP68 certification, meaning it can be submerged 1.5 meters deep for the same duration.
It’s a small change, but one that could at the very least give buyers more peace of mind that their expensive purchase is fully protected against rain and spills.
Update: New Moto G7 leaks include renders of the whole range, plus specs and pricing information.
The Moto G6 has been out for a while and budget hawks now have their eyes fixed firmly on the horizon, in anticipation of the release of the Moto G7.
First released back in 2013, the Moto G series has become one of parent company Lenovo’s most popular, certainly under the ‘Moto’ brand. It is known for redefining the expectations of those shopping at around the $250/£200/AU$400 mark, offering more bang for your buck than almost any of the competition.
The Moto G6 family, with Plus and Play in tow, has been a particularly well-received addition to the clan – offering a tantalizing blend of premium design and reasonable price tags.
But what will the Moto G7 offer, and what will it need to succeed in what will likely be an even more difficult and saturated market?
News and rumors are starting to roll in and it might not be long until we get an official look at the next budget champion from Motorola. But in the meantime we'll be updating this page with everything we hear, and have come up with a wish list for what we want from it.
What is it? The next numbered phone in the Moto G series
When is it out? Probably March 2019 at the earliest
What will it cost? Probably at least $250/£219/AU$399
Moto G7 release date and price
If recent years are anything to go by, the earliest that the Moto G7 will be announced is the period of March to April 2019, but there aren't any release date rumors yes.
As for price, the original device sold for around $180/£150, however it can be expected that the Moto G7 will launch with a price of roughly £250, £219, AU$399, given that this is what the Moto G6 started at.
There are some rumors there, but only about the Moto G7 Play, which is said to cost €149 (around $170/£130/AU$235), and the Moto G7 Power, which is rumored to sell for €209 (roughly $240/£185/AU$330). These two models are thought to be lower-end than the standard Moto G7, so expect to pay more for the main model.
Don't expect to see the Moto G7 for a while yet
Moto G7 news and rumors
A Moto G7 specs list has leaked on HowToTechNaija, revealing that the phone will apparently have a 6.4-inch Full HD+ screen, a 3,500mAh battery, a dual-lens rear camera with 16MP and 5MP lenses, a 12MP front-facing camera, an octa-core chipset, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage, a fingerprint scanner and Android 9 Pie.
If accurate, that means a bigger screen and battery than the Moto G6, different cameras and a newer version of Android.
Elsewhere we've heard that it might have a Snapdragon 660 chipset, while the Moto G7 Play could have a lower-end Snapdragon 632, and the Moto G7 Power may slot in at the bottom with a Snapdragon 625 chipset, along with a 5,000mAh battery and fast charging.
The same source also says that the Moto G7 will be sold in black and white, the G7 Play in gold and blue, and the Moto G7 Power in black and lilac. They've also shared renders seemingly showing the range, which you can see below.
As you can see, the standard Moto G7 is shown with a teardrop notch, a bezel below the screen, a dual-lens rear camera and what's likely a fingerprint scanner on the back.
The Moto G7 Play and Power meanwhile have a larger notch and seemingly just a single-lens rear camera.
We'd previously seen other renders supposedly showing the Moto G7. You can see them below and they're sourced by reputable leaker @OnLeaks for MySmartPrice and are apparently based on factory CADs (computer-aided designs).
Other than possibly larger bezels these renders look much like the ones further up in this article. Leaks of the Moto G7 Play hint at an overall notch design for the G7 family. However, as you can see in the images further up, seemingly not every model will have a teardrop notch design.
Moving back to the renders immediately above, the back is apparently made of curved glass and you can see the dual-lens camera and dual-LED flash. There's also a fingerprint scanner on the rear (rather than the front-facing one on the Moto G6), while a 3.5mm headphone jack sits on the bottom edge.
Finally, dimensions are said to be 157 x 75.3 x 8mm, rising to 9.5mm at the camera bump. Of course, this is all just rumors and leaks for now, so take it with a pinch of salt.
In other news, a source claims that the Moto G7 Power has - in addition to the previously mentioned 5,000mAh battery - a Snapdragon 632 chipset, 2GB, 3GB or 4GB of RAM, and 32GB or 64GB of storage.
It also apparently has a 12MP f/2.0 rear camera and an 8MP f/2.2 front-facing one, while the screen is apparently a 6.22-inch HD+ one, and the phone apparently comes in indigo, blush, silver and black shades, which is a different selection of colors to those listed above.
We've also seen a Geekbench benchmark for one of the Moto G7 handsets. It's listed as having a Snapdragon 625 chipset and 3GB of RAM, which suggests this is probably the Play or the Power. Its multi-core score of 4,759 is reasonably impressive though if this is one of the lower-end models.
What we want to see
We don’t know anything for certain about the Moto G7 at the moment, but based on our usage of the Moto G6 family, we’ve put together a few thoughts on what we feel the future should hold for the next main incarnation of the handset.
1. An AMOLED screen
For the G7 we'd like to see AMOLED over LCD
The LCD vs AMOLED wars have raged on for some time now – but for pure crowd-pleasing color nothing can beat AMOLED. Typically reserved for more expensive devices, if Lenovo were able to bring a good panel – with infinite blacks and excellent contrast and sunlight legibility – to the G7 it would be a considerable coup.
Having increased contrast and color is not only more pleasing to the eye, it also makes content more immersive, which would seriously benefit the earlier move in 2018 to a larger display size.
Having AMOLED also allows for a ‘glance’ screen to be implemented and more, overall it is a very nice value add-on.
2. Front-firing speakers
For reasons unknown to science or common sense, in their early days phone speakers played music away from the person listening to it. Since that point, there have been various permutations, but it is usually those which fire towards the users that prove to be the best in both quality and utility.
With large bezels both top and bottom, if Lenovo were to move the fingerprint sensor to the rear and embrace a good pair of clear and bassy front-firing speakers, the Moto G7 could become the ultimate media machine for those on a budget.
While we did find the speaker on the G6 to be adequate in our review, its placement on the bottom of the device allows it to be all too easily muffled, and the single driver can’t manage much in the way of stereo separation. An upgrade here would be a real treat for the video-focused consumer.
3. A different second camera sensor
There's plenty that could be done with the camera
The two camera craze has brought with it a wide and wacky range of options for budding mobile photographers. From black and white sensors, to telephoto zooms and wide-angle lenses, manufacturers have a fun bag of tricks to play with.
So it’s a slight shame that in the Moto G6, this second sensor is used merely for ‘depth’ – i.e. it is used for the Portrait mode so beloved at the moment.
We would like to see Lenovo push the boat out slightly – offering a wide-angle effort such as that on the Moto X4, or a telephoto option to allow you to get closer to the action.
The big tech of last year is trickling down to the budget end, and the time is right to include it.
4. Better photo skills
The Moto G line has never been the home of those expecting the absolute utmost in photographic quality from their mobile snappers. Instead, it has offered respectable output and performance in most situations.
However the competition from the likes of Xiaomi is really heating up in this regard, and the time has come to really make a break and produce something interesting.
What does this mean? Better processing, a more refined camera app which works as quickly as those of the competition, better low light performance through the introduction of optical image stabilisation, all within Lenovo’s grasp and all to the benefit of the consumer, whether it is one or all of these chosen.
5. Better battery life
The Moto G6 does okay, but we want 2 days of life from the G7
When it comes to battery life, the standard Moto G6 is no slouch, generally being able to make it through the day. However, when we saw the huge 4,000mAh battery included with the lesser model, the Moto G6 Play, we couldn’t help but feel slightly conflicted.
By including a larger battery with the new model, perhaps even removing the camera hump in the process by thickening up the phone a bit, Lenovo could really embrace the extra space included by having such a large screen.
Two days of battery life should be no problem with such a large pack included as standard across the line – and would really give owners something to brag about down the pub.
6. A more powerful chipset
The Moto G name is almost synonymous with the Snapdragon 400 series of chips, which has been used in most models since its inception. As the price has crept up however, so have the demands of the market and the consumer, leaving the Snapdragon 450 included with the G6 feeling slightly weedy in comparison to some rivals.
For example, the Nokia 6.1 (2018) includes the now-popular Snapdragon 630 chipset, which offers increased energy efficiency and power over the 450 included in the G6.
Moving to a slightly more powerful option would boost the premium fast feel of the handset, improve its longevity and benefit the overall experience of using it.
7. More color options
It is an old refrain – smartphone design has become boring. Everything released comes in white or black, or perhaps in muted gold, grey or blue.
This is the result of market testing, of knowing what sells, however injecting a little personality into the Moto G line could help open it up to previously unknown markets.
Much like the banana-colored Lumias of days past, it would be pleasant to see the maker of ThinkPad laptops transcend its heritage – let’s see a hot pink, a baby blue, or even better, a Huawei P20 Pro-style ‘Twilight’ option.
To really stick out from the competition, Lenovo could do little better than to splash out on a few spiffy paint jobs.
Since the first iPhone burst onto the scene in 2007, defining the modern concept of the smartphone, we have embraced these familiar rectangles with a gusto as they become the centre of our digital lives.
Ten years on, in the present, more than a billion people across the world use a smartphone of some sort every day, and in the west roughly two thirds of the population have committed to the ‘smart’ life. So what is the attraction?
From breakfast to midnight, they’re often never more than a foot away, desperate for attention. When you think about it like that, it’s not the most appealing human trait we have, feeling caught in the web of connectivity.
But like it or not, internet access has become a crucial part of our lives, with the need to be kept up to date equally as important as sharing the latest thing your cat / child / grandmother did with the world.
But what happens if your phone drops out of the equation, whether that be through misadventure or just a general desire to switch off?
Don't worry though, as in reality you’re basically just losing the data connection - if you arm yourself with an old tablet or a laptop we've found ways to keep you connected at the bare minimum, as it’s incredible what you can still do out and about (although might need to buy a SIM with some data to keep things ticking for some of these options below).
It might take being a little creative, it might take a little patience, but it is certainly possible to ditch the smartphone and remain a fully productive digital citizen – taking back control from dictatorial rectangles that now dominate our lives.
1. Using a portable Wi-Fi hotspot
By far the simplest way to stay connected without a smartphone by your side is with the use of a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and packing another basic screen with connectivity, that’ll do the bare minimum you need.
These little hockey-puck shaped objects have SIM-card connectivity, and often come with generous data plans, which comes in especially useful for business customers.
Most major phone networks offer specialist packages with these in mind, and they can even prove to be a practical substitute for your home Wi-Fi network should your wired connection be poor. There are certainly lots of good options available.
2. Using a laptop with inbuilt connectivity
Continuing the trend of the Wi-Fi hotspot, some laptop manufacturers (such as Toshiba with its Portege line) have opted to make things even simpler for the discerning business customer and offer laptops with SIM card slots, giving access to 4G on the go.
No matter where you are, as long as you have access to a compatible card to hand, it’ll be possible to continue the eternal search for the fabled inbox zero.
3. Using a car with in-built Wi-Fi
Car manufacturers, eager to ride the wave of modern technology, have been quick to abandon CD players for a whole host of gadgetry.
Now family car trips to Cornwall need no longer be endurance runs for parents, with the kids in the back able to gobble down YouTube while real-time navigation is possible with a tablet or smarter connected sat-nav.
4. Use public transport or go shopping
There’s a plethora of public Wi-Fi options out there these days - now nearly every coffee shop, supermarket or bus offers the ability to connect to the web (for the small price of your personal information, of course), making it is easier than ever to keep up with your necessary data as and when you need it without being beholden to a constant buzzing in your pocket.
The bigger benefit here: the same system even applies abroad, so you don’t need to worry about where you are to use it.
Just make sure you’ve connecting to legitimate hotspots - they’ll be listed in the locations you frequent. Hackers sometimes make similar-looking Wi-Fi networks to connect to, so make sure you’re vigilant.
5. Using a feature phone instead
While many of us were quick to abandon our beloved flip phones for our modern glass sandwiches, the little critters are still kicking about, and some offer more functionality than ever.
For those who want the convenience of voice calls and texting with none of the pressure of being really ‘connected’, the hotspot functionality in many of these handsets is a life saver, allowing you to dip in and out as you please. This really is the holy grail for those looking to unplug while still being in the loop.
6. Using a smart TV
It is said that Hercules faced 12 trials to achieve immortality, but there was a little known 13th hurdle that defeated him.
Legend has it that Zeus asked Hercules to write an email on a smart TV using a standard remote, and some say that he is still composing that message to this day.
While we wouldn’t advise doing something like that on your TV (although there are remotes that have full QWERTY keyboards on them to make this possible) modern sets allow you to browse the web easily and some even come with apps to let you see the weather or get other small news bursts to keep you quickly up to date, without getting sucked down the Facebook rabbit hole.
(The 4K resolution of the likes of the Samsung UE43KS7500 would certainly make the results look wonderful too).
7. Using a smart fridge
As you’ve probably noticed, this list is all about helping you get the stuff you need done through being connected without being bugged by a thousand other notifications.
The Samsung Family Hub is a large fridge, with a webcam and a 21.5-inch touchscreen running a custom operating system, and it’s perfect for helping make your culinary experience far improved.
Users who spend their entire lives in their kitchens can do everything their gastric section desires - from looking up recipes to ordering more food - from the comfort of their fridge.
8. Using a connected smartwatch
The smartwatch revolution may not have taken off quite like the pundits expected, but a few quality models still make their way to the market, some with quite unique functionality.
The Samsung Gear S3 offers the option of cellular connectivity for those intent on typing out WhatsApp messages on exceptionally tiny screens.
These offer a full-web browser, but perhaps not the best user experience. Many watches, such as the LG Watch Urbane can also accomplish the same thing on Wi-Fi.
Again, this is a situation where the difficulty of using the device might be an effective buffer against compulsion and can allow you to focus on things like exercising, which can be tracked without connection and uploaded when you’re back with connectivity.
9. Using a dongle
Something that many a business user will be well acquainted with, these older Wi-Fi dongles are still used by a few - come on, you’ve probably got one rattling around in a drawer at home or work, and maybe even with some data still left unused.
Essentially a pen drive with a SIM-card slot built in, before many people discovered the ability to use their phone as a wireless hotspot (and in the era of stingy data allowances) these were often life-savers, and still an excellent way to stay connected should you need to.
You have all of the control, and it can be a very pleasant sensation - just get a pay as you go data package, slot the SIM in and you’re away.
10. Using the library
This may seem like a slightly left-field option, but the nation’s libraries – keen to attract Joe Public back to the land of paper Wikipedia – have embraced the digital revolution.
Much as at internet cafes, but without the hassle of paying, many libraries offer public internet access and Wi-Fi, indeed this is a beloved option for many more mature users.
In a situation where you have no back up, this might just be a (very) figurative life-saver. Certainly, it is a boon for those looking to leave the smartphones behind but also to still indulge a little in the digital world, even with the phones of others going off all around, like wasps in matchboxes.
Phone design is at something of a low point, an ebb rather than a flow. Though hundreds of smartphones are released and tens of millions are sold every year, most follow the same aesthetic. A sheet of toughened glass is glued to a metal/plastic rectangle.
Ten years ago, things were different. There was no shape that phones were expected to be, there was a relative variety of different form factors, each aimed at a different kind of consumer. And of these, the flip phone had a certain something that elevated it above the rest.
These were devices that were not only practical, but that had a real cool factor as well. Though they were tools, they were also ‘fashionable’ in a way that many modern smartphones have failed to be.
As such, we found ourselves wondering: could the flip phone form factor make a comeback?
The phablet question
Since the birth of the flip phone, the use case for the average handset has changed drastically. Dumb phones have given way to smart ones, and for some people a phone will be the only ‘smart’ device that they own.
As such, phones have ballooned in size over the years, so that buyers can better use these devices as the computers they’ve become.
But this change doesn't rule out flip phones, as more screen doesn't have to mean a bigger screen; rather than making the device itself bigger, manufacturers could instead add an extra screen.
Cramming two large screens into a device has been attempted in the past though, and examples such as the Sony Tablet P and Kyocera Echo have shown this to be difficult to execute well.
The Sony Tablet P had a quirky design that failed to gain traction
Modern hardware and battery limitations make one display hard enough to run, let alone two, with each of these examples having truly mediocre battery life, while also being rather heavy.
When the flip phone form factor was first dreamed up, the reality of hardware design was significantly different to what it is now.
When your only real need was texting and calling, all that was necessary was a number pad, an antenna and a small low-resolution screen for displaying basic information.
Now, in addition to larger screens, there are the various sensors that need to be included, relatively big processors, increasingly large cameras and more. Although miniaturization has come a long way since the mid-1990s, it is still difficult to cram so many high-end components into a tight chassis.
Keeping things small while also keeping them usable is no easy task.
Adding a hinge and a second screen to the design doesn't help matters at all. Plus, there are the issues of heat dissipation, durability and more. Keeping things small while also keeping them usable is no easy task.
This lack of space also has serious consequences for another major area: battery life. Modern devices are already plagued by incredibly poor battery life in many situations, with power-hungry screens and processors demanding every available scrap of energy. What would once last a week now barely lasts a day in most cases.
And that's with just one screen. Cramming in the power pack necessary to supply two screens, plus the energy-hungry components that today’s consumers demand, without making the phone enormous, is likely too much of a task for R&D teams that would far rather do something simple, and profitable.
There's more than one way to flip a phone
This is all based on the idea that a flip phone would require two screens to work however, but a simple solution is to make a device that keeps the smarts, but drops a second screen for a number pad.
Released in late 2015, the LG Wine Smart is an internationally available ‘smart’ device that does exactly that, though with a combination of Android 5.1, 1GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 210 processor, it is hardly a power champion.
More importantly, the single screen is a 3.2 inch 480 x 320 affair, which is unlikely to win any awards for resolution. It is enough to run a few WhatsApp chats, and surf the web, but not capable of anything resource intensive.
LG and Samsung continue to experiment with smart flip phones in Korea
If flip phones are intended to be three things: cool, practical and affordable, the LG Wine Smart ticks two boxes. However, to truly recapture the heyday of the form factor, a modern flip phone would have to be a little more powerful.
That isn’t to say that the LG Wine Smart doesn’t have its place though, and with number pad-clad flip phones on the rise in Japan, there may be some scope for the form factor in this price bracket.
There is a weakness to this design that holds it back from worldwide success however, one that a “two-screened” phone would leapfrog: buttons.
Ten years ago physical buttons were all the rage, but over the years the world has moved more and more to software keys, leaving space for larger screens.
It's not just that manufacturers don't make phones with buttons, the public also doesn't buy these handsets in any great number - as BlackBerry has learned.
Indeed, the overall evolution of phones has progressed to such a point that physical keys are gradually going to be eschewed altogether. Rumors point to the Galaxy S8 being 90% screen on the front, and the iPhone 8 could ditch the iconic "Home" button that has come to define iOS devices.
Minimalism is the keyword here, and it likely applies to screens as well. An extra screen may be seen as a gimmick or overkill by the public, just as extra buttons have frequently proven to be unwelcome.
Enter the fold
So what would a second screen be used for? The traditional flip phone design is simple, number pad at the bottom, screen to display information at the top. All an extra screen would do is complicate things.
Power users, looking to display as much information as possible, might be able to get some use out of it, but essentially gluing two phones together without a purpose solves no problems.
To really bring the form factor back, it would be on the shoulders of manufacturers and designers to bring something new to the table, and not just nostalgia. Innovation is key.
A folding handset with the flip phone form factor would allow for a larger screen, a distinctive look and a healthy dash of futurism.
Though this tech is likely still some way off reaching the mass market (the LG G Flex 2 is the only thing even approaching this at the moment), the potential is there.
The preserve of the 1%
Everything written here so far has hinged on one assumption: the flip phone is dead as a form factor. And for the most part, that’s true.
However, the design has enjoyed a strange afterlife over the last few years, becoming a mainstay of the luxury phone market.
These phones are the preserve of the uber-wealthy, the kind of person who looks at an iPhone 7 and thinks, “man, I’d buy that in a heartbeat if only it came studded with diamonds, you know – the poor-shaming kind.”
The Samsung W2016 (credit: Weboo.co)
Somewhat surprisingly, it has been Samsung which has created and owned this most niche of niches, with its latest flip phone, the W2017, just around the corner and likely costing well over $2,000 (£1600/AU$2650) according to SamMobile.
Though lacking dual screens, this isn't lacking for power, as it comes with a 4.2-inch Full HD Super AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, 4GB of RAM, 64GB of internal storage and a 12MP rear-facing camera capable of capturing 4K footage. In other words, everything expected of a 2016 flagship.
If this has you drooling in anticipation like a starving hound, the price isn't the only unfortunate news. Like every other entry in the series so far, the W2017 will only be released in China. Whether due to a proven demand for these handsets, or down to a simple quirk, the west will be bereft of expensive flip phones for now.
For those with more money than sense, these devices are perfect. For everyone else, a real modern, usable flip phone is still a distant pipe dream.
Flipping the book closed
So where does this leave the humble flip phone as a form factor? Is it possible that it could make a real comeback?
For now the answer appears to be a clear and definite “no”. Overcoming the technical hurdles, and finding a place for them in the modern world, would be hard enough, but in an industry that so relentlessly pursues the future, there is no time for the past. It is conventional knowledge now that what the public wants is big phones.
Foldable screens could be the answer, but Samsung (one of the pioneers of the tech) isn't sure there's a market for them, according to The Korea Herald. And that's an understandable outlook, given that many attempts at deviating from the norm have been met with failure.
Ten years ago, all that Joe Public wanted was to be able to make calls and text, and so all that a phone needed was a small antenna, a primitive screen, and a number pad. The form factors of the time evolved around these two factors, and as such the candy bar and the flip phone were born.
In a rare successful break from the established model the iPhone kick-started the trend for multi-touch input, and now a large touch-sensitive screen dominates the front of every handset, which is likely the way things will continue.
Beyond a few expensive devices released as fashion accessories for the very wealthy, the ideal of a modern flip phone is dead.
In the world of mobile, the holy grail for manufacturers is a completely airtight top-down business model. In theory this is simple to achieve: create your own app store and operating system, get these onto a handful of top-notch devices and you're laughing.
Actually pulling this off is exceptionally difficult, of course. At the beginning of the smartphone era it was a prize that seemingly any company could claim; since then most have failed, some have triumphed while others have barely survived, and Jolla – which translates from its native Finnish as 'dinghy' – falls into the latter camp.
Founded in the fallout following the protracted death of Nokia's Services and Devices division, Jolla has clung to life through sheer bloody-mindedness. While other, bigger, richer firms have fallen, it seems the Jolla dinghy is almost impossible to sink.
It was in 2013 that Jolla first came to life, gathering the dying embers of MeeGo, Nokia's last attempt at building an in-house operating system, and reviving them in a new platform dubbed Sailfish OS.
Sailfish OS
Sami Pienimakki, co-founder of the Finnish startup, still has a great deal of passion for MeeGo, along with many others at Jolla, with the team including a number of former engineers who worked on the ill-fated Nokia platform.
Sailfish is based on the underlying code behind MeeGo, with a new user interface that has been designed to make heavy use of gestures.
However, while Jolla is proud of what it's created in Sailfish OS, there's a palpable sense that what exists is still a little half-baked.
Since its inception, Jolla has been defined by astronomical ambition, despite having fewer than 200 employees. Its goal has always been to exploit the gaps that exist in Android, such as the perceived lack of security features, and offer an enhanced user experience.
"The number one competitor for us has always been Android. Of course the other major OSs also belong on the list," Pienimakki told TechRadar before touching on the unique selling point of Sailfish.
"[It is] a true independent mobile OS, offering the world a real choice in the flat/homogeneous mobile OS market."
During its brief lifetime, there has in some quarters been a perception that Jolla lacks a strategy. A goal has always existed, as has a product and a dream; however the road to that end point has been littered with errors and hiccups.
The Jolla Phone, launched in 2013
Take the initial dream: using the innards of MeeGo to craft a new operating system with state-of-the-art gesture inputs, a beautiful aesthetic and lots of new ideas. Sailfish had strong foundations, but scaling it and turning a solid start into a viable and profitable product has proved beyond the plucky startup.
The Jolla Phone, released in 2013, was the first official device to come with Sailfish OS inside. Chunky and distinctive, it had a certain je ne sais quois that many other devices of the time lacked.
Despite some fleeting success in its homeland, however, the phone failed to catch on elsewhere – and Jolla's troubles had only just begun.
Tablet troubles
Announced as "the world's first crowd-sourced tablet" in late 2014, the Jolla Tablet certainly looked the part. It promised a pin-sharp 2048 x 1536, 7-inch screen, a quad-core 64-bit Intel chipset, and a whole lot more – and people were enticed.
The tablet was a huge crowdfunding success, raising a staggering $2,571,262 – 479% of the original target. Understandably, Jolla was overjoyed.
What followed, however, was a litany of unfulfilled promises. Initial delays led to months of waiting for backers, with reports of manufacturer disputes among other issues. In the end, only a few hundred tablets were shipped, far fewer than the thousands expected.
The Jolla Tablet had somewhat of a troubled existence
Jolla admitted defeat, and a large-scale refund program was initiated – and the official take on the affair seems to be that it served as a valuable learning opportunity for the company, at least according to Pienimakki.
"The Jolla Tablet project was a great learning for us, and it also is a perfect device for Sailfish OS," he says.
"For small startups such as Jolla, it typically takes years to find the right strategy and focus points, and the Jolla Tablet project was one stepping stone we had to take on the way to a clearer licensing business strategy."
The search for partners
Faced with poor sales and flagging finances, Jolla rethought its whole business model. The Jolla phone was allowed to live on, but was treated as a collector's item. Meanwhile the real focus moved from hardware sales to software licensing, a move with very tangible consequences.
Jolla set out to conquer the world. Offices were opened in Hong Kong, and partnerships were struck in sub-Saharan Africa, India, South America and elsewhere.
The company sought out small manufacturers who could come up with a device that would use Jolla's software in a new way, and put both parties on the map, as Pienimakki explains.
"Jolla's perfect partners are typically pioneers in their own field, the ones who want to break out from the norm, and offer something extraordinary for their customers."
As time went by however, these devices failed to materialise, and Jolla's digital dreams became nothing but vapourware. Indeed, it was only in 2016 that the first non-Jolla branded device bearing Sailfish OS appeared: the Intex Aqua Fish.
So how then, in spite of these failures and setbacks, has this tiny player on the periphery of the northern hemisphere – and on the periphery of the mobile market – survived?
Survival instinct
Nostalgia and sentiment certainly play a part, though to say this is something of a slight to the thousands who have chosen to follow Jolla religiously.
Why do they follow? The answer is simple: hope.
Hope sold thousands of Jolla tablets and hope had enthusiastic venture capitalists pump funds in during the lean times. Consequences always follow hope, but Jolla still entertains a huge community.
It’s a disparate group from open-source enthusiasts and former Nokia geeks to those seeking something different from the norm and amateur developers. One group even went so far as to develop a 3D-printed keyboard cover for the firm's smartphone.
Understandably, Jolla has chosen to focus on this community, a lifeline in stormy seas. Every new build of the operating system is crowd-tested, and Jolla engages enthusiastically with everyone who gets involved.
This crowd-testing approach has its benefits, but also its limitations, stimulating involvement but at the same time stifling innovation. Nonetheless, the firm has also chosen to test its hardware on the public.
"Our developer and fan community has always been in the core of our ways of working," Pienimakki told us.
"A few months back we launched a specific Sailfish Community Device Program, which included the latest Jolla smartphone, the 'Jolla C – Limited Community Edition' and other activities, such as community events and developer support sessions."
The Jolla C, launched in 2016
The Jolla C is the latest device to be released by the firm, and it's unusual in a number of ways. First, it isn't designed and produced by Jolla, as the Jolla Phone was, instead being a rebranded Intex Aqua Fish.
Second, it's sold as a developer-only model, produced in brief batches of a few hundred or so, and sold in flash sales.
Stock is allowed to deplete completely, which has a number of benefits, not least in there being no need to maintain an official customer support base for the phone, as it's only intended to be used as a support device for those developing for Sailfish.
The intrepid dinghy
Although the feeling at Jolla seems to be upbeat, even combative, it's difficult to share in the enthusiasm. Of the original founders, many (including poster-boy Marc Dillon) have left, along with dozens of employees laid off after the decision to cut the hardware department.
We haven't seen the last of this intrepid little dinghy.
Business partnerships have failed to provide any fruit, and funding is drying up. In December 2015 Jolla secured roughly $12 million in rescue funds to stay afloat, but the issue remains: what next?
Caught between the rock of iOS and the hard place of Android, what practical options are available for expansion?
On this subject Pienimakki clearly likes to keep his cards close to his chest. "We currently have several licensing customers with whom we are working," he says. "These will be announced later."
So while there are no guarantees of success, and plenty of opportunity for failure, it seems that this most determined of mobile industry survivors will be with us for a while yet. We haven't seen the last of this intrepid little dinghy.
It's 2016, and the mobile world is two things: iOS and Android. The former, run by the world's most profitable company, began the smartphone boom. The latter, owned and administered by the world's foremost data-mining firm, expanded that boom to the farthest reaches of the globe.
Today, their dominance is so complete that it is almost impossible to imagine any alternate situation, for Android and iOS success is an inevitability, guaranteed and impossible to escape.
And yet this was not always the case. Since 2008 many firms, keen to get in on the lucrative smartphone game, have entered the fray with home-grown mobile operating systems. Some were beautiful, some were game-changing, some were just awful.
Sailfish OS, MeeGo, Firefox OS, BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone 7/8, WebOS: the past is littered with the detritus of many once great titans and smaller upstarts. Read on for a glimpse of what has passed, and what could have been.
MeeGo
Though the name 'Nokia' has not always been synonymous with smartphones, for many the first phone they owned came from the Finnish firm.
Indeed, in 2010 Nokia was the biggest phone manufacturer in the world, commanding over 40% of the total market at the time, a share that dwarfs that of any handset maker in the present. However, not all was well in Espoo HQ, despite the then healthy sales figures.
As with many companies that experience staggering success, Nokia got fat and complacent. Its internal structure grew bloated and incapable of reacting to quick changes. The firm subsequently failed to pay enough attention to the rise of Android and iOS, at least until 2011. It was then that the Nokia N9 was released, the first and only device to come bearing the MeeGo operating system.
Forged from code created at both Intel and Nokia, MeeGo was something slightly revolutionary. Boasting slim system requirements, an intuitive touch interface, message hubs and multitasking, the emphasis was on creating a flow through the user experience. The hope was it was something the opposition at the time simply couldn't match.
Ultimately, this system was a victim of the internal politics that would slowly claim Nokia's soul. Unconvinced by the potential of the system, and perhaps swayed by generous subsidies from Microsoft, CEO Stephen Elop published the famous 'burning platform' memo, burying MeeGo and the N9 in favor of Windows Phone.
Today the project exists only as a reminder of what could have been, and the tragic fall of Nokia into relative nothingness.
Sailfish OS
Created by a group of former Nokia engineers (with seed funding from the firm itself), Sailfish OS is heavily based on the code used in MeeGo. The only real difference is in the user interface, which had to be altered from the original 'Harmattan' version as Nokia retained the rights to this.
Instead, the user interacts with Sailfish through an innovative series of gestures, with minimal button inputs, again with the emphasis on flow. Apps are kept open, running in the background and can be pinned, as with MeeGo.
Jolla is the company behind the operating system (the name meaning "raft" in Finnish, and intended as a riposte to the 'burning platform' memo), and the life span of its products has been characterized by grand ambitions and neutered realities.
Offering the OS as a community project, Jolla has developed a small but devoted cult following around its product, but devices bearing the operating system, other than its own in-house effort, have been scant, even occasionally turning into vaporware.
2016 marked the birth of the first OEM device to come bearing Sailfish OS, the Intex Aqua Fish, intended solely for the Indian market. Jolla itself has since ceased production of its sole handset (the Jolla Phone), and the arrival of its first tablet has been somewhat botched as a result of a mismanaged Indiegogo campaign.
Now focusing solely on the production and refinement of its software offerings, things are still looking dicey for the firm, which recently had to accept a bailout following a difficult financial period.
BlackBerry 10
Another operating system spawned from a former giant, as the name might infer, this was the brainchild of BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion [RIM]).
In the period spanning 2002 - 2010, RIM enjoyed something of a meteoric rise, especially among businesses. Arguably the first company to get mobile email 'right', its handsets enjoyed enormous success, with particular fondness being reserved for their ever-improving physical keyboards.
Yet, as with Nokia, BlackBerry failed to pay significant attention to the rise and rise of Android and iOS. Over time, as its consumer base began to crumble quickly, it doubled down on business, and believed that it had something of an ace in BlackBerry 10.
Sharing much of the same design DNA as MeeGo and Sailfish, BlackBerry 10 is built around gestures, allowing users to swipe right and left, as well as from all four corners of the screen, while background apps are 'pinned' to the home screen, running slightly like widgets in the background.
Innovative as it was, by the time the software was released Blackberry had missed the boat completely. Launching to little fanfare, adoption was muted, leading to a series of internal power struggles and strife at BlackBerry, which saw enormous job losses and a complete change in priorities.
With the firm now shifting its attentions to the greener pastures of Android, testing the water with the likes of 2015's excellent BlackBerry Priv and the 2016 BlackBerry DTEK50, the future of Blackberry 10 is one of interminable decline. It still remains committed to the platform, but the likelihood of new BB 10 hardware remains bleak.
Firefox OS, Palm OS/WebOS and Windows Phone
Firefox OS
Mozilla is well-known for its popular web browser, Firefox, and yet the non-profit firm has also branched out into a number of different areas, some of them quite surprising.
On the surface, the drive towards creating an in-house, open-source operating system was to counter the decline of the open web, something that tech die-hards have been concerned about for some time. With the rise of apps and walled garden approaches to software, Mozilla decided to act.
The result was Firefox OS, focusing on the mobile web, HTML5 and a very low entry price. Indeed, though it proved to be non-existent in the end, much of the early conversation was dominated by Mozilla's promise of the first (usable) $25 smartphone, running Firefox OS.
As time went by Mozilla achieved some success, managing to sell a small number of devices in Columbia and Venezuela, among other countries, but nothing like the quantities needed either to break even or to gain any market share.
The result was obsolescence and as the media train moved on interest in Firefox OS waned. Mozilla itself, lacking the resources of a Google or an Apple, proved to be seemingly only half-interested in its offering and eventually closed the mobile OS for good in the latter quarter of 2015.
Much like Palm OS (another entry on this list) though, the software lives on - in televisions. Panasonic now employs an altered version in many of its units, giving it an afterlife as part of the 'Internet of Things' (widely regarded as one of the worst tech newspeak terms since 'phablet' came into existence).
Palm OS/WebOS
Before Nokia and BlackBerry got into the touchscreen smartphone game, before Android began to explode and when the Apple iPhone was still a hobbled little thing there was Palm and WebOS.
Sporting a much imitated gesture interface, card-based multitasking (which has been aped by everyone since) and many other futuristic features, WebOS was arguably the first operating system that introduced the concept of "smart" to smartphones.
First found on the Palm Pre in June 2009, such was the potential behind WebOS that HP bought Palm outright in 2010 for $1.2 billion.
Soon, the tide began to turn. Apple brought out the iconic iPhone 4 while Android advanced its appeal considerably through the likes of the HTC Desire. Interest in WebOS began to wane, not helped by HP's seeming inability to find a vision for its new product.
Shortly following the abortive launch of the HP TouchPad in 2011 (49 days to be precise), HP abandoned WebOS and all devices running the software.
This marked the end of WebOS on smartphones, however the operating system has since found new life through LG, with the firm including it - to significant acclaim - in its smart televisions.
Windows Phone 7 and 8
And now to the granddaddy of them all, at least in terms of money and effort spent. Windows Phone was Microsoft's answer to the Android/iOS duopoly, intended to have the strengths of both and the weaknesses of neither.
Sporting a bold new design and a daring interface utilizing 'live tiles', Windows Phone had a focus on simplicity and usability over unnecessary features and frippery.
Exercising total control over specifications and updates, Microsoft was able to keep the software experience tight and focused, leaving manufacturers to be inventive with their hardware, rather than over-complicating the user interface.
First debuting at MWC in 2010, Windows Phone 7 was a breath of fresh air, and enjoyed some not insignificant hardware support from PC OEMs – such as Dell, HP and Acer - looking to get in on the smartphone boom.
Initial enthusiasm led to a quick drop off in support, and soon Windows Phone 7 began to drift. Sensing the lack of momentum, Microsoft rebooted (knowing its way around a blue screen or six) with Windows Phone 8.
Sporting more functionality, and eventually the popular voice assistant Cortana, Windows Phone 8 nonetheless still failed to ignite the global market with a poorly stocked app store at the heart of the issues.
Now, the picture is grim. Microsoft has rebooted once again, this time with Windows 10 Mobile, another rejiggering of its mobile dream. However, with a lack of investment, in both funds and willpower, the platform is beginning to wilt badly, with the paucity of apps becoming even more problematic with several first party developers pulling out entirely (even Amazon is reported to be leaving the game).
Microsoft's mobile vision looks to be grinding to a halt, and it might take a true miracle to save it.
For an operating system that isn't likely to fail check out iOS 10
It's 2016, and the mobile world is two things: iOS and Android. The former, run by the world's most profitable company, began the smartphone boom. The latter, owned and administered by the world's foremost data-mining firm, expanded that boom to the farthest reaches of the globe.
Today, their dominance is so complete that it is almost impossible to imagine any alternate situation, for Android and iOS success is an inevitability, guaranteed and impossible to escape.
And yet this was not always the case. Since 2008 many firms, keen to get in on the lucrative smartphone game, have entered the fray with home-grown mobile operating systems. Some were beautiful, some were game-changing, some were just awful.
Sailfish OS, MeeGo, Firefox OS, BlackBerry 10, Windows Phone 7/8, WebOS: the past is littered with the detritus of many once great titans and smaller upstarts. Read on for a glimpse of what has passed, and what could have been.
MeeGo
Though the name 'Nokia' has not always been synonymous with smartphones, for many the first phone they owned came from the Finnish firm.
Indeed, in 2010 Nokia was the biggest phone manufacturer in the world, commanding over 40% of the total market at the time, a share that dwarfs that of any handset maker in the present. However, not all was well in Espoo HQ, despite the then healthy sales figures.
As with many companies that experience staggering success, Nokia got fat and complacent. Its internal structure grew bloated and incapable of reacting to quick changes. The firm subsequently failed to pay enough attention to the rise of Android and iOS, at least until 2011. It was then that the Nokia N9 was released, the first and only device to come bearing the MeeGo operating system.
Forged from code created at both Intel and Nokia, MeeGo was something slightly revolutionary. Boasting slim system requirements, an intuitive touch interface, message hubs and multitasking, the emphasis was on creating a flow through the user experience. The hope was it was something the opposition at the time simply couldn't match.
Ultimately, this system was a victim of the internal politics that would slowly claim Nokia's soul. Unconvinced by the potential of the system, and perhaps swayed by generous subsidies from Microsoft, CEO Stephen Elop published the famous 'burning platform' memo, burying MeeGo and the N9 in favor of Windows Phone.
Today the project exists only as a reminder of what could have been, and the tragic fall of Nokia into relative nothingness.
Sailfish OS
Created by a group of former Nokia engineers (with seed funding from the firm itself), Sailfish OS is heavily based on the code used in MeeGo. The only real difference is in the user interface, which had to be altered from the original 'Harmattan' version as Nokia retained the rights to this.
Instead, the user interacts with Sailfish through an innovative series of gestures, with minimal button inputs, again with the emphasis on flow. Apps are kept open, running in the background and can be pinned, as with MeeGo.
Jolla is the company behind the operating system (the name meaning "raft" in Finnish, and intended as a riposte to the 'burning platform' memo), and the life span of its products has been characterized by grand ambitions and neutered realities.
Offering the OS as a community project, Jolla has developed a small but devoted cult following around its product, but devices bearing the operating system, other than its own in-house effort, have been scant, even occasionally turning into vaporware.
2016 marked the birth of the first OEM device to come bearing Sailfish OS, the Intex Aqua Fish, intended solely for the Indian market. Jolla itself has since ceased production of its sole handset (the Jolla Phone), and the arrival of its first tablet has been somewhat botched as a result of a mismanaged Indiegogo campaign.
Now focusing solely on the production and refinement of its software offerings, things are still looking dicey for the firm, which recently had to accept a bailout following a difficult financial period.
BlackBerry 10
Another operating system spawned from a former giant, as the name might infer, this was the brainchild of BlackBerry (formerly Research In Motion [RIM]).
In the period spanning 2002 - 2010, RIM enjoyed something of a meteoric rise, especially among businesses. Arguably the first company to get mobile email 'right', its handsets enjoyed enormous success, with particular fondness being reserved for their ever-improving physical keyboards.
Yet, as with Nokia, BlackBerry failed to pay significant attention to the rise and rise of Android and iOS. Over time, as its consumer base began to crumble quickly, it doubled down on business, and believed that it had something of an ace in BlackBerry 10.
Sharing much of the same design DNA as MeeGo and Sailfish, BlackBerry 10 is built around gestures, allowing users to swipe right and left, as well as from all four corners of the screen, while background apps are 'pinned' to the home screen, running slightly like widgets in the background.
Innovative as it was, by the time the software was released Blackberry had missed the boat completely. Launching to little fanfare, adoption was muted, leading to a series of internal power struggles and strife at BlackBerry, which saw enormous job losses and a complete change in priorities.
With the firm now shifting its attentions to the greener pastures of Android, testing the water with the likes of 2015's excellent BlackBerry Priv and the 2016 BlackBerry DTEK50, the future of Blackberry 10 is one of interminable decline. It still remains committed to the platform, but the likelihood of new BB 10 hardware remains bleak.
Firefox OS, Palm OS/WebOS and Windows Phone
Firefox OS
Mozilla is well-known for its popular web browser, Firefox, and yet the non-profit firm has also branched out into a number of different areas, some of them quite surprising.
On the surface, the drive towards creating an in-house, open-source operating system was to counter the decline of the open web, something that tech die-hards have been concerned about for some time. With the rise of apps and walled garden approaches to software, Mozilla decided to act.
The result was Firefox OS, focusing on the mobile web, HTML5 and a very low entry price. Indeed, though it proved to be non-existent in the end, much of the early conversation was dominated by Mozilla's promise of the first (usable) $25 smartphone, running Firefox OS.
As time went by Mozilla achieved some success, managing to sell a small number of devices in Columbia and Venezuela, among other countries, but nothing like the quantities needed either to break even or to gain any market share.
The result was obsolescence and as the media train moved on interest in Firefox OS waned. Mozilla itself, lacking the resources of a Google or an Apple, proved to be seemingly only half-interested in its offering and eventually closed the mobile OS for good in the latter quarter of 2015.
Much like Palm OS (another entry on this list) though, the software lives on - in televisions. Panasonic now employs an altered version in many of its units, giving it an afterlife as part of the 'Internet of Things' (widely regarded as one of the worst tech newspeak terms since 'phablet' came into existence).
Palm OS/WebOS
Before Nokia and BlackBerry got into the touchscreen smartphone game, before Android began to explode and when the Apple iPhone was still a hobbled little thing there was Palm and WebOS.
Sporting a much imitated gesture interface, card-based multitasking (which has been aped by everyone since) and many other futuristic features, WebOS was arguably the first operating system that introduced the concept of "smart" to smartphones.
First found on the Palm Pre in June 2009, such was the potential behind WebOS that HP bought Palm outright in 2010 for $1.2 billion.
Soon, the tide began to turn. Apple brought out the iconic iPhone 4 while Android advanced its appeal considerably through the likes of the HTC Desire. Interest in WebOS began to wane, not helped by HP's seeming inability to find a vision for its new product.
Shortly following the abortive launch of the HP TouchPad in 2011 (49 days to be precise), HP abandoned WebOS and all devices running the software.
This marked the end of WebOS on smartphones, however the operating system has since found new life through LG, with the firm including it - to significant acclaim - in its smart televisions.
Windows Phone 7 and 8
And now to the granddaddy of them all, at least in terms of money and effort spent. Windows Phone was Microsoft's answer to the Android/iOS duopoly, intended to have the strengths of both and the weaknesses of neither.
Sporting a bold new design and a daring interface utilizing 'live tiles', Windows Phone had a focus on simplicity and usability over unnecessary features and frippery.
Exercising total control over specifications and updates, Microsoft was able to keep the software experience tight and focused, leaving manufacturers to be inventive with their hardware, rather than over-complicating the user interface.
First debuting at MWC in 2010, Windows Phone 7 was a breath of fresh air, and enjoyed some not insignificant hardware support from PC OEMs – such as Dell, HP and Acer - looking to get in on the smartphone boom.
Initial enthusiasm led to a quick drop off in support, and soon Windows Phone 7 began to drift. Sensing the lack of momentum, Microsoft rebooted (knowing its way around a blue screen or six) with Windows Phone 8.
Sporting more functionality, and eventually the popular voice assistant Cortana, Windows Phone 8 nonetheless still failed to ignite the global market with a poorly stocked app store at the heart of the issues.
Now, the picture is grim. Microsoft has rebooted once again, this time with Windows 10 Mobile, another rejiggering of its mobile dream. However, with a lack of investment, in both funds and willpower, the platform is beginning to wilt badly, with the paucity of apps becoming even more problematic with several first party developers pulling out entirely (even Amazon is reported to be leaving the game).
Microsoft's mobile vision looks to be grinding to a halt, and it might take a true miracle to save it.
For an operating system that isn't likely to fail check out iOS 10
In March of this year a list of the world's top phone vendors was published. Twelve names were on it, and of those a stunning eight were Chinese.
Far from the knock-off merchants they have so often been categorised as, companies such as Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, Oppo and more have been almost unstoppable in their ascendance.
But what does this mean for consumers in the West? On the surface of it, not a great deal. These manufacturers have tended to focus almost exclusively on China and other emerging markets, particularly India.
For various reasons many of them have opted to avoid the West almost entirely, only dipping their toes in every now and then. A great deal of this has to do with patent law, which is a story for another day (preferably a long gloomy winter's eve). That means the handsets can be a little tricky to get hold of.
The opportunity does exist for those of you with a little gumption and knowledge to successfully snare yourself a super Chinese smartphone. In doing so you can get a cracking deal, with specs to make even the most hardened power hounds weep with envy, and often at a third of the price of the well known flagships.
The market is totally different however, and there are many pitfalls to avoid. Read on for eight top tips on buying handsets from abroad.
1. Research your handset
This may seem like an obvious first step, but the reality is harder than you might think. To begin with there can often be a lack of reviews for many handsets, especially those from lesser known companies such as Doogee, Elephone and Cubot.
Set a budget for yourself, trawl the web and draw up a list of three or four phones that particularly appeal (for example the Xiaomi Mi5, the Elephone P9000 and the Meizu Pro 6).
It's worth noting that there's a particular love for phablets in China, so those with smaller hands may want to steer clear.
2. 4G or no 4G?
Everyone wants superfast internet on their smartphone, so a key thing to check is whether the phones you're looking at support the correct LTE bands for your country.
Many Chinese handsets come without support for Band 20, which for example is used by O2 in the UK, and would mean no 3G or 4G internet when using such a phone on a network which relies on this band.
3. Dodge update doldrums
The next thing to do is look a little further into the company behind your handset. Take Xiaomi for instance. Every phone from the firm comes running MIUI, a proprietary skin of Android, and does not run Google services.
Xiaomi regularly updates its software, bringing new versions of Android to customers at a relatively decent speed.
However, it's the exception rather than the rule. If you plan on keeping your handset for any length of time, try to ensure you pick a manufacturer with an established reputation for software update support, otherwise the first bug you find may continue indefinitely.
4. The customer is always right
There's another major thing to bear in mind before buying a Chinese smartphone, after-sales support. If you would like to receive this, don't buy 'gray imports'.
With limited presence (and in some cases none) in the West, parts and expertise are scant should a repair be needed, so have a think before buying and certainly before dropping the phone you've chosen onto unforgiving cement.
This may change in the years to come as manufacturers continue to expand their global presence, but for the moment it can be a difficult choice to make.
5. Pick a vendor
This is perhaps the most important step, as making the wrong choice can mean weeks, maybe months of disappointment and despair.
Different phone manufacturers depend on different sites. Meizu and Oppo phones can generally be purchased through Amazon, while Xiaomi devices are usually available from the likes of AliExpress and GearBest.
Where possible, try to get stock shipped from a warehouse relatively near you, for example from Europe if you're in the UK, and also make sure to choose a guaranteed delivery option.
Research each vendor before making a purchase, and pay close attention to user reviews. If several people have had a bad experience that should be a red flag.
6. Free ROM-ing
Due to firewall restrictions in China, the vast majority of Chinese phones come without Google's suite of apps installed. They instead run a custom software package ('ROM') overlaid on top of the core Android platform.
That doesn't necessarily mean you'll be in passion of a dud, as you can get Google's offerings with an international ROM with support for English and Google Play.
Many vendors will give the option to ship with an international ROM, but beware of this as devices bought this way may come preloaded with malware.
Choose a handset with an unlockable bootloader, and preferably with a microSD slot too, and check that an international ROM is available. You can then manually flash the ROM to the phone, minus any potentially nasty malware or unnecessary additional applications.
7. Customs charge
An important point when purchasing any phone from abroad is; be aware of customs. Having a device shipped from the same country will help to avoid this situation, but it isn't always an option.
Often when shipping from China, not only will the device in question take several weeks to arrive, but when it does an extra charge has sometimes been applied, proportional to the cost of the device, potentially up to 20%.
Take care, and definitely factor in this potential extra expense when having products delivered, as otherwise cheap phones can skyrocket in price when extra hurdles are applied, thus negating any cost advantage.
8. Setting up
So you've done it! Every hurdle has been cleared, except making the phone usable. On the setup screen, change the language to English (or your lingo of choice).
This daunting step completed, there remains the issue of installing the Google Play store should it not be present - and should it be possible. On Xiaomi devices this can be accomplished by downloading an app from the Xiaomi store, on others it can require full on flashing.
Round-up
Buying phones from far-flung locales can be a highly rewarding process. If done correctly, you can end up with a powerful, beautiful device with an impressively low price point.
If anything goes wrong however, it can mean that your lovely slice of eastern delight ends up a very decorative paperweight.
Two tenets above all hold true: exercise whatever amount of common sense you may possess judiciously, and become the forum lurker you were born to be, as there is no better source of information than someone who has already made a purchase.
iOS 9 is the latest and most significant update to hit both the iPhone and the iPad since the introduction of iOS 8.4, and with it comes the usual blend of features and performance enhancements.
Improved support for Siri, more useful multi-tasking, better battery life – the list of enhancements goes on. And yet, one question remains: is it worth upgrading? Updating an older iOS device to later versions can mean laggy performance and an unhappy battery, and the older the device the worse the impact.
So should you upgrade your iPhone or iPad to iOS 9? We've broken down the key differences for you.
iOS vs iOS 9: Siri
In iOS 8, Siri took something of a backseat. This is no longer the case in iOS 9: Cupertino's original voice assistant is getting smarter, and a lot more useful.
According to Apple, Siri in iOS 9 is both 40% faster and 40% more powerful than in its previous form, making searches quicker. This also makes for a few new features, including Siri being more "contextually aware."
In real terms, this could mean saying "remind me about this" as when reading an email with a date and with location and time mentioned, triggering Siri to set up an appointment.
Siri is also more integrated into iOS 9 than it was 8. Hopefully, this should mean that your device running iOS 9 will get to know you and your habits a little better – for example, understanding when you like to listen to music, and then preparing playlists for certain times of the day as appropriate.
Whether this will be of any use depends entirely on how you use your mobile device, but for anyone looking to log and improve their lifestyles, this is a valuable add-on.
iOS vs iOS 9: search
Building from Siri, search is now a much bigger part of the iOS experience in version 9, being put front and centre, similarly to Google Now. Swiping left from the home screen now launches a search splash screen, filled with suggestions from Siri.
These will include things such as favourite contacts, things to do, and apps, all dependent on the time of day. In all, when compared to Spotlight on iOS 8, this is a pretty big improvement. It means you'll spend less time navigating through menus and windows to get to an obscure end goal, and more time using your device to do the things you want to do.
With iOS 9 it is also now possible to search deeper, not only linking to Google, but also looking through the device and apps to find content appropriate to the question asked. Though it will take some time before developers really get to grips with this new feature, the potential is vast.
iOS vs iOS 9: battery
Battery life is a bugbear for many Apple fans. Though they may be lovely to look at, it is a rare iPhone that can take a busy working day without needing to pause for a top-up. With iOS 9, Apple is hoping to change this.
Built into the operating system is a new low-power mode for iPhones which, when activated, drops the screen brightness quite a bit, while also changing the frequency at which the device downloads new messages and notifications. Essentially it makes your smartphone temporarily a little dumber. With this activated, it should be possible to eke out a few extra hours when in a tight spot.
And though iPad users can't make use of low-power mode, they will likely benefit from the increase in efficiency that comes with iOS 9. Apple claims that, on average, users will see around an hour extra of battery life per charge (dependent on different use cases).
Though the improved battery life is a bonus, low-power mode has been lacking in iOS for years now. Its addition alone should be enough to sway many of those who are undecided on whether to upgrade.
iOS vs iOS 9: keyboard
Though the iOS keyboard was one of the first popular virtual keyboards, it has always lacked one critical feature: lower-case letters. Especially for newcomers to the operating system, seeing whether you have caps lock on has always been unnecessarily difficult.
iOS 9 changes this. Now it is much easier to tell when a message is being typed in all caps when in a hurry. Instead of using a highlighted shift key to indicate caps lock, the keyboard now follows the more intuitive route of showing you the character you'll actually be typing. It's a small victory for the average user.
Whether the upgraded keyboard will be enough to sway iOS users is entirely contingent on personal taste, but this could be a very important factor for a surprising number of users.
iOS vs iOS 9: multi-tasking
This is one for the iPad owners. Multi-tasking is something that doesn't really come naturally to iOS. With limited RAM to play with, keeping several apps open and juggling between them is pretty much impossible, something which has made the device's appeal to enterprise customers far weaker than it otherwise might be.
However, with iOS 9, this has changed significantly. Several options are now available for those wishing to multi-task on their tablets. The first is simple: split-screen apps. As with some Samsung devices, this allows for two apps to be run side-by-side simultaneously. Being as it is the most resource intensive option, this is only available for the iPad Air 2 and up.
Slide-Over View is next. When running an app this allows for "peeking," pulling the side of the app over to view glanceable information from another window. Currently, this is only available for the iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and above.
Lastly, Picture in Picture allows for a small floating window to be constantly displayed, presenting content while moving through the OS. As none of these options are available in iOS 8, these features make iOS 9 a must-have for multitaskers.
iOS vs iOS 9: Apple News
While features like the new improvements to Siri, Search and multi-tasking may be the most eye catching, iOS 9 also brings with it a number of exclusive new apps, chief among which is Apple News.
Whether this appeals will depend entirely on your tastes. Apple News, much like Flipboard, is intended to be a beautiful experience. It aggregates news content from around the internet, before presenting it attractively.
It's not likely to be an essential, but it is a nice bonus for upgrading.
iOS vs iOS 9: Apple Maps
The second Apple app to receive a big upgrade is one of its most controversial, Maps. After the well-known issues the service suffered several years ago, Apple has made big strides in improving its map offering, and iOS 9 constitutes another big step in this direction.
When searching for a destination, the option to search for public transport routes will now appear. This means having to use fewer separate apps to achieve an end, and makes things a little easier overall as a result.
Those on iOS 8 using HERE or Google Maps will likely not care a great deal about this improvement, but for regular users of Apple Maps, its addition alone could make this update count.
iOS vs iOS 9: Settings Search
The settings menu is a major bugbear for many users, no matter what the operating system may be. Finding the right options amid a sea of different choices can be very difficult, and this is only made worse by manufacturers which choose to push their own take over on the menu over simple usability.
Apple has gone some way to sort this in iOS 9 with Settings Search. Although it seems quite innocuous, this is a simple, powerful, tool that will spare you time lost in the menus and make it easier to just get things done.
iOS vs iOS 9: Quick access to Apple Pay
This is one for the iPhone crowd, even if only for those with a 5S or above. Using the fingerprint scanner present in these devices, it is now possible to simply double tap the home button in order to launch Apple Pay.
For those who like to use their phone to pay for things, with iOS 9 it is now simpler than ever to pay for an artisan roasted espresso in a very Star Trek fashion.
iOS vs iOS 9: ad-blockers
Advertisers clearly know that mobile is the future of computing. They've been trying to get our attention with aggressive ads that auto-play videos, auto-direct to app stores and fill the entire screen, damaging both your experience and the website's reputation.
In iOS 9, it is now possible to install ad-blockers, the controversial solution to this problem. Though they'll have to come from third-party developers, this will hopefully make browsing the web a little more enjoyable in future.
And there you have it. Though there will likely be a few who will hold out for future improvements, the time is ripe to breath some new life into your iDevice.
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