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Night Sight is available now for Pixel phones and I love it

NEWS – Just in case you didn’t already know, the Night Sight feature on the Google Camera app is now available for Pixel phones. This feature allows you to take better photos under dark lighting conditions. I have been eagerly awaiting this feature since it was announced in October. I’m an amateur photographer and anything that easily improves the quality of my photos, especially those that I take for the Gadgeteer, is VERY welcomed. If you’re curious about how it works, I’ll just point you to Google’s Research Blog, for a detailed explanation.

After updating your app, if the lighting conditions are low enough, a “Try Night Sight” button pops up. Tapping on it enables the feature and you are ready to go. After tapping on the shutter button, be sure to hold your camera steady until the software completes the task of taking the photo.

If “Try Night Sight” doesn’t come up automatically and you want to try it, you can also find the Night Sight mode located in the “More” section of the app.

I tried it out and am truly impressed. The following are a couple of my pics.

The above photo was taken in a VERY dark closet of our house. 

Night Sight dramatically improved the closet photo. 

The above photo was taken in a dimly lit room.

It’s not quite as dramatic as the first set of photos, but the improvement is readily observed.

What do you think of the Night Sight mode? Leave a comment and let me know!

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Night Sight is available now for Pixel phones and I love it originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on November 18, 2018 at 11:00 am.

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Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case review


REVIEW – I love my Pixel 2 XL. It’s a beautiful phone, but it is $850 and since I’m such a klutz, I must cover it up with a case that provides drop protection. I currently have a Caseology Vault case that provides military-grade drop protection, however, the case is a boring black color. I then spied the DualPro case from Incipio which also provides drop protection and thus, I was eager to check it out. After testing, I found that it is a well-made protective Pixel 2 XL case but adds a moderate amount of bulk to my beautiful phone and is also a fingerprint magnet.

What is it?

The Incipio DualPro case is a two-layer cellphone case with a scratch-resistant rigid polycarbonate outer shell and a shock absorbing flexible silicone inner lining that provides drop protection for the accident-prone like me.

Design and features

I received the merlot colored Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case to test. The case also comes in black, gunmetal, iridescent red with black lining, and navy colors. I chose the merlot color because all the others were either too dark or too bright for my taste. I would have preferred a light blue.

The back of the case is a rigid polycarbonate shell that has a matte, velvety, “soft-touch” finish. It’s strangely fun and satisfying to feel this case.

The Also located on the back of the case is the INCIPIO logo. I find that this detracts from the design and overall appearance of the case.

The inside of the case is made of a flexible shock absorbing silicone material. There is no texture on the inside. In the photo above, you can see the inside of the separated layers of the DualPro case. On the left is the hard plastic outer portion and on the right is the inner flexible portion. The above photo shows the outside of the two separated layers. The inner layer is fairly flexible. The Pixel 2 XL slides easily into and fits perfectly in the DualPro case. There were no misalignment issues between the two layers after inserting the phone into the case. However, it is a bit more difficult to extract the phone from the case. I really had to wedge my fingers in between the case and phone just to pry it out.

The cutouts for the camera and the fingerprint sensors were large enough and properly located. In fact, the fingerprint sensor cutout seemed a tad too large, but I found that got used to it.
In the above photo, the cutout for the charging port illustrates that there is enough room for your USB-C charging cables. And the cutout for the microphone is perfectly placed. In addition, the power button and volume buttons are precisely positioned as well. There is enough of a lip (~2mm) surrounding the front of the phone to help prevent screen scratches when laying the phone face down on a surface. I do not own a screen protector for my phone, so I do not know how well the case works with one.

Performance

While using the case over this past month, I had no problems inserting any of the variety of USB-C charging cables I own into the phone’s charging port. I also did not have any problems taking pictures using the phone’s camera with the case on. The power and volume buttons were a little stiffer than those on my Caseology Vault case, but they were still clicky and responsive. The case also allows you to use the Active Edge feature of the phone without difficulty.

There were a few of things that I really didn’t like about the DualPro case. The dark merlot color is rather lifeless, the hard outer shell is a fingerprint magnet as shown in the photo above, and the case adds a moderate amount of bulk to the phone.

It also collects dust and lint around the edges of the case as shown above. Even so, I still prefer this case over the Caseology Vault, but only by the slimmest of margins.

My husband purchased the DualPro case for his HTC U11 phone. The silver color that he chose still collects fingerprints but seems to hide them much better. He also dropped his phone from about three feet onto concrete and it protected his phone; although, now there are scratches on the corners of the case where it bounced around. Incipio drop-tests the DualPro cases at 10 feet.

What I like

  • The case appears to be well-made
  • It provides military-grade drop protection (from 10 feet) using two layers
  • The cutouts are well sized and perfectly aligned (you are able to use different USB-C charging cables)
  • You can easily use the Active Edge features of the phone with the case on
  • The power and volume buttons are stiff but clicky and responsive

What needs to be improved

  • The merlot color is dull and lifeless
  • The case is a fingerprint magnet
  • It adds a moderate amount of bulk to the phone

Final thoughts

The Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case is a decent case for those of you who want (or need) to protect your phone from impact. It provides military-grade drop protection and has precisely aligned cutouts for my phone. I can also easily use the Active Edge feature of my phone with the case on. In addition, the buttons are stiff but clicky and responsive.

However, it adds a moderate amount of bulk to my phone and the merlot color is rather dull and lifeless. Also, the case is a fingerprint magnet and collects dust around the edges which drives me crazy. Even so, this is the case that I am choosing to use at the moment because I trust it will protect my phone from me and my klutziness.

Price: $15.00 – $29.99
Where to buy: Amazon and Incipio
Source: The sample of this product was provided by Incipio.

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Incipio DualPro Pixel 2 XL case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on July 8, 2018 at 10:00 am.

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totallee thin Pixel 2 XL case review

When it comes to using a case on my smartphone, I normally only use them for one reason and that’s to add some extra grip to an otherwise slippery phone. I don’t use a case to protect it from scratches because I really don’t care THAT much if my phone shows a bit of wear and tear. That said, I don’t want to drop it on a hard surface and bust the display. So I usually seek out a thin case that doesn’t add bulk but does add grip. My current everyday phone is the Pixel 2 XL and the latest case that I’m testing on it is the totallee thin Pixel 2 XL clear case. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The totallee thin clear case for the Pixel 2 XL is a soft clear case that’s only 0.02-inches thick and only ads 0.1 oz to the overall weight of the phone. Not bad!

Design and features

The case is made of a glossy clear soft flexible material that feels like silicone but isn’t sticky like some silicone cases and doesn’t attract lint.

It has cutouts for the camera and flash as well as the fingerprint reader on the back of the phone.

There’s a circular cutout on the top for the microphone.

And on the bottom, you’ll find a cutout for the USB-C port.

There aren’t cutouts for the power button and volume button though. The buttons are molded into the case. I’m not a fan of this as I feel like it ruins that tactility of the buttons. I’m not saying that it makes the buttons impossible to press, but it does take slightly more effort. In the end, I wish there were cutouts…

Because the case is soft and flexible, you don’t have to worry about breaking a fingernail or your phone when you try to put the case on or remove it. One word about that: Yay!

Once it’s on, you really don’t really notice it because it doesn’t add much bulk. But it does add a nice level of grip that is missing with a naked Pixel 2 XL.

Note that this case is not going to protect your phone from drops to a hard surface. It’s only going to help protect it from everyday wear and tear and scratches.

What I like

  • Easy to put on and remove
  • Adds grip without unnecessary bulk

What needs to be improved

  • Molded buttons for power and volume make interacting with the phone slightly more difficult
  • Expensive

Final thoughts

There really isn’t a lot more to say about the totallee thin Pixel 2 XL case. It does what it’s been designed to do which is to add a minimum level of protection and grip without adding bulk. The only complaint that I have is that it’s kind of expensive at $25 although you can get it for a few cents short of $20 on Amazon. Even at that price, it feels too pricey when you can find other thin cases for the Pixel 2 XL for significantly less. I don’t hate the totallee, but I’m sticking with my current favorite (check my favorite gear page to see what that is)… unfortunately, it’s even more expensive than the totallee, but I like the look and feel better so…

Price: $25
Where to buy: totallee and Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by totallee.

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totallee thin Pixel 2 XL case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on June 14, 2018 at 1:00 pm.

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MNML Case Pixel 2 XL thin case review

I prefer to use my phones naked. That’s the phone, not me! 😉 Cases add bulk and cover up the phone’s style. But, I also like to keep my phone protected and add some grip to it since a lot of phones these days are ultra slippery. One way to add a little protection and grip to a phone is to add a thin cover to the back. The folks at MNML Case sent me one of their 35mm thin covers for the Pixel 2 XL. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Pixel 2 XL Thin Case from MNML is exactly that. It’s a really thin case. 35mm thin to be exact. And it is available in 6 colors including the Really Blue version that they sent me.

Design and features

There’s not a whole heck of a lot to say about this “case”. It’s basically a super thin piece of flexible plastic that snaps on the back of your phone.

The case has cutouts for the power button, volume buttons, camera, fingerprint sensor, USB-C port, and microphone.

When it’s snapped in place, it covers the sides and back without adding any extra weight or thickness to the case.

The MNML case also does not have any branding at all. This is a completely utilitarian style case. There’s nothing flashy about it.

One nice feature is a lip around the camera lens that slightly higher than the lens itself, which adds a bit of protection when the case is on a flat surface.

The cutouts for the power button and volume buttons line up perfectly and since the case is so thin it doesn’t hinder pressing the buttons.

The MNML case doesn’t affect your calls in any way either.

Although this case covers the corners and the back of the phone, it only adds the basic protection from scratches and knocks. I would not expect the case to offer any protection from falls.

What I like

I like that the MNML case is so thin that you will forget that it’s there. I like that it adds a little bit of protection to the camera lens and it will keep the back of your phone from being a fingerprint magnet.

What needs to be improved

A lot of people like to add a thin case to their phone to provide extra grip because their phone is slippery. Unfortunately, I don’t think that the MNML case improves the slipperiness of my Pixel 2 XL at all and it might be just a little bit more slippery than without it. I really wish the MNML case had more of a rubberized coating that would improve the grip.

Final thoughts

The Pixel 2 XL thin case from MNML adds zero bulk and some basic protection from scratches to the back of your phone, but that’s about the extent of it. If that’s all you desire for your Pixel 2 XL, and your budget is small, the MNML case isn’t the worst choice that you can make, but I think there are better choices if you don’t mind paying more. You can check out my favorite gear page to see my current favorite Pixel 2 XL cover.

Price: $14.99
Where to buy: Amazon
Source: The sample for this review was provided by MNML.

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MNML Case Pixel 2 XL thin case review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on May 7, 2018 at 5:12 pm.

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Pixel 2 XL review

I’ve been using a Pixel 2 XL Android smartphone for the past 5 months and have yet to write a review about it even though it has swiftly become one of my all-time favorite Android phones. Does that mean it’s the perfect Android smartphone? Nope, not even close. But right now it’s perfect for me and that’s what counts. Let’s take a look.

What is it?

The Pixel 2 XL is Google’s flagship Android smartphone which is powered by a stock version of Android version 8 otherwise known as Oreo.

Hardware specifications

Processor: Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 835
Operating System: Android 8.0.0 (Oreo)
Memory: 4GB RAM, Storage 64GB or 128GB
Display: 6in 2880 x 1440 pixels, 538ppi pOLED Display, 3D Corning Gorilla Glass 5
Network: Carrier unlocked
4G LTE FDD: B1/B2/B3/B4/B5/B7/B8/B12/B13/B17/B20/B25/B26/B28/B29/B30/B32/B66
TD-LTE Bands: 38/40/41
GSM/EDGE: Quad-band (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz)
UMTS/HSPA+/HSDPA: Bands 1/2/4/5/8
CDMA EVDO Rev A: BC0/BC1/BC10
Supports up to CAT 15 (800Mbps DL / 75Mbps UL), 3x DL CA, 4×4 MIMO, 256-QAM DL and 64-QAM UL depending on carrier support
Camera (rear): 12.2MP, f/1.8
Camera (front): 8MP
Connectivity: Bluetooth: BT5.0+LE
WiFi: Wi-Fi 2.4GHz
NFC: yes
Positioning: GPS/Glonass
Battery: 3520 mAh
Dimensions: 6.2 x 3.0 x 0.3 in (157.9 X 76.4 X 7.9 mm)
Weight: 6.2 oz (175 grams)
Water and Dust Resistant IP67 under IEC standard 60529

What’s in the box

Pixel 2 XL
USB-C 18W charging plug
USB-C to USB-C cable
USB-C to 3.5mm headphone adapter
Quick start guide
Quick switch adapter

Design and features

Google sells 2 sizes of the Pixel 2. I decided to buy the Pixel 2 XL because I was moving on from a Nexus 6p so I was already used to carrying a phablet-sized phone.

As far as first impressions go, the Pixel 2 XL looks like most other larger phones. It’s rectangular with rounded corners, has no buttons on the front, and has slim bezels on the edges. The Pixel 2 XL doesn’t have a bezel-less display like the iPhone X or the Essential Phone. But it’s close enough for me.

Other than the display, the only other things on the front of the Pixel 2 XL are the front firing speakers.

When you flip the Pixel over, you’ll find a glass section at the top where the camera and LED flash are located. Below that is the fingerprint scanner which is surrounded by a smooth matte finish and a Google G logo at the bottom. I like the matte finish on the back of the Pixel because it adds some grip and it hides fingerprints and smudges.

You’ll find the SIM card slot on the left side of the phone and on the right side you’ll find the power button and one-piece volume button. On the top edge of the phone is a microphone and the USB-C charging port is on the bottom edge.

In hand, the Pixel 2 XL feels solid. It’s neither lightweight or heavy. I think it’s just right. A quick squeeze and a shake reveal no flexing or rattles. But, squeezing the sides towards the bottom of the phone triggers the Google Assistant to do your bidding. More on that later.

Display

Soon after the Pixel 2 phones were available, people began reporting about problems with the displays having a blueish tint when not viewed straight on. Other complaints about the display included problems with the touch screen being insensitive on the edges, muted colors, and burn in issues.

When I read about these supposed defects, I obviously became concerned that I had purchased a dud phone. But I’d already been using my Pixel 2 XL for a few days before reading about these problems which I had not noticed on my own unit. Once I read about the blue tint issue, I checked my phone and I definitely saw what they were talking about. Did it make me mad or consider returning my phone since I was still within the return window? No, it didn’t. I had not noticed the problem until it was pointed out to me and even after I saw the issue with my own eyes, I didn’t really care because I don’t use my phone with the screen tilted away from me. I look at it straight on and in that orientation, the screen looks fine to me.

As for the issues with the touchscreen not registering taps on the edges, muted colors, and burn in, I haven’t noticed the touch screen sensitivity issue or burn in issue with my phone so I can’t comment on them. But if I’d had these problems it would have really annoyed me and I would have returned the phone immediately.

I didn’t really notice the muted color issue until it was pointed out. But Google released a fix for that so it’s a non-issue now.

However, there is one issue with the Pixel 2 XL display that I’ve noticed but haven’t read much about… My Pixel 2 XL screen has picked up a LOT of fine scratches in the last couple of months. It seemed like the scratches magically appeared several months after I got the phone. I should mention that I do not use screen protectors on my phone because I don’t like the feel of the edge of the glass protectors on a curved screen like the Pixel 2’s screen.

The scratches on my screen aren’t immediately noticeable. Y0u have to tilt the phone to see them in certain lighting conditions. Seeing them made my stomach drop but I shrugged it off figuring that the phone is a tool and “stuff” happens to tools. As long as the camera lens doesn’t suffer the same fate (and it’s fine so far), I can deal with it.

Fingerprint reader

If you’ve read my phone reviews, you may remember that I like to gripe about how much trouble I have with fingerprint sensors. They just don’t work for me for longer than a day or two. I’d resigned myself to live with this tragic issue until the Pixel 2 XL came into my life. I half-heartedly set up the fingerprint reader with the index fingers of both hands and figured it would stop working soon thereafter. I was wrong. I’ve not had to reprogram my prints yet. The sensor on the Pixel 2 XL works every single time and it works fast. To say that it makes me happy that I can unlock my phone by touching the sensor on the back is an understatement. I feel like I’ve finally been let into a club for the cool kids now 🙂

In all seriousness, being able to easily unlock my phone without drawing a pattern or tapping a 4-digit pin number is wonderful. I thought the Pixel 2 XL was the only phone in the world with a fingerprint sensor that would work with my alien prints, but when I recently had the opportunity to review the Huawei Mate 10 Pro, it also worked great. But then I reviewed the Samsung Galaxy S9 and I was back to same old problems.

Camera

The Pixel 2 XL’s camera is excellent. It’s so good that I ended up selling my Canon 70D DSLR and have been using my Pixel 2 XL as my primary and only camera. I use it for day to day snaps and for all my product photography for my reviews.

Here are some sample images that have not been edited in any way.















I’m very happy with the Pixel 2 XL’s camera and the only way it could be better would be an ultra-fast snap option likeHuaweiauwei Mate 10 Pro.

Audio quality

The Pixel’s front firing speakers sound good when listening to music or watching videos without using headphones. Even at full volume, audio sounds clear and crisp. I do wish the bass was a bit stronger, but I rarely if ever listen to music or watch videos listening to the sound through the built-in speakers so I don’t find this a big deal.

Using the Pixel 2 XL for phone calls

So far I’ve had no issues making and receiving calls on the T-mobile network with this phone. The volume level and clarity on both sides of conversations have been just fine.

Software and user interface

Google’s Pixel phones have stock Android, so you don’t have to waste space with a bunch of apps that the carriers load that you will never use or special skins that you may or may not like that enhance the user interface.

There are advantages to buying a Pixel that other phones don’t have.

  1. OS updates faster than other phones
  2. Google promises security updates for at least the next 3 years
  3. Free unlimited full resolution photo storage to the Google cloud until 2020.

The Pixel 2 does have a feature that isn’t stock and that other Android phones don’t have. It’s the Active Edge feature that launches the Google Assistant when you squeeze the lower half of the phone. When I first heard about the feature, I thought it sounded silly. But I’ve actually grown to really like it once I tuned in the sensitivity level.

In addition to launching Google Assistant, the Active Edge feature can be used to silence alarms, timers, and incoming calls. I wish you could also customize it to launch the camera app and take a picture which would be a great use for it.

Overall performance and battery life using the Pixel 2 XL for day to day tasks

This phone has a 3520mAh battery that keeps it running for a full work day of normal use. It’s a shame that the Pixel 2 doesn’t have wireless charging, but battery levels are topped off pretty quickly when connected to power. I don’t have a power cable near my bed, so I don’t charge it throughout the night. I’ve yet to have it run out of power by morning, although I do charge it as soon as I get to work.

As far as performance, I think the Pixel 2 XL does very well. It might not feel quite a fast as the latest phones that I’ve reviewed, but the difference is negligible.

What I like

  • Great camera
  • Fast fingerprint sensor
  • Stock Android, no bloatware
  • 2-year warranty and 3 years of security updates

What needs to be improved

  • Screen scratches too easily
  • Price
  • Needs HDMI out from USB-C port

Final thoughts

As I already stated at the beginning of this review, the Pixel 2 XL has become one of my all-time favorite Android phones. Although it doesn’t have a micro SD card slot, Qi charging, or HDMI out, it’s yet to disappoint me with day to day performance. I’ve reviewed several phones since buying the Pixel 2 XL and I’ve yet to feel the need to replace this phone. It’s become a dependable workhorse for me and I look forward to seeing what features gen 3 brings to the Pixel later this year.

Price: $849.00 – $949.00
Where to buy: Google and Amazon
Source: The product for this review was purchased with my own funds.

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Pixel 2 XL review originally appeared on The Gadgeteer on March 25, 2018 at 2:23 pm.

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