This week’s top stories: Best Android phones [Jan], Tag Heuer & LG Android Wear 2.0 watches, apps & updates, more

In this week’s top stories: We give you our picks for both the best and most affordable Android phones for January, a look at upcoming Android Wear 2.0 devices from Tag Heuer and LG, Google’s Allo Android app gets new features with version 5.0 alongside other Google app updates, and much more.

We kicks things off with our look at the best Android phones you can buy for the new year along with the best affordable options. A first look at new smartwatches coming soon from Tag Heuer and LG as Android Wear 2.0 gets a rumored February 9th release date.

We discuss if ‘OnePlus 4’ be able to stand out in the saturated & evolving smartphone market. And Samsung officially kicks off Nougat rollout for S7 as it confirms updates for Galaxy S6 and Note 5.

Allo 5.0 rolls out with Chrome Custom Tabs and hints at upcoming selfie-generated sticker packs. Google Maps on the web adds notifications for Local Guides users. And Google acquires Twitter’s Fabric mobile app dev tools.

These and the rest of this week’s top stories below:

Android |

• Opinion: Will the ‘OnePlus 4’ be able to stand out in the saturated & evolving smartphone market?
• Touch latency on the OnePlus 3/3T is still irritating, even after recent Nougat update
• Best affordable Android smartphones you can buy [January 2017]
• Best Android phones you can buy [January 2017]
• New glass panels purportedly show off the Galaxy S8’s nearly non-existent bezels and rounded corners
• Tag Heuer launching new Android Wear 2.0 smartwatches in May, GPS & NFC in tow
• Nvidia Shield TV (2015) gets updated to 5.0 w/ Android Nougat, Amazon Video, more [Updated]
• Google’s LG-made Android Wear 2.0 watches are the ‘Watch Sport’ and ‘Watch Style’
• ZTE’s affordable Blade V8 Pro is now available in the US for $229
• Samsung officially kicks off Nougat rollout for S7, confirms updates for Galaxy S6 and Note 5
• Android Wear 2.0 now rumored to launch on Thursday, February 9th

Alphabet | GOOG

• Google seemingly considered this sleeker design for the 2nd gen. Chromecast [Gallery]
• Project Fi’s $20 referral program for new and existing subscribers extended ‘indefinitely’
• Google acquires Twitter’s Fabric mobile app dev tools, will be integrated into Firebase

Apps |

• Allo 5.0 rolling out w/ Chrome Custom Tabs, selfie-generated sticker packs on the way [APK Teardown]
• Teardown reveals Google Photos on mobile will soon let you edit time & date for your pictures
• Latest Google app beta adds option to manually set country-specific Search region
• Google Maps on the web adds notifications for Local Guides users
• Google Calendar adds smart suggestions on the web, legacy Drive apps deprecated in April

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