Smartphone launches have become a mess

                                                                                                                                              Plus, score an Echo Pop for $18 [PocketLint Logo](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/K-tHdgF7s3-Dn7F8tlThoLsnqFM=350) November 28, 2023 If you're enjoying our newsletter, tell your friends and get them to [sign up here.](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fpage%2Fnewsletter%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_source=PL-NL%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/PFnXF3grKBHyFdvw_YCGkqQfbLQ=350) [Smartphone launches are a mess that don't work in our modern connected world](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fsmartphone-launches-are-a-mess%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/2mJMPLy-Me1awRhSlHRrDYxAO8Y=350) Phone companies are killing their own hype by pursuing isolationism. [a packed venue for a phone launch](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fsmartphone-launches-are-a-mess%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/RfiCo0keNJg00y4YqnQruz9No6c=350) As we approach the end of the year, I like to draw a line under the [smartphone launches](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fbest-phone%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/_7ZVRYhyIMKuz1qdhLQsXxlkWcg=350) that have defined the past 12 months. It's a moment of quiet when the tech giants focus on selling their devices rather than announcing new ones; a brief moment of respite, when we can all draw breath and enjoy our phones. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fsmartphone-launches-are-a-mess%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/H0egMgPvEP8igc0-aUBJQi2rIAo=350) [JBL Soundgear Sense review: Better bass for open-ear buds](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fjbl-soundgear-sense-review%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/ko03bQqz-ZH0faZPB24HhJXwldE=350) JBL's air conduction headphones are a great fit for workouts. [JBL_Soundgear_Sense_2](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fjbl-soundgear-sense-review%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/LPdvL4LPcdD4X0_qmx5AH3Qrhio=350) JBL is the latest to embrace a headphone design that's built to let you listen to your sounds and still be in touch with what's going on around you. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fjbl-soundgear-sense-review%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/v9r0MnuGQ4xKEJPVZb16WydQumM=350) [YouTube has games now - here's how you can access Playables](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fyoutube-playables-games-details-how-to-play%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/ZGfHrE-yV0CyHKuMMB54M4yZLoQ=350) If you're wondering how to access games right in YouTube, here's everything you should know. [YouTube playables](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fyoutube-playables-games-details-how-to-play%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/jmfl4SI-V7BJjOTPuSla-_Q9AVg=350) It seems like it's not really possible to be a video app and just stick to video now - just like Netflix before it, [YouTube](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fyoutube%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/58bSRanmq31ps2zrxhNPjeL1dMQ=350) is branching out into letting its users actually play games, rather than just watching others do so. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fyoutube-playables-games-details-how-to-play%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/XykXeacq7VHyeDGH4hRHWOTpc_8=350) Deal of the day [The smallest Alexa device we've reviewed is at its lowest price since Prime Day](%2F%2Fwww.amazon.com%2FIntroducing-sound-compact-speaker-Lavender%2Fdp%2FB09ZXJDSL5%2F%3Ftag=newsletter039-20/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/7x_RiKwBA5QIOtqrdJQS1lQqWTs=350) In case you missed it [35 Cyber Monday deals still available](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fthe-best-deals-still-available-for-cyber-monday%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/2Ah-FsQpN09SlQkd05PZgBk8wmI=350) [This cool Samsung One UI trick lets you drag and drop content from your photos](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fsamsung-gallery-photo-subject-tip-drag-and-drop-one-ui%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/OMZGIskaRBN5INCxzUlSAeNHQkQ=350) [How to block suggested apps on your Pixel phone: Avoid embarrassing apps on your home screen](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fhow-to-block-suggested-apps-on-google-pixel%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/mc5QpgvROvMB1kETuH_H1aX7hx0=350) [Best smartphone camera accessories: Create Hollywood-worthy shots with your phone](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fbest-smartphone-camera-accessories%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/_AjtiKb83b_xiIWkWnNiLJRqVHY=350) [iOS 18 rumours: What to expect from the next major iPhone software](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fapple-ios-18-release-date-features-compatible-iphones%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/R-FBqTolgRMN2tKrqi3xH7GFgZU=350) And finally... [Google Pixel 9: What we want to see](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fgoogle-pixel-9-rumors-release-date-specs-price-features%2F%3Futm_source=PL-NL%26utm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/AaB5qN2PqCu2_Ujkg0D5YvpwNDg=350) Google's next smartphone lineup might once again define what it means to be the best Android smartphone. [pixel8pro_11](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fgoogle-pixel-9-rumors-release-date-specs-price-features%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/1/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/t_TgDUT-Dyb5_K7SZAzGMitXlIg=350) Over the years, Google has steadily grown into a company well-known for its smartphones. These are often the enthusiast's pick, offering great value for money, incredible camera performance, interesting features and a software experience that none of the competitors even come close to matching. [Read More »](%2F%2Fwww.pocket-lint.com%2Fgoogle-pixel-9-rumors-release-date-specs-price-features%2F%3Futm_medium=newsletter%26utm_campaign=PL-202311281431%26utm_source=PL-NL%26user=dHJpc3RyYW1iYWxkd2luODZAZ21haWwuY29t/2/0100018c176ffaef-7b7a350f-8923-4830-bbf4-f482ae5827d3-000000/D_afiGuyM9sdsYjsfiUNl-p6Wuo=350) Thanks for reading - if you're enjoying the email, why not get a friend to sign up too, so they can also be in the know? 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